And after that he gave unto them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they desired a king: and God gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by the space of forty years.22 And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
Humble
Psalm 62:7-9 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.9 Surely men of low degree are vanity, and men of high degree are a lie: to be laid in the balance, they are altogether lighter than vanity.
1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
Reverent
Psalm 18:3 – I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. –
I Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.
Hebrews 5:7 – Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;
Respected the things of God.
Psalm31:9 – Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.
Psalm 29:2-4 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
Trusted God
Loved God completely
Psalm 81:1 – Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
Wholly devoted to God
Psalm 4:7 – Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.
Psalms 9:1 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.
Psalms 111:1 Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.
Psalms 119:2 Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.
Psalms 119:10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
Psalms 119:34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Gave God all the praise
Psalm 9:1-2 I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.2 I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.–
Faithful even in Hard times
Psalm 25:1-7 – Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause.4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old.7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD.
Obedient
Psalm 119:34-36 – 34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. 35 Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.36 Incline my heart unto thy testimonies, and not to covetousness.
Luke 11:28 – But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
Repentant heart
Psalm 25:10-15 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.11 For thy name’s sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.
Today we begin to examine the vanity of the material things in life. We are all worried about the covid-19 and the main fear is that of dying. We will be reminded over and over in Ecclesiastes that death is a certain part of living. We are born, we live, and we die. What happens after we die is of utmost importance. Solomon’s main lesson in Ecclesiastes is prepare for death. It is coming to all. It is the one certain thing in life.
Death happens to all
The rich and the poor
The wise and the foolish
Those who work and those who do not
The famous and the unfamous
As we see in this passage, life is a balancing act. They are good times and bad times. There are joyful times and sorrowful times. There is a time of struggle and a time of peace. Next time we will talk about this balance, but for today we are going to look at the vanities of this life that we spend far too much time seeking after, so let us begin.
The vanity of pleasure –
verse 2:1- I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
A. Solomon had plenty of money B. Solomon has plenty of “fun” C. Solomon had plenty of fame
The vanity of labor
Ecclesiastes 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2:22-23 For what hath man of all his labour, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath laboured under the sun? 23 For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity.
The vanity of human wisdom
verse 2:15 – Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity
A. Man’s wisdom falls far short of God’s wisdom B. True wisdom is to know and do the will of God C. True wisdom only comes when we trust God and follow what He says
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
The vanity of working just to leave an inheritance
verse 2:19-21- 19 And who knoweth whether he shall be a wise man or a fool? yet shall he have rule over all my labour wherein I have laboured, and wherein I have shewed myself wise under the sun. This is also vanity.20 Therefore I went about to cause my heart to despair of all the labour which I took under the sun.21 For there is a man whose labour is in wisdom, and in knowledge, and in equity; yet to a man that hath not laboured therein shall he leave it for his portion. This also is vanity and a great evil.
A.Life should be lived to its spiritual fullness –
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
B. Leave a spiritual legacy–
2 Timothy 1:5 When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.
C. Life is short and we need to invest spiritually in the lives of people –
James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
The vanity of earthly desires
3:19-21 – For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
The vanity of work ahead of family
4:7-8 – Then I returned, and I saw vanity under the sun.8 There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet is there no end of all his labour; neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity, yea, it is a sore travail.
Read Ephesians chapters 5 and 6 – God’s Instructions for Christian Households
A. God B. Spouse C. Children D. Profession E. Ministry to those outside our homes
The vanity of popularity
4:13-16 – 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? Luke 6: 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
The vanity of false dreams and ideal talk –
4:13-16 – 13 There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. 14 But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand.15 As he came forth of his mother’s womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand.16 And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
Luke 6: 26 Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.
The vanity of false dreams and ideal talk
5:4-7 – 4 When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.5 Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.6 Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin; neither say thou before the angel, that it was an error: wherefore should God be angry at thy voice, and destroy the work of thine hands?7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.
Matthew 12:36-37 – 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned
The vanity of seeking an abundance
5:9-10 – 9 Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field.10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.
Luke 12:16-20 – 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
The vanity of wealth over the gift of God
6:2 – A man to whomGod hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this is vanity, and it is an evildisease
Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Matthew 6:19-21,33 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The vanity of foolish desires
Ecclesiastes 6:9- Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this is also vanity and vexation of spirit. Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!;
Proverbs 16:16 How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver!
Proverbs 28:6Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich.
The vanity of foolish laughter
Ecclesiastes 7:6- For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity
The vanity of injustice in this life
Ecclesiastes 8:14 There is a vanity whichis done upon the earth; that there be just men, unto whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked; again, there be wicked men, to whom it happeneth according to the work of the righteous: I said that this also is vanity.
Remember Job
The vanity of the days of darkness
Ecclesiastes 11:8 But if a man live manyyears, and rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity.
The vanity of youthful ambitions and desires
Ecclesiastes 11:10 Thereforeremove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.3 Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;4 Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.
Today the evil of the world is being held back by the prayers of a righteous remnant, through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. But the day is fast approaching when He (the Restrainer), will be taken out of the way. And in a world, where almost every semblance of righteousness has been removed… the man of sin will be revealed – that man of lawlessness, who is the son of destruction.
As saved people we are not appointed to this wrath that God will pour out upon the earth. We however are to occupy ourselves, in the things of God, until the Lord Jesus comes to take us to be with Himself. Let us be vigilant to guard our hearts against the increasing apostasy within the Church… through an ever deepening knowledge and understanding of the Word of truth and let us earnestly share a knowledge of that truth, with those that are lost in their sins.. so that others may be snatched from the teeth of enemy, before that great and terrible day of the Lord – the pouring out of God’s wrath upon the godless generation of the day.
A falling away
A. To fall from truth, you must first know the truth B. The unsaved world is blinded to the truth C. The falling away will take place within the church D. What does it mean to fall way
Do you still pray like you used too?
Do you still read your Bible like you use too?
Do you still share Christ with others like you used too?
Is your worship for sports figures or celebrities greater than your worship to God
Has church become a social club instead of a place of service?
If so, is it possible you may be part of the falling away?
The man of Lawlessness – destruction
A. There will be a falling away before He is revealed, but His spirit will be present in the world before He is Revealed
B. The spirit of Anti-Christ is already here –
I Timothy 4:1-2
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
IJohn 4:1-6
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
I John 2:18-20
Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
Many false believers are in the church today
They will turn from truth because they have Not the Spirit of God within them
The church today is full of false teachers – Anti-Christs
II Timothy 4:1-7
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
The restrainer removed
A. The Holy Spirit will remove the church B. The church is indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit C. The true Church is a restraining force to evil through the power of the Holy Spirit
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; 8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Two Churches we do not want to be like
Sardis
A. They had life B. But thy were dying C. Warned to repent or they would spiritually be of no effect D. Plenty of activity, but no spiritual effectiveness
Laodicea
A. Luke-warm – compromised with the world for acceptance B. Wealthy but poor C. Had no spiritual influence God
THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA
They had a wide-open door –
A. No man could shut the door B. Hell, itself could not overcome it
Matthew 16:18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
They had a little strength – little is much when God is in it
John 15:1-4 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
II Corinthians 12:9-10 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
They stayed true to the word of God
They stayed true to Christ – they did not deny Him
Luke 9:23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Matthew 10:33But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven
They were an example in every way of the truth New Testament church
Revelation 3:11-12
Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
A. They would be eternally rewarded B. God will write His name upon them – His identification mark C. They will have a special place in God’s new Jerusalem
10 Then were the men exceedingly afraid, and said unto him, Why hast thou done this? For the men knew that he fled from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them.11 Then said they unto him, What shall we do unto thee, that the sea may be calm unto us? for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous.12 And he said unto them, Take me up, and cast me forth into the sea; so shall the sea be calm unto you: for I know that for my sake this great tempest is upon you. 13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them.14 Wherefore they cried unto the LORD, and said, We beseech thee, O LORD, we beseech thee, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not upon us innocent blood: for thou, O LORD, hast done as it pleased thee.15 So they took up Jonah, and cast him forth into the sea: and the sea ceased from her raging.16 Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice unto the LORD, and made vows.17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
When faced with the truth, Jonah finally owned up
Jonah had to admit he was the reason for the storm
God needs us to quit blaming everyone else and face up to our responsibility in the storm
Is it possible that an unholy church has brought God’s judgment upon this nation?
Is it possible that the church has forsaken her first love? –
Revelation 2:1-5
Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name’s sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4 Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent
Works apart from obedience is useless
We are admonished to follow our first love – Jesus
God will remove the light of His church if it continues to run from her responsibility
Do people still need to hear the uncompromising gospel of Jesus Christ?
Will we arise and go or stay asleep
Romans 13:11-14
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let ustherefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Ephesians 5:13-16
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
A sleeping church is a dead church
The evil today is just as evil as it was in the day of Jonah
WE ARE THE LIGHT!!!!!
NOTE THE QUESTION: Why hast thou done this?
The world showed compassion
Jonah 1:13 Nevertheless the men rowed hard to bring it to the land; but they could not: for the sea wrought, and was tempestuous against them
The world today is rowing hard to solve the problems of this age in which we live
They try hard to be good
They rely on their own effort to satisfy God
They sometime have more compassion then the church
Luke 6:35-40
your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: 38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 39 And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch? 40 The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.
Christ’s command to believers
1. LOVE
2. Forgive them
3. Give to them
4. Do not judge them or condemn them
John 3:17-19
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
5. Show mercy
Love is how the world knows we are real
It is hard to love them if we do not love one another
It is hard to be a light when we do not come to the source of light
