In this sermon, Colin shows us how Ecclesiastes challenges our attempts to master life on our own terms. Through the Preacher's search for the good life, we discover that the good life isn't something we can achieve through wisdom, pleasure, wealth, accomplishments, or work. It isn't something we can secure, because time marches on, death is inevitable, and life is unpredictable. Instead, the good life is something we receive as a gift from God.

Ecclesiastes calls us to fear God and keep His commandments. The gospel reveals that Jesus achieved what we could not through His perfect obedience, secured what we could not through His resurrection, and freely offers what we could never earn—eternal life.

Bottom Line: Stop trying to master your life. Submit your life to the Master.

From an initial glance, Mark's story might seem "boring." He was raised in a Christian family, attended a Christian school, and came to Christ at a young age. Nevertheless, self-deception and a false sense of self-reliance followed Mark wherever he went, and always there was that question: "How do I know that I'm truly saved?" Listen to Mark's story of a slow but steady growth through God's hand in his circumstances, ultimately decreasing his doubts and increasing his faith. Remember: "No testimony is boring because it's not your testimony; it's God's!"

In Philippians 4:4–9, Paul gives practical instructions for living a life worthy of the gospel. While these familiar verses are often applied to life's difficulties and personal anxieties, in this sermon, Pastor Tim points out how their context reveals another important application: maintaining unity in our relationships. Paul teaches that rejoicing, gentleness, prayer, and godly thinking not only help us face life's difficulties but also transform how we treat one another.