Grace Messages

Desiring riches and wealth, in and of themselves, is a true and ever present temptation for many believers in this life. Solomon discussed the potential hazards of wealth in the previous verses covered in chapter 5. In today’s lesson, the wisdom of Solomon from ecclesiastes in the old testament again brings in divine perspective on enjoying wealth. Having divine perspective on life in general, is a formula for keeping steady no matter how hard or in what direction life rocks your boat (success OR failure; blessings OR trials; riches OR poverty). Let’s consider “true” success when it comes to wealth…

This morning, we continue in one of the three extended “WORDS OF ADVICE” sections in the Book of Ecclesiastes in the old testament (5:1-12; 7:1-8:9, 9:13-12:8). These sections flesh out a life that walks in the fear of God. Solomon returns to a familiar theme of injustice briefly, before he turns to another familiar theme – the pursuit of wealth. Solomon is going to show us that although many people view wealth as a “solution” to life’s problems, that wealth can actually be a solution which CREATES additional problems in life. Without divine perspective, the acquisition of wealth can be painful!

Preached: 2/23/2020

A message on Mortality and Meaning from the book of 2 Timothy by Carl Greene.

This morning, we begin one of three extended “WORDS OF ADVICE” sections in the Book of Ecclesiastes (5:1-12; 7:1-8:9, 9:13-12:8). These sections flesh out a life that walks in the fear of God. In light of the recent section of considering apparent contradictions in “life under the sun,” Solomon is now to going to instruct his listeners to approach God and His Word with a receptive attitude, ready to listen to HIS perspective, rather than go to lecture God and what He ought to OR ought not to be doing.

Preached: 1/26/2020

We continue with two additional sections covering some apparent contradictions to the theme of “God is in control of the times and seasons of our lives.” If this is true, and if He is going to make all things beautiful in His time (chapter 3, verse 11), then what about _____________ ? Last week, we continued in 4:1 with Solomon’s third and fourth fill in the blanks (oppression and envy). We will consider the final two “blanks” this morning. These are things that seem to contradict the facts from 3:1-15 - that God is in control, that He has His timing, and that He has good and beautiful things in mind for His children. Solomon’s encouragement is to not allow these apparent anomalies or contradictions distract us from having a divine perspective on life.

Preached: 1/19/2020

We continue with two additional sections covering some apparent contradictions to the theme of “God is in control of the times and seasons of our lives.” If this is true, and if He is going to make all things beautiful in His time (chapter 3, verse 11), then what about _____________ ? Last week, we started in 3:16 with Solomon’s first two fill in the blanks (injustice and death). We will consider two additional blanks this morning. These are things that seem to contradict the facts from 3:1-15 - that God is in control, that He has His timing, and that He has good and beautiful things in mind for His children. Solomon’s encouragement is to not allow these apparent anomalies or contradictions distract us from having a divine perspective on life. Preached: 1/12/2020

After covering a section that introduced divine perspective on our lives “under the sun” (3:1-15), now Solomon is going to consider some apparent contradictions. If God is really in control and has His timing and purpose for everything, and if He is going to make all things beautiful in His time (verse 11), then what about _____________ ? Starting in 3:16 and going through 4:16, Solomon is going to give us 6 fill in the blanks. These are things that seem to contradict the facts from 3:1-15 - that God is in control, that He has His timing, and that He has good and beautiful things in mind for His children. Solomon’s encouragement is to not allow these apparent anomalies or contradictions distract us from having a divine perspective on life.

Preached: 1/5/2020

Guest Speaker Rob Armstrong