InPerspective

Hebrews 12:1-3

We say “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” – but the Apostle Paul didn't have mere flattery in mind when he told the Corinthians, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” The Bible gives us several honest biographies of great heroes of the Christian faith and we would do well to imitate the godly characteristics, faith, and faithfulness of these noteworthy saints from Holy Scripture.

Ecclesiastes 12

Ecclesiastes is brutally honest in showing the desperation and meaningless of life without God under the sun. All of life's chaos, brokenness, and futility is very real and not to be trivialized, yet we handle it not through doubt and denial, but only by trusting in the One who bore such brokenness and chaos in full force on the cross – and in doing so, has promised to make all things new.

Ecclesiastes 12

Solomon has gone to great lengths to expose the ultimate vanity and futility of relying on our own abilities and merits, or by experiencing all that life without God under the sun can offer. Such a life becomes a yoke and a burden that we cannot bear. Rather than refusing to make room for the Gospel in our lives, we must realize that the Gospel is the only thing that can set us free.

Ecclesiastes 11

You may have plans for your retirement but as one preacher said: “Don't just go fossilize in Florida.” A good retirement plan is to retread, refocus, and redirect our time, energy, experience, and passion into opportunities and avenues for serving the Lord and advancing His Kingdom. We must labor diligently and fruitfully for the Lord in every season of life we experience.

Ecclesiastes 11

Many people read the Wall Street Journal or consult with their financial advisor to put together a sound investment strategy – but God’s Word tells us what truly successful investment really means. Through Jesus Christ, God has invested with us the meaning, purpose, security and salvation we crave, and we are now free to invest our resources, time, and lives into following and serving the Lord.

Colossians 1:24-29

The glory of genuine Gospel ministry is marked by two primary objectives – the proclamation of God's Word and the maturation of God's people. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he examines how these two objectives fueled Paul's powerful apostolic ministry.

Ecclesiastes 10

Ecclesiastes 10:12 says, “The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.” Our foolish and futile attempts to live by our fatally flawed moral compass will only lead to destruction and misery. Instead, we must seek to reorder our steps according to the wisdom of God's Word as we follow our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes 10

Just like one bad apple spoils the barrel, Ecclesiastes 10:1 says, “Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.” We can live in the freedom of wisdom and righteousness when we rid ourselves of the self-centered, self-reliant foolishness that characterizes life without God under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 9

Ecclesiastes 9:7 says, “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.” When you are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, you can celebrate a life of contentment in the Lord, the comforts of life that the Lord gives to you, the blessings of marriage and friendship, and the satisfaction of honest labor done to the glory of God.

Ecclesiastes 9

After one preaching engagement, 18th century evangelist George Whitfield said, “I was convinced I had made a mistake and was preaching in a cemetery instead of an assembly of God’s people.” Some people may see Christians as joyless and mirthless – but God's people are to be a people of joy and the house of God is to be a place of joy, due to our union with God in Jesus Christ.