We have seen the value of community followed by the proper way a community is to approach God, namely with reverence. Now we add another essential ingredient to the fulfilled life—joy. Pray and Read Ecclesiastes 5:8-20. Periods of transition create anxious feelings. Mostly revolve around uncertainty about the future. I get worried when things are out of my control, almost everything is! We all have guilt and emotional baggage. We perpetuate the cycle of guilt by repeated failure. Since we’re so uncomfortable with those…
The gifts Christ distributed upon his ascension are the benefits of the covenant community. They relate to your redemption, sanctification, and perseverance. Pray and Read Ephesians 4:11-12. Do you remember the Power Team—popular in the 1980s—that would put on shows at megachurches demonstrating feats of strength. They would quote Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me,” before smashing their head through a stack of bricks, or ripping phonebooks in half, or ramming their shoulder through several sheets…
Approach God With Reverence (Ecclesiastes 5:1-7) Transitions from value of community (4:9-16) to the proper way that community is to approach God (5:1-7). Pray & Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-7. One week after our wedding, Carrie and I left the church I had attended for twelve years. That Sunday, August 1999, the church began “The Decades Series” (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s): Apparently, our itching ears craved laughter rather than maturing through sound teaching. Our departure was as much about what we…
Psalm 68—Scripture Introduction Last week, I highlighted several verses of this psalm as an overview. This morning, we’ll read the entire psalm as the theme of Christ’s ascension continues in Eph. 4:9-10. Psalms 65-68 God calls from Mount Zion upon the nations to worship him. In Ephesians, Paul connects God’s march from Sinai to Zion to Christ’s march from his earthly manger to the heavenly throne. Theme: God’s triumphal procession from Sinai to Zion. There is a liturgical association with…
