Sermon nuggets Mon Feb 23
Theme -Life isn’t Fair
Scriptures- Eccl 3:16-4:3
Life Isn’t Fair
I don’t like to watch TV much anymore. The stories seem gory. The relationships shallow. Immorality abounds. Even the cartoons are filled with vulgarity and selfishness. It’s a far cry from teaching values and responsibilities to young children.
That is not to say there weren’t good guys and bad guys, nor incidents when Larry, Moe and Curley, or Laurel and Hardy didn’t act with responsibility. (I realize most younger adults don’t have a clue about whom I refer.) Still such silly humor brought out lessons of the wise and the foolish without crudeness and lewdness.
I delighted in the stories that ended with, "And they lived happily ever after." With Roy Rogers, Gene Audrey, cartoons and other stories of my preschool and early elementary days the guys in the white hats won and those who were crooks were met with justice for all their evil deeds. But it wasn't long before life ran contrary to the simplistic approach of good triumphing over evil. We see that good does not always prevail like it is suppose to. Evil sometimes does. There is no question that is a difficult to answer the obvious question "If God is all powerful and all good, why does he allow evil to succeed?"
As we looked a last week at the poetic statement of the sovereignty of God, there is a time and a purpose for everything under heaven. All these events in life are like stitch work to a tremendous tapestry. Though we can only see the backside of threads and colors that look a tangled mess, God on the other side sees how each stitch fits perfectly into his great and cosmic plan. We mentioned that God has a plan and a purpose that brings him glory and the procedures is using men to carry out those plans in different ways. But man does not always understand. Why do the innocent suffer? Why does evil prevail? Why do evil things seem to be increasing?
This week Solomon reflects on some of the injustices of our existence. Evil does abound. What do we do when we are victims? Life isn’t always fair.
It was to a world that was very unfair and full of evil, Jesus came. The presence of evil gives us increased awareness of the need of a savior.
The cries repeated in the Bible are “How long, O Lord, How Long?” When life isn’t fair we long for the one who will bring real and lasting justice.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues, Feb 24
Verses-Eccl 3: 16,17 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment-- wickedness was there, in the place of justice-- wickedness was there.
17 I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed."
There is the Presence of Injustice
Life isn’t fair. People expect government to make fair judgments when it comes to justice. How often to people leave courtrooms to find that justice as not served? Of course the same is true at home between siblings, or in school with classmates, at work with employers, or even at church when people feel like something isn’t right and fair about how people are handled or accepted.
Justice in the true form is using God's absolutes and perfect standards. The symbol we use for justice is a woman with a blindfold, meaning that she is blind to favoritism. She is holding a balance so that things are done true to the way they should be. All people from all economic levels all nationalities and races will be judged equally and without partiality. But for now, in this world, we know that isn't so.
A report came out on the way the police and justice system in Minnesota treat Afro-Americans differently for the exact same crime and the exact same offense as white people. We see that when people are able to pay the money for a very good lawyer justice is not always served.
In many other countries bribes are considered a way of life. In politics appointments are granted not so much on ability to serve but on how much people pay in work or money for the victors campaign.
Charles Colson told when he was in prison many inmates with limited education had no understanding whatsoever why they were there. Many were not represented and had been discriminated against. Others with certain reputation and wealth commit crimes and get fines or reprimands with light or no sentencing. One missionary told me that in Ethiopia an African could be arrested and if his family went to the authorities to inquire why their loved was arrested they may end up in jail for asking. Bribery, power, influence, wickedness abound.
Solomon as a king was instructed to be fair and just. Whenever we do not get our own way we often think things are done unfairly and we are the victims of injustice. We don't have the objectivity of seeing life through the eyes of the other person as well.
We see robbers getting hurt in the homes that are being robbed and suing for injuries and winning. We see illustrations of someone confessing to horrible crime, but didn't have the wording correct when the police read his rights and the case was dismissed. We see school officials treating popular families differently in regards to discipline and even grades. And if we say everything is in the control of God then why does God who is completely just allow this?
Solomon thought, God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed" The standards of God are meant to bring us to conviction and confession of wrong doing and plead for mercy before our creator. Instead society justifies failure as the responsibilities with social ills and environment redefining God's standard and not thinking any mercy is needed.
Acts 17:31 says, "For God has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." Will evil prevail? Jesus reminds us and let us not forget it, Only for a time. Then all their deed and all our deeds will be brought into account by a righteous God. There will be no bribery, no expensive lawyers, no loopholes, no misguided judges. Almighty God will not be fooled and will not play the games of men. He knows not only every deed but also the motive behind the deeds. What hope do we have as sinners who stand condemned?
How about your life? Are you living like you are getting away with sin are you ignoring God and his laws?
We will have been given the opportunity of confess our sin, repent and turn from it, and plead for God's mercy for all have done evil in His holy sight. When we look to Jesus who paid the price and see what our sin had done to him none of us will consider it unfair when He forgives the repentant sinner for we see the mercy extended by the real righteous one.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Feb 25
Verses- Eccl 3: 18-21 I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.
19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless.
20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return.
21 Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
There is the Presence of Mortality
As Solomon continues to look around there is another evil which affects every one of us. It is the evil of death. There is a futile observation no matter how hard you work, how much you gain, how much your are loved or despised, all die. From the viewpoint of this world mortality is our fate. In that sense man is nothing different than the animals.
If the passage didn’t mention God this could have been a current article by some of our leading scientists who promote the Darwinian philosophy. Animal rights people can argue we should treat mankind and all animals exactly the same. Atheists have this despairing conclusion that we are only animals and when we are dead, we are dead. When we are gone we are gone and man is nothing more than a higher form of animal life. That is the conclusion of the natural evolutionist. Man is a life like any other life on this earth whether it be an amoeba or bird or turtle, or chimpanzee or a human- we evolved within the animal kingdom and are a more complex animal, not however any better or worse.
Abortion and euthanasia rises when the sacredness of human life is no different than any other animal. Nazis would reduce human life to something subhuman for those who were Jewish or retarded, old or infirmed. 6 million people are exterminated. So what?
But Scripture has a different view. All mankind has the image of God printed upon them different from animals and most importantly have an eternal soul. The reason the early slavery masters and traders could misuse the Negro race was the convincing of white race that black people were really animals and did not have a soul. Many animals were better treated. Life was cheap.
But Solomon observes, even believing in God we are mortals. We will die. All our earthly accomplishments will be done. You cannot prepare for eternity once you are dead.
People don’t think it is fair when a young person dies. They don’t think it is fair when a loved one dies. They don’t think it is fair when a popular celebrity dies. Some people think is fair only when an evil person dies. But the Bible says, “The wages of sin is death”. I guess I qualify.
This evil of mortality is the curse laid upon all mankind.
Paul writes, even for the Christian, “For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.
If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” 1 Cor 15:16-19
If this life is all there is, then indeed morality and futility results. But there is more to come because of Jesus’ resurrection. Are you prepared?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Feb 26
Verses- Eccl 4:1-3 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed-- and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors-- and they have no comforter.
And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive.
But better than both is he who has not yet been, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.
There is the Presence of Oppression
King Solomon, the rich ruler, still had responsibility for the poor of his country. His personal prosperity didn’t remove the misery of the poor. His wealth only showed up more their poverty. Oppressors are those that take advantage of the oppressed, the poor, the slaves, the prisoners, the prejudiced, the hungry. Tyranny has ruled.
We see the oppression recently with exorbitant life styles of CEOs, Wall street executives, banking officials while those they were suppose to serve experience massive layoffs. The personal greed and search for power is oppressive!
Although some minimum wage jobs are available it is not enough for the bread winner to feed and house his family. Many will use next to slave labor to live quite well. I wonder if we will see the day as after the depression when work is hard to come by those employed are worked longer, harder, and for less money lest they become the ranks of the unemployed. Pay cuts are needed to keep businesses open, but this too can be taken advantage of for those owners who care more for their greater wealth than the greater good of others.
Many companies are going South of the border or to India, not because they can't make a profit with American laborers, but because their profits can increase so much more substantially when they don't have to share it with the common people in paying salaries. I do not see how that honors God. The rich get richer and the poor are oppressed by their cruelty.
This week I had read of the plight of slaves back in those days when there was beatings, hangings, and rapes all at the will of their masters, even while the masters were good and upstanding churchmen. I am aware of companies that let people go before retirement so they get out of retirement benefits.
There is outright oppression by other means also. Many are victimized by others. I talked to one young man who was regularly raped by a gang of homosexuals. The police had been informed but it resulted in further abuse by the gang. Another business in his inner city community pays a gang regularly money so his place will not be vandalized. When he missed a payment it was wrecked.
How can we withstand the oppression? By first seeking to be free from it ourselves. From attitudes harbored against others due to prejudice and pride. Too often the abuser thinks her or she is better than the others.
But there is a time when the united voices of God rise up and call for justice. God calls to stand against oppression and to minister to the oppressed. We have social responsibility.
After witnessing some of the abuse of oppression against others from a human point of view the writer concluded it would have been better if the oppressed hadn’t been born. The hard life some live seems futile. But like Psalm 73 reveals, the time to make things right is coming when the eternal fate of the oppressors is revealed.
This is the time of grace for people to be warned that judgment is coming. Those of us who have been redeemed can’t just wish it were better, but seek to help the ones we can. We cannot close our eyes to oppression. We may not be able to stop government oppression on a local level but we can change our actions and reach out to those who are feeling the pain of oppression, and speak for those who have no voice.
Pastor Dale.
Sermon nuggets Fri Feb 27
Verses- Eccl 3:22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work, because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?
There is the Presence of the Unknown
When I visit with someone who feels like life isn’t worth living, in addition to faith issues, I try to get them to see the immediate: they are contemplating a long term solution to a short range problem. Everyone one of the people who were in despair had circumstances in the future that changed their situation. They didn’t see it at the time, but things got better.
Indeed, Solomon tells us life is full of ups and downs. If things are going well, wait a bit it will change. If things are not going well, wait a bit it will change.
There are constant things in our lives that can provide stability. The sun will come up tomorrow regardless of what this day is like. There is a new day coming. Since Jesus died for our sins and since we have received His gift of salvation then the matter of the resurrection and eternal life has been settled. We will not die but only translated into His presence as our bodies are left behind.
But for now there is the burden of the unknown. Solomon admits life is not fair. One cannot see what will happen after him. Will it get better or worse?
When a couple stands before the preacher to get married they are full of dreams. Many of those dreams do not work out. Many of those marriages end in divorce. Who knows at the time photos are taking of a new born baby what the future has for that child? There are many turns in life that we experience over which we have no control. So what do we do?
For each generation life has gotten better as our standard of living has increasingly improved. For the period of time we have on the earth our lot is to work to provide for our needs, our family and keep on persevering until we die. That is our lot according to Solomon’s skepticism.
The work we do here is ended when we die. To seek enjoyment in your labor and in your life is a path that we all can take. It doesn’t make a difference if you work as a janitor or a CEO of a business. It doesn’t matter if your work is paid or unpaid. It doesn’t matter if you are a housewife, or a retiree with responsibilities to pay bills and volunteer services. What you have done for self, family, others, or for God awaits us today. What surprises does God have for you? You will not know unless you make yourself available to Him to change your plans and be open to His. If nothing else, your lot is to face your responsibilities doing the best you can.
Rev 14:13 “Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
We will speak more on the unfair life next week, but for today there is work to do, people to see, and projects await. We can see them as burdens or responsibilities that are our lot and in doing them our peace comes from knowing we serve the Lord.
Pastor Dale
Friday, February 27, 2009
Friday, February 20, 2009
Times and Seasons Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
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Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 16
Theme: Times and Seasons
Verses Eccl 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
God has a Pattern-
One man rushed into a suburban railroad station breathlessly and asked when does the 8:01 train leave? "At 8:01" Well its 7:59 by my watch. 7:57 by the town clock and 8:04 by the station clock, Which am I to go by? "You can go by any clock you wish but you can't go by the 8:01 train, for it has already left."
Time is important in our culture. We are much more time conscious than at any other age. Computers are continually being upgraded for milliseconds are too slow. Clocks rush and whirl, and control our lives. The question remains, "Are we following the right clock?" God does not follow our timing. We are in subjection to his timing. Someone said life is like a coin, you can spend it any way you want, but you can spend it only once. You can never repeat it.
Time changes things. More correctly I should say that things change with time. When I returned to Detroit the last time it was no the place I remembered it as a child growing up. The big back yard shrunk considerably, new freeways and buildings were put up. Little tiny trees were now huge and overgrown. Some large trees were gone. Neighbors are mostly gone. What happened to it all? Time passed and things change.
But there are things we can take security in. Time. It has a pattern. We can trust that in 24 hours a new day will greet us. We can pattern our lives around 7 days and call it a week. We measure our Holidays by months within a year. This is all part of a gift from God to bring consistency in our inconsistent lives.
The writer of Ecclesiastes has a beautifully written view of time in Hebrew poetry that reveals important truths of time. Time is in the hand of God. The question is, "Are we?" Whose clock are we going by? For we can rush around with wrist watches on but as far as eternity goes, many don't have the foggiest idea of what time it is. Solomon explains some things from God's time table.
There is right time for doing things, and there are wrong times for doing things. All things are under God's sovereignty. Are you walking in the plan and will of God for your life? Are you running and functioning according to God's time table or yours? As hard as man tries to control his life he is not its master. There are reasons for things that happen to us.
There are two words Solomon uses: time and season. As they are translated for us one emphasizes an opportunity or moment that is important. The other seems to emphasize the sequence or chain of events on the other. Both are of God.
You don't have to be a philosopher or a scientist to know that time and seasons are a regular part of life no matter where you live. Were it not for the dependability of God-ordained natural laws, both science and daily life would be chaotic, if not impossible. There is an overruling providence in our lives. From before our birth to the moment of our death, God is accomplishing his divine plan.
The consistency of the world’s rotation allows within a day to be the God divine pattern for our life on earth. The seasons also are ordered by God as we rotate around the sun experiencing the pattern of summer, winter, spring and fall (not in that order). From that pattern we govern our days, work, and life. With consistency there are things that we plan, like birthdays, and holidays, and times of planting and harvest. We see our body needs sleep within a day. Work patterns are organized around the clock that serves us 24 hour segments.
From beginning of creation it seemed there were two main divisions of daily time- Gen 1:5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-- the first day. Gen 1:14-18 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.
God made two great lights-- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night…And God saw that it was good.”
In spite of the many changes there is also the awareness that tomorrow is a new day given to us by His grace. Today is a day that is a gift. You have 24 new hours. It is not an accident. It is from God. It was patterned after His creative time table. The 7 days became a week. The week was divided up so Sabbath was a day of rest. The weeks turned into months also regulated by the rotation of the moon. The months into years.
The pattern of God’s world into which we are born is seen as good. It shows us not only his creative genius, but consistency upon which we can depend the functioning of our lives.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Tues Feb 17
Theme- Times and Seasons
Verses- Eccl 3: 1-3 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
God Has a Plan
Everything has a purpose and place according to God's plan. God has a plan for your life.
There are 28 events mentioned, 14 pairs of contrasts. The contrasts of events in life highlight the cycle of balance in our earthly experience. This beautiful portrayal of the seasons of life becomes one of the more loved portions of the Old Testament. Lets look at four contrasts today.
There is a time to be born and a time to die. We have no control over when or where we are going to be born. We have little control over matters regarding our death. Even some who seek to commit suicide are unsuccessful and bear the ramifications of those actions.
Under certain circumstances Doctors will indicate time of birth by inducing labor in a pregnancy, or by cesarean section. Medical science will have increasingly at its disposal machines and equipment that prolongs life, sometimes beyond what might be one considered clinically dead. Morally and ethically our society has been debating as to when life begins at conception or at birth with abortion and life questions. It is a means of debate at what point do you consider the person dead, or continue with life supports?
I am glad for many advances in medicine, but we also need to arouse some caution, for the issues of life and death are in God's hands.
The Bible teaches us it is appointed unto man once to die. God knows when that appointment is, just as you planned your birth and when and where you were to come into this world.
My father had a fear of flying. My mom would try to convince him by quoting the Bible verse, "it is appointed unto man once to die." She would then explain if it is his time to go he can't prevent it and if it isn't, he is not going to die. He replied, "Well it might not be my time to go, but it might be the pilot’s time. I’m not flying!"
"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power, to tell just when the hand will stop - at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own! Live, love, toil with will; place not faith in tomorrow for the clock may then be still."
Another comparison Solomon relates to the harvest- there is a time to plant and a time to sow. We still cannot control the weather. Rain snow and frost keep us from fields. Yet we rejoice at planting time. We must make preparation for now for what you want to receive in the fall harvest.
Our lives are like that too. God allows times for us to plant and someday we will reap the results of what we have planted. You plant and sow evil and rebellion and sin, you will reap the results of what you've planted. If you plant goodness and love and kindness you will reap those results. If you live to yourself you will reap the consequence of that, and if unto God those rewards will be yours. Young people should think this is usually planting time. For many older people they realize the harvest is closer. We just never know. Are you ready? Jesus tells us the fields are ripe for the harvest, We need workers and missions.
There is also a time to kill and a time to heal. Perhaps this has aspect of war in mind, perhaps what is referred to is disease and plagues were some die and some live. But there are many applications and illustrations.
I think of the shepherd who tenderly cares for the lamb and sheep brings it to maturity to health and just the right size only to sell it to the market and have it killed for meat.
Sometimes in churches there is a time for taking out the cancer and sin and disease but cutting off members who are not living for God and causes disruptions to the fellowship and ministry. There are times for reconciliation and revival and healing and forgiving.
There are times for tearing down and for building up. Times to do away with the old and bring in the new, buildings but certain traditions too if their time has served it's purpose. Things just do not remain the same.
I think of the time when we start as a missions to Swedish people There was the time when Swedish was the right language and a time when it was no longer the right language. People change. Maybe in our own lives there are things that need to be thrown out and other things need to be implanted and allowed to grow.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Weds Feb 18
Theme Times and Seasons
Verses- Eccl 3:4-8 (There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:) ….a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Perplexing
Just when people think they have figured out the puzzle of life experiences pop up for which they seem unprepared. As soon as some have figured out the formula for peace and pleasure and passion something happens to disrupt that.
Not only do we experience the joys and sorrows of this world, part of the plan of God is to be in the center of our lives regardless of wht is happening on the outside.
There is a time to weep and a time to laugh. Life has mixture of pain and sorrow along with pleasure and excitement. I have not met a family yet that doesn't experience tragedies and difficulties as well as joys and happier times. In the musical drama, Fiddler on the Roof, one of their romantic songs, "Sunrise, sunset” expresses this-“Sunrise, Sunset, swiftly fly the years; one season follows the others, laden with happiness and tears."
There are times of mourning and times of dancing. There are times of grief and sorrow and emotional pain. The times of dancing and celebration are those times in our lives when we want to express our joyful emotions. But just like the joy of births there comes the sadness of death. There are funerals and there are weddings; there are births and there are divorces. It happens. God is the one constant in our inconsistent world.
There is a time to scatter stones and to gather them. Casting away stones from a field that need to be prepared for planting, or sometimes in war they would scatter stones so the enemy would have a rough time with the blockades in their way. There is the time to gather them for peace and friendship. There is a time for gather them to build buildings and fences and constructions. The need of the moment dictates what should be done.
There is a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. Certain a time for calling one another brother and sister in Christ is embracing new believers into the family of God and demonstrating the family of God in community. Times when political enemies see it is not to their advantage to squabble and quarrel, but important issues requires the coming together for the importance of the country. There are times of love making for husbands and wives and times of celibacy, times to search and give to give up searching.
There are times to keep some things and other times to throw things away. Pack rats as well as spent thrifts need to be aware of the extremes of squandering money and hoarding it as well as throwing it away and spending it freely. There is time to mend and a time to tear.
Tearing clothes sometimes symbolized anger, or wrath, or grief, or taking of serious vow or hearing the bad news, and other time when they would be mended where things are o.k. again.
There are times to be silent and time to speak. I sure wish I would be so in tuned to God that I would know those times. We sometimes use silence as subtle weapon of revenge, or escape from social interaction, and sometimes a virtue.
One tourists staying in a little Vermont town joined a small group of men just sitting on the porch of a general store and the visitors tried in vain to strike up a conversation, getting no results then he finally asked, "Is there a law against talking in this town? "No" replied one Vermonter, "Ain't no law against it, we just like to make sure it's an improvement on the silence."
There is also a time for love and time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Is there a time for hate? Jesus said, unless we hate mother or brother meaning putting anything ahead of God is a sin. Hate evil and love the good. There is a righteous hatred and there is the rest of Christians to seek peace with others, but when peace cannot be gained and there is no other alternative available sometimes it is Gods' will to fight. When dictators takeover lands and when oppression and chaos goes unchecked, when injustice and abuse are running on a rampage then there is time for confrontation.
Do we seek to know God's plans? When life happens don’t be surprised but secure knowing that God has brought his people through and will promise to do so until this struggle and puzzle is over.
If your trust is in your circumstances, God what you and me to know it will change one way or another. Therefore we need someone who does not change but consistent in the perplexities of life.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Thur Feb 19
Theme: Times and Seasons
Verses- Eccl 3:9-13 What does the worker gain from his toil?
10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-- this is the gift of God.
God Has a Procedure
A plan is the goal that is set before you. The procedures are the activities needed to accomplish that plan. This involves the managing and the executing of the task. There are plans within the will of God, and the procedure is the use of men and women to carry out those plans of God. We have plans and we have procedures.
God has made everything's beautiful in his time. How dumb to try to build the roof before you build the basement. It won't work to paint the walls before you put in the pumping and the electricity. If things are done in order it is beautiful in it's time and in its purpose. But best of all He has set eternity in the hearts of man. We don't understand this time table but God does.
All of the sequence is moving perfectly with eternity and Christ's second coming in mind. That is exciting unless you are not ready for His coming. We need to keep eternity in mind when we think of God's timing.
There is one thing that we all have in common. We are different in just about every other way, but the president and the farmer, the business owner and the executive and the maintenance worker all have 24 hours a day. No one has more time than any other. We can all claim equality there. Gods' procedure is a desire that those hours be filled to carry out his plan.
Acts 17:26 “For one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live."
We live in this generation. I see this as an extreme indication of God's grace. God has called you and me to be born in this country. No reason we couldn't have been born in the tribes of jungles and live under the power of witch doctors and idol worship. No reason you couldn't have been born a Jew and lived under the tyranny of Adolph Hitler in World War II, or a Vietnamese indoctrinated under the communistic philosophy. But born with the privilege of education, of material goods, food, beauty in land are all grace of God.
Now the question is what are you going to do with these privileges that God has given to you? We are not the master's of our fates, God is. He directed you to make some choices, but relatively few. One important choice you make, are you willing to accept his plan for your life, or rebel and live unto your own selfishness? That makes difference in the procedures you follow.
God controls our times. There is plan and we can be part of it and in that plan we discover our fulfillment even in the difficult times of life. Gal. 4:4 "When the time had fully come, God sent his Son born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those under the law that we might receive the full rights of sons."
God's procedure of this plan was redemption through the cross. God’s desire is that people may come to eternal salvation. When we see our life in light of that plan life can take on meaning as we carrying out the procedures for Kingdom living. It makes little difference if we work as an executive, a farmer, a minister, or a janitor when our value comes in knowing God and making Him known.
Someone wrote, "God's help is always sure- His methods seldom guessed; Delay will make our pleasure pure, Surprise will give it zest. His wisdom is sublime, His heart profoundly kind; God never is before his time, and never is behind."
If God gives us a task he gives us the time to complete that task. We need to get rid of that which gets in the way of completing the task.
Martin Luther was within God's procedures, of accomplishing redemption through spearheading the reformation. His cook was also in that procedure to provided services to accomplish the same purpose. But he had a different task that wasn't in the limelight. Unless the Lord builds the house those that build it labor in vain. Planning and delegating, execution and review are part of the time management but the most important component is prayer. For all his intellectual genius, dynamic personality, and highly trained skills, Luther knew that the starting place for every true accomplishment was prayer coming before the one who directed his steps.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Fri Feb 20
Theme- Times and Seasons
Verses: Eccl 3:14-15 “I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.”
God has a Purpose
The plans are the blueprints; the procedures are steps to carry out the plans. But if one is building a building, the blueprints reveal the plans. The construction workers, banks, and civil authorities are part of the procedure to see that building built. But why build the building to begin with? What is the purpose?
Why did God decide to build mankind? Why did he put creation in place? The Bible reveals the purpose of creation were to display His glory and for His pleasure. We were created to revere Him as our creator. All that is done might bring glory to God, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. The reason for His forgiveness and working with us to come to Him by faith is that we might glorify Him. Storms reveal His power. The universe displays His wisdom. The order of nature displays His control. Evil will be completely defeated and His promises will be completely fulfilled and we will then bow every knee and every one will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father.
God loves His glory which is His purpose to display it that all will marvel and worship Him. God performs our salvation for His own sake that we delight in divine love and commitment. He justifies people called by His name in order that He may be glorified, (Ezek 36:22-23,32). We are reminded that God could have started all over again if He wished with a different group of people. But His glory is displayed in His purpose, plan and procedures to bring about our redemption.
Jesus taught us to be humble about our life and our lack of knowledge of it by trusting God’s goodness. When God is in control our tragedies can be made into blessings. Charlie Shedd said, “A truly effective life does not result from getting God to help us, but when we turn our wills over to Him and ask that we might be of assistance to His purposes”.
Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright hat we may gain a heart of wisdom.” We set our priorities on Him and not on ourselves.
Eph 5:15,16 "Be very careful then, how you live not as unwise, but as wise making the most of every opportunity or redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
The movie “The End of the Spear” that came out a couple of years ago reminded us of the story of the martyrdom of the 5 missionaries killed by savage Auca Indians in Ecuador. It revealed again how the wife of Jim Eliott and the sister Nate Saint continued to minister in the village. They were willing even to die so they would bring glory to God. Within 2 years 50 accepted Jesus Christ. It opened the door for further and greater evangelism of the world. Steve Saint, Nate’s son, told the story how through treachery and lies of one of the people they turned on the missionaries fearing for their lives. But the murderer became saved and became one of the spiritual leaders bringing a people group to eternal salvation.
Will you have been found faithful, redeeming the time and letting our days and hours be committed to him? He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything he has promised long ago through his holy prophets. His plan is use our time. His procedure is to use talent. And His purpose to bring him glory. "
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 16
Theme: Times and Seasons
Verses Eccl 3:1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
God has a Pattern-
One man rushed into a suburban railroad station breathlessly and asked when does the 8:01 train leave? "At 8:01" Well its 7:59 by my watch. 7:57 by the town clock and 8:04 by the station clock, Which am I to go by? "You can go by any clock you wish but you can't go by the 8:01 train, for it has already left."
Time is important in our culture. We are much more time conscious than at any other age. Computers are continually being upgraded for milliseconds are too slow. Clocks rush and whirl, and control our lives. The question remains, "Are we following the right clock?" God does not follow our timing. We are in subjection to his timing. Someone said life is like a coin, you can spend it any way you want, but you can spend it only once. You can never repeat it.
Time changes things. More correctly I should say that things change with time. When I returned to Detroit the last time it was no the place I remembered it as a child growing up. The big back yard shrunk considerably, new freeways and buildings were put up. Little tiny trees were now huge and overgrown. Some large trees were gone. Neighbors are mostly gone. What happened to it all? Time passed and things change.
But there are things we can take security in. Time. It has a pattern. We can trust that in 24 hours a new day will greet us. We can pattern our lives around 7 days and call it a week. We measure our Holidays by months within a year. This is all part of a gift from God to bring consistency in our inconsistent lives.
The writer of Ecclesiastes has a beautifully written view of time in Hebrew poetry that reveals important truths of time. Time is in the hand of God. The question is, "Are we?" Whose clock are we going by? For we can rush around with wrist watches on but as far as eternity goes, many don't have the foggiest idea of what time it is. Solomon explains some things from God's time table.
There is right time for doing things, and there are wrong times for doing things. All things are under God's sovereignty. Are you walking in the plan and will of God for your life? Are you running and functioning according to God's time table or yours? As hard as man tries to control his life he is not its master. There are reasons for things that happen to us.
There are two words Solomon uses: time and season. As they are translated for us one emphasizes an opportunity or moment that is important. The other seems to emphasize the sequence or chain of events on the other. Both are of God.
You don't have to be a philosopher or a scientist to know that time and seasons are a regular part of life no matter where you live. Were it not for the dependability of God-ordained natural laws, both science and daily life would be chaotic, if not impossible. There is an overruling providence in our lives. From before our birth to the moment of our death, God is accomplishing his divine plan.
The consistency of the world’s rotation allows within a day to be the God divine pattern for our life on earth. The seasons also are ordered by God as we rotate around the sun experiencing the pattern of summer, winter, spring and fall (not in that order). From that pattern we govern our days, work, and life. With consistency there are things that we plan, like birthdays, and holidays, and times of planting and harvest. We see our body needs sleep within a day. Work patterns are organized around the clock that serves us 24 hour segments.
From beginning of creation it seemed there were two main divisions of daily time- Gen 1:5 God called the light "day," and the darkness he called "night." And there was evening, and there was morning-- the first day. Gen 1:14-18 And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so.
God made two great lights-- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night…And God saw that it was good.”
In spite of the many changes there is also the awareness that tomorrow is a new day given to us by His grace. Today is a day that is a gift. You have 24 new hours. It is not an accident. It is from God. It was patterned after His creative time table. The 7 days became a week. The week was divided up so Sabbath was a day of rest. The weeks turned into months also regulated by the rotation of the moon. The months into years.
The pattern of God’s world into which we are born is seen as good. It shows us not only his creative genius, but consistency upon which we can depend the functioning of our lives.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Tues Feb 17
Theme- Times and Seasons
Verses- Eccl 3: 1-3 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
God Has a Plan
Everything has a purpose and place according to God's plan. God has a plan for your life.
There are 28 events mentioned, 14 pairs of contrasts. The contrasts of events in life highlight the cycle of balance in our earthly experience. This beautiful portrayal of the seasons of life becomes one of the more loved portions of the Old Testament. Lets look at four contrasts today.
There is a time to be born and a time to die. We have no control over when or where we are going to be born. We have little control over matters regarding our death. Even some who seek to commit suicide are unsuccessful and bear the ramifications of those actions.
Under certain circumstances Doctors will indicate time of birth by inducing labor in a pregnancy, or by cesarean section. Medical science will have increasingly at its disposal machines and equipment that prolongs life, sometimes beyond what might be one considered clinically dead. Morally and ethically our society has been debating as to when life begins at conception or at birth with abortion and life questions. It is a means of debate at what point do you consider the person dead, or continue with life supports?
I am glad for many advances in medicine, but we also need to arouse some caution, for the issues of life and death are in God's hands.
The Bible teaches us it is appointed unto man once to die. God knows when that appointment is, just as you planned your birth and when and where you were to come into this world.
My father had a fear of flying. My mom would try to convince him by quoting the Bible verse, "it is appointed unto man once to die." She would then explain if it is his time to go he can't prevent it and if it isn't, he is not going to die. He replied, "Well it might not be my time to go, but it might be the pilot’s time. I’m not flying!"
"The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power, to tell just when the hand will stop - at late or early hour. Now is the only time you own! Live, love, toil with will; place not faith in tomorrow for the clock may then be still."
Another comparison Solomon relates to the harvest- there is a time to plant and a time to sow. We still cannot control the weather. Rain snow and frost keep us from fields. Yet we rejoice at planting time. We must make preparation for now for what you want to receive in the fall harvest.
Our lives are like that too. God allows times for us to plant and someday we will reap the results of what we have planted. You plant and sow evil and rebellion and sin, you will reap the results of what you've planted. If you plant goodness and love and kindness you will reap those results. If you live to yourself you will reap the consequence of that, and if unto God those rewards will be yours. Young people should think this is usually planting time. For many older people they realize the harvest is closer. We just never know. Are you ready? Jesus tells us the fields are ripe for the harvest, We need workers and missions.
There is also a time to kill and a time to heal. Perhaps this has aspect of war in mind, perhaps what is referred to is disease and plagues were some die and some live. But there are many applications and illustrations.
I think of the shepherd who tenderly cares for the lamb and sheep brings it to maturity to health and just the right size only to sell it to the market and have it killed for meat.
Sometimes in churches there is a time for taking out the cancer and sin and disease but cutting off members who are not living for God and causes disruptions to the fellowship and ministry. There are times for reconciliation and revival and healing and forgiving.
There are times for tearing down and for building up. Times to do away with the old and bring in the new, buildings but certain traditions too if their time has served it's purpose. Things just do not remain the same.
I think of the time when we start as a missions to Swedish people There was the time when Swedish was the right language and a time when it was no longer the right language. People change. Maybe in our own lives there are things that need to be thrown out and other things need to be implanted and allowed to grow.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Weds Feb 18
Theme Times and Seasons
Verses- Eccl 3:4-8 (There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:) ….a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain,6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Perplexing
Just when people think they have figured out the puzzle of life experiences pop up for which they seem unprepared. As soon as some have figured out the formula for peace and pleasure and passion something happens to disrupt that.
Not only do we experience the joys and sorrows of this world, part of the plan of God is to be in the center of our lives regardless of wht is happening on the outside.
There is a time to weep and a time to laugh. Life has mixture of pain and sorrow along with pleasure and excitement. I have not met a family yet that doesn't experience tragedies and difficulties as well as joys and happier times. In the musical drama, Fiddler on the Roof, one of their romantic songs, "Sunrise, sunset” expresses this-“Sunrise, Sunset, swiftly fly the years; one season follows the others, laden with happiness and tears."
There are times of mourning and times of dancing. There are times of grief and sorrow and emotional pain. The times of dancing and celebration are those times in our lives when we want to express our joyful emotions. But just like the joy of births there comes the sadness of death. There are funerals and there are weddings; there are births and there are divorces. It happens. God is the one constant in our inconsistent world.
There is a time to scatter stones and to gather them. Casting away stones from a field that need to be prepared for planting, or sometimes in war they would scatter stones so the enemy would have a rough time with the blockades in their way. There is the time to gather them for peace and friendship. There is a time for gather them to build buildings and fences and constructions. The need of the moment dictates what should be done.
There is a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing. Certain a time for calling one another brother and sister in Christ is embracing new believers into the family of God and demonstrating the family of God in community. Times when political enemies see it is not to their advantage to squabble and quarrel, but important issues requires the coming together for the importance of the country. There are times of love making for husbands and wives and times of celibacy, times to search and give to give up searching.
There are times to keep some things and other times to throw things away. Pack rats as well as spent thrifts need to be aware of the extremes of squandering money and hoarding it as well as throwing it away and spending it freely. There is time to mend and a time to tear.
Tearing clothes sometimes symbolized anger, or wrath, or grief, or taking of serious vow or hearing the bad news, and other time when they would be mended where things are o.k. again.
There are times to be silent and time to speak. I sure wish I would be so in tuned to God that I would know those times. We sometimes use silence as subtle weapon of revenge, or escape from social interaction, and sometimes a virtue.
One tourists staying in a little Vermont town joined a small group of men just sitting on the porch of a general store and the visitors tried in vain to strike up a conversation, getting no results then he finally asked, "Is there a law against talking in this town? "No" replied one Vermonter, "Ain't no law against it, we just like to make sure it's an improvement on the silence."
There is also a time for love and time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. Is there a time for hate? Jesus said, unless we hate mother or brother meaning putting anything ahead of God is a sin. Hate evil and love the good. There is a righteous hatred and there is the rest of Christians to seek peace with others, but when peace cannot be gained and there is no other alternative available sometimes it is Gods' will to fight. When dictators takeover lands and when oppression and chaos goes unchecked, when injustice and abuse are running on a rampage then there is time for confrontation.
Do we seek to know God's plans? When life happens don’t be surprised but secure knowing that God has brought his people through and will promise to do so until this struggle and puzzle is over.
If your trust is in your circumstances, God what you and me to know it will change one way or another. Therefore we need someone who does not change but consistent in the perplexities of life.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Thur Feb 19
Theme: Times and Seasons
Verses- Eccl 3:9-13 What does the worker gain from his toil?
10 I have seen the burden God has laid on men.
11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
12 I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.
13 That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-- this is the gift of God.
God Has a Procedure
A plan is the goal that is set before you. The procedures are the activities needed to accomplish that plan. This involves the managing and the executing of the task. There are plans within the will of God, and the procedure is the use of men and women to carry out those plans of God. We have plans and we have procedures.
God has made everything's beautiful in his time. How dumb to try to build the roof before you build the basement. It won't work to paint the walls before you put in the pumping and the electricity. If things are done in order it is beautiful in it's time and in its purpose. But best of all He has set eternity in the hearts of man. We don't understand this time table but God does.
All of the sequence is moving perfectly with eternity and Christ's second coming in mind. That is exciting unless you are not ready for His coming. We need to keep eternity in mind when we think of God's timing.
There is one thing that we all have in common. We are different in just about every other way, but the president and the farmer, the business owner and the executive and the maintenance worker all have 24 hours a day. No one has more time than any other. We can all claim equality there. Gods' procedure is a desire that those hours be filled to carry out his plan.
Acts 17:26 “For one man he made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live."
We live in this generation. I see this as an extreme indication of God's grace. God has called you and me to be born in this country. No reason we couldn't have been born in the tribes of jungles and live under the power of witch doctors and idol worship. No reason you couldn't have been born a Jew and lived under the tyranny of Adolph Hitler in World War II, or a Vietnamese indoctrinated under the communistic philosophy. But born with the privilege of education, of material goods, food, beauty in land are all grace of God.
Now the question is what are you going to do with these privileges that God has given to you? We are not the master's of our fates, God is. He directed you to make some choices, but relatively few. One important choice you make, are you willing to accept his plan for your life, or rebel and live unto your own selfishness? That makes difference in the procedures you follow.
God controls our times. There is plan and we can be part of it and in that plan we discover our fulfillment even in the difficult times of life. Gal. 4:4 "When the time had fully come, God sent his Son born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those under the law that we might receive the full rights of sons."
God's procedure of this plan was redemption through the cross. God’s desire is that people may come to eternal salvation. When we see our life in light of that plan life can take on meaning as we carrying out the procedures for Kingdom living. It makes little difference if we work as an executive, a farmer, a minister, or a janitor when our value comes in knowing God and making Him known.
Someone wrote, "God's help is always sure- His methods seldom guessed; Delay will make our pleasure pure, Surprise will give it zest. His wisdom is sublime, His heart profoundly kind; God never is before his time, and never is behind."
If God gives us a task he gives us the time to complete that task. We need to get rid of that which gets in the way of completing the task.
Martin Luther was within God's procedures, of accomplishing redemption through spearheading the reformation. His cook was also in that procedure to provided services to accomplish the same purpose. But he had a different task that wasn't in the limelight. Unless the Lord builds the house those that build it labor in vain. Planning and delegating, execution and review are part of the time management but the most important component is prayer. For all his intellectual genius, dynamic personality, and highly trained skills, Luther knew that the starting place for every true accomplishment was prayer coming before the one who directed his steps.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Fri Feb 20
Theme- Times and Seasons
Verses: Eccl 3:14-15 “I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.
Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.”
God has a Purpose
The plans are the blueprints; the procedures are steps to carry out the plans. But if one is building a building, the blueprints reveal the plans. The construction workers, banks, and civil authorities are part of the procedure to see that building built. But why build the building to begin with? What is the purpose?
Why did God decide to build mankind? Why did he put creation in place? The Bible reveals the purpose of creation were to display His glory and for His pleasure. We were created to revere Him as our creator. All that is done might bring glory to God, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. The reason for His forgiveness and working with us to come to Him by faith is that we might glorify Him. Storms reveal His power. The universe displays His wisdom. The order of nature displays His control. Evil will be completely defeated and His promises will be completely fulfilled and we will then bow every knee and every one will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the father.
God loves His glory which is His purpose to display it that all will marvel and worship Him. God performs our salvation for His own sake that we delight in divine love and commitment. He justifies people called by His name in order that He may be glorified, (Ezek 36:22-23,32). We are reminded that God could have started all over again if He wished with a different group of people. But His glory is displayed in His purpose, plan and procedures to bring about our redemption.
Jesus taught us to be humble about our life and our lack of knowledge of it by trusting God’s goodness. When God is in control our tragedies can be made into blessings. Charlie Shedd said, “A truly effective life does not result from getting God to help us, but when we turn our wills over to Him and ask that we might be of assistance to His purposes”.
Psalm 90:12 "Teach us to number our days aright hat we may gain a heart of wisdom.” We set our priorities on Him and not on ourselves.
Eph 5:15,16 "Be very careful then, how you live not as unwise, but as wise making the most of every opportunity or redeeming the time, because the days are evil."
The movie “The End of the Spear” that came out a couple of years ago reminded us of the story of the martyrdom of the 5 missionaries killed by savage Auca Indians in Ecuador. It revealed again how the wife of Jim Eliott and the sister Nate Saint continued to minister in the village. They were willing even to die so they would bring glory to God. Within 2 years 50 accepted Jesus Christ. It opened the door for further and greater evangelism of the world. Steve Saint, Nate’s son, told the story how through treachery and lies of one of the people they turned on the missionaries fearing for their lives. But the murderer became saved and became one of the spiritual leaders bringing a people group to eternal salvation.
Will you have been found faithful, redeeming the time and letting our days and hours be committed to him? He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything he has promised long ago through his holy prophets. His plan is use our time. His procedure is to use talent. And His purpose to bring him glory. "
Pastor Dale
Friday, February 13, 2009
A Workman's Worry Ecclesiastes 2:17-26
Sermon nuggets Mon Feb 9
Theme- A WORKMAN'S WORRY
Verses-Eccl 2:10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.(NIV)
Reflections on Work
Last week we talked about Solomon's pursuit of pleasure. This week day we are going to look at his thoughts regarding work. Some of his work related to building and construction, as well as ruling and the administration of the nation. He worked with investments and the acquiring of many goods. There were things that kept Solomon very busy. Now he reflects on the place of labor. Solomon admitted that at the beginning he found enjoyment in his work. It was a delight to him. Do you enjoy the work you're doing?
One fellow went to the doctor's "Give it to me straight not all in the scientific language" "You're lazy."
"Thank you, Now give me the scientific word so I can tell my wife."
God made man to work. We are not meant to be lazy. We find purpose when we are able to earn a living. When God placed man on earth in the Garden of Eden it was a perfect environment. There were no slaves and servants, such as Solomon had to take care of all his needs and wants.
God had given Adam some responsibilities. He gave man work to do. Gen 1:28 says, "God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply in number. Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule of the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Adam was given the assignment to care for that which God has created and to name the animals. Now isn't that something. God could have cared for it all, in fact he does. But He gave to man the responsibility to organize and work his creation as our enjoyment of what he has given to us.
One person tells the story of enjoying farm land that looked like from the magazines. It had beautiful crops and well manicured gardens and lawns. The person told the farmer, "Isn't God great to supply you with all this? "
He said, "He is, but you should have seen how it was kept before I came along." What some fail to realize is that it was God's intent that we work the soil; bring the crops into greater productivity. He gave man that job. But without the rain, sun and temperatures proper weather and the farmer would be out of business in a day.
There has been political debate over our environment. However you feel about global warming or protection of endangered species, as Christians we need to know that taking care of God’s earth is one of the responsibilities God gave to mankind right from creation. This is my Father’s world. We take delight in it, not abuse it. We were made to have dominion over the land and over the animals. God gave us work to take care of His world. It is a spiritual responsibility. The danger in man’s thinking is when he places himself as God in charge instead of recognizing our part in God’s design.
I am glad that we are spending much more attention to pollution and recycling. Some people because of the sin of greed and selfishness give no thought to future generations, and abuse God's resources for all people. The Lord God took the man and put him in the world to work and take care of it.
With unemployment the way it is in our economic crises, if you have a job, not only thank the Lord but work as unto the Lord as a gift from Him. If you are looking for work seek the gifts and abilities you have been given and let’s also help one another within our church family to pray, support, and encourage. Perhaps you can also give jobs to others to provide for themselves and families. I would like to post jobs and needs on Copes Computer every Wednesday.
Pray and participate. That is the plan for work as we serve God and one another together.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Feb 10
Verses- Eccl 2:17-19 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.
Reflections on Weariness
The delight of work is when one can be used of God to see that needs are met, and help others in their times of need. The delight of work is to see some accomplishments. When you have finished a project or activities and have it said, "Good Job" can give some people worth. When others are helped or blessed, when goals are met, when purpose is fulfilled it is good and it can be a delight to be part of what God made us to be.
God gave mankind work to do. We will be working in heaven. It will be fulfilling as we carry out the work of the Lord and are part of His greater plan. But labor changed when sin entered the world. Things would not be as enjoyable any longer. Gen. 3:17-19 "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree which I commanded you must not eat of it. Cursed is the ground because of you through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life."
As Solomon continues his thoughts on work it hits him that for all he delighted in achieving, some day that will all be gone and who knows what will happen when he leave it behind. Fools take over his dreams and accomplishments. Many entrepreneurs who work very hard lose their companies or sell them only to find their dreams fall apart and result in ruin.
How do the CEOs of large companies evaluate their work when the stock market is crashing? I heard on the TV people who are losing their homes who cry out, “after we worked all our lives for something it is now gone.” A bank or credit company will own the home they worked for and someone else will get for far less money the fruits of their labors. That is the feeling of futility.
The New Testament speaks on the importance of work in our fallen world. 1 Thes 4:11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. And II Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
Gustov Ohler said, "Man like God, is to work and rest, thus human life is to be a copy of divine life. God created for 6 days, rested on the 7th day and then began to work again.
Since the fall work took on a different meaning. Now toil became part of the curse of sin. We work not only because of the pleasure of work, but there are elements in all work that are burdensome. Chores, sweat, dirty, hard labor is part of the plight of man as farmers well know. Weeds and thistles, rocks and bad weather is part of our struggle.
Notice that Solomon delved into work but it wasn't long when the delight turned into drudgery. He was not fulfilled. It became wearisome to him. For all his toil it did not produce the lasting peace he was looking for.
Now let me say that Solomon had what we will never have-power, wisdom, fame, wealth, property, and abilities to pursue life under the sun to the fullest. However, life of people on earth is better now than it has ever been. You can read stories of how life was then, and even 200 years ago people lived with poor health, no hope, etching out living under slavery and oppression. There were days when child labor laws did not exist and textile companies worked children 6-10 years old 12 hours a day. There were people in slaughter houses who when injured on the job would lose their jobs. There were horrible unhealthy work conditions and people were at unmerciful hands of employers. We are cleaner, more attractive, more pampered, and have greater luxury than our parents and grandparent and they had life easier than their parents and grandparents. Have we made improvements? You bet we have.
I think of life in my days without cars without TV or stereos, without washing machines, dryers, microwaves. It is hard to imagine not using computers and cell phones and electronic conveniences. But we are not happier. We are just as sad. There is as much anxiety in our day as felt by Solomon in all his plenty and with all his labors. Weariness can come from emotional draining. It seems when there is no purpose more than the paycheck, people are weary in their work. Housewives can easily find it frustrating when all the days labor is destroyed as soon as kids and husband comes home only to do it all over again.
Do you feel as if you are on a working treadmill? Is your work drudgery or delight? What makes it so? How can it change?
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Weds Feb 11
Eccl 2:20-21 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.
Reflections on Workaholicism
Perhaps I should entitle this devotional “confessions of a workaholic.” Solomon reflects the feelings of the day that say even though we excel in our accomplishments and make it to the top, and even though you meet all your goals something is missing. It is not fulfilling. We have a measure of enjoyment in what we do, but if all our labor is monuments and trophies and things, there is really nothing to them. Vanity of vanity; all is vanity,.
God gave us work to do, but if God is not in the work we do all the energies we put in the work is worthless. Many people are burned out because they are so busy in their lives and in their work they miss out on that very thing that will give purpose.
Why do workaholics work so much? Perhaps it is because it appears to be a religious virtue. So many men work hard to provide for their families only to find they have lost their families. A simple life has become increasingly unpopular. Many Christians believe if they are not on the top of everything God must not be blessing them. There is a tremendous confusion over the way man interprets success and God.
There is an appropriate protestant work ethic in our society. It came from the conviction of having a fair wage for a fair days work. It is godly to do our best to please our employers, as well as to treat our employees with fairness and right compensation. There are Christian principles by which we need to guide our lives at home and at work. But our self esteem is not based on how many hours we put in or how much money we make, or how much we can show people we've done. Solomon reminds us that can be the very thing that brings dissatisfaction. For such a person work is his or her whole life. The workaholic is living in a performance oriented cultures. v. 23 says, All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest."
Compulsive workers overload days with toil; Fills nights with worry and misses the simple joys of God. I believe some of the real issues are not being addressed. For you see, work become an end in and of itself. It isn't the benefits of salary as much as the task is pleasurable. Some will not rest even if they are tired for tiredness is a sign of laziness. Most are motivated by power, seeking to be on the top, highly competitive and wanting to win and prove it to self.
But it isn't the hours that a man puts in that is important it is what a man puts into those hours. Luther said he had so much to do that he needed to spend at least 3 hours in prayer. We cannot have guilt trips because we do not spend 3 hours a day in prayer, nor feeling unworthy because we don't work 10 to 16 hours days 6 days a week. Many women who are increasing the work force are also finding themselves increase with many of the physical and emotional strains that men have. Women are increasing with heart attacks, ulcers, and high blood pressure.
Solomon said all this toil is vanity and chasing of the wind. As I read my words I feel hypocritical because I was awake at 2:45 AM not sleeping. I find too many things rambling through my mind. I think of the many things that just never get accomplished. There are also more people to visit, more programs to plan, more books to read, more sermons to write, more people who want to see you. The work can be most fulfilling or most discouraging.
Look at the life of Paul. He never stopped or slowed down infulfilling God's mission for his life to take the Gospel to the lost andhurting outside the four walls of the church. He pressed forward,tirelessly, until the very end when he was martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ. Despite the great personal sacrifices, putting his life on the line each day, fighting all of the obstacles he had to face each step of the way, Paul persevered!
The call to follow the Lord with all your heart, can be quickly clouded with personal responsibilities that call for our attention. Whither in the church or the world the wheel of the hamster cage runs round and round and we seem to get no further.
Ps 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Thurs Feb 12
Eccl 2:22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
Reflections on Worry
I remember reading the story of one pastor who felt his main job was to be a servant to his people. He was run ragged and felt tremendous guilt over his increasing resentment of the very people he wanted to serve. He was getting phone calls up to 4 a day by a particular lady who expected him to be her errant boy. She demanded that he take her shopping each week because that was what the former pastor did. She wanted him to pick up her relatives from the airport. Finally when she called to have him help wrap her Christmas packages because that was the other pastor did he put his foot down. He worried he was not doing a good job as a pastor when he was seeking to live up to the expectations of all his people. His worries and over work were headed for burn out. He never felt he was doing a good enough job.
Now there is increased worry over losing jobs. The economy has caused great worry among the workforce also bit resulting in increased performance so people will not lose their jobs. When the competition is greater people are sticking to jobs they do not like and doing them better so they don’t get laid off. When cut backs are made it is easier now for employers to let go of the ones who are least productive and the blame goes to the bad economy. Outsourcing also gives higher paying jobs to countries like India which accomplishes the same work for a fraction of the pay.
I was aware of a successful engineer laid off from work. He was too embarrassed to tell any of his friends. Initially he didn't want even his wife and kids to know. To begin with he left the house and came home at the normal time, but spent his time looking for work until his wife found out. He certainly was too embarrassed to share this news with those in his church. Because he didn't work and couldn't provide for his family, he saw himself as failure and lost his self-worth. He had a hard time living with himself because so many men only find value in their labor, not in their life.
For lots of worry is really wrapped up in pride. Pride says we want to be self sufficient, and not depend on anyone else. Pride doesn't want to have the pity of other people. What finally brought this engineer to his senses was someone in his church did commit suicide because he didn't have a job and thought no one would understand. The place where there should be healing is the hardest place to put down our pride.
Perfectionists worry a lot. They have to have everything just right in their work. The problems come when they cannot do their work perfectly or make common mistake. There is increased anxiety and worry and Solomon understood that thousands of years before. Things do not bring satisfaction.
One worry of Solomon that he mentions is the fact that you work so hard to accomplish your goals, but after you reach them then what? There is the problem with others, fools, wrecking what you worked so hard to achieve. “Why bother?”, he asks in frustration.
When the main focus of our attention is on work it is no longer pleasurable but we become a slave to our anxieties and our worries, most of which we can do little about. Solomon reflected on this whirlwind of activity and decided changes need to be made. He was focusing on the wrong things and was miserable.
How do you look upon your work? Are you at peace with what you do and are doing? What worries you? What alternatives are there for your worries?
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Fri. Feb 13
Verses- Eccl 2:24-26 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?
To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Reflecting on Worth of Work
Whether you are seeking education, or pleasure, or work, the answer to fulfillment is found in Christ. Enjoyment of all things comes from God. Solomon tells us if we think we will have lasting enjoyment from our job that will soon fade away. But when we surrender ourselves to God's desires then enjoyment is gift from God, just like salvation is a gift. What happens on the inside makes a difference. Work, pleasure, and whatever possessions we might have can be enjoyed or not enjoyed depending on our obedience and perception of what God has called us to be and to do.
Man's work can make of him a slave, and lead him to an early grave, but if he waits upon the Lord, His labors bring him great reward. The man who recognizes all he has comes from the hand of God can partake of the simple lifestyle with the grateful heart. Even menial work can have significance.
God gifts to man are basic life functions; to eat, drink and find satisfaction in work. The contrast of the life of the sinner and the life of the godly presented here reflects this crucial dimension-A dynamic relationship with a living, loving God. The workaholic has no time for spouse, children, friend, let alone God, but the godly person makes his or her first priority to know God. When we know Him we have a new alternatives and new ways of understanding life. We have a new ways of relating to our work.
What are the simple pleasures? The first factor is to be able to eat and drink. When was the last time you enjoyed a meal? Psychologists have observed that many people who experience anxiety eat quickly, not enjoying their food and finding it tasteless. More acute anxiety may lead to not eating at all. Some of your biggest tycoons have such ulcer problems they live on mile, raw eggs and Maalox. Others overeat when anxious and worry.
The other simple pleasure is to find satisfaction in work. Are you enjoying your work? Do you realize that God can bless you in the moment by moment aspects of your labors? The capitalist work ethic makes a god of productivity while ignoring the personal impact. Do you believe God gave you the job that you now have? Are you using it to bring his kingdom light into your employment or with the people? Is God directing you to a different job? Ecclesiastes tells us that not our works or performance, but our relationship to God is what pleases him. When a person seeks that relationship then God grants wisdom, knowledge, and happiness.
Some people are so busy learning the tricks of the trade that they don't learn the trade. Our purpose is found in I Cor 10:31 so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." History has shown when people are saved from sin by Jesus Christ, it affects their whole life and witness even to those who are their employers and employees.
God has ordained work, even though sin has flawed it. God has ordained work to meet our needs. It is not always easy. But honest labor can be fulfilling if seen as a gift from Him.
Many retired folks find greater enjoyment in volunteer work since their financial needs are met. They are able to give of themselves in new ways to the Lord, family, church and God. There is a renewed joy in the accomplishments as God directs interest and gifts with his Kingdom.
If you let God set up your schedule how would your days change? How would that affect your life at work, at home and at church as well as your recreation?
Pastor Dale.
Theme- A WORKMAN'S WORRY
Verses-Eccl 2:10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.(NIV)
Reflections on Work
Last week we talked about Solomon's pursuit of pleasure. This week day we are going to look at his thoughts regarding work. Some of his work related to building and construction, as well as ruling and the administration of the nation. He worked with investments and the acquiring of many goods. There were things that kept Solomon very busy. Now he reflects on the place of labor. Solomon admitted that at the beginning he found enjoyment in his work. It was a delight to him. Do you enjoy the work you're doing?
One fellow went to the doctor's "Give it to me straight not all in the scientific language" "You're lazy."
"Thank you, Now give me the scientific word so I can tell my wife."
God made man to work. We are not meant to be lazy. We find purpose when we are able to earn a living. When God placed man on earth in the Garden of Eden it was a perfect environment. There were no slaves and servants, such as Solomon had to take care of all his needs and wants.
God had given Adam some responsibilities. He gave man work to do. Gen 1:28 says, "God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply in number. Fill the earth and subdue it. Rule of the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Adam was given the assignment to care for that which God has created and to name the animals. Now isn't that something. God could have cared for it all, in fact he does. But He gave to man the responsibility to organize and work his creation as our enjoyment of what he has given to us.
One person tells the story of enjoying farm land that looked like from the magazines. It had beautiful crops and well manicured gardens and lawns. The person told the farmer, "Isn't God great to supply you with all this? "
He said, "He is, but you should have seen how it was kept before I came along." What some fail to realize is that it was God's intent that we work the soil; bring the crops into greater productivity. He gave man that job. But without the rain, sun and temperatures proper weather and the farmer would be out of business in a day.
There has been political debate over our environment. However you feel about global warming or protection of endangered species, as Christians we need to know that taking care of God’s earth is one of the responsibilities God gave to mankind right from creation. This is my Father’s world. We take delight in it, not abuse it. We were made to have dominion over the land and over the animals. God gave us work to take care of His world. It is a spiritual responsibility. The danger in man’s thinking is when he places himself as God in charge instead of recognizing our part in God’s design.
I am glad that we are spending much more attention to pollution and recycling. Some people because of the sin of greed and selfishness give no thought to future generations, and abuse God's resources for all people. The Lord God took the man and put him in the world to work and take care of it.
With unemployment the way it is in our economic crises, if you have a job, not only thank the Lord but work as unto the Lord as a gift from Him. If you are looking for work seek the gifts and abilities you have been given and let’s also help one another within our church family to pray, support, and encourage. Perhaps you can also give jobs to others to provide for themselves and families. I would like to post jobs and needs on Copes Computer every Wednesday.
Pray and participate. That is the plan for work as we serve God and one another together.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Feb 10
Verses- Eccl 2:17-19 So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless.
Reflections on Weariness
The delight of work is when one can be used of God to see that needs are met, and help others in their times of need. The delight of work is to see some accomplishments. When you have finished a project or activities and have it said, "Good Job" can give some people worth. When others are helped or blessed, when goals are met, when purpose is fulfilled it is good and it can be a delight to be part of what God made us to be.
God gave mankind work to do. We will be working in heaven. It will be fulfilling as we carry out the work of the Lord and are part of His greater plan. But labor changed when sin entered the world. Things would not be as enjoyable any longer. Gen. 3:17-19 "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree which I commanded you must not eat of it. Cursed is the ground because of you through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life."
As Solomon continues his thoughts on work it hits him that for all he delighted in achieving, some day that will all be gone and who knows what will happen when he leave it behind. Fools take over his dreams and accomplishments. Many entrepreneurs who work very hard lose their companies or sell them only to find their dreams fall apart and result in ruin.
How do the CEOs of large companies evaluate their work when the stock market is crashing? I heard on the TV people who are losing their homes who cry out, “after we worked all our lives for something it is now gone.” A bank or credit company will own the home they worked for and someone else will get for far less money the fruits of their labors. That is the feeling of futility.
The New Testament speaks on the importance of work in our fallen world. 1 Thes 4:11-12 Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody. And II Th 3:10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: "If a man will not work, he shall not eat."
Gustov Ohler said, "Man like God, is to work and rest, thus human life is to be a copy of divine life. God created for 6 days, rested on the 7th day and then began to work again.
Since the fall work took on a different meaning. Now toil became part of the curse of sin. We work not only because of the pleasure of work, but there are elements in all work that are burdensome. Chores, sweat, dirty, hard labor is part of the plight of man as farmers well know. Weeds and thistles, rocks and bad weather is part of our struggle.
Notice that Solomon delved into work but it wasn't long when the delight turned into drudgery. He was not fulfilled. It became wearisome to him. For all his toil it did not produce the lasting peace he was looking for.
Now let me say that Solomon had what we will never have-power, wisdom, fame, wealth, property, and abilities to pursue life under the sun to the fullest. However, life of people on earth is better now than it has ever been. You can read stories of how life was then, and even 200 years ago people lived with poor health, no hope, etching out living under slavery and oppression. There were days when child labor laws did not exist and textile companies worked children 6-10 years old 12 hours a day. There were people in slaughter houses who when injured on the job would lose their jobs. There were horrible unhealthy work conditions and people were at unmerciful hands of employers. We are cleaner, more attractive, more pampered, and have greater luxury than our parents and grandparent and they had life easier than their parents and grandparents. Have we made improvements? You bet we have.
I think of life in my days without cars without TV or stereos, without washing machines, dryers, microwaves. It is hard to imagine not using computers and cell phones and electronic conveniences. But we are not happier. We are just as sad. There is as much anxiety in our day as felt by Solomon in all his plenty and with all his labors. Weariness can come from emotional draining. It seems when there is no purpose more than the paycheck, people are weary in their work. Housewives can easily find it frustrating when all the days labor is destroyed as soon as kids and husband comes home only to do it all over again.
Do you feel as if you are on a working treadmill? Is your work drudgery or delight? What makes it so? How can it change?
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Weds Feb 11
Eccl 2:20-21 So my heart began to despair over all my toilsome labor under the sun. For a man may do his work with wisdom, knowledge and skill, and then he must leave all he owns to someone who has not worked for it. This too is meaningless and a great misfortune.
Reflections on Workaholicism
Perhaps I should entitle this devotional “confessions of a workaholic.” Solomon reflects the feelings of the day that say even though we excel in our accomplishments and make it to the top, and even though you meet all your goals something is missing. It is not fulfilling. We have a measure of enjoyment in what we do, but if all our labor is monuments and trophies and things, there is really nothing to them. Vanity of vanity; all is vanity,.
God gave us work to do, but if God is not in the work we do all the energies we put in the work is worthless. Many people are burned out because they are so busy in their lives and in their work they miss out on that very thing that will give purpose.
Why do workaholics work so much? Perhaps it is because it appears to be a religious virtue. So many men work hard to provide for their families only to find they have lost their families. A simple life has become increasingly unpopular. Many Christians believe if they are not on the top of everything God must not be blessing them. There is a tremendous confusion over the way man interprets success and God.
There is an appropriate protestant work ethic in our society. It came from the conviction of having a fair wage for a fair days work. It is godly to do our best to please our employers, as well as to treat our employees with fairness and right compensation. There are Christian principles by which we need to guide our lives at home and at work. But our self esteem is not based on how many hours we put in or how much money we make, or how much we can show people we've done. Solomon reminds us that can be the very thing that brings dissatisfaction. For such a person work is his or her whole life. The workaholic is living in a performance oriented cultures. v. 23 says, All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest."
Compulsive workers overload days with toil; Fills nights with worry and misses the simple joys of God. I believe some of the real issues are not being addressed. For you see, work become an end in and of itself. It isn't the benefits of salary as much as the task is pleasurable. Some will not rest even if they are tired for tiredness is a sign of laziness. Most are motivated by power, seeking to be on the top, highly competitive and wanting to win and prove it to self.
But it isn't the hours that a man puts in that is important it is what a man puts into those hours. Luther said he had so much to do that he needed to spend at least 3 hours in prayer. We cannot have guilt trips because we do not spend 3 hours a day in prayer, nor feeling unworthy because we don't work 10 to 16 hours days 6 days a week. Many women who are increasing the work force are also finding themselves increase with many of the physical and emotional strains that men have. Women are increasing with heart attacks, ulcers, and high blood pressure.
Solomon said all this toil is vanity and chasing of the wind. As I read my words I feel hypocritical because I was awake at 2:45 AM not sleeping. I find too many things rambling through my mind. I think of the many things that just never get accomplished. There are also more people to visit, more programs to plan, more books to read, more sermons to write, more people who want to see you. The work can be most fulfilling or most discouraging.
Look at the life of Paul. He never stopped or slowed down infulfilling God's mission for his life to take the Gospel to the lost andhurting outside the four walls of the church. He pressed forward,tirelessly, until the very end when he was martyred for his faith in Jesus Christ. Despite the great personal sacrifices, putting his life on the line each day, fighting all of the obstacles he had to face each step of the way, Paul persevered!
The call to follow the Lord with all your heart, can be quickly clouded with personal responsibilities that call for our attention. Whither in the church or the world the wheel of the hamster cage runs round and round and we seem to get no further.
Ps 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Thurs Feb 12
Eccl 2:22 What does a man get for all the toil and anxious striving with which he labors under the sun? All his days his work is pain and grief; even at night his mind does not rest. This too is meaningless.
Reflections on Worry
I remember reading the story of one pastor who felt his main job was to be a servant to his people. He was run ragged and felt tremendous guilt over his increasing resentment of the very people he wanted to serve. He was getting phone calls up to 4 a day by a particular lady who expected him to be her errant boy. She demanded that he take her shopping each week because that was what the former pastor did. She wanted him to pick up her relatives from the airport. Finally when she called to have him help wrap her Christmas packages because that was the other pastor did he put his foot down. He worried he was not doing a good job as a pastor when he was seeking to live up to the expectations of all his people. His worries and over work were headed for burn out. He never felt he was doing a good enough job.
Now there is increased worry over losing jobs. The economy has caused great worry among the workforce also bit resulting in increased performance so people will not lose their jobs. When the competition is greater people are sticking to jobs they do not like and doing them better so they don’t get laid off. When cut backs are made it is easier now for employers to let go of the ones who are least productive and the blame goes to the bad economy. Outsourcing also gives higher paying jobs to countries like India which accomplishes the same work for a fraction of the pay.
I was aware of a successful engineer laid off from work. He was too embarrassed to tell any of his friends. Initially he didn't want even his wife and kids to know. To begin with he left the house and came home at the normal time, but spent his time looking for work until his wife found out. He certainly was too embarrassed to share this news with those in his church. Because he didn't work and couldn't provide for his family, he saw himself as failure and lost his self-worth. He had a hard time living with himself because so many men only find value in their labor, not in their life.
For lots of worry is really wrapped up in pride. Pride says we want to be self sufficient, and not depend on anyone else. Pride doesn't want to have the pity of other people. What finally brought this engineer to his senses was someone in his church did commit suicide because he didn't have a job and thought no one would understand. The place where there should be healing is the hardest place to put down our pride.
Perfectionists worry a lot. They have to have everything just right in their work. The problems come when they cannot do their work perfectly or make common mistake. There is increased anxiety and worry and Solomon understood that thousands of years before. Things do not bring satisfaction.
One worry of Solomon that he mentions is the fact that you work so hard to accomplish your goals, but after you reach them then what? There is the problem with others, fools, wrecking what you worked so hard to achieve. “Why bother?”, he asks in frustration.
When the main focus of our attention is on work it is no longer pleasurable but we become a slave to our anxieties and our worries, most of which we can do little about. Solomon reflected on this whirlwind of activity and decided changes need to be made. He was focusing on the wrong things and was miserable.
How do you look upon your work? Are you at peace with what you do and are doing? What worries you? What alternatives are there for your worries?
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Fri. Feb 13
Verses- Eccl 2:24-26 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?
To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Reflecting on Worth of Work
Whether you are seeking education, or pleasure, or work, the answer to fulfillment is found in Christ. Enjoyment of all things comes from God. Solomon tells us if we think we will have lasting enjoyment from our job that will soon fade away. But when we surrender ourselves to God's desires then enjoyment is gift from God, just like salvation is a gift. What happens on the inside makes a difference. Work, pleasure, and whatever possessions we might have can be enjoyed or not enjoyed depending on our obedience and perception of what God has called us to be and to do.
Man's work can make of him a slave, and lead him to an early grave, but if he waits upon the Lord, His labors bring him great reward. The man who recognizes all he has comes from the hand of God can partake of the simple lifestyle with the grateful heart. Even menial work can have significance.
God gifts to man are basic life functions; to eat, drink and find satisfaction in work. The contrast of the life of the sinner and the life of the godly presented here reflects this crucial dimension-A dynamic relationship with a living, loving God. The workaholic has no time for spouse, children, friend, let alone God, but the godly person makes his or her first priority to know God. When we know Him we have a new alternatives and new ways of understanding life. We have a new ways of relating to our work.
What are the simple pleasures? The first factor is to be able to eat and drink. When was the last time you enjoyed a meal? Psychologists have observed that many people who experience anxiety eat quickly, not enjoying their food and finding it tasteless. More acute anxiety may lead to not eating at all. Some of your biggest tycoons have such ulcer problems they live on mile, raw eggs and Maalox. Others overeat when anxious and worry.
The other simple pleasure is to find satisfaction in work. Are you enjoying your work? Do you realize that God can bless you in the moment by moment aspects of your labors? The capitalist work ethic makes a god of productivity while ignoring the personal impact. Do you believe God gave you the job that you now have? Are you using it to bring his kingdom light into your employment or with the people? Is God directing you to a different job? Ecclesiastes tells us that not our works or performance, but our relationship to God is what pleases him. When a person seeks that relationship then God grants wisdom, knowledge, and happiness.
Some people are so busy learning the tricks of the trade that they don't learn the trade. Our purpose is found in I Cor 10:31 so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." History has shown when people are saved from sin by Jesus Christ, it affects their whole life and witness even to those who are their employers and employees.
God has ordained work, even though sin has flawed it. God has ordained work to meet our needs. It is not always easy. But honest labor can be fulfilling if seen as a gift from Him.
Many retired folks find greater enjoyment in volunteer work since their financial needs are met. They are able to give of themselves in new ways to the Lord, family, church and God. There is a renewed joy in the accomplishments as God directs interest and gifts with his Kingdom.
If you let God set up your schedule how would your days change? How would that affect your life at work, at home and at church as well as your recreation?
Pastor Dale.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Pleasure's Pursuits Ecclesiates 2:1-11
Sermon Nuggets, Week of Feb 2 Eccl 2:1-11
Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 2
Theme Pleasure's Pursuits
Eccl 2:1
1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless.
Pondering Pleasure
Peanuts: Lucy:"Do you think life has any meaning?”
Charlie Brown: "I I...”
Lucy: "I mean, do you think life has any meaning after you failed 9 spelling tests in a row and your teacher hates you?"
Charlie "That's a different question."
Solomon was also asking "what is the meaning of life? What's it all about?" The wisest man was so caught up in his own pursuits that his relationship with God became strained. Finally, judgment fell verbally on Solomon and his family. It was like failing 9 exams and having his teacher is mad at him. Then does life have meaning? That is a different question and Solomon answers, "No".
What gives us pleasure? Do you feel like you are missing out whereas others are enjoying life? What if you had enough money that you didn’t need to deny yourself of anything you wanted to do. That was Solomon’s situation.
I remember thinking as a teen "This is suppose to be the most exciting time of my whole life and adults look back and say you're only young once." Then I'd look at my life and ask, "Am I really enjoying all of life to the fullest?" I was a virgin and I wonder what it would be like to have sexual intercourse. So many other kids were doing it? I wondered about drinking and partying, and smoking, and going to places that my folks would never allow. So many other kids were saying it's really a blast. I'd wonder if the other world, the world of the non Christian was really having fun.
Oh, I enjoyed some of the things that our church and church youth group was doing, but I had to admit some of it was really boring. I enjoyed church, but I also didn't want to go sometimes, but went anyway. I wondered, what if got through my teenage and college years and then discovered that I really did miss out on the good times. Would it then be too late? Youth are no different today.
But these thoughts are not limited to young people. Men in middle age wonder if there is more to life than being tied to family responsibilities. Many are lured into the gambling casinos for the promise of a better life than they have now. Pornography promises thrills to the sexually hungry. More games are being offered than ever before. Pleasure spending has increased almost 20% in the past 10 years. Americans are among the few cultures than really work at their play and too often play at their work.
I can assure you, however, there was not one that could match the pleasure seeking of king Solomon. No American can hold a candle to this pleasure seeker. In Solomon's Sermon he discusses pleasure from different perspectives.
What gives you pleasure now in your stage of life? What do you think you might be missing out on? These are the questions for our thoughts this week.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Tues Feb 3
Verse Eccl 2:2-10 "Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?"
3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly-- my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.(NIV)
The Pursuit of Pleasure
Solomon pursued pleasure as a means to happiness. He denied himself nothing that he saw and wanted.
Pleasure is seen by many when there is lots of laughter and having a good time with friends. I think people should laugh more. I typically enjoy comedies, and telling of jokes. Some of Lawrence Olson’s family was concerned that we weren’t good for each other when we got together because we exchanged too many bad jokes. Even though people might groan when Vernon Christensen starts telling another one of his famous jokes, we delight in them for they bring laughter.
Christians on TV or in the movies have been portrayed as stern, sober, and judgmental. That isn’t the picture of pleasure. There are so many somber and sad looking faces. Charles Swindoll says laughter is tremendous medicine and it can be spiritual as well. Humor is a way to bring balance and sanity in life.
I know and admire a very good Bible teacher and preacher that feels very strongly that there is no place for humor in the pulpit. “The Gospel is serious business” he says. “We need to ask serious questions. Some don't take seriously the message of God.”
What does it mean to be created for God’s pleasure and purpose? We find our pleasure not only in Him but in His blessings. Eden was put there for more reasons than food for humans. They delighted in all of creation.
Solomon also sought to make himself merry with wine. Notice how much wine and booze always play such an important part people seeking pleasure. Many drug addicts start with parties where dope is shared for the purpose of having a good time. Drinking helps people forget their troubles for awhile. When someone is giddy, or finds everything funny, people assume they have been drinking.
Solomon also said he embraced folly or frivolity. Acting silly and doing foolish things can be done with those seeking pleasure. I see how some people dress up for football games, or silliness shown at costume parties. Practical jokes played on one another just for the fun of it, brings out diversion from routine, but the king said, “my mind still guided me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives." I think he is saying, I drank to cheer up, but not to the point of losing my sense. I didn't go overboard or get stone drunk, or spend all my time acting foolish. He sought wine, women and song. That is the philosophy of the hedonist.
One of the most popular TV shows was CHEERS. The message of the program was pleasure is found when you drink a lot and pursuit sex. Watch the popular comedies today and see how much sin is the focus for a good time. There is a pleasure that leads to addictions. There are events that become cover ups to the emptiness inside.
We can see the type of parties Solomon had if you read I Kings 4:20-23. That party would have to feed 30,000 to 40,000 people. Like all the inaugural balls the kingdom was partying. But like our new president, King Solomon realized the next day the party was over. Now what?
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Weds Feb 4
Verses- Eccl 2:4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well-- the delights of the heart of man.
9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
The Pleasure of Possessions.
We will discuss possessions and finances again but as an part of his introduction to his sermon the King reveals he sought pleasure in possessions and building projects. Many think happiness is in nicer homes and beautiful lawns and spacious estates. People will drive all around Hollywood to see the actors' homes. Folks like to travel in the richest areas of the suburbs just to look at mansions and homes that are picture perfect. I would take friends down Grand Avenue to show off how the other side lived. Going to Europe people are still fascinated with the ornate castles and cathedrals.
Solomon had projects, elaborate homes, acres of vineyards, celebrations with parades. He had manicured parks including fruit trees and reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. There were excavations of his barns for the horses, courtyards, and 3 large reservoirs were discovered. His pools were between the size of a football field and another twice the size. With all these things he still failed to find inner peace. He knows what it was to build the most lavish of houses, which took 13 years to build. Even without the modern conveniences his was greater than the homes of the rich and famous. Many dream of the joys of pleasure through homes by the lake, and homes to get away in the winter. Nothing wrong with these, but then come taxes, work, responsibilities and the dreams are always better than the reality.
In addition to his homes, Solomon also got into collecting jewels and articles of silver and gold. He also had his own home entertainment center by brining in live music with singers, bands, and entertainers, He wrote over 1000 songs and got choirs to do some of his own compositions. He was a man of the arts.
Eccl. 10:19 "A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything."
Then there were the pleasures of women. Solomon wrote about love in the Song of Solomon and the pleasures of sexual relationship with his wife whom he loves. We don't have many sermons from the book of Song of Solomon but its there and it is expressing the joy of love. When a man has 1,000 wives he should know about that area of life. The women and concubines could fulfill any sensual and sexual desires he had. Yet his boredom was so great it could not be described. He ran out of words to say it, other than futility.
I think one of the saddest verses in the Bible is Matt 16:26 “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”(NIV)
What is your dream that you long to possess? Is it God’s will? Have you prayed about it? Do you think that will finally bring happiness?
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Thurs Feb 5
Verses- Eccl 2:1
1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless.
The Pain of Pleasure.
Of course few people do not discover the pain of pleasure until later. How many times have people warned others of drug and alcoholic abuse, only to find it falls on deaf ears? How often have people shared the pain of premarital sex and living situations only to see young and old continuing to face sexual disease and heartache? It is hard to take the testimony of others. But sometimes a few listen.
A lot of people seek pleasure as an escape from the void of the real need in their life. Many are afraid of stopping their busy pursuit because then they might hear the voice of God to speak to them. When Solomon stopped the merry-go-round of pleasure he felt empty and unfulfilled. He discovered the hard way the effects of sin and the futility of pleasure. Solomon had a limitless supply of money and no sense of accountability. When it was all said and done, he concluded "What an empty, futile trip."People that seek meaning in pleasures find that the time is just postponed until they must deal with life's reality. There is a price to be paid.
Solomon can save us years of heartache if we will only heed what he says. This comes from the wisest and richest man who ever lived and he is telling us truth about illicit sex, about alcohol, about drugs, about the occult, and all the things that appeal to our erotic desires. Physical pleasures do not last long.
A pleasure seeking culture will also fall in time. The Roman civilization began with high moral standards, and sanctity of home and passion for justice and honesty. But the empire fell into debauchery and decline. Their extravagant prosperity moved their morality to immorality. Their pleasures of games turned into more violent and sexual games that cost people their lives. Their entertainment became pleasures with sadistic behavior as they watched other human beings inflict punishment, suffering and death in the coliseums. Rome fell into ruins. But it had really fallen long earlier.
Solomon wrote a few chapters later, "Laughter is like the cracking if burning thorns (7:6) they blaze forth with great promise but last only a moment, giving off little heat and leaving nothing but ashes." Solomon discovered the snare of pleasure promises far more than it produces. It may be satisfying only during the time, but it leaves us thirsty for the next and unsatisfied afterwards.
One man in despair went to see a psychologist who listening to his account of unhappiness. He encouraged the man to visit the show of an Italian comedian in town. It would bring him laughter again. The man responded "I am that comedian." Prov 14:13 "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief." There are many who play the clown on the outside while inside life is miserable and full of tears.
The pain of pleasure is millions of lives and broken marriages and children becoming victims of increasing divorce with the new sexual freedoms and license for pleasure. The joy of sex entices some into the joy of getting away from it all. The pain of paying for it is AIDS, broken relationships, abortions, unwanted pregnancies are causes our society to ask what is a family today?
Our society today is in economic chaos as the search for the pleasurable life now and the opulent lifestyle proves empty. Peace is not found in more money, larger houses, and wild parties. Pain is felt and many are hurt in the process when pleasure becomes our god.
I John 2:15, 17 says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world for anyone who loves the world the love of the Father is not in Him." Even the richest, wisest, most accomplished of us all recognized the pain of pleasure. It resulted in emptiness.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Feb 6
Verses- Eccl 2:24-25 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?”
The Promise of Pleasure
The world tells us, "if it feels good, do it" We sometimes dream if only I could just earn enough money to fulfill our dreams then we would have pleasure." Solomon would say, "Don't go to the trouble." When you wake up achieving your dream there is a hunger for more, and more, but never does it satisfy. In time you will lose the important things that once were around you. The things you cannot lose bring happiness.
What is the Christian suppose to do in this world? Ought he then to deny himself of any worldly pleasures? The Amish have a very strict definition of what is worldly and pleasurable. They are against any color other than black, or grey or white. No jewelry, no fine hats. It is considered worldliness to own and operate cars, tractors, to have electricity, or church buildings. What is worldly? There are groups that look at any pleasure as of the devil. Is it the pursuit of card-playing, dancing, movies, drinking and smoking? Is it mini-skirts, pant suits for women, lip stick, colored clothes. Is it having a second house, or latest style of automobile?
No, For you see Solomon keeps using a phrase in this book, "under heaven" or "under the sun". This king was looking under the heavens to find happiness without God. The secret is found also in a little but perplexing phrase in the New Testament. Heb. 12:2 "Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him." How can one talk about the cross and joy in the same sentence? Yet the ground of a Christian Hedonist is the fact that God is uppermost in his own affections. The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. The greater relationship that gives us pleasure is found in our relationship with God himself. This does not reduce God to key that unlocks the treasure of gold, silver and cheap thrills, but rather it changes our hearts so God will be our joy.
John Piper says in his book, Desiring God, “When the problem is we seek pleasure by shooting too low instead of higher. We do not believe Jesus when he says there is more blessedness, more joy, more lasting pleasure in life devoted to God firs and then helping others than there is in a life devoted to our material comfort. A life devoted to material comforts and thrills is like throwing money down a rat hole. But a life invested in the labor of love yields dividends of joy unsurpassed and unending."
Solomon discovers that pleasure is obtained in the presence of God. vs. 24-26. So often other fleeting pleasures push God out of the picture and these things may not be wrong in and of themselves, but when we spend more time with these things and less time with God we become unfulfilled. Christian pleasure does not mean that God is a means to help us get worldly pleasure, as some people preach, but pleasure is in God Himself. "The Almighty will be your gold and silver to you. (Job 22:25)
In the academy award winning movie, Chariots of Fire, Erick Liddel raced in the Olympics. As a committed Christian he believed God made him fast. He said that he felt the presence of God in his running and for him it was joy. He committed that skill as a means not to beat others but by his running he might honor God. When the Olympic race came on the Sabbath, Eric Liddel was willing to give up the crown for His Sabbath was devoted to God. He would serve the King of Kings rather than the King of Britain. His pleasure was in running, for in it he felt God's power. He became a missionary to china. Worldliness therefore is life that is not under the Lordship of Jesus It is an attitude of one’s heart. Not in what we do but why we do it.
Discover the joy of our creation that saw all that He had made and said it was good, it was very good.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Mon Feb 2
Theme Pleasure's Pursuits
Eccl 2:1
1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless.
Pondering Pleasure
Peanuts: Lucy:"Do you think life has any meaning?”
Charlie Brown: "I I...”
Lucy: "I mean, do you think life has any meaning after you failed 9 spelling tests in a row and your teacher hates you?"
Charlie "That's a different question."
Solomon was also asking "what is the meaning of life? What's it all about?" The wisest man was so caught up in his own pursuits that his relationship with God became strained. Finally, judgment fell verbally on Solomon and his family. It was like failing 9 exams and having his teacher is mad at him. Then does life have meaning? That is a different question and Solomon answers, "No".
What gives us pleasure? Do you feel like you are missing out whereas others are enjoying life? What if you had enough money that you didn’t need to deny yourself of anything you wanted to do. That was Solomon’s situation.
I remember thinking as a teen "This is suppose to be the most exciting time of my whole life and adults look back and say you're only young once." Then I'd look at my life and ask, "Am I really enjoying all of life to the fullest?" I was a virgin and I wonder what it would be like to have sexual intercourse. So many other kids were doing it? I wondered about drinking and partying, and smoking, and going to places that my folks would never allow. So many other kids were saying it's really a blast. I'd wonder if the other world, the world of the non Christian was really having fun.
Oh, I enjoyed some of the things that our church and church youth group was doing, but I had to admit some of it was really boring. I enjoyed church, but I also didn't want to go sometimes, but went anyway. I wondered, what if got through my teenage and college years and then discovered that I really did miss out on the good times. Would it then be too late? Youth are no different today.
But these thoughts are not limited to young people. Men in middle age wonder if there is more to life than being tied to family responsibilities. Many are lured into the gambling casinos for the promise of a better life than they have now. Pornography promises thrills to the sexually hungry. More games are being offered than ever before. Pleasure spending has increased almost 20% in the past 10 years. Americans are among the few cultures than really work at their play and too often play at their work.
I can assure you, however, there was not one that could match the pleasure seeking of king Solomon. No American can hold a candle to this pleasure seeker. In Solomon's Sermon he discusses pleasure from different perspectives.
What gives you pleasure now in your stage of life? What do you think you might be missing out on? These are the questions for our thoughts this week.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Tues Feb 3
Verse Eccl 2:2-10 "Laughter," I said, "is foolish. And what does pleasure accomplish?"
3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly-- my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor.(NIV)
The Pursuit of Pleasure
Solomon pursued pleasure as a means to happiness. He denied himself nothing that he saw and wanted.
Pleasure is seen by many when there is lots of laughter and having a good time with friends. I think people should laugh more. I typically enjoy comedies, and telling of jokes. Some of Lawrence Olson’s family was concerned that we weren’t good for each other when we got together because we exchanged too many bad jokes. Even though people might groan when Vernon Christensen starts telling another one of his famous jokes, we delight in them for they bring laughter.
Christians on TV or in the movies have been portrayed as stern, sober, and judgmental. That isn’t the picture of pleasure. There are so many somber and sad looking faces. Charles Swindoll says laughter is tremendous medicine and it can be spiritual as well. Humor is a way to bring balance and sanity in life.
I know and admire a very good Bible teacher and preacher that feels very strongly that there is no place for humor in the pulpit. “The Gospel is serious business” he says. “We need to ask serious questions. Some don't take seriously the message of God.”
What does it mean to be created for God’s pleasure and purpose? We find our pleasure not only in Him but in His blessings. Eden was put there for more reasons than food for humans. They delighted in all of creation.
Solomon also sought to make himself merry with wine. Notice how much wine and booze always play such an important part people seeking pleasure. Many drug addicts start with parties where dope is shared for the purpose of having a good time. Drinking helps people forget their troubles for awhile. When someone is giddy, or finds everything funny, people assume they have been drinking.
Solomon also said he embraced folly or frivolity. Acting silly and doing foolish things can be done with those seeking pleasure. I see how some people dress up for football games, or silliness shown at costume parties. Practical jokes played on one another just for the fun of it, brings out diversion from routine, but the king said, “my mind still guided me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven during the few days of their lives." I think he is saying, I drank to cheer up, but not to the point of losing my sense. I didn't go overboard or get stone drunk, or spend all my time acting foolish. He sought wine, women and song. That is the philosophy of the hedonist.
One of the most popular TV shows was CHEERS. The message of the program was pleasure is found when you drink a lot and pursuit sex. Watch the popular comedies today and see how much sin is the focus for a good time. There is a pleasure that leads to addictions. There are events that become cover ups to the emptiness inside.
We can see the type of parties Solomon had if you read I Kings 4:20-23. That party would have to feed 30,000 to 40,000 people. Like all the inaugural balls the kingdom was partying. But like our new president, King Solomon realized the next day the party was over. Now what?
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Weds Feb 4
Verses- Eccl 2:4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards.
5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.
7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me.
8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired men and women singers, and a harem as well-- the delights of the heart of man.
9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
The Pleasure of Possessions.
We will discuss possessions and finances again but as an part of his introduction to his sermon the King reveals he sought pleasure in possessions and building projects. Many think happiness is in nicer homes and beautiful lawns and spacious estates. People will drive all around Hollywood to see the actors' homes. Folks like to travel in the richest areas of the suburbs just to look at mansions and homes that are picture perfect. I would take friends down Grand Avenue to show off how the other side lived. Going to Europe people are still fascinated with the ornate castles and cathedrals.
Solomon had projects, elaborate homes, acres of vineyards, celebrations with parades. He had manicured parks including fruit trees and reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. There were excavations of his barns for the horses, courtyards, and 3 large reservoirs were discovered. His pools were between the size of a football field and another twice the size. With all these things he still failed to find inner peace. He knows what it was to build the most lavish of houses, which took 13 years to build. Even without the modern conveniences his was greater than the homes of the rich and famous. Many dream of the joys of pleasure through homes by the lake, and homes to get away in the winter. Nothing wrong with these, but then come taxes, work, responsibilities and the dreams are always better than the reality.
In addition to his homes, Solomon also got into collecting jewels and articles of silver and gold. He also had his own home entertainment center by brining in live music with singers, bands, and entertainers, He wrote over 1000 songs and got choirs to do some of his own compositions. He was a man of the arts.
Eccl. 10:19 "A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything."
Then there were the pleasures of women. Solomon wrote about love in the Song of Solomon and the pleasures of sexual relationship with his wife whom he loves. We don't have many sermons from the book of Song of Solomon but its there and it is expressing the joy of love. When a man has 1,000 wives he should know about that area of life. The women and concubines could fulfill any sensual and sexual desires he had. Yet his boredom was so great it could not be described. He ran out of words to say it, other than futility.
I think one of the saddest verses in the Bible is Matt 16:26 “What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”(NIV)
What is your dream that you long to possess? Is it God’s will? Have you prayed about it? Do you think that will finally bring happiness?
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Thurs Feb 5
Verses- Eccl 2:1
1 I thought in my heart, "Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good." But that also proved to be meaningless.
The Pain of Pleasure.
Of course few people do not discover the pain of pleasure until later. How many times have people warned others of drug and alcoholic abuse, only to find it falls on deaf ears? How often have people shared the pain of premarital sex and living situations only to see young and old continuing to face sexual disease and heartache? It is hard to take the testimony of others. But sometimes a few listen.
A lot of people seek pleasure as an escape from the void of the real need in their life. Many are afraid of stopping their busy pursuit because then they might hear the voice of God to speak to them. When Solomon stopped the merry-go-round of pleasure he felt empty and unfulfilled. He discovered the hard way the effects of sin and the futility of pleasure. Solomon had a limitless supply of money and no sense of accountability. When it was all said and done, he concluded "What an empty, futile trip."People that seek meaning in pleasures find that the time is just postponed until they must deal with life's reality. There is a price to be paid.
Solomon can save us years of heartache if we will only heed what he says. This comes from the wisest and richest man who ever lived and he is telling us truth about illicit sex, about alcohol, about drugs, about the occult, and all the things that appeal to our erotic desires. Physical pleasures do not last long.
A pleasure seeking culture will also fall in time. The Roman civilization began with high moral standards, and sanctity of home and passion for justice and honesty. But the empire fell into debauchery and decline. Their extravagant prosperity moved their morality to immorality. Their pleasures of games turned into more violent and sexual games that cost people their lives. Their entertainment became pleasures with sadistic behavior as they watched other human beings inflict punishment, suffering and death in the coliseums. Rome fell into ruins. But it had really fallen long earlier.
Solomon wrote a few chapters later, "Laughter is like the cracking if burning thorns (7:6) they blaze forth with great promise but last only a moment, giving off little heat and leaving nothing but ashes." Solomon discovered the snare of pleasure promises far more than it produces. It may be satisfying only during the time, but it leaves us thirsty for the next and unsatisfied afterwards.
One man in despair went to see a psychologist who listening to his account of unhappiness. He encouraged the man to visit the show of an Italian comedian in town. It would bring him laughter again. The man responded "I am that comedian." Prov 14:13 "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in grief." There are many who play the clown on the outside while inside life is miserable and full of tears.
The pain of pleasure is millions of lives and broken marriages and children becoming victims of increasing divorce with the new sexual freedoms and license for pleasure. The joy of sex entices some into the joy of getting away from it all. The pain of paying for it is AIDS, broken relationships, abortions, unwanted pregnancies are causes our society to ask what is a family today?
Our society today is in economic chaos as the search for the pleasurable life now and the opulent lifestyle proves empty. Peace is not found in more money, larger houses, and wild parties. Pain is felt and many are hurt in the process when pleasure becomes our god.
I John 2:15, 17 says, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world for anyone who loves the world the love of the Father is not in Him." Even the richest, wisest, most accomplished of us all recognized the pain of pleasure. It resulted in emptiness.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri Feb 6
Verses- Eccl 2:24-25 A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?”
The Promise of Pleasure
The world tells us, "if it feels good, do it" We sometimes dream if only I could just earn enough money to fulfill our dreams then we would have pleasure." Solomon would say, "Don't go to the trouble." When you wake up achieving your dream there is a hunger for more, and more, but never does it satisfy. In time you will lose the important things that once were around you. The things you cannot lose bring happiness.
What is the Christian suppose to do in this world? Ought he then to deny himself of any worldly pleasures? The Amish have a very strict definition of what is worldly and pleasurable. They are against any color other than black, or grey or white. No jewelry, no fine hats. It is considered worldliness to own and operate cars, tractors, to have electricity, or church buildings. What is worldly? There are groups that look at any pleasure as of the devil. Is it the pursuit of card-playing, dancing, movies, drinking and smoking? Is it mini-skirts, pant suits for women, lip stick, colored clothes. Is it having a second house, or latest style of automobile?
No, For you see Solomon keeps using a phrase in this book, "under heaven" or "under the sun". This king was looking under the heavens to find happiness without God. The secret is found also in a little but perplexing phrase in the New Testament. Heb. 12:2 "Jesus endured the cross for the joy that was set before Him." How can one talk about the cross and joy in the same sentence? Yet the ground of a Christian Hedonist is the fact that God is uppermost in his own affections. The chief end of man is to glorify God and enjoy him forever. The greater relationship that gives us pleasure is found in our relationship with God himself. This does not reduce God to key that unlocks the treasure of gold, silver and cheap thrills, but rather it changes our hearts so God will be our joy.
John Piper says in his book, Desiring God, “When the problem is we seek pleasure by shooting too low instead of higher. We do not believe Jesus when he says there is more blessedness, more joy, more lasting pleasure in life devoted to God firs and then helping others than there is in a life devoted to our material comfort. A life devoted to material comforts and thrills is like throwing money down a rat hole. But a life invested in the labor of love yields dividends of joy unsurpassed and unending."
Solomon discovers that pleasure is obtained in the presence of God. vs. 24-26. So often other fleeting pleasures push God out of the picture and these things may not be wrong in and of themselves, but when we spend more time with these things and less time with God we become unfulfilled. Christian pleasure does not mean that God is a means to help us get worldly pleasure, as some people preach, but pleasure is in God Himself. "The Almighty will be your gold and silver to you. (Job 22:25)
In the academy award winning movie, Chariots of Fire, Erick Liddel raced in the Olympics. As a committed Christian he believed God made him fast. He said that he felt the presence of God in his running and for him it was joy. He committed that skill as a means not to beat others but by his running he might honor God. When the Olympic race came on the Sabbath, Eric Liddel was willing to give up the crown for His Sabbath was devoted to God. He would serve the King of Kings rather than the King of Britain. His pleasure was in running, for in it he felt God's power. He became a missionary to china. Worldliness therefore is life that is not under the Lordship of Jesus It is an attitude of one’s heart. Not in what we do but why we do it.
Discover the joy of our creation that saw all that He had made and said it was good, it was very good.
Pastor Dale
Friday, January 30, 2009
Education- Eccl. 1:12-18; 2:12-16
(If you wish to receive the daily devotional by email contact me pastordale@stanchfieldbaptist.com)
Sermon Nuggets Week of Jan 26 Ecc.1:12-18 & 2:12-16
Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 26
Theme: SCHOOL TIME BLUES
Verses- Eccl 1:13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
The Formulation of Wisdom
Solomon was given the gift of wisdom. He wanted to explain its importance. During his mid years when many of the Proverbs were compiled he wanted to pass on many significant lessons. He began his writings this way-
Prov 1:1-7 “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
One begins to learn from the King there is a difference between getting knowledge and applying knowledge. All societies see the importance of an education. The higher the literacy the rate the stronger the society as it is better able to communicate and evaluate things that are important in life. Wise people love to learn. The more study and searching and reading and learning one has they more than can apply wisdom. But wisdom and education are not the same thing.
How do you look at education? For many it is being under lock and chain - some kids can't wait to get out from school. For some in high school or college there is the excitement to advance their education or vocational aspirations. For others it is a chance to get into the real world and get a job and earn money, so they can live independently. For many education is an avenue to achieve a goal, for others it is the processes of developing understanding of life. For some it is the road to a higher standard of living and having more options later in life from which to choose. Many illiterate and uneducated populations are barely etching out an existence while cultured society with high literacy and technology, experience a higher standard of living.
If we believe that God is the God of truth, all truth is from God. We then can be excited about find our more of his creation and how it works. It is to his glory we understand and discover truth.
One of the saddest periods of time in our history was what is called the Dark Ages when for centuries the Roman catholic church stopped the masses from individual learning. The church began to dictate truth and eliminate the pursuit of discovery. Like many dictatorships they believed in they controlled what people learned they would maintain power. When the some scientist discovered the earth was round and the planets, including the earth, rotated around the sun, some priests could not comprehend that God would do that, so the church made Galileo recant his findings. Copernicus’ writings were burned as heretical.
Scientists and clergymen may conflict a lot, but Scripture has not been proven wrong, only interpretations of it. The more we discover our grandeur of all that is in this universe and the more we grow in our faith in God the greater do we worship and glorify the wisdom of God who created all of this. If only the secularists would get over their willful biases to explain our creator away!
As we discussed last week Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes later in life when he was living out of fellowship and under the judgment of God. From that time on, life took on a heaviness that was not apparent when he was walking with the Lord. As he looks at life he finds earthly pursuits without the Lord is vain and empty soap bubbles. Here and gone.
We gain wisdom from the time we are babies and pick up what we watch and hear from our parents. Many things in our society add to our learning for good or for ill. Television, music, siblings, friends, schools, churches, books, and probably more than anything, the experiences of life add to that wisdom. That is perhaps why Solomon in pursuit of wisdom wants to experience all that life has to offer and evaluates that search in different ways.
What are lessons that you have learned that are not taught in any school? What does God want to teach you or remind you today?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 27
Verses Eccl 1:12-13 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
Follow Wisdom.
Solomon wanted wisdom more than anything else. But when one is divinely gifted that begins the search, not ends the matter. One begins to learn and follows where interests, need, and study leads. He prayed that God would give him wisdom to do what is right. Having been granted wisdom to know right from wrong it was an ongoing daily task to choose right. After knowing the path to follow courage was needed to follow that path.
He diligently applied his heart to wisdom; he observed all things. At the beginning of his studies he came up with keen scientific discoveries, organizational principles, psychology, philosophy, politics, as well as sociology. Others came to learn under the teaching of this master. I Kings 4:33 "He spoke 3,000 proverbs and his songs numbered 1,005 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom."
I used to have a sign up in my study read, "If you think education is expensive then you ought to try ignorance." More than anything Solomon asked for wisdom. It still has its value. James tells us if you lack wisdom ask of God who gives it liberally. People anywhere and everywhere should never fear truth. There have been Christians who have been afraid of too much education for fear that they or others will lose their faith. Some fear that some discoveries will prove the Bible wrong and therefore don't want to ask the important questions truth.
The history of Bethel Seminary started with a great deal of controversy. Many of the early Swedish Baptists felt the problem with many pastors was they had too much education and not enough faith. There was more reliance on the books of study than the Holy Spirit. There was suspicion of educated men on the part of many parishioners because now they don't speak the same language and weren't on the same communication level. Some with education looked down on those who didn't have it. There were also many people who did go on to school for further education. Many who went on to college had become skeptics. Because students are taught to question many doubted what they were taught when it came to matters of faith.
Light is better than darkness, to know is much better than not.
Solomon not only learned through the books but more importantly with the observation and the experience of life and the things that are around them. The word in Hebrew means to investigate the roots of a matter- sort of like a doctoral candidate does when he works on a thesis or dissertation. They go to library and now the internet and research what has been done and what hasn’t been written on the topics yet.
Socrates has been called the father of ancient philosophy. Philosophy means the love of wisdom. He began the searching for wisdom He had an inquiring mind and went to the oracle of Delphia and asked who was the wisest of all Greeks from whom he would learn. The answer dumb founded him, :"You are" He thought, "Now surely I do not know anything I must learn from others. Socrates went to search the wise teachers, and asked question. What he discovered was they didn't really know anything. They thought they did, but there was nothing to their wisdom. Finally it hit him. "I know one thing. That is this. I know I don't know anything. That is one thing more than all these other people know. Therefore I am the wisest. I at least know that.”
The father of ancient philosophy dialogued with students encouraging and questioning. Modeling that principle learners do not want to just take answers from other people but pursue and seek wisdom for themselves.
When it comes to discovering God it isn’t the faith of our parents, or pastors or Sunday school teachers which holds us strong. It is the personal discovery of a living and loving Lord. We need to believe because we have discovered Jesus to be Lord of all. Moses told the people to meditate on God’s word day and night. Paul tells Timothy “study to show thyself approved unto God.” Paul was used mightily of God as one of the best educated of all the apostles. Knowledge gives us mastery of certain facts; wisdom gives us the ability to use those facts with skill. Wisdom gives us understanding and good judgment. There is advice to get all the education you can. Never stop learning, when we stop learning we stop growing. When one stops learning, one stops growing. The first rule of education according to the wisest man was to follow wisdom.
What are you doing presently to stretch your mind and gain understanding? Solomon learned a lot, but discovered the true source of all wisdom.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Jan 28
Verses- Eccl 1:14-18 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
15 What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."
17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
Folly of Wisdom
How can Solomon sound so positive in the book of Proverbs and negative in this writing? Solomon realizes that everything cannot be put into nice little pat answers and there are warnings that he must give.
What did Solomon do with all his wisdom? He became in his later years a wise fool. Do you know what that is, a sophomore. “Soph” mean wise, or wisdom. "More", is from moran, a fool or a buffoon. Sophomore is a wise fool. It used to be of sophomores that just because you have some wisdom, don't think you know it all. We need the understanding of Socrates. The most important thing to know is how little we really do know. Yes, Solomon was King, but he had to learn that God was sovereign. When one breaks God's laws God breaks him and all his wisdom was dust and chasing after the wind when he was living out of fellowship with the Lord.
The Bible talks about wise fools. Romans 1:21,22 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened, Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools."
The subtle thinking by many in the secular world portrayed as experts affect their students conscious and unconsciously by people who ignore God. Many young people are faced strongly with a model of humanistic teaching. That has man as the center of wisdom.
If higher education as an end of itself brings fulfillment, what do we find on campuses around the country? Satisfied happy people? No, Suicide rate are highest among students because of the pressure to achieve and succeed the realization of competition is overwhelming. They are boiling pots of controversy, political activism, all kinds of subjective ideas and philosophies prove to be empty. The answer of life isn't just studying more. Secular educators and intellectuals rarely are happy and satisfied people.
As people are taught to question and doubt it is natural many will reevaluate their own faith and teachings of their parents. You need your own personal faith. The faith of your church, your pastors, your leaders, and your parents can help a little, but each person must have an individual relationship with Jesus Christ.
Where is truth in a relativistic and pluralistic society? The scientific principles that were facts when I was in school are not longer facts today. They are shown to be false in many conclusions. Medical science makes new discoveries only to say “Whoops” a bit later that the things that were suppose to be bad for you are now good and vice versa.
I watched an episode on public TV awhile ago called Ancient Secrets of the Bible. Scholars were presenting how certain events in the Bible are pure fable, impossible, and folk religion not based on any solid evidence. The program continued to show how indeed archeology, new discoveries and recent finds confirm scientifically the validity of some of these stories which were challenged.
When I was younger I also heard similar arguments and had my doubts about the Bible when important authorities show contradictions. I decided to go beyond those sources and look up some data myself. To my surprise I realize like Solomon, there is nothing new under the sun. People for years have debunked some historical events in the Bible to be surprised that archeology uncovered some evidence of the very things they said could not happen. Sometime it was a person or ruler by the same name in a different time period. Instead of showing inconsistencies they raise up “yes, but” arguments. They move from what they found to be false conclusions and start attacking the next thing on their list. It doesn’t end when the goal of secularists are to replace God.
Like Billy Graham I came to a place in my life where by faith I accepted the Bible as being the Word of God and realized the writings of 1000s of years last. The last new discoveries come and go. I am not saying they don’t have a place, or help us better understand time and culture, but the validity of truth brings us to a God who is above all and over all.
The folly of wisdom is to place mankind on the throne of authority and discover our insights and pride have taken over the arena where God has resided and continues to dwell.
Although there are many skeptics, still the Bible holds true. Who do you believe -the professor who says one thing, or the book that has been vindicated in ancient records throughout the centuries? When education leads you in a path different from the truths of the Bible it is folly.
Education has made great strides in space technology, nuclear research, the archeology and geologists have discovered truth. Much of the advancement with computers will affect the lives of us all. Yet no peace, only weapon of distrust and economic tools of manipulation to control other nations. Billions of dollars are spent on researching the problems of human behavior but violent crimes continue to increase and; mental disorders more prevalent than before. Education is failing, it is not the ultimate answer.
As one man said, "Get some education, so people won't look down on you, and then get some more, so you won't look down on others." Some set themselves up as authorities treading upon students and other people treating them with little respect or appreciation. They know the answers to some questions. But unlike Socrates, instead of the humble spirit of realizing how much there is to know and be known, we are fools to replace the source of all wisdom. The more we learn the more we are open to truth of God and more aware we're not so smart after all.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Jan 29
Verses- Eccl 2:12-16 Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?
13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.
14 The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.
15 Then I thought in my heart, "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?" I said in my heart, "This too is meaningless."
16 For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die!
Futility in Wisdom
I hope I never stop learning. Many of my friends and classmates have received their doctorate degree. Those who are not teaching thought it would be an advancement to larger and higher paying churches. Many of those friends are no longer in the pastorate. That is a complication now for some for whom their doctorate is almost a hindrance to a job. Some stopped learning after they reached their goal. Others find study rewarding when it has a personal purpose. I look at my stack of books with the amazing awareness that few people want them or care when I’m gone. Most of what I read and studied has not been worth passing on. It seemed like a waste of time. There is no lack of making of books but for what reason?
The futility of wisdom is after you have pursued it, learned, and feasted on knowledge that's all you have. It doesn't really give you a sense of satisfaction for you never have arrived. There is always more you don't know. There are further things you don't understand and you live your whole life gaining education but what good is it if your heart is not right?
I am troubled when we in our church or Sunday school try to influence the teaching of the word of God and compare that with the daily instruction in and outside of school. If people were very faithful to Sunday School that is 40 minutes a week after attendance, songs, and acknowledging birthdays. If you consider children church or a sermon that would be 30 minutes or 56 hours of Bible teaching or preaching a year. That works out to 2 1/2 weeks of the equivalent of school and that it for the year. What if our educational system close up the books and sent kids home after 2 ½ weeks? Any teacher in the public school would protest and say there is no way we can begin to teach our children the fundamentals of math in that time, or English, or science, or social studies. They would refuse to teach. Yet that is what we have with volunteer teachers. Then folks expect the church to provide all the religious education that many will ever receive in their lives. Then recognize that the place of Sunday school and church has also changed in influence of our society. Everything in our society comes before and ahead of Bible teaching. IF there is an activity in school or community those get priority over any religious instruction. The fact that we are able to accomplish Biblical teach at all isn't to our credit but only to the Holy Spirit.
As we look at 2:12-16 Solomon's argument is that the pursuit of secular wisdom is futile when you this is all you have, for all your degrees and accomplishments will be buried with you in the grave, then what? All the wisdom in the world is not going to prepare you to die. You need the wisdom of the next world.
Three conclusions are raised. 1. Death does not recognize the excellence of wisdom- both the educated, and the unlearned go to the grave and there is the equalizer of us all. The grave is something we all face. 2. Death does not recognize the desire of wisdom. All the motivation whether noble or not makes not difference at the time of death. When your motivation on this earth is to learn and even spread that learning when you die it's over. You are personally no better off than the guy that learns nothing after your dead. 3. Death does not remember the work of wisdom. People forget. Personal recognition will name and honor people very few like Socrates, Aristotle, Einstein, Universities will name halls sometimes after founders of educational institutions and presidents, but what good is that after you're dead. This in and of itself seems futile.
Solomon devoted his whole life to wisdom and learning. But something was missing. All the certificates on his wall didn’t seem to give him fulfillment.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Fri Jan 30
Verses- Eccl 2: 13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.
Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Fulfillment in Wisdom
Wisdom is important. The pursue of truth is far superior to wallowing around in ignorance, superstition and prejudice. But real truth and wisdom only stems from God. Solomon knew that at the beginning when he said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Follow that all your life, but he didn't follow his own advice.
Judi and I were listening to a tape of a pastor who was preaching the truth of God in a most powerful way. Yet he himself was blinded to the temptations of sin and is out of the minister today for moral reasons. Why? Because even though people walk with the Lord for awhile and commit their hearts to him, it is a continual reminder that we need to daily and regularly trust in Him. We needed to be reminded the only way wisdom has fulfillment of enjoyment is when God is in it.
Friends, we can't be so smart and eternally lost. Matt 12:42. “The queen of South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom and now one greater than Solomon is here."
Jesus said, John 14:16 "I will ask the Father and he will give you another counselor to be with you forever the spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him, but you know him for he lives with you and will be in you. ..But the counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
When we remove Jesus Christ from the center of an intellectual pursuit we're headed for ultimate disaster. Solomon discovers the only way to find satisfaction and relief from boredom is through relationship with the living God. Apart from Him we have school time blues.
Jesus came to show us the Father. After we accepted Christ there is implanted in our hearts a new wisdom from God. It is spiritual wisdom not of this world. He is wise who knows the source of knowledge that source is God. (see I Cor 1:18-25)
I am amazed that even when I went to school the principles taught were considered truth are now obsolete. The way churches function when I went to seminary are not the way churches function today. Cultures change considerable in time. But that which is lasting over 2,000 years and still changed people will never be obsolete. Even Paul with all his degrees and zeal and knowledge under the best religious teacher was blinded on the road by a supernatural vision of Jesus who asked, "Saul , Saul, why do you persecute me?" A couple days later when Ananias told him of the cross, and his need for repentance it was the humble, child-like faith in Jesus that opened his life to real wisdom. "Jesus said, except you come as these little children you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Salvation is not complicated. We do not have to spend years studying. A little child old enough to understand right from wrong can accept Jesus. I will trust Him with what I know and what I do not know.
We may have had an excellent education, a sparkling success, and have a world of pleasure without really being happy or satisfied, because God has built into us a vacuum which only He can fill. Our deepest ongoing cannot be met by earthly things that pass away. We need God and the only way to come to Him is through faith.
Ruth Graham tells the story of a small bootblack polishing shoes enthusiastically. One fellow that came to him once a week had three earned PhDs. One day, feeling unhappy, the scholar looked at the bootblack working so cheerfully and enthusiastically on his shoes and thought of his own misery. “Why are you so happy?”
He looked and said simply, "Jesus. He loves me. He died so God could forgive all my badness. He makes me happy." Quickly the doctor snapped up the newspaper over his face but the brilliant professor could not escape those simple works and that was what eventually brought the professor faith in Christ. The man was Alexander Grigolia, Professor of anthropology, who was Dr. Billy Graham's beloved and influential professor in college. I wasn't education that mattered; it was Jesus Christ that made the difference. Jesus gave his education a new meaning and renewed love in his learning.
That is the fulfillment of wisdom.
Pastor Dale
Original poem by my father, Harold M. Cope
Often Wondered
Often wondered why us kids just have to go to school
And read and write and spell a spell, and learn the golden rule.
Often wondered too just why some kids are teachers pets
And why she picks on me the most, just every chance she gets.
Wondered too, just why my card has all the Fs and D's
While little homer always gets those higher A's and B's
Just ain't no future anyhow so far as I can see.
A sittin and a learning, while elders go scott free.
Sermon Nuggets Week of Jan 26 Ecc.1:12-18 & 2:12-16
Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 26
Theme: SCHOOL TIME BLUES
Verses- Eccl 1:13 I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
The Formulation of Wisdom
Solomon was given the gift of wisdom. He wanted to explain its importance. During his mid years when many of the Proverbs were compiled he wanted to pass on many significant lessons. He began his writings this way-
Prov 1:1-7 “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young- let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance- for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline."
One begins to learn from the King there is a difference between getting knowledge and applying knowledge. All societies see the importance of an education. The higher the literacy the rate the stronger the society as it is better able to communicate and evaluate things that are important in life. Wise people love to learn. The more study and searching and reading and learning one has they more than can apply wisdom. But wisdom and education are not the same thing.
How do you look at education? For many it is being under lock and chain - some kids can't wait to get out from school. For some in high school or college there is the excitement to advance their education or vocational aspirations. For others it is a chance to get into the real world and get a job and earn money, so they can live independently. For many education is an avenue to achieve a goal, for others it is the processes of developing understanding of life. For some it is the road to a higher standard of living and having more options later in life from which to choose. Many illiterate and uneducated populations are barely etching out an existence while cultured society with high literacy and technology, experience a higher standard of living.
If we believe that God is the God of truth, all truth is from God. We then can be excited about find our more of his creation and how it works. It is to his glory we understand and discover truth.
One of the saddest periods of time in our history was what is called the Dark Ages when for centuries the Roman catholic church stopped the masses from individual learning. The church began to dictate truth and eliminate the pursuit of discovery. Like many dictatorships they believed in they controlled what people learned they would maintain power. When the some scientist discovered the earth was round and the planets, including the earth, rotated around the sun, some priests could not comprehend that God would do that, so the church made Galileo recant his findings. Copernicus’ writings were burned as heretical.
Scientists and clergymen may conflict a lot, but Scripture has not been proven wrong, only interpretations of it. The more we discover our grandeur of all that is in this universe and the more we grow in our faith in God the greater do we worship and glorify the wisdom of God who created all of this. If only the secularists would get over their willful biases to explain our creator away!
As we discussed last week Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes later in life when he was living out of fellowship and under the judgment of God. From that time on, life took on a heaviness that was not apparent when he was walking with the Lord. As he looks at life he finds earthly pursuits without the Lord is vain and empty soap bubbles. Here and gone.
We gain wisdom from the time we are babies and pick up what we watch and hear from our parents. Many things in our society add to our learning for good or for ill. Television, music, siblings, friends, schools, churches, books, and probably more than anything, the experiences of life add to that wisdom. That is perhaps why Solomon in pursuit of wisdom wants to experience all that life has to offer and evaluates that search in different ways.
What are lessons that you have learned that are not taught in any school? What does God want to teach you or remind you today?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 27
Verses Eccl 1:12-13 I, the Teacher, was king over Israel in Jerusalem. I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven. What a heavy burden God has laid on men!
Follow Wisdom.
Solomon wanted wisdom more than anything else. But when one is divinely gifted that begins the search, not ends the matter. One begins to learn and follows where interests, need, and study leads. He prayed that God would give him wisdom to do what is right. Having been granted wisdom to know right from wrong it was an ongoing daily task to choose right. After knowing the path to follow courage was needed to follow that path.
He diligently applied his heart to wisdom; he observed all things. At the beginning of his studies he came up with keen scientific discoveries, organizational principles, psychology, philosophy, politics, as well as sociology. Others came to learn under the teaching of this master. I Kings 4:33 "He spoke 3,000 proverbs and his songs numbered 1,005 He described plant life, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of walls. He also taught about animals and birds, reptiles and fish. Men of all nations came to listen to Solomon's wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom."
I used to have a sign up in my study read, "If you think education is expensive then you ought to try ignorance." More than anything Solomon asked for wisdom. It still has its value. James tells us if you lack wisdom ask of God who gives it liberally. People anywhere and everywhere should never fear truth. There have been Christians who have been afraid of too much education for fear that they or others will lose their faith. Some fear that some discoveries will prove the Bible wrong and therefore don't want to ask the important questions truth.
The history of Bethel Seminary started with a great deal of controversy. Many of the early Swedish Baptists felt the problem with many pastors was they had too much education and not enough faith. There was more reliance on the books of study than the Holy Spirit. There was suspicion of educated men on the part of many parishioners because now they don't speak the same language and weren't on the same communication level. Some with education looked down on those who didn't have it. There were also many people who did go on to school for further education. Many who went on to college had become skeptics. Because students are taught to question many doubted what they were taught when it came to matters of faith.
Light is better than darkness, to know is much better than not.
Solomon not only learned through the books but more importantly with the observation and the experience of life and the things that are around them. The word in Hebrew means to investigate the roots of a matter- sort of like a doctoral candidate does when he works on a thesis or dissertation. They go to library and now the internet and research what has been done and what hasn’t been written on the topics yet.
Socrates has been called the father of ancient philosophy. Philosophy means the love of wisdom. He began the searching for wisdom He had an inquiring mind and went to the oracle of Delphia and asked who was the wisest of all Greeks from whom he would learn. The answer dumb founded him, :"You are" He thought, "Now surely I do not know anything I must learn from others. Socrates went to search the wise teachers, and asked question. What he discovered was they didn't really know anything. They thought they did, but there was nothing to their wisdom. Finally it hit him. "I know one thing. That is this. I know I don't know anything. That is one thing more than all these other people know. Therefore I am the wisest. I at least know that.”
The father of ancient philosophy dialogued with students encouraging and questioning. Modeling that principle learners do not want to just take answers from other people but pursue and seek wisdom for themselves.
When it comes to discovering God it isn’t the faith of our parents, or pastors or Sunday school teachers which holds us strong. It is the personal discovery of a living and loving Lord. We need to believe because we have discovered Jesus to be Lord of all. Moses told the people to meditate on God’s word day and night. Paul tells Timothy “study to show thyself approved unto God.” Paul was used mightily of God as one of the best educated of all the apostles. Knowledge gives us mastery of certain facts; wisdom gives us the ability to use those facts with skill. Wisdom gives us understanding and good judgment. There is advice to get all the education you can. Never stop learning, when we stop learning we stop growing. When one stops learning, one stops growing. The first rule of education according to the wisest man was to follow wisdom.
What are you doing presently to stretch your mind and gain understanding? Solomon learned a lot, but discovered the true source of all wisdom.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Jan 28
Verses- Eccl 1:14-18 I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
15 What is twisted cannot be straightened; what is lacking cannot be counted.
16 I thought to myself, "Look, I have grown and increased in wisdom more than anyone who has ruled over Jerusalem before me; I have experienced much of wisdom and knowledge."
17 Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind.
18 For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief.
Folly of Wisdom
How can Solomon sound so positive in the book of Proverbs and negative in this writing? Solomon realizes that everything cannot be put into nice little pat answers and there are warnings that he must give.
What did Solomon do with all his wisdom? He became in his later years a wise fool. Do you know what that is, a sophomore. “Soph” mean wise, or wisdom. "More", is from moran, a fool or a buffoon. Sophomore is a wise fool. It used to be of sophomores that just because you have some wisdom, don't think you know it all. We need the understanding of Socrates. The most important thing to know is how little we really do know. Yes, Solomon was King, but he had to learn that God was sovereign. When one breaks God's laws God breaks him and all his wisdom was dust and chasing after the wind when he was living out of fellowship with the Lord.
The Bible talks about wise fools. Romans 1:21,22 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened, Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools."
The subtle thinking by many in the secular world portrayed as experts affect their students conscious and unconsciously by people who ignore God. Many young people are faced strongly with a model of humanistic teaching. That has man as the center of wisdom.
If higher education as an end of itself brings fulfillment, what do we find on campuses around the country? Satisfied happy people? No, Suicide rate are highest among students because of the pressure to achieve and succeed the realization of competition is overwhelming. They are boiling pots of controversy, political activism, all kinds of subjective ideas and philosophies prove to be empty. The answer of life isn't just studying more. Secular educators and intellectuals rarely are happy and satisfied people.
As people are taught to question and doubt it is natural many will reevaluate their own faith and teachings of their parents. You need your own personal faith. The faith of your church, your pastors, your leaders, and your parents can help a little, but each person must have an individual relationship with Jesus Christ.
Where is truth in a relativistic and pluralistic society? The scientific principles that were facts when I was in school are not longer facts today. They are shown to be false in many conclusions. Medical science makes new discoveries only to say “Whoops” a bit later that the things that were suppose to be bad for you are now good and vice versa.
I watched an episode on public TV awhile ago called Ancient Secrets of the Bible. Scholars were presenting how certain events in the Bible are pure fable, impossible, and folk religion not based on any solid evidence. The program continued to show how indeed archeology, new discoveries and recent finds confirm scientifically the validity of some of these stories which were challenged.
When I was younger I also heard similar arguments and had my doubts about the Bible when important authorities show contradictions. I decided to go beyond those sources and look up some data myself. To my surprise I realize like Solomon, there is nothing new under the sun. People for years have debunked some historical events in the Bible to be surprised that archeology uncovered some evidence of the very things they said could not happen. Sometime it was a person or ruler by the same name in a different time period. Instead of showing inconsistencies they raise up “yes, but” arguments. They move from what they found to be false conclusions and start attacking the next thing on their list. It doesn’t end when the goal of secularists are to replace God.
Like Billy Graham I came to a place in my life where by faith I accepted the Bible as being the Word of God and realized the writings of 1000s of years last. The last new discoveries come and go. I am not saying they don’t have a place, or help us better understand time and culture, but the validity of truth brings us to a God who is above all and over all.
The folly of wisdom is to place mankind on the throne of authority and discover our insights and pride have taken over the arena where God has resided and continues to dwell.
Although there are many skeptics, still the Bible holds true. Who do you believe -the professor who says one thing, or the book that has been vindicated in ancient records throughout the centuries? When education leads you in a path different from the truths of the Bible it is folly.
Education has made great strides in space technology, nuclear research, the archeology and geologists have discovered truth. Much of the advancement with computers will affect the lives of us all. Yet no peace, only weapon of distrust and economic tools of manipulation to control other nations. Billions of dollars are spent on researching the problems of human behavior but violent crimes continue to increase and; mental disorders more prevalent than before. Education is failing, it is not the ultimate answer.
As one man said, "Get some education, so people won't look down on you, and then get some more, so you won't look down on others." Some set themselves up as authorities treading upon students and other people treating them with little respect or appreciation. They know the answers to some questions. But unlike Socrates, instead of the humble spirit of realizing how much there is to know and be known, we are fools to replace the source of all wisdom. The more we learn the more we are open to truth of God and more aware we're not so smart after all.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs Jan 29
Verses- Eccl 2:12-16 Then I turned my thoughts to consider wisdom, and also madness and folly. What more can the king's successor do than what has already been done?
13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.
14 The wise man has eyes in his head, while the fool walks in the darkness; but I came to realize that the same fate overtakes them both.
15 Then I thought in my heart, "The fate of the fool will overtake me also. What then do I gain by being wise?" I said in my heart, "This too is meaningless."
16 For the wise man, like the fool, will not be long remembered; in days to come both will be forgotten. Like the fool, the wise man too must die!
Futility in Wisdom
I hope I never stop learning. Many of my friends and classmates have received their doctorate degree. Those who are not teaching thought it would be an advancement to larger and higher paying churches. Many of those friends are no longer in the pastorate. That is a complication now for some for whom their doctorate is almost a hindrance to a job. Some stopped learning after they reached their goal. Others find study rewarding when it has a personal purpose. I look at my stack of books with the amazing awareness that few people want them or care when I’m gone. Most of what I read and studied has not been worth passing on. It seemed like a waste of time. There is no lack of making of books but for what reason?
The futility of wisdom is after you have pursued it, learned, and feasted on knowledge that's all you have. It doesn't really give you a sense of satisfaction for you never have arrived. There is always more you don't know. There are further things you don't understand and you live your whole life gaining education but what good is it if your heart is not right?
I am troubled when we in our church or Sunday school try to influence the teaching of the word of God and compare that with the daily instruction in and outside of school. If people were very faithful to Sunday School that is 40 minutes a week after attendance, songs, and acknowledging birthdays. If you consider children church or a sermon that would be 30 minutes or 56 hours of Bible teaching or preaching a year. That works out to 2 1/2 weeks of the equivalent of school and that it for the year. What if our educational system close up the books and sent kids home after 2 ½ weeks? Any teacher in the public school would protest and say there is no way we can begin to teach our children the fundamentals of math in that time, or English, or science, or social studies. They would refuse to teach. Yet that is what we have with volunteer teachers. Then folks expect the church to provide all the religious education that many will ever receive in their lives. Then recognize that the place of Sunday school and church has also changed in influence of our society. Everything in our society comes before and ahead of Bible teaching. IF there is an activity in school or community those get priority over any religious instruction. The fact that we are able to accomplish Biblical teach at all isn't to our credit but only to the Holy Spirit.
As we look at 2:12-16 Solomon's argument is that the pursuit of secular wisdom is futile when you this is all you have, for all your degrees and accomplishments will be buried with you in the grave, then what? All the wisdom in the world is not going to prepare you to die. You need the wisdom of the next world.
Three conclusions are raised. 1. Death does not recognize the excellence of wisdom- both the educated, and the unlearned go to the grave and there is the equalizer of us all. The grave is something we all face. 2. Death does not recognize the desire of wisdom. All the motivation whether noble or not makes not difference at the time of death. When your motivation on this earth is to learn and even spread that learning when you die it's over. You are personally no better off than the guy that learns nothing after your dead. 3. Death does not remember the work of wisdom. People forget. Personal recognition will name and honor people very few like Socrates, Aristotle, Einstein, Universities will name halls sometimes after founders of educational institutions and presidents, but what good is that after you're dead. This in and of itself seems futile.
Solomon devoted his whole life to wisdom and learning. But something was missing. All the certificates on his wall didn’t seem to give him fulfillment.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Fri Jan 30
Verses- Eccl 2: 13 I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.
Prov 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
Fulfillment in Wisdom
Wisdom is important. The pursue of truth is far superior to wallowing around in ignorance, superstition and prejudice. But real truth and wisdom only stems from God. Solomon knew that at the beginning when he said, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Follow that all your life, but he didn't follow his own advice.
Judi and I were listening to a tape of a pastor who was preaching the truth of God in a most powerful way. Yet he himself was blinded to the temptations of sin and is out of the minister today for moral reasons. Why? Because even though people walk with the Lord for awhile and commit their hearts to him, it is a continual reminder that we need to daily and regularly trust in Him. We needed to be reminded the only way wisdom has fulfillment of enjoyment is when God is in it.
Friends, we can't be so smart and eternally lost. Matt 12:42. “The queen of South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom and now one greater than Solomon is here."
Jesus said, John 14:16 "I will ask the Father and he will give you another counselor to be with you forever the spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him, but you know him for he lives with you and will be in you. ..But the counselor, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
When we remove Jesus Christ from the center of an intellectual pursuit we're headed for ultimate disaster. Solomon discovers the only way to find satisfaction and relief from boredom is through relationship with the living God. Apart from Him we have school time blues.
Jesus came to show us the Father. After we accepted Christ there is implanted in our hearts a new wisdom from God. It is spiritual wisdom not of this world. He is wise who knows the source of knowledge that source is God. (see I Cor 1:18-25)
I am amazed that even when I went to school the principles taught were considered truth are now obsolete. The way churches function when I went to seminary are not the way churches function today. Cultures change considerable in time. But that which is lasting over 2,000 years and still changed people will never be obsolete. Even Paul with all his degrees and zeal and knowledge under the best religious teacher was blinded on the road by a supernatural vision of Jesus who asked, "Saul , Saul, why do you persecute me?" A couple days later when Ananias told him of the cross, and his need for repentance it was the humble, child-like faith in Jesus that opened his life to real wisdom. "Jesus said, except you come as these little children you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Salvation is not complicated. We do not have to spend years studying. A little child old enough to understand right from wrong can accept Jesus. I will trust Him with what I know and what I do not know.
We may have had an excellent education, a sparkling success, and have a world of pleasure without really being happy or satisfied, because God has built into us a vacuum which only He can fill. Our deepest ongoing cannot be met by earthly things that pass away. We need God and the only way to come to Him is through faith.
Ruth Graham tells the story of a small bootblack polishing shoes enthusiastically. One fellow that came to him once a week had three earned PhDs. One day, feeling unhappy, the scholar looked at the bootblack working so cheerfully and enthusiastically on his shoes and thought of his own misery. “Why are you so happy?”
He looked and said simply, "Jesus. He loves me. He died so God could forgive all my badness. He makes me happy." Quickly the doctor snapped up the newspaper over his face but the brilliant professor could not escape those simple works and that was what eventually brought the professor faith in Christ. The man was Alexander Grigolia, Professor of anthropology, who was Dr. Billy Graham's beloved and influential professor in college. I wasn't education that mattered; it was Jesus Christ that made the difference. Jesus gave his education a new meaning and renewed love in his learning.
That is the fulfillment of wisdom.
Pastor Dale
Original poem by my father, Harold M. Cope
Often Wondered
Often wondered why us kids just have to go to school
And read and write and spell a spell, and learn the golden rule.
Often wondered too just why some kids are teachers pets
And why she picks on me the most, just every chance she gets.
Wondered too, just why my card has all the Fs and D's
While little homer always gets those higher A's and B's
Just ain't no future anyhow so far as I can see.
A sittin and a learning, while elders go scott free.
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