Solomon gives us his final comments about why we are here and the whole purpose of life on this life. Be blessed.
Ecclesiastes 11: Cast Your Bread upon the Waters
1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.
2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.
3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth, and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie.
4 He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.
5 As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything.
6 In the morning sow your seed, and at evening withhold not your hand, for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.
7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
8 So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.
9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.
10 Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.
Ecclesiastes 12: Remember Your Creator in Your Youth
1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, "I have no pleasure in them";
2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain,
3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed,
4 and the doors on the street are shut---when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low---
5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets---
6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,
7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
8 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.
Fear God and Keep His Commandments
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care.
10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.
12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Things to think about…
1. Solomon writes in a way that says things happen by chance and circumstance, Eccl 11:1-3. All he is saying is that the heart is the most important thing to consider when we work, rest and play. All things considered there are processes and principles the Lord has put in order that govern this universe. As we sow, so we shall reap. We won’t get a crop if we look at the wind or the clouds, Eccl 11:4. Sometimes bad things happen to ‘supposedly’ good people. How do you rate fairness? Is God to be fair by your definition or His own? If His own, why do you complain when certain things happen that don’t meet with your approval? Our God of grace orders grief in certain seasons. The end of life is a season none of us will miss.
2. Eccl 11:5 speaking about the Spirit coming ‘to the bones of a child in the womb’, I find fascinating. The soul enters a child at some point as it develops in the womb. Have you thought much about this? Some would argue that because this may not happen within the first few hours or even days that it is not yet made in the image of God. Life is sustained or otherwise by God once it is established. It has been a few years since the ‘morning after pill’ was made available through the PBS. Pray our country has an awakening to the reality that we are image bearers of God, and that this begins in the womb. These images of God are being murdered on a mass scale in our country and around the world, according to the world health organisation 73 million occur each year https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abortion . Compare this to 6.5 million that have died from Covid over 3 years.
3. I love Solomon’s council in Eccl 11:10 – remove vexation from your heart and pain from your body. We bring a lot of things upon ourselves simply because we worry or are overly concerned about something. For the NT believer, Jesus has opened the doorway through the cross, we are on our way to heaven folks, forever. Seriously, do we really have anything to whinge about? His perfect love should cast out any earthly fear.
4. Eccl 12:1-8 describes the person who has grown old, the keepers of the house tremble because they know their master is dying, Eccl 12:3, strong men are bent over, their grinders (teeth) are few, eyes grow dim, hearing fades, tend to rise up early with the birds, afraid of heights, fearful, aged like an old almond tree in bloom, like an old grass hopper that drags itself along, the mourning daughter’s sing their song. Aging is the way of life. Our bodies will return to dust and our spirit will return back to the Lord, Eccl 12:7. Eternity is seen in many parts of OT scripture. Do you think much about growing old? What will you be like? Are you prepared for it? Even though your body will be failing, your spirit should be joyful and full of hope. Stay near the cross and in His word and your final days will be the best of your life. In this way we go from glory to glory even as we age.
5. The Apostle John echoes what Solomon says in Eccl 12:12, that the world could not contain all the books that could be written about the works of Jesus. But rather than studying books about general knowledge which can make one weary as Solomon says, studying the life of Christ brings forgiveness, peace, comfort and hope. Even John the Apostle says the world could not contain the books if everything Jesus did was written, John 21:25. But the things we have written about Him we have “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31.
6. I cannot add anything to Eccl 12:9-14. My encouragement is simply to read these verses again, meditate upon them and ask myelf if this passage brings me joy and peace. If not, I know the solution, John 3:16. I am sure Solomon reflected upon his life, both his wisdom and his rebellion and falling away to finally be restored to a place of security and peace. May we all find that security in Christ.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Living each day as your last” – Reading 1 Thess 4:13-5:11.
1. Jesus is returning to the earth. It is called the Day of the Lord. While we don’t know the exact time and that He will come like a thief, it will be universal. Have you ever given any thought to this or the day of your own death?
2. When this Day occurs, the dead in Christ will rise first. How certain are you of the resurrection of Christ and even you own resurrection. Do you have any evidence to support your claims.
3. What do you understand about the rapture? When and how will it occur?
4. Does this practically relate to the gospel and our witness to others?
Prayer Points
1. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023.
2. Some away through sickness.
3. Ministry leaders within the church.
4. Sunday’s members meeting.
5. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Many returning back to full health.
2. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Gina, Suzy, Zac, Richard and Maddison looking after Kidz at Church. Bec doing the words. Fiona and Suzy in café always do a stellar job. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
3. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Members’ meeting 28th August after the morning service.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for August...
Q. 7. What is hell? A. A place of dreadful and endless punishment & torment.
