Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

2017- A God Perspective

The Big Questions

What sort of year will 2017 be?What will be the future of our nation?

The Better Questions

Lord, has my life been pleasing to you?Where do I go from here, God?What do you require of me next year?

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-15The Past- V. 1-8The Present- V. 9-13The Future- V. 14-15

The Past teaches…All things change

Everything is temporaryLife is unpredictable

V. 1-8

V.11: “No one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”

V.11: “No one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.”

“You do not know what will happen tomorrow… You ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that, but now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”

James 4:14-16

The Present teaches…A man’s work is soon forgottenA God-given task is never forgotten

V. 9-13

“For the Lord is not unjust to forget your works and labor of love which you have shown toward His name in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister.”

Hebrews 6:10

“For the Lord is not unjust to forget your works and labor of love which you have shown toward His name in that you have ministered to the saints and do minister.”

Hebrews 6:10

“Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another, and the Lord listened and heard them; So a book of remembrance was written before them, for those who fear the Lord and who meditate on His name.”

Malachi 3:16

The Present teaches…A man’s work is soon forgottenA God-given task is never forgottenA blessed life is a content life V. 14-15

Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

1 Timothy 6:6

Godliness with contentment is great gain.”

1 Timothy 6:6

“I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased and how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and suffer need.”

Philippians 4:11-12

The Future teaches…God is Sovereign over the affairs of menGod’s plans aren’t impulsive or whimsicalGod will require an account

The Better Questions

Lord, has my life been pleasing to you?Where do I go from here, God?What do you require of me next year?

God’s Will for 2017?Bear one another’s

burdens Build up the churchProtect the weak

Restore the backsliddenForgive and reconcile relationships

Pray

for t

he si

ck

Be hospitable

Encourage the discouraged

Be faithful to

show upBe generous with

moneyServe without recognitionSpeak the Gospel