Risk is Right Ecclesiastes 11:1-8

INTRODUCTION

Uncertainty can be paralyzing—but the Bible provides instruction to guide us as we look to an unpredictable future. There are times in life when the risks are high and in those moments, it's really tempting just to quit before we start. God has placed us where we are, and He has called us to action. Even when the conditions do not seem ideal, belief in Christ should inspire us to celebrate life in obedience and trust. Today, the Preacher urges us not to be paralyzed by our lack of knowledge but to use every opportunity to work boldly but wisely.

YOU DO NOT KNOW THE FUTURE, THEREFORE, HOLD YOUR POSSESSIONS LIGHTLY (vv. 1-2)   

YOU DO NOT KNOW THE WORK OF GOD, THEREFORE, TAKE REASONABLE RISK (vv. 3-5) 

YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW TO GUARANTEE SUCCESS, THEREFORE, BE DILIGENT (v. 6)

YOU DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY YEARS YOU WILL LIVE, THEREFORE, REJOICE IN THEM ALL (vv. 7-8)  

APPLICATION

· Hold your life and possessions lightly (Mark 8:34-35; John 12:24-25).

· Be diligent (John 9:4).

· Celebrate life (John 10:10).   

CONCLUSION

Beloved, what resources has God committed to you? How are you investing those resources? Are you limiting what God can do through you because of fear? Are you living each day in the joy of the Lord?   

Practical Advice Against Folly - Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

INTRODUCTION

The Bible is a very practical book. It gives advice on countless topics and can be applied in some way to every situation. The chapter before us contains a series of practical proverbial statements from the Preacher that we should take as advice for living wisely. He urges us to resist folly and to embrace wisdom, and to use common sense and live as wise people.

ON FOLLY AND REPUTATION (vv. 1-4)

ON FOLLY AND RULERS (vv. 5-7, 16-17)

ON FOLLY AND RESPONSIBILITY (vv. 8-10, 18-19)

ON FOLLY AND REMARKS (vv. 11-14, 20)

APPLICATION

· Use wisdom when you speak for your words reveal your heart (Mt 12:34-35; Lk 12:2-3)

· Use wisdom to survive in this dangerous world (Mt 10:16).

CONCLUSION

Beloved, you may not be able to escape the craziness around you brought on by the folly of others. But thanks to the Preacher, you know how best to endure life's vanities. Remember that Jesus provides true peace though you may live in a world of tribulation.

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

INTRODUCTION

The Preacher continues his search for the answer to one of the most important questions of life. “What is the meaning of life?” Solomon tried many different approaches in his life to find an answer. He tried materialism, pleasure, humanism, and even fatalism. The reason Ecclesiastes is so relevant is because these approaches are still being tried by many today. Therefore, the Preacher counsels us to enjoy the present life we have, and to make the best of a bad thing.

DEATH HAPPENS TO ALL (vv. 1-6)

DELIGHT IN LIFE WHILE YOU CAN (vv. 7-10)

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED (vv. 11-12)

APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF WISDOM (vv. 13-18)

APPLICATION

• Death is unavoidable

• The future is unpredictable

• Jesus is the wisdom of God made flesh

CONCLUSION

Beloved, the apostle Paul writing to the Ephesian church said,  

“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish,

but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

Ephesians 5:15-17

“A Self-Portrait of Our God: Graciously, Lovingly Faithful, Yet Impeccably Just” Exodus 34

 If you took a selfie, what sort of actions or characteristics would you be doing in that selfie? If you were to write an autobiography, what would you say about yourself? How would you frame yourself?

Here in Exodus 34, God is meeting with Moses on Mt. Sinai again and giving him the 10 commandments again. One day earlier, Moses was feeling a bit anxious and lost. Israel was so sinful and the Lord (Yahweh) is so holy that there was a fear that the Lord would withhold some of his presence from his people. To Moses, this was just completely untenable. He and all Israel desperately needed Yahweh’s presence with them in the camp. Moses implored the Lord to go with them. But Moses also wanted to deeply know God in all His glorious beauty. God revealed himself to Moses in a limited way so as not to destroy him and a little more the next day. In something like a self-portrait, God characterized himself with, with a set of descriptions that are repeated numerous times throughout the Bible, making it something like God’s favorite self-description.

Our God is gracious. This means He generously gives good things to undeserving sinners. Stop to consider how much He has given to the world, to Israel in the past, and to each of us. We’re tempted to ungratefulness, bitterness, depression. Count your blessings and see what God has done.

Our God is compassionate. Think of how Jesus wept at the death of Lazarus; at how he touched the unclean man with leprosy. Jesus didn’t stay in Heaven: he humbled himself, taking the form of a man and was affected by all the sorrows that wring the human breast and became obedient even to the point of the shameful death of execution by crucifixion.

Our God is s-l-o-w to get angry, unlike so many of us. As we read Exodus and Numbers, aren’t we tempted to think, “Didn’t Israel deserve judgment by now?” Yet we’ve sinned in similar ways, and God has been patient with us.

Our God is super-abounding in loving-faithfulness and truth. This is not whimsical teen crush puppy love. Trust this “chesed” covenant faithfulness.

Yet God will hold impenitent sinners fully accountable. The just judge of all the earth will do right in the final day. Don’t take his patience for granted.

Do you really know the Lord? Do you know how much you need his presence? Do you search for him in his word and prayer? Do you read other books about the Bible? Along with regular Bible reading, bible study and a good systematic theology book, these resources might help: Knowing God (J.I. Packer), Desiring God (John Piper), The Pleasures of God (John Piper), The Case for Christ (Lee Strobel), None Like Him (Jen Wilken).

“Trusting The Unstoppably Sovereign Faithfulness of Our Lord of Lords”

Ezra 1:1-4; 6:1-12

Can God deliver us from incredibly overwhelming circumstances? What if the painful circumstances are the result of our own sinful choices? Is God really with us? Does he keep his word and can I trust him? These were some of the questions that haunted the people of Israel in Ezra around 540 B.C.

Enter Persian Emperor Cyrus. In 536 B.C., 70 years after the first Babylonian invasion, God sovereignly stirs up Cyrus’s heart so that he authorizes Israelis to go home in order to build a temple for the God of Israel, and he even reaches into his own pocketbook by returning numerous temple vessels and money from his own treasury to assist the Israelites in this incredibly high calling. He urges others to help financially support those who are making the trip but cannot make the trip themselves.

However, after initial success, enemies oppose the work and stop the rebuilding of the temple. A few years later, the rebuilding resumes, but so does their opposition. King Darius finds the edict from Cyrus and comes to the aid of the Israelis, offers them support from his own royal treasuries, grants tax-free status to the priesthood and even threatens severe death penalties for anyone who dared to oppose this work of God. Exult in God!

God is the ultimate King of kings and Lord of lords. What God decrees happens, and no earthly power or king can thwart this hand of the Almighty God. This Almighty God works by stirring up desires in our hearts: from kings to exiles returning home to those who long to return home but cannot, so they give and support the work the best they can. What good and noble work is God stirring up in your heart to do for the sake of his great name? Who is God laying on your heart to share the gospel? Can you support others?

God is trustworthy. His word is good as gold. If he promises it, it will happen. We might not always understand how the prophecies will play out, but they will certainly be fulfilled. Do you trust him? Do you know him?

As a father who lovingly chastens his children for their good, God had disciplined his people but was now in the process of restoring them. Do you see any trials in your life that might be the loving, faithful chastening hand of God seeking to bring you back into a place of faithfulness and fruitfulness? Submit to your Father’s process and allow the Lord to refine you like gold.

Part of this restoration had to take place because there had to be a remnant of Israel for Jesus the Messiah to be born as the descendent of both Abraham and David. Jesus would prove to be better than the temple they rebuilt and better than the whole Levitical system of sacrifices by his all-sufficient, once-for-all sacrifice of himself upon the cross. Exult in him!

INTRODUCTION

In the past four days, in our VBS lessons we looked at the stories of Jesus’ birth, childhood, ministry years, death and resurrection. Today, we will look at His promise to return. What shall we do as we wait for His return? Are we to sit doing nothing as we wait for Him? Well, not exactly. Jesus gives us the answer through a parable.  

THE ILLUSTRATION

• · Servants

• · Service

• · The return

• · The result

• · The rejection

THE INTERPRETATION 

THE APPLICATION

• · Are you investing your God-given gifts and abilities in God’s economy?

• · Be faithful in using the opportunities for service that the Lord has given you.

• · Diligence is rewarded; negligence is punished.

• · Step out! Risk! Take chances with your life and goods for His name’s sake.

CONCLUSION

Beloved, some think that readiness for Jesus’ return is a very spiritual and abstract thing. It really isn’t – it is a matter of being about your business for the Lord. At His return, may Jesus find you hard at work investing your talents for His glory and the advancement of His Kingdom. And may He say to you,

“Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

Matthew 25:23

“On Living Wisely” Ecclesiastes 7:1-25 

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, the Preacher urged us to worship God with reverence, and instead of pursuing wealth, to enjoy God’s daily gifts with gratitude. Today, as he continues his search for the meaning of life, he comments on the wisdom of reflecting on death and how to live well in view of that.  

DYING WELL (vv. 1-6)

• A good name

• A good perspective

LIVING WELL (vv. 7-25)

• Patience

• Anger

• Nostalgia

• Trust God

• The Balanced Life

• The limitation of wisdom

APPLICATION

• Keep the end in mind

• Christ crucified is the power and wisdom of God

CONCLUSION

Beloved, God’s Word is inviting you to be a person of wisdom. To be a person of wisdom is to realize that living a good life means preparing to die a good death. James 3:13 says, “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (NIV).

“On Worship and Wealth” Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 

INTRODUCTION

Last Sunday, the Preacher commented on loneliness, and the absence of comfort, contentment, companionship, and continuity. Today, he urges us to worship God with reverence, and instead of pursuing wealth, to enjoy God’s daily gifts.

YOU AND GOD (vv. 1-7)

• Guard your steps

• Watch your words

• Keep your vows

YOU AND GOLD (vv. 10-17)

• Riches do not satisfy

• Riches produce leeches

• Riches can only buy things of limited value

• Riches can cause loss of sleep

• Riches do not guarantee security 

YOU AND GRATITUDE (vv. 18-20)

APPLICATION

• Jesus, the Mediator, bridged the distance between God and you (He 10:19-22)

• Jesus warned us against laying up treasures for ourselves (Lk 12:15-21)

CONCLUSION

Beloved, Jesus in Matthew 6:24 said, “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Worship and wealth are windows into your heart. They show who your master is, and what you trust and love most in life. Is it God, or is it money?

“Lonliness”

Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

INTRODUCTION

Three weeks ago, the Preacher made the observation that God is absolutely over all of life. Today, he comments on the absence of comfort, contentment, companionship, and continuity.

NO COMFORTER (vv. 1-3)

• The oppressor

• The oppressed

• No comforter

NO CONTENTMENT (vv. 4-6)

• Envy

• Poverty

• Contentment

NO COMPANIONSHIP (vv. 7-12)

• Loneliness

• Companionship

NO CONTINUITY (vv. 13-16)

• The faithful youth

• The foolish king

• The fickle people 

APPLICATION

• You have Comforter – The Holy Spirit (John 14:16-18)

• You have a Friend – Jesus Christ (John 15:13-15)

CONCLUSION

Beloved, as a Christian you do not need to be lonely. You have the Church as your faith family. You have the Holy Spirit as your Comforter, Helper, and Advocate. You have Jesus as your Savior, Lord, and Friend.