A sermon on John 3:1-17

Ecclesiastes Session 6 In Ecclesiastes 5:10-6:9 the preacher turns his attention back to wealth. Because it’s a lengthy unit, we’re going to walk though it a section at a time. Breaking Things Apart 5:10-12: How would you rephrase verse 10 in your own words? Have you ever noticed these never-satisfied tendencies in your own heart? How can we go about tempering that mindset. 1 Timothy 6:9–10 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. Reread verse 11. What phenomenon is the author talking about here? Have you seen this in the world? Reread verse 12. What do you think the author is trying to say here? How might it be true? 5:13-17: Explain the evil seen under the sun in your own words using a modern example? Have you ever experienced or seen this firsthand? Verses 15-16 are rough to hear. What’s their message to the average Joe and Jane who may not be wealthy? 1 Timothy 6:6–7 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 5:18-20: In these verses the preacher stops being a Debbie Downer and finally lets in some positivity. This said, how can we go about enjoying the gifts of God without becoming never-satisfied lovers of money? Look at verse 19 especially. Here the author reveals that it’s not a sin to be wealthy in and of itself. Having said that, being wealthy provides plenty of temptation to be ensnared by the dangers already mentioned. What’s more, because we’re rich by worldly standards, this is something we need to be aware of. How do the words of verse 19 and from St. Paul below help amid the temptations that abundance provides? 1 Timothy 6:17–19 17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 6:1-6: After a brief respite of sunshine, the preacher now goes back to being a Dibbie Downer. What is the evil that author is observing in this section? What is the spiritual truth that is being revealed in the author’s words? Matthew 6:19–21 19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “Reality is this: God has created human beings in his image to love and honor him, to love and respect their neighbors, and to look after the planet on his behalf. That is how the universe is, and all who refuse to accept this in the short term will, sooner or later, have to come to terms with the truth.” Where have you seen this truth played out in the world or your own life? 6:7-9: In verse 9 the author concludes by saying, “Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the appetite: this also is vanity and a striving after wind.” What do you think these words mean? Here the preacher is showing us that it is better to make the best of what one has (contentment) than to wander in the ways of desire (covetousness). 1 Timothy 6:6–8 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. Hebrews 13:5–6 5 Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” Application Ultimately, the preacher’s words today speak of the dangers of wealth and the importance of contentment. Where in life do you struggle with contentment? (and note, this can be about more than money) How does the preacher’s pontifications along with the words from St. Paul minister to you in that place? What are three things you can do this week to live a contented life

Ecclesiastes Session 5 The Big Picture In Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 the preacher turns his attention to how we worship God. Read these verses in full: Is there anything that sticks out to you about them? Breaking Things Apart Verse 1a: In the Hebrew, “to guard” means to keep, watch, be careful, beware, preserve, etc. Considering the rest of the passage, how do we go about guarding our steps? Verses 1a-3: Who do you think is the target of these words? What might be a modern example of this? In the Hebrew, the word rendered “testing” has to do with keeping clean, sifting, sorting out, selecting, and bringing to light. Think of the wickedness just mentioned, how does God “exposing” that they are but beasts whose end is dust speak into their corruption? The phrase “for they do not know that they are doing evil,” can also rendered, “who do evil without a thought.” How is this an apt description of the fool in worship? According to verses 1a-3, what is the remedy for foolishness in God’s house? Verses 4-6: Temple vows were a common feature in Old Testament worship and involved promises to set apart things such as sacrifices or money to God in return for granting a request in prayer. What temptation and sin might these verses be addressing? What virtue would they be encouraging? What might be a modern example of careless vow making? Deuteronomy 23:21–23 21 “If you make a vow to the Lord your God, you shall not delay fulfilling it, for the Lord your God will surely require it of you, and you will be guilty of sin. 22 But if you refrain from vowing, you will not be guilty of sin. 23 You shall be careful to do what has passed your lips, for you have voluntarily vowed to the Lord your God what you have promised with your mouth. Proverbs 20:25 “It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows.” Ultimately, the mouth must be kept under control, or it can lead us into sin when our actions fail to be consistent with out words. Verse 7: “For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.” These words act as a remedy to the foolishness described in the preceding verses. Way back in our study of Proverbs we discovered that to “fear the Lord” means to take him seriously as our Creator, Savior, and Judge. How might such a disposition impact the way one approaches worship? Bringing it Home Though our worship differs from the Temple’s in ancient Israel, the Preacher’s words are still applicable. Think of it this way, God’s presence in Solomon’s Temple foreshadowed both his presence in Jesus Christ along with his presence in and among his people as they gather around Word and Sacrament. Matthew 1:23 “‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).” John 1:14 “the Word became flesh and dwelt (lit. tabernacled) among us…” Matthew 18:20 “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 28:20 “behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” 1 Corinthians 3:16–17 “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” Ephesians 2:19–22 “19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” 1 Peter 2:5 “you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” Given the above passages, how might the preacher’s words in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 speak to us today? How should you regard the Church of Christ, God’s living temple? How might this lead you to greater reverence in worship? Application In the first verse of chapter five, the preacher says that to guard our steps in the house of God is to, “draw near to listen.” To listen in the Hebrew language conveys paying attention and obeying. Its opposite would be to carelessly let the word go in one ear and out the other. What are some ways this might be a struggle for you? What are some ways you can be more intentional about hearing and obeying his words and thus guard your steps in and among God’s living temple?

A sermon on 1 Corinthians 1:18-31