InPerspective

Ecclesiastes 7

The chaos and unpredictability of life produces fear – fear of life's unexpected curveballs, fear of not measuring up, fear of our potential failure. We try to fence in our lives in a way that gives a false sense of control. But the only way to deal with life's chaos and unpredictability is the Gospel, as we trust the God who sent his Son into the world's chaos to rescue a people for Himself.

Ecclesiastes 7

Ecclesiastes chapter 7 addresses the inevitable chaos and tragedy of life, and the vanity of our feeble attempts to smooth out the bumpy unpredictability of life in a broken world. Some people – even in the church – try to cope with uncertainty and tragedy by denying it altogether. How can we realistically and biblically deal with the chaos and unpredictability of life under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 6

You can have a life filled with everything that men desire and strive for – and yet tragically, still have an empty soul. Life apart from God inevitably leads to dissatisfaction, disappointment, and emptiness. The only answer to this vanity and futility is found in the words of Jesus: “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Colossians 1:8-14

Have you ever tried to pray for other believers but struggled to know just how to pray for them? Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he shows us how the apostle Paul's prayer for the Colossians is an excellent model for how we can pray for our fellow Christians

Ecclesiastes 6

Have you ever tried to grab the wind? It is futile; you have no control over it for it blows where it wishes. Solomon's verdict on life under the sun apart from God is that it is vanity and emptiness, like striving after the wind. Life under the sun is emptiness, futility, dissatisfaction, disappointment, and meaninglessness – unless you live for the One who made the sun and is above the sun.

Ecclesiastes 5

A hot-air balloon gives you a bird's-eye view to see things from a new, eye-opening perspective that is very different from our limited, ground-level point of view. In much of the modern church, worship is man-focused with a decidedly human perspective. A God's-eye view helps us understand God's perspective on worship, and cultivate a God-focused philosophy and practice of worship.

Ecclesiastes 5

How do you worship God? We may create an atmosphere in church that appears worshipful, while harboring an inadequate concept of God that manifests itself in shallow, hollow worship that fails to reflect His greatness, majesty, and grace. The more we understand the nature and character of God revealed in Holy Scripture, the more we will learn to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiates 4 verse 12 reminds us, "A cord of three strands is not easily broken." A rope woven from only one strand will break easily, but three strands woven into one cord will make a strong rope. Loneliness impoverishes the spirit and weakens those who live in isolation, but fellowship with God and community with others brings strength, fulfillment, and joy to our lives.

Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiastes 4 can be broken up into four vivid snapshots of life under the sun. We see the angst we face because of sin in this world. Then we see the insanity of covetousness in the motivations of work in the world. Next we look at our isolation and the emptiness of our self-absorption. Finally, we glimpse the answer from the One who made the sun, whose grace that is greater than our sin.

Colossians 1:3-14

Is your prayer life mostly about you – your personal circumstances, desires, and concerns? Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he examines how the prayer life of the apostle Paul was focused on others rather than himself.