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Episodes
Sermons preached at the Hinckley Evangelical Free Church (Hinckley, MN)
Episodes
Monday Sep 12, 2016
Monday Sep 12, 2016
Letters to the Church: Ephesus
Revelation 2:1-7
Ephesus (v. 1a)
· City on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea
· Center for commerce
· Center for the Imperial Cult and the Temple of Artemis
· Center for the spread of the Gospel in Asia Minor (see Acts 18-20; Ephesians)
o Also closest city to Patmos, the island where John wrote Revelation (Rev. 1:9)
A Vision of Jesus (v. 1b)
· Jesus is portrayed as being holding the churches in His right hand and walking among them
o A symbol of both His power and His presence
“I know…” (v. 2-3)
· Jesus commends the Ephesians for:
o Their hard work
o Their patient endurance
o Their impatience for evil
o Their sound doctrine
§ Especially by testing those who would claim to be in authority
· The Nicolaitans (v. 6)
· Would Jesus commend us for these things?
“This I have against you…” (v. 4-5)
· The Ephesians have lost sight of their first love
o This may be a reference to love for:
§ God Himself
§ One another
§ The Lost
· They are called to return to the basics
· They lost their focus
o Have we?
The Call to Conquer (v. 7)
· The Ephesians are called to conquer* through truth, unity & love
o Conquer: a play on the name ‘Nicolaitan’
§ Not conquering people
§ Conquering lies, division and apathy
So What?
· How are we doing as a church? Have we lost our focus on loving God, each other, and the lost? Are we defined by truth, unity and love?
Meditation Verse: Revelation 2:4-5a
Wednesday Sep 07, 2016
Wednesday Sep 07, 2016
Chasing the Wind: The End of the Matter
Ecclesiastes 11 & 12
Invest Wisely (11:1-8)
· Solomon commends us to divest our interests (v. 1-2, 6)
o Both financially and otherwise
· Because life is unpredictable & uncontrollable at times
o Like the rain and the wind (v. 3-4)
o Like how a child is formed in the womb (v. 5a)
o Mysterious and perhaps unknowable
· But these reflect the way God works in the world (v. 5b)
o Thus, we should invest in eternal things
· We should not waste time worrying about what might happen (v. 4)
o But rather deal with things as they are
· Thus, we should live life to the fullest (v. 7-8a)
o While remaining aware of the risks (v. 8b)
On Aging, Death & Contentment (11:9-12:7)
· Solomon encourages us to enjoy life while we can
o To make the most of opportunities (v. 9a)
· While remaining aware of our standing before God (v. 9b)
o Thus, we ought to live with eternity in mind (v. 10a)
§ In a way that pleases God
§ And gives freedom from stress
· He reminds us that our youth is fleeting (v. 10b-12:7)
o Using various illusions to the process of aging (loss of eyesight, hearing, teeth, strength, sexual desire)
· These are the reflections of an aged man who lives with regrets
o His advice: Make God honoring choices now, so you have nothing to regret later
The End of the Matter (12:8-14)
· Solomon concludes by repeated his call of hebel (vanity)
· He reflects on his own desire to share wisdom (v. 9-10)
· Claiming that wisdom is meant to move us forward (goads), and anchor us (nails) (v. 11)
o While coming from God alone (one Shepherd)
· But even wisdom has its limits and should be pursued in measure (v. 12)
· What is not hebel, what has real meaning is God alone (v. 13)
o Thus we should revere and love Him
o And live with eternity in mind (v. 14)
So What?
· Are we living wisely by making the most of opportunities and investing in eternity?
· Are we finding our life’s meaning in God alone?
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 12:13
Wednesday Aug 31, 2016
Thursday Aug 25, 2016
Monday Aug 15, 2016
Monday Aug 15, 2016
Chasing the Wind: Wisdom & Politics
Ecclesiastes 9:18b-10:20
Wisdom & Folly (9:18b-10:7)
· Solomon continues his reflection on wisdom
o Where earlier it was better than strength (9:13-18a)
o Now it shown that even a little folly can ruin great wisdom (9:18b-10:1)
· Foolishness will always be found out (10:3)
o Though it can rise to great position (10:4-7)
o Slaves/princes: Not a comment on social status
§ But one’s moral character
On Schemes (10:8-11)
· Solomon uses metaphors to describe the pitfalls of scheming
· Those who seek gain by evil schemes find that they often backfire on them (v. 8)
· But even the hard work of the wise can cause them harm (v. 9)
o But these dangers can be minimized by preparation and foresight (v. 10-11)
On Counsel (10:12-15)
· The wise use their words to benefit others and themselves (v. 12a)
o And keeps their words few
· The foolish use their words to benefit only themselves (v. 12b-15)
o And they use many words, thus multiplying their foolishness
o They do not have true insight to give
§ Not even directions to town (v. 15b)
On Rulers (10:16-20)
· The mark of good leader is their wisdom
· Those who have no self-control and act childish will ruin the land
o Child/Princes & Nobility: Again, not a comment on social status
§ But one’s moral character
· Solomon’s comments on sloth is both personal and national (v. 18)
o When we are unwilling to do hard work, our household/nation suffers
· “People prepare food for pleasure, and wine makes life joyful, but money pays for both.” (v. 19)
o “The point is that at least some money is essential for enjoying life, and steps must therefore be taken to ensure that the economy (be it national or personal) is sound.” –Duane Garrett
· Because of one’s connection to the state of the nation
o We should be cautious in how we speak of those in positions of power (v. 20)
§ Even in private, since we don’t know who may hear
So What?
· Are we seeking wisdom, and showing it in how we speak to others, or in what we do NOT say?
· Is our worldview bigger than our own life? Do we see how the fate of our nation affects us?
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 10:12
Monday Aug 08, 2016
Monday Aug 08, 2016
Chasing the Wind: The Fate of All
Ecclesiastes 9:1-18a
On Death (v. 1-6)
· Reflecting on the unfathomable work of God, Solomon approaches the subject of death (8:15-17)
· Death is a certainty for all humanity (v. 2-3)
o Whether we are righteous or wicked
· Which seems evil at first glance
o One could think that death is an example of injustice
· However, death actually is the great equalizer (v. 6)
· Yet, life is better than death
o Because while we are alive, we have hope (v. 4)
On Life (v.7-12)
· The solution to the inevitability of death* is to enjoy life(v. 7-10)
o Because it is fleeting
o Sheol (v. 10): the grave, the place of the dead
§ Not hell
· We are called to be joyful and enjoy the blessings of God
o Including our spouses and family
o And our work
· Wise reflection also leads to the conclusion that our strengths and gifts do not assure success in life (v. 11-12)
o They will fade and fail us
· The only guarantee in life is that it will end in death
o This would be depressing, if death was the end
o But it is not!
Wisdom vs. Strength (v. 13-18a)
· Solomon reflects that wisdom is superior to strength
o Though, ironically we often refuse it
o Seeking it only when we are desperate
· We need to seek wisdom over strength
o And before we are in dire need
So What?
· Since life is fleeting, are we enjoying what blessings we have in the Lord?
· Are we seeking wisdom in times of peace; so that we can recall it during times of stress?
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:10
Monday Aug 01, 2016
Monday Aug 01, 2016
Chasing the Wind: The Work of God
Ecclesiastes 8:1-17
Obey the King (v. 1-10a)
· Solomon advises us to remember how the world works
· Those in positions of authority are to be obeyed (Rom. 13:1-5*; see also 1 Pet. 2:13-15)
o Though not when they are in opposition to God’s explicit commands (See Ex. 1:17-21; Josh. 2:1-7; 1 Sam. 14:45; 1 Kings 18; Dan. 3; Dan. 6; Acts 4:19-21; 5:29; Rev. 13:15)
· However, Solomon advises that when they are in the wrong, we must be tactful and diplomatic (v. 3-4)
· And he reminds us that even kings’ powers are limited and fleeting (v. 6-9)
o And ultimately God will end the reign of tyrannical and self-righteous rulers (v. 10a)
On Injustice (v. 10b-15)
· Solomon reflects on the seeming injustice of this world
· When justice is delayed it can contribute to more sinfulness
· Likewise, the righteous can sometimes suffer
o While the wicked prosper
· However, one needs a long-term view (v. 13)
o Justice will be executed by God
o Thus it is best to live in reverence to Him
· This view can lead to an enjoyment of one’s life now (v. 15)
o Even in the midst of injustice
The Work of God (v. 15-17)
· Solomon concludes that despite one’s desire to gain wisdom and understanding, humans are limited
· We cannot fathom all that God is doing
o We cannot know the future
· Thus we need to trust Him
So What?
· When we experience injustice, it should act as a reminder that the world is not as it should be
· Do we trust that God is at work, even when we cannot see Him?
Meditation Verse: Ecclesiastes 8:17
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