What does your car run on?

Last night I watched a movie on Netflix about the Amish.  What impressed me was their emphasis on humility in every aspect of life.  It is well known that they prefer to have things done in an old fashion, but I never really tied in the reason for it; humility.  Today, we live in a society that constantly changes; we have new gadgets and ways of doing things almost on a daily basis.  So, when I saw this picture, I thought about the value of change, the picture, the Amish, a story I heard in church and the text of a wonderful sermon I heard this morning...

WEB: I Corinthians Chapter 13

[4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, [5] doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Society changes, but people don't.  All the characteristics listed in this Corinthians passage have been around since man was first created and that HAS NOT CHANGED!!!  During the church service this morning, Bob Dreiling told a story about an Indian elder teaching his grandchildren about life.  He said...Life is like the war of two wolves inside us; one is evil and one is good and the one that is predominate in your life will control your life.  At this point his grandson asked: Which one will win?  The answer was precious... THE ONE YOU FEED.  To all who may read this... FEED THE GOOD ONE AND DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO PLEASE GOD.  You will rejoice in heaven that you did this!!!  Those who desire to reach heaven need to "run" on love for it is the only thing that will produce a life that will truly pleases God. It is quite unusual for me to think of so many things at once, but I guess its just God's way of telling me to work on the Corinthian list... and I will!!!!!

Mar. 11 Exodus 21

Mar. 11

Exodus 21

Exo 21:1 "Now these are the ordinances which you shall set before them.

Exo 21:2 "If you buy a Hebrew servant, he shall serve six years and in the seventh he shall go out free without paying anything.

Exo 21:3 If he comes in by himself, he shall go out by himself. If he is married, then his wife shall go out with him.

Exo 21:4 If his master gives him a wife and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall be her master's, and he shall go out by himself.

Exo 21:5 But if the servant shall plainly say, 'I love my master, my wife, and my children. I will not go out free;'

Exo 21:6 then his master shall bring him to God, and shall bring him to the door or to the doorpost, and his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall serve him for ever.

Exo 21:7 "If a man sells his daughter to be a female servant, she shall not go out as the male servants do.

Exo 21:8 If she doesn't please her master, who has married her to himself, then he shall let her be redeemed. He shall have no right to sell her to a foreign people, seeing he has dealt deceitfully with her.

Exo 21:9 If he marries her to his son, he shall deal with her after the manner of daughters.

Exo 21:10 If he takes another wife to himself, he shall not diminish her food, her clothing, and her marital rights.

Exo 21:11 If he doesn't do these three things for her, she may go free without paying any money.

Exo 21:12 "One who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death,

Exo 21:13 but not if it is unintentional, but God allows it to happen: then I will appoint you a place where he shall flee.

Exo 21:14 If a man schemes and comes presumptuously on his neighbor to kill him, you shall take him from my altar, that he may die.

Exo 21:15 "Anyone who attacks his father or his mother shall be surely put to death.

Exo 21:16 "Anyone who kidnaps someone and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death.

Exo 21:17 "Anyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

Exo 21:18 "If men quarrel and one strikes the other with a stone, or with his fist, and he doesn't die, but is confined to bed;

Exo 21:19 if he rises again and walks around with his staff, then he who struck him shall be cleared: only he shall pay for the loss of his time, and shall provide for his healing until he is thoroughly healed.

Exo 21:20 "If a man strikes his servant or his maid with a rod, and he dies under his hand, he shall surely be punished.

Exo 21:21 Notwithstanding, if he gets up after a day or two, he shall not be punished, for he is his property.

Exo 21:22 "If men fight and hurt a pregnant woman so that she gives birth prematurely, and yet no harm follows, he shall be surely fined as much as the woman's husband demands and the judges allow.

Exo 21:23 But if any harm follows, then you must take life for life,

Exo 21:24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,

Exo 21:25 burning for burning, wound for wound, and bruise for bruise.

Exo 21:26 "If a man strikes his servant's eye, or his maid's eye, and destroys it, he shall let him go free for his eye's sake.

Exo 21:27 If he strikes out his male servant's tooth, or his female servant's tooth, he shall let him go free for his tooth's sake.

Exo 21:28 "If a bull gores a man or a woman to death, the bull shall surely be stoned, and its flesh shall not be eaten; but the owner of the bull shall not be held responsible.

Exo 21:29 But if the bull had a habit of goring in the past, and it has been testified to its owner, and he has not kept it in, but it has killed a man or a woman, the bull shall be stoned, and its owner shall also be put to death.

Exo 21:30 If a ransom is laid on him, then he shall give for the redemption of his life whatever is laid on him.

Exo 21:31 Whether it has gored a son or has gored a daughter, according to this judgment it shall be done to him.

Exo 21:32 If the bull gores a male servant or a female servant, thirty shekels of silver shall be given to their master, and the ox shall be stoned.

Exo 21:33 "If a man opens a pit, or if a man digs a pit and doesn't cover it, and a bull or a donkey falls into it,

Exo 21:34 the owner of the pit shall make it good. He shall give money to its owner, and the dead animal shall be his.

Exo 21:35 "If one man's bull injures another's, so that it dies, then they shall sell the live bull, and divide its price; and they shall also divide the dead animal.

Exo 21:36 Or if it is known that the bull was in the habit of goring in the past, and its owner has not kept it in, he shall surely pay bull for bull, and the dead animal shall be his own.

Mar. 11, 12 Mark 8

Mar. 11, 12

Mark 8

Mar 8:1 In those days, when there was a very great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to himself, and said to them,

Mar 8:2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.

Mar 8:3 If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way."

Mar 8:4 His disciples answered him, "From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?"

Mar 8:5 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven."

Mar 8:6 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the multitude.

Mar 8:7 They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.

Mar 8:8 They ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over.

Mar 8:9 Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.

Mar 8:10 Immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the region of Dalmanutha.

Mar 8:11 The Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, and testing him.

Mar 8:12 He sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation."

Mar 8:13 He left them, and again entering into the boat, departed to the other side.

Mar 8:14 They forgot to take bread; and they didn't have more than one loaf in the boat with them.

Mar 8:15 He warned them, saying, "Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod."

Mar 8:16 They reasoned with one another, saying, "It's because we have no bread."

Mar 8:17 Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, "Why do you reason that it's because you have no bread? Don't you perceive yet, neither understand? Is your heart still hardened?

Mar 8:18 Having eyes, don't you see? Having ears, don't you hear? Don't you remember?

Mar 8:19 When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They told him, "Twelve."

Mar 8:20 "When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They told him, "Seven."

Mar 8:21 He asked them, "Don't you understand, yet?"

Mar 8:22 He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him.

Mar 8:23 He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.

Mar 8:24 He looked up, and said, "I see men; for I see them like trees walking."

Mar 8:25 Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly.

Mar 8:26 He sent him away to his house, saying, "Don't enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village."

Mar 8:27 Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?"

Mar 8:28 They told him, "John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others: one of the prophets."

Mar 8:29 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."

Mar 8:30 He commanded them that they should tell no one about him.

Mar 8:31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.

Mar 8:32 He spoke to them openly. Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.

Mar 8:33 But he, turning around, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men."

Mar 8:34 He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, "Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Mar 8:35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it.

Mar 8:36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?

Mar 8:37 For what will a man give in exchange for his life?

Mar 8:38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

"THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES" Introduction by Mark Copeland

"THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES"

                              Introduction

The book of Ecclesiastes has fascinated many people. Some feel it is 
the most puzzling book in the Old Testament. It has been called one of
the most melancholy books of the Bible. It has been used by some to
teach that man ceases to exist after death.

It is not a book that Christians should ignore. As with all Old 
Testament Scripture, it was written for our learning (Ro 15:4) and
admonition (1Co 10:11). It is therefore profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness (2Ti 3:
16-17).

The book has special relevance today in our materialistic society, for
it helps us to see the vanity of many earthly pursuits. It contains
lessons for all, but especially for the young who have so much to lose
should they make the wrong choices early in life.

TITLE:  In the Hebrew Bible, the book is called "Qoheleth" (Koheleth)
which means "preacher" (cf. 1:1). The term suggests one who speaks to
an assembly. The translators of the Septuagint (a Greek version of the
Old Testament) called it "Ekklesiastes", which also means "preacher".
The word is derived from "ekklesia", meaning "assembly".

AUTHOR AND DATE OF WRITING:  Jewish and early Christian tradition
attribute the book to Solomon. The author identifies himself as "the 
son of David, king in Jerusalem" (1:1). He also refers to himself as
"the Preacher" (1:1,2,12; 7:27; 12:8,9,10). Internal evidences point
to Solomon. Note the references to:

   * His wisdom - 1:16; cf. 1Ki 3:12

   * His building activities - 2:4-6; cf. 1Ki 7:1-12

   * His wealth - 2:7-9; cf. 2Ch 9:13-28

   * His activities after writing this book - 12:9-10; cf. 1Ki 4:30-34

Some question whether certain conditions described in the book (cf.
3:16; 4:13-16; 5:8) existed during the reign of Solomon. But these
conditions could have been noted by Solomon in neighboring countries,
or in lower-level positions of his administration.

In my opinion, the evidence is simply not compelling to reject the
traditional view of Solomon as the author. If Solomon is indeed the
author, then the date the book was written would be around 945 B.C.

PURPOSE FOR WRITING:  The Preacher wondered what many have asked: 

   "What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils
   under the sun?" (1:3).
   
In other words, what value or purpose is there for living? What is the
meaning of life?  Having been blessed with great material resources and
wisdom, the Preacher was able to explore all avenues in his search. He
writes to share with us the results of his own investigation, and to
offer observations and words of counsel gleaned from his search.

MESSAGE:  There are two main messages. The first is stated in the
prologue:
                         "All is vanity" (1:2)

This theme is repeated by the Preacher time and again:

   * Prior to describing his search for meaning - 1:14

   * Throughout the course of his search:
       The vanity of pleasure - 2:1
       The vanity of industry (labor) - 2:11,22-23; 4:4
       The vanity of human wisdom - 2:15
       The vanity of all life - 2:17
       The vanity of leaving an inheritance - 2:18-21

   * Throughout his words of counsel and wisdom:
       The vanity of earthly existence - 3:19-21
       The vanity of acquiring riches over family - 4:7-8
       The vanity of political popularity - 4:16
       The vanity of many dreams and many words - 5:7
       The vanity of loving abundance - 5:10
       The vanity of wealth without the gift of God to enjoy it - 6:2
       The vanity of wandering desire - 6:9
       The vanity of foolish laughter - 7:6
       The vanity of injustice in this life - 8:14
       The vanity of the days of darkness - 11:8
       The vanity of childhood and youth - 11:10

   * At the conclusion of the book - 12:8

Indeed, the key word in this book is "vanity". It occurs 35 times in 29
verses. It means "futility, uselessness, nothingness." But a key phrase
to be noted is "under the sun". It is found 29 times in 27 verses. It
suggests that this message of vanity is true when one looks at life
purely from an earthly perspective. Leave God and the afterlife out of
the equation, and life is truly vanity!

Therefore another message in this book is the importance of serving God
throughout life. This is the message the Preacher would leave with the
young (cf. 11:9-12:1), and is stated in his final words:

   "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep
   His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (12:13)

Throughout the book, we will find what the Preacher later describes as
"goads" and "nails" (cf. 12:11). These are wise sayings that will
"prod" our thinking, and exhortations that will provide stability and
direction for living. Ecclesiastes is certainly a book worthy of 
careful study!

BRIEF OUTLINE

INTRODUCTION AND PROLOGUE (1:1-3)

I. THE PREACHER'S SEARCH FOR MEANING IN LIFE  (1:4-2:26)

II. THE PREACHER'S OBSERVATIONS FROM LIFE  (3:1-6:12)

III. THE PREACHER'S COUNSEL FOR LIFE (7:1-12:7)

EPILOGUE AND CONCLUSION (12:8-14)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

1) What is the book of Ecclesiastes called in the Hebrew Bible? What
   does it mean?
   - Qoheleth (Koheleth)
   - Preacher

2) What does the word "ecclesiasates" mean? What Greek word is it
   derived from?
   - Preacher
   - Ekklesia, meaning "an assembly"

3) According to Jewish and early Christian tradition, who is the
   author, and when was it likely written?
   - Solomon 
   - 945 B.C.

4) What internal evidence is there to identify the author? (1:16; 
   2:4-6,7-9; 12:9-10)
   - His wisdom
   - His building activities
   - His wealth
   - His activities after writing the book

5) What question does the Preacher seek to answer in this book? (1:3)
   - "What profit has a man from all his labor in which he toils under
     the sun?"

6) What key word is found in this book? What key phrase is repeated
   time and again?
   - Vanity
   - Under the sun

7) What are the two main messages found in this book? (1:14; 12:13)
   - The vanity of life under the sun (life purely from an earthly
     perspective)
   - The importance of fearing God and keeping His commandments

8) According to the brief outline above, what are the three main
   divisions of the book?
   - The Preacher's search for meaning in life (1-2)
   - The Preacher's observations from life (3-6)
   - The Preacher's counsel for life (7-12)