091805

LIVING WITH A PURPOSE
Put First Things First
Ecclesiastes 3, Mark 12
September 18, 2005


Ecclesiastes 3:10-14; 12:9-14
“Ecclesiastes 3:10) I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.” (NIV) “Ecclesiastes 12:9) And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs. The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth. The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd. And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil.
1) Remember, we discussed that the book of Ecclesiastes was written by king Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, save Jesus Christ. Now, imagine that you were in the position to avail yourself to anything and everything this world has to offer—well, Solomon was in that position! Here we see a king who experienced everything his heart desired and in great abundance! Possessions, worldly knowledge, pleasures, wine, women—you named it, Solomon tasted it for himself! Still, having tasted, we find that the book of Ecclesiastes is written from the viewpoint of a very disillusioned man! So, what did he finally conclude: God purpose for our lives is sure, we should obey His commands because He will judge! In a nutshell, we should fear God (vs. 3:14 and 12:13!)
a) Fear God! What exactly does that mean? Are we mere ants down here, hunkered down and waiting for a highly critical god to hit us over the head with a brick bat? Believe it or not, that’s pretty close to what I use to believe about our wonderful God! Is that a healthy fear of God? Why or why not?
i) The word fear means reverence (deep, abiding respect), but it can also refer to a sense of dread. We all know we are to reverence God, but to dread Him? What about God makes us dread?
(1) Our God is a warrior (Exodus 15:3!)
(2) Our God is a jealous God (Exodus 20:5!)
(3) Our God is a consuming fire (Exodus 24:17 and Deuteronomy 4:24!)
(4) Our God refines us, tests us and disciplines us (Deuteronomy 13:3; Psalms 66:10 and Hebrews 12:5-8!)
(5) Our God puts to death and brings to life! He wounds and He heals! No one can deliver out of His hand. Vengeance belongs to God alone (Deuteronomy 32:39-43 and Romans 12:19!)
(6) Our God’s anger is against those who forsake Him (Ezra 8:22!)
(7) Our God is in heaven and He does what He pleases (Psalms 115:3!)
(8) Our God has the power to destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28!)
(9) God’s wrath on sin is coming (Romans 1:18-20; Romans 2:5; Ephesians 5:6 and Colossians 3:5-6!)
(10) He holds the keys to death and Hades (Revelation 1:18!)
ii) Reverence, yes, but, oh, Hebrews 12:28-29 also tells us to be in awe of our God! Oh, praise Him all ye who have breath, because, thank God Almighty, the following is also true of our God:
(1) God is our share and our inheritance (Numbers 18:20 and Deuteronomy 10:8-9!)
(2) God does not lie, what He promises He fulfills (Numbers 23:19!)
(3) God is near when we pray (Deuteronomy 4:7!)
(4) Our God is a merciful God (Deuteronomy 4:31!)
(5) Our God is faithful (Deuteronomy 7:9!)
(6) Our God brings us into a good land, flowing with milk and honey, our inheritance (Exodus 3:8; Deuteronomy 8:7; Ephesians 1:13-14;18; Hebrews 9:15; and 1 Peter 1:3-5!)
(7) Our God goes before us, preparing the way (Deuteronomy 9:3!)
(8) Our God owns the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it (Deuteronomy 10:14!)
(9) Our God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes (Deuteronomy 10:17!)
(10) Our God defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing (Deuteronomy 10:18!)
(11) Our God is our praise; He is our God, who performed for us great and awesome wonders (Deuteronomy 10:21!)
(12) Our God fights for us (Deuteronomy 20:4!)
(13) Our God gives us rest (Joshua 1:13!)
(14) Our God is gracious and compassionate (2 Chronicles 30:9!)
(15) Our God’s gracious hand is upon all who look towards Him (Ezra 8:22!)
(16) Our God is a righteous Judge (Psalms 7:11!)
(17) Our God is our refuge, our strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalms 46:!!)
(18) Our God reigns and is seated on His throne (Psalms 47:8!)
(19) Our God is our help. He sustains us (Psalms 54:4!)
(20) Our God saves and from Him, we escape death (Psalms 68:20!)
(21) Our God is our strength and our portion (Psalms 73:26!)
(22) Our God is holy (Psalms 99:9!)
(23) Our God forgives all our sins, heals all our diseases, redeems our lives from the pit and crowns us with love and compassion! He satisfies our desires with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle's (Psalms 103:3-5!)
(24) Our God is righteous (Psalms 116:5!)
(25) Our God’s words are flawless. He is our shield (Proverbs 30:5!)
(26) God is with us (Isaiah 8:10!)
(27) God is our salvation (Isaiah 12:2!)
(28) Our God is a God of justice (Isaiah 30:18!)
(29) Our God is the salvation of Israel (Jeremiah 3:23!)
(30) Our God reveals mysteries (Daniel 2:47!)
(31) Our God is merciful and forgiving (Daniel 9:9!)
(32) Our God is with us, He is mighty to save. He will take great delight in us, He will quiet us with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17!)
(33) Our God is for us (Romans 8:31!)
(34) Our God is a God of peace (1 Corinthians 14:33!)
(35) God is the builder of everything (Hebrews 3:4!)
(36) Our God is love (1 John 4:8!)
2) All these, and, oh, so much more than are mentioned are marvelous facets our God! On the one hand, we see God’s righteous wrath on sin (Romans 6:23!) On the other hand, we see God’s mercy, grace and love! How do we cross over from being children of wrath, to partakers of His grace? We don’t! What is our part? Oh, read John 6:28-29! Believe, sisters, believe! Enter into your promised rest! Isaiah 30:15 says, “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength…” I have just started a Beth Moore Bible study, “The Patriarchs.” (I just love to hear to her teach!) You know, it’s amazing! We were studying how God “cut” covenant with Abraham, you can find this in Genesis 15. Now, a covenant is made between two partners, and a blood covenant is the most solemn and binding of all covenants. You will no doubt notice that here, God puts Abraham into a deep, dark sleep—hey, no one to cut covenant with! We find out later in Hebrews 6:13-14 that because God could swear by no one greater than Himself, He swore to Himself! Oh, I pray you will be able to fully grasp with our God has done for us! This promise was of “a seed,” (Genesis 15:5) is none other than Jesus Christ (Galatians 3;16!) Now, as Beth Moore pointed out to us, and this is really going to knock your socks off, the word “passed” used here in Genesis 15:17 is “avar” or “abar,” which means, of course to “cross over!” God doesn’t want us to cross over to Him—we never could! No, our great God chooses to “cross over” to us! How did God “cross over?” He, Jesus Christ, the God-Man, took on flesh, went to the cross and glory to God, rose on the third day! Cross over, indeed! Oh, praise His holy, holy name!
3) Separating the attributes of God reminds me of the cross—there were three that day. One on either side of Jesus. The other two sentenced to death were robbers—sinners, justly receiving their penalty under the law. Matthew 27:44 tells us that at one point both robbers were hurling insults at Jesus. Luke 23:39-43 goes on to further tell us that one of the robbers, watching Jesus suffer unjustly, actually repented right there on the cross! He chose wisely! He’s in glory right now with Jesus! The other—he chose the way of wrath. How about you dear one? Which way will you choose?
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4) Have you ever met someone, or perhaps you know someone right now, who, at first, seemed quite unlovely, even unlovable? Yet, over a period of time their inner beauty (the goodness of their heart), actually reflected through them, making them more beautiful than you first imagined?
5) Now, go on, go ahead—take a good long look at yourself in the mirror. Like what you see? God does! He thinks you are absolutely beautiful! It’s true! I know, I know—I find that so terribly hard to believe myself! Too often, we choose to believe the lies of satan! The Song of Solomon, or sometimes called the Song of Songs (SOS), while a very intense and intimate love story between king Solomon and his bride, is, in fact, a “picture” of how the King of kings and Lord of lords, our Savior, Jesus Christ views His “bride,” the church (that’s you and me!) In SOS 1:5-6 how does Solomon’s bride see herself? What is Solomon’s response in SOS 1:15? You really have to see this sacred narrative in the KJV. The dialog between the king and his bride goes on and on with his declaring, “thou art fair, thou art fair!” It’s not truly until SOS 8:10, that at long last, the “bride” is able to see herself through the eyes of her “bridegroom!” She has found favor in the king’s eyes!
6) Just a little side bar here: Please do try to take the time and read all of the Song of Solomon. This gives us a perfect picture of how men and women respond to each other. Ladies, we love to hear those sweet reassuring words that affirm we are beautiful and we are loved! And, girls, if you don’t learn anything else about men in your lifetime, learn this—men are definitely VISUAL!
7) Sisters, let’s take a close look at exactly how God see each and every one of us:
i) You are blessed and you will be a blessing (Genesis 12:2!)
ii) You are God’s treasured possession (Exodus 19:5 and Deuteronomy 7:6!)
iii) You are child of the Most High (Psalms 82:6; Luke 6:35 and 2 Corinthians 6:18!)
iv) You are called to be a part of God’s holy people (Exodus 22:31!)
v) You have been set apart by God (Leviticus 20:13!)
vi) You are called by the name of the Lord and are displayed for the entire world to be in awe (Deuteronomy 28:10!)
vii) You will prosper and be successful (Joshua 1:8 and 2 Corinthians 9:11!)
viii) You are without flaw (SOS 4:7!)
ix) The Lord will guide and satisfy you (Isaiah 58:11 and Luke 6:21!)
x) You are called to be a priest and minister of the Lord (Isaiah 61:6!)
xi) You are a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand (Isaiah 62:3!)
xii) The Lord delights in you (Isaiah 62:4!)
xiii) You are the Lord’s portion and a part of His inheritance (Deuteronomy 32:9!)
(1) This works both ways—He is your Portion and your Inheritance (Jeremiah 10:16 and Numbers 18:20!) He’s also our Reward (Genesis 15:1!)
xiv) You are the apple of His eye (Deuteronomy 32:10 and Psalm 17:8!)
xv) Jesus has promised that your reward will be great (Luke 6:35!)
xvi) You will one day be with Jesus (Luke 23:43!)
xvii)Jesus has promised to free us (John 8:36!)
xviii) You will be kept strong and made blameless in the day of the Lord (1 Corinthians 1:8!)
xix) You will be saved, and that by God (Philippians 1:28!)
8) Can you believe it? In the very throngs of debauchery, Solomon is still teaching wisdom (vs.9!) So, do you think we ever have an excuse for not passing on what we have learned from the Lord?
9) Why do you think Solomon found study to be so wearisome? What type of studying was he doing? Do you ever think of studying God’s Word this way? Why or why not? The world does (Acts 26:1!)
10) What on earth does Solomon mean by comparing words of wisdom to “goads and nails?”
a) My old Scofield KJV Bible translates the word “goads” for pricks. Godly wisdom often “pricks” our consciences, which is meant to motivate us toward change and, think about it, if you want to make something stick, very often, you have to “nail it down!” That is the work of God’s precious Holy Spirit in revealing God’s Word to us! Let’s all pray that we will allow God to penetrate our hearts with “goads” so, we can “nail down” His Word!
b) Have you found some innovated ways to “nail down” God’s Word? Please share!
11) What does it mean to you when Solomon says, “God has set eternity into the heart of men (John 11:25-26!)
12) Honestly, do you find satisfaction in your work? If so, have you ever thought of this as a gift of God?
a) If you have not found satisfaction, it may help to realize who you are really working for (Colossians 3:23!)
Mark 12:28-31
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: `Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: `Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." (NIV)
1) Two commandments. Love God, love your neighbor as yourself! Let’s look again at what “real” love is and does, 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
a) Love is patient
b) Love is kind
c) Love does not envy
d) Love does not boast
e) Love is not proud.
f) Love is not rude
g) Love is not self-seeking
h) Love is not easily angered
i) Love keeps no record of wrongs.
j) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
k) Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
l) Love never fails
2) So, how are we doing so far? Oh, let’s be honest! Most women can certainly keep a record of wrongs! In fact, our records can go back years! And, don’t expect me to not be easily angered when I’m PMSing! Rude? Who me?
3) Is there an area in your life where “Love never fails” may help in reaching a solution?
Mark 12:32-34
"Well said, teacher," the man replied. "You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices." When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.” (NIV)
1) What did Jesus mean when he told this man that he was not far from the kingdom of God? What, if any, additional action did this man require? Do you think he understood that the God of love and compassion was standing right in front of him? Why or why not?
2) Do you feel that you are so close to understanding, just steps away from the kingdom of God? What’s holding you back?
3) Why do you suppose that after Jesus spoke on this subject that no one dared to ask him any more questions (Proverbs 15:1?)
Deuteronomy 10:12-22
“Now I had stayed on the mountain forty days and nights, as I did the first time, and the LORD listened to me at this time also. It was not his will to destroy you. "Go," the LORD said to me, "and lead the people on their way, so that they may enter and possess the land that I swore to their fathers to give them." And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the LORD set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all the nations, as it is today. Circumcise your hearts, therefore, and do not be stiff-necked any longer. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the alien, giving him food and clothing. And you are to love those who are aliens, for you yourselves were aliens in Egypt. Fear the LORD your God and serve him. Hold fast to him and take your oaths in his name. He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes. Your forefathers who went down into Egypt were seventy in all, and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in the sky.” (NIV)
1) I put verses 10-11 in this outline because I wanted you to see God’s heart!
a) God does not desire to destroy us (We all need to stop believing this lie of the devil and believe God loves us, and He is working out all things for good in our lives (Romans 8:28!)
b) He wants us to enter in. What is the spiritual application to “entering in?”
i) Jesus is the Narrow Gate (Matthew 7:13!)
ii) Jesus is the Bread of Life—eat and be filled (John 6:35; 40-44; 51-58!)
iii) Jesus is the Door to the Kingdom of God (John 10:7-9!)
iv) Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12!)
v) Jesus is the Good Shepherd (John 10:11!)
vi) Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25!)
vii) Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6!)
viii) Jesus is the True Vine (John 15:1-9!)
2) We are spiritual descendents of Abraham, therefore heirs to all God’s promises (Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:6-7, 9, 29!) What’s your promise land? Do you know that you have one right here on earth, just like the Israelites, and, oh, we have a promise land waiting for us in eternity! It may be your husband, your children, your job, your health, even your faith! What’s keeping you from taking possession (Hebrews 3:18-19?) Will you have to fight and maybe, kill off some giants? Yes, but remember, the battle is really the Lords (1 Samuel 17:47!) God has given us the land and He has gone before you (Hebrews 6:19-20--remember, He has crossed over!) Take it back! You are more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37.) Remember, how we learned that our God is a warrior? Well, we’ve been called to join in the battle—put on your armor and fight what is yours!
3) Okay, there are times when it seems we have lost the battle (at least from our earthly perception of things.) So, what is to be our response if we have, in faith, done all we possibly can to fight the battle (Psalm 46, especially verses 9-11 and Ephesians 6:10-18!) Oh, sisters, be still, know that God is God and having done all, stand! There is another step that God sometimes requires of us, waiting! Sometimes, receiving a response to our prayers can be delayed (Daniel 10!) Waiting can be one of the most difficult things God asks of us, but, here is a list of reasons why we should learn patience in this area:
a) God acts in unimaginable ways for those who willing wait for His response (Isaiah 64:4!)
b) God has promised to exalt us and that we would see with our own eyes the ruin of the wicked (Psalms 37:34!)
c) God will deliver us (Proverbs 20:22!)
d) God will be gracious, showing compassion and bringing justice (Isaiah 30:18!)
e) God has promised to answer (Psalms 38:15!)
f) God has promised to bring everything to light and we will receive His praise (1 Corinthians 4:5!)
i) How should we wait:
(1) With expectation (Psalms 10:8!)
(2) By remaining strong and taking heart (Psalms 27:14!)
(3) In hope (Psalms 33:20!)
(4) Patiently and without fretting (Psalms 37:7; James 5:7!)
(5) Keeping His ways (Psalms 37:34!)
(6) Trusting in His Word (Psalms 130:5!)
(7) Making Him the desire of our hearts (Isaiah 26:8!)
(8) Knowing blessing comes through waiting upon the Lord (Isaiah 30:18!)
(9) Knowing the Lord is our Portion, He is good and He brings salvation with Him (Lamentations 3:24-26!)
(10) Repentantly, maintaining love and justice (Hosea 12:6!)
(11) Joyfully (John 3:29!)
(12) Eagerly (1 Corinthians 1:7; Galatians 5:5; Philippians 3:20!)
4) This passages gives us several admonishes us on how to live holy lives before our God:
a) Cleanse your sinful heart (Hebrews 3:12, 15!)
b) Don’t be stubborn (Jeremiah 5:22-23; 7:24; Romans 2:5!)
c) Love foreigners, widows and orphans. I wonder if this could this also apply to unbelievers? As scripture reminds us here, we were also once unbelievers! (1 Timothy 5:3!)
d) Fear God and cling only to Him (Psalms 34:9-22!)
i) The fear of the Lord brings wisdom, knowledge and understanding (Psalms 111:10 and Proverbs 1:7)
ii) The fear of the Lord comes with the promise of a length of days (Proverbs 10:27 and Proverbs 14:27)
iii) The fear of the Lord saves us from death (Proverbs 14:27)
iv) The fear of the Lord teaches humility (Proverbs 15:33!)
v) The fear of the Lord helps us avoid evil (Proverbs 16:6!)
vi) The fear of the Lord leads to life (Proverbs 19:23!)
vii) Humility, along with the fear of the Lord brings wealth, honor and life (Proverbs 22:4!)
e) Worship God (Look at James 1:27 to see how God views true religion!)
i) Let’s take a look at what worship is not:
(1) Worship is not lip service and rules (Isaiah 29:13!)
(2) Worship is not a location (John 4:20-21!)
ii) Let’s take a look at how worship is manifested and/or what worship produces:
(1) Service (Matthew 4:10!)
(2) Joy (Luke 24:52!)
(3) We worship in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24!)
(4) Worship is the result of belief (John 9:38!)
(5) Worship is offering our lives as spiritual sacrifices to God (Romans 12:1!)
(6) Worship is preceded by conviction (1 Corinthians 14:24!)
(7) Worship comes through putting your trust and faith in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:3!)
(8) Worship results in good deeds (1 Timothy 2:10!)
(9) Worship results in thankfulness, reverence and awe (Hebrews 12:28!)
(10) Worship acknowledges Jesus as Lord and God (Revelation 4:10!)
5) You know, the apostle Paul rebuked the Jews for always looking for signs and miracles and the Greeks for always seeking about knowledge (1 Corinthians 1:22.) How are we to live our lives (2 Corinthians 5:7!) Remember, scripture tells us that not all who believed God received the promise of their faith in their life times, but God did bring the promise in His time—there was fulfillment (Hebrews 11:13-16!) Oh, don’t let sight trip you up and make you an unbeliever! Our God is a faith God (Romans 4:17b!)