The Strand that Stands the Test of Time

Series: Ecclesiastes

April 29, 2018 | Bob Bartlett
Passage: Ecclesiastes 4:1

“The Strand that Stands the Test of Time” Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Vs 1: “Again, I looked and I saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun.”

 

What does it mean to forewarn someone? To warn someone in advance of a great danger

  • The great danger in making wrong choices...
  • The great reward in making right choices...

What’s really at stake with the choices I make?

A m                                               life. I missed God's purpose for my life...‘regret’

A m                                             life. I lived God’s purposes for my life...‘reward’  

The world’s three-chord strand:

Vs 1-3: The Drive for Power: “power was on the side of the oppressor”

  • God’s judgment: on those driven for power: “they have no comforter

 

Vs 4-6: The Drive for Prestige: “all labor and achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbor”

  • God’s judgment: on those driven for prestige: a chasing after the wind

 

Vs 7-8: The Drive for Privilege: “his eyes were not content with his wealth

  • God’s judgment: on those driven for privilege a miserable business

 

The end of this three strand cord…Vs 8 “there was a man all alone”

  • Jesus (Luke 12:20)This very night your life will be demanded from you.”

 

God’s three cord strand: Vs 9-15 “A cord of 3 strands…”

Vs 9-12 “two are better than one…his friend can help him up…”

  1. Be committed to relationships that draw me c to God. 1Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be misled; bad company corrupts good character.”
  • Commit to Christ’s church: body, family, army ‘to all who are doing business for God’
  • Intentional to build: relationships that strengthen my resolve to follow God.

             Proverbs 13:20

 

Vs 13-14 “an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to take warning”

  1. Be committed to ever s teachable and humble. Proverbs 15:31 “Whoever heeds a life giving correction will be at home among the wise.”
  • A person who A.C.T.’s the rest of their life.
  • Intentional to belong: in a community where people will speak truth into my life.

               Psalm 141:5

 

Vs 15-16 “all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth…”

  1. Be committed to f (mature) godly examples. 1Corinthians 11:1Follow my example as I follow the example of Jesus Christ.”
  • Find a few Bible heroes and some contemporaries; learn their ‘secrets’ and imitate

       their lives!

  • Purpose to live an imitate (able) life as Jesus; ‘be the example – set the example’

 

The commitment to God’s three strand cord will ensure I do not miss the meaning and purpose of life.

 

Series Information

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