“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:23 As we have observed, discipleship is rooted in the relationship between teacher/master and the pupil/servant. The reality is that…
27 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’28 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5:27-28 Last week we introduced our new series by considering together the importance of recapturing our identity as disciples of Jesus…
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matt. 16:24 In the modern world, followers of Jesus face numerous challenges. Along with the regular frustrations and disappointments that we all struggle with in life, the rapid secularization of the culture has become increasingly…
The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is…
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. – Eccl. 12:13-14 Last week we saw Solomon bring the body of the work to a conclusion with a…
Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them…” – Ecclesiastes 12:1 Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 brings the Teacher’s extended considerations to a end and serve as a striking conclusion that is intended to grab the attention of…
9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. – Eccl. 11:9 As we resume our study of Ecclesiastes, we find ourselves…
This Sunday we will begin our Advent series which will focus the Biblical themes associated with this wonderful season: Hope, Peace, Love, & Joy. Each Sunday we will consider together how these themes are found throughout Scripture as well as how the incarnation of our Lord Jesus brings a fullness to our understanding and experience of…
But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him. It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good…
12 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. 13 But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God. – Eccl. 8:12-13 Ecclesiastes 8 begins…