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Sermons preached at the Hinckley Evangelical Free Church (Hinckley, MN)
Episodes
Monday Jul 25, 2016
Monday Jul 25, 2016
Chasing the Wind: The Search for Virtue
Ecclesiastes 7:15-29
A Warning Against Religion (v. 15-18)
· Solomon reflects on the trappings of religion
o Religion: A system of beliefs and actions that are thought to make oneself more pleasing to God
· His use of the term ‘righteous’ here refers to a self-righteousness based in our actions
o Rather than in a right-standing granted by God by grace
o Thus its pursuit should be avoided
· Likewise, some wickedness is inevitable in life
o But it should never be pursued
· Instead, one should learn to fear God
o Hold Him in awe and respect
o Which leads to true righteousness
Coping with Evil (v. 19-22)
· Since evil cannot be completely avoided in the world
o One must learn to cope with it
o Which we do through wisdom (v. 19)
· Wisdom allows us to be honest about the state of humanity
o We are all sinful (v. 20)
· It also allows us to be honest about our own failings & fragile egos (v. 21-22)
o We need to learn to deal with people as they are
o Not as we wish they would be
The Search for Virtue (v. 23-29)
· Again Solomon reflects on the Fall of humanity into sin (see Ecc. 1:17-18)
o His examination produces the result that humans are scheming and deceptive
· Recalling the Fall, he points out the curse of Eve (v. 26; see Gen. 3:16 & parallel in Gen. 4:7c)
· Which is a pattern that has continued in strife in marriage
o Solomon is not solely faulting women for this conflict*
o He is blaming human sinfulness
· We were created righteous
o But we find ways to sin and hurt each other (v. 29)
§ A succinct description of the ‘total depravity’ of humans
So What?
· Are we seeking to be righteous on our own; or relying on God’s grace in Jesus for our right-standing with Him?
· Are we scheming and deceiving those we are called to love the most; or are we seeking better ways to love them as Christ loves us?
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 7:20
Monday Jul 18, 2016
Monday Jul 18, 2016
Chasing the Wind: What is Better
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
Death & Rebuke (V. 1-6)
· Solomon reflects on the importance of understanding our mortality (v. 1-4)
o Wisdom is gained by confronting life as it is
§ More insight is gained through suffering than pleasure
· Likewise, wisdom is gained from good correction (v. 5-7)
o Rather than from empty platitudes
Patience (v. 7-10)
· Solomon reflects on the wisdom of patience
· Patience means:
o Not taking short-cuts (. 7)
§ Like oppression & bribery
o Having a long-term view of things (v. 8)
§ Thinking through the outcome from the onset
o Being slow to anger (v. 9)
§ Having a command over our emotions
o Not being stuck in the past (. 10)
§ Because it may blind us to God’s work in the present
Wisdom & Wealth (v. 11-14)
· Wealth is of benefit, but is fleeting (v. 11)
o Vanishing during hard times
· Wisdom is of greater benefit (v. 12)
o Because it shelters us in times of trouble
o It actually increases during hardships
· Wisdom produces the knowledge that God is in control (v. 13-14)
o Thus, prosperity has a purpose
o And hardships are for a reason
§ God uses both to teach us lessons
§ Often, how to rely on Him
So What?
· Do we seek wisdom?
o God often teaches us through suffering and hardship
· Can we see His hand in the storms and trials?
o As well as through the blessings of life
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 7:3
Monday Jul 11, 2016
Monday Jul 11, 2016
Chasing the Wind: Seeking Contentment
Ecclesiastes 6
Goods vs. Good (v. 1-6)
· Solomon reflects on possessions and wealth
· We might amass goods, but they may not lead us to goodness
· This is even true when it comes to things normally seen as biblical blessings
o Like children and long life
· What good are these things if we cannot enjoy them?
Wisdom & Insight (V. 7-9)
· Solomon confesses that human appetites drives our actions (v. 7)
o And yet is never satisfied
· These appetites include our desire for wealth, pleasure, security, wisdom, etc.
· We think of some of these as advantageous
o But Solomon assures that even wisdom has limited benefits (v. 8)
· We are better off being content with what we have them constantly chasing more of any of these things (v. 9)
Seeking a Name (v. 10-12)
· Everything has already been named (Gen. 2:20)
o Including “Man”
§ Adam = Dust
· Yet we strive to make a name for ourselves
o See Gen. 6:4, “men of renown” = “men of a name”
· By doing so, we contend with the Creator (v. 10-11; see Gen. 3:5)
o Who alone knows what is best and what is to come (v. 12)
So What?
· Are we content with what God has given us?
o Or do we fight Him?
o Wanting more but feeling empty by it
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 6:12