Ecclesiastes
Eternal Impact in a Temporary World
Ecclesiastes: The Problem of Evil Part 2
November 20, 2022 • Ron Moore • Ecclesiastes
Evil is all around us. From hatred, envy, and jealousy to sex trafficking, dealing deadly drugs, school shootings, divorce, and even gossip. Evil wreaks havoc in countries, communities, and families. This is not the way it’s supposed to be, but it’s the way it is in this life under the sun. Last week we addressed the question, “Why Does Evil Exist?” (https://subspla.sh/nsztwyb). Here is a quick review: Why Does Evil Exit? · God did not create evil. Everything he created was good (Gen. 1:31). Evil is the absence of goodness. · God did not create us to be robots. He gave both angels and man free will (Gen 2:8-9, 15-17) · Some angels rebelled against his will (Isaiah 14:12-14, Ezekiel 28:12-18). · Adam and Eve rebelled against his will (Gen 3:6) · Sin and evil entered the human race (Rom 5:12) This week we will address: “Why Does God Allow it?” Why Does God Allow Evil to Continue? God gave free will to the angels, and Satan (and his followers) rebelled and were thrown down from heaven (Isa 14:12-14; Eze 28:12-18). Adam and Eve fell for Satan’s lie (Gen 3:6), and sin and death became a part of the human experience (Rom 5:12). The world “under the sun” that Solomon wrote about is not the way it’s supposed to be. Sin has invaded our planet, led by Satan—the father of all evil. Jesus called Satan “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31). Paul calls him “the prince of the power of the air” (Eph 2:2). Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Satan at work and man infected by sin - this is not the way it’s supposed to be. So, why doesn’t God put a stop to it? In life under the sun, as soon as God stops evil, he stops free will - reducing man to robots. For instance, murder (a great evil) is the end of a process made up of lesser evils. If every lesser evil were taken away, man would be stripped of free will. Why doesn’t God judge and remove from the earth all who commit sins? No one would be left! Ecclesiastes 7:20 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. God did not create us as robots, nor does he turn us into robots. In a real world with real choices, the same natural laws that allow us to build cool resorts and develop medicines can be abused to make weapons, bombs, bullets, and illicit drugs. Sometimes God allows evil or sin to test and grow us. James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Romans 5:3-5 …We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Sometimes God allows evil to discipline us. Hebrews 12:5-8 “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. God sovereignly uses evil to work his perfect purposes. Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. The book of Ecclesiastes needs to be read backward. Life under the sun doesn’t always make sense, but the answer is always Jesus! Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. Love and evil intersected at the cross. Jesus paid sin’s penalty fully and finally. One day, in God’s sovereign timing, he will call time on this world. Evil will be abolished, and those who know Jesus will enter eternal life. Revelation 21:3-4 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact http://gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
Ecclesiastes: The Problem of Evil
November 13, 2022 • Ron Moore • Ecclesiastes
Evil is all around us. From hatred, envy, and jealousy to sex trafficking, dealing deadly drugs, school shootings, divorce, and even gossip. Evil wreaks havoc in countries, communities, and families. This is not the way it’s supposed to be, but it’s the way it is in this life under the sun. The two questions we want to address this week and next are these: Why Does Evil Exist? Why Does God Allow it? Why Does Evil Exist? The Bible does not ignore the problem of evil (Eccl 4:1-3, Psalm 13:1, Habakkuk 1:2-4) - nor do secular philosophers. The Greek philosopher, Epicurus (341-270 BC), expressed the problem this way: · God wants to abolish evil, but he cannot, he is impotent. · God can abolish evil, but he does not, he is wicked. · If God can and wants to abolish evil, why is there evil in the world? · Therefore, God must not exist. A conversation about the problem of evil must begin humbly. We are finite beings seeking to understand the infinite God. Isaiah 55:8-9 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Romans 11:33-36 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. Everything God created was good (Gen 1:31). So, how does evil exist? · Evil is the absence of good (like darkness is the absence of light). The church father, Augustine, wrote, “Evil has no positive nature; but the loss of good has received the name ‘evil’.” (The City of God, XI, Chapter 9). · God gave man the freedom to choose. He did not make us robots. Theologian Peter Kreeft says, “To prevent all evil, you must remove all freedom and reduce people to puppets, which means they would then lack the ability to freely choose love” (Quoted in The Case for Faith, Lee Strobel, 42). · God also gave angels the freedom to choose. Satan and others rebelled against God and were cast from heaven (Isa 14:12-15, Eze 28:12-17). · Standing in the Garden of Eden with the freedom to choose, Adam and Eve gave into temptation and sin entered the human race (Gen 3:1-7, Rom 5:12). · All sin and evil are the result of man’s rebellion against God (Rom 1:18-32). C. S. Lewis wrote, “Fallen man is not simply an imperfect creature who needs improvement: he is a rebel who much lay down his arms” (Mere Christianity) God allowed for the possibility of evil because of his great love for us and his desire for us to love him freely. · God knows it is only possible to truly believe in him if there is a choice to believe he doesn’t exist. · God knows we can truly love if there is a possibility to hate. · God knows we can truly repent only if there is a choice to walk away. · God knows we can truly worship him only if there is a choice to refuse worship or worship something else. God loves you so much that he gave you freedom, and when our freedom led us straight into sin, he sent his Son to pay sin’s penalty. That’s love!! That’s grace!! Next week: Why does God allow evil to continue? DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact mailto:gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at mailto:caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
Ecclesiastes: Social Issues
November 6, 2022 • Ron Moore • Ecclesiastes
The mid-term elections are coming this week. While I will never endorse political candidates, we do encourage you to vote. Who you vote for should be a decision made prayerfully between you and God. We want to do three things: • Consider the God-ordained role of government • Consider characteristics to look for in leaders • Determine how these characteristics should apply personally Solomon’s take on Government (Ecclesiastes 5:8-9) 1. In our life under the sun, there will be corruption in government. Don’t “be amazed at the matter” (Eccl 5:8). 2. Government, even with corruption, is better than anarchy (Eccl 5:9). Characteristics of Leadership I wrote a short book on characteristics to look for in a leader called Picking a President. In that book, I offered these seven characteristics of a leader worth following: Moral Courage. Prudence. Justice. Temperance. Faith. Hope. Love. Here you can view a pdf of the book: https://www.biblechapel.org/images/uploads/the_journey_picking_a_president.pdf FOCUS: Moral Courage. Prudence. Love. CHARACTERISTICS OF LEADERSHIP MORAL COURAGE Moral courage is the fortitude to do what is right even when it is unpopular or dangerous to your standing as a leader. Moral courage is demonstrated even when it is not personally expedient. The action may cause you to lose friends, your social status, or your position. When our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, they were putting their freedom, wealth, and lives on the line. Imbedded in the fabric of moral courage is honesty. A leader worthy of being followed keeps his or her word. Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. Psalm 15:14 [A person who walks blamelessly] keeps an oath even when it hurts and does not change their mind…. Getting Personal We should never expect something in others that we are not willing to expect from ourselves. So, the questions get personal. • Are you a person of moral courage? • Are you willing to express what you believe even when you might lose some friends? • Are you willing to show your kids (and grandkids) that you have the fortitude to do what’s right even when it’s unpopular? • Are you a person of your word…even when it hurts? • Is your word your bond? James 5:12—But above all . . . let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. PRUDENCE Prudence is the ability to exercise sound judgment in practical matters. Solomon says that a person who lacks prudence has no foresight (Eccl 10:8, 15). They dig a pit and fall into it (Eccl 10.8). They don’t know the way to the city (Eccl 10.15). Prudence is not about being intelligent or knowledgeable. In Ecclesiastes, it is described as wisdom and discernment. Often, we select leaders because of their knowledge or stance in a particular area, or let’s face it—their charisma. However, we have no idea what our leaders will be up against during their time of leadership. Circumstances will define leadership. Abraham Lincoln was the only president whose entire time in office was defined by war. He said, “I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.” We have many important issues in our country. Illegal immigration, inflation, energy costs, and security. We also have many biblical issues like abortion, marriage, and sexuality. Prudence in a leader is critical. And, quite honestly, it’s an area where one’s personal life is fair game. It is very reasonable to want to know how a person seeking office has demonstrated wisdom in his or her personal life. The strength of a man’s virtue should not be measured by his special efforts, but by his ordinary course of action. -Blaise Pascal Getting Personal What do you think about the border issue? Not the southern border – but the border of your life. • How are you protecting your heart? • How are you protecting the hearts of your children? • What are you allowing to come across the borders of your home? Prudence is not something you learn from textbooks. It comes from engagement in God’s Word. Hebrews 5:11-14 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. LOVE One writer well says, “If love is the greatest of all biblical virtues, it is…the home for all the virtues.” We demonstrate moral courage to protect the people we love. We demonstrate prudence to guide the people we love. Love allows us to set aside our insecure pride and do what is best for others—not just what we think is best for us. Love is a hard quality to assess in leaders. Two authors explain that love might best be manifested in the idea of passion. Passion comes from the Greek word for pain or suffering. To say we love something or are passionate about something is a declaration that we are willing to suffer for it. What are candidates passionate about? That is, what are they willing to suffer for? What have they spent their lives doing apart from jobs and political office? What loves or passions made them pursue a political office? -Dan Taylor and Mark McCloskey For the believer, love always starts with Jesus (1 John 4:10). People will know you belong to Jesus, “if you have love for one another” (John 13.34-35). Getting Personal • What are you passionate about? • What would your kids (or grandkids) say you are passionate about? • Do you love the “glory of man that comes from man” more than the “glory that comes from God”? John 12:42-43 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact http://gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
Ecclesiastes: Wealth
October 30, 2022 • Ron Moore • Ecclesiastes
The Beatles sang, “I don’t care too much for money, ‘cause money can’t buy me love.’” In another song, they made the point, “Money don’t get everything it’s true. What it don’t get I can’t use. So gimme money (that’s what I want). A little money (that’s what I want). That’s what I want, ye-ye-yeah, that’s what I want.” Many believers move through the same emotions. We know we shouldn’t care too much for money and yet, “A little money—that’s what I want.” The book of Ecclesiastes has much to say about money. Let’s consider a theology of money from the reflections of the wealthiest man who ever lived. Dealing with Wealth Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:3 Money Anxiety is the emotional response to my financial situation. It can be caused by a variety of things, including job loss, illness, inflation, gas prices, energy bills, and grocery costs. According to a 2022 study by the American Psychological Association, 87% of Americans attribute a significant source of stress to “rising prices in everyday items due to inflation.” Solomon addressed the issue of money anxiety in Ecclesiastes 5:10. Note that when Solomon wrote this, Israel was experiencing an economic boom. Throughout the kingdom, silver was as common as stone (1 Kings 10:27; see also 1 Kings 10:1-13). Yet, in the midst of a wealthy society, Solomon says: He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. The danger of loving money is repeated often in the New Testament. 1 Timothy 6:10 gives a specific instance: For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. Note that in both passages, the issue is not money (there are many wealthy, godly people in the Bible); the issue is the “love of money.” Five Reasons Why the Love of Money Never Satisfies 1. The more money you have, the more money you need (Eccl 5:11). 2. The love of money causes physical angst (Eccl 5:12). 3. The love of money leads to selfishness and cynicism (Eccl 5:13, 17). 4. The love of money leads to bad investments (Eccl 5:14). Predatory get-rich-quick schemes have become so audacious, and so prevalent that the federal government has launched a full-scale operation targeting them: Operation Income Illusion. https://www.moneyunder30.com/get-rich-quick-schemes 5. Some who love money are never able to enjoy their money (Eccl 6:1-3) Two Conclusions Conclusion #1: You are going to die, and you can’t take anything with you (Eccl 5:15) Conclusion #2: Enjoy the gifts God gives you (Eccl 5:18-20) God is the Giver of All Things • God gives us life (Eccl 5:18) • God gives us wealth and possessions (Eccl 5:19 • God gives us the ability to enjoy his gifts (Eccl 5:19) Luke 12:15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Article on Yvon Chouinard (Patagonia Founder) https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/14/climate/patagonia-climate-philanthropy-chouinard.html Article on David Green (Hobby Lobby Founder) https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/decision-to-give-away-ownership-hobby-lobby-chose-god Moneylender and His Wife (Matsys 1517) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/the_money_changer_and_his_wife#/media/file:massysm_quentin_—_The_Moneylender_and_his_Wife_—http://_1514.jpg Moneychanger and His Wife (Reymerswaele 1539) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/marinus_van_reymerswaele#/media/file:marinus_claesz._van_reymerswaele_001.jpg DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact http://gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
Ecclesiastes: Pleasure
October 23, 2022 • Dave DiDonato • Ecclesiastes
Self-indulgent Pleasure Leads To (Eccl. 2:11): “Vanity” – meaningless results “Striving after wind” – empty wandering purpose “Nothing to be gained” – no lasting advantage שִׂמְחָה (7/94) – “pleasure” (sensory happiness) – the result of self-indulgence שִׂמְחָה (83/94) – “gladness, joy, delight, rejoice” – the result of being in right relationship with God True lasting שִׂמְחָה (joy/gladness) is found only in a right relationship with God. Psalm 51:7-8 - REPENTANCE Psalm 68:3 - OBEDIENCE Psalm 100:2 - SERVICE/WORK Jeremiah 15:16 - CONSUMING GOD’S WORD 1 Chronicles 29:9 - STEWARDSHIP/POSSESSIONS 1 Chronicles 29:22 - EATING/DRINKING Nehemiah 12:27 - CORPORATE WORSHIP Psalm 43:3-4 - PERSONAL WORSHIP Psalm 16:11 – GOD’S PRESENCE = COMPLETE JOY The world’s way offers temporary pleasure, and without Jesus, leads to eternal punishment. God’s way offers lasting joy, beginning with trusting in Jesus, who gives eternal life. DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact http://gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
Ecclesiastes: Work
October 16, 2022 • Ron Moore • Ecclesiastes
Does your work really matter? Is work just something you do until you retire? What’s your motivation for work? What should be your motivation for your work? How should a Christian view his or her work? During your working career, 50% of your waking hours are spent on the job. Only 33% of workers reported feeling engaged at work, 50% feel stressed on a daily basis, 41% are worried, 22% are sad, and 18% are angry http://(cnbc.com 2022/08/12). According to the Pew Research Center, here are the top three reasons people leave a job: Pay was too low, no opportunities for advancement, or felt disrespected at work (Feb 7-13, 2022). We are studying through the book of Ecclesiastes and the writer of the book, King Solomon, is making initial conclusions about life “under the sun” - life in this fallen world. So, it is no surprise he has a lot to say about work. A Brief Biblical Overview of Work God assigned Adam meaningful work before sin entered the world (Gen. 2:15). Work continued after the Fall under the “curse” of sin (Gen. 3:17-19). Throughout history, work has been used to enslave and abuse. It has been used in prideful ways, power trips, promoting greed, and prompting pride. Some place their identity in jobs and careers. Others have chosen to let others provide for them (see 2 Thess. 3:1-12). Solomon’s Take on Work “Under the Sun” “Under the Sun” Work Challenges (Eccl 10:5-16) Non-leaders in leadership positions (Eccl 10:5-7) No forward thinking (Eccl 10:8-9) No strategic planning (Eccl 10:10) No patience investment (Eccl 10:11) Lack of good communication (Eccl 10:12-14) Lack of vision (Eccl 10:15) Inexperience (Eccl 10:16) “Under the Sun” Work Motivation (Eccl 4:4-16) Envy (Eccl 4:4) Greed (Eccl 4:7-8) Luke 12:15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Pride (Eccl 4:9-12) God’s View of Your Work 1. Discover God’s calling for you. Vocation: a summons or strong inclination to a particular state or course of action. What is God calling you to do? What is he summoning you to do? You have to prayerfully determine that. Meet with people in your small group. Get vocational counseling. What interests has he placed on your heart? What vocation makes your heart beat a little faster? The first sign of a heavenly calling is an intense, all-absorbing desire for the work. “Do not enter the ministry if you can help it…” If any [one] in this room could be content to be a newspaper editor, or a grocer, or a farmer, or a doctor, or a lawyer, or a senator, or a king, in the name of heaven and earth let him go his way…for a man so filled with God would utterly weary of any pursuit but that for which his inmost soul pants. The desire should be one, which continues with us, a passion which bears the test of trial, a longing from which it is quite impossible for us to escape, though we may have tried to do so; a desire, in fact, which grows more intense by the lapse of years, until it becomes a yearning, a pining, a famishing to proclaim the Word. C. H. Surgeon, Lectures to My Students, 25 I know that Spurgeon is speaking directly to ministry, but would it be wrong to think that God has impassioned us for the vocation he called us to do? What do you do that allows you to feel God’s pleasure? (In Living Grounded, we have an entire session on finding God’s will). 2. Your vocation is a gift from God. Eccl 3:9-11a Eccl 3:12-13 Eccl 2:24-26 Your calling is a gift from God. Steward it well. 1 Cor 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Pray every day that God will allow you to use his gift to honor him. 3. Pursue your calling with an eternal perspective. We live “under the sun”, but with Jesus, we have an “over the sun” perspective. Your vocation is about Jesus. Col 3:23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive an inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. Josiah Leuenberger, Director of the Nashville Institute of Faith and Work, well says that we get ourselves into trouble when we seek fulfillment in work rather than God. Seeking fulfillment in work apart from the gospel is like pouring water into a leaky bucket and wondering why it can’t be filled. Jesus sets us free from the endless cycle that each of us fall into so easily when we live with ourselves at the center of our story. He invites us into a better pursuit of approaching work as an opportunity to know and enjoy God, grow in him, and serve others as a response of gratitude for his love and service to us.[1] Timothy Keller has written a book called, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work. Here’s what he says about a biblical viewpoint of work. Everyone will be forgotten, nothing we do will make any difference, and all good endeavors, even the best, will come to naught. Unless there is God. If the God of the Bible exists, and there is a True Reality beneath and behind this one, and this life is not the only life, then every good endeavor, even the simplest ones, pursued in response to God's calling, can matter forever. __________________ [1] Josiah Leuenberger, Can Fulfillment at Work be Found? http://nifw.org, August 10, 2022. DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact http://gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
Ecclesiastes: Time
October 9, 2022 • Dave DiDonato • Ecclesiastes
GOD AND TIME God is sovereign over every moment in time, nothing happens outside his superintendence. Ecclesiastes 3:1,11-14 JESUS AND TIME Jesus is the only human being who, through every moment in his life, perfectly obeyed God. Galatians 4:4, John 7:30, John 6:38 BELIEVER AND TIME The believer should approach time less in terms of duration, and more as an opportunity to joyfully obey and serve God. Ecclesiastes 3:2-14 Your final impact for Christ will have less to do with how long you lived and everything to do with how you lived. DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact http://gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
Ecclesiastes: Wisdom 201
October 2, 2022 • Ron Moore • Ecclesiastes
What’s the difference between knowledge and wisdom? Where does wisdom come from? What does wisdom look like in everyday life? Where does wisdom come from? Worldly Wisdom: Naturalism: Everything comes from natural properties and causes. Hedonism: Life is motivated by the desire for pleasure and avoidance of pain. Existentialism: Every person is responsible for creating his or her own meaning. Postmodernism: There is no universal or ethical absolute standard. Right and wrong is determined by different places, times, and cultures. Godly Wisdom: Job 28:20-24 From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’ “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place. For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. Wisdom: A Definition Hebrew: Chokmah—Greek: Sophia Knowledge. Ability. Understanding. Discernment. Prudence. Insight. God’s wisdom means that God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals. -Grudem, Systematic Theology, 193 Wisdom comes from a personal relationship with Jesus. Since fearing God is the beginning of wisdom, and since the only way we can love, honor, respect, and obey him is through Jesus, only the true believer can have true wisdom. What does wisdom look like? 1. A believer who demonstrates godly wisdom lives with eternity in mind (Eccl 7:1-4). 2. Believers who demonstrate godly wisdom surround themselves with true friends who speak truth (Eccl 7:5-6). 3. A believer’s wisdom is not bulletproof. • Be careful with your finances (Eccl 7:7). • Practice patience (Eccl 7:8). • Guard against anger (Eccl 7:9). • Don’t live in the past (Eccl 7:10). …The memory of the past—are good images of what we really desire; but if they are mistaken for the thing itself, they turn into dumb idols, breaking the hearts of their worshipers. For they are not the thing itself; they are only a scent of a flower we have not found, the echo of a tune we have not heard, new from a far country we have not yet visited. -C. S. Lewis (The Weight of Glory) quoted in Living Life Backward, David Gibson, 103. We long for the past—but the past was never as good as we remember it to be. Lewis says the wise person understands that when we long for the past, God is nudging us to long for the future—Heaven—where every earthy experience will be finally fulfilled. Wise people who understand how God has made us to long for him and for heaven don’t look backward when they get nostalgic. They all the feeling to point forward. They look up to heaven and to home. -David Gibson, Living Life Backward, 103 DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact http://gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
Ecclesiastes: Wisdom, Part 1
September 25, 2022 • Ron Moore • Ecclesiastes
In today’s world, information is quickly delivered to us in vast amounts from all parts of the world. And…with all the “advances,” life under the sun is still “vanity” (short, elusive, confusing, and wearisome). The Information Age brought on a new set of problems. TikTok not only numbs young minds but challenges our children to question their sexual identity. Social media keeps us alone while “connecting” with others, often resulting in an array of relationship issues. Has the vast information at our fingertips made us wiser or more discerning? And what does it mean to be wise anyway? If you said, “That person has a lot of wisdom,” what would you have observed to come to that conclusion? Wisdom (Part 1) Observations from Ecclesiastes 1:12-15 and 2:12-17 • Intellectual pursuit cannot solve our foundational issues (Eccl 1:12-15). • Chasing knowledge ends with the sad conclusion that our heart is still empty (Eccl 1:16-18). • Even the wisest man or woman must face the solemn reality of death (Eccl 2:12-17). The Wisdom of God • God alone is all-wise. Romans 16:27 To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen. Job 9:4 He is wise in heart…. Job 12:13 With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. God’s wisdom means that God always chooses the best goals and the best means to those goals. -Grudem, Systematic Theology, 193 The Wisdom of the Cross (1 Corinthians 1:18-31) • God redeemed fallen man (his goal) by sending Jesus to pay the penalty for our sin on the cross (the best and only means). • The work of Jesus on the cross was the “wisdom of God” (1 Cor 1:24) and “became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption” (1 Cor 1:30). DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact http://gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
Ecclesiastes: Fearing God
September 18, 2022 • Ron Moore • Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes, along with Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and the Song of Solomon, is in the Wisdom Literature section of the Old Testament. These books deal with the way the world works. They mix direct statements with analogies and word pictures. Sometimes it addresses big problems—like why is there evil in the world—and other times it deals with smaller issues that can be addressed with common sense—reckless words are harmful so watch your mouth. Wisdom Literature is like philosophical writings of today with one BIG difference. Philosophy (love of wisdom) seeks to understand ourselves and the world around us in a humanistic way. Wisdom Literature seeks to understand ourselves and the world around us in a theological way. And, of course, Wisdom Literature is inspired by God. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 Life “under the sun” doesn’t make sense unless you have an “over the sun” perspective. Fear God: Ecclesiastes 12:13 Martin Luther explained fearing God using “servile fear” and “filial fear.” Servile fear: The emotion of a tortured prisoner. Filial fear (“filial” means “family” in Latin): The healthy love and respect children have for parents. Fear of God: Love, honor, and respect for my Heavenly Father. Prepare for Judgment: Ecclesiastes 12:14 God as Judge (Genesis 18:25; Judges 11:27) Jesus as Judge (John 5:22-29) Characteristics of a Judge (from J. I. Packer, Knowing God) • The judge is a person with authority. • The judge is a person identified with what is good and right. • The judge is a person of wisdom, to discern truth. • The judge has the power to execute sentence. The doctrine of the final judgment . . . stresses man’s accountability and the certainty that justice will finally triumph over all the wrongs . . . This doctrine gives meaning to life . . . [it] means that history moves to a goal. Judgment means that evil will be disposed of authoritatively, decisively, finally. Judgment means that in the end God’s will will be perfectly done. -Leon Morris, The Biblical Doctrine of Judgment, 72. Quoted in Knowing God, 144. The Coming Judgment Matthew 25:31-41 When the Son of Man comes in his glory . . . he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another . . . Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world . . . Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Call on the coming Judge to be your Savior, today! DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact http://gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!
Ecclesiastes: Overview
September 11, 2022 • Ron Moore • Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes, along with Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and the Song of Solomon, is in the Wisdom Literature section of the Old Testament. These books deal with the way the world works. They mix direct statements with analogies and word pictures. Sometimes it addresses big problems—like why there is evil in the world—and other times it deals with smaller issues that can be addressed with common sense—reckless words are harmful so watch your mouth. Wisdom Literature is like philosophical writings of today with one BIG difference. Philosophy (love of wisdom) seeks to understand ourselves and the world around us in a humanistic way. Wisdom Literature seeks to understand ourselves and the world around us in a theological way. And, of course, Wisdom Literature is inspired by God. Ecclesiastes: Intro and Overview The Book The Hebrew title of the book is Qohelet, a word that means “Preacher,” or “Convener” or “Collector.” When the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek (The Septuagint), the work ekklsia was used to describe “one who calls the assembly together.” The English versions kept the Greek title, Ecclesiastes. The Hebrew word, hebel, is found 29 times in the book of Ecclesiastes. It is a “multipurpose metaphor.” Literally, it means: “mist,” “vapor,” or “breath.” Figuratively it means: “meaningless” and “futile.” Throughout the book, Solomon describes life “under the sun” as short, elusive, confusing, and wearisome (Eccl 1:3-11). The Man Solomon was a man of wisdom, wealth, and power. The last verses of 1 Kings 4 tell us that God “gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29). He wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs. People from all the nations came to hear him lecture on trees, plants, animals, birds, reptiles, and fish. He “was wiser than all other men…” (1 Kings 4:31) Solomon’s annual income of 666 talents of gold—a conservative estimate of $300 million in today’s economy. Solomon had all the resources to try to address life’s “vanity.” He tried to fill his empty soul with work, pleasure, and more money. But at the end of the day, all was futile “under the sun.” Solomon’s conclusion After a life of trying to find satisfaction, Solomon concluded, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil” (Eccl 12:13-14). Solomon came to the realization that life “under the sun” was vanity. But life lived “over the sun,” loving God and an eternal perspective, counted for eternity. Why a Study of Ecclesiastes is Important 1. Ecclesiastes helps us deal with the biggest and hardest questions that we still ask today. 2. Ecclesiastes will help us live a life that truly honors God. Three Questions There are two kinds of people sitting at every funeral. There are those who say, “This is terrible, tragic, sad, and uncomfortable. I can’t wait to get out of here.” There are others who see the box in front of the room and know that one day they will be in the box. This group contemplates three questions: How will I be remembered by my family first, and then others? What is my accounting before God going to be like? Where will my soul be when my body is in the box? DAILY DEVOTIONAL WITH RON MOORE Get Ron’s Daily Devotional to your inbox each morning; visit http://biblechapel.org/devo. LIVING GROUNDED Learn more about how you can grow deeper and embrace the foundational truths of the Christian faith with Living Grounded. Whether you’re just starting out in faith or you’ve been a Christian for years, Living Grounded offers truth, wisdom, and encouragement for every stage. Contact http://gdevore@biblechapel.org to get connected. CAREGIVING Do you have a need we can pray for? Do you need someone to walk alongside you? Do you know of another person who needs care? Let us know at http://caregiving@biblechapel.org. CAMPUS FACEBOOK GROUPS You’re invited to connect with The Bible Chapel family in your campus Facebook Group. Look for Facebook Groups at http://facebook.com/biblechapel and click on Groups on the left side. FIND AN ENCOURAGER TODAY! JOIN A SMALL GROUP Community Groups are our easiest on-ramp to community at The Bible Chapel; these groups use sermon-based questions to dive deeper into weekly messages. Visit http://biblechapel.org/smallgroups to learn more and sign up!