The Bible with Beth Elizabeth Svoboda, M.Div.

Good morning, we're concluding our study of Ecclesiastes and one of the things I've been repeatedly struck by is just how relevant such an ancient book is for our lives today. Over and over, our preacher has looked at different aspects of life under the sun, viewing life from a secular perspective, and concluded over and over that life without Christ is meaningless.



He's used four arguments that we've looked at to support his conclusion. The monotony of creation in life, the vanity of earthly wisdom, the futility of wealth, and the certainty of death. But being quite a wise man, our preacher goes back and takes another look in these last two chapters, and this time brings God into the picture, and that makes all the difference in the world, doesn't it?



Today's scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8.

Christ is risen; He is risen, indeed! Today we’re celebrating the greatest day in the history of the world, Christ’s resurrection Easter morning. But what actually happened Easter morning, why is it significant, and what does this mean for our lives 2,000 years later? 

Today's scripture: John 20:1-10.

This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it! Today we celebrate Christ's official entry into Jerusalem and the events that set into motion the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.



The account of the triumphal entry is found in all four gospels, and I've chosen John 12:12-19 this morning for us to look at. Coupled with our week's Bible study, which is 1 John 2:2-11. They're fascinating to consider together.



I love the way all of God's word is one continuous message of his redemptive love in Jesus Christ.



So how does John's account of Palm Sunday in this section of chapter two of First John, help us better understand Christ as our sacrifice and our savior? That's our question for today.



Today's scripture: John 12:12-19, 1 John 2:2-11, Psalm 118:26, John 11:16, John 1:49, Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18, Psalm 119:34, Psalm 118:22-24.

Good morning, today I've entitled our message, Wisdom for Life. Our author has given us quite a bit to think about, hasn't he, with his descriptions of life's vanities. The tedium, the endless treadmill of creation that constantly repeats itself. Season after season, year after.



Repeatedly he's talked about the uselessness of worldly wisdom and knowledge. The fleeting value of prosperity and wealth and God's gifts when they're used for the wrong purposes and viewed in the wrong ways.



If we accept God's gifts but complain about them, we're guilty of ingratitude. If we hoard His gifts and will not share them with others, we're guilty of indulgence. But if we yield to His will and use what He's given us for his glory, then we can enjoy life and be satisfied.



This morning we turn to chapter 7, verses 1 to 14, to the topic of wisdom. Now the preacher gives us a positive side of wisdom. Has he changed his mind? Does wisdom have value after all, or is it simply just another vanity?



Today's scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-14, Proverbs 27:9, 27:17, Romans 8:28.

Our message this week I've entitled Satisfaction Guaranteed. And the questions we're answering this morning is who or what matters most, God or money? What should our attitude as Christians be towards money and prosperity?



In today's scripture we're examining the topic of wealth in what our preacher calls vanities, the things in life that are meaningless and transient, empty and temporary apart from a personal relationship with the Lord.



Verses eight to nine, we'll consider wealth and poverty on a national level. In verses 10 to 17, the preacher really starts to meddle in our business as he exposes our attitudes towards money. In the final section in verses 18 to 20 he shows us a better way to live.



We've talked a lot in our class about meditating on scripture. Pondering, personalizing, and practicing God's word. These passages in Ecclesiastes are extraordinary ones to ponder. Challenging, but wonderful and rewarding in what matters most.



Today's scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:8-20, Philippians 4:11, Hebrew 13:5, Luke 12:16-21.

This week we're looking at wickedness, injustice, and death. Those are not cherry topics, are they? But they're part of life. And one of the things that has most impressed me studying the book of Ecclesiastes is how honest, how ruthlessly honest, our preacher is. 



Life without a personal relationship with Christ isn't pretty, it's prone to heartache and troubles. And folks who don't know Christ and His love have nowhere to take their fears. They have nowhere to turn for spiritual comfort and no hope of everlasting peace. 



So before we delve into today's passages, what about you? What are you afraid of? Where do you turn when troubles come? 



Today’s scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22, Galatians 4:4, Acts 17, Genesis 18:25, Matthew 25, Revelation 21:4, II Peter 1:3.