Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”
John 6:29
**Obey Jesus
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:15
**Teach Others About Jesus
John 21:15-17
**Serve Jesus
14If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
Three main points emerge from this verse in John 16…….
**Christ has given us His Word. He has revealed to us the principles and precepts that we need for Godly living. We have not been left without a witness from the Lord.
**We will have difficulty and trials in this world. The life of a Believer is not easy, simple, or always comfortable. Jesus told us this and we ought to believe Him.
**We can have joy knowing that Jesus has overcome the world. These trials and tribulations we face are only temporary. Jesus has defeated death, hell, and the grave. Because of those things, the victory of the Christian is secured for evermore.
11 Since there are many things that increase vanity,How is man the better?12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 6:11-12
The writings of Solomon in this book can be difficult to follow. At times several different themes emerge in short order. At the same time, the theme of hopeless without God prevails from start to finish in this testament of the “preacher.”
Seen through the lens of the world, the book of Ecclesiastes is depressing and unfulfilling. The book’s purpose is to show us the problem. This writing repeatedly tells us not to seek lasting peace in the world’s system.
Another purpose of this book is to point us to the solution for the vanity of life under the sun. His name is Jesus! He can forgive you, cleanse you, and put you on the path to heaven. If you have not yet done so, consider placing your trust in Him for forgiveness. Turn from your sin and trust in Him to save you and place you into His family. He loves you and gave His all for you!
10 Whatever one is, he has been named already,For it is known that he is man;And he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he.11 Since there are many things that increase vanity,How is man the better?12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun?
Ecclesiastes 6:10-12
The monotony of life occupied much of the author’s inspired writings. Three themes emerge in that last part of this chapter.
God knows us. He knows our situations and our circumstances. And God is under no obligation to tell us why He does what He does. The creature cannot contend with His creator.
God knows what is best for us. This premise can be difficult to grasp as we struggle in a sinful world. But, it is the truth. He knows what we need before we even ask Him (Matthew 6:8)
We do not know what is best for us. Humans honestly believe that more of the world’s riches, fame, pleasure, and authority will bring ultimate happiness in peace. We are pushed towards that end every day through our media, our entertainment, and even our own minds. But at the end of the day, we don’t know what we truly need. Thankfully, God’s Word reveals to us the nature of the need and the only one who can truly meet that need.
Let us thank God for His wisdom and grace for our daily lives.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ brings hope. The promises of God’s Word rest on a steadfast assurance that results from Christ’s resurrection. When Jesus rose from the dead, every word of His teaching was verified and His ability to keep his promises was proved. The resurrection was truly the singular event that changed everything.
Many souls are searching for hope in our day. People are searching for a sense of hope in human relationships, finances, technology, and even religion. And, every day these so-called sources of hope promise much and deliver little. That’s not to say that these things are evil or unnecessary. They simply are incapable of fulfilling the longing of the human heart. Only Jesus can satiate that longing for hope, peace, and joy that we so desperately need.
Because Jesus is alive, we can trust His Word. Because Jesus is alive, we can believe his promises. Because Jesus is alive, we can know our ultimate destination. Because Jesus is alive, we know He will be with us no matter what may arrive at our doorstep. As we examine the risen Savior, we can see more and more clearly that the empty tomb changed everything!
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, All Fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.”[1]
[1] Gaither, Bill., Because He Lives, Gaither Music Company, 1971
7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, And yet the soul is not satisfied. 8 For what more has the wise man than the fool? What does the poor man have, Who knows how to walk before the living? 9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.
Ecclesiastes 6:7-9
The author revisits a previous theme. Whether we have much or whether we have little, the things of this life don’t truly satisfy. Solomon should know. He tried it all and found it all wanting.
Solomon sought meaning in riches, fame, and building projects. None of them brought satisfaction. He searched for meaning in philosophical pursuits and in relationships with women (He had over a 1000 wives and concubines!-1 Kings 11:3). Even that wasn’t enough.
Our only satisfaction is found in Jesus Christ. Life will not be perfect. But, in Christ, we can find meaning and purpose that will carry us through to heaven.
“He has risen!” (Luke 24:6) That simple, powerful phrase changed the course of history and eternity at once. Jesus death, burial, and resurrection had been predicted throughout His ministry. And now it was fulfilled just as He had said. He was no longer dead, but alive forevermore.
The resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith. Without it, Paul tells us our “faith is vain and we are yet (still) in our sins.” (1st Corinthians 15:17) The resurrection, though an audacious claim, proved the veracity and truthfulness of the Messiah. It serves as verifiable evidence that everything He said was truth and that He was indeed the very Son of God.
What a difference the resurrection of Christ makes in our lives. Without it, we are lost and hopeless. Through the finished work of Christ, we are brought near to God through the wonder of reconciliation. (2nd Corinthians 5:18-19) The resurrection gives us “the hope that our sins are paid for (Romans 4:25), death has been defeated (Hebrews 2:14), and the hope of eternal life when we repent and turn to Christ, accepting what He has done for us.”[1]
How should we as believers respond to this hope? I would imagine that there would be many responses, but praise and sharing are two that come to mind. Our worship and praise should be centered on all that Christ has accomplished for us and in us through His completed work of sacrifice and resurrection.
Given that we have received so much, how can we not share it? Those early disciples centered their witness on Christ’s death and resurrection. We should do no less today.
13When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” 14So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
41And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.
Luke 22:41-44
3 Lessons from Jesus’ Prayer Life
**Pray Fervently
**Pray Regularly
Luke 5:16 So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.
**Pray Persistently
Luke 18:1 Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.
God is immutable. In His essential nature and person, God never changes. He works in different ways at different times. But, He never alters or wavers in His attributes and in who He is. Consider the following…….
**God’s Power Never Changes
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Romans 1:16
**God’s Word Never Changes
The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever.”
Isaiah 40:8
**God’s Character Never Changes
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38-39
**God’s Promises Never Change
For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.
mrtonyfrench 