Eternal City Church Sunday Sermons

Thankfulness is essential to Christian living; it's not optional. We as believers in Jesus brought into right favor with God the Father by the Holy Spirit must learn to cultivate a thankful heart and spread the joy of thanksgiving. Our culture would teach us to be entitled and miserably envious of those around us rather than thankful to God for the abounding gifts he has already given us. Holy Spirit help us to be thankful people!

Solomon gives us valuable exhortation in the concluding chapter of this great book of wisdom. His conclusion, after much seeking and searching meaning in life through all non-God paths, tells us, we mush fear God and keep his commandments. This is the whole duty of man. May God give us grace as we seek to fear him and gain a heart of wisdom. That we might walk in ways of light and life!

In chapter 11 of Ecclesiastes Solomon encourages us to approach life with purpose and ambition, diversifying our efforts while keeping in mind that we do not know what our efforts will produce. We are encouraged to pursue as many avenues of opportunity as God may bring us. We can and should rejoice, because God has given us life, the ability to enjoy the sun shining, and his brilliant creation declaring his glory; while keeping in mind that we ourselves are creatures and he is the sovereign creator, directing all of the reality towards his great ends.

In chapter 10 of Ecclesiastes, we find multiple proverbial exhortations to be wise rather than foolish. Solomon points out the value of wise rulers and the dangers of foolish rulers. He shows us how we are to interact with those in authority using wisdom. May we grow in our wisdom as we interact with the world in this "under the sun" stage of history. Our great hope is that one day, the one wiser than Solomon will rule and reign, and we, who are God's children will rule alongside him, for his glory and the creation's good. This message was originally preached at the Penn Hills Alliance Church.

Death is a reality we all must face and come to terms with if we are to be wise. Though fragile people, we must not live crippled lives as if subject to random chance and fate. We are in God's hands, subject to his providential care. Though life is hard, evil has real consequences in the world, and destruction is seemingly reigning, the truth is God is ruling. Through the curse, futility, and frustration of life, we must learn to enjoy the life God has given us, being thankful for the life (whatever it looks like) that we have been given.

Ecclesiastes 8 deals with the controversial nature of submitting to authority. We are exhorted (proverbially) to have a heart of wisdom when dealing with those in authority, especially ancient kings who had total authority to do as they please. We find out that in the end God is working and ruling through the rulers of this world and it's impossible for us to find out what he is up to until it is history. To God be the glory!

This chapter of Ecclesiastes reads much like the book of Proverbs. It has helpful instructions and insights for us as we dive into life's many complexities and potential pitfalls. Eddie Jones gives us a well rounded biblically rich view of chapter 7 and points us to the ultimate source of wisdom and help: Jesus Christ.

What is the purpose of our daily existence? Do we only exist to seek to satisfy our appetites and desires? What if we have full resources to do so? Will we, at last, be happy and satisfied? If we are made for more than consumption and chasing our newest whim and fancy then we will need to be filled with a higher and fuller glory, God himself. May we find God nearer and speaking to us as we go through this dark chapter of Ecclesiastes.

What is our hope when we experience the best this life has to offer under the sun and then say "is this all there is?" Our hope must rise above the sun to a plane of existence beyond this current day to day grind. Justin Coaxum opens up Ecclesiastes chapter five for us and gives us much hope for future glory.

Injustice, oppression, toil, and power are not ancient problems for societies past, they are as real and relevant today as when Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes. What is our hope as we look out at a broken world where darkness seems to rule and reign with no hope in sight? Jesus, the just and righteous King who took upon himself the injustice of the world and was oppressed by darkness for all who will turn to Him for the forgiveness of their sin and receive life eternal.