Author The author identifies himself as the Preacher (or Teacher). While the book is technically anonymous, Solomon is the most likely candidate. Theme Everything is meaningless “under the sun,” and the only source of true meaning and joy is God. Background In the first chapter of Ecclesiastes, the author identifies himself as the Qoheleth (the …
All this took place to fulfill what the LORD had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:22-23 Jesus is the centerpiece of all human existence. His advent, His arrival is the highest point of human …
But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. Acts 6:4 ESV In 1 Peter 5:2-3, pastors are given three commands which correspond to their three titles: shepherd the flock (pastor), exercise oversight (overseer), and be an example to the flock (elder). Each command is a different aspect of leading …
So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not …
Given that appointing elders in every town was Paul's primary directive to Titus (1:5), it is troublesome that so few of us understand the biblical concept of eldership. In fact, thinking about a church's elders likely conjures up either wizened old men or cultish organizations governed ruthlessly by a handful of men. As you may …
Finally, the notion of sloth does not merely apply to idleness but also to busyness. Before discussing busyness, we should note that idleness is a sinful counterfeit of God-glorifying rest. Rest is worship; idleness is not. Rest is found in coming to Christ; idleness is found in self-gratifying pursuits. The same is also true of …
Slothfulness, though, is not merely physical or intellectual. We can also be lazy and idle spiritually. Spiritual sloth means being slothful to the things of God. Primarily, we see this in our reading of Scripture and prayer, which we tend to devote little (if any) time toward. While we may say that nothing is more …
Our society may still (generally) value physical labor, but it is increasingly leaving behind intellectual labor. Leigh Bortins, in her book The Core, compares us to the early Americans by stating that “overall, the same percentage of Americans read Common Sense in the late 1770s that watch the Super Bowl today” (p. 29)! I am convinced that …
SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth. Let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng. Her house …
Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding …
B. C. Newton 