Crich Baptist Church

We've reached the final message of the series on Ecclesiastes. Solomon concludes his sermon on the vanity of life by summarising what a prosperous and fulfilled life looks like – and we've been seeing it all along. In his final admonition to all his hearers, he urges them to "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all." May we know and conclude the same. Anything else is vanity of vanities, friends – grasping and chasing for the wind.

Having reinforced the wonderful work that God has done with purpose in these pilgrims' lives, Peter now goes on to give some practical application and instruction in living that out. Firstly, Peter begs these pilgrims that amongst all the trials and persecutions thrown at them from their gentile accusers, they should live nobly and credibly amongst them as a pilgrim witness.

As we come towards a close on our journey through Solomon's sermon in Ecclesiastes, we learn that there is a labour which is not vanity nor chasing after the wind. A labour for God, a labour in which God is the master builder, a labour which must be diligent, urgent, and faithful. What have we learned? What can we do?…Solomon says the same as Paul: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might" : - "do everything as unto the Lord."

Peter continues his message to the persecuted pilgrims as he demonstrates that their calling is to fulfil a huge purpose in the plan of God. These very same persecuted people, who were once not a people, are living stones, being built into a living spiritual house, a royal priesthood and a holy nation whose purpose is to proclaim the praises of Him, who called them out of darkness into His marvellous life. This is the pilgrims' purpose across all ages.

Solomon moves on to look at the inevitability of death; it comes to all, and none can stay its hand. With that in mind, how should men live their lives? "A living dog is better than a dead lion." Whilst there is life, there is hope.

Peter rounds off his thoughts on the pilgrims' holiness by stating that they too should also grow. The enduring word should be desired just as a new baby craves its mother's milk...if this occurs, spiritual growth will occur and old ways will be laid aside.

Solomon moves onto an area which should challenge our Christian worship. There is a true and a false way of worshipping God; Solomon shows us that there is a way to approach Him, a way to speak to Him, and a way to walk with Him. Anything else is vanity.

Five years on since the church and the nation were in "lockdown". But has the church learnt any lessons? Chris Hand reflects on some personal testimony of the Lord's help during the pandemic. The sermon goes on to consider the underlying fear of death it unearthed; the sometimes uncritical conformity to government edicts that was given; and the evidence of state overreach that emerged.

Solomon continues his review of a fallen world by looking at Jealousy, envy, idleness, selfish toil, loneliness, and popularity. He comes to the same conclusion: without God, it is vanity of vanity and grasping after the wind. As Christians, what can we learn from these first four chapters of Ecclesiastes in terms of our witness to this vain world?

Peter moves on from his opening greetings, theology, and doxology to remind the early pilgrims that all of this sonship comes with a responsibility of action in terms of "Living before God our Father." To do this, they/we must gird up the loins of our mind, be sober, rest our hope in Christ, and live as obedient children in the call to "Be holy as He is holy."

Solomon looks at the world and sees that it works opposite to how it should. Injustice, oppression, corruption, and iniquity are ever before him…and it's always been like that since Adam. Rather than lose heart, Solomon advises us all that God will judge wickedness and righteousness according to His perfect standard and that all things past will have to be explained before His very presence. We must take heart and pray. We must fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all!

Peter declares to his pilgrim hearers the wonder and the magnificence of their salvation. Wrought by God for a purpose, the Prophets inquired into it as they foretold of this future grace; the angels around God's throne desire to look and peer into it as they marvel at his saving power. What about us, are we amazed at the abounding grace that saved a wretch like us

There is much irony and in this account of Christ's resurrection as he walks with two men who tell him all about this man who had been crucified in Jerusalem. Christ keeps his identity hidden and preaches about Himself from the Old Testament as they walk the seven miles. He makes Himself known in the breaking of bread…what a wonderful moment, for them, and for us if we know His resurrection life.

There is much irony in this account of Christ's resurrection as he walks with two men who tell him all about this man who had been crucified in Jerusalem. Christ keeps his identity hidden and preaches about Himself from the Old Testament as they walk the seven miles. He makes Himself known in the breaking of bread…what a wonderful moment, for them, and for us if we know His resurrection life.

Dr Nathan Paylor, Elder at Watchorn Church, Alfreton, shares the timeless and helpful repentance Psalm of King David, Psalm 51. David acknowledged his sin, confessed his guilt, requested mercy, experienced assurance, and showed repentance. After all this, he was able to teach transgressors God's ways and convert sinners back to Him. Repentance is the necessary precursor to the outreach of God's Church, as judgement starts in the household of God.

Peter moves from his doxology to some initial application with regard to the pilgrims' trials . What are they? Why do they come? What is God's purpose behind them? He tells these early pilgrims that the trials have and will come "if need be" in order to strengthen their faith…The same applies to all of God's pilgrims today.

Solomon carries on in his sermon to say that to everything there is a season, and a purpose with that season. God's purposes do not change; we cannot add nor take away. God completes that to which He turns His hand. Eternity is in man's heart, but how does he fathom that in a world he cannot control and where time itself is vanity...Solomon has the answer in Chapter 3 of Ecclesiastes.

Peter closes his doxology in the opening chapter of his first epistle by confidently stating that those who have an inheritance reserved in heaven will also be kept by the power of God through faith unto final salvation. What a promise! Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Solomon reviews his success in life and comes to the same disappointing conclusion, that it is vanity of vanities and grasping for the wind. What does this mean for us in 2025, what does the world see as success, how does the Christian measure their success in comparison?

Peters doxology continues on from the mercy that God has shown in birthing many sons through Christs resurrection, to praising The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ for the guaranteed inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, untainted, and more importantly reserved for YOU.

Crich Baptist Church - 23 March 2025 - evening sermon: After chasing wisdom and knowledge, Solomon moves on to an extremely strange and dangerous path. He decides in his heart to test mirth and partake in endless pleasure. Whilst God has given us gifts to enjoy, our hearts and lives must be given over to Him and not the pleasures of this life. They are temporal; He is eternal. As Christians, we must guard ourselves against this vanity of pleasure.

Crich Baptist Church - Sunday, 23 March - Morning sermon.Moving on from Peters greeting to the dispersed pilgrims, we hear him break out into a wonderful doxology in relation to the fatherhood of God. "He" has begotten again the sons of glory, the pilgrims of all ages to "A living hope", through Christ and His resurrection. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Crich Baptist Church - 16 March 2025 - Evening Sermon: Human philosophers believe that the world can be put to rights by knowledge, wisdom, and human care. Solomon displays here that it is impossible to make the crooked straight through human wisdom. The fall has broken mankind, and it requires a deeper solution; that being the Wisdom of God through Christ...Anything else is vanity of vanities.

.Crich Baptist Church -16 March 2025 - Morning Sermon. Peter greets his pilgrim hearers with great confidence. These are elect, sanctified believers by the Grace of God for purpose. What a greeting this must have been for those going through and facing persecution, what an encouragement it should be to us as we continue on as pilgrims in our foreign land.

Ryan Clarke, pastor of Watchorn Church, Alfreton, providentially revisits Acts Chapter 2 and those of the early church who "ate their food with gladness of heart." This is a huge statement in relation to their steadfast continuation in all things, with gladness and it encourages us to assess the Joy of our salvation.

As we start to go through the first epistle of Peter, we begin by examining Chapter 1, Verse 1, looking at both the writer/sender, and also the intended recipients, " The pilgrims of the dispersion", those dwelling in a foreign land. This much needed encouragement to those persecuted early Christians has so much to offer the true modern day church, as they battle similar things in 2025.

Alexander Pope is quoted as having said "A little knowledge (learning) is a dangerous thing." As we continue in our look at the book of Ecclesiastes we see how Solomons eagerness to pursue more Knowledge and wisdom than God had given him led to tragic consequences in his falling into sin. Whilst head knowledge is "Vanity of Vanities": True, Godly knowledge is needed and should be sought in Christ.

We conclude our time together in Acts 2:40-47 "The four pillars of the Church", by looking at how the early church continued steadfastly in Giving. Although not directly mentioned it is clear that these 3,000 converts gave to a degree that we possibly do not understand, this is not about just coin, but about time, talent and indeed our very lives.

What way are you travelling to get to heaven? It leads through a 'narrow gate'. By God's grace, the way is though Christ alone.

'Faith, through the righteousness of Christ - Do we have such faith, and if we do, do we consider it to be precious?

Join us as we walk through the Wisdom of Solomon in his sermonic book of "Ecclesiates." Solomon in his repentant and restored state turns from King to preacher as he warns others about the folly which He has found to be "The Vanity of Vanities." This week we look at Chapter 1 "The Vanity of Life"

The fourth Pillar of the church, Prayer(s). Why is this so difficult for many of us? why is the prayer meeting generally the least well attended meeting of the Church? The early Church shows us how critical this final pillar is as they continue steadfastly in it with the same desire and devotion as the other three. May we learn to be like them.

What Happened directly after the Crucifixion of Christ and how can this be applied to our lives? Tom Hulland from Stanton Lees Chapel Derbyshire opens up Luke 23:44-56

Nathan Clarke, Pastor of Ashbourne Baptist Church asks a simple question...Are we on the road with Jesus? In Luke 13:22-35 Jesus brings a warning in relation to the narrow way, but brings confidence and comfort to those who are on the road with Him.

The last in this series on the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom is love; it was, is, and continues to be established on love. Paul tells us in Romans 14:14-23 that this kingdom is not eating and drinking but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, which is our acceptable service to Christ and one another....In love

This week, we look together at the third pillar of the Church, The Breaking of Bread. This is more than just a badge, more than just the remembrance of the existence and life of Christ. The early Christians teach us this is something to continue steadfastly in, something which has deep meaning and application to the individual and to those in the body of Christ...The Church.

We explore the spiritual attack of the two beasts in Revelation who use the state as their weapon against Christ and His people.......Regardless we must continue to pray for those who God has placed over us in the same manner that Paul instructs Timothy.

We continue looking at the four pillars of the church. This week, the subject is fellowship. What is fellowship? What is fellowship for? And what does fellowship achieve? Why did the 3,000 continue steadfastly in it? Fellowship is not just something we do, but something that exists: - A necessity!

Whilst our salvation is in Christ alone, through faith alone, Faith without works is dead. We must be found doing the works which were given to us when Christ returns, what does that mean in relation to this, the parable of the talents?

We take a look at the first of the Four pillars of the Church as stated in Acts 2: 40-47, The Apostles doctrine. This is vitally important to the Church today. A doctrine that must be held dear, a doctrine that must not be altered, a doctrine that we must still continue steadfastly in.

Luther stated that "Justification was the doctrine on which the Church stands or falls." The work of salvation is completed, we can neither add nor take away from the finished work of Christ. Those who know this wonderful truth are "Free indeed."

On the day of pentecost, 3,000 souls were saved. The early church was birthed and a vital church started to grow. With a life changed, they continued steadfastly not only in the 4 Pillars of the Church but in the life God had called them into.

The parable of the ten virgins, this speaks of what will happen when the Kingdom physically comes at Christs return. Some enter, some find the door closed, forever. The Kingdom is coming, keep watch and ensure you have oil for your lamp.

A New Year always brings renewed focus on many things for many people, but what should we focus on as a church. God Tells Isaiah that He is going to do "a New thing". What exactly does that mean for us in the context of verses 1-21 ?

All God's people need comfort. We can feel isolated with our concerns and anxieties. Isaiah 40:1 assures people of the Lord's absolute desire for His people to be comforted. He Himself is their portion and inheritance. All that He is in respect of His power and mercy He is to each of His people. Above all, His comfort is to be found in the cross.

Everybody values something in life. Men and women are unique because they have an immortal soul. Above everything, people should value their soul's capacity to know God but sin has robbed us of realising what eternal peril we are in. Christ values our soul more than we do and died on the cross to recover and restore us.

Josephs Dream - The names of the babe and a handful of responses declare that this child "WILL save his people from their sins".......What is your response this Christmas?

The parable of the Mustard seed and of the Leaven helps us to understand that the Kingdom is Infectious and influential.... Regardless of the day of small things, the Kingdom continues to grow and expand.

The coming of John the Baptist breaks 400 years of silence between God and His people. Isaiah predicted Johns coming, his task, to prepare the way of the Lord.Our role, The Churches role, is no different. We preach to prepare for His Second Advent....."Prepare ye the way of The Lord !"