You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's. Exodus 20:17 ESV Although we will definitively conclude our study of the Ten Commandments with an epilogue sermon, we do arrive …
The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the belly of the wicked suffers want. Proverbs 13:25 What is this proverb's setting? Everywhere. The righteous has enough, always. The righteous man or woman is content. Even in times of hunger, they are satisfied. But the wicked are not so. They are governed by …
Continue reading The Belly of the Wicked Suffers Want | Proverbs 13:25
If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness, ado not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there are yet higher ones over them. But this is gain for a land in every way: a king committed …
Continue reading He Who Loves Money Will Not Be Satisfied With Money | Ecclesiastes 5:8-20
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought …
Continue reading I Can Do All Things Through Him Who Strengthens Me | Philippians 4:10-13
Back in 2012, I taught through the books of Ecclesiastes and Philippians together, attempting to show how they both present that true joy is only found in Christ. Since I am now preaching through them again (finishing Ecclesiastes this Sunday), I'm sharing the essay that I wrote in 2012 to explain the connection between these …
Continue reading Depressing Joy: a thousand year search for meaning
We have now arrived at the Source of a content life. We have discovered that God alone, through Christ, is able granted us the satisfaction that our souls desire. However, if we stop merely at the Source of our satisfaction, then I believe that we will miss an opportunity to see the glory and goodness …
Continue reading The Unity of Ecclesiastes & Philippians | part four
Yet even if hedonism and religious legalism are both truly dead ends, we are forced to ask once more why people pursue these ends. Why do we relentlessly chase after the pleasures of hedonism to the degree of ignoring our God-given conscience? Why practice the asceticism found within religious legalism so that precious little happiness …
Continue reading The Unity of Ecclesiastes & Philippians | part three
A belief that I hold is that there are two paths to hell. If eternal judgment is your desired destination, rest assured that you have at least two choices to take: the road of the “sinner” or the road of the “religious.” You see, the only method of actually securing the eternal wrath of such …
Continue reading The Unity of Ecclesiastes & Philippians | part two
Back in 2012, I taught through the books of Ecclesiastes and Philippians together, attempting to show how they both present that true joy is only found in Christ. Below is part one of an essay I wrote to explain this connection. I pray that you will find it illuminating and helpful. The nature of joy …
Continue reading The Unity of Ecclesiastes & Philippians | part one
SUGGESTED VERSES FOR MEMORIZATION & MEDITATION When the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. (Genesis 29:31) And she called his name Joseph, saying, “May the LORD add to me another son!” (Genesis 30:24) Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in …
