Emmanuel Church

Psalm 23 may be the most quoted passage in all of Scripture. Its beauty is matched by its depth as David describes the good Shepherd leading His sheep in the way of the cross.

More than all others, this is the psalm of the cross, the clearest description of the agony and glory of our redemption. Like Isaiah 53, this text reveals the horror of Golgotha and  Jesus’ trust in the Father that carried Him to victory.

Sermon from guest preacher Jason Farley, speaker at Emmanuel Camp 2023.

Psalm 21 celebrates the coronation and reign of the king and has been called David’s triumphant song. Like many psalms, it’s fulfilled in the Son of David, the victory of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Solomon comes to the end of his book talking about the end of life. How do we live this life knowing it won’t last forever? By the grace of God, our approaching death is no impediment to joy, but a reason to enjoy and thank Him.

Solomon delivers pointed advice for working in this inscrutable world. Though life is hevel, out of our control, this does not mean that wisdom and hard work are pointless. Despite our inability to figure it all out or guarantee results, we are to work smart and hard. Plow, plant, and leave the increase to the Lord.

Sermon from Eric Letsche, Emmanuel Church Elder (pro tem).

In the fourth and final section of Ecclesiastes, the Preacher reinforces what he has already set out and pushes wisdom into the corners. Or to change the metaphor, he builds new stories upon the foundation he has already laid. These are not castles in the sky, but God’s gift to the forgiven today.

We have to look beyond appearances to understand prosperity, poverty, people, and now power. Rulers are a subset of mysterious mankind so king Solomon provides wisdom for dealing with those who have power. NOTE - We have a new sound system and discovered a setting that will improve the recording for next week.

All is vapor and out of our control, and what is more mysterious than the wildest creature on earth—mankind? In this section Solomon has shown that outward appearances aren’t always what they seem. Just because someone appears prosperous doesn’t mean they can enjoy their wealth. Adversity for the faithful is a means to glory. Now he talks about people: how to understand them with wisdom, how to avoid faux wisdom, and the gift the God that makes your face shine.