If we don’t understand who we are in creation, then we will be inevitably hindered from understanding who God is and how we are to live in His world.

This presentation was given by Bradley Pierce on January 19, 2023 at the Founders "What Is Man? Biblical Anthropology" national conference in Southwest Florida.

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If we don’t understand who we are in creation, then we will be inevitably hindered from understanding who God is and how we are to live in His world.

This presentation was given by Dr. Joel Beeke on January 19, 2023 at the Founders "What Is Man? Biblical Anthropology" national conference in Southwest Florida.

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If we don’t understand who we are in creation, then we will be inevitably hindered from understanding who God is and how we are to live in His world.

This presentation was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on January 19, 2023 at the Founders "What Is Man? Biblical Anthropology" national conference in Southwest Florida.

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This panel was presented by Dr. Tom Ascol, Dr. Voddie Baucham and William Wolfe on January 18, 2023 at the IOPT Pre-conference on Christian Nationalism, preceding the 2023 National Founders Conference in Southwest Florida.

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This sermon was given by Dr. Voddie Baucham on January 18, 2023 at the IOPT Pre-conference on Christian Nationalism, preceding the 2023 National Founders Conference in Southwest Florida.

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This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on January 18, 2023 at the IOPT Pre-conference on Christian Nationalism. preceding the 2023 National Founders Conference in Southwest Florida.

All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Join us for our 2024 National Founders Conference: What is Man? | https://founders.org/conference/

The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/

Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/

Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/

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Pastor Tom Ascol concludes his series on Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “Fear God and Keep His Commandments” centered on Ecclesiastes 12:9 – 14. Ecclesiastes was written as a result of Solomon’s focused attention on making sense of the world. Throughout, he has reflected on finding meaning in work, pleasure, wisdom, and wealth. Vanity of vanities is his finding if there is no god. Solomon, in this the book’s conclusion, finds the reality of God’s existence leads to man’s duty: fear God and keep His commands.

To this point the Preacher has taught us carefully. The clarity of thought emanates from his wisdom. The cleverness with which he communicates truth stems from the best way to express the truths he presents. Clarity and cleverness are important but even more so is accuracy; the Preacher does not mince words but comments on life as it really is. The two similes he uses, that of a goad to keep animals moving in the correct way, a tool which hurts but does not injure, and firmly fixed nails, which provide stability to a structure, illustrate the effectiveness of his teaching. These words of wisdom both spur our actions and anchor our thoughts. We should not be surprised since these words, according to v. 11, comes from the Shepherd, God.

God’s Word is not merely good advice. Instead, they are teaching breathed out by God Himself instructing us in the way of a righteous life. Anything outside Scripture, outside God’s Word (v. 12’s “the making of many books”) should be viewed in light of Scripture. Books are not necessarily bad. Nevertheless, discernment requires insuring books comport with the truths of God’s Word. Ecclesiastes, like the rest of the Bible guides us to think and act rightly. The Preacher’s conclusion then is to fear God and obey His commandments.

Six times to this point the author has told us to fear God. This is not a slavish terror but a sober reverence. It is an attitude, a disposition that speaks of humility before the Creator. This Creator has given us commandments, all of which are for our own good yet we disobey. Despite obvious disobedience, the Preacher teaches us obedience, to orient our lives around God and how He would have us live. This, the “whole duty of man” is that for which we were created. As Augustine rightly wrote, “Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless until they come to rest in thee.”

The closing verse speaks of a coming day of judgment, a day just as sure to come as is today. If there were no God, there would be no judgment. If there were no judgment, all indeed would be “vanity of vanities.” There is, however, God and a coming judgment. The great question for each individual is “What will you do on that day?” Will you stand before the Judge without an advocate pleading on your behalf or will you trust Jesus today so, even now as well as then, He will advocate on your behalf?

This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 26, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL.

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Pastor Tom Ascol continues with his series on Ecclesiastes. Today’s message, entitled “rejoice and remember,’ is built around Chapter 11:7 through Chapter 12:8. Modern western culture seems obsessed with youthfulness. Yet youth is fleeting. Since aging and death are certain, Qohelet, the Preacher, the author of Ecclesiastes, urges readers to recognize these truths and remember their Creator to enjoy life.

The Preacher has little sympathy for superficial outlooks on life. He is realistic; life must be lived in a fallen world. While this sounds discouraging it need not be. Throughout, Ecclesiastes has shown we are to enjoy life. In today’s passage, we are taught enjoyment is possible through remembering our Creator. The Preacher tells us life is good, full of blessings we often take for granted. These blessings, the author uses light as one example, are worthy of rejoicing, particularly as we recognize their origin in the Creator. Still, as we rejoice we are warned, remember the coming “days of darkness.” No one escapes life without many days of darkness. Real joy, however, is not dependent on painless, problem free living. Paul, in fact, wrote he was “sorrowful yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). While we may have troubles and sorrows, as we remember we have a loving Savior sovereignly watching over us we too can be sorrowful yet rejoicing.

Qohelet moves on. He calls out to and encourages young people. He understands youth are to make the most of their life, walking in the way of their heart, consciously removing vexations, unnecessary stresses and worries. It is a time of opportunities with a life ahead. The call is for the young to dedicate themselves to remembering and knowing their Creator, knowing and living within the bounds of Scripture as a day of judgment is coming to those who ignore God for the “fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25). Rejoice responsibly then, knowing what is yet to come. Rejoicing in one’s youth can done properly only as one remembers one’s Creator.

Parents have a responsivity to train the young. As the young get older they assume some of that responsibility. Remembering the Creator when you are young prepares you for that which is ahead. Old age with its accompanying problems await those who, for a time, escape death. The Preacher writes beautiful poetry warning of these trouble affecting teeth (grinders), eyes (windows), hearing (doors on the street), and more, sleep, the voice, balance, fears, greying, physical disabilities, desire and death. Far better to know the Creator, to establish a relationship of trust and presence, when one is young in preparation for the time of trouble, then to wait until one is in those troubles. Besides, God neither owes nor makes guarantees regarding times to come to Him. God says, “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Those who delay do so at their own eternal peril.

Still, God waits for the living to come to Him. Trust Him through the completed work of Jesus Christ so you may remember your Creator and rejoice in the life God has given.

This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 19, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL.

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Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “Entrepreneurship in the Kingdom of God” built upon Ecclesiastes 11:1 – 6. Our passage today calls us to become entrepreneurs of life. We are to stop playing it safe and living scared. Rather, we are to live openly, daring to make a difference.

Though the initial illustration may not be clear to present-day readers, the lessons in our passage are plain. First, be bold yet wise. In biblical times setting to sea was risky but after the return voyage it was usually very profitable. Investing may not be as tricky today as in the past but it can be just as risky so wisdom is still a necessity. Nevertheless, investing helps build for the future. Further, Qohelet, the author of Ecclesiastes, advises us to diversify our investments, similar to today’s warning about putting all our eggs in one basket. Though interpreters are split about whether v. 2 speaks to benevolence or aggressive investment, we may not need make a distinction. Instead, there is merit in both positons We should give generously and invest aggressively to have even more to give in the future. God, after all, is the great Giver, having given His Son for our salvation. We need his righteousness; we need the atonement only His death can supply. Have you received of God’s generous giving?

There is no reason, however, to think these verses apply only to our money. The same that is true of our treasure is true with our time and our talent. Our lives should be marked by meeting needs in whatever manner is appropriate. Perhaps the greatest of those needs is making Christ known. Qohelet, however, is not calling us to some romanticized view of life. Instead, he wants us to invest our lives for a good cause. Obviously, we do not know everything and so we rely on God. However, we do know somethings; a full cloud will spill rain, a tree lands where it lands when it falls Just as a farmer always afraid to sow due to weather conditions will not have a harvest, every hesitancy to take a risk for Christ comes with a plausible rationalization? Believers are to leverage their lives for the Lord.

Qohelet continues. We are to work humbly and hopefully. We should know our place; we are but creatures and fallen creatures at that. We know little of the noble workings of God. When we accept our positon, we are on the way to living for him, the life to which we were originally called. Working humbly, investing wisely, trusting God will then give true hope. We will be bound up in God’s plan, living our lives for him as we should.

God calls us to be entrepreneurs for the kingdom. At the end better by far to hear “well done good and faithful servant” than to hear “you wicked and slothful servant.” Live your life for Christ, use that which has been entrusted to you for Him. Bring Him glory by the way you live the life He has given you.

This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 12, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL.

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Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “Of Flies, Snakes and Birds: The Value of Wisdom and Danger of Folly” centered on Ecclesiastes 9:13 – 10:20. The lives of many people, people striving to live life wisely, have been stained by a temporary lapse of judgment speaking foolish words or carrying out some foolish actions. Such a lapse shows the value of wisdom and the danger of folly.

The lesson is simple, be wise and avoid folly, but living that lesson is difficult. Yet, Qohelet, the author of Ecclesiastes, writes wisdom is important in governance. Wisdom can overcome what appears to be great disadvantage. Even a poor, wise man can advise a king. When wisdom is disregarded, as the butler forgot Joseph in Joseph’s prison narrative, it is forgotten to the hurt of people.

Wisdom should be preferred to foolishness but wisdom is vulnerable. One foolish move can spoil years of wisdom; a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. The vulnerability points to the need to exercise care in choosing friends. Foolish friends lead others astray and do foolish things which impugn the wisdom of the wise. One need look no further than Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. Upon becoming king, he listened to foolish advisors ignoring the wisdom of experienced men, to his hurt and the hurt and division of the nation!

Wisdom and folly lead to different inclinations, wisdom to the right, a biblical place of blessing, while folly leads to the left, a place of lesser blessing or cursing. Being wise leads to understanding. It is the mark of a person of God. Fools, on the other hand, do not look to God, losing site of the fundamental reality that they are creatures of a great Creator. What is worse, folly in high places turns the world upside-down.

Qohelet then goes on to give four examples of the failure to exercise wisdom such as a stone cutter falling prey to a large rock falling on him. While folly can harm your daily life being wise improves it. Qohelet also gives examples of wisdom in action. Qohelet concludes with several proverbs, some dealing with our manner of speech. The words of the wise win him favor. This was true of Jesus even as fools turned from or against Him. Thus, our speech should be reminiscent of Jesus’ speech, seasoned with salt, full of light. Otherwise, just as with fools, our words may consume us. Jesus noted that it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Are our words kind, edifying, building up or do our words tear down? Do our words exude wisdom or reflect foolishness?

The Bible states the fool says there is no God. It also states the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Have you exercised basic wisdom and come to the Lord not only for wisdom but salvation? It is only Jesus, by His completed work on the Cross of Calvary, that can save us. Come to Him today.

This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 5, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL.

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