The Pillar Church Podcast

Preached at Redemption Church on Mar 12, 2023
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:1 - 4:3
Sermon Points:
Good and Evil Under the Sun (1-10)
Faith, Not Sight (11-15)
Observation: In our experience of good and evil under the sun, we cannot understand what God is doing.
2 Insights:
Joy and Goodness (3:12-13)
Fear and Reconciliation (3:14-15)
Goad: It is better to admit you don't understand, than to think you know better than God.
What We See - Vanity and Evil Under the Sun (3:16-22, 4:1-3)
10 Vanities that Challenge Faith in God's Goodness.
Wickedness Everywhere (16-17)
Death Like the Animals (18-22)
Oppression and Evil (1-3)

Preached at Redemption Church on Mar 5, 2023
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:16-2:26
Observation of Vanity #2: More Wisdom and Knowledge = More Sorrow and Vexation.
Sermon Points:
The Great Search (1-11)
No Gain (12-23)
Evil #1: The wise die and are forgotten just like the fool.
Evil #2: Who gets all my stuff?
The Gift (24-26)
Big Idea: The Good Life is not a human achievement to be gained, it is a gift that only comes from God.
Goads and Nails:
The Good Life is not a Human Accomplishment.
The Good Life is a Gift that only Comes from God.

Preached at Redemption Church on Feb 26, 2023
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 1:1-15
Observations of Vanity:
All Work, No Gain
2 Results of Toil
Weariness
No Satisfaction in Life
This "Evil Business" is given by God
Goads & Nails:
Give up any and all hope or trust in fallen humanity.
Put all hope and trust completely in God through Jesus Christ.
Live the "Better" Way.

Preached at Redemption Church on Feb 19, 2023
Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Sermon Points:
Unique Characteristics of Ecclesiastes
Shocking
Puzzling
AuthorshipEcclesiastes is inspired by God and useful for us today.
Keys to Unlocking Ecclesiastes
 
 
 
“Under the Sun”
“Vanity, Evil, Trouble”
God
Takeaways:
We must understand and accept the truth about Where We Are - we are “under the sun.”
We must understand and accept the truth about What We Experience - we experience “vanity, evil, and trouble.”
We must understand and accept Who God Is and how we should respond to Him - We should fear God.
How to get the most from Ecclesiastes:
1.  Read next week’s reading every day
2.  Memorize Romans 8:18-26 in the next 12 weeks
3.  Identify the “Goads and Nails” (12:11)

Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Acts 8:1b-25
Big Idea: God’s word brings the joy of salvation and attracts the pride of pretenders.
Sermon Points:
Persecution Results In Gospel Growth (vs 1b-4)
The Joy of Salvation (vs 5-13)
Exposing Self-Promoters (vs 14-24)
Takeaway: Choose Church Leaders Very Carefully

Preacher: Dave Cartwright
Passage: Acts 6:8-8:3

Preacher: Dave Cartwright
Passage: Acts 6:1-9
Sermon Points:
The Problem
The Priority
The Plan

Preacher: Dave Cartwright
Passage: Acts 5:12-42
Sermon Points: 
Why is Resilience even needed? (vs 12-26)
Where do we find such Resilience? (vs 27-39)
What does Resilience look like? (vs 40-42)

Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Acts 4:32-5:11
Big Idea: To enjoy God’s grace we must have a proper fear of God
Sermon Points:
Enjoying Great Grace (4:32-37)
A Proper Fear of God (5:1-11)
Application Points:
We should Practice Grace Based Giving
We must Beware of Lying to God

Preacher: Greg Alles
Passage: Acts 3 - 4:31
Big Idea: God empowers us to take the good news of Jesus into a hostile world.
Sermon Points: 
The Opportunity (3:1-10)
Speaking of Jesus (3:11-26)
Acceptance & Opposition (4:1-22)
Praying for Help (4:23-31)
Takeaways:
We Must Embrace the Exclusivity of Jesus
We Must Seek God’s Help to Speak This Message Boldly