Appleton Gospel Church

After all is said and done, just what was King Solomon's legacy? The truth is...it's complicated. There was good and bad, faithfulness and idolatry, rise and fall. One takeaway is that by staying rooted in obedience, we can prevent our hearts from drifting. What will our legacy be?? Read more...

What is the meaning of life? Seriously? Does anything bring lasting satisfaction? Good question! Many people feel there must be more to life. After many years as the king, Solomon wrote his most philosophical work reflecting on his experiences of pursuing wisdom, wealth, career accomplishments, and pleasure, and the seeming meaninglessness (hebel) of life. His conclusion is both helpful and hopeful in our modern age. Read more...

Have you ever felt like your life was falling apart, and you knew that it was at least partially your fault? Who among us hasn't gotten into a mess of our own making? But is there anything we can do? When God raised up three adversaries, it was all Solomon's fault. But would the king finally turn from his ways? Read more...

What was Solomon's downfall? In his old age, he ignored God's word on marriage, took hundreds of foreign wives and concubines, and started worshipping the idols of his many wives. But there were devastating consequences for his unfaithfulness. If Solomon, with all his advantages in life, couldn't stay faithful to God, is there any hope for us? Read more...

There's no denying the fact that King Solomon was fantastically wealthy. Never before had so much gold, silver, horses, spices, and other riches flowed into Jerusalem. But how are we to think about his vast accumulation? Was God ok with it, or was this a sign of trouble to come? We'll see. One thing is sure: when wealth becomes our security, it replaces God. Read more...

After hearing reports of King Solomon and his God, the Queen of Sheba came with hard questions to see the wisdom of God for herself. When the king answered her questions, she was overwhelmed and left praising God. How can we help the spiritual seekers in our lives today? There is much to learn from King Solomon here. Read more...

24 years into his reign, after completing the Temple and Palace building projects, the Lord appeared to King Solomon again. This time, instead of giving him the gift of wisdom, God gave him a stern but gracious warning: There is a path that leads to life, but there are many paths that lead away from life. Read more...

When the congregation of Israel gathered for the dedication of the temple, they couldn't stop praising the Lord! They were filled with joy and gladness for all the good things the Lord had done. True worship flows from a heart of love, moved by the grace of God, and results in a new way of life that is pleasing to God. Read more...

King Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple strongly emphasized the need for the forgiveness of sins. Would God respond with mercy in their time of need? If God is good and faithful and is here, then we can trust that when we pray, he will hear us and save us—even from ourselves. Read more...

Jesus was born into a family with a very important history, including many prophecies or promises of God about a coming Messiah-King. The first Christmas is a story of one promise being fulfilled after another, after another. Seeing this pattern greatly helps our faith. What is a promise of God you need him to keep? Read more...

When King Solomon wrote Psalm 72, he wrote a prayer for the ideal king—one who administered justice wherever righteousness was lacking, and whose reign would bring peace (shalom). A good and godly king is a blessing to everyone. However, no earthly king (not even Solomon at his best) ever fulfilled this vision. No one, that is, until the Lord Jesus Christ. All hail the King! Read more...

At the culmination of the grand opening of Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, God showed up. When the ark of the covenant was brought into the Most Holy Place, the glory cloud of God's holy presence appeared. This strange phenomenon happens throughout the Bible, pointing to the good news that God keeps his promises by moving in with his people. Read more...

In the middle of the long story of the Temple building project in Jerusalem, another building project interrupts — that of Solomon's own palace district. Why is this here? As we compare the construction of the Lord's house with Solomon's house, we find ourselves asking a big question: What does this project say about what Solomon actually believes about God? Read more...

The Temple in Jerusalem was the signature building project of King Solomon's reign. But almost hidden in the middle of a passage full of details about the building's design is a reminder of a Bible-long theme that is such good news: The great big beating heart behind everything God does is his steadfast desire to dwell with his people. Read more...

Solomon prepared to build the temple by negotiating with the pagan King Hiram of Tyre for timber, skilled workers, and other materials. What did God think about this? This text reveals a (perhaps surprising) pattern of God using Jews and Gentiles to build his house; a pattern that continues today in Christ. Read more...

Ancient Israel experienced something of a golden age under King Solomon's rule. The people enjoyed abundant peace and prosperity as Solomon expanded his administration, wealth, and influence. Life was good. How should Christians think and respond...to the good times?? Read more...

The Song of Songs is King Solomon's poetic celebration of the romantic love and attraction that God intended for a healthy marriage. But how do love, marriage, and sexuality work in a broken world? Solomon's love song reminds us how marriage ought to be, but also points to the perfect love of God for his people. Read more...

Who should you date? What career should you pursue? Where should you live? When should you have kids? There are so many big decisions in life. How do we make all these decisions in a way that honors God and is good for us, even if we don't have specific direction from him? Wisdom. We need wisdom. In his lifetime, King Solomon wrote thousands of proverbs to help children (and adults!) grow in wisdom. Read more...

At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to King Solomon and asked him what he wanted. (What would YOU ask for?) Solomon asked for wisdom to administer justice for God's people. God was so pleased with this that he graciously gave Solomon far more than he could ask or imagine. The grace of God is seen throughout the Bible because this is who God is. Read more...

After his father David's death, Solomon moved to establish his kingdom. Adonijah, Solomon's brother; Abiathar the priest; Joab the military commander; and Shimei all needed justice brought to bear on their actions. Would Solomon do what was easy or what was right? Would he overreact or judge justly? The King of God's kingdom reflects God's character. Read more...

Before his death, King David gave his son, Solomon, one last charge. What did he say in those final moments? David said to be strong and act like a man by being Biblically faithful. But would Solomon learn to be a righteous king? Can anyone be truly righteous? A right belief in God's word leads to a right understanding of how to live in God's world. Read more...

In response to Adonijah's attempted coup, King David acted quickly to ensure that Solomon was his successor. When David's plan worked, he responded in worship for God's faithfulness to keep his word. When faith is a battle and it's hard to believe, even when it seems as if the whole world is against you, don't forget this one simple truth: God never breaks his promises. Read more...

Before Solomon could take the throne, a new rival emerged—his own brother. Adonijah was the oldest living son of King David, so he would've been the normal choice. However, both the Lord and King David had chosen Solomon. Driven by pride, Adonijah ignored both God and his father. Would Solomon learn to be humble? Humility requires faith that God is God and you are not. Read more...

Roughly 3,000 years ago, King David was the most powerful and successful king of ancient Israel. David's reign brought peace, prosperity, and plans to build the temple before handing the kingdom to his chosen son, Solomon. How would young Solomon handle living in the shadow of his great father's legacy? Would he learn to be a wise and godly king? Could he overcome the plotting of his enemies, the dysfunction of his family, and the temptations of virtually unlimited wealth, fame, and women? What would be his legacy? Read more...

What exactly does spiritual growth look like? And what kinds of things help people grow in their faith? We love it when people become Christians, but this is only the beginning! The whole rest of the Christian life is about growing as a disciple of Jesus. The call to discipleship is a call to be with Jesus, learn the way of Jesus, and be transformed by Jesus. Read more...

The Great Commission of Jesus, given to his disciples after Jesus rose from the dead, means that every Christian has a mission. To do what exactly? To help people come to faith and grow in their faith! The story of Philip and the Ethiopian official is a great case study for how to help people come to faith in Jesus. Read more...

The unlikely victory of the Jews in Persia, brought about by the wisdom, humility, and courage of Esther and Mordecai, was commemorated by the Festival of Purim. However, the entire book of Esther raises a crucial question: Where is God in this story? Read more...

Will God allow evil and injustice to prevail? Will God allow his enemies to win and his people to lose? The dramatic reversal of the downfall of Haman and the rise of Mordecai prevented the annihilation of the Jews in Persia. But this victory points to the truth that ultimately, God will not allow evil and injustice to prevail because of the person and work of Jesus. Read more...

Queen Esther displayed great wisdom and courage in facing King Xerxes to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people. And in a dramatic reversal, her plan works! Haman falls into his own trap prepared for Mordecai and gets the justice he deserved. In Esther's story, and elsewhere in the Bible, God uses faithful people to accomplish his justice and rescue his people. Read more...

In response to Haman's evil plot, Esther demonstrated remarkable wisdom and courage in making her appeal to King Xerxes. Then, seemingly coincidentally, the king remembered that Mordecai had saved his life and decided to honor him, much to the embarrassment of Haman! Was this God's hidden hand at work? One thing is sure: God's providence is never late. Read more...

What do you do when your circumstances are messed up and you don't have enough control to fix it yourself? The big question is this: Are you ready to do the right thing, whatever the cost? While Mordecai lamented the king's edict, Esther demonstrated real courage by being willing to sacrifice herself to try to save her people. But would it be enough? Read more...

Bad leaders corrupt organizations. How? One way is by promoting all the wrong people. In Esther, this is when the plot thickens. When King Xerxes made Haman his second in command, Mordecai refused to bow to him. Haman's wounded pride led to a plot to kill and plunder all the Jewish people of Persia. Would they survive this existential threat? Read more...

What do you do when you aren't sure what would be right in a complicated situation, conversation, or decision? Chapter 2 is full of morally ambiguous situations for Esther and Mordecai — not a lot of black and white, but lots of gray. However, the history-making result was that Esther was crowned queen of Persia. God's people need wisdom and courage to navigate the complexities of life in exile. Read more...

2,500 years ago, in the Kingdom of Persia, King Xerxes hosted an extravagant party as a lavish display of his power and wealth, but instead revealed his foolish pride and insecurity. He demanded that his wife, Queen Vashti, entertain his guests, but she refused and was deposed. This sets the stage for Esther to become the queen, but also points to the need for a better King. Read more...

Of course, we must be faithful as individual Christians. But what does a faithful church look like? A faithful church will pay close attention to how we treat one another, the attitudes we share, and the kind of people we're becoming together in Christ. Isn't this the kind of church you'd want to be part of? Read more...

The Day of the Lord is coming, along with the resurrection of the dead, judgment day, and the beginning of the age to come. But our destination ought to shape our journey. Our future ought to shape our present. The hope of our future in Christ ought to help us remain faithful, even to the end of the age. Read more...

The sad reality of this broken world is that every one of us will one day walk through the valley of the shadow of death. How will we face it? How should we mourn the death of other Christians? Will we be consumed with fear or despair? The good news is that if Jesus died and rose again, then there is hope even in death. Read more...

What could it look like to "make it your ambition to lead a quiet life"? Whether in the ancient client-patron relationships of first-century Thessalonica or the rush of modern life, the Apostle Paul reveals that there is a way to slow down while still being productive, respectable, and generous. This Christ-like way of life reflects Christian love out into a world of busyness. Read more...

What is God's will for your life? To be sanctified, or made holy, including in the area of our sexuality. Sexual immorality leads to all sorts of problems in life, marriage, parenting, and society. However, avoiding sexual immorality can be very challenging. But God not only calls us to live a holy life, but also gives us the Holy Spirit to heal us and help us remain faithful. Read more...

Despite persecution, Timothy brought the good news that the Thessalonian church stood firm in faith and love. This encouraged Paul to persevere despite his own hardships. Why stay faithful? It strengthens others! What does faithfulness look like? Faith in Christ and love for one another. Let's be a church known for both. Read more...

It was tough being a Christian in Thessalonica. But this was nothing new. Jesus faced persecution, just like the prophets before him, the apostles after, and many Christians down through the years. Nevertheless, it can still be startling to realize that following Jesus doesn't automatically make life easier. However, the truth of God's word and the company of God's people help us stay faithful — even in severe suffering. Read more...

When the Apostle Paul brought the gospel to Thessalonica, he was very careful to model a life aligned with his message. He demonstrated the kind of loving care found in a healthy family. This helped those early believers learn what it meant to be part of the church, and it helped sustain them, especially when times were tough. In life and ministry, the "how" matters. Read more...

When the Thessalonians became Christians, Paul says everyone heard how they turned to the true and living God from idols. But idolatry wasn't only an issue back then. Human beings continue to put things (even good things!) in the place of God. We must choose for ourselves this day whom we will serve. Read more...

Being a Christian in the Greek, first-century city of Thessalonica was tough. Thessalonica was a big and prosperous city, but it was full of idols. The Apostle Paul and the first Christians there faced fierce religious persecution and tremendous political pressure to conform. But despite their suffering, they remained faithful. Our culture is different today, but following Jesus can still be very costly. Will we be faithful to the end? Read more...

It is not hyperbole to say that the Easter story forever changed the course of human history. If false, then Christianity is meaningless. But if it is true — if the tomb is still empty, and if Jesus is risen and alive today — then it changes everything! This is our great gospel hope. Read more...

Palm Sunday is when Jesus entered Jerusalem as the King. He was humble, riding on the foal of a donkey. He restored prayer and worship in the temple, making it a place of healing. He will do the same for you if he becomes your Lord. All we can do is respond in joyful worship. "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" Read more...

How can we endure the difficult times when the light seems to have gone out of our lives? The cross changes our expectations, especially regarding suffering. But the cross also shows us that the path of suffering leads to glory when we totally surrender to our good and faithful Father. Read more...

When a mother sought honor for her sons, Jesus taught that greatness comes through serving others, not ruling over them. He came to serve and give His life on the cross as a ransom for many. Are we chasing worldly greatness, or are we following Jesus' example of servant-hearted love? Read more...

How often should I forgive someone who has sinned against me? Forgiveness can be very costly if you've really been hurt. But the forgiveness of sins is the purpose behind the cross and, therefore, is a primary value of the Christian life. Lent is a time to seek peace through the regular practice of repentance and forgiveness. Read more...

Spiritual Dependence (Values of the Cross): The way of Jesus is fundamentally different from the ways of the world. Why? Because the story of the cross produces unique values that transform our focus, conflicts, purpose, allegiance — everything! Lent is a season to reflect on these unique values. And prayer and fasting, two traditional practices of Lent, can be great tools to help us refocus on our spiritual dependence on God. Recorded on Mar 16, 2025, on Matthew 6:5-18 by Pastor David Parks. This message is part of our Lenten sermon series, Values of the Cross. Christians are called to follow Jesus, but the way of Jesus is often completely upside down and backward compared to the ways of this world. Why is the way of Jesus so different? Join us during Lent for our sermon series, Values of the Cross, as we consider some of the unique values of the cross-shaped way of Jesus and how they transform every part of life. The cross changes everything! Sermon Transcript If you've been with us, you'll know that last week, we finished a long series on Exodus in the Bible. And I just want to say thank you for your endurance. As always, if you missed any of those sermons, you can always go back and watch or listen online. But today, we get to start a six-week series for Lent called Values of the Cross from the gospel according to Matthew. And here's the big idea for this series: Christians are called to follow Jesus, but the way of Jesus is often completely upside down and backward compared to the ways of this world. You might wonder, “Why is the way of Jesus so different?” Well, in our series, Values of the Cross, we'll see that the unique story of the cross and the empty tomb produces unique values that lead to a totally unique way of life. So, as we learn to follow Jesus and his uniquely cross-shaped way, it can transform every part of life, including our focus, conflicts, purpose, expectations, allegiance, and our record. The cross changes everything! Today, we'll consider how some of the classic practices of Lent, that of fasting and prayer, can help us change our focus. Sometimes, it feels like I'm a little pebble in a rushing river. The force of our culture in this broken world and its values/desires constantly rushes past and presses against me while I try to follow Jesus. Sometimes, even mature believers can get swept up in or pushed off course by the ways of the world. We can lose our focus. We can forget our complete and utter dependence on God. But Lent is a time to refocus, and prayer/fasting can be a way to remember our true spiritual dependence on God, to remember our values/way. If you have your Bible/app, please open it to Mt 6:5. Matthew 6:5–8 (NIV), “5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”This passage is found in the middle of Jesus's famous Sermon on the Mount, where he lays out a vision for the kingdom of heaven and what life looks like for anyone who would follow after him. Matthew chapter 6 is all about traditional religious works such as almsgiving (giving to the poor), prayer, and fasting. We didn't read it, but v. 1 is really the thesis statement for this section of teaching. There, Jesus said, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.” Be careful. Ok, so this is a warning for us. About what? It's a warning not to do good works, religious works even, to be seen by others. If you do these things to be known as a good person,

The Glory of God (Exodus): After almost 30 weeks, our Journey to Freedom series on Exodus ends with a focus on the glory of God. From Moses' radiant face to the glory cloud filling the Tabernacle, see how God's beauty, grace, and goodness lead us to worship and reflect His light. Recorded on Mar 9, 2025, on Exodus 34-40 by Pastor David Parks. Read more...