Receiving What Cannot Be Taken Away - Ecclesiastes 2:12-26

Receiving What Cannot Be Taken Away - Ecclesiastes 2:12-26

Life is full and we give ourselves to so many people, pursuits, and passions. In the end, though, we know we will pass on and everything will be taken from us. How can we learn to enjoy and value the days we have? How does enjoying God change the joy we have in this life? 1. Wisdom can’t secure you. 2. Works can’t secure you. 3. God can secure you. Reflection Questions 1. What pursuits are stealing your joy? What would it look like for the gospel to put those pursuits back in submission to God’s good design? 2. What are you passing on to those who come after you – works that will fade, or an example of enjoying God in everyday living?

The Quest: Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For - Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11

What am I supposed to do with my life? What’s the whole point of living anyway? These are the big questions of life raised by the author of Ecclesiastes. But his quest to find answers left him frustrated and disillusioned – he calls it an unhappy business that God has assigned to humanity. This was bound to be the case because his was a research project conducted ‘under the sun’ – an exploration made apart from God.  Nevertheless, his account of his futile quest has much to teach us. His seek-and-search mission for an answer to purpose of life led him to examine wisdom and knowledge, experiment with various forms of pleasure before throwing himself completely into work and the accumulation of wealth. But none provided the answer he was looking for. He was striving after the wind, and it left him empty. 1. The Futility of Human Wisdom 2. The Folly of Pleasure 3. The Failure of Production Reflection Questions 1. Reflect on a time when achieving a personal goal (e.g., career or academic success, a purchase) left you feeling empty. How does the author’s conclusion in Ecclesiastes 2:11 challenge your view of earthly pursuits? 2. How can you intentionally experience life as God intended when faced with anxiety about unanswered questions or unmet desires? 3. Jesus’ words to his followers in Mark 8:34-37 directly address the big questions of meaning raised by the author of Ecclesiastes. How does Jesus’ message speak to you personally?

Getting It Wrong - Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Arthur Brooks, in his new book, The Meaning of Your Life, argues that meaning has collapsed for many today. He writes, “If your life feels meaningless, you will be disengaged and unable to deal effectively with your problems. You will almost certainly be depressed and anxious. Your life will have a void to it.” You may try the salve of therapy or try to distract yourself with scrolling, gaming, academic pursuits, business dealings, relational pursuits, or whatever, but your life will still feel hollow. The Preacher of Ecclesiastes asks questions that speak to the three elements of meaning:  purpose (is there a goal I live toward?), coherence (how do the events of my life fit together?), and significance (what gives my life value?). The book can be difficult and unsettling, but it ponders questions relevant to all generations and cultures. The prologue sets the mood for the entire book. It sadly describes the reality of someone who is getting it wrong, who is unable to grasp life’s deeper meaning. 1. The Wrong Question 2. The Wrong Worldview 3. The Wrong Objective Reflection Questions 1. How would you define your life purpose? 2. How has your faith in Jesus enabled you to see the reason behind the events of your life, whether joyful or sorrowful?

Three Babblers Babbling about Babel | Preachers Through Your Speakers EP 32

Silas, Pastor Ray and Pastor Brett chat about Pentecost, the Tower of Babel and the Holy Spirit! We're taking a break for our Summer Series, but please email us at ask@willingdon.org for any questions you have during the summer.  00:00 Intro 00:52 Babel or Babel 02:25 Sermon Summary 14:42 Feat of Weeks 17:25 Gathered worship before Pentecost 19:59 Does every Human have the Holy Spirit? 32:07 Well Educated vs Gifted Teaching 40:12 Looking forward to Ecclesiastes  45:30 Outro

Why Wait? - Acts 2

In spring, we love the longer days, but we can’t wait for the warmer temperatures of summer.  And then, when it gets hot and dry in summer, we can’t wait for rainfall. In the fall, we can’t wait for the first snowfall (ski season is around the corner). Then we can’t wait for Christmas. And on it goes. When we think of relationships, if we want to marry, we look forward to meeting that special partner. And then we wonder when the engagement will happen. And then we can’t wait for the wedding day, and then for the first child to be born. And then we can’t wait for the child to grow up and get married. When it comes to work, we look forward to finishing a degree, landing our first real job, and receiving promotions. Some of us also look ahead to retirement. And if you live for a long time, you will find yourself longing for heaven. What are you waiting for today?  Do you see your waiting period as wasted time? 1. While we wait, God is active. 2. While we wait, God prepares us for something we cannot afford to miss.   3. While we wait, we are limited in what we see.  God sees it all! 4. When the wait is over, be ready to testify to what God has done. 5. The wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit is over.