Situational Ethics

This week we talked about situational ethics and one thing I learned was that what I believe should always effect how I behave. Because I am a Christ follower, Scripture should back up my worldviews. Ethics can be very tricky though because even though Christians read the same Bible, they can have different personal convictions about it. This leads to people having different worldviews than each other, which is okay. When discussing ethics, it is important to always respect the other person’s viewpoint but always use Scripture as a testing measure. Christians need to discuss ethics with each other because if they do not know what to say to themselves, they will not know what to say to a non-believer.

Chasing After the Wind

            As we studied Ecclesiastes this week with Tommy Nelson, I kept being struck by the same phrase over and over again, “chasing after the wind”. How many times in my life have I chased after the wind instead of chasing after God?

In Ecclesiastes, Solomon says that he has “seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind” (Ecclesiastes 1:14). He becomes more specific as the book goes on. He states that being devoted to the understanding of wisdom is useless. There have been so many times in my life when I thought that if I only knew the answer to a question, life would be better. The problem is, that with more knowledge there is more responsibility and with more responsibility there is more grief. No matter how much wisdom you acquire, it will never satisfy you. Just ask the wisest man in the world, he was still not fulfilled!

If wisdom would not satisfy, Solomon thought that achievement would. Who does not have the dream as a child to win an Olympic medal or become an astronaut? Surely once you have a championship ring your life is made! Unfortunately, Solomon found that achievement was also unsatisfying (2:11). This can be hard to swallow personally because the world tells us to go out and achieve great things to become a great person, but the hole in your life cannot be filled with even the largest medal of the purest gold (2:17).

If there are three easy ways to become a "somebody" in this world, it is to either be extremely smart, talented, or rich. Solomon already busted the first two and he is about to tear up the third. He says that “the task of gathering and storing up wealth” is also chasing after the wind (2:26). A few chapters later, Solomon talks about how we should appreciate what we have instead of always wanting more (6:9). If you always want more, how will you ever be able to enjoy what God has given you? My whole life I have been taught that it is important to have money and now I am finding out that maybe it is not as important as I thought it was. Now, I am not saying to not be responsible but I should not devout myself to making money. That can be a hard pill to swallow when you live in America with everybody talking about the American dream!

Perhaps it is just the easy ways to become somebody in this world that Solomon condemns. Nope, he hates on the hard way too. In Ecclesiastes 4:4-6, he says that all work without any tranquility is chasing after the wind. Who would have thought that the Bible would tell you to take a break and enjoy life? The Word even warns against toiling for advancement. In 100 years, your legacy will probably be forgotten. There will always be somebody to take your spot. Why work only to gain a title? Work hard and if you are advanced in your career then that is great! However, do not fully devout yourself to it (4:16). I think what Solomon is trying to tell us here is that if you work so hard that you do not experience life, there is no point! That does not mean you do not work hard at all, but there is a happy balance that should be reached! Work hard and enjoy what God has given you… life!

           How much time have I wasted chasing after the wind? The amount is sickening. I know I have sought after every single thing Solomon talks about. I have tried to find fulfillment with earthly things and it has never worked. The only meaning a person can find in life is in Christ. The only true joy is found in Christ. That is the only way you can heed Solomon’s advice: “However many years anyone may live, let them enjoy them all” (11:8a). Why would you spend your life chasing after the meaninglessness of earthly things when you can find meaning by simply turning to the God of the Universe and letting Him lead you thru life?


Below is my outline for the book of Ecclesiastes. If you have any questions please contact me! I'd love to help clear things up for you!

Book Theme

·      Life under the sun

o   Life without God or life separated from God.

o   “I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” – Ecclesiastes 1:14

·      There will be times in life where things are not going so well:

o   Disease

o   Death

o   Loss

o   Financial issues

·      We have to take what life throws at us in stride and carry on.

·      Enjoy what God gives you but only take fulfillment in God.

·      Chapters 1-2: Critique of life without God: “vain”

•    We don’t take anything from this world into heaven with us. (2:18)
• There is a never-ending cycle in the universe.
• The Lord rewards you but the universe does not. It just continues to grind up the next generation. (1:4-7)
•  Man is always looking for something else in this universe. (1:8-11)
•   The only thing that is worth our pursuit is God.
• There is nothing new outside of God because a finite man cannot think outside of the finite.
•   Three ways people look for fulfillment outside of God.
•   Intellectualism – “I applied my mind to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under the heaves. What a heavy burden God has laid on mankind!” – Ecclesiastes 1:13
•  Knowledge without God is a heavy burden because you don’t find answers only problems (1:13)
•   God created man to be dependent on God but the temptation is to find happiness without God.
• With wisdom without God comes grief and affliction (1:18)
•  Without God everything is lacking
• Hedonism – “I said to myself, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.’ But that also proved to be meaningless.” – Ecclesiastes 2:1
• Hedonism – the pursuit of pleasure
• No matter what you try to fill your life with, it will not satisfy. (2:11)
•  Wisdom is better than folly (2:13)
•   Even though being wise is good, without God it too is meaningless (2:14-16)
•   Happiness and pleasure come from the hand of God
• Money – “I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.” – Ecclesiastes 2:18)
• Money will not bring pleasure either. (2:8, 2:11)
• Working long hours to gain riches is meaningless. (2:18-23)
•  You can only take satisfaction in your work thru God. (2:24-25)
•  If you please God, you gain wisdom, knowledge and happiness from Him. (2:26)
•  Conclusion
• Life is despairing and the only solution is God.

• ·      3:1-10 Crisis: “death”
• The decree of God is sovereign.
•  “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heaves.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
• There are times that are good and bad so take everything with a grain of salt.

• ·      3:11-15 Comfort: “beautiful”
•   God is sovereign
•  “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11
•  Everything is beautiful in its time.
• All things have a purpose.
•  The best we can do is to be happy and do good on earth. (3:12)
• God uses everything to serve His purpose. (3:14-15)

• ·      3:16-4:16 Conflict
•   In justice there is wickedness. (3:16)
• God will judge every deed someday. (3:17)
• Oppression and cruelty occur without anybody to help. (4:1)
• Working just to work will not satisfy but you have to work. Enjoying without working will not satisfy but you should enjoy. You should both work and enjoy while you are on earth. (4:4-6)
• Materialism is not enough to satisfy you either. (4:8)
•  Friendship is very important. (4:9-12)
•  Popularity will not satisfy

•  5:1-7 Caution: “be careful”
• When things don’t go our way we are tempted to blame God
•  Is He responsible? Yes
• Is He guilty? No
• “Do not be quick with your mouth do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth so let your words be few.” – Ecclesiastes 5:2
• When things don’t go our way we tend to blame God or make vows we don’t intend to keep. Don’t do this! (5:4-7)

• 5:8-7:29 Correction
• You have to have the correct perspective of evil.
•   Justice will always eventually come.
•  Ill-gotten gain will not make you happy. (5:8-9)
•  Greater wealth brings you greater anxiety. (5:10-12)
•   You have to have the correction perspective of hard times. (5:19-20)
•   Patience is better than haughtiness.
•  Don’t gripe about God’s will.
• God’s will is sovereign. (6:7-12)
• Don’t try to change God’s will.
• Be content and enjoy.
• God made the bad as well as the good.
•  You have to have a clear perception of yourself. (7:1)
• There is no guarantee that life will be easy as a Christian.
• If people knew about us what God knows about us…
• You don’t have to understand everything but keep yourself humble and do well what you do understand.
• Do not cross moral lines.

•  8-12 Counsel
•  Do the right thing (8:2-6).
•  Even when bad comes, keep chugging along doing the right thing.
•  Evil should not change your conduct (8:9-13).
•  Have fun and enjoy life (8:15).
•   Be poised (10:1-4).
•  Sin makes you weak and inferior.
•  Wisdom makes you strong and skilled.
•  If there were always an immediate response to evil or good, people would not do good for God just for the response.
• Be bold.
•  Start walking with God young (11:7-12:8).
• Take the eternal word and introduce it to people to have an eternal life.
• Know the Bible.

Romans in a Nutshell

This week we learned about Romans and man is it a dense book! This is a very short handed outline of the book but if you want my full one let me know!

Introduction

·      The theme of Romans is the righteousness of God revealed thru the person of Jesus Christ.

·      Paul wrote Romans while returning from his third missionary journey around 57 AD. He is bringing a monetary gift from the Gentile in Macedonia and Achaia believers to the Jewish church in Jerusalem.

·      Paul is writing to this church in Rome to encourage them in their faith and to impart spiritual gifts to them.

Not Ashamed (Romans 1:1-17)

·      Paul begins the letter by identifying who he and who God is.

o   Paul = servant of Christ Jesus, an apostle, and set apart for the gospel 1:1

o   Jesus = God’s Son, descendant of David, and Lord 1:2-4

§  Through Him we receive grace and apostleship. 1:5

·      Paul encourages the Roman church

o   The Romans’ “faith is being reported all over the world”. 1:8

o   He wants to “impart to [the church] some spiritual gift to make [them] strong”. 1:11

o   Paul tells them that he is “not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” 1:16

§  This touches on the tension between the Jews and the Gentiles in the church.

o   Paul encourages them that instead of being righteous by the law, “the righteous will live by faith”. 1:17

Condemnation: The Need of God’s Righteousness (1:18-3:20)

·      Unrighteous Gentiles (1:18-32)

o   Because of the sin of mankind, “the wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness”. 1:18

o   God’s existence is evident in His creation and man still turned from Him. 1:20

o   Since the people knew God but did not glorify Him, He “gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts”. 1:24

o   They not only do wicked things (envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, hating God, insolence, arrogance, boastfulness, disobedience to parents, no understanding, no fidelity, no love, and no mercy (vs 29-31).

·      Unrighteous Jews (2:1-3:8)

o   God will judge us all by three things:

§  Truth (2:2-4)

·      Only God knows man’s heart.

§  Impartiality (2:5-11)

·      He does not care if you are a Jew or a Gentile. He will judge without bias.

§  Jesus (2:12-16)

·      Regardless of race, we are held to the perfect standard of Jesus’ perfect life which we all fail to meet.

o   The Law has no value unless you have righteousness thru faith. Otherwise you are a hypocrite.

§  “As it is written: ‘God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’” – Vs. 2:24

§  “No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.” – Vs. 2:29

·      Unrighteous Mankind (3:9-20)

o   Paul reiterates that ALL mankind is guilty. (Vs. 3:20)

Justification: The Provision of God’s Righteousness (3:21-5:21)

o   The Source of Righteousness (vs. 3:21-31)

o   “Righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile.” – (3:22)

o   Christ was “a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of His blood” (3:25).

o   While we do not need the works of the law for salvation, we are still to uphold the law. (vs. 3:31)

o   Abraham as an Example of Faith (4:1-25)

o   “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” (4:3)

o   Faith came before the Law. (vs. 4:10-12)

o   Like Abraham, God will credit us righteousness thru belief in Christ Jesus. (vs. 4:20-4:25)

o   The Blessings of Righteousness (5:1-11)

o   “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” - (5:1,2)

o   Christ died for all mankind (vs. 5:8) and has justified us all (5:9).

o   Death Thru Adam, Life Thru Jesus (5:12-5:21)

o   “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people because all sinned” – (vs. 5:12)

o   “The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Vs. 5:20-21

Sanctification: The Demonstration of God’s Righteousness (6:1-8:39)

o   Slaves to Righteousness (6:15-6:23)

o   We must continue striving to lead a sinless life even though grace saves us. (vs. 6:1-14)

o   We are to be slaves to righteousness. (6:15-21)

o   “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (6:22-23)

o   The Law Has Purpose but We are Free From It (7:1-24)

o   So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through thte body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. – 7:4

o   What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” – 7:7

§  The law helps us recognize our sin and our need for salvation from Christ’ grace and mercy.

o   The Power of the Holy Spirit (8:1-39)

o   Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. – 8:1-2

Restoration: Israel’s Reception of God’s Righteousness (9:1-11:36)

o   Israel’s Rejection but God is Sovereign(9:1-33)

o   Israel rejected God but God is sovereign.

§  God’s choices led to the grafting in of the Gentiles.

o   Salvation is the Same for All, Israel Rejects It (10:1-21)

o   The requirement for salvation is the same for all.

§  “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be save. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” – 10:9-10

o   Since Israel does not believe, God uses the Gentiles to make them jealous.

§  “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.” – 10:19

o   Israel Is Not Forgotten (11:1-11:36)

o   I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! – 11:1

o   Israel’s transgressions brought salvation to the Gentiles.

§  But if their transgressions means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring! – 11:12

o   A remnant of Israel will be saved.

§  For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all. – 11:32

Application: The Behavior of God’s Righteousness (12:1-15:13)

o   We should submit our bodies as living sacrifices.

o   Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. – 12:1

o   Christ should be evident in all our actions

o   Through our life. 12:9-21

o   Through submission to authority. 13:1-7

o   Through our interactions. 13:8-14

o   Through unity and diversity. 14:1-12

o   Through personal sacrifice. 14:13-23

o   Through authentic worship. 15:1-13

Conclusion

o   Overall Paul encourages the Roman church to recognize the righteousness of God and how it is only obtained by faith in Christ. He stresses unity between the Jew and Gentile and urges them to spread the word! It is from this book we get our “Roman Road to Salvation”. If there is somebody in your life who needs Jesus, this is a great place to take them!