InPerspective

Ecclesiastes 7

The chaos and unpredictability of life produces fear – fear of life's unexpected curveballs, fear of not measuring up, fear of our potential failure. We try to fence in our lives in a way that gives a false sense of control. But the only way to deal with life's chaos and unpredictability is the Gospel, as we trust the God who sent his Son into the world's chaos to rescue a people for Himself.

Ecclesiastes 7

Ecclesiastes chapter 7 addresses the inevitable chaos and tragedy of life, and the vanity of our feeble attempts to smooth out the bumpy unpredictability of life in a broken world. Some people – even in the church – try to cope with uncertainty and tragedy by denying it altogether. How can we realistically and biblically deal with the chaos and unpredictability of life under the sun?

Ecclesiastes 6

You can have a life filled with everything that men desire and strive for – and yet tragically, still have an empty soul. Life apart from God inevitably leads to dissatisfaction, disappointment, and emptiness. The only answer to this vanity and futility is found in the words of Jesus: “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

Colossians 1:8-14

Have you ever tried to pray for other believers but struggled to know just how to pray for them? Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he shows us how the apostle Paul's prayer for the Colossians is an excellent model for how we can pray for our fellow Christians

Ecclesiastes 6

Have you ever tried to grab the wind? It is futile; you have no control over it for it blows where it wishes. Solomon's verdict on life under the sun apart from God is that it is vanity and emptiness, like striving after the wind. Life under the sun is emptiness, futility, dissatisfaction, disappointment, and meaninglessness – unless you live for the One who made the sun and is above the sun.

Ecclesiastes 5

A hot-air balloon gives you a bird's-eye view to see things from a new, eye-opening perspective that is very different from our limited, ground-level point of view. In much of the modern church, worship is man-focused with a decidedly human perspective. A God's-eye view helps us understand God's perspective on worship, and cultivate a God-focused philosophy and practice of worship.

Ecclesiastes 5

How do you worship God? We may create an atmosphere in church that appears worshipful, while harboring an inadequate concept of God that manifests itself in shallow, hollow worship that fails to reflect His greatness, majesty, and grace. The more we understand the nature and character of God revealed in Holy Scripture, the more we will learn to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiates 4 verse 12 reminds us, "A cord of three strands is not easily broken." A rope woven from only one strand will break easily, but three strands woven into one cord will make a strong rope. Loneliness impoverishes the spirit and weakens those who live in isolation, but fellowship with God and community with others brings strength, fulfillment, and joy to our lives.

Ecclesiastes 4

Ecclesiastes 4 can be broken up into four vivid snapshots of life under the sun. We see the angst we face because of sin in this world. Then we see the insanity of covetousness in the motivations of work in the world. Next we look at our isolation and the emptiness of our self-absorption. Finally, we glimpse the answer from the One who made the sun, whose grace that is greater than our sin.

Colossians 1:3-14

Is your prayer life mostly about you – your personal circumstances, desires, and concerns? Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he examines how the prayer life of the apostle Paul was focused on others rather than himself.

Ecclesiastes 3

Two important spiritual principles come into focus in the latter part of Ecclesiastes 3. First, justice is ultimately in the hands of God; and secondly, because of the curse of sin under the sun everybody dies. God made us from the dust and to the dust we return. Death is inevitable but God has declared your eternity and if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, your destiny of everlasting life is secure.

Ecclesiastes sets forth three statements from the perspective of spiritual truth. Number 1, the seasons are in the hands of God and God works beauty, purpose, and order in and through them. Number 2, we can see the sovereign hand of God at work in the rhythmic passage of time and with it, the awareness of eternity. And Number 3, there is something far better coming for those who fear God.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Ecclesiastes 3 verses 1 thru 8 formed the framework for a popular song from the 1960's – "Turn, Turn, Turn" by the Byrds. Now many people believe this is just a reflection on the futility we experience as we predictably cycle through the seasons of life. But time itself is subject to the sovereignty of God, and life's ups and downs are ordered, significant, and meaningful for His glory and praise.

Ecclesiastes 1 & 2

C.S. Lewis wrote, "I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy. The only explanation is that I was made for another world." We all fear the sense of meaninglessness and insignificance, as we spend our lives seeking to fill that void within us. But Ecclesiastes reveals a deep, abiding longing for something more – specifically, for God Himself.

Ecclesiastes 1 & 2

Carl Sandburg said, "Life is like an onion – you peel it back one layer at a time and weep as you do." This sentiment is echoed in the book of Ecclesiastes as it examines the implications of life without God. Ecclesiastes honestly examines life in a fallen world, forces us to examine our pursuit for meaning and purpose, and reveals where that search will ultimately lead us

Colossians 1:1-2

Our spiritual lives will be radically transformed when we truly comprehend the absolute supremacy of Jesus Christ. Join Dr. Harry Reeder on InPerspective as he begins our new series, "Christ Is All and In All: Colossians in Biblical Perspective."

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

Psalm 144:4 declares, “Man is like a breath; his days are like a passing shadow.” If we are separated from God, then life under the sun is brief and temporary, and seems ultimately empty and unfulfilling. It is only when we live IN the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, that the vanity of life apart from God is transformed into a life of spiritual vitality, meaning and eternal significance.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

At first glance, the opening verses of Ecclesiastes don't inspire much hope or confidence. Solomon writes, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity!" – or to paraphrase, "I have seen it all, and nothing makes sense. Everything is meaningless!" However, when we begin to look at life through the lens of a relationship with the Lord, our lives suddenly take on eternal meaning, significance, and purpose.