NYNCF Sermons

Ecclesiastes 4:4-16 (ESV) - 4 Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor.This also is vanity and a striving after wind. 5 The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. 6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a strivingafter wind. 7 Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8 one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business. 9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.10 For if they fall, one willlift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. 13 Better was a poor and wise youth than an old and foolish king who no longer knew how to take advice. 14 For he went from prison to the throne, though in his own kingdom he had been born poor. 15 I saw all the living who move about under the sun, along with that youthwho was to stand in the king's place. 16 There was no end of all the people, all of whom he led. Yet those who come later will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3 (ESV)16 And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there. 17 I said to myself,“God will bring into judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time to judge every deed.” 18 I also said to myself, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. 19 Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless.20 All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. 21 Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down intothe earth?” 22 So I saw that there is nothing better for a person than to enjoy their work,because that is their lot. For who can bring them to see what will happen afterthem?4:1 Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun: I saw the tears of the oppressed—and they have no comforter; power was on the side of their oppressors—and they have no comforter. 2 And I declared that the dead, who had already died, are happier than the living, who are still alive. 3 But better than both is the one who has never been born, who has not seen the evil that is done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 (ESV)1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what isplanted; 3 a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 atime to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time tokeep, and a time to cast away; 7 a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 a time to love, and a time to hate;a time for war, anda time for peace. 9 What gain has the worker from his toil? 10 I have seen the business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. 11 He has madeeverything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I perceivedthat there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; 13 also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—thisis God's gift to man. 14 I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fearbefore him. 15 That which is, already has been; that which is to be, already has been; and God seeks what has been driven away.

Ecclesiastes 2: 18-26 (ESV)18 I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, 19 and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity. 20 So I turned about and gave my heart up to despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun, 21 because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.22 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart with which he toils beneath the sun? 23 For all his days are full of sorrow, and his work is a vexation. Even in the night his heart does not rest. This also is vanity. 24 There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, 25 for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 26 For to the one who pleases him God has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, but to the sinner he has given the business of gathering and collecting, only to give to one who pleasesGod. This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:12-17

Ephesians 6:10-2010 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the wholearmor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 Forwe do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against theauthorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against thespiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armorof God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, tostand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having puton the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put onthe readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shieldof faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 andtake the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keepalert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me,that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mysteryof the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare itboldly, as I ought to speak.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Philippians 4:4 (ESV)4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-11