Introduction A. Solomon perceived that nothing ever really changes in the course of nature or human events. B. After searching for meaning in various places, he finally found it in fearing God and keeping His commandments. I. Without God at the center, everything is meaningless. A. Without God at the center, the universe is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1:2,7). B. Without God at the center, our labor is meaningless (Ecclesiastes...
Vain Worship
Introduction A. When Cain and Abel brought their offerings to God, Cain’s was rejected because it was not offered “by faith” (cf. Hebrews 11:4). B. Many of the Jews of Jesus’ day were likewise offering their worship to God in vain (Matthew 15:8-9). I. When one departs from God’s pattern, his worship becomes vain. A. Korah and his cohort departed from God’s pattern and paid a heavy price (Numbers 16:1-33; cf. 2 Chronicles 26:18-23)...
Remember Now
Introduction A. From this metaphorical passage we are made to consider the fact that we will all grow old and die. B. For most people, youth is nothing but vanity, but it needn’t be. I. Why is it a wise choice to remember one’s Creator early in life? A. It is wise because it is easier to do things right the first time (1 Samuel 3:19-20; Acts 22:19-20; Ephesians 5:15-16). B. It is wise because youth doesn’t last forever (Ecclesiastes 11:10). C. It is wise...
The Pattern of Worship
Introduction A. It is impossible for mortal man to improve upon the pattern that God has given us for worshiping Him. B. If we wish to be pleasing to Him, we must seek to conform to the pattern that He in His wisdom has established. I. God established a pattern for worship in the Old Testament. A. God specified the place where Israel was to worship Him (Deuteronomy 12:1-6,13-14; Jeremiah 7:12; 1 Kings 9:3). B. God specified the time for the various...
You Can’t Take It with You
Introduction A. For those who entered the Nazi work camps during World War II, nothing remained of their former lives...
The Cost of Liberty
Introduction A. We should be grateful for the liberties we enjoy as citizens of the United States, because were gained at great cost. B. In spite of the costly sacrifices that others “have laid upon the altar of freedom,” freedom still comes at a cost to each of us. C. It is good for us to set aside time to celebrate our civil liberties, but it is far more important that we remember the cost of our liberties as citizens of that heavenly kingdom. I. Heaven has...
Counterfeit Liberty
Introduction A. Adolf Hitler promised Germany “work, freedom, and bread,” but what he gave them was something radically different. B. There are some who peddle freedom today which is really just despotism in disguise (2 Peter 2:17-22). I. The devil will promise you freedom from all restraint. A. We first need to understand that not all restraint is necessarily bad (Jeremiah 5:22). B. The devil will promise you the freedom to live however you...
Give Me Liberty!
Introduction A. On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry called Virginians to arms with these words: “Give me liberty or give me death!” B. Freedom is a marvelous thing that we often take for granted and yet is unknown to many people around the world. I. Heaven’s citizens are free from many ills that plague humanity. A. They are free from sin (Romans 8:1-4; 6:12-23). B. They are free from guilt (Acts 23:1; cf. 1 Timothy 1:15). C. They are free from the...
Purpose
Introduction A. When Ruth gleaned in the field of Boaz, he ordered his servants to drop some barley on purpose for her to gather (Ruth 2:14-17). B. When Jacob blessed the two sons of Joseph, he intentionally bestowed the greater blessing on the younger (Genesis 48:8-20). C. We need to live our lives with a sense of purpose. I. We need to worship with a sense of purpose. A. We should sing as if we want to (Ephesians 5:18-20). B. When...
A Tale of Two Slaves
Introduction A. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, we read about the conversion of a slave named Onesimus, whom Paul returned to his earthly master along with some letters he had written (Philemon 10-12; Colossians 4:7-9). B. Although many slaveholders used this letter to endorse slavery as it existed in the old south, nothing could be further from the truth. I. Consider with me the story of a man named Zoilos. A. Zoilos lived...