Raintree Community Church Stephen Conley

“Ecclesiastes: Living in Light of the End” (Book Overview)
 
 The Author of Ecclesiastes
The human author is announced in 1:1 as the “Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” This is most likely referring to Solomon, who also wrote the Book of Proverbs and the Song of Solomon. When Solomon became king, he asked God for wisdom instead of wealth and honor, which God granted to him in abundance. (1 Kings 3:5-15). However, Solomon went astray from God’s wisdom to following His own heart. Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes in his old age as he seeks to make sense of his life.  
The Arrangement of Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes is bookended with these phrases: “All is vanity” and “Fear God and keep His commandments.” The word vanity is a key word in the book that refers to life being a “breath” or “vapor.” Ecclesiastes is arranged for the reader to see what life looks like when it is lived backwards.  
The Aim of Ecclesiastes
The purpose of Ecclesiastes is to help us to live our lives backwards – in light of the end. This book helps us to loosen our grip on the temporal and live for the eternal.

The Priority of Obedience - Psalm 119:1-8
 
The perspective of all the faithful on the priority of obedience (vv. 1-3)
 
They experience the happiness of obedience (vv. 1-2) They experience the practicality of obedience (v. 3)  
The perspective of God on the priority of obedience (v. 4)
 
His standard concerning obedience (v. 4a) His burden concerning obedience (v. 4b)  
The perspective of the psalmist on the priority of obedience (vv. 5-8)
 
His positively phrased plea for enablement points to the priority of obedience (vv. 5-8a) His negatively phrased plea for communion points to the priority of obedience (v. 8b)

Text: Colossians 3:15-17
 
Our Hearts Must be Gratefully Governed by the Peace of Christ. (3:15)
The peace of Christ comes to us through the blood of Christ which reconciled us to God. We are called to rest in the peace of Christ to rule every moment of our lives and build unity within the church.  
Our Hearts Must be Gratefully Filled by the Word of Christ. (3:16)
We must let the Gospel of Christ occupy the residence in our hearts in abundance We are called to express our belief in Christ and unity in Christ through corporate worship.  
Our Hearts Must be Gratefully Devoted to the Name of Christ. (3:17)
All we do and say must be for the glory of Christ All we do and say must be carried out with thankfulness to Christ.

Text: Colossians 3:12-14
 
The New Life Begins in Christ (3:12a)
As believers, we are chosen, sanctified, and loved by God. This new life does not rest on our merits, but on Christ and His work in us.  
The New Life Looks Like Christ (3:12b-14)
As believers, our life should reflect the grace we have received in Christ. This new life is characterized by Christlike love which gives way to Christlike harmony.

Text: Colossians 3:7-11
 
We Must Cast Off the Sins of the Old Life (3:7-9)
Christ calls us to turn from our former life of sin and never look back. Christ equips us to comprehensively target all forms of ungodly behavior and put them to death.  
We Must Put On the Identity of the New Life in Christ (3:10-11)
The new life in Christ has replaced the old life of sin. The new life in Christ is created in us through Christ. The new life in Christ gives us a new identity.

Missions Focus Sunday
Dr. Joshua Paxton preached to us from 3 John 5-8, which called us to send missionaries out in a manner worthy of God so that we may be fellow workers in the Truth. He taught us how we can “hold the rope” with missionaries through meaningful involvement in training, sending, and supporting. 
(Dr. Paxton is the Director of the Burnham Center for Global Engagement and Professor of Intercultural Studies at Calvary University)