Ecclesiastes 1:1-2 / David VanAcker

1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

To be honest, it’s been a while since I’ve been this excited to start preaching through a book of the Bible. I think the main reason for my extra excitement is that in a truly unique way Ecclesiastes directly, unblinkingly, honestly, and unashamedly addresses two of the most significant questions for all mankind: 1) What is the world like, and 2) What can we do about it?

The main message of Ecclesiastes is that under the sun, all is vanity, but there is more than meets the eye in God’s world. The Preacher gives us glimpses of what the rest of the Bible makes crystal clear: above the sun is glory beyond imagination. Sin has made it so that we cannot see above apart from God’s help. God’s grace has made it so that we can live below in fullness of joy. The main takeaways are to ask God to help us see the glory above and to live according to His promises as we wait for His answer below.

Service Order

Welcome
Exhortation
Assurance of Pardon
    Our Great God
Reading – Psalm 96:1-4
    This Is My Father’s World
    Come Behold The Wondrous Mystery
Offering
Sermon
    Be Unto Your Name
    Christ The Sure And Steady Anchor
Benediction

Memory Verse

Matthew 9:13 Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Service Times

Prayer
8:30-8:45am
Sunday School
9:00am-10:00am
Worship Service
10:30am-Noon

Berea

We will continue in our survey of the whole Bible in Berea; this week we will be studying Esther. The kids will be continuing their Sunday School classes; 2-4yrs (nursery), 5-8yrs (Grace for Kids room), 9-12yrs (conference room).