How should followers of Christ handle trouble and calamity? In this message, we explore the stark difference between the world's view that trouble is unusual and God's truth that trouble is the context we live in. Rather than being caught off guard when difficulties arise, learn a practical three-part game plan for navigating troubled times.

Before trouble starts, we must walk in wisdom, pray for protection, and help others. During trouble, the focus shifts to maintaining the right perspective, confessing the truth, praying, controlling our thoughts, and taking appropriate action. After trouble passes, we praise and thank God for His faithfulness.

This timely message includes biblical guidance for Christians during challenging times. It reminds us that while we can't eliminate trouble, we can minimize it through obedience. Most importantly, we're assured that God can use even the worst circumstances for our good, though we may not see how now.

This is a church sermon focused on biblical teachings about money and possessions, delivered as part of a series called "Life God's Way." The pastor (Matt) discusses how Christians should view and handle finances from a biblical perspective, contrasting worldly approaches with God's principles.

The sermon begins with a review of the series' foundation, emphasizing that Jesus should be at the center of every area of life, not just Sunday worship. The pastor uses a "know, be, do" triangle framework to structure the teaching, explaining what Christians need to know about money, who they should become, and what actions they should take.

Key themes include:
- The concept that God owns everything and gives both the ability to earn and enjoy wealth
- Warning against money becoming an idol or alternative god
- The deceptive nature of money and its potential to feed arrogance
- Biblical sources of money (primarily hard work and inheritance)
- The importance of stewarding resources responsibly
- Finding a balanced path between "poverty gospel" and "prosperity gospel"

The message includes practical applications while emphasizing spiritual principles. Throughout the sermon, the pastor incorporates numerous biblical references and real-life examples, including a personal story about his past reaction to car damage to illustrate how possessions can inappropriately control our behavior.

The sermon concludes with the introduction of a "generosity ladder" concept and announces the opening of a new Prayer and Decision Room at the church, made possible through the congregation's generous giving during a previous Christmas offering.

The overall tone is educational and pastoral, aimed at helping church members understand and apply biblical principles to their financial lives while maintaining a focus on spiritual growth rather than merely accumulating wealth.

In this sermon, Groups Director Rick Myers, a seasoned pharmacist, shares valuable insights on the power of words and the importance of work from a Christian perspective. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical wisdom, he explores how our speech can build up or tear down relationships, and how our work ethic reflects our faith. Rick emphasizes the significance of sowing positive seeds through our words, respecting authority at work, and finding opportunities to share our faith appropriately in professional settings. He addresses the challenges of maintaining integrity in the workplace and encourages listeners to trust in God's guidance for their careers. This message offers practical advice for both young professionals and experienced workers, reminding us that our words and work have lasting impacts. Ultimately, Rick underscores the importance of relying on God's strength to navigate our professional lives with grace and purpose.