The kingdom of God is unlike the kingdoms of this world.

God’s redemptive work occurs through a King and the kingdom of God and includes more than our personal salvation—it is the redemption of all creation.

The meaning of life is learned by fearing God and following the Shepherd.

The battery died in the wireless microphone today. So, at about 12 minutes into the sermon—we missed about 3 minutes while the batteries were changed. Here’s a summary of what was said during those 3 minutes.

“The poor man didn’t have a street named after him. He wasn’t invited into the king’s court to serve on his counsel. But, though he is forgotten, and no one asks for his wisdom again, the Preacher-king says wisdom is better than power.

So—Choose Wisdom Though you May be Unappreciated

Choosing wisdom may make you unpopular among your friends. Young people, this is true of you too, isn’t it? Living wisely often results in society pushing you to the fringes. We call this marginalization. Living wisely may cause you to be rejected in relationships. Living wisely may mean being overlooked at work—even missing out on promotions. But like the poor man in verse 15, choose wisdom though you may be unappreciated.”

Instead of ignorance or indifference, we should carefully consider how to live wisely under the sun.

Learning to be content with God resolves our most pressing questions and perplexing circumstances.

…God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart. Ecclesiastes 5:20

Foolishness often wounds in church under the sun. But God purposes that His house is a place where He meets people with mercy and grace.

God intends for his people to find contentment in a place to be, with work to do, food to eat, others to enjoy it with, and a moment-by-moment relationship with Him.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

How do you respond when life doesn’t go the way you expected? What emotions get triggered by your life under the sun?