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Episodes
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
Monday Jun 20, 2016
Monday Jun 20, 2016
Chasing the Wind: Oppression & Friendship
Ecclesiastes 4
Oppression (v. 1-3)
· Solomon reflects on the oppression he has witnessed in the world
o Seeing the system as rigged against the poor by those with power
§ Little has changed in 3000 years
· This reality makes him ponder the value of life
o Using hyperbolic language (see Job 3; Jer 20:14–18)
o Though earlier he finds hope in God’s ultimate justice (3:15c-17)
Wealth (v. 4-8)
· Solomon reflects on how chasing wealth fails to bring satisfaction
o Especially when it is based in envy and covetousness
· He then reflects on the two hazards of laziness and over-work
o The lazy person produces nothing
§ And thus “consumes himself”
o He who has too much stresses over what he owns
§ And thus his possessions own him
· He also reflects on working so hard and having no one to share it with
o Thus prioritizing wealth and work over people
Friendship (v. 9-12)
· Reflecting on sharing life with (v. 7-8), leads to a reflection on friendship (v. 9-12)
· Friends can make life better, including:
o Work (v. 9)
o Struggles (v. 10)
o Comfort (v. 11)
§ A traveling or war image
o Protection (v. 12)
§ Especially when there are three
· Two friends + God
Position (v. 13-16)
· Even as king, Solomon realizes the vanity of his position
· It is better to be in a position of weakness and be teachable
o Than to be in a position of strength but being inflexible
· And someday the king will be replaced by someone younger
o Position is fleeting
So What?
· Since there are so many aspects to life that do not satisfied
o We need to focus on what endures
o Like God-centered friendships
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 4:12
Monday Jun 13, 2016
Monday Jun 13, 2016
Chasing the Wind: A Time for Everything
Ecclesiastes 3
On Time (v. 1-8)
· Solomon reflects on the ever-changing aspects of life
· Human life is ruled by time
o Always moving forward
o Bringing both good and bad
· We are not able to fully experience eternity yet
Conclusion about Time (v. 9-14)
· Our entrapment in time is a reminder of our mortality (v.9)
· Our fruit of our labor will not last (v. 10)
· But God makes everything work out for its appropriate season of life (v. 11a)
o He is the Lord of time
o And has made us long for a timeless reality with Him (v. 11b)
· These truths lead to the conclusion that we should learn to enjoy the life that God has given us
o Even though this life is transitory
§ That means so is pleasure
§ And so is pain
· Only God is eternal
o And what He does will be the only things that last
o Which leads to reverence* for God
On Justice (v. 15-17)
· Solomon turns his attention to justice and its lack in the world
o V. 15 may have the idea of God seeking the persecuted
· Justice is not done in this world
o But God will assure that it will be done to and for all in eternity
On Death (v. 18-21)
· Solomon reflects on the mortality of all
o Both men and beasts
· Reminder: God has not clearly revealed the idea of resurrection at this time in redemptive history
o Yet there are hints even in Solomon’s own assurance of eternal justice
Solomon’s Conclusion (v. 22)
· If life is fleeting
o We should enjoy the work set before us
· Yet, Solomon’s perspective is limited
o He asks who can know what comes after
§ Questioning if there is life after death
So What?
· Without the hope of resurrection
o Aspects of this life can seem empty
· But with the perspective that there is more than this life
o All of this life can have meaning
o When our life is lived for God
· Are we living for God?
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 3:17
Monday Jun 06, 2016
Monday Jun 06, 2016
Chasing the Wind: Solomon's Experience
Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26
The Irony of Wisdom (1:12-18)
• Solomon states that he pursued wisdom
– A task given to all humanity by God
• But he found the job to be a grievous
– Unlike the ancient philosophers who stated that seeking wisdom was the highest calling
• The more wisdom he had, the less meaningful life was seen to be
– Wisdom brings knowledge of problems
– But, also the knowledge that many problems cannot be solved
• Therefore wisdom actually produced vexation for Solomon
Solomon’s Pursuits (v. 2:1-11)
• He chased pleasure (v. 1-3)
• He toiled to build great estates and wealth (v. 4-10)
• And he found temporary enjoyment in these things
• But they did not truly fulfill him (v. 11)
Solomon’s Wisdom (2:12-17)
• So he turned his attention to gaining wisdom
– And found that it was better than folly
• Folly: Human behavior apart from God
• Wisdom seeks truth/light
– And thus seeks God
– But also finds the truth that the fate of the wise is the same as the foolish: Death!
Solomon’s Legacy (2:18-26)
• He realized that all his hard work would be left to others after his death
- And they may not act so wisely with it
• So he concluded that enjoying the fruit of one’s labor is wisdom (v. 24-25)
- A true gift from God
• Thus, pleasing God is what produces lasting joy (v. 26)
So What?
• Are we seeking fulfillment in our relationship with God?
• Or are we, like Solomon did for a time, seeking it in pleasure or toiling for wealth that will not last?
Meditation Verse: Ecc. 2:26
Monday May 30, 2016
Monday May 30, 2016
Chasing the Wind: All is Vanity
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
What is Ecclesiastes? (v. 1)
• A book of deep wisdom based on the personal experience of its author
• It is a book that is best understood when one knows the end from the beginning (Ecc. 12:13)
• It is written in poetic form
• The author: The Preacher
– Hebrew: Qoheleth; Greek: Ecclesiastes
• One who speaks to the assembly
– Son of David, king in Jerusalem
• Any of David’s ancestors
• Probably Solomon
– Known both for his wisdom and his extravagance
All is Vanity (v. 2)
• Vanity: Lacking in lasting effect
– הֶבֶל (hebel): “vapor” or “breath”; fleeting
– Something that will not satisfy or last
• A summary of the theme of the book
– Life apart from God is unsatisfying
The Monotony of Life (v. 3-7)
• Despite all of our efforts and how important we think we are
– The world will keep spinning without us
• There is seemingly never-ending pattern to life
– Both for humanity
– And for Creation (see Rom. 8:19-21)
• This thought ought to humble us
– But not depress us*
Nothing New (v. 8-11)
• Even our senses fail to bring us satisfaction
• This cycle of dissatisfaction is a result, in part, of humanity’s inability to learn from our past
So What?
• Life apart from God is unsatisfying
• Thus, we need God to have true meaning in life
– Do you find your meaning in your relationship with God?
– Are you sharing the hope that you have with others?
Meditation Verse: Ecc. 12:13
Monday May 23, 2016
Monday May 23, 2016
The GOSPEL, part 2
Various Texts
Our Mission
• As followers of Jesus we are called to share with the world the truth of:
– Who Jesus is
– What Jesus has done
• This message is called the Gospel
– The Good News
– The heart of this message can be summarized in the GOSPEL acronym
The GOSPEL
• God created us to be with Him
• Our sins separate us from God
• Sins cannot be removed by good deeds
• Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again
• Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life
• Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever
Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again
• Jesus’ sinless death paid the debt for all our sins (1 John 2:1-2)
– Propitiation: appeasement
• As our sinful nature makes us “children of wrath” (Eph. 2:3)
• Jesus took on the punishment that our sins deserved
• His resurrection is proof of His victory over sin and death (1 Cor. 15:54-57)
Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life
• Christ gives eternal life through faith in Him (John 3:16; Rom. 6:23)
• This is all God’s doing, not ours
- Grace: A free, unmerited gift
Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever
• The life Jesus offers us begins now (John 5:24; 10:28)
• We will experience it fully with Christ’s return and our resurrection (1 Cor. 15:52)
So What?
• We are called to share the Good News of Jesus with the world
• Do you know the truth of the Gospel well enough to share it?
• Do you believe the Gospel and are you living it out?
Meditation Verse: 1 Peter 3:15
Monday May 16, 2016
Monday May 16, 2016
The GOSPEL, part 1
Various Texts
Our Mission
• As followers of Jesus we are called to share with the world the truth of:
– Who Jesus is
– What Jesus has done
• This message is called the Gospel
– The Good News
– The heart of this message can be summarized in the GOSPEL acronym
The GOSPEL
• God created us to be with Him
• Our sins separate us from God
• Sins cannot be removed by good deeds
• Paying the price for sin, Jesus died and rose again
• Everyone who trusts in Him alone has eternal life
• Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever
God created us to be with Him
• Humans were created by God (Gen 1:27)
• We were made to be with Him (Ps. 100:3)
Our sins separate us from God
• We are all sinners
- Sin: Disobeying God’s commands
- We were born as sinner (Eph. 2:3)
- We choose to sin (1 John 1:8, 10)
• Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:2; Rom. 3:23)
- In our sin, we do not give God the glory that He is due
Sins cannot be removed by good deeds
• Regardless of how good we act, we cannot pay the debt that our sins have earned us (Rom 6:23a; Isa. 64:6)
• We must rely on God to act on our behalf (Eph 2:8-9)
So What?
• We are called to share the Good News of Jesus with the world
• Do you know the truth of the Gospel well enough to share it?
• Do you believe the Gospel and are you living it out?
Meditation Verse: 1 Peter 3:15
Monday May 09, 2016
Monday May 09, 2016
The Gospel of John: John’s Purpose & Witness
John 20:30-31; 21:24-25
John’s Goal
• John ends his Gospel with two statements concerning his:
– Purpose
– Selectivity
– Trustworthiness
John’s Purpose
• To proclaim Jesus as:
– Christ: King
– God’s Son: God
• In order to instill faith in Him
– Which leads to eternal life
• This happens through declaring His signs & teachings
John’s Selectivity
• John selected the stories and signs that he did to inspire faith in Jesus in his readers
– He always connected the message with the audience
John’s Witness
• John wrote down his own experiences with Jesus
- As the beloved disciple
- He tells his audience of how Jesus loved others and loved him
• Jesus’ words in 20:29 declare that those who believe without being firsthand witnesses are blessed
- Thus, those who come to faith by the testimony of John from this Gospel are blessed
• That’s us!
So What?
• Just like John:
– We need to declare Jesus to the world
– We need to connect the Gospel to those with whom we are sharing it
– We need to testify to what Jesus has done in us
Meditation Verse: John 20:31