“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…
15 In my vain life I have seen everything. There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. 16 Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? 17 Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time? 18 It is…
7 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied. 8 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool? And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity sand a…
7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. 9 Two are…