To be one who is blessed is to be a person who is happy. A blessed person is someone who has discovered and delights in the good life from God.

Our increasingly secular world has its version of the good life that is often at odds with the Christian life. Yet we are shaped by this secular vision more than we realize. This fall series will consider how the secular vision for the good life is making you and your neighbor exhausted, anxious, and divided. In contrast to this secular vision, we’ll consider the blessed life in Christ that offers rest for the restless, freedom in belonging, and even comfort for the mourning both now and in the future.

Series Overview

Blessed Are Those Who Long for Home - Sept. 10

Finding rest in God while an exile in an exhausting world.

Psalm 84:5-12 | Luke 15:11-32 | Matthew 5:6

Blessed Are Those Who Belong - Sept. 17

Discovering freedom in commitment and identity in truth.

Eph 1:3-15 | Romans 14:7-8 | 1 Cor 6:19-20

Blessed Are Those Who Have Many Friends - Sept 24

Investing in meaningful friendships in an isolated world.

Prov 27:5-10, 17 | Prov 17:17 | Prov 20:6 | 1 Samuel 23:15-18

Blessed Are Those Who Are Hopeful Romantics - Oct. 1

Embracing hope when sex and romance are put in its proper place.

Luke 20:27-40 | Revelation 19:9 | Song of Songs | Eph 5:21-33

Blessed Are Those With a Faithful Household - Oct. 8

Building a household of faith when the next generation is deconstructing.

Psalm 127

Blessed Are Those Who Unplug - Oct. 15

Mastering technology rather than being mastered by it.

Psalm 1 | 1 Cor 6:12

Blessed Are Those Who Work and Rest - Oct. 22

Working hard and playing hard without overworking and burning out.

Isaiah 58:13-14 | Genesis 1:27-2:3

Blessed Are Those Who Are Generous - Oct. 29

Laying up treasures when we serve God and not Mammon.

Matthew 6:19-25 | Proverbs 22:9

Blessed Are Those Who Plant a Garden - Nov. 5

Doing justice by creating beauty rather than diversion and division.

Isaiah 61

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn - Nov. 12

Remaining steadfast in trials until the day of comfort.

Matthew 5:4, 10-12| 1 Peter 4:12-19 | James 1:12 | Rev. 20:6

Bibliography

Here are some of the main books that are influencing this series:

Crouch, Andy. The Life We’re Looking For: Reclaiming Relationship in a Technological World. New York: Convergent Books, 2022.

Noble, Alan. You Are Not Your Own: Belonging to God in an Inhuman World. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP, 2021.

Twenge, Jean M. Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents―and What They Mean for America’s Future. New York: Atria Books, 2023.

Smith, James K. A. On the Road with Saint Augustine: A Real-World Spirituality for Restless Hearts. Illustrated edition. Brazos Press, 2019.

Zahl, David. Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do about It. New, Revised edition. Minneapolis, MN: Broadleaf Books, 2020.

Series Graphic

The designer of this sermon graphic, Tyson Phipps (Deacon of Creative Arts), explains, “Some ideas that came to mind with this concept were receiving blessings and letting them overflow to our communities for life to flourish. Also, the drops at the top could reference Christ’s blood as well as water.”