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In Order. Life Is Simple

June 20, 2017. Ecclesiastes 7-12.

 

The question The Preacher began with in the opening of Ecclesiastes whether or not God matters in this life and in the life to come has finally been answered. After all his searching after wisdom, indulgence in every pleasure his position and money could afford, observing the injustice and unchangeableness of life, the preacher has learned a valuable life lesson. 

The Preacher began his search with his first but false conclusion. Looking at life all around, he judges it to be meaningless - nothing, useless, brevity, unsubstantiality, emptiness, and unreliability. His understanding has now changed. One thing life should do for us if lived in the fulness of God’s Spirit is to change our view of life from our perspective to God’s perspective, from one of pessimism to hope, meaninglessness to eternal purpose.

Drum roll please…….

Ecclesiastes 12.13-14 

13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. 

Life is simple after all. Walk with God and live for eternity. Which by the way you will actually be living for eternity when you walk with God by being led by his Spirit. One is the product of the other.

Fear God”  is a call that puts us in our place, and all of our fears, hopes, and ambitions in their place.  Jesus put it like this: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” 

If we put God first and live for Him by allowing Him to live his life through us He puts our lives first on His priority list. Then everything we do will last for eternity and we have nothing to fear.

After all his searching, asking, experimenting and pleasure seeking, he comes to this conclusion - and challenges us who believe as he once did, life is meaningless with this conclusion; "What would it be like, if things were utterly different from what you thought? What if this world is not the ultimate one? What if God exists and is a rewarder of those who seek him?”

This is what it means to have faith. Knowing that this world is not as it seems and can only make sense and have purpose through God’s greater sometimes unseen purpose. 

Hebrews 11.13-16 The Message 

Each one of these people of faith died not yet having in hand what was promised, but still believing. How did they do it? They saw it way off in the distance, waved their greeting, and accepted the fact that they were transients in this world. People who live this way make it plain that they are looking for their true home. If they were homesick for the old country, they could have gone back any time they wanted. But they were after a far better country than that—heaven country. You can see why God is so proud of them, and has a City waiting for them.

“Heavenly Father open my eyes today to see the unseen realities of your Kingdom and your purpose for me in your Kingdom. Let me this day live as if it were my last day before I walk into eternity with you. Fill me with your Spirit so I may walk with you and be used in the life or others who are experiencing the meaninglessness of a life without you.”

 

Sal Sberna

Sal Sberna was Lead Pastor at The MET Church in Houston, Texas for 20 years. He retired on February 2015. He and Kristi Sberna have been married since 1981. They have two children, Salvatore and...more