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Meaning in the Madness

A Study in Ecclesiastes: January 8-April 2

Chaos. That is a word that seems to capture the zeitgeist of our age. Instability, wars, pandemics, and institutional breakdown have led people to wonder: is anyone in control? Do meaning and purpose exist?  Indeed, with endless choices and uncertain times people today are less secure and more jaded than ever before. Doubts about everything are the new normal. We are living through an era that feels a bit … mad.

 

So… how do we live by faith in a world of madness? That is what the book of Ecclesiastes is about. It assumes doubts and offers answers not addressed anywhere else. It explores issues that haunt us at the end of life. In short, this ancient book offers meaning in the madness by directing us to the purpose giver: God himself.

 

Over the 12 weeks, we are going to explore all the important issues in life: Meaning, purpose, happiness, work, wealth, fame, power, suffering, justice, and death. The world’s answers are incoherent and incomplete. The teacher of Ecclesiastes shows us that order is possible in chaos, meaning is birthed despite the madness, and true beauty is revealed at the feet of our Creator King. Join us as we discover meaning in the madness.

Recommended companion reading:

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1/8 – Book and Series Introduction
1/15 –  Meaning in the Madness
1/22 – Purposeful Use of Time
1/29 – CONTEND CONFERENCE
2/5 – Meaningful Work
2/12 – False Meaning: Worship and Money
2/19 – Meaning in the Midst of Pain
2/26 – Wisdom and Meaning
3/5 – Meaningful Joy 
3/12 – The Danger of Folly
3/19 – Meaningful Risk
3/26 – The Creator of Meaning
4/2 – Meaningful Death 

Previous Sermons in this Series

A Biblical Perspective on Risk – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 3-19-23
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March 19, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled: "A Biblical Perspective on Risk."
madness 2023, Dave Hentschel

Meaning in the midst of Uncertainty – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 3-5-23
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March 5, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "Meaning in the midst of Uncertainty" based on Ecclesiastes 9:1-18.
madness 2023, Dave Hentschel

Wisdom in the Maze of Life – Pastor Bob Erbig – Meaning in the Madness – 2-26-23
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February 26, 2023
Pastor Bob Erbig continues our series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled: "Wisdom in the Maze of Life," based on Ecclesiastes 8:1-17.
madness 2023, Bob Erbig

Why do Good People Suffer? – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 2-19-23
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February 19, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "Why do Good People Suffer?" based on Ecclesiastes 6:1-7:29.
madness 2023, Dave Hentschel

The Struggle for Meaning at Work – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 2-5-23
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February 5, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "The Struggle for Meaning at Work," based on Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16.
madness 2023, Dave Hentschel

Meaning and Time – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 1-22-23
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January 22, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled "Meaning and Time" based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-15.
madness 2023, Current Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel

Life Past the Exit Sign – Pastor Bob Erbig – Meaning in the Madness – 1-8-23
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January 8, 2023
Pastor Bob Erbig kicks off our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "Life Past the Exit Sign."
madness 2023, Current Sermon Series, Bob Erbig

Unbelievable-Christmas

Sermon on deck…

Is Christmas Unbelievable: December 2022

Many people assume that the story of the baby in the manger at Bethlehem is just another made-up fantasy for kids. In this series based on the book by respected apologist Rebecca McLaughlin, we will outline the evidence that Jesus was a real person, explaining the reliability of the Bible’s accounts of his life and why believing in a virgin birth is not as ridiculous as it might sound. This series shows that there is a rational basis for the belief that the world’s most famous story is fact, not fantasy—and how those events in history can infuse our lives today with meaning and joy

12/4 – Was Jesus Even a Real Person?

12/11 – Weren’t the Gospels Made Up Later? 

12/18 – How Can You believe in a Virgin Birth?

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve

12/24 – Christmas Eve

12/25 – Christmas Online Event

Recommended companion reading:

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Inside out Sermon
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Previous Sermons in this Series

What does America need in 2023? – Noah Graves – 1-1-23
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January 1, 2023
Noah Graves, the Executive Assistant to the Pastoral Leadership, starts 2023 with his New Years sermon entitled "What does America Need in 2023?"
other, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

Why does Christmas matter? – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Is Christmas Unbelievable? – 12-24-22
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December 24, 2022
Pastor Dave Hentschel finishes our series Is Christmas Unbelievable? with his sermon entitled "Why does Christmas matter?"
Dave Hentschel, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

How Can You believe in a Virgin Birth? – Pastor Bob Erbig – Is Christmas Unbelievable? – 12-18-22
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December 18, 2022
Pastor Bob Erbig continues our sermon series, Is Christmas Unbelievable? with his sermon entitled "Week 3: How Can You believe in a Virgin Birth?"
Archived Sermon Series, Bob Erbig, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

Can We Take the Gospels Seriously – Pastor Bob Erbig – Is Christmas Unbelievable? – 12-11-22
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December 11, 2022
Pastor Bob Erbig continues our series, Is Christmas Unbelievable? with his sermon entitled "Week 2: Can We Take the Gospels Seriously?" based on Luke 1:1-4.
Archived Sermon Series, Bob Erbig, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

Was Jesus Even a Real Person? – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Is Christmas Unbelievable? – 12-4-22
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December 4, 2022
Pastor Dave Hentschel begins our new sermon series, Is Christmas Unbelievable? with his sermon entitled "Was Jesus Even a Real Person?" based on Luke 1:1-4; 3:1-2.
Archived Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

Is Christmas Unbelievable? 2022
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November 28, 2022
Archived Sermon Series, Unbelievable-Christmas 2022

MBC Communion / Lords Table

The next Baptism will be:
August 25

Lord’s Table | We practice two ordinances at MBC: Baptism and the Lord’s Table. By participating in these ordinances, Christians proclaim both their individual faith in Christ and our whole congregation proclaims our unity in the Gospel. MBC believes that the Lord’s Supper (Communion) is a commemoration of the Savior’s death, and, through participating, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” MBC Articles of Faith, Article XI – To prepare our hearts for the Lord’s Supper we must understand that we are practicing these four things when we come to His table:   

We Worship

This ordinance is part of corporate worship, normally on the first Sunday of each month. This is why the Lord’s Table is for believers only. It is an act of the gathered family, the church. Unbelievers may be present, indeed, we welcome them to be present as there is nothing secretive about the Lord’s Supper, it is done in public, but it is the family meal for those who have already professed their faith in Jesus Christ and have come to worship.

 

We Remember

Human beings are prone to forgetfulness. This is especially true spiritually. Therefore, the mental action of all the participants of the Lord’s Supper is to focus our minds on Jesus, especially remembering his sacrificial and historical work of dying on the cross for our sins. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 says “Do this in remembrance of me.” At the table we remember.

We Give Thanks

The word “Eucharist” in 1 Corinthians 11:24 means to “give thanks.” We are filled with gratitude at the table because Jesus paid our sin debt and provided for us in abundance all that we need.

We Practice Self-Examination

The Scripture says a person “ought to examine themselves before he or she eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on themselves. (1 Corinthians 11:28-29) It’s important that we come to the table with a clear conscience before God. We come and confess our sins and renew our covenant commitment before God.

 

For Further Study

Communion is explained in the following key Scriptures: Matthew 26:26-30, Mark 14:22-26, Luke 22:14-20, 1 Cor 11:23-32.

Check our our informative Mini-Series on the Lords Table

Check out more of our relevant content on our You Tube Channel

Resources to Learn More:

Questions?

Pastors Bob Erbig & Dave Hentschel

Lead Pastors

Contact Bob & Dave with any questions

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.”

- 1 Cor 11:26, ESV)
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We Need a King

For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
~1 Sam 16:7

The books of 1 and 2 Samuel are a historic account of how a loose confederacy of tribes comes together under the banner of a united nation and monarchy through the covenant of God. A shepherd boy is anointed king. A barren woman is given a son with prophetic significance. A taunting giant falls the ground in defeat. This is a story of hard-fought battles and gut-wrenching political betrayals. The Bible pulls no punches as it displays leaders who accomplish great feats for the armies of God, but who also usurp power, fall into adultery and even commit suicide. This sermon series draws on a number of major themes from the lives of Samuel, Saul and David, using them as examples for us, both positive and negative. Samuel guides Israel out of the time of the judges, Saul personifies the idolatry and unbelief of Israel and David is portrayed as a great hero of the faith and a worthy model to follow. Each of these leaders paint a nuanced picture of heroes and villains, pointing us toward our own need for the greater King, Jesus, and the importance of our obedience in response to his covenant.

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Resources:

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Resources:

1.  Tim Keller’s, “Hidden Christmas”

2. Tim Keller – Message on Psalm 2 “Jesus our King”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjMGMUuNpZ4
We have a king 2. We hate the king 3. We need the king)

3. John Piper – “Coronavirus and Christ.” E BOOK https://document.desiringgod.org/coronavirus-and-christ-en.pdf?ts=1586278809

Schedule:

11/29 – Week 1 – KING OF HOPE: – BOB

How has this year devastated your hopes? This sermon should focus on the Promised King of the OT, predictions, types and shadows in all the OT Kings

Text ideas: OT Prophecies; Isa 9, Micah 5, other types and shadows, David, Solomon, etc. (other texts as needed)

 

12/6 – Week 2 – KING OF PEACE – DAVE

How has this year destroyed your peace? This sermon focuses on Jesus as a different kind of King, compared to King Herod, a ruthless, arrogant tyrant, Jesus came to bring peace through humility and sacrifice, ”God and sinners reconciled.” Text ideas: Matthew 2; Romans 5:1  (other texts as needed)

12/13 – Week 3 – KING OF JOY – DAVE

How has this year stolen your joy? This sermon focuses on the unshakeable source of joy as we rejoice in God our savior. Text ideas: Luke 1 – The Magnificat; Luke 2 – “Good tidings of great joy”   (other texts as needed)

 

12/20 – Week 4 – KING OF LOVE  – BOB

How has this year threatened our love for others? How is Jesus the answer as the one who loved his enemies and His kingdom shows a better way.

Text idea: John 3:16; Romans 5:8 (Other texts as needed)

 

12/23 – Christmas Eve Eve – The King is Here

This has been a very difficult year. How can the message of Christmas be exactly what we need in 2020?

How can the presence of our savior make a difference in our shattered lives?

12/24 – Christmas Eve – same as above

 

Previous Sermons

The Consequences of Sin – Pastor Dave Hentschel – We Need a King – 11-13-22
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November 13, 2022
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermons series We Need a King with his sermon entitled, "The Consequences of Sin."
Archived Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel, We Need a King

The Shadow Within – Pastor Bob Erbig – We Need a King – 11-6-22
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November 6, 2022
Pastor Bob Erbig continues our series, We Need a King, with his sermon entitled, "The Shadow Within," based off 2 Samuel 11-12.
Archived Sermon Series, Bob Erbig, We Need a King

We Need A King intro
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September 14, 2022
Archived Sermon Series, We Need a King

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