Tag Archives: Contentment

Ecclesiastes Bible Study 3: Meaningful Conclusion

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Solomon teaches that success lies only in the hands of God.  We are given to do our work in the present, but we cannot control the future.  He tells us that we should receive a quiet and peaceful heart and commit everything to God.  Some fools respond by saying, “Then let us do no work.”  When Solomon teaches us to reject our counsels and anxieties, but to do the work, then fools either fall into despair or become prideful.  When their plans are thwarted they despair.  When their plans succeed they become presumptuous.

Similarly, the Gospel teaches an alien righteousness earned by the merit of Jesus Christ and freely received by faith.  The fool responds, “Then let us not do any good works.  If faith is sufficient, let us sin.”  When we teach about the fruits of faith and true good works, the fool trusts in them for salvation.

Solomon attempts to teach about the meaningful life of the Christian, who gives thanks for the gift of salvation.  He is not concerned about the future, but is content with his present vocation.  The grace of God provides an abundance of gifts, including daily provisions and satisfaction in the work of his daily vocation(Eccl 2:24-25).

 

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Ecclesiastes Bible Study 2: Vain Desires of the Heart

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When Solomon says that man’s labor under the sun is meaningless, he is not speaking about the work of our vocation, which God has given man to do.  Solomon is speaking about man’s toil and striving apart from God (or even against God’s will).  Everything which God has made is good.  It is the misuse of God’s gifts in accordance with our sinful desires that is meaningless.  Not only will we fail to accomplish what God has not willed, but we will afflict ourselves with trouble.  In Matthew 6:19-34, Jesus teaches His disciples to seek first Christ’s kingdom.  With salvation secured through the merit of Christ, we know that God is working out everything for our good.  This gift of God makes us content and at peace, without care and anxiety for the future, which is in God’s hands.   Solomon teaches us to remain and find enjoyment in the Word and work of God.

Overheads: Overheads Lesson 2 May 15 2016
Handouts: The Three Books of Solomon, Luther’s Prefaces to the Book of Ecclesiastes

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Ecclesiastes Bible Study 1: Introduction

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For the month of May, we are going to give a cursory look at the book of Ecclesiastes.  Ecclesiastes teaches us about the vanity of man’s heart which is not content with his present vocation but always desires future honor and wealth and fame.  “What does the worker gain from his toil?”  Whatever man seeks apart from God is a vain striving and accomplishes nothing.  It is the gift of God for man to enjoy his work.  The Christian is content to live the good life of thanksgiving for forgiveness before God and the world.

Handouts: The Three Books of Solomon, Luther’s Prefaces to the Book of Ecclesiastes
Overheads: Overheads Lesson 1 May 8 2016

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Baptismal Life Bible Class – The Fruits of Faith: Spiritual Impulses and Works, Part 13

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The fruits of faith are so much more than good works.  Without faith in Christ, which produces new spiritual impulses, we could not do good works.  Those impulses include submitting to God’s will, contentment, love, mortifying the old Adam, enduring suffering, facing death with peace and hope, etc.

“Therefore we also hold that the keeping of the law should begin in us and increase more and more. But we mean to include both elements, namely, the inward spiritual impulses and the outward good works.  Our opponents slanderously claim that we do not require good works, whereas we not only require them but show how they can be done” (Ap IV, 136).

Handout: Baptism Apr 13 2016 Lesson 13

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