Raintree Community Church

Text: Acts 1:1-11 Jeff Fitzgerald preaches to us about how Christ's last command to His disciples as He ascended into heaven must be our first commitment as we live out our discipleship here on earth.

Text: Colossians 3:22-4:1   Christ-Centered Servanthood (3:22-25) We are called to obey our superiors as unto the Lord for His glory. We are called to serve wholeheartedly in all things for the Lord and His reward and reckoning.   Christ-Centered Supervision (4:1) We are called to treat those we lead with respect and equality, knowing that Jesus is Lord and supreme over all.

Text: Colossians 3:18-21   Christ-Centered Submission (3:18) Christ calls and empowers wives to submit to their husbands in a way that brings glory to Him.   Christ-Centered Love (3:19) Christ calls and empowers husbands to love their wives in a way that treasures them with gentleness.   Christ-Centered Obedience (3:20) Christ calls and empowers children to obey their parents in every way that ple...

Texts:  Philippians 1:3-11, 27-30; Romans 15:1-7; Romans 12:3-8   We Serve in a Gospel-centered Partnership (Philippians 1:3-11, 27-30) We are saved into a partnership with one another through the Gospel. This partnership manifests itself in a life worthy of the Gospel that strives side by side together.   We Serve in a Gospel-centered Culture (Romans 15:1-7) We are called to a unity and harmony b...

Texts: Colossians 2:6-10; Ephesians 4:11-16   We are Rooted in Christ Together for Gospel Growth (Col. 2:6-10) We are established in Christ. We are steadfast in Christ. We are fulfilled in Christ   We are Equipped in Christ Together for Gospel Ministry (Eph. 4:11-16) We are equipped by the Word through gifted shepherds. We are matured by the Word through the Christ's working. We are discipled by t...

Texts: Psalm 95:1-7a; 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:7   Worship: The Attitude of the Heart (Psalm 95:1-7a) Worshipping God is about an internal attitude before it is an external activity. Worshipping God reframes our reality around God's Word.   Worship: The Transformation of the Life (2 Corinthians 3:18) Worshipping God leads to a life that beholds the glory of Christ. Worshipping God leads to a life that...

Text: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14   Consider the Weighty Words of Wisdom (12:9-12) God's wisdom is like a goad that spurs us onward. God's wisdom is like well-driven nails that fix our hearts to truth. God's wisdom comes to us from the Shepherd of our souls.   Consider the Whole Duty of Man (12:13-14) We are called to walk in the fear of God. We are called to obey the Word of God. We are energized and eq...

Text: Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:8   Live Every Day With Faith in God's Plan (11:1-6) We must live surrendered lives before the face of God, trusting in God's sovereign plan. The future may seem uncertain to us, but we can trust in the certainty of God's faithfulness.   Live Every Day With Gratitude for God's Gifts (11:7-10) We must celebrate our days before the face of God, rejoicing in all He has give...

Text: Ecclesiastes 10   Foolishness Will Lead You Astray (10:1-4) A little bit of foolishness goes a long way to lead your heart astray from God's wisdom. A little bit of foolishness leads to a life that lacks any sense.   Foolishness Will Lead You to Ruin (10:5-14) Foolishness will inevitably cause your downfall into destruction. Foolishness will inevitably consume you through your reckless words...

Text: Ecclesiastes 9   The Unfailing Hand of God's Providence (9:1) As we consider our lives, the future often seems uncertain and unpredictable. Therefore, we must rest our lives in God's sovereignty and trust in His promises.   The Inescapable Reality of Our Death (9:2-6) Death is the great leveler and the inevitable event for all mankind. Therefore, we still have hope while we live if we will t...

Text: Ecclesiastes 8   Be Submissive to Earthly Authorities (8:1-9) We must wisely align ourselves under earthly authorities because they are set up by God. Our submission and obedience ultimately rests in God.   Fear God as the Ultimate Authority (8:10-13) We must walk in the fear of the Lord despite the evil we experience around us. We know that God is the final authority and judge of all.   Loo...

Text: Ecclesiastes 7   Consider God's Lessons on Death (7:1-6) God presents death to us as a teacher who instructs us on what is most important in life.   Consider God's Wisdom on Life (7:7-12) God calls us to be self-controlled, eternity-focused, and to prize wisdom over wealth.   Consider God's Work of Providence (7:13-18) We must trust in the sovereignty of God and walk in the fear of God.   Co...

Text: Ecclesiastes 6   The Pointless Pursuit of All Earthly Things (6:1-6) Satisfaction cannot be found in wealth, possessions, and honor. Satisfaction cannot be achieved in a full bank account, a thriving family, and a long life. Satisfaction can only be found in an eternal God who put eternity in our hearts.   The Limitless Longing in All People (6:7-9) We all have an insatiable desire that cann...

One of our elders, Sid Werges, preaches to us from John 15:12-13.

Text: Ecclesiastes 5   The Posture of Intentional Worship (5:1-7) As we worship God, we are called to guard our steps carefully, take our vows seriously, and approach God humbly in awe.   The Poverty of Loving Money (5:8-17) We must recognize the fleeting and unsatisfying nature of pursuing wealth.   The Pleasure of God-Centered Contentment (5:18-20) We must learn to be content in the Lord and fin...

Text: Ecclesiastes 4   Oppression Without Comfort (4:1-3) Oppression without comfort leads to misery and despair.   Envy With Anxiety (4:4-6) Envy with anxiety leads to a dissatisfied restlessness.   Wealth Without Contentment and Community (4:7-8) Wealth without contentment and community leads to loneliness and emptiness.   Life With Companionship (4:9-12) Life with companionship leads to communi...

Text: Ecclesiastes 3     God's Rule Over Time is Eternally Comprehensive (3:1-8) The statements in these verses give the full range of the human experience after the Fall in Genesis 3. From birth to death and everything in between, there are no gaps in God's sovereignty and His plan of redemption.   God's Rule Over Time is Eternally Providential (3:9-15) God has created everything for His glorious...

Our Youth Director, Drew Erickson preaches on Revelation 1: Christ the Son of Man is the ruler over the kings of the earth and will build His Church and save His people from every tribe, tongue, nation, people and language.  Christ, the Son of Man will return in glory, and all those who have rejected Him will be judged.

Text: Ecclesiastes 2   The Emptiness of Worldly Pleasure (2:1-3) The pursuit of pleasure apart from God may lead to momentary happiness, but ends in permanent emptiness.   The Futility of Worldly Achievement (2:4-11) The pursuit of finding life's meaning in worldly achievement may take you to the top, but it will ultimately end in gaining nothing.   The Limitations of Worldly Wisdom (2:12-17) The...

Text: Ecclesiastes 1   Life is Short in Light of Eternity (1:1-7) Our lives are the equivalent of a vapor that appears for a brief time. When our lives are centered on God, then our focus is not on the brevity and emptiness of this life, but on eternal life.   Life is Wearisome Under the Sun (1:8-11) Our lives can feel exhausting, monotonous, and futile. When our lives are centered on God, then ou...

"Ecclesiastes: Living in Light of the End" (Book Overview)     The Author of Ecclesiastes The human author is announced in 1:1 as the "Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem." This is most likely referring to Solomon, who also wrote the Book of Proverbs and the Song of Solomon. When Solomon became king, he asked God for wisdom instead of wealth and honor, which God granted to him in abundan...

The Priority of Obedience - Psalm 119:1-8   The perspective of all the faithful on the priority of obedience (vv. 1-3)   They experience the happiness of obedience (vv. 1-2) They experience the practicality of obedience (v. 3)   The perspective of God on the priority of obedience (v. 4)   His standard concerning obedience (v. 4a) His burden concerning obedience (v. 4b)   The perspective of the psa...

Text: Colossians 3:15-17   Our Hearts Must be Gratefully Governed by the Peace of Christ. (3:15) The peace of Christ comes to us through the blood of Christ which reconciled us to God. We are called to rest in the peace of Christ to rule every moment of our lives and build unity within the church.   Our Hearts Must be Gratefully Filled by the Word of Christ. (3:16) We must let the Gospel of Christ...

Text: Colossians 3:12-14   The New Life Begins in Christ (3:12a) As believers, we are chosen, sanctified, and loved by God. This new life does not rest on our merits, but on Christ and His work in us.   The New Life Looks Like Christ (3:12b-14) As believers, our life should reflect the grace we have received in Christ. This new life is characterized by Christlike love which gives way to Christlike...

Text: Colossians 3:7-11   We Must Cast Off the Sins of the Old Life (3:7-9) Christ calls us to turn from our former life of sin and never look back. Christ equips us to comprehensively target all forms of ungodly behavior and put them to death.   We Must Put On the Identity of the New Life in Christ (3:10-11) The new life in Christ has replaced the old life of sin. The new life in Christ is create...