Faith Bible Fellowship

Jason Brooks
Download sermon audio (MP3) file here

This Sunday, we’ll return to Ecclesiastes and look at chapter 4. The
wisdom of Solomon recorded here for us offers great insight into our own
time, our own world. In many ways, it could have been written last year.

First, take some time and read over Ecclesiastes 4. Notice the
pictures of oppression, frustration, desire thwarted. We’ve all dealt
with not having our way, or loosing what we thought we shouldn’t. But
that doesn’t mean you give up.

What is your part in dealing with dashed hopes? With frustrated
desires? With envy? Paul writes in Colossians 3:1-2
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are
above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your
minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

As we deal with the frustrations of life, consider where your heart is
focused. All to frequently, our own sinful desires drag us, ever deeper
it seems, into sin. A change in focus would greatly help, so
concentrate on Christ, not self.

Another issue raised by Solomon is the frustration of the oppressed.
We do not directly see great oppression in our little hamlet, but that
doesn’t mean it’s not there. What do you know of that is similar to
what Solomon saw? What should you do? Consider the words and actions
of Christ in Luke 8, going to women and showing them worth with his time
and concern. To people who were discounted by all of Jewish society at
that time, denied justice – these are the people to whom Jesus
ministered. Who are those in Farmville? What is your, my, the church’s
calling to those people?

Consider this for Sunday as we look at Frustrations of Life.

Solo Deo Gloria,
Jason