Sermon Nuggets week of May 25 2009
1 Pet 1:1-5
Sermon Nuggets Mon May 25
Theme Peter’s Principles
Verses: 1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
Peter's Introduction
We begin a new series today from the epistles of Peter. As Jesus’ chosen spokesman and leader of the 12 apostles we are inspired as this eyewitness to the 3 years of being with Jesus helps us understand things of how his heart and priorities were changed.
When I was visiting relatives I listened and watched my two young nephews. They are brothers. Each admired what the other one was like and wanted to be like his brother. One is social and the quiet. He wished he could have things to say in groups and feel comfortable in front of people. He wished he could be more like his sibling and make other feel good and laugh and joke around. The gregarious brother wished he was more like the first- studious, and solid, and stable. The first had abilities to accomplish his goals and dreams without being distracted. He was more organized, and disciplined. Each wished they could be more like the other. I admired their individual qualities that made them unique.
When God works with men and women he does not make us carbon copies. Isn't that great? There is only one of you. Maybe one is all we can take. But God uses us with the personalities and idiosyncrasies. We have different temperaments, abilities, likes and dislikes. Some of those we develop but much of that is the way God made us. Not all of us are extroverts, most are introverts. Not all are socially comfortable people; many prefer quiet activities and spend time by themselves. Some are more verbal than others. Some have higher energy than others. Some are more creative than others, or athletic, or musical. What seems odd to me is most seem unhappy with the way they are and want to be like someone else.
I wouldn't be surprised if that's the way it was between the brothers Andrew and Peter. They were so different, but special each in their own ways. We know a lot of Peter because he was clearly an extrovert. He was a leader. He was vocal. He was the one who demonstrated impulsive behavior. But Andrew was portrayed in the Gospels as quieter. He worked more behind the scenes. He was impressed with Jesus and went on got his brother, Peter and brought him to Christ.
Peter introduces himself and his letter by acknowledging his calling. “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ”. The calling did not come because Peter filled out an application form and submitted it with a deposit the school or apostleship. It did not come from degrees. It did not come from some blood line. It was given to him by Jesus’ will.
This letter is from the big fisherman. He was part of Jesus inner circle. Think back on this man. Peter was mending his nets and discussing the events of the day on the sea when his brother comes to him and tells him, "Simon, you should come and hear this guy. This is the one John the Baptist was talking about. I met him today with our friend John. He speaks like no one else I've ever heard. I want you to meet him. I am convinced he is the Messiah, from God. He is going to redeem our people."
Peter, who is called Simon grunts finishes his task and wonders what Andrew his brother is up to now. Because of the trust and love he has for his brother he follows him and meets Jesus. Do you know what Jesus tells him? "You are called Simon. I am going to call you Peter." Jesus has plans for the brothers. After meeting Jesus the next stop was to listen to the command of the Master to “follow me.”
The first days the invitation was simply to come and see. Then after they were convinced he was a great prophet they were challenged to “follow me.” In obedience they did. When they went where Jesus went and did what Jesus said the time came when they needed to “go”. They were sent out but never alone. Following Jesus time on earth He gave them the promise of the coming of the Holy Spirit.
I think the elements of true discipleship begin with hearing about Jesus; seeing who He is; recognizing the call He has on your life. Obey to follow Him and then go and do his will in the world by the power of the Holy Spirit and the unique calling on your life with the gifts, talents and personality God gave you by his grace.
Being with Jesus will affect your life and your relationship. It will affect your priorities and your purpose. Have you taken the time to be with Jesus?
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues May 26, 2009
Verses- Verses: 1 Peter 1:1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia,
A Willing Worker
I had a Christian boss who was a doer. He was impulsive. When I was called to be a Chaplain in the nursing homes, I thought it might be wise to think and pray about it for a few days. If he could have found someone else he would have hired that person on the spot. The audacity of thinking and praying for a few days was beyond his way of operating. But by God’s grace I took on the ministry and it was of God for those next four years. After he got to know me he chided me by saying, If God can create the world in 6 days he can tell you in 6 minutes if you should take the job or not. What are you waiting for?
My boss had little time for waiting. He was a doer.
As I thought of Peter I realize he was a doer. His impulsiveness sometime got him into trouble. But God created him with the gifts and abilities that allowed him to be used in his unique and different way. He learned to be a willing worker after he chose to follow Jesus’ command on his life. Knowing Christ completely changed him. He still had the same personality, and natural abilities, but given to the Lord those were used in addition to His Spiritual gifts to allow God to change the world through him. Peter had the characteristic of being zealous in what he did.
He was involved with life in zealous ways. Peter had zeal unlike most of his fellow apostles. He was the first and only one out of the boat in the Lake of Galilee. He was the first and only one to draw a sword to protect Jesus. He was the first one to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son of the Living God. He was the only one to swim to shore when he recognized it was Jesus speaking to them after His resurrection. He was beaten and jailed for his preaching the good news.
God used Peter in great ways. But let’s face it- most of us aren't like Peter. He was confronting, extroverted, impulsive, a guy whom God wanted to give great leadership to the church. He was a doer. He was a mover and shaker. He did not need lots of time to ponder his actions.
When the Bible tells us that the Lord called Peter, he immediately forsook everything and followed Jesus. He was confident. You knew what he thought and why. At one point he promised faithfulness and next he denied know Jesus. He had zeal but was weak. He could go to Jesus and say it straight. "Depart form me; for I am a sinful man." He could admit his sin instead of trying to cover it up like most folks do.
Think of Peter's life. He was called by Jesus, picked to be a spokesman. He was told that he would be a witness, and be empowered with the Holy Spirit. Was it any wonder that Peter did not spend his time talking about himself but God who chose him? Now he reminds those who were suffering for their faith, to stop thinking of themselves and remember what God did. That's Peter's principle.
When word came to him about 65 AD while he was in Rome that many of the believers were suffering for their faith he wrote them this letter. They were rejected by their families, and leaving their homes. Peter knew what that was like. What do you say to someone who is going through hard times? How do you encourage them? Some people were hiding literally for their lives since they were being sought by people wanting to kill them because they are Christians.
In his letter Peter starts to teach them about Election, Separation, Foreknowledge of God ,Sanctification, Salvation, the work of the Trinity, Mercy of God, Assurance of Heaven, Security of the believers, the Second Coming of Jesus, Faith, and Divine Protection.
It is good theology that becomes the foundation of our faith. And good doctrine allows us to live out a faithful life. One of the best encouragers when we are going through tough times is someone who's been through it all and tells us how. Peter’s life becomes the badge of authority by calling and experience that his helpful to Christians who are living under pressure. He has the right to speak to the persecuted church. We want to learn from him and the words given to him by the Holy Spirit.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds May 27
Verses: 1 Peter 1:1,2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
God Knows All About what You are Going Through.
Why is it when we go through tough times we immediately think God must be shirking his responsibilities to bless us and give us a good life? Many preachers repeatedly leave us understanding that God's job is to make life easy for you. Having God at the center of your life may lead to difficult days.
I think of many Christians today who suffer hardship, beatings, tortures at the hands of Communist governments, Muslim extremists, Hindu fundamentalists, as well as subtle ways of discrimination by secular and post-Christian societies. Even in America now we see church services and Christian gatherings disrupted for political reasons and agendas.
What people need to remember is that God began the work in you and he will see it through. He has a plan. Think of your salvation and what a great God we have.
I could have been born a Hottintot in the heart of Africa. Why was I not born an Australian aborigine? I could have been born in the heart of communism of that last decade without the gospel preached and brought up to believe in nothing- No God, no supreme power, only man is the highest being. How is it that I was born in a Christian home, or surrounded by the good news of God's love? How is it that I heard the gospel of Christ and that I was saved? I praised His name because he has shown mercy to me. It is not my doing it is God's plan and purpose carried out.
Doctrine of election and foreknowledge of God are important principles to understand especially when people are thinking God is not caring that they are suffering and going through hard times. Before the world began God chose us in Christ (Eph 1:4) All whom the Father gave to Christ come unto Him. (John 6:37) How is it that two people hear about Jesus one is interested and the other could care less? One is eager to know more about God and Christ, His Son the other can't wait to get away from discussing Spiritual things?
To the unbelieving world the gospel is a proclamation to repent and exercise faith in Christ and it is to “whosoever will may come.” To the believer in Christ the truth is then made known that he was elected by sovereign grace according to God's foreknowledge. We are elected to obedience not merely that we should escape the penalty due to sin. We are elected to obey which sometimes means we suffer at the hands of evil people who are threatened by the truth. It was suffering of Christians that provided the spread of the gospel and Peter experienced beatings tortures and death and is writing to the persecuted church to look beyond to see something greater than cannot be taken away.
While it is a great honor to be among God's favorite, we must remember that Gods' purpose in election is to set apart a people to fulfill His purposes, not ours. This always involves responsibility and accountability. We are saved to serve His purposes not our pleasures in this world. Many Christians still haven't caught that.
It is exciting to realize that long before you were born God had you in His mind. He is not going to forget you now. He made you the way He wanted that you might obey Him and honor Him in your life, in the good times and in the bad times.
That's the way God is. He is not against man. He is for him. He knew all about Peter. He knows all about me and he knows all about you. He knows all about the people who were suffering for Christ’s sake. And Peter reminds them they are special. Do not think for a moment that just because you are going through hard times you are forgotten. You are special. Peter's knew.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 28, 2009
Verses 1 Peter 1:2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
The Work of the Triune God
If God's work is to draw us to Himself because He as a plan for you and me then how does He do that?
Peter presents the work of the Father by also mentioning the work of the Son and the Holy Spirit. We are familiar with the Trinity. The people in Peter's days were just getting used to God working in three ways. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are all engaged in the work of Salvation. God chose us; the Spirit sanctifies us; and Jesus Christ bought us.
The plan of salvation includes more than the Father's electing love; it also includes the work of the Spirit in convicting the sinner and bringing him to faith in Christ. Sanctification is setting apart. The root idea of the word is just separation from common uses to the service of God. God's Spirit is actively engaged in setting people apart to a totally different kind of life. He awakens our hearts to respond to God and his goodness. He makes us aware how really how damaging sin is in our lives and in our relations. We find that we are not fulfilled and at peace by living any old way we want. We become well aware that there is little purpose in living making money and looking for fun. What's it all for and where does it all lead to? God made us for Himself and has plans for us now and forever. It is God's spirit makes us holy before God.
It was the work of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who had to die on the cross for our sin, or there could be no salvation. That is were the sprinkling of the blood comes in. In the Old Testament the Jews used to sacrifice animals and kill them. It was a horrible way to approach God. Because they were unholy God said in order to have a relationship me some animal has to die because that is how much I hate sin. That blood is a reminder to you that do not take sin lightly. When Aaron was sprinkled with blood as one set apart for God's service in the Old Testament it was put on the right ear on their thumbs and one the big toes of their right feet. What did that symbolize? That the servant was to hear, do, and go according to the command of God. When the blood was applied to the doorposts in the Old Testament it was so the judgment of death would not be applied to that household. In Jesus Christ we are saved for the judgment of death for our sins fell on Jesus Christ Himself and now the blood has been applied and we are to listen to God, to do what he wants and go where he wants us to go. We are obedient.
God the Father chose me in Christ before the foundations of the world. God the Son paid the price at Calvary. God the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin one night in 1956 when I saw the need for Jesus to save me from sin. Then it all came together God in his Triune person carried out His work.
Because of that, God calls us strangers in this world. When Sarah died in the land Abraham confessed he was a sojourner among the people. We are just passing through. We have a citizenship elsewhere. A sojourner has no intention of settling down away from home. This pictures the believer with his true citizenship in heaven while temporarily away from home on earth.
Now remember the people to whom he is addressed were Jewish brethren who had embraced Christianity. There were strangers for they were not really gentiles and they were being rejected by their Jewish friends and family. They were like without a home literally and figuratively, only Peter was telling them they do have a home. They do have friends. We are a new Kingdom together.
When we are in Christ we are enemies with the world. We are not at home. We are looked upon differently and we look on it differently.
Peter wanted the suffering brothers and sisters to look beyond our temporary journey and exercise faith in the one who loved them.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 29, 2009
Verses 1 Peter 1:3-5 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-- kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. (NIV)
Peter wants us to know God's Wonder
We have a wonderful God. Centering our attention on the problems of this life, on other people, of what we can do and what we can’t will bring us down. Peter's principle is to be filled with the wonder of God, by recognizing his work for our salvation, how he carried out his plan by the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ and then think of the wonder of the benefits we have received.
Part of the greeting of Peter addressed his readers with both Greek and Hebrew salutations. The Greek word is charis- grace. The word Shalom is Hebrew word for peace. Grace is getting what we do not desire, Peace is obtaining God's gift and having things right with our creator.
Mercy is demonstrated by not getting punished, but instead giving a gift of hope because Jesus not only died on the cross he got up again. Peter is doing more than that. It isn't only that Jesus arose and the good guys win, but we receive an inheritance. How do we describe it? Peter tells us what it isn't. It isn't going to decay and pass away. All around them the Christians lost homes, and money and property. They were living in a very changing world, but that's not going to be the way it is with God. The inheritance will never perish.
Your inheritance will also never be impure. So much of what we get has something wrong with it. It breaks, doesn't work, and is quickly gone, it is obsolete. The inheritance God has for you will never fade away. In fact it is reserved in heaven for you, protected by the power of God through faith ready to be revealed when Jesus Christ comes again.
The inheritance of the New Testament Christian is infinitely more than Mid-eastern real estate. It is full and final deliverance from the curse of sin and all its debilitating effect. It is the state of perfect holiness which follows the final removal of sin and Satan. It is the perfect inheritance beyond the reach of change and decay.
It is not only kept in heaven but faithful believers are living out their lives here on earth, shielded by God's power. God has not left the church without protection in the midst of hostile world. He continuously guards his own. We can be absolutely confident that God will see us through until the day we receive our inheritance. Yet is through faith that we are kept. When Jesus returns the church will experience the great deliverance.
The greatest part of the inheritance is God Himself- not the golden harps, not the sea of glass mingled with light, not rest from pain and immunity from sorrow. But far greater than all these is God himself and these other things are added as well. Which would you rather have you Father or the things that your Father gives you?
How do you know you are saved? Do you have to just hope that some day you've done more good than bad? Do you have any confidence that it might be? Suppose we don't make it?
Peter reminds them all believers are being kept by the power of God. We means guarded and shielded. We are constantly being guarded by God assured that we shall safely arrive in heaven. We are not kept by our strength but by His faithfulness, and he will do that until Jesus returns.
One of the ways to inspire us is to personalize the pronouns to recognize the great work of God. Try reading it with your name-
“To Dale, stranger to the world, I have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God for obedience to Jesus. In his great mercy God has given to Dale Cope new birth and an inheritance than can never perish kept in heaven for me. Through faith I am shielded by God's power until Jesus comes.”
That’s good news.
Pastor Dale
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Remember Your Creator Ecclesiastes 12
Sermon Nuggets Mon May 18
Theme- Remember your Creator
Verses-Ecc 12: 1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"--
Roses or Wilted Flowers
Gary Chapman in his book on Love Languages identifies 5 ways we express love to another. He claims people have a love language that speaks to them more clearly than other ways. How you express your love may not have the same affect on the receiver because of different love languages. The concept of the book is that people give and receive love messages in different ways.
I switched his words around to make it into a devotional. Five ways to express love might include-Telling, Touching, Togetherness, Tasks, and Treasures. (Sounds like a sermon, huh?)
Some people appreciate being told they are loved by words, by notes, by outward expressions. Some prefer touch like hand holding, hugging, snuggling, kissing, back-rubs. Others find just doing things together makes them feel close whether it is going for a walk, reading a book, going out to eat, or even cleaning a house.
A fourth way to express love is tasks. Doing something for another is important for some. A husband might know his wife loves him by the fact she makes him a special dinner, or she might appreciate his filling her car up with gas.
Lastly, gift giving is a way some express love. Roses, or cologne, a special apparel or surprise trip might be treasures that have great meaning to another.
The goal of a relationship, according to Chapman, is finding your loved one’s love language and use it more often. What they respond to best, may not be your priority of communicating love. All of them are important, but some are favored.
I am not much of a gift giver. That would not be my prime expression. When I worked in the nursing home we'd get funeral bouquets from a service and divide up the flowers into smaller bouquets. I'd bring home a bunch to Judi thinking they were pretty and she might appreciate them. She didn’t.
If I was going to give her a gift (which she enjoyed) flowers were an expression of love when they were fresh, not used. It was more meaningful if I bought them, not got them as throwaways. To me a flower is a flower. Isn’t it the thought that counts? Buying fresh flowers doesn’t’ do it for me. But it is something she enjoys. I would be just as pleased with a gift from Tusen Tak than Sacs on Fifth Avenue.
I thought of that as Solomon concluded his thoughts from this sermon. All of life seems meaningless. There is one purpose and that is to remember your Creator. The sooner the better. The best life is not when the flowers are wilted or spend, but when they are fresh and young, so to speak. Serve God while you are young. Don't wait.
Solomon is older and realed he has not given God the priority He deserved. Certainly we can come to Him and serve Him at any time in life. But this message was meant for the young, not for the elderly. Give of your best to your master. Too many are diluted into thinking they will come to Christ when they are old and their life is almost gone. Of course, we never know at what age we are going to die. One reason older people might be more religious is they have seen life and found it to be empty without the Lord. If they realized that sooner they wouldn’t have wasted most their lives in meaningless pursuits. That is Solomon’s message.
Many young people are determined to give to God wilted flowers. They think, "When I'm older then I'll live for God; when I'm older I'll turn to the Lord and accept Jesus as my Savior, but not now. Lord, I don't want to give you roses, or buds that are in their prime. I'll give you wilted flowers once my life is spent."
The final theme from Solomon is the call to make the Lord the Center of your life and affection. To some of you senior citizens I ask, if you had it to do all over again what would you change in your life in your spiritual life? Some of Solomon’s thoughts to that question will be discussed this week.
Maybe this week think of different ways to use love language toward God by telling (praying), tasks (service), togetherness (devotions reading and enjoying His presence) Treasures (gift giving); and touching (giving that up of cold water in Jesus name-social concerns for others)
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nugget Tues May 19, 2009
Verses- Ecc 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"--before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
Remember him-- before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!"
Serve God while you're Able
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth...It is a message from an older Solomon that started on the right track but veered from it. He is wishing he could relive some of those days when the lusts of this world were unfortunately more important than making God center of his life. As people grow older there are many regrets. One is the regret of not accepted Christ as Savior earlier in life. Many have told me that life was wasted without the Lord. Others recognize later in life the misplaced priorities and sin that caused heartache from which they were blind at the time.
Young people, remember your Creator. Keep God first. We so easily forget Him in the excitement of youth. God is our creator. He made us. That is the most important reason to remember Him. He made us for Himself, for his pleasure and we find purpose in our life when we fulfill the reason for His creating us in the first place.
Now the rest of these verses are biographical. Solomon is cursing his inability to do what he really wanted to do. The curse of old age is preventing him from that. One older saint said to me, “This business of old age is much over rating. There is nothing golden about it.”
Solomon says, Serve God while you are young, while you are able.
One big problem with dreams at my age is that my body doesn’t cooperate. Simple tasks that I watch other do with envy, now hurt! My energy doesn’t last as long. So Solomon wrote before the winter of our lives, when things are almost gone, serve the Lord.
Look at how graphic and almost humorous Solomon portrays the aging process. The keepers of the house tremble and strong men stoop. Our hands get shaky and weak and we can't take care of this old house or body anymore. I think of the song by Stuart Hamblin "This Ol house is getting Shaky this ol house has gotten worn, This ol' house is running down. I'm getting ready to meet the Lord.”
The back stoops, grinders cease because they are few. Teeth dropping out and can't eat like used to. It's like one economic advisor said, "things are getting so tough the older folks just have to gum the bullet."
Other graphic pictures include the windows grow dim; your eyes are going and things are getting fuzzy and faint. Door are closed. Opportunity and jobs aren’t available any more. Certain doors are closed to you, and even the strength of getting up stairs or going places has waned. One of the most difficult things for older people is the day they have to give up their driver’s license.
Older people have more difficulty time sleeping. They get up early in the morning, voice faint, fears multiply. Have you ever notice how some older people are such worry warts? Three days before an outing tghey start worrying about it. They get ready hours before time.
When I worked in the nursing home people would line up 1 hour before a meal, but if the doors to the dining room opened 5 minutes late, they would be so impatient. They did not want to wait. What were they doing the hour before? It's not like they are going anywhere. I've never understood that.
Almond tree blossoms by turning white and grasshoppers drag themselves along. Things aren't as appealing as they once were. Just sitting and doing nothing takes effort. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. Death is just around the corner.
The Bible says, "Remember God before death while you are vigorous and full of energy and have a sharp sense and quick mind. Remember God when you can enjoy Him to your fullest and enjoy the life He has planned for you. Remember you creation before the evil days come and we can't do what we want to do for God any longer.
Medical and technical advances have helped prolong useful years. We have wheelchairs, and elevators and cars to get around. We have eyeglasses, contacts, and cataract operations to improve sight. We have dentists and orthodontist that charge an arm and leg for a tooth. There are plastic gizmos that go into your ear to improve your hearing. Through surgery we can get new parts. We even have bottles of color which allow you to make your almond blossom hair any color you want. But you can't stop the aging process, only some of the symptoms.
I believe Erma Bombeck wrote, "You know you are getting older when the gleam in your eye is from the sun hitting the bifocals. When you feel like the night before and you haven't been anywhere; When your little black book contains only names ending in MD. You are telling your age when you know all the answers but nobody is asking you the questions, when you look forward to a dull evening, when your knees buckle and your belt won't; when you have too much room in the house and not enough in the medicine cabinet. You sink teeth into a steak and they stay there.
Youth is great. It is the time to give now to the Lord fully. But even if you are older eventually you won’t be able to do what you can do now. So whatever you can do, do it now before it is too late. Do it now while you are able, for one day soon you will not be able to do it. Instead of coming up with excuses ask God for opportunities and do it now.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds May 20, 2009
Eccl 12: 9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails-- given by one Shepherd.
Study God's Word while you're Open
Solomon was the wise teacher, trying to teach knowledge through parables and memorable sayings. The Book of proverbs is the example of many teachable words that come from his mouth and pen under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This is why his sermon is part of Scripture. Parables and wisdom statements are meant as lines on a highway. They guide us on our path and show us the boundaries. Wisdom that includes words of warning, words like goads- those sticks that prodded an ox or mule.
As we look back on his sermon we see the futility of a life void of God. In that context study can be a burden. We are reminded that pleasure, wine women and song can be entertaining for a short while, but it passes very quickly and is nothing. Work and vocational opportunities are important, but serve a short term purpose. It does not fulfill life in the long run. People who put all the labor into something find it is disappointing later in life if that has lost its meaning.
Throughout the book Solomon reminds us of the problems of wealth. It is quickly spent and you can't take it with you. Honor and achievement is fleeting only a moment of glory and it is gone. People can't even remember your name after a little while. There are principles that we need to apply in our lives that make it easier on this earth, but when it all comes down to the basics.
As I've sat with couples in broken marriages and unhappy people that couldn't wait with sex until marriage. I find that the wisdom of the Bible is just the same now as it was then. Solomon you are so right this world doesn't have anything compared to having the Lord in the center of your life. If He is at the center you can enjoy hobbies and discern entertainment. You put your cars and houses in a different perspective. The Lord leads us in college, in relationships and friendship, and in marriage, but without Him it is all vanity.
Make Christ center of your life. Make his Word the purpose of your study while you are open. The wisest man looked for all the life would bring meaning and only found satisfaction on God after he and fallen in sin and veered form his relationship with God.
Maybe you are one that isn't a young person any longer. Maybe you are older or young adult. There is a time in your life when you are learning new things, and developing a philosophy of life. You leave your parents home and develop your own lifestyle. Major changes cause you to adjust and change your thinking about many things. Getting married does that. Having children does that. Changing jobs and getting new jobs does that; making moves in your life, or new responsibilities in your church does that. But there are times when our faith or our manner of thinking and beliefs are challenged. Before you make too many major mistakes in your life, stop thinking that this life has to offer more excitement than God. Let the Word of God and His wisdom be the foundation of your life for truth.
Seek it with all intensity, ponder His word realize in it is truth study it, read it. In fact you are blessed in your spiritual faith journey if you spend some times and read God's word every day. Make it a regular habit. God will use a verse, a thought, a principle in your life when you have the resources because you have studied and prayed.
I am overwhelmed how much God has for the individual who spends times in prayer and in God's word. Even if you have a few minutes in the morning in your chair, or in the car with a Bible tape, or before going to bed, expose your mind to the word of God. Read it. You will never be sorry. It becomes the authority for us to follow.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 21, 2009
Verse- Eccl 12: 11,12 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails-- given by one Shepherd.
Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
Be Discerning in your Resources
All reading, media, internet, music, TV programs and multitude of input needs to be filtered through the truth of the Bible and confirmed by the Holy Spirit. I emphasize HOLY. We are bombarded with all kinds of images, and messages throughout the day. What we see and read does affect us.
I, for one, am not opposed to non religious writings and readings. There are times a discerning Christians also needs to know what is being said and taught, not to be enticed by lusts to the flesh. But how much time should we waste to every new and popular book on the market? Just because a new movie is out or a new TV program is on the air doesn’t mean we have to take time to watch it. How much of that time is given to input from God’s word?
Since the rise of internet I have done lots more study and reading off the screen than through books and magazine. I have stopped most of my subscriptions seeing I can access and highlight articles posted on their websites. I realize newspapers are not able to make it in our competitive world anymore, yet almost all editions are available for free online. I can read version of the Bible. I can hear or read sermons from the greatest and worst of preachers and teachers. My problem is how to discern and limit the resources and not be taken captive to the amount of material readily available.
When I was in college I was shocked how much the professors wanted us to read. My library is full of books. Obviously, study is needed to prepare for sermons and articles in the pastorate. It is one of my addictions. I have a shelf of books that I want to read this year and doubt it will happen. Yet, for recreational reading I still go to the library for a novel. Right now I have been going through Bodie Thoene’s AD Chronicles, and just completed one of Ted Dekker’s novels.
But there is sadness when you read so much that is foolishness. In the Universities of today to be politically correct is the trend that causes people to question their values. There was a first grade teacher complaining to a family because their little girl was playing princess. She was playing games that were not liberating to females. The first grader wanted to wear a pretty dress and be a princess and let some boy come and rescue her from a dragon. The teacher objected.
John Leo wrote in Reader’s Digest how he went to the Biennial Exhibition of New York's' Whitney Museum of Art. A large section was devoted to women's rage against men. Another glamorized homosexual relationships. There was also a display against oppression of established religion. He said “in two numbing hours at this organized shambles, I learned that the world is neatly divided into good and bad. The good includes women, nonwhites, homosexuals, transvestites, gang members, and people with AIDS. The bad include the United States, straight white males, family, religion and authority.
Instead of trying to adapt and change to conform to this world we need to get back to the word of God and acknowledge there is divine authority; there is divine truth. The Bible will be here until Jesus returns and it will not change. By it we can be discerning.
Remember God before you are sucked into the falsehood of the world's lies. This past Sunday I preached on Romans 12, not to be molded and conformed by the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds. What we choose to read, watch, and listen to is part of what molds us.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 22, 2009
Verses: Eccl 12:13,14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Obey God's Commands before it's too late.
Well maybe you are not young any more, and maybe like the prodigal son, you've already fallen and are discovering the things that you wish you had done, or not done, earlier in life. Maybe you wonder if it is too late. Friend, it is not too late. Make Christ center of you life before the final days. Put Christ on the throne of your life before your days on earth have ended.
After all is said and done, Solomon explains all of life in this one sentence. "Fear God and keep his commands. For it is the whole duty of man.” What is life but to know God and be obedient to Him?
One who fears God need never fear death. For He alone is the conqueror of death. Death is so uncertain. We never know when it comes. Many younger people are planning to give God wilted flowers, but then never reach that stage before the life is taken by tragedy or disease. Now is the time to make the creator your master and Lord. Doing God's will means obedience to follow Him and confession of sin.
Are you willing to turn the management of your life to the one who is your creator and knows how you best function anyway? He knows the vocation that you are best suited for and the mate who is best for you, the experience of life that each the important lessons. He does not promise rose gardens, but there is the promise He is willing to be with us through the gardens of life when we let Him take the lead.
Maybe you've made many mistakes; maybe you learned the hard way like Solomon. In youth perhaps you have made comment to him that you have not kept and now you have felt like you've failed miserably. Maybe you've lived outside of God's plan for your life and in disobedience and you know it because the Spirit is now even reminding you of that fact.
I don't care how old you are. Make God center of you life before the evil days come; before your best years are over; before you are taken in death; before the Lord’s return; before it is too late. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
The story is told of Sam who made an unusual agreement with death. He told the grim reaper that he would willing accompany him when it came time to die, but only one condition that Death would send a messenger well in advance to warn him. The young man thought that was the best time to set the priorities of his life right. The agreement was made. Weeks winged away into months and months in to years.
Then one bitter winter evening as he sat all alone thinking of all his material possessions, Death suddenly enter the room and tapped him on the shoulder. The man was startled and cried out in despair. "You're here so soon and without warning. I thought we had an agreement."
Death replied, "I've more than kept my part. I've sent you many messengers. Look at your self in the mirror and you'll see some of them." As the man complied, Death whispered, "Notice your hair. Once it was full and black, now it is the thin and white. Look at the way you cock your head to listen to my voice because you can't hear very well, Observe how close you must get to the mirror in order to see yourself clearly. Yes, I've sent many messengers through the years, I've kept my part. I'm sorry you're not ready for me, but the time has come to leave."
Friend, you've had many similar warnings but you too may have disregarded them. While there is still time heed the loving voice of the Spirit of God who urges you to repent. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. Seek Him now before you are called upon to keep that inevitable date with death. Salvation deferred too long spells the tragedy of too late.
Someone said your dying is His business. His will is our business. I don't care how old you are, or how young you are. Solomon’s closing message is to make Christ the center of your life. While you are able, make His word the most important book in your life; learn it; study it; and know it while you’re open and before you've followed other paths. But above all make Christ Lord of your life before it's too late when the final judgment comes. For one growing older in the Lord life is blessed even with its inconveniences II Cor 4:12 “Though I am wasting away my inner life is being renewed each day."
Pastor Dale
Theme- Remember your Creator
Verses-Ecc 12: 1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"--
Roses or Wilted Flowers
Gary Chapman in his book on Love Languages identifies 5 ways we express love to another. He claims people have a love language that speaks to them more clearly than other ways. How you express your love may not have the same affect on the receiver because of different love languages. The concept of the book is that people give and receive love messages in different ways.
I switched his words around to make it into a devotional. Five ways to express love might include-Telling, Touching, Togetherness, Tasks, and Treasures. (Sounds like a sermon, huh?)
Some people appreciate being told they are loved by words, by notes, by outward expressions. Some prefer touch like hand holding, hugging, snuggling, kissing, back-rubs. Others find just doing things together makes them feel close whether it is going for a walk, reading a book, going out to eat, or even cleaning a house.
A fourth way to express love is tasks. Doing something for another is important for some. A husband might know his wife loves him by the fact she makes him a special dinner, or she might appreciate his filling her car up with gas.
Lastly, gift giving is a way some express love. Roses, or cologne, a special apparel or surprise trip might be treasures that have great meaning to another.
The goal of a relationship, according to Chapman, is finding your loved one’s love language and use it more often. What they respond to best, may not be your priority of communicating love. All of them are important, but some are favored.
I am not much of a gift giver. That would not be my prime expression. When I worked in the nursing home we'd get funeral bouquets from a service and divide up the flowers into smaller bouquets. I'd bring home a bunch to Judi thinking they were pretty and she might appreciate them. She didn’t.
If I was going to give her a gift (which she enjoyed) flowers were an expression of love when they were fresh, not used. It was more meaningful if I bought them, not got them as throwaways. To me a flower is a flower. Isn’t it the thought that counts? Buying fresh flowers doesn’t’ do it for me. But it is something she enjoys. I would be just as pleased with a gift from Tusen Tak than Sacs on Fifth Avenue.
I thought of that as Solomon concluded his thoughts from this sermon. All of life seems meaningless. There is one purpose and that is to remember your Creator. The sooner the better. The best life is not when the flowers are wilted or spend, but when they are fresh and young, so to speak. Serve God while you are young. Don't wait.
Solomon is older and realed he has not given God the priority He deserved. Certainly we can come to Him and serve Him at any time in life. But this message was meant for the young, not for the elderly. Give of your best to your master. Too many are diluted into thinking they will come to Christ when they are old and their life is almost gone. Of course, we never know at what age we are going to die. One reason older people might be more religious is they have seen life and found it to be empty without the Lord. If they realized that sooner they wouldn’t have wasted most their lives in meaningless pursuits. That is Solomon’s message.
Many young people are determined to give to God wilted flowers. They think, "When I'm older then I'll live for God; when I'm older I'll turn to the Lord and accept Jesus as my Savior, but not now. Lord, I don't want to give you roses, or buds that are in their prime. I'll give you wilted flowers once my life is spent."
The final theme from Solomon is the call to make the Lord the Center of your life and affection. To some of you senior citizens I ask, if you had it to do all over again what would you change in your life in your spiritual life? Some of Solomon’s thoughts to that question will be discussed this week.
Maybe this week think of different ways to use love language toward God by telling (praying), tasks (service), togetherness (devotions reading and enjoying His presence) Treasures (gift giving); and touching (giving that up of cold water in Jesus name-social concerns for others)
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nugget Tues May 19, 2009
Verses- Ecc 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"--before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark, and the clouds return after the rain; when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men stoop, when the grinders cease because they are few, and those looking through the windows grow dim; when the doors to the street are closed and the sound of grinding fades; when men rise up at the sound of birds, but all their songs grow faint; when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the streets; when the almond tree blossoms and the grasshopper drags himself along and desire no longer is stirred. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets.
Remember him-- before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
"Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Everything is meaningless!"
Serve God while you're Able
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth...It is a message from an older Solomon that started on the right track but veered from it. He is wishing he could relive some of those days when the lusts of this world were unfortunately more important than making God center of his life. As people grow older there are many regrets. One is the regret of not accepted Christ as Savior earlier in life. Many have told me that life was wasted without the Lord. Others recognize later in life the misplaced priorities and sin that caused heartache from which they were blind at the time.
Young people, remember your Creator. Keep God first. We so easily forget Him in the excitement of youth. God is our creator. He made us. That is the most important reason to remember Him. He made us for Himself, for his pleasure and we find purpose in our life when we fulfill the reason for His creating us in the first place.
Now the rest of these verses are biographical. Solomon is cursing his inability to do what he really wanted to do. The curse of old age is preventing him from that. One older saint said to me, “This business of old age is much over rating. There is nothing golden about it.”
Solomon says, Serve God while you are young, while you are able.
One big problem with dreams at my age is that my body doesn’t cooperate. Simple tasks that I watch other do with envy, now hurt! My energy doesn’t last as long. So Solomon wrote before the winter of our lives, when things are almost gone, serve the Lord.
Look at how graphic and almost humorous Solomon portrays the aging process. The keepers of the house tremble and strong men stoop. Our hands get shaky and weak and we can't take care of this old house or body anymore. I think of the song by Stuart Hamblin "This Ol house is getting Shaky this ol house has gotten worn, This ol' house is running down. I'm getting ready to meet the Lord.”
The back stoops, grinders cease because they are few. Teeth dropping out and can't eat like used to. It's like one economic advisor said, "things are getting so tough the older folks just have to gum the bullet."
Other graphic pictures include the windows grow dim; your eyes are going and things are getting fuzzy and faint. Door are closed. Opportunity and jobs aren’t available any more. Certain doors are closed to you, and even the strength of getting up stairs or going places has waned. One of the most difficult things for older people is the day they have to give up their driver’s license.
Older people have more difficulty time sleeping. They get up early in the morning, voice faint, fears multiply. Have you ever notice how some older people are such worry warts? Three days before an outing tghey start worrying about it. They get ready hours before time.
When I worked in the nursing home people would line up 1 hour before a meal, but if the doors to the dining room opened 5 minutes late, they would be so impatient. They did not want to wait. What were they doing the hour before? It's not like they are going anywhere. I've never understood that.
Almond tree blossoms by turning white and grasshoppers drag themselves along. Things aren't as appealing as they once were. Just sitting and doing nothing takes effort. Then man goes to his eternal home and mourners go about the streets. Death is just around the corner.
The Bible says, "Remember God before death while you are vigorous and full of energy and have a sharp sense and quick mind. Remember God when you can enjoy Him to your fullest and enjoy the life He has planned for you. Remember you creation before the evil days come and we can't do what we want to do for God any longer.
Medical and technical advances have helped prolong useful years. We have wheelchairs, and elevators and cars to get around. We have eyeglasses, contacts, and cataract operations to improve sight. We have dentists and orthodontist that charge an arm and leg for a tooth. There are plastic gizmos that go into your ear to improve your hearing. Through surgery we can get new parts. We even have bottles of color which allow you to make your almond blossom hair any color you want. But you can't stop the aging process, only some of the symptoms.
I believe Erma Bombeck wrote, "You know you are getting older when the gleam in your eye is from the sun hitting the bifocals. When you feel like the night before and you haven't been anywhere; When your little black book contains only names ending in MD. You are telling your age when you know all the answers but nobody is asking you the questions, when you look forward to a dull evening, when your knees buckle and your belt won't; when you have too much room in the house and not enough in the medicine cabinet. You sink teeth into a steak and they stay there.
Youth is great. It is the time to give now to the Lord fully. But even if you are older eventually you won’t be able to do what you can do now. So whatever you can do, do it now before it is too late. Do it now while you are able, for one day soon you will not be able to do it. Instead of coming up with excuses ask God for opportunities and do it now.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds May 20, 2009
Eccl 12: 9 Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
10 The Teacher searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails-- given by one Shepherd.
Study God's Word while you're Open
Solomon was the wise teacher, trying to teach knowledge through parables and memorable sayings. The Book of proverbs is the example of many teachable words that come from his mouth and pen under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. This is why his sermon is part of Scripture. Parables and wisdom statements are meant as lines on a highway. They guide us on our path and show us the boundaries. Wisdom that includes words of warning, words like goads- those sticks that prodded an ox or mule.
As we look back on his sermon we see the futility of a life void of God. In that context study can be a burden. We are reminded that pleasure, wine women and song can be entertaining for a short while, but it passes very quickly and is nothing. Work and vocational opportunities are important, but serve a short term purpose. It does not fulfill life in the long run. People who put all the labor into something find it is disappointing later in life if that has lost its meaning.
Throughout the book Solomon reminds us of the problems of wealth. It is quickly spent and you can't take it with you. Honor and achievement is fleeting only a moment of glory and it is gone. People can't even remember your name after a little while. There are principles that we need to apply in our lives that make it easier on this earth, but when it all comes down to the basics.
As I've sat with couples in broken marriages and unhappy people that couldn't wait with sex until marriage. I find that the wisdom of the Bible is just the same now as it was then. Solomon you are so right this world doesn't have anything compared to having the Lord in the center of your life. If He is at the center you can enjoy hobbies and discern entertainment. You put your cars and houses in a different perspective. The Lord leads us in college, in relationships and friendship, and in marriage, but without Him it is all vanity.
Make Christ center of your life. Make his Word the purpose of your study while you are open. The wisest man looked for all the life would bring meaning and only found satisfaction on God after he and fallen in sin and veered form his relationship with God.
Maybe you are one that isn't a young person any longer. Maybe you are older or young adult. There is a time in your life when you are learning new things, and developing a philosophy of life. You leave your parents home and develop your own lifestyle. Major changes cause you to adjust and change your thinking about many things. Getting married does that. Having children does that. Changing jobs and getting new jobs does that; making moves in your life, or new responsibilities in your church does that. But there are times when our faith or our manner of thinking and beliefs are challenged. Before you make too many major mistakes in your life, stop thinking that this life has to offer more excitement than God. Let the Word of God and His wisdom be the foundation of your life for truth.
Seek it with all intensity, ponder His word realize in it is truth study it, read it. In fact you are blessed in your spiritual faith journey if you spend some times and read God's word every day. Make it a regular habit. God will use a verse, a thought, a principle in your life when you have the resources because you have studied and prayed.
I am overwhelmed how much God has for the individual who spends times in prayer and in God's word. Even if you have a few minutes in the morning in your chair, or in the car with a Bible tape, or before going to bed, expose your mind to the word of God. Read it. You will never be sorry. It becomes the authority for us to follow.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 21, 2009
Verse- Eccl 12: 11,12 The words of the wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firmly embedded nails-- given by one Shepherd.
Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.
Be Discerning in your Resources
All reading, media, internet, music, TV programs and multitude of input needs to be filtered through the truth of the Bible and confirmed by the Holy Spirit. I emphasize HOLY. We are bombarded with all kinds of images, and messages throughout the day. What we see and read does affect us.
I, for one, am not opposed to non religious writings and readings. There are times a discerning Christians also needs to know what is being said and taught, not to be enticed by lusts to the flesh. But how much time should we waste to every new and popular book on the market? Just because a new movie is out or a new TV program is on the air doesn’t mean we have to take time to watch it. How much of that time is given to input from God’s word?
Since the rise of internet I have done lots more study and reading off the screen than through books and magazine. I have stopped most of my subscriptions seeing I can access and highlight articles posted on their websites. I realize newspapers are not able to make it in our competitive world anymore, yet almost all editions are available for free online. I can read version of the Bible. I can hear or read sermons from the greatest and worst of preachers and teachers. My problem is how to discern and limit the resources and not be taken captive to the amount of material readily available.
When I was in college I was shocked how much the professors wanted us to read. My library is full of books. Obviously, study is needed to prepare for sermons and articles in the pastorate. It is one of my addictions. I have a shelf of books that I want to read this year and doubt it will happen. Yet, for recreational reading I still go to the library for a novel. Right now I have been going through Bodie Thoene’s AD Chronicles, and just completed one of Ted Dekker’s novels.
But there is sadness when you read so much that is foolishness. In the Universities of today to be politically correct is the trend that causes people to question their values. There was a first grade teacher complaining to a family because their little girl was playing princess. She was playing games that were not liberating to females. The first grader wanted to wear a pretty dress and be a princess and let some boy come and rescue her from a dragon. The teacher objected.
John Leo wrote in Reader’s Digest how he went to the Biennial Exhibition of New York's' Whitney Museum of Art. A large section was devoted to women's rage against men. Another glamorized homosexual relationships. There was also a display against oppression of established religion. He said “in two numbing hours at this organized shambles, I learned that the world is neatly divided into good and bad. The good includes women, nonwhites, homosexuals, transvestites, gang members, and people with AIDS. The bad include the United States, straight white males, family, religion and authority.
Instead of trying to adapt and change to conform to this world we need to get back to the word of God and acknowledge there is divine authority; there is divine truth. The Bible will be here until Jesus returns and it will not change. By it we can be discerning.
Remember God before you are sucked into the falsehood of the world's lies. This past Sunday I preached on Romans 12, not to be molded and conformed by the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds. What we choose to read, watch, and listen to is part of what molds us.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 22, 2009
Verses: Eccl 12:13,14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Obey God's Commands before it's too late.
Well maybe you are not young any more, and maybe like the prodigal son, you've already fallen and are discovering the things that you wish you had done, or not done, earlier in life. Maybe you wonder if it is too late. Friend, it is not too late. Make Christ center of you life before the final days. Put Christ on the throne of your life before your days on earth have ended.
After all is said and done, Solomon explains all of life in this one sentence. "Fear God and keep his commands. For it is the whole duty of man.” What is life but to know God and be obedient to Him?
One who fears God need never fear death. For He alone is the conqueror of death. Death is so uncertain. We never know when it comes. Many younger people are planning to give God wilted flowers, but then never reach that stage before the life is taken by tragedy or disease. Now is the time to make the creator your master and Lord. Doing God's will means obedience to follow Him and confession of sin.
Are you willing to turn the management of your life to the one who is your creator and knows how you best function anyway? He knows the vocation that you are best suited for and the mate who is best for you, the experience of life that each the important lessons. He does not promise rose gardens, but there is the promise He is willing to be with us through the gardens of life when we let Him take the lead.
Maybe you've made many mistakes; maybe you learned the hard way like Solomon. In youth perhaps you have made comment to him that you have not kept and now you have felt like you've failed miserably. Maybe you've lived outside of God's plan for your life and in disobedience and you know it because the Spirit is now even reminding you of that fact.
I don't care how old you are. Make God center of you life before the evil days come; before your best years are over; before you are taken in death; before the Lord’s return; before it is too late. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
The story is told of Sam who made an unusual agreement with death. He told the grim reaper that he would willing accompany him when it came time to die, but only one condition that Death would send a messenger well in advance to warn him. The young man thought that was the best time to set the priorities of his life right. The agreement was made. Weeks winged away into months and months in to years.
Then one bitter winter evening as he sat all alone thinking of all his material possessions, Death suddenly enter the room and tapped him on the shoulder. The man was startled and cried out in despair. "You're here so soon and without warning. I thought we had an agreement."
Death replied, "I've more than kept my part. I've sent you many messengers. Look at your self in the mirror and you'll see some of them." As the man complied, Death whispered, "Notice your hair. Once it was full and black, now it is the thin and white. Look at the way you cock your head to listen to my voice because you can't hear very well, Observe how close you must get to the mirror in order to see yourself clearly. Yes, I've sent many messengers through the years, I've kept my part. I'm sorry you're not ready for me, but the time has come to leave."
Friend, you've had many similar warnings but you too may have disregarded them. While there is still time heed the loving voice of the Spirit of God who urges you to repent. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. Seek Him now before you are called upon to keep that inevitable date with death. Salvation deferred too long spells the tragedy of too late.
Someone said your dying is His business. His will is our business. I don't care how old you are, or how young you are. Solomon’s closing message is to make Christ the center of your life. While you are able, make His word the most important book in your life; learn it; study it; and know it while you’re open and before you've followed other paths. But above all make Christ Lord of your life before it's too late when the final judgment comes. For one growing older in the Lord life is blessed even with its inconveniences II Cor 4:12 “Though I am wasting away my inner life is being renewed each day."
Pastor Dale
Friday, May 15, 2009
Bread Casting Ecclesiastes 11
Sermon Nuggets Week of May 11, 2009
Theme: Gaining by Giving
Verses- Eccl ll:1,2 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
THE ART OF BREAD CASTING
It is said, a hog is good for nothing while he is alive. He cannot be ridden like a horse; he cannot be used to draw like the ox he does not provide clothing like the sheep or milk like the cow; he will not guard the house like a dog; He is good only for slaughter.
Some have likened people to a pig in a number of ways. A covetous rich man, just like the hog, does no good with his riches while he lives; when he is dead then his riches can be used. It seems a silly to hang on to that which we are going to lose eventually.
Albert Schweitzer was accomplished musician compose, physician and surgeon, author, theologian, educator but he lived his life in a small African Village working as a missionary in a humble clinic.
In a world that is bombarded with the messages of gaining and getting for yourself, there is a word from God that speaks softly, "Give yourself away." Without the promises of worldly success there is gain in losing.
Verse 1,2 talk about gaining by being generous. Some think casting your bread on the waters is a parable. In Egypt, farmers cast their seed into the rich foam of the Nile River valley while the land is flooded. Then as the water recedes, the grain springs up and in the few months produce a bountiful harvest. Some said it is like putting food in a bottle it and throwing it out in the sea. If you get stuck on a desert island a bottle will float and you will eventually benefit. If you help the needy, then you will be helped if you are needed.
You gain by giving. Being generous and helpful to others during times when you have something can be helpful when you will be in need yourself. Keep giving and it will produce results. Sow today what you will reap tomorrow. Some have said it may be more blessed to give than receive, but the average man is always willing to let the other fellow have the blessing.
One does not give indiscriminately. There are crooks and con artists. If you are generous enough you will be taken advantage of. However, that should not make someone stingy. For fear of being taken some people never give to help anyone.
I gave a man I did not know some money two days ago who claimed he was robbed and trying to get gas money to get home. This was not from the church benevolence but from my wallet. Was he lying? Was he telling the truth? That was up to the Lord. I didn’t give him a lot of money but neither did I agonize or fret over it. If he was helped I believe it was of the Lord. If I was taken then it was his problem, not mine.
Many ask about solicitations in the mail from well meaning ministries and important causes. I believe you should give your tithe first to the church. Then as you are able and desire further assistance, I do not give to charitable organizations unless I know Christian groups are members of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. There should be note from ECFA with a little symbol or statement in their literature for they are willing to submit themselves to the rules and regularly of accepted accounting practices and within guidelines of who much can be spend on administrative expenses. Or give to a local board or organization that you know is run by people that you know or trust.
When Robert Tilton was exposed on 60 minutes on how his ministry would tear open envelopes to get the money and didn't even read the prayer requests. Recently there were many of the health and wealth and prosperity gospel preachers under investigation for tax fraud. The problem with such news is also that people reduce giving to churches and local groups that help people in our communities and over which we have more knowledge of their work. Unfortunately some people would rather not give to anything than be deceived in their giving.
Giving to the Lord is always the best way to be generous. As we approach our own annual meeting and budget presentation being accountable to the members and friends is something you don’t see on TV ministries. We agree how we want to give our money away. We set up committees and elect persons we trust to handle the gifts we receive.
Are you generous with the Lord? The lesson of generosity may be a lesson we must learn in patience. For after many days you will find it again sometimes in ways you least expect.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues May 12, 2009
Verses- Eccl 11:3-5 If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie.
4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Security in Insecure Times
Most churches will report these times are tough. Even though most people are working in many churches the giving is down. People will use their money to pay off bills, reduce debt, and save if they do lose their job. But what about the priority of giving to the Lord?
The principle of tithing was established in the Old Testament as 10% for rich or poor. It was a fair way to show that all we have belongs to God. It was a portion of who we are and what we do. It was an expression of faith to worship the God in whom we trust. We do not trust our riches but our Lord.
Solomon talks about the fact that the Lord, not humans, knows the future. There are principles we live by, but who can control the rain or if is time for a tree to fall on its own or not? How do we live in unsettled times?
The answer is to be faithful in what you are doing day by day. Do not worry about things over which you have no control. If someone is worried about the wind, then they will not plant. It is an excuse for laziness or anxiety to get in the way of faith and labor. If we are always thinking it will rain and don't do anything thinking that we might get wet, then you will never do anything. If worried about the clouds and not just going at it, you will never get to the job. There are some projects that I don't particularly like and when I say I'll do them sometimes when I have time on my hands, they never get done.
Incidentally this seems to be just another illustration of God's work within a womb. The sanctity of life and even a fetus is part of God's handiwork and with all the talk and the legislation about abortions and rights of mothers to their own bodies and can do what they want, the Bible says we are not our own, we belong to the Lord. It is a national social problem when tax money or proposed national health care funds can go to perform abortions which kill unborn and rates are rising. Abortion should be concern for all Christians. Who can explain the one who is formed in the womb, so you cannot understand the work of God? Who is the maker of all things?
Solomon preaches that only God who made the body and created you and me knows our end and how our days are numbered. So live today for him in labor and love, not laziness and anxiety. Continue to bless as you have been blessed. Trust the Lord with your riches, not the government.
Anita Belmont said, "There aren't any rules for success that work unless you do. Yet there is no disgrace in failing. It is a disgrace to do less than your best to keep from failing."
I didn’t get the name of the poet who wrote a interesting piece-
"Master where shall I work today?" and my love flowed warm and free;
and He pointed out a tiny plot, and He said, "Tend that for me".
But I answered quickly, "Oh, no, not there; not anyone could see.
No matter how well my task was done, Not that little place for me".
And His voice, when He spoke, was not stern, but He answered me tenderly,
"Disciple, search that heart of thine: Are you working for them or for me? Nazareth was just a little place, and so was Galilee."
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds May 13, 2009
Verses: Eccl 11: 6,7 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
Gaining by Living Diligently
Giving is possible because we have something to give. All that we receive is a gift from above. But partly those blessings come through our work. Good work is rewarded with the fruit of our labor, whether it be by a paycheck or good crops. Living diligently is facing the tasks regularly and faithfully until they are accomplished.
Farmers wouldn't get far if they always waited for perfect days to do their field work or work at the most convenient times. Get at your tasks. Keep at it. Set goals. Pray about them. Be diligent whether or not you can ever be sure of the out come. There are many things we cannot control but what we can have some measure of control over is how well we do our work. Faith involves doing our best realizing God understands all things. We don't. We don't know which will succeed. Do not let your hands be idle. Try some things and if they don’t work try something else. Keep at it.
We gain by being diligent in the tasks and responsibilities that await us as gifts from God to use us. We plant the seed and after many days it will produce. A generous planting will give you generous yield. Heb. 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." God will reward your kindness, he will not forget if it is with an open heart, not a greedy one.
During the civil war a man on horseback was suddenly confronted by a sentry who demand at gunpoint that he give the password, "Lincoln" he confidently replied. A dead silence followed, for it wasn't the right word! Finally the guard solemnly said, "If I hadn't recognized you, I would have shot you because of your mistake. At the risk of my own life I am sparing yours. Go back and get the right word. Thanking the soldier warmly, the man rode away, then returned he said, "Massachusetts" That's right, you may pass now. "I will not pass until I've given you a message. At the risk of your life your spared mine, so I must ask you if you have the right password for Heaven?"
"Yes, I do" said the guard."
“What is it?" He asked.
"It is Jesus Christ."
"Where did you learn that?"
"In your Sunday School class long ago in Pennsylvania. You planted that seed of God's word in my life. “And although you didn't know it at the time, it bore fruit. So even though you didn't have the right password, I knew you were an honest man. That's' why I gave you a second chance."
Believer, are you daily sowing the good seed of the Word. Be confident that someday it will take root and spring up in sinners’ hearts. There is the harvest and it is sure.
Make friends everywhere and with all and you will have friends. Look for opportunities to spread the word and talents and time and generosity will be rewarded.
Jesus put it another way, Matt 10:42 "And if anyone give a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." A giving person is a growing person. Be diligent in your tasks and in your giving and God will be blessed as well as others.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 14, 2009
Verses- Eccl 11:8,9 However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.
9 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
Gaining by Responding to Opportunities
Being wise involves using good judgment. It is being aware of opportunities that help you and others. Solomon was looking for way sto enjoy the days God gives to him. But enjoyment doesn’t come living selfishly. Think about that which lasts. There will be good days and there will be bad days. That is life. Take the opportunities to plan and be willing to change those plans. Can you make those days count for something? Can you learn from the disaster and tragedies and difficulties and stresses?
I have a book on my shelf entitled, “Make your Illness Count” by Vernon Bittner. As a former hospital chaplain he dealt with very sick and dying people. Through many conversations comments would be repeated as to how unfair life is, or how the staff wasn’t doing their job to bring healing or help. But Bittner made it is goal for patients to evaluate their situation and seek the lessons that patience might teach them. Don’t waste this illness on bitterness and resentment. Learn about yourself and dealing with issues of emotional, spiritual and social areas. Life is so short and meaningless unless it has eternal value.
Since our life is so fleeting and brief God's given it for us to enjoy, but to enjoy it wisely with eternity in mind. Live it up, but remember the judgment of God. Live it up, but real enjoyment is not found in the things of this earth, but in the creator of them. Live it up, but let your enjoyment be that which is not sin or which will lead you away from your accountability before God. Rejoicing in the days God gives you but remember you'll be accountable for it there will be a judgment.
Chill out. Life is serious, it is not games and gluttony, but neither is it to be spent without enjoyment as long as it has its place and purpose in the whole picture. There will be dark days and there will be fun days. Do not let the dark days overshadow your enjoyment of them. Don't let your disappointment rob you of enjoying the days that you can enjoy.
We need to respond to the opportunities God gives to us. We don't know how God works He surprises us. I read the story of John Pound, a cobbler in England in the 1700s. During that time there were many street urchins who ran around like unfed rats. Small girls sick and homeless would be victims of child prostitution. One report claimed that out of 260 vagrant children in one area 27 had been in prison, 41 lived by begging, 20 never slept in a bed, 19 slept in flophouses, and every one of the 260 were physically, mentally, and morally degenerate. Although the population of the city at that time was 100,000 only 2,000 were able to afford school.
John Pound helped build England's fighting ships, but fell from mast and several broken bones. For 2 years lay in bed, and learned to walk again all healed crooked and deformed. He learned eventually to hobble with one crutch. He used this accident to learn a new trade as a cobbler.
Pound taught himself during those years in bed to read and accepted Jesus into his life when reading a Bible. While John's brother was out at sea his nephew was living with him. He was also crippled. John examined his nephew’s foot and made little pieces of leather and iron that corrected his ankle allowing him to walk. John began to teach his nephew to read and then some friends, kids left and forgotten, were included in his teaching time. Soon this became known as the Ragged School. He'd offer ‘Hot taters’ to eat and in time up to 40 kids from the streets were taught by this crippled and poor cobbler. In his lifetime John Pound rescued 500 children from streets and lead every one of them to Lord Jesus Christ, He had gift of holding their attention. He never accepted a penny for his teaching of 20 years.
When John Pound died his reputations of good was so well know that they started the Ragged School movement where missionaries volunteered to open ragged schools. Laws were passed to establish school for the poor as a memorial to John Pound within 90 years of his birth over 50 mission centers were started, 13 hostiles and training institutions for the poor and urchins of England.
John Pound was poor, crippled, and limited but looked for the opportunity around him to be used of God. He gave himself away. He was able to manifest fruit for the kingdom of God and the good of Britain.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 15
Verse- Eccl 11:10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.
Gaining by Giving Love
Solomon gives a reminder to youth. Youth is a great time; In the first third of your life your chose your faith, your vocation, your spouse. Youth can be an unpredictable time. Someone wrote:
"The youth today are rebellious, pleasure seeking, irresponsible they have no respect for their elders and spend their days in idleness and their nights pursuing sensual lusts. They have no respect for authority nor for the traditions of the past."
Who said it? Plato made that statement several hundred years before Christ. I am not so sure many adults of our society have gained anymore wisdom through the years. Even with all the Viagra ads on TV it seems seeking sensual pleasures and enjoying life is he whole goal of mankind. Youth openly wonder, if sexual arousal can result in sexual satisfaction why wait until marriage? If booze or drugs gives highs then what's wrong with it so long as nobody gets killed or hurt? If being under the authority of teachers or parents become too much of a hassle, then why not split and live on your own?
Elizabeth Jackson wrote a tract saying young people have always been restless and dissatisfied. Part of it is just growing up. What do young people really want from us as an older generation? “I'll tell you,” she writes, “they want first of all to be loved. Jesus looked a young man who came to Him asking some advice and asking some spiritual question, and the Bible says Jesus looked at him and loved him."
That's the reason so many popular songs of youth are about love which is so confused with sexual intimacy. Yet there is no better real love story than of one in the Bible whose love made him willing to die for youth and adults of all generations. Youth also want to be recognized as persons, as individuals. They want to be seen as different from their parents. They have their own aptitudes, own gifts that may be superior to parents. When it comes to spiritual things you can lead them just so far. When one is an adult God holds you responsible and you must make your own decisions concerning Jesus Christ. You cannot inherit your parent’s faith. Youth want to be trusted, and nothing is more provoking to teens than parents who do not trust them, but want acceptance, to be listened to, and to be forgiven.
There is one who accepts, loves and forgives us but that love must be returned. II Tim 2:22 "Flee also youthful lusts but follow righteousness, faith charity, peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." When we abuse bodies we pay for it later. Drugs, sex trust, scars cannot heal.
Give yourself away. Be generous, Be diligent, be wise, be loving. Jesus Christ said, Matt 16:24-26 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” That is gaining by giving ourselves away.
Pastor Dale
Theme: Gaining by Giving
Verses- Eccl ll:1,2 Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
Give portions to seven, yes to eight, for you do not know what disaster may come upon the land.
THE ART OF BREAD CASTING
It is said, a hog is good for nothing while he is alive. He cannot be ridden like a horse; he cannot be used to draw like the ox he does not provide clothing like the sheep or milk like the cow; he will not guard the house like a dog; He is good only for slaughter.
Some have likened people to a pig in a number of ways. A covetous rich man, just like the hog, does no good with his riches while he lives; when he is dead then his riches can be used. It seems a silly to hang on to that which we are going to lose eventually.
Albert Schweitzer was accomplished musician compose, physician and surgeon, author, theologian, educator but he lived his life in a small African Village working as a missionary in a humble clinic.
In a world that is bombarded with the messages of gaining and getting for yourself, there is a word from God that speaks softly, "Give yourself away." Without the promises of worldly success there is gain in losing.
Verse 1,2 talk about gaining by being generous. Some think casting your bread on the waters is a parable. In Egypt, farmers cast their seed into the rich foam of the Nile River valley while the land is flooded. Then as the water recedes, the grain springs up and in the few months produce a bountiful harvest. Some said it is like putting food in a bottle it and throwing it out in the sea. If you get stuck on a desert island a bottle will float and you will eventually benefit. If you help the needy, then you will be helped if you are needed.
You gain by giving. Being generous and helpful to others during times when you have something can be helpful when you will be in need yourself. Keep giving and it will produce results. Sow today what you will reap tomorrow. Some have said it may be more blessed to give than receive, but the average man is always willing to let the other fellow have the blessing.
One does not give indiscriminately. There are crooks and con artists. If you are generous enough you will be taken advantage of. However, that should not make someone stingy. For fear of being taken some people never give to help anyone.
I gave a man I did not know some money two days ago who claimed he was robbed and trying to get gas money to get home. This was not from the church benevolence but from my wallet. Was he lying? Was he telling the truth? That was up to the Lord. I didn’t give him a lot of money but neither did I agonize or fret over it. If he was helped I believe it was of the Lord. If I was taken then it was his problem, not mine.
Many ask about solicitations in the mail from well meaning ministries and important causes. I believe you should give your tithe first to the church. Then as you are able and desire further assistance, I do not give to charitable organizations unless I know Christian groups are members of Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. There should be note from ECFA with a little symbol or statement in their literature for they are willing to submit themselves to the rules and regularly of accepted accounting practices and within guidelines of who much can be spend on administrative expenses. Or give to a local board or organization that you know is run by people that you know or trust.
When Robert Tilton was exposed on 60 minutes on how his ministry would tear open envelopes to get the money and didn't even read the prayer requests. Recently there were many of the health and wealth and prosperity gospel preachers under investigation for tax fraud. The problem with such news is also that people reduce giving to churches and local groups that help people in our communities and over which we have more knowledge of their work. Unfortunately some people would rather not give to anything than be deceived in their giving.
Giving to the Lord is always the best way to be generous. As we approach our own annual meeting and budget presentation being accountable to the members and friends is something you don’t see on TV ministries. We agree how we want to give our money away. We set up committees and elect persons we trust to handle the gifts we receive.
Are you generous with the Lord? The lesson of generosity may be a lesson we must learn in patience. For after many days you will find it again sometimes in ways you least expect.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues May 12, 2009
Verses- Eccl 11:3-5 If clouds are full of water, they pour rain upon the earth. Whether a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where it falls, there will it lie.
4 Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.
Security in Insecure Times
Most churches will report these times are tough. Even though most people are working in many churches the giving is down. People will use their money to pay off bills, reduce debt, and save if they do lose their job. But what about the priority of giving to the Lord?
The principle of tithing was established in the Old Testament as 10% for rich or poor. It was a fair way to show that all we have belongs to God. It was a portion of who we are and what we do. It was an expression of faith to worship the God in whom we trust. We do not trust our riches but our Lord.
Solomon talks about the fact that the Lord, not humans, knows the future. There are principles we live by, but who can control the rain or if is time for a tree to fall on its own or not? How do we live in unsettled times?
The answer is to be faithful in what you are doing day by day. Do not worry about things over which you have no control. If someone is worried about the wind, then they will not plant. It is an excuse for laziness or anxiety to get in the way of faith and labor. If we are always thinking it will rain and don't do anything thinking that we might get wet, then you will never do anything. If worried about the clouds and not just going at it, you will never get to the job. There are some projects that I don't particularly like and when I say I'll do them sometimes when I have time on my hands, they never get done.
Incidentally this seems to be just another illustration of God's work within a womb. The sanctity of life and even a fetus is part of God's handiwork and with all the talk and the legislation about abortions and rights of mothers to their own bodies and can do what they want, the Bible says we are not our own, we belong to the Lord. It is a national social problem when tax money or proposed national health care funds can go to perform abortions which kill unborn and rates are rising. Abortion should be concern for all Christians. Who can explain the one who is formed in the womb, so you cannot understand the work of God? Who is the maker of all things?
Solomon preaches that only God who made the body and created you and me knows our end and how our days are numbered. So live today for him in labor and love, not laziness and anxiety. Continue to bless as you have been blessed. Trust the Lord with your riches, not the government.
Anita Belmont said, "There aren't any rules for success that work unless you do. Yet there is no disgrace in failing. It is a disgrace to do less than your best to keep from failing."
I didn’t get the name of the poet who wrote a interesting piece-
"Master where shall I work today?" and my love flowed warm and free;
and He pointed out a tiny plot, and He said, "Tend that for me".
But I answered quickly, "Oh, no, not there; not anyone could see.
No matter how well my task was done, Not that little place for me".
And His voice, when He spoke, was not stern, but He answered me tenderly,
"Disciple, search that heart of thine: Are you working for them or for me? Nazareth was just a little place, and so was Galilee."
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds May 13, 2009
Verses: Eccl 11: 6,7 Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.
Light is sweet, and it pleases the eyes to see the sun.
Gaining by Living Diligently
Giving is possible because we have something to give. All that we receive is a gift from above. But partly those blessings come through our work. Good work is rewarded with the fruit of our labor, whether it be by a paycheck or good crops. Living diligently is facing the tasks regularly and faithfully until they are accomplished.
Farmers wouldn't get far if they always waited for perfect days to do their field work or work at the most convenient times. Get at your tasks. Keep at it. Set goals. Pray about them. Be diligent whether or not you can ever be sure of the out come. There are many things we cannot control but what we can have some measure of control over is how well we do our work. Faith involves doing our best realizing God understands all things. We don't. We don't know which will succeed. Do not let your hands be idle. Try some things and if they don’t work try something else. Keep at it.
We gain by being diligent in the tasks and responsibilities that await us as gifts from God to use us. We plant the seed and after many days it will produce. A generous planting will give you generous yield. Heb. 6:10 says, "God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them." God will reward your kindness, he will not forget if it is with an open heart, not a greedy one.
During the civil war a man on horseback was suddenly confronted by a sentry who demand at gunpoint that he give the password, "Lincoln" he confidently replied. A dead silence followed, for it wasn't the right word! Finally the guard solemnly said, "If I hadn't recognized you, I would have shot you because of your mistake. At the risk of my own life I am sparing yours. Go back and get the right word. Thanking the soldier warmly, the man rode away, then returned he said, "Massachusetts" That's right, you may pass now. "I will not pass until I've given you a message. At the risk of your life your spared mine, so I must ask you if you have the right password for Heaven?"
"Yes, I do" said the guard."
“What is it?" He asked.
"It is Jesus Christ."
"Where did you learn that?"
"In your Sunday School class long ago in Pennsylvania. You planted that seed of God's word in my life. “And although you didn't know it at the time, it bore fruit. So even though you didn't have the right password, I knew you were an honest man. That's' why I gave you a second chance."
Believer, are you daily sowing the good seed of the Word. Be confident that someday it will take root and spring up in sinners’ hearts. There is the harvest and it is sure.
Make friends everywhere and with all and you will have friends. Look for opportunities to spread the word and talents and time and generosity will be rewarded.
Jesus put it another way, Matt 10:42 "And if anyone give a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." A giving person is a growing person. Be diligent in your tasks and in your giving and God will be blessed as well as others.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 14, 2009
Verses- Eccl 11:8,9 However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.
9 Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment.
Gaining by Responding to Opportunities
Being wise involves using good judgment. It is being aware of opportunities that help you and others. Solomon was looking for way sto enjoy the days God gives to him. But enjoyment doesn’t come living selfishly. Think about that which lasts. There will be good days and there will be bad days. That is life. Take the opportunities to plan and be willing to change those plans. Can you make those days count for something? Can you learn from the disaster and tragedies and difficulties and stresses?
I have a book on my shelf entitled, “Make your Illness Count” by Vernon Bittner. As a former hospital chaplain he dealt with very sick and dying people. Through many conversations comments would be repeated as to how unfair life is, or how the staff wasn’t doing their job to bring healing or help. But Bittner made it is goal for patients to evaluate their situation and seek the lessons that patience might teach them. Don’t waste this illness on bitterness and resentment. Learn about yourself and dealing with issues of emotional, spiritual and social areas. Life is so short and meaningless unless it has eternal value.
Since our life is so fleeting and brief God's given it for us to enjoy, but to enjoy it wisely with eternity in mind. Live it up, but remember the judgment of God. Live it up, but real enjoyment is not found in the things of this earth, but in the creator of them. Live it up, but let your enjoyment be that which is not sin or which will lead you away from your accountability before God. Rejoicing in the days God gives you but remember you'll be accountable for it there will be a judgment.
Chill out. Life is serious, it is not games and gluttony, but neither is it to be spent without enjoyment as long as it has its place and purpose in the whole picture. There will be dark days and there will be fun days. Do not let the dark days overshadow your enjoyment of them. Don't let your disappointment rob you of enjoying the days that you can enjoy.
We need to respond to the opportunities God gives to us. We don't know how God works He surprises us. I read the story of John Pound, a cobbler in England in the 1700s. During that time there were many street urchins who ran around like unfed rats. Small girls sick and homeless would be victims of child prostitution. One report claimed that out of 260 vagrant children in one area 27 had been in prison, 41 lived by begging, 20 never slept in a bed, 19 slept in flophouses, and every one of the 260 were physically, mentally, and morally degenerate. Although the population of the city at that time was 100,000 only 2,000 were able to afford school.
John Pound helped build England's fighting ships, but fell from mast and several broken bones. For 2 years lay in bed, and learned to walk again all healed crooked and deformed. He learned eventually to hobble with one crutch. He used this accident to learn a new trade as a cobbler.
Pound taught himself during those years in bed to read and accepted Jesus into his life when reading a Bible. While John's brother was out at sea his nephew was living with him. He was also crippled. John examined his nephew’s foot and made little pieces of leather and iron that corrected his ankle allowing him to walk. John began to teach his nephew to read and then some friends, kids left and forgotten, were included in his teaching time. Soon this became known as the Ragged School. He'd offer ‘Hot taters’ to eat and in time up to 40 kids from the streets were taught by this crippled and poor cobbler. In his lifetime John Pound rescued 500 children from streets and lead every one of them to Lord Jesus Christ, He had gift of holding their attention. He never accepted a penny for his teaching of 20 years.
When John Pound died his reputations of good was so well know that they started the Ragged School movement where missionaries volunteered to open ragged schools. Laws were passed to establish school for the poor as a memorial to John Pound within 90 years of his birth over 50 mission centers were started, 13 hostiles and training institutions for the poor and urchins of England.
John Pound was poor, crippled, and limited but looked for the opportunity around him to be used of God. He gave himself away. He was able to manifest fruit for the kingdom of God and the good of Britain.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 15
Verse- Eccl 11:10 So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.
Gaining by Giving Love
Solomon gives a reminder to youth. Youth is a great time; In the first third of your life your chose your faith, your vocation, your spouse. Youth can be an unpredictable time. Someone wrote:
"The youth today are rebellious, pleasure seeking, irresponsible they have no respect for their elders and spend their days in idleness and their nights pursuing sensual lusts. They have no respect for authority nor for the traditions of the past."
Who said it? Plato made that statement several hundred years before Christ. I am not so sure many adults of our society have gained anymore wisdom through the years. Even with all the Viagra ads on TV it seems seeking sensual pleasures and enjoying life is he whole goal of mankind. Youth openly wonder, if sexual arousal can result in sexual satisfaction why wait until marriage? If booze or drugs gives highs then what's wrong with it so long as nobody gets killed or hurt? If being under the authority of teachers or parents become too much of a hassle, then why not split and live on your own?
Elizabeth Jackson wrote a tract saying young people have always been restless and dissatisfied. Part of it is just growing up. What do young people really want from us as an older generation? “I'll tell you,” she writes, “they want first of all to be loved. Jesus looked a young man who came to Him asking some advice and asking some spiritual question, and the Bible says Jesus looked at him and loved him."
That's the reason so many popular songs of youth are about love which is so confused with sexual intimacy. Yet there is no better real love story than of one in the Bible whose love made him willing to die for youth and adults of all generations. Youth also want to be recognized as persons, as individuals. They want to be seen as different from their parents. They have their own aptitudes, own gifts that may be superior to parents. When it comes to spiritual things you can lead them just so far. When one is an adult God holds you responsible and you must make your own decisions concerning Jesus Christ. You cannot inherit your parent’s faith. Youth want to be trusted, and nothing is more provoking to teens than parents who do not trust them, but want acceptance, to be listened to, and to be forgiven.
There is one who accepts, loves and forgives us but that love must be returned. II Tim 2:22 "Flee also youthful lusts but follow righteousness, faith charity, peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." When we abuse bodies we pay for it later. Drugs, sex trust, scars cannot heal.
Give yourself away. Be generous, Be diligent, be wise, be loving. Jesus Christ said, Matt 16:24-26 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” That is gaining by giving ourselves away.
Pastor Dale
Friday, May 8, 2009
Foolish Words Ecclesiastes 10 Part 2
Sermon Nuggets week of May 4 2009 Eccl 10 part 2
Sermon Nuggets Mon May 4, 2009
Theme Foolish Words
Verses Eccl 10:12-15
12 Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
13 At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--
14 and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell him what will happen after him?
15 A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.
Foolish Words
Last week, in part one on Ecclesiastes 10, we looked at Foolish Ways. The choices we make can be wise or foolish when we neglect to make decisions based on the word and wisdom from God. Impulsive actions can result in things we may regret later. Looking for pride, power, or prestige is valued in our world, but foolish when we find them all fleeting and fluff. That s not always the way of the Lord. Carelessness is experienced by all. But Solomon shows how carelessness is foolish when we don’t take regard to what we are doing, or how our actions affect ourselves or others by inattentiveness.
This week we will continue to look at portions of the chapter than deserve special attention. Beware of foolish words. How foolish it is when we have unguarded tongues. How often do we wish we could take back what was said? James tells us that no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. James 3:8-9
Foolish words can be more than what comes through our lips. Increasingly communication is done by email, tweetering, Facebook, MySpace, texting and the such. Many people are devastated by words they read from one another in various forms.
Years ago poet Anna Dryer wrote, "Twas only a word, a careless word, but it smote the heart of one that heard.
Like a fierce relentless blow; the day seemed overcast with gloom.
The sweetest songs seemed out of tune; the fires of hope burned low.
'Twas only a word, a loving word, but a weary, sorrowing heart was stirred.
And life took brighter hue; and faith triumphant, pruned her wing.
Discouraged souls began to sin and the hope revived anew.
Only a word, yet what power it hold to better or to mar the lives of those who hear.
What power for good -for evil too! Oh may our words be good and true and spoken in God's fear."
This week (and more) make it your prayer like King David, “
Ps 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues May 5, 2009
Verses- Eccl 10:12-15
12 Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
13 At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--
Destructive Words
In many ways words expose what is in our hearts. Jealousy, competition, contempt may be what we feel. But our jibs and put downs toward others reveal it is foolish to talk in destructive ways about another. It too often comes back at us.
Gossip is destructive. It is not gracious. In Hebrew poetry and proverbs we see contrasting statements to make a point. The opposite of graciousness would be unkind. Instead of speaking kindly to another it is foolish to speak in unkind ways.
In Colossians we are told to let your speech be seasoned with salt meaning speech can also be attractive and effective and be persuasive for good. It was Abraham Lincoln who said, "It is better to remain silent and let people think you are a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt. "
I was speaking to a pastor recently who was the victim of gossip. Some one in his church did not agree with how he was running a particular program. Instead of speaking to him directly and discussing her concerns in a gracious and kind manner she talked to others and say destructive things about him. Foolishness grew as people passed on this gossip. Now people started to take sides to support the pastor and those who supported this woman who was their friend. It lead to confrontation that could have been avoided. Unfortunately many people were affected by her foolish words.
The words we speak do damage and one of the most destructive ways is to gossip. The apostle Paul was planning to come to Corinth since there were many divisions among the church. He addressed the root of much of the problem when he said, “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” 2 Cor 12:20 Those are destructive and unkind words. When those words are spoken it grows instead of diminishes. A person may begin with foolishness and it continues to absolute madness.
Lies can be that way. They can begin with just a little white lie and escalate into death and destruction. It can be something so small and grow into something so horrible. Rumors can begin with just a little spicy information and in the tongues of fools devastate people and families. More damage is done by Christians by churches through vicious gossip and muttering tongues than any doctrinal heresy or financial or moral scandals. I have worked with young people that have completely turned away from the church because of the critical words they hear at home, they hear words against the preacher, against the leaders, against he programs against, the Sunday School teachers, against everything, and then parents later wonder why kids don't want to come to church.
Rev. 12:10 says the devil is the accuser of the brethren. We are guilty of doing the devils work by accusing other unjustly.
Watch your words today and see how often you might be tempted to put someone else down by your words. Catch yourself when gossip is spoken and let the Holy Spirit season your talk with that which is gracious and kind.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds May 6
Verses- Ecc.10 14 and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell him what will happen after him?
15 A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.
Hot Air
I know it was wrong, but my brother and I would make jokes of an aunt who talked so much and so fast we would watch to see if we see if she took a breath. She'd be talking and we'd be giggling. She never knew what she was saying some of the time when she got going. We called it diarrhea of the mouth.
Sometimes we call someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about “full of hot air”. There isn’t anything to it and it flies away and it gone. One of the foolishness of words is that there are so many of them. Some people are incessant takers. George Elliot said "Blessed is the man who having nothing to say abstains from giving wordy evidences of that fact. Another said, “Don't use a gallon of words to express a spoonful of thought.”
Now I am aware that preachers can be faulted in this area. One lady admired the affection showed between a pastor and his wife. She noticed at the beginning of a sermon she sweetly blew her husband a kiss. Finally she remarked to the pastor and his wife about the thoughtfulness they demonstrated. Then the wife piped up and said, “KISS stands for Keep it Short, Stupid.”
Hot Air can also illustrate ignorance. Now there is nothing wrong with someone who doesn't know something and is able to learn in the process. Likewise it isn’t foolishness to be misinformed and willing to change. But there are people who come out like authorities on just about every subject and display an impressive amount of ignorance. In fact Solomon says teasingly, they probably can't find their own way home back into town. Some of that may be an excuse for laziness which we will address tomorrow, but hot air is talk that is better to be without.
You know people who think they know absolutely everything about everything. (They irritate those of us who really do.) You just give them a subject and they will pontificate. They are more concerned to hear themselves talk. It doesn't make any difference who they are with. They think nobody knows as much as they do about it. An exciting evening for them is when they can monopolize the whole conversation and when it is someone else's turn to talk, they leave, or change the subject, or demonstrate they aren't listening to you. I remember visiting with another pastor. He was talking about some passage from the Bible that supported his position. But I started to bring up an objection based on the context of the passage. He tuned me out entirely and changed the subject. After finding out I worked for nursing homes, he began to explain all that was wrong with nursing homes because he had done chapel services 4 times a year in a nursing home. Even though I wrote a booklet on visiting and volunteering in nursing homes had been a chaplain for 4 years in three different homes, he wanted to tell me how it really is in long term care work and how I should have done my job for the greatest effectiveness. After a while I kept quiet as he went on about politics, about music, about philosophy, about cars, about Baptists, about education, about any topic that came up whether or not he had his facts right. He was a fool.
Unfortunately one of the occupational hazards about being a pastor is that people expect you to know everything about all subjects. The temptation is to believe it for oneself. There is nothing wrong for anyone to say, “I don’t know.” Or “I’ll get back to you on that.” Or after a while people just stop listening. They know better.
When you find people no longer listening to you, take the hint. It may be you have nothing significant or new to say, or you are wasting your time on someone who thinks she/he has all the answers. Either way, there is probably foolishness going on somewhere.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 7, 2009
Verses- Eccl 10:18-20
18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
Excuses
Call it what you will. Rationalizations, excuses, little white lies. All of them are different of course, but words often are used in crafty ways to excuse foolish, sinful, or lazy ways. That is not to say of course there are legitimate excuses as to why or why not we do some things. IF we are sick we excuse ourselves from school or work for good reason. If we are not wanting to go to work or school it can be convenient to come up with reasons that are pretty lame.
Solomon identifies a lazy person who comes up with foolish words to excuse him from work. They convince themselves and others why some projects do not get completed. Their roof can cave in but its because of poor lumber, or too much snow, or shingles are too expensive, or too busy to get at it. And the lazy man never gets around to fixing the leak and things get worse. He'd much rather feast and drink and make merry and talk. And if you get to hear his philosophy in the parties he'll tell you the problem is we need more money- then all the problems if life will be solved. The advice with much talk is less taxes, better pay, more work. Yet talk can become an excuse for not getting things done.
Our words can be light and frivolous to cover up needed confrontation. We can excuse ourselves of habits that need to be faced. I come up with lots of foolish words as to why I cannot lose weight. I love to blame it on my Mother who taught me to clean my plate because there are starving children in China who would be glad to have the food I am wasting. So as a proud members of the clean plate club to do my part for the starving children in China I clean my plate and everyone else’s in the family.
Maybe a good illustration of foolish excuses can be illustrated by this example- Pastor Quits Sports:Ten Reasons Why a Clergyman Stopped Attending Athletic Contests
1. Every time I went, they asked me for money.2. The people with whom I had to sit didn't seem very friendly.3. The seats were too hard and not comfortable.4. The coach never came to call on me.5. The referee made a decision with which I could not agree.6. I was sitting with some hypocrites -- they came only to see what others were wearing.7. Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.8. The band played some numbers that I had never heard before.9. My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.10. Since I read a book on sports, I feel that I know more than the coaches anyhow.On the bottom of the page was this one line postscript: "With apologies to those who use these same excuses for not coming to church."
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 8, 2009
Verses- Eccl 10:20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
Secrets
One lady was pumping me about information concerning another person. It was not something I should share. Finally I said, “Can you keep a secret”. “Oh yes”, she said expectantly. I responded, “So can I and this is one of them.”
Foolishly we say things we shouldn’t. It may not be gossip, but it isn’t in the best interests of others to share what should not be shared or repeat what should not be repeated. It is a hard lesson to learn especially when we think others appreciate us more when we tell them secrets.
Our words get repeated. It is interesting that when you say something in the privacy of your own room about someone somehow that story gets out and soon is thrown back into your face.
Beware, the writer says, because a little bird may tell everything that you are saying. Presidents and Kings try as they may, they cannot stop leaks of confidential information and conversations. In Washington it becomes a game as to who can leak information to the press first. In fact sometimes people will purposely whisper things to see what public reaction is before they official adopt the plan.
Walter Trobish in his book entitled, “I married You.” Told of a counseling situation he had on the phone with a lady about her boy friend. She was making derogatory remarks and some of his actions surprised Walter. Trobish made a comment of his own that was unkind about her boyfriend agreeing with her and continued with the session. Moments later he received a phone call from this girl's boyfriend, who was greatly offended over his comment. For he was taping all her phone conversations and everything that was said. He apologized and thought again, every negatives remarks about someone is prayers to the devil.
When it comes to words we wish we never said all of us our guilty. I wish I could take back things I said. I wish I could learn forever the lessons of being quiet instead of speaking up. And then there are times when I know I should have spoken up and remained silent. God has given to us the great experience of communication. Like everything else we can abuse it or use it for God's glory.
People have been hurt when they have overheard unkind remarks. There is folly in words.
One poet said,
“A careless word may kindle strife. A cruel word may wreck a life;
A bitter word may hate instill, A brutal word may smite and kill.
A gracious word may smooth the way; a joyous word may light the day;
A timely word may lessons stress, a loving word may heal and bless.”
When it comes to folly, Solomon cautions us, Christ command us, be careful what you say. You words matter to others and to God.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Mon May 4, 2009
Theme Foolish Words
Verses Eccl 10:12-15
12 Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
13 At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--
14 and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell him what will happen after him?
15 A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.
Foolish Words
Last week, in part one on Ecclesiastes 10, we looked at Foolish Ways. The choices we make can be wise or foolish when we neglect to make decisions based on the word and wisdom from God. Impulsive actions can result in things we may regret later. Looking for pride, power, or prestige is valued in our world, but foolish when we find them all fleeting and fluff. That s not always the way of the Lord. Carelessness is experienced by all. But Solomon shows how carelessness is foolish when we don’t take regard to what we are doing, or how our actions affect ourselves or others by inattentiveness.
This week we will continue to look at portions of the chapter than deserve special attention. Beware of foolish words. How foolish it is when we have unguarded tongues. How often do we wish we could take back what was said? James tells us that no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. James 3:8-9
Foolish words can be more than what comes through our lips. Increasingly communication is done by email, tweetering, Facebook, MySpace, texting and the such. Many people are devastated by words they read from one another in various forms.
Years ago poet Anna Dryer wrote, "Twas only a word, a careless word, but it smote the heart of one that heard.
Like a fierce relentless blow; the day seemed overcast with gloom.
The sweetest songs seemed out of tune; the fires of hope burned low.
'Twas only a word, a loving word, but a weary, sorrowing heart was stirred.
And life took brighter hue; and faith triumphant, pruned her wing.
Discouraged souls began to sin and the hope revived anew.
Only a word, yet what power it hold to better or to mar the lives of those who hear.
What power for good -for evil too! Oh may our words be good and true and spoken in God's fear."
This week (and more) make it your prayer like King David, “
Ps 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues May 5, 2009
Verses- Eccl 10:12-15
12 Words from a wise man's mouth are gracious, but a fool is consumed by his own lips.
13 At the beginning his words are folly; at the end they are wicked madness--
Destructive Words
In many ways words expose what is in our hearts. Jealousy, competition, contempt may be what we feel. But our jibs and put downs toward others reveal it is foolish to talk in destructive ways about another. It too often comes back at us.
Gossip is destructive. It is not gracious. In Hebrew poetry and proverbs we see contrasting statements to make a point. The opposite of graciousness would be unkind. Instead of speaking kindly to another it is foolish to speak in unkind ways.
In Colossians we are told to let your speech be seasoned with salt meaning speech can also be attractive and effective and be persuasive for good. It was Abraham Lincoln who said, "It is better to remain silent and let people think you are a fool, than open your mouth and remove all doubt. "
I was speaking to a pastor recently who was the victim of gossip. Some one in his church did not agree with how he was running a particular program. Instead of speaking to him directly and discussing her concerns in a gracious and kind manner she talked to others and say destructive things about him. Foolishness grew as people passed on this gossip. Now people started to take sides to support the pastor and those who supported this woman who was their friend. It lead to confrontation that could have been avoided. Unfortunately many people were affected by her foolish words.
The words we speak do damage and one of the most destructive ways is to gossip. The apostle Paul was planning to come to Corinth since there were many divisions among the church. He addressed the root of much of the problem when he said, “For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.” 2 Cor 12:20 Those are destructive and unkind words. When those words are spoken it grows instead of diminishes. A person may begin with foolishness and it continues to absolute madness.
Lies can be that way. They can begin with just a little white lie and escalate into death and destruction. It can be something so small and grow into something so horrible. Rumors can begin with just a little spicy information and in the tongues of fools devastate people and families. More damage is done by Christians by churches through vicious gossip and muttering tongues than any doctrinal heresy or financial or moral scandals. I have worked with young people that have completely turned away from the church because of the critical words they hear at home, they hear words against the preacher, against the leaders, against he programs against, the Sunday School teachers, against everything, and then parents later wonder why kids don't want to come to church.
Rev. 12:10 says the devil is the accuser of the brethren. We are guilty of doing the devils work by accusing other unjustly.
Watch your words today and see how often you might be tempted to put someone else down by your words. Catch yourself when gossip is spoken and let the Holy Spirit season your talk with that which is gracious and kind.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds May 6
Verses- Ecc.10 14 and the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming-- who can tell him what will happen after him?
15 A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town.
Hot Air
I know it was wrong, but my brother and I would make jokes of an aunt who talked so much and so fast we would watch to see if we see if she took a breath. She'd be talking and we'd be giggling. She never knew what she was saying some of the time when she got going. We called it diarrhea of the mouth.
Sometimes we call someone who doesn’t know what they are talking about “full of hot air”. There isn’t anything to it and it flies away and it gone. One of the foolishness of words is that there are so many of them. Some people are incessant takers. George Elliot said "Blessed is the man who having nothing to say abstains from giving wordy evidences of that fact. Another said, “Don't use a gallon of words to express a spoonful of thought.”
Now I am aware that preachers can be faulted in this area. One lady admired the affection showed between a pastor and his wife. She noticed at the beginning of a sermon she sweetly blew her husband a kiss. Finally she remarked to the pastor and his wife about the thoughtfulness they demonstrated. Then the wife piped up and said, “KISS stands for Keep it Short, Stupid.”
Hot Air can also illustrate ignorance. Now there is nothing wrong with someone who doesn't know something and is able to learn in the process. Likewise it isn’t foolishness to be misinformed and willing to change. But there are people who come out like authorities on just about every subject and display an impressive amount of ignorance. In fact Solomon says teasingly, they probably can't find their own way home back into town. Some of that may be an excuse for laziness which we will address tomorrow, but hot air is talk that is better to be without.
You know people who think they know absolutely everything about everything. (They irritate those of us who really do.) You just give them a subject and they will pontificate. They are more concerned to hear themselves talk. It doesn't make any difference who they are with. They think nobody knows as much as they do about it. An exciting evening for them is when they can monopolize the whole conversation and when it is someone else's turn to talk, they leave, or change the subject, or demonstrate they aren't listening to you. I remember visiting with another pastor. He was talking about some passage from the Bible that supported his position. But I started to bring up an objection based on the context of the passage. He tuned me out entirely and changed the subject. After finding out I worked for nursing homes, he began to explain all that was wrong with nursing homes because he had done chapel services 4 times a year in a nursing home. Even though I wrote a booklet on visiting and volunteering in nursing homes had been a chaplain for 4 years in three different homes, he wanted to tell me how it really is in long term care work and how I should have done my job for the greatest effectiveness. After a while I kept quiet as he went on about politics, about music, about philosophy, about cars, about Baptists, about education, about any topic that came up whether or not he had his facts right. He was a fool.
Unfortunately one of the occupational hazards about being a pastor is that people expect you to know everything about all subjects. The temptation is to believe it for oneself. There is nothing wrong for anyone to say, “I don’t know.” Or “I’ll get back to you on that.” Or after a while people just stop listening. They know better.
When you find people no longer listening to you, take the hint. It may be you have nothing significant or new to say, or you are wasting your time on someone who thinks she/he has all the answers. Either way, there is probably foolishness going on somewhere.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Thurs May 7, 2009
Verses- Eccl 10:18-20
18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.
19 A feast is made for laughter, and wine makes life merry, but money is the answer for everything.
20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
Excuses
Call it what you will. Rationalizations, excuses, little white lies. All of them are different of course, but words often are used in crafty ways to excuse foolish, sinful, or lazy ways. That is not to say of course there are legitimate excuses as to why or why not we do some things. IF we are sick we excuse ourselves from school or work for good reason. If we are not wanting to go to work or school it can be convenient to come up with reasons that are pretty lame.
Solomon identifies a lazy person who comes up with foolish words to excuse him from work. They convince themselves and others why some projects do not get completed. Their roof can cave in but its because of poor lumber, or too much snow, or shingles are too expensive, or too busy to get at it. And the lazy man never gets around to fixing the leak and things get worse. He'd much rather feast and drink and make merry and talk. And if you get to hear his philosophy in the parties he'll tell you the problem is we need more money- then all the problems if life will be solved. The advice with much talk is less taxes, better pay, more work. Yet talk can become an excuse for not getting things done.
Our words can be light and frivolous to cover up needed confrontation. We can excuse ourselves of habits that need to be faced. I come up with lots of foolish words as to why I cannot lose weight. I love to blame it on my Mother who taught me to clean my plate because there are starving children in China who would be glad to have the food I am wasting. So as a proud members of the clean plate club to do my part for the starving children in China I clean my plate and everyone else’s in the family.
Maybe a good illustration of foolish excuses can be illustrated by this example- Pastor Quits Sports:Ten Reasons Why a Clergyman Stopped Attending Athletic Contests
1. Every time I went, they asked me for money.2. The people with whom I had to sit didn't seem very friendly.3. The seats were too hard and not comfortable.4. The coach never came to call on me.5. The referee made a decision with which I could not agree.6. I was sitting with some hypocrites -- they came only to see what others were wearing.7. Some games went into overtime, and I was late getting home.8. The band played some numbers that I had never heard before.9. My parents took me to too many games when I was growing up.10. Since I read a book on sports, I feel that I know more than the coaches anyhow.On the bottom of the page was this one line postscript: "With apologies to those who use these same excuses for not coming to church."
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 8, 2009
Verses- Eccl 10:20 Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
Secrets
One lady was pumping me about information concerning another person. It was not something I should share. Finally I said, “Can you keep a secret”. “Oh yes”, she said expectantly. I responded, “So can I and this is one of them.”
Foolishly we say things we shouldn’t. It may not be gossip, but it isn’t in the best interests of others to share what should not be shared or repeat what should not be repeated. It is a hard lesson to learn especially when we think others appreciate us more when we tell them secrets.
Our words get repeated. It is interesting that when you say something in the privacy of your own room about someone somehow that story gets out and soon is thrown back into your face.
Beware, the writer says, because a little bird may tell everything that you are saying. Presidents and Kings try as they may, they cannot stop leaks of confidential information and conversations. In Washington it becomes a game as to who can leak information to the press first. In fact sometimes people will purposely whisper things to see what public reaction is before they official adopt the plan.
Walter Trobish in his book entitled, “I married You.” Told of a counseling situation he had on the phone with a lady about her boy friend. She was making derogatory remarks and some of his actions surprised Walter. Trobish made a comment of his own that was unkind about her boyfriend agreeing with her and continued with the session. Moments later he received a phone call from this girl's boyfriend, who was greatly offended over his comment. For he was taping all her phone conversations and everything that was said. He apologized and thought again, every negatives remarks about someone is prayers to the devil.
When it comes to words we wish we never said all of us our guilty. I wish I could take back things I said. I wish I could learn forever the lessons of being quiet instead of speaking up. And then there are times when I know I should have spoken up and remained silent. God has given to us the great experience of communication. Like everything else we can abuse it or use it for God's glory.
People have been hurt when they have overheard unkind remarks. There is folly in words.
One poet said,
“A careless word may kindle strife. A cruel word may wreck a life;
A bitter word may hate instill, A brutal word may smite and kill.
A gracious word may smooth the way; a joyous word may light the day;
A timely word may lessons stress, a loving word may heal and bless.”
When it comes to folly, Solomon cautions us, Christ command us, be careful what you say. You words matter to others and to God.
Pastor Dale
Friday, May 1, 2009
Foolish Ways Ecclesiastes 10 part 1
Sermon Nuggets Week of April 27 Ecc 10
Sermon Nuggets Mon April 27
Theme- Foolish Ways
Verse Eccl 10:1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Foolish Ways
A Jackdaw is member of the crow family in Europe. As for its name, it comes from an old English word that was used to ridicule foolishness, thievery and overly talkative people. The bird lives up to it's reputation. On the ground it walks with a jerky, swaggering strut. In flight, it often looks as though it is engaging in aerial displays. In the evening around roosting time, it loves being part of a noisy crowd. Beyond that, this little fellow is known for picking up and hiding brightly colored objects. The jackdaw's flair for showy living is matched only by it's indiscretions. Once fire fighters had to put out a blaze in the top of a high tree that started when a jackdaw picked up a "brightly" tipped cigarette and dropped his red- hot prize into his nest.
Some people have a similar zest for life. Their love of a practical joke and good laugh makes them the highlight parties. But their strength can also be their weakness. Just as serious-minded people often lack spontaneity and fun, so these happy-go-lucky individuals often come up short on spiritual discernment. They may be well meaning, but they can start fires of irritations in their own home by being overly foolish rather than sensitive to the feelings of others. As one person put it "As wise man is like a pin: his head keeps him from going too far."
As we look at the 10th chapter of Ecclesiastes we see many proverbs. Solomon is the author of the book of Proverbs. Here he talks about wisdom and foolishness. Like the jackdaw, some people tend to be foolish in action and in word. I've heard the very unkind poem quoted by some woman that says, "Women have many faults that true, and some of them have quite a few; We're told men's faults are but two; Everything they say and everything they do."
Perhaps that is a bit overstated, but those are the major areas of folly for us all, the things we say and the things we do. We take a wise look at our actions and how they affect others. Next week we will relook at some verses and discuss the foolishness that can come from our words.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues April 28, 2009
Verses 1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
3 Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
Foolish Choices
Foolishness damages a good reputation. A dead fly causes perfume to stink. A small mistake can outweigh much wisdom and honor. One foolish act can ruin a person of high position and wisdom.
I watched the news last night about Christopher Anderson pleading guilty in Anoka County Circuit Court for the June 2008 crash that killed artist Jeff Hettwer and injured two others. He was drunk. A foolish choice of drinking and driving has devastated at least two families for the rest of their lives. His 365 day sentence is to be served over 5 years for 2 months at a time so he will long remember the consequences for his foolish decision.
I wonder if President Clinton wouldn’t havewished he could relive his choice to get involved in Monica Lewinski?How many times a moment of flirtation leads a couple to adultery and the break up of marriages that were not wanted or intended? There are opportunities each day when wrong choices are before us. Satan delights in our failures and foolishness.
Folly causes more trouble than wisdom can cause good. I wonder how often people wished they could relive one moment that changed their lives. How David wishes there was no Bathsheba, if Samson did not tell Delilah his secret, if Ananias and Sapphira did not tell the lie about selling their property and giving it to the church, how Nixon wishes there was no Watergate, how one man impulsively stole just a little money from a company with full intention of paying it back, only to discover they were caught doing it. A little folly can damage wisdom and ruin lives.
Temptation creeps into our thinking saying, "just a little bit won't hurt, Just this once is o.k., It's only a few. A little white lie won't hurt." And soon like the snake that moves so slowly it strikes and bites us and we are never the same and curse the folly that causes ruin. Beware of the little folly.
Foolishness also moves people to wrong choices. v2,3 With all respect to left handed people the use of the wise on the right hand the fool on the left is a figurative expression, and not political ideology. (Do with that as you wish.) Since most were right handed, the custom of shaking right hands was to show there were no weapon, knives, or danger in the hands of the opponent. They were open handed and so shaking right hands was a sign of peace. A left handed person could still cause damage for in it a person may have a weapon. Left handed can imply evil intent.
One neighbor told me of a dog who never learns to leave porcupines alone and foolishly gets hurt. If the wisdom of the Bible tells you to do obey it is foolish to disobey. The Bible contrasts the narrow road and broad road. Most make choices that go along with the crowd and miss the wisdom that comes from above. Fools follow the crowds. Wise people discern what is right. They follow truth. They seek the ways of the Lord.
It troubles me to see people making decisions that you know will hurt them and others because it is sinful. It seems they are the ones blind to it. Can you be convinced that the ways of the world will lead to destruction? Beware.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds April 29, 2009
Verses- Eccl. 10:4 If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.
Foolishness of Impulsiveness
This passage talks about a fool who is a boss or master. It certainly is not uncommon that people in authority are not the best qualified. But Solomon also talks about how to address those who are in authority over you and the wise way to respond. It is best to be calm, be self controlled and be patient. It is foolish to be impulsive, respond in anger and seek revenge.
It is not wise to run from troubles, but be able to face them. Not to hide from consequences of actions, and even if your boss or the person in authority is angry, your calmness and easy spirit can ease tensions and lay aside many errors. Don't make things worse.
When mistakes come, and they will to all, face them openly, honestly and calmly and you will be better off than quitting your job because you've had your feelings hurt. No problem is ever solved by running from it.
There are ministers I know that move every 2-3 years in their pastorate. That doesn’t seem as common as it used to be when I left seminary. But I have a friend who as soon as trouble came, he looked for another church. The longest he stayed anywhere was almost 6 years. The least amount of time was 2 years. He did not handle conflict very well. But he also missed the chance of growing or learning from those experiences. Folly is seen in impulsive behavior.
Anger can lead us to impulsive acts that are not thought out. Road rage is a perfect example of anger that has given over to impulsive acts of aggression and exchange of words that quickly escalate. A soft word, ignoring the agitator, and in need be, call 911 or drive to a safe place is a plan that is predetermined than impulsive anger and the results are better for all. Before you say a word in anger, wait a bit and think about what you really want to say and when it is best to say it.
Pleasure can lead us to impulsive acts that we regret later. We want something in a store, we might be tempted to be impulsive and buy it only to regret that purchase later. We see the luscious dessert at the end of a full meal in a restaurant and quickly eat more calories than is healthy. We might be tempted at a fair to take chances in winning a big prize only to discover loss that we could not afford.
Desire for riches can lead us to impulsive acts that cause poverty. Investments, expensive purchases, and get rich quick schemes provide ruin. Giving a matter prayer and patience is a wiser course of action in the long run.
Proverbs 3:5,6 becomes a healthy prescription for foolish impulsiveness, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.”
When we pray for wisdom and seek guidance of the Lord in prayer it gives us time to think more about a decision or activity and we are open to the leading of the Lord. That is the way of wisdom.
Pastor Dale.
Sermon Nuggets Thur April 30, 2009
Verses- Eccl 10:5-7 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
Eccl 10: 16, 17 Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time-- for strength and not for drunkenness.
Foolishness of Position
It is a national past time to talk about how our elected government officials respond in foolishness. It is harder to pray for them. But it never ceases to amaze me that the people who clamor and distrust government officials forget they are elected by the will of the people. These officials hire others that work for them. Many are given high positions because of who they know, not what they know. Many do not belong in leadership positions or positions of honor. Many others, regardless of wealth, are better prepared to lead with wisdom, but not put such in positions.
How many times does someone with talent and ingenuity hire his son or son-in-law to manage the employees or take over the business when they don't know what they are doing? How often does someone put friends and relatives in important positions who seek honor, but those who run the business or government wisely are those who have little status?
A party spirit, selfish interests, pride, surrounded by self-seeking advisors, who give faulty advise result because many are more impressed with their position than with responsibility. Selfish interests include the pursuit of fame, desire for pleasure; seek advancement to the detriment of those more qualified. It is a fool who is self serving.
When I read that some officials are upset with where they sit at the table and how close their chairs are to the President's chair, then it seems that folly can easily destroy land and nations. Foolishness is found in pride for position.
I am stunned how important titles are to people. It may not affect their work, or their income, or responsibility, but having a title can produce haughty behavior. That is foolishness.
Jim Elliot wrote, "No doubt you will hear of my receiving preliminary honors at school. They carry the same brand and will be not long hence in the basement in a battered trunk beside the gold "Be" pin, with the ruby in it for which I studied a Benson. All is vanity. Life is not here, but hid above with Christ in God and therein I rejoice and sing as I think on such exaltation."
The position Jesus sought was to be a servant of His Heavenly Father and in carrying out his earthly responsibility to the fullest. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:9-11
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 1
Verses: Eccl 10 8-11 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
Foolishness in Carelessness
How many times do we experience the pain of careless mistakes? There are tasks that require careful precautions. Solomon mentions some: One who digs pits may fall into it; one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake; one who quarries stones may be injured in the process, or one splitting logs could get cut.
When some keep working with improper tools and dull axes, they'll have a more difficult time accomplishing the task. Skill and knowledge bring success. Not doing a job right can get you into the trouble. There are right and wrong ways of doing jobs. A foolish decision may be prompted by the temptation to do things that are the easiest, quickest and sometimes the cheapest.
Verse 15 relates a little to this theme as well. "A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town." We have a couple of proverbs that may relate to what Solomon is saying. “He who plays with fire may get burned.” “An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Jesus was teaching an important discipleship principle in Luke 14:24-29. We need to count the cost. A wise man counts the cost of a project before he goes ahead to does it. Otherwise he is a fool.
All of these have practical implications in our living, but spiritual applications as well. Solomon isn't just giving good working advice to be careful on the job, but be careful in your life in the daily experiences because it can cause us to fall into sin as well. A fool who wants to catch someone in a trap will be caught himself.
That was the story of Daniel’s accusers who planted a trap so he would end up in Lions Den, but they were killed by those lions instead. Haman hated Jews and designed a plot to kill the Jew, Mordecai in the book of Esther. But he ended up there himself when the king discovered he was the uncle to his wife. Haman fell into his own trap, hung on his own gallows.
Foolishly intent on seeking harm to others can easily cause harm to fall on us. Stay away from sin. Be careful of silly mistakes. Satan loves to ruin reputations and witness through silly mistakes.
We all are careless at times. When we fall into the consequences of such actions then use them as lessons to prevent future problems. The real fool is one who does not learn and keeps repeating actions that get him or her in trouble.
Pastor Dale.
Sermon Nuggets Mon April 27
Theme- Foolish Ways
Verse Eccl 10:1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
Foolish Ways
A Jackdaw is member of the crow family in Europe. As for its name, it comes from an old English word that was used to ridicule foolishness, thievery and overly talkative people. The bird lives up to it's reputation. On the ground it walks with a jerky, swaggering strut. In flight, it often looks as though it is engaging in aerial displays. In the evening around roosting time, it loves being part of a noisy crowd. Beyond that, this little fellow is known for picking up and hiding brightly colored objects. The jackdaw's flair for showy living is matched only by it's indiscretions. Once fire fighters had to put out a blaze in the top of a high tree that started when a jackdaw picked up a "brightly" tipped cigarette and dropped his red- hot prize into his nest.
Some people have a similar zest for life. Their love of a practical joke and good laugh makes them the highlight parties. But their strength can also be their weakness. Just as serious-minded people often lack spontaneity and fun, so these happy-go-lucky individuals often come up short on spiritual discernment. They may be well meaning, but they can start fires of irritations in their own home by being overly foolish rather than sensitive to the feelings of others. As one person put it "As wise man is like a pin: his head keeps him from going too far."
As we look at the 10th chapter of Ecclesiastes we see many proverbs. Solomon is the author of the book of Proverbs. Here he talks about wisdom and foolishness. Like the jackdaw, some people tend to be foolish in action and in word. I've heard the very unkind poem quoted by some woman that says, "Women have many faults that true, and some of them have quite a few; We're told men's faults are but two; Everything they say and everything they do."
Perhaps that is a bit overstated, but those are the major areas of folly for us all, the things we say and the things we do. We take a wise look at our actions and how they affect others. Next week we will relook at some verses and discuss the foolishness that can come from our words.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues April 28, 2009
Verses 1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
3 Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
Foolish Choices
Foolishness damages a good reputation. A dead fly causes perfume to stink. A small mistake can outweigh much wisdom and honor. One foolish act can ruin a person of high position and wisdom.
I watched the news last night about Christopher Anderson pleading guilty in Anoka County Circuit Court for the June 2008 crash that killed artist Jeff Hettwer and injured two others. He was drunk. A foolish choice of drinking and driving has devastated at least two families for the rest of their lives. His 365 day sentence is to be served over 5 years for 2 months at a time so he will long remember the consequences for his foolish decision.
I wonder if President Clinton wouldn’t havewished he could relive his choice to get involved in Monica Lewinski?How many times a moment of flirtation leads a couple to adultery and the break up of marriages that were not wanted or intended? There are opportunities each day when wrong choices are before us. Satan delights in our failures and foolishness.
Folly causes more trouble than wisdom can cause good. I wonder how often people wished they could relive one moment that changed their lives. How David wishes there was no Bathsheba, if Samson did not tell Delilah his secret, if Ananias and Sapphira did not tell the lie about selling their property and giving it to the church, how Nixon wishes there was no Watergate, how one man impulsively stole just a little money from a company with full intention of paying it back, only to discover they were caught doing it. A little folly can damage wisdom and ruin lives.
Temptation creeps into our thinking saying, "just a little bit won't hurt, Just this once is o.k., It's only a few. A little white lie won't hurt." And soon like the snake that moves so slowly it strikes and bites us and we are never the same and curse the folly that causes ruin. Beware of the little folly.
Foolishness also moves people to wrong choices. v2,3 With all respect to left handed people the use of the wise on the right hand the fool on the left is a figurative expression, and not political ideology. (Do with that as you wish.) Since most were right handed, the custom of shaking right hands was to show there were no weapon, knives, or danger in the hands of the opponent. They were open handed and so shaking right hands was a sign of peace. A left handed person could still cause damage for in it a person may have a weapon. Left handed can imply evil intent.
One neighbor told me of a dog who never learns to leave porcupines alone and foolishly gets hurt. If the wisdom of the Bible tells you to do obey it is foolish to disobey. The Bible contrasts the narrow road and broad road. Most make choices that go along with the crowd and miss the wisdom that comes from above. Fools follow the crowds. Wise people discern what is right. They follow truth. They seek the ways of the Lord.
It troubles me to see people making decisions that you know will hurt them and others because it is sinful. It seems they are the ones blind to it. Can you be convinced that the ways of the world will lead to destruction? Beware.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds April 29, 2009
Verses- Eccl. 10:4 If a ruler's anger rises against you, do not leave your post; calmness can lay great errors to rest.
Foolishness of Impulsiveness
This passage talks about a fool who is a boss or master. It certainly is not uncommon that people in authority are not the best qualified. But Solomon also talks about how to address those who are in authority over you and the wise way to respond. It is best to be calm, be self controlled and be patient. It is foolish to be impulsive, respond in anger and seek revenge.
It is not wise to run from troubles, but be able to face them. Not to hide from consequences of actions, and even if your boss or the person in authority is angry, your calmness and easy spirit can ease tensions and lay aside many errors. Don't make things worse.
When mistakes come, and they will to all, face them openly, honestly and calmly and you will be better off than quitting your job because you've had your feelings hurt. No problem is ever solved by running from it.
There are ministers I know that move every 2-3 years in their pastorate. That doesn’t seem as common as it used to be when I left seminary. But I have a friend who as soon as trouble came, he looked for another church. The longest he stayed anywhere was almost 6 years. The least amount of time was 2 years. He did not handle conflict very well. But he also missed the chance of growing or learning from those experiences. Folly is seen in impulsive behavior.
Anger can lead us to impulsive acts that are not thought out. Road rage is a perfect example of anger that has given over to impulsive acts of aggression and exchange of words that quickly escalate. A soft word, ignoring the agitator, and in need be, call 911 or drive to a safe place is a plan that is predetermined than impulsive anger and the results are better for all. Before you say a word in anger, wait a bit and think about what you really want to say and when it is best to say it.
Pleasure can lead us to impulsive acts that we regret later. We want something in a store, we might be tempted to be impulsive and buy it only to regret that purchase later. We see the luscious dessert at the end of a full meal in a restaurant and quickly eat more calories than is healthy. We might be tempted at a fair to take chances in winning a big prize only to discover loss that we could not afford.
Desire for riches can lead us to impulsive acts that cause poverty. Investments, expensive purchases, and get rich quick schemes provide ruin. Giving a matter prayer and patience is a wiser course of action in the long run.
Proverbs 3:5,6 becomes a healthy prescription for foolish impulsiveness, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.”
When we pray for wisdom and seek guidance of the Lord in prayer it gives us time to think more about a decision or activity and we are open to the leading of the Lord. That is the way of wisdom.
Pastor Dale.
Sermon Nuggets Thur April 30, 2009
Verses- Eccl 10:5-7 There is an evil I have seen under the sun, the sort of error that arises from a ruler: Fools are put in many high positions, while the rich occupy the low ones. I have seen slaves on horseback, while princes go on foot like slaves.
Eccl 10: 16, 17 Woe to you, O land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning. Blessed are you, O land whose king is of noble birth and whose princes eat at a proper time-- for strength and not for drunkenness.
Foolishness of Position
It is a national past time to talk about how our elected government officials respond in foolishness. It is harder to pray for them. But it never ceases to amaze me that the people who clamor and distrust government officials forget they are elected by the will of the people. These officials hire others that work for them. Many are given high positions because of who they know, not what they know. Many do not belong in leadership positions or positions of honor. Many others, regardless of wealth, are better prepared to lead with wisdom, but not put such in positions.
How many times does someone with talent and ingenuity hire his son or son-in-law to manage the employees or take over the business when they don't know what they are doing? How often does someone put friends and relatives in important positions who seek honor, but those who run the business or government wisely are those who have little status?
A party spirit, selfish interests, pride, surrounded by self-seeking advisors, who give faulty advise result because many are more impressed with their position than with responsibility. Selfish interests include the pursuit of fame, desire for pleasure; seek advancement to the detriment of those more qualified. It is a fool who is self serving.
When I read that some officials are upset with where they sit at the table and how close their chairs are to the President's chair, then it seems that folly can easily destroy land and nations. Foolishness is found in pride for position.
I am stunned how important titles are to people. It may not affect their work, or their income, or responsibility, but having a title can produce haughty behavior. That is foolishness.
Jim Elliot wrote, "No doubt you will hear of my receiving preliminary honors at school. They carry the same brand and will be not long hence in the basement in a battered trunk beside the gold "Be" pin, with the ruby in it for which I studied a Benson. All is vanity. Life is not here, but hid above with Christ in God and therein I rejoice and sing as I think on such exaltation."
The position Jesus sought was to be a servant of His Heavenly Father and in carrying out his earthly responsibility to the fullest. “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Phil 2:9-11
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri May 1
Verses: Eccl 10 8-11 Whoever digs a pit may fall into it; whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake.
9 Whoever quarries stones may be injured by them; whoever splits logs may be endangered by them.
10 If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.
11 If a snake bites before it is charmed, there is no profit for the charmer.
Foolishness in Carelessness
How many times do we experience the pain of careless mistakes? There are tasks that require careful precautions. Solomon mentions some: One who digs pits may fall into it; one who breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake; one who quarries stones may be injured in the process, or one splitting logs could get cut.
When some keep working with improper tools and dull axes, they'll have a more difficult time accomplishing the task. Skill and knowledge bring success. Not doing a job right can get you into the trouble. There are right and wrong ways of doing jobs. A foolish decision may be prompted by the temptation to do things that are the easiest, quickest and sometimes the cheapest.
Verse 15 relates a little to this theme as well. "A fool's work wearies him; he does not know the way to town." We have a couple of proverbs that may relate to what Solomon is saying. “He who plays with fire may get burned.” “An once of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Jesus was teaching an important discipleship principle in Luke 14:24-29. We need to count the cost. A wise man counts the cost of a project before he goes ahead to does it. Otherwise he is a fool.
All of these have practical implications in our living, but spiritual applications as well. Solomon isn't just giving good working advice to be careful on the job, but be careful in your life in the daily experiences because it can cause us to fall into sin as well. A fool who wants to catch someone in a trap will be caught himself.
That was the story of Daniel’s accusers who planted a trap so he would end up in Lions Den, but they were killed by those lions instead. Haman hated Jews and designed a plot to kill the Jew, Mordecai in the book of Esther. But he ended up there himself when the king discovered he was the uncle to his wife. Haman fell into his own trap, hung on his own gallows.
Foolishly intent on seeking harm to others can easily cause harm to fall on us. Stay away from sin. Be careful of silly mistakes. Satan loves to ruin reputations and witness through silly mistakes.
We all are careless at times. When we fall into the consequences of such actions then use them as lessons to prevent future problems. The real fool is one who does not learn and keeps repeating actions that get him or her in trouble.
Pastor Dale.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Unpredictability of Life Ecclesiastes 9:11-18
Sermon Nuggets Mon April 20
Theme- Unpredictability of Life
Verses- Eccl 9:1 So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him.
The Unpredictability of Life
Last week we reflected on the predictability of death. Because we all die it makes a difference how we should live. But this week is another side of the argument. Life on this earth has no guarantees. There are principles to live by but as far as this world is concerned those principles do not always produce predictable results. We are constantly surprised as to what happens in our world.
The works that we accomplish in this life is the basis of our rewards in the next. We cannot earn our rewards after the grave.
There are some ditties- "Now I get me up to work, I pray the Lord I may not shirk. If I should die before tonight, I pray the Lord my works' all right." Another said, “When my life on earth is past only the work for Christ will last.” What are you doing for Him?
We do not know how long our life will be on this earth. We do not know what will happen tomorrow. We have no guarantees of health or wealth, or poverty or illness.
The hedonist philosophy of old says, "Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow you die." Live it up while you can for this is as good as it gets. Friends let me say something I hope you do not miss. If you are outside of faith in Jesus Christ this life is as good as it gets. It will not get any better than this. You might as well make life as fun as you want fulfilling any and all desires, for after this life is over there is the judgment and eternal hell. But likewise, for those who have faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and seek to live for him this life on earth is as worse as it will every get. All the problem and troubles of this earth is the worse hell you will ever experience, for He has prepared a place for eternity that in his presence will be joy everlasting. Are you prepared? Either this life is the best heaven you will enjoy or the worse hell you will enjoy. And when this life is ended it will be too late to repent. There will be no other chance.
Making our choices of preparing for the predictable and living in a world of unpredictability must rely on faith. Faith is trusting in Gods’ work and His promises that He will carry out what He has promised.
When Solomon sought to experience all he could on life he passed on all that he observed. The first verse was the theme of the rest of the chapter. As we look more closely at verese 11-18 this week the emphasis I want us to think about is how to live in an unpredictable world. There is one thing we experience since Jesus Christ that no one else experienced up to 33 AD. We who have believed in Christ and sought to make Him Lord over our lives have the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to be our guide and our comfort in the unpredictable world. For that give praise this day.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues April 21
Verses-Eccl 9: 11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
Unpredictability Attacks Self Confidence.
Solomon started this chapter reminding us that even the wise and the righteous do not know whether love or hate awaits him. Now in this verse his observations lead to humbly say all man's plans and dreams are unpredictable. We try so hard to prepare for the future and to make sense of life by applying certain principles to get blessings but somehow it just doesn't always work. We can do every thing right and have things turn out wrong. And some can do everything wrong and have things turn out right as far as this world is concerned. Life is more complex than 10 easy principles of this or 7 easy lessons of that. I realize that I too can be guilty of oversimplifying the principles presented.
I went to a seminar on how to understand you wife. Guess what? I applied every principle the teacher gave me and it didn't work. Wives are more complex than a 3 hour seminar. We cannot be self confident in our achievements. Whatever we have experienced for good is a gift from God. We too often take credit for our works instead of His grace. Difficulties and circumstances keep us dependent on Him.
Injustice has always been a problem for believers. Why do folks who seek to be faithful, suffer? Why do those who seem to have no regard for God or His ways seems to have an easy and rich life? Why do the evil prosper? Why do the faithful fall?
Friends in life, even in the Christian life, there are no pat answers. We need the continual reminder that faith in God is believing and knowing He is in control and He knows best. God has said He will never leave us nor forsake us. Just because you cannot understand all the answers doesn't mean we give up on the one who does know all the answers.
If there is one constant complaint against church people by outsiders it is “self righteousness.” Instead of witnessing compassion and humility there is a perception of people who are holier and more judgmental toward others. There are people who think they have God all figured out. If they say a prayer a certain way, or follow a particular path then their wanted results always follow. Solomon says that just isn't so in this life. I feel so small and ignorant when complexities come. I ask "Why Lord, I do not understand.” I find that real Christian maturity isn't being able to answer the questions; it is to trust even in the midst of questions. Sometimes a satisfying answer never comes. As we humbly walk with trust in the Lord we accept by faith that some things are not for us to understand and are beyond our ability humanly to understand. But we will understand it by and by.
Oswald Chambers, said, "God disciplines us by disappointments. Life may have been going on like a torrent, then suddenly down comes a barrier of disappointment, until slowly we learn that the disappointment was His appointment. God hides His treasures in darkness, and many a radiant star that was not seen before comes out. In some lives you can see the treasure. There is sweetness and beauty about them, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit and you wonder where the wisdom power of God came from. It came from the dark places where God revealed His sovereign will in unexpected issues. ‘Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress.’ the psalmist says. Isn't it in those dark days that we lean most on God?”
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds April 22, 2009
Verse- Eccl 9: 12 Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.
Unpredictability Results in False Confidence
It's not the fastest that wins the race, nor the strongest than wins battle, nor the wisest farmer that necessarily gets the best crop, nor the brilliant that gets the most money. And still no one knows when death will occur.
Eric Clapton, a noted rock star, wrote a ballad called tears in heaven, "Would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven? Would it be the same, if I saw you in heaven? I must be strong and carry on. 'Cause I know I don't belong, here in heaven."
During his career Clapton had faced heroin addiction and the pain of shattered relationships with wives and women. Finally he seemed to have found peace and maturity as a parent. But he wrote ‘Tears in Heaven’ after the accidental death of his 4 year old son who fell from a 53rd floor NYC apartment in 1991. His song was named record of the year and song of the year at 35th annual Grammy Awards. He sang, "Time can bring you down. Time can bend your knees. Time can break your heart, have you beggin' please. Beyond the door there's peace, I'm sure. And I know, there'll be no more tears in heaven."
Pop-culture expect Bob DeMoss said, "Clapton knows that there's peace on the other side, if only he could bring himself to ask for forgiveness..It's evident that he's so close, yet so far."
There are times when people say, I do not understand this world. I cannot make sense out of my life. Things don't always turn out they way we think they should.
We live in a world where too often dreams are shattered, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream. We live in a world where people we love disappoint us, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love. We live in a world where our jobs may not be secure, but that doesn’t mean we don’t do our best in our work. We live in an unsecure world but that does not mean we quit or give up.
I applaud those whose homes have been devastated by tornados or floods and in tears say, I have lost everything, but will build again. We have not lost lives and things can be replaced.
There are both warnings in the Bible to not put too much stock in things over which we have no control. Yet it also teaches we make wiser decisions as we assess as carefully as we can our present plans to make decisions that affect our future. The wise man who built bigger barns was anticipating living a long life. Retirement is not a bad thing to plan. But all his riches were placed in those dreams to the neglect of his eternal and spiritual life. The man who was going to build a house was wise if he first considered all he needed before the house was build and the type of foundation needed to withstand future storms.
It is wise to plan for the future, but not put all our trust in things that pass away. If your whole life and love is devoted to anything of this world we will lose it some day and then what will you do?
Pastor Dale.
Sermon Nuggets Thur April 23, 2009
Verses- Eccl 9: 13-15 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it.
Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.
Unpredictability Produces Surprises.
Underdogs win sometimes. It is frustrating in sports when millions of dollars are paid to the best players making the lower paid teams and coaches’ automatic losers. We live in a world where prejudice abounds against those less talented, less rich, less popular.
If you haven’t been one of the 30 plus million who saw a replay of Susan Boyle’s performance in Britain’s Got Talent contest you should see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg (copy and paste in your address line).
What makes her one of the overnight successes is that she was such a surprise to Simon Cowell and the rest of the judges and audience when this timid church volunteer at 47 years of age brought the house down with the beauty of her voice. The cheers were not just for her talent, but for the surprise of someone who did not impress others with her looks, dress, or personality shocked the world with her talent.
We see played over and again the autistic but enthusiastic basket ball manager, 17-year-old Jason McElwain from Greece Athena High School. Just to honor him in his senior year they coach let him play in the last home game. He delighted the home crowd by shooting a surprising 3 point long shot. But it didn’t stop there- he did it again, and again and again and again and again. In a few minutes he gained for his team 20 points. They carried him off the court on the shoulders of his teammates.
These stories are surprising in a couple of ways. The underdog wins. The least popular surpasses the favorites. The forgotten outshine the heroes. There is something within us that touches the heart of our own feelings of feeling unworthy. For once the weakest link becomes the strongest. Those expected to lose win in the last seconds. We feel good about that and say talent deserves to be honored above those who flaunt it.
But what is equally surprising is that Susan Boyle was ever allowed to sing in the first place, or Jason McElwain was allowed to play, or people would be given the chance of participating. Prejudice of all sorts stops people off at the pass.
In this short illustration Solomon acknowledges a poor man who stands up with his wisdom against the advances of a king and his army and is able to save the city. The results are the city is spared. Wisdom wins over might. What isn’t surprising is that no one could come up with his name and there was no banquet given in his honor. He remained in the shadows and forgotten. It might be likely the mayor of the city got the honors. It might be true the notoriety goes to the boss instead of the secretary who prepared his presentation. It seems typical the bonus payments go to those in supervisory positions while the employee who originally presented the winning idea is transferred to another department or laid off.
Man's plans do not always work. It was Goliath who had strength; it was David that had faith. It was Ahab that had power; it was Elijah that had God. It was the wise men of Egypt that had education; it was Namaan's servant girl that was the tool for cleansing. Friends, God keeps intervening man's plans to prove our life is humanly unpredictable.
Wisdom was better than strength. Brains beat brawn. But this poor man didn't get the prize, or reward- that seemed so unfair. He didn't get the credit for his wisdom or work.
But God knows. Many forgotten people who did right are known by God and that's enough. More than that, God often chooses to work through clay vessels so that He might receive the glory. He is the giver of talent, wisdom, strength, voice, and life. Jesus chose to come among the poor and be ridiculed, ignored, and rejected. He understands our world. He knows our hearts. He keeps the final score in the end.
So keep singing, keep shooting, keep sharing, keep giving and do it for Him knowing He is delighted even if no one else notices.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri April 24, 2009
Verses- Eccl 9:16-18 So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Unpredictability Needs Stability
We can try to prepare for the unexpected. As Solomon stated so well that is not always possible. We do not know the future. Some people live paranoid lives thinking bad things will happen to them and their worries overwhelm them. They do not have peace. There are so many things in life over which we have no control. However, there are wise ways to live. To ignore good advice is to risk greater peril. God gives wisdom sometimes through people we least expect. Those who shout the loudest are not always the wisest. One sinner can destroy much good.
Giving good advice and applying wisdom was the purpose of Solomon’s other book- the book of Proverbs. Wisdom will guide us in making better decisions that in the long run protects us from major disappointments and allows for greater security.
A person can save for a rainy day and find that savings destroyed. But it is still wiser to have some savings. A person can prevent lots of health problems by eating properly, and exercising. But so far the mortality rate is 100%. Even healthy people die young.
I read a parable of a man who was going on a journey. He traveled light. Along the way he met various people who warned him of things he could experience. Each concern resulted in carrying more things he might need to prepare him for the unexpected, until he was burdened down with much weight. As he walked across a bridge over the river all his extra weight caused the bridge to break and he fell into the water and drowned.
There is one thing for sure- we do not know what the future can hold as far as this world is concerned. Only what God's word reveals will happen. Do you know it predicts our world will be destroyed? There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Do you know it predicts a world-wide economic crisis? There are treasures in heaven than cannot be taken away. Do you know Jesus is coming again? Some will be taken and others will be left behind. We know how to prepare for that.
I do not know why Peter was miraculously released from prison and Stephen was stoned to death as a martyr. I don't know why some person can be spared death from an accident but another is killed in one. I do not know what God answers the prayer of family member in his 70s to come out of a coma and a young couple has a still born child. I do not know why some missionaries are slaughtered and others miraculously released. I do not know why evil people are sometimes rewarded in their dishonesty and honest people suffer because of their commitment to Godly morals. But in spite of what this world calls success, if you are out of God's will there is no true success and happiness, and if you are in the center of God will there is no true failure. Can you walk by faith and not by sight and ask "though, I do not understand, yet will I trust in the one who died for me?"
Solomon raises very significant questions and observations. There is a predictability of death. It will come to you and to me. When it does all our decisions and work on this life is over. Until then there is the unpredictability of our days and the future. But there came one, Jesus Christ, who gave us hope. He said, “in this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Can you believe that even when the days are dark? Do you know that Christ is your hope in our uncertain world and in our certain death? Faith in Him will lead us down paths we have not traveled before but there are no surprises to Him. Let Him be your stability in these unpredictable days.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Unpredictability of Life
Verses- Eccl 9:1 So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him.
The Unpredictability of Life
Last week we reflected on the predictability of death. Because we all die it makes a difference how we should live. But this week is another side of the argument. Life on this earth has no guarantees. There are principles to live by but as far as this world is concerned those principles do not always produce predictable results. We are constantly surprised as to what happens in our world.
The works that we accomplish in this life is the basis of our rewards in the next. We cannot earn our rewards after the grave.
There are some ditties- "Now I get me up to work, I pray the Lord I may not shirk. If I should die before tonight, I pray the Lord my works' all right." Another said, “When my life on earth is past only the work for Christ will last.” What are you doing for Him?
We do not know how long our life will be on this earth. We do not know what will happen tomorrow. We have no guarantees of health or wealth, or poverty or illness.
The hedonist philosophy of old says, "Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow you die." Live it up while you can for this is as good as it gets. Friends let me say something I hope you do not miss. If you are outside of faith in Jesus Christ this life is as good as it gets. It will not get any better than this. You might as well make life as fun as you want fulfilling any and all desires, for after this life is over there is the judgment and eternal hell. But likewise, for those who have faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and seek to live for him this life on earth is as worse as it will every get. All the problem and troubles of this earth is the worse hell you will ever experience, for He has prepared a place for eternity that in his presence will be joy everlasting. Are you prepared? Either this life is the best heaven you will enjoy or the worse hell you will enjoy. And when this life is ended it will be too late to repent. There will be no other chance.
Making our choices of preparing for the predictable and living in a world of unpredictability must rely on faith. Faith is trusting in Gods’ work and His promises that He will carry out what He has promised.
When Solomon sought to experience all he could on life he passed on all that he observed. The first verse was the theme of the rest of the chapter. As we look more closely at verese 11-18 this week the emphasis I want us to think about is how to live in an unpredictable world. There is one thing we experience since Jesus Christ that no one else experienced up to 33 AD. We who have believed in Christ and sought to make Him Lord over our lives have the power and presence of the Holy Spirit to be our guide and our comfort in the unpredictable world. For that give praise this day.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues April 21
Verses-Eccl 9: 11 I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favor to the learned; but time and chance happen to them all.
Unpredictability Attacks Self Confidence.
Solomon started this chapter reminding us that even the wise and the righteous do not know whether love or hate awaits him. Now in this verse his observations lead to humbly say all man's plans and dreams are unpredictable. We try so hard to prepare for the future and to make sense of life by applying certain principles to get blessings but somehow it just doesn't always work. We can do every thing right and have things turn out wrong. And some can do everything wrong and have things turn out right as far as this world is concerned. Life is more complex than 10 easy principles of this or 7 easy lessons of that. I realize that I too can be guilty of oversimplifying the principles presented.
I went to a seminar on how to understand you wife. Guess what? I applied every principle the teacher gave me and it didn't work. Wives are more complex than a 3 hour seminar. We cannot be self confident in our achievements. Whatever we have experienced for good is a gift from God. We too often take credit for our works instead of His grace. Difficulties and circumstances keep us dependent on Him.
Injustice has always been a problem for believers. Why do folks who seek to be faithful, suffer? Why do those who seem to have no regard for God or His ways seems to have an easy and rich life? Why do the evil prosper? Why do the faithful fall?
Friends in life, even in the Christian life, there are no pat answers. We need the continual reminder that faith in God is believing and knowing He is in control and He knows best. God has said He will never leave us nor forsake us. Just because you cannot understand all the answers doesn't mean we give up on the one who does know all the answers.
If there is one constant complaint against church people by outsiders it is “self righteousness.” Instead of witnessing compassion and humility there is a perception of people who are holier and more judgmental toward others. There are people who think they have God all figured out. If they say a prayer a certain way, or follow a particular path then their wanted results always follow. Solomon says that just isn't so in this life. I feel so small and ignorant when complexities come. I ask "Why Lord, I do not understand.” I find that real Christian maturity isn't being able to answer the questions; it is to trust even in the midst of questions. Sometimes a satisfying answer never comes. As we humbly walk with trust in the Lord we accept by faith that some things are not for us to understand and are beyond our ability humanly to understand. But we will understand it by and by.
Oswald Chambers, said, "God disciplines us by disappointments. Life may have been going on like a torrent, then suddenly down comes a barrier of disappointment, until slowly we learn that the disappointment was His appointment. God hides His treasures in darkness, and many a radiant star that was not seen before comes out. In some lives you can see the treasure. There is sweetness and beauty about them, the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit and you wonder where the wisdom power of God came from. It came from the dark places where God revealed His sovereign will in unexpected issues. ‘Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress.’ the psalmist says. Isn't it in those dark days that we lean most on God?”
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds April 22, 2009
Verse- Eccl 9: 12 Moreover, no man knows when his hour will come: As fish are caught in a cruel net, or birds are taken in a snare, so men are trapped by evil times that fall unexpectedly upon them.
Unpredictability Results in False Confidence
It's not the fastest that wins the race, nor the strongest than wins battle, nor the wisest farmer that necessarily gets the best crop, nor the brilliant that gets the most money. And still no one knows when death will occur.
Eric Clapton, a noted rock star, wrote a ballad called tears in heaven, "Would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven? Would it be the same, if I saw you in heaven? I must be strong and carry on. 'Cause I know I don't belong, here in heaven."
During his career Clapton had faced heroin addiction and the pain of shattered relationships with wives and women. Finally he seemed to have found peace and maturity as a parent. But he wrote ‘Tears in Heaven’ after the accidental death of his 4 year old son who fell from a 53rd floor NYC apartment in 1991. His song was named record of the year and song of the year at 35th annual Grammy Awards. He sang, "Time can bring you down. Time can bend your knees. Time can break your heart, have you beggin' please. Beyond the door there's peace, I'm sure. And I know, there'll be no more tears in heaven."
Pop-culture expect Bob DeMoss said, "Clapton knows that there's peace on the other side, if only he could bring himself to ask for forgiveness..It's evident that he's so close, yet so far."
There are times when people say, I do not understand this world. I cannot make sense out of my life. Things don't always turn out they way we think they should.
We live in a world where too often dreams are shattered, but that doesn’t mean we can’t dream. We live in a world where people we love disappoint us, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love. We live in a world where our jobs may not be secure, but that doesn’t mean we don’t do our best in our work. We live in an unsecure world but that does not mean we quit or give up.
I applaud those whose homes have been devastated by tornados or floods and in tears say, I have lost everything, but will build again. We have not lost lives and things can be replaced.
There are both warnings in the Bible to not put too much stock in things over which we have no control. Yet it also teaches we make wiser decisions as we assess as carefully as we can our present plans to make decisions that affect our future. The wise man who built bigger barns was anticipating living a long life. Retirement is not a bad thing to plan. But all his riches were placed in those dreams to the neglect of his eternal and spiritual life. The man who was going to build a house was wise if he first considered all he needed before the house was build and the type of foundation needed to withstand future storms.
It is wise to plan for the future, but not put all our trust in things that pass away. If your whole life and love is devoted to anything of this world we will lose it some day and then what will you do?
Pastor Dale.
Sermon Nuggets Thur April 23, 2009
Verses- Eccl 9: 13-15 I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it.
Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man.
Unpredictability Produces Surprises.
Underdogs win sometimes. It is frustrating in sports when millions of dollars are paid to the best players making the lower paid teams and coaches’ automatic losers. We live in a world where prejudice abounds against those less talented, less rich, less popular.
If you haven’t been one of the 30 plus million who saw a replay of Susan Boyle’s performance in Britain’s Got Talent contest you should see it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luRmM1J1sfg (copy and paste in your address line).
What makes her one of the overnight successes is that she was such a surprise to Simon Cowell and the rest of the judges and audience when this timid church volunteer at 47 years of age brought the house down with the beauty of her voice. The cheers were not just for her talent, but for the surprise of someone who did not impress others with her looks, dress, or personality shocked the world with her talent.
We see played over and again the autistic but enthusiastic basket ball manager, 17-year-old Jason McElwain from Greece Athena High School. Just to honor him in his senior year they coach let him play in the last home game. He delighted the home crowd by shooting a surprising 3 point long shot. But it didn’t stop there- he did it again, and again and again and again and again. In a few minutes he gained for his team 20 points. They carried him off the court on the shoulders of his teammates.
These stories are surprising in a couple of ways. The underdog wins. The least popular surpasses the favorites. The forgotten outshine the heroes. There is something within us that touches the heart of our own feelings of feeling unworthy. For once the weakest link becomes the strongest. Those expected to lose win in the last seconds. We feel good about that and say talent deserves to be honored above those who flaunt it.
But what is equally surprising is that Susan Boyle was ever allowed to sing in the first place, or Jason McElwain was allowed to play, or people would be given the chance of participating. Prejudice of all sorts stops people off at the pass.
In this short illustration Solomon acknowledges a poor man who stands up with his wisdom against the advances of a king and his army and is able to save the city. The results are the city is spared. Wisdom wins over might. What isn’t surprising is that no one could come up with his name and there was no banquet given in his honor. He remained in the shadows and forgotten. It might be likely the mayor of the city got the honors. It might be true the notoriety goes to the boss instead of the secretary who prepared his presentation. It seems typical the bonus payments go to those in supervisory positions while the employee who originally presented the winning idea is transferred to another department or laid off.
Man's plans do not always work. It was Goliath who had strength; it was David that had faith. It was Ahab that had power; it was Elijah that had God. It was the wise men of Egypt that had education; it was Namaan's servant girl that was the tool for cleansing. Friends, God keeps intervening man's plans to prove our life is humanly unpredictable.
Wisdom was better than strength. Brains beat brawn. But this poor man didn't get the prize, or reward- that seemed so unfair. He didn't get the credit for his wisdom or work.
But God knows. Many forgotten people who did right are known by God and that's enough. More than that, God often chooses to work through clay vessels so that He might receive the glory. He is the giver of talent, wisdom, strength, voice, and life. Jesus chose to come among the poor and be ridiculed, ignored, and rejected. He understands our world. He knows our hearts. He keeps the final score in the end.
So keep singing, keep shooting, keep sharing, keep giving and do it for Him knowing He is delighted even if no one else notices.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri April 24, 2009
Verses- Eccl 9:16-18 So I said, "Wisdom is better than strength." But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.
The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Unpredictability Needs Stability
We can try to prepare for the unexpected. As Solomon stated so well that is not always possible. We do not know the future. Some people live paranoid lives thinking bad things will happen to them and their worries overwhelm them. They do not have peace. There are so many things in life over which we have no control. However, there are wise ways to live. To ignore good advice is to risk greater peril. God gives wisdom sometimes through people we least expect. Those who shout the loudest are not always the wisest. One sinner can destroy much good.
Giving good advice and applying wisdom was the purpose of Solomon’s other book- the book of Proverbs. Wisdom will guide us in making better decisions that in the long run protects us from major disappointments and allows for greater security.
A person can save for a rainy day and find that savings destroyed. But it is still wiser to have some savings. A person can prevent lots of health problems by eating properly, and exercising. But so far the mortality rate is 100%. Even healthy people die young.
I read a parable of a man who was going on a journey. He traveled light. Along the way he met various people who warned him of things he could experience. Each concern resulted in carrying more things he might need to prepare him for the unexpected, until he was burdened down with much weight. As he walked across a bridge over the river all his extra weight caused the bridge to break and he fell into the water and drowned.
There is one thing for sure- we do not know what the future can hold as far as this world is concerned. Only what God's word reveals will happen. Do you know it predicts our world will be destroyed? There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Do you know it predicts a world-wide economic crisis? There are treasures in heaven than cannot be taken away. Do you know Jesus is coming again? Some will be taken and others will be left behind. We know how to prepare for that.
I do not know why Peter was miraculously released from prison and Stephen was stoned to death as a martyr. I don't know why some person can be spared death from an accident but another is killed in one. I do not know what God answers the prayer of family member in his 70s to come out of a coma and a young couple has a still born child. I do not know why some missionaries are slaughtered and others miraculously released. I do not know why evil people are sometimes rewarded in their dishonesty and honest people suffer because of their commitment to Godly morals. But in spite of what this world calls success, if you are out of God's will there is no true success and happiness, and if you are in the center of God will there is no true failure. Can you walk by faith and not by sight and ask "though, I do not understand, yet will I trust in the one who died for me?"
Solomon raises very significant questions and observations. There is a predictability of death. It will come to you and to me. When it does all our decisions and work on this life is over. Until then there is the unpredictability of our days and the future. But there came one, Jesus Christ, who gave us hope. He said, “in this world you will have tribulation but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
Can you believe that even when the days are dark? Do you know that Christ is your hope in our uncertain world and in our certain death? Faith in Him will lead us down paths we have not traveled before but there are no surprises to Him. Let Him be your stability in these unpredictable days.
Pastor Dale
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