Discouragement, Pessimism & The Will of God
Ecclesiastes
What Do You Seek?
January 17, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
As a young man I pressed into adulthood with a good work ethic and seeking to satisfy my cravings & dreams! But, I didn’t know what the world held for me. In (John 1:38) Jesus said to John and Andrew “What do you seek?” (NIV = “want”). In (Matt. 19:21) talking to the rich young ruler Jesus invited a moral-man to go deeper, and He exposed a heart issue only God could see! God knows you like no one else, and the amazing thing is He still loves you!
You Can Fight It, But You Can't Escape It!
February 7, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Tonight we see the fourth-stage in Solomon’s experiment as he tries different lifestyles without God! He tried to discover if there’s any benefits between: wisdom OR folly OR madness (vv.12-17) which one of these could bring gratification!?! He also tried to invest himself into his career seeking greater fulfillment by being devoted to work (vv.18-23). All of us understand what Solomon is wrestling with here. It seems like people long to be satisfied, and we attempt to fill the cravings with the things that capture our attention!
Life Is Lived Between The Dashes
February 21, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Tonight we come to the fifth-stage in Solomon’s experiment as he tries to get a grip on the cyclical nature of life under heaven – a.k.a. apart from God. Solomon has arrived at his next conclusion about life which he labeled as: Predictable, mundane, & boring! It's been said, “The problem with life is, it’s so daily.” As we begin tonight, Let me take you back to (Deut. 17:16-17) as it pertains to any king over Israel. The King was prohibited from amassing three things: Excessive horses (power for war). Excessive wives (pleasure outside of God’s providence). Excessive silver & gold (promotes pride). Here's the point, Solomon was in a backslidden state.
Pessimism Vs. Optimism
February 28, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Now at (vv.9-10) Solomon turns from everything has its time to what’s the value of hard work!?! His pessimism is still in full-swing as he attempts to capture satisfaction from work. Perhaps you'll remember with me a truth we uncovered in (Prov. 14:23) “In all labor there is profit…” Both young and old wrestle with looking forward & looking backwards. However, the wisdom of God gives us the insights He wants us to uncover. God doesn't want His people to stay trapped in the dark-shadows of pessimism!
Spiritual Vitality
April 4, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Solomon told us back in (1:13) what he was up to in his old age: “… I set my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all that is done under heaven…” His investigation into life’s activity & affairs… (apart from God) but they showed us the pursuits of pleasure the accumulation of riches and the accomplishments of building & education! All these energies & efforts to gain satisfaction failed him & left him unsatisfied! Now, in (Chp. #5 – 10) he’s going to give some exhortations in light of his experiences under the sun and the first one he turns to is religious practices!
Right Motivation
March 28, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
The struggle with inequality and injustice is real! If we get caught up in tackling world problems apart from God emotionally hot-topics can distort biblical truths & ruin lives. We live in a time of world-history where hype spreads faster than truth. Lies (emotionally felt) seem to carry greater credibility than facts! And Solomon's reasoning in these verses radiate the gloom of his tarnished perspective. So how can we live above the barriers of injustice? Let me give you three things: 1)Get Godly perspective by seeing how God worked in the past. 2)Get Godly counsel from people NOT emotionally involved. 3) Godly living: putting into action what we’ve learn.
This Is For Real
April 11, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Remember (Chp. #5 – 10) gives us some insights & exhortations on the back of Solomon’s experiences in life. He addresses a topic that is sensitive to most people he’s going to take the outward appearance of material wealth and show the less pleasant reality of it! Perhaps in your bible you have a title over (vv.8-20)? Mine says: “The Futility of Riches”
Life Out Of Focus
April 18, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Tonight we come to another insight & exhortation from Solomon. Once again, he sheds light on how people waste their lives under the misguided delusion of striving for satisfaction! Through the years of my life I’ve been one of those persons who struggles with anxiety! It’s been a real stumbling block behind the scenes. At times, I’ve prided myself as being someone who is diligent and hard-working! Carrying these expectations of achievement in an attempt to be satisfied! Well tonight, Solomon adds to the discussion of a “Life Out of Focus”
Here's Wisdom
April 25, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Tonight we continue into the next phase of wisdom. Chapter 7 can be divided into (vv.1-14) & (vv.15-29). But the flow carries down from the previous chapter. Look at (6:12) So because of man's finite ability he doesn’t know what his life will bring. So “Here’s Wisdom” Now (Chp. #7) starts as Solomon takes adversity in (vv.2-4) prosperity in (vv.11-12) and he ties them together in (vv.5-10) by suggesting there’s many temptations to abandon wisdom & live like a fool.
I've Seen It All
May 9, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
Well we continue into the second phase of chapter #7 tonight. Remember with me how Solomon took “adversity” & “prosperity” and pointed to the idea that there’s many temptations trying to allure us into giving up on wisdom & living foolishly! Perhaps something to note about Solomon. Look back to (Ecc. 1:1-2) for just a moment (he’s a teacher / preacher). Solomon was respected worldwide for his wisdom! This guy was an intellectual giant of his day, and people responded to what he said! And Here's what he teaches now...
The Ways Of God
May 16, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
As we’ve seen thru this entire book Solomon continues to express himself from the perspective of a jaded old-man! Earlier in his life he had achieved incredible success which led his heart to drift from the Lord! And now he was keenly aware of how empty everything was without God. So many of the conclusions we have in Ecclesiastes are drawn from sources outside of God. They're taken from a human perspective. This chapter starts off by speaking about the satisfaction one gets after being able to analyze & interpret a matter. This reminds me of the time in Genesis 40:8 & 41:16 when Joseph had been in prison, but was called upon to interpret a dream he immediately gave God the credit (both times). Also, in (John 6:68) Peter looked to Jesus and said “…Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”
Privilege... Does It Exist?
May 23, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
In this current age of intellectual confusion there are different buzz-words that illicit hot emotional responses! Nonetheless, the Bible is an incredibly bright-light that illuminates the inventions & distortions of man. It's for this reason that then enemy of mankind’s soul, Satan, and those that unknowingly peddle his goods do NOT want the power of this book unleashed. Tonight the scriptures brush up against Social Privilege. This phrase is commonly used in the context of: racial category, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious preference, and even social class. Yet, Solomon unveils the fallacy behind this distorted concept.
Beware Of a Little Foolishness
July 18, 2018 • Pastor Jeff Cramer
At no other time in world history have people enjoyed had more conveniences than we do now! Yet we stay way too busy and this creates a constant stress in our lives. The socially accepted practice is to take small escapes from reality and embrace a little foolishness – Solomon did! But be serious, we all knows the phrase: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!” We can be assured that embracing a little folly may be more common than we care to admit!