Sermons by Founders Ministries

Pastor Tom Ascol continues with his series on Ecclesiastes. Today’s message, entitled “rejoice and remember,’ is built around Chapter 11:7 through Chapter 12:8. Modern western culture seems obsessed with youthfulness. Yet youth is fleeting. Since aging and death are certain, Qohelet, the Preacher, the author of Ecclesiastes, urges readers to recognize these truths and remember their Creator to enjoy life. The Preacher has little sympathy for superficial outlooks on life. He is realistic; life must be lived in a fallen world. While this sounds discouraging it need not be. Throughout, Ecclesiastes has shown we are to enjoy life. In today’s passage, we are taught enjoyment is possible through remembering our Creator. The Preacher tells us life is good, full of blessings we often take for granted. These blessings, the author uses light as one example, are worthy of rejoicing, particularly as we recognize their origin in the Creator. Still, as we rejoice we are warned, remember the coming “days of darkness.” No one escapes life without many days of darkness. Real joy, however, is not dependent on painless, problem free living. Paul, in fact, wrote he was “sorrowful yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). While we may have troubles and sorrows, as we remember we have a loving Savior sovereignly watching over us we too can be sorrowful yet rejoicing. Qohelet moves on. He calls out to and encourages young people. He understands youth are to make the most of their life, walking in the way of their heart, consciously removing vexations, unnecessary stresses and worries. It is a time of opportunities with a life ahead. The call is for the young to dedicate themselves to remembering and knowing their Creator, knowing and living within the bounds of Scripture as a day of judgment is coming to those who ignore God for the “fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25). Rejoice responsibly then, knowing what is yet to come. Rejoicing in one’s youth can done properly only as one remembers one’s Creator. Parents have a responsivity to train the young. As the young get older they assume some of that responsibility. Remembering the Creator when you are young prepares you for that which is ahead. Old age with its accompanying problems await those who, for a time, escape death. The Preacher writes beautiful poetry warning of these trouble affecting teeth (grinders), eyes (windows), hearing (doors on the street), and more, sleep, the voice, balance, fears, greying, physical disabilities, desire and death. Far better to know the Creator, to establish a relationship of trust and presence, when one is young in preparation for the time of trouble, then to wait until one is in those troubles. Besides, God neither owes nor makes guarantees regarding times to come to Him. God says, “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Those who delay do so at their own eternal peril. Still, God waits for the living to come to Him. Trust Him through the completed work of Jesus Christ so you may remember your Creator and rejoice in the life God has given. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 19, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “Entrepreneurship in the Kingdom of God” built upon Ecclesiastes 11:1 – 6. Our passage today calls us to become entrepreneurs of life. We are to stop playing it safe and living scared. Rather, we are to live openly, daring to make a difference. Though the initial illustration may not be clear to present-day readers, the lessons in our passage are plain. First, be bold yet wise. In biblical times setting to sea was risky but after the return voyage it was usually very profitable. Investing may not be as tricky today as in the past but it can be just as risky so wisdom is still a necessity. Nevertheless, investing helps build for the future. Further, Qohelet, the author of Ecclesiastes, advises us to diversify our investments, similar to today’s warning about putting all our eggs in one basket. Though interpreters are split about whether v. 2 speaks to benevolence or aggressive investment, we may not need make a distinction. Instead, there is merit in both positons We should give generously and invest aggressively to have even more to give in the future. God, after all, is the great Giver, having given His Son for our salvation. We need his righteousness; we need the atonement only His death can supply. Have you received of God’s generous giving? There is no reason, however, to think these verses apply only to our money. The same that is true of our treasure is true with our time and our talent. Our lives should be marked by meeting needs in whatever manner is appropriate. Perhaps the greatest of those needs is making Christ known. Qohelet, however, is not calling us to some romanticized view of life. Instead, he wants us to invest our lives for a good cause. Obviously, we do not know everything and so we rely on God. However, we do know somethings; a full cloud will spill rain, a tree lands where it lands when it falls Just as a farmer always afraid to sow due to weather conditions will not have a harvest, every hesitancy to take a risk for Christ comes with a plausible rationalization? Believers are to leverage their lives for the Lord. Qohelet continues. We are to work humbly and hopefully. We should know our place; we are but creatures and fallen creatures at that. We know little of the noble workings of God. When we accept our positon, we are on the way to living for him, the life to which we were originally called. Working humbly, investing wisely, trusting God will then give true hope. We will be bound up in God’s plan, living our lives for him as we should. God calls us to be entrepreneurs for the kingdom. At the end better by far to hear “well done good and faithful servant” than to hear “you wicked and slothful servant.” Live your life for Christ, use that which has been entrusted to you for Him. Bring Him glory by the way you live the life He has given you. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 12, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/   All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “Of Flies, Snakes and Birds: The Value of Wisdom and Danger of Folly” centered on Ecclesiastes 9:13 – 10:20. The lives of many people, people striving to live life wisely, have been stained by a temporary lapse of judgment speaking foolish words or carrying out some foolish actions. Such a lapse shows the value of wisdom and the danger of folly. The lesson is simple, be wise and avoid folly, but living that lesson is difficult. Yet, Qohelet, the author of Ecclesiastes, writes wisdom is important in governance. Wisdom can overcome what appears to be great disadvantage. Even a poor, wise man can advise a king. When wisdom is disregarded, as the butler forgot Joseph in Joseph’s prison narrative, it is forgotten to the hurt of people. Wisdom should be preferred to foolishness but wisdom is vulnerable. One foolish move can spoil years of wisdom; a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. The vulnerability points to the need to exercise care in choosing friends. Foolish friends lead others astray and do foolish things which impugn the wisdom of the wise. One need look no further than Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. Upon becoming king, he listened to foolish advisors ignoring the wisdom of experienced men, to his hurt and the hurt and division of the nation! Wisdom and folly lead to different inclinations, wisdom to the right, a biblical place of blessing, while folly leads to the left, a place of lesser blessing or cursing. Being wise leads to understanding. It is the mark of a person of God. Fools, on the other hand, do not look to God, losing site of the fundamental reality that they are creatures of a great Creator. What is worse, folly in high places turns the world upside-down. Qohelet then goes on to give four examples of the failure to exercise wisdom such as a stone cutter falling prey to a large rock falling on him. While folly can harm your daily life being wise improves it. Qohelet also gives examples of wisdom in action. Qohelet concludes with several proverbs, some dealing with our manner of speech. The words of the wise win him favor. This was true of Jesus even as fools turned from or against Him. Thus, our speech should be reminiscent of Jesus’ speech, seasoned with salt, full of light. Otherwise, just as with fools, our words may consume us. Jesus noted that it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Are our words kind, edifying, building up or do our words tear down? Do our words exude wisdom or reflect foolishness? The Bible states the fool says there is no God. It also states the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Have you exercised basic wisdom and come to the Lord not only for wisdom but salvation? It is only Jesus, by His completed work on the Cross of Calvary, that can save us. Come to Him today. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 5, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Pastor Tom Ascol continues the series in Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “Enjoy Your Life in a Fallen World” built upon Ecclesiastes 9:1–12. An initial reading of today’s passage might leave one to believe no matter how hopeful a situation may be, there is always a likely downside. This pessimism tinges a person’s outlook robbing them of experiencing deep, genuine joy. In one sense, living “under the sun” as we have seen, this pessimism may make sense but believers are charged to live with joy. In fact, Ecclesiastes is a book about joy. Today’s text informs us the world is broken. Nevertheless, our lives are gifts from God and are to be enjoyed. Honest reflection show obvious troubles in life yet obedience to the imperatives in this chapter will create joy for the obeying believer. In verses 1–6 the author, Qohelet, recalls from Chapter 8 that man cannot grasp all God’s work on earth. He then moves to Chapter 9 and points out that all humanity is subject to the same realities, good and bad. Though we rightly aspire to wisdom and righteousness, we all are under the inscrutable sovereignty and will of God. Our understanding is limited by our fallibility and our limited power of evaluation. Recognizing the reality of sin and the consequences of sin are absolutely foundational to thinking rightly about life. Qohelet tells us what we already know; death is coming. Still while there is life there is hope, hope of being forgiven and being reconciled to God. For this sin is the very reason Jesus came into the world. Powerless to save ourselves, powerless to even think rightly, we are all in need of a savior Therefore, there exists the need to entrust ourselves to the one with power to save and set things right. Verses 11 and 12 continue the author’s reflections on life. Unpredictable things happen. David and Goliath stories abound. Death comes unexpectedly. Like birds in snare or fish in a net, troubles and death come upon us unawares. Yet in the middle verses of this passage, verses 7–10, Qohelet encourages joy. Despite our individual circumstance, God has created the world for us to enjoy. There is no encouragement to sin, as, for example, might be the result of too much drink, but we ought to enjoy what eat and drink God has provided. Rejoice in what He has given, in what He has provided. Enjoy life with “the wife whom you love,” both directly encourages enjoyment and indirectly teaches love as a command. Finally do whatever you do joyously and wholeheartedly. Find something worth giving your life to and do it with delight and passion. The world is fallen so it cannot provide ultimate satisfaction. Neither can we make it work the way for which it was designed. Rather, recognizing God created it and continues to rule, we place our assurance in Him and move confidently to the future as we enjoy that which He has provided for the day. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on January 22, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/   All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on the book of Ecclesiastes with a message centered on Chapter 8 entitled “The Benefits and Limits of Wisdom.” We have all witnessed situations that would have turned out better had a little wisdom been used. Even routine daily encounters could be more profitable if wisdom was employed in interpersonal dealings. Oftentimes small problems would not become big problems if handled wisely. God’s Word has a specific emphasis on wisdom and its benefits, yet wisdom cannot explain everything. Wisdom can enable you to live well. The first seven verses in today’s passage inform us wisdom is valuable. Exercising wisdom in dealing with authorities will serve us well, in fact, it may make the king’s face shine! The story of Joseph and Pharaoh in Genesis 41 gives a real-life example. Further, wisdom dictates proper deference and patience towards authorities. Why should we resist God’s appointed rulers? Romans 13 forbids that, unless contrary to God’s ways. The book of Esther shows a servant of God exercising wisdom and restraint as she approaches and successfully petitions the king. Jesus, in Matthew 27:24 – 27, though showing He was not bound by the paying of the temple tax, nevertheless paid it as an example of living under authority. It is exactly this type of deferential and patient wisdom that should be characteristic of believers. Still, the Preacher, the author of the book, teaches wisdom cannot explain everything. Man makes plans but cannot discern the future. James 4:13 – 17, for example, encourages us to plan with the proviso “if the Lord wills.” Recognizing our dependence on Him, His plan, His authority, is exercising deferential wisdom. Moreover, vv. 8 – 9 teach we cannot even control the present; we have no guarantee on our lives, on the wind, or on obligations to the governing authority. Even the wicked, often seen to unfairly prosper, have no power over life, death, and judgment. Psalm 139:16 states “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Do we live as if we understand God knows all our days and knew them even before we came to be? God knows today and tomorrow; we do not. Lastly, wisdom cannot eliminate injustice in the world. Wicked people, due to their power, wealth, or other things, are welcomed into holy places or communities. Justice is often delayed. Sinners do evil and prosper. Wisdom, while not being able to correct these, knows that in the end it will not go well for the wicked. True wisdom has an eternal perspective not limited to mere mortal existence. The upshot, the Preacher tells us, is that we should eat, drink, and be joyful in whatever estate God has placed us. We do not ignore the realities of what goes on around us but rather trust in the One who will make all right in the end. Trusting in Jesus Christ, His work, the salvation He provides and offers, alone makes our joy possible and genuine. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on January 15, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Pastor Tom Ascol continues in the series on Ecclesiastes with a sermon entitled “How to Live Well” centered on Ecclesiastes 7:15 – 29. As we have seen, the author, Qohelet, has been brutally honest about life on earth having identified a seeming lack of fairness. In today’s passage, he wrestles with the unfairness of the young dying and the wicked prospering. Qohelet teaches three lessons the first of which is “Sometimes the world does not make sense.” The author is not alone in his struggle (for example, see Psalm 73). In fact, Qohelet claims attempting to ‘live by the rules’ does not guarantee things will go well. An honest assessment of life, from Abel to the present, teaches us our sin has broken the world and things are not fair. Thus, v. 16 teaches us not to have too much or too little regard for how we live. Of course, we should live in obedience to God seeking His glory. We are to fear the awesome God (v. 18). But, the danger in having too much regard for the way we live is that we then try to manipulate God, as if because of our presumed righteousness we can somehow demand or expect God’s blessing. This was the mistake of the Pharisees; living an externally holy life while ignoring the heart does not work. We should not expect guaranteed results in a world fallen away from God. The second lesson is that “Wisdom and righteousness are good but limited.” Wisdom is extolled throughout Scripture. There is, however, a limit to human wisdom, even the wisdom given to humans by God. We do not have the wisdom God has; His ultimate wisdom, the wisdom that explains everything including Qohelet’s observed apparent unfairness in life, is beyond our grasp. Similarly, we are limited in our righteousness. Paul, in Roman’s 3, even references Ecclesiastes; there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. We are all flawed, a truth that should make us humble in encountering the flaws of others. Just as we need mercy we should extend mercy. So, we cannot make life work by our own wisdom or our own righteousness. Both the wisdom and righteousness we need are only to be found through Jesus Christ. If we want to live well in this world we can do so only through trusting Jesus who will then become wisdom and righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:30). Our third lesson is “There are warnings that should govern our outlook on the world.” Qohelet gives us four. Verse 26 shows sin is seductive and destructive; vv. 27-28 shows ultimate meaning and purpose cannot be discovered through human ingenuity; v. 28 shows there are virtually no truly righteous people in the world, and; v. 29 shows the reason the world is broken is because of human sin. All this points to one overarching fact: the only way to find the lives for which we were created and for which we long, is to be reconciled to the God who made us, and the only way to be reconciled is through Jesus Christ. Today, humbly trust God in his goodness and love for us. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on January 8, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on the book of Ecclesiastes with a message, “Coram Deo,” developed around Ecclesiastes 6:10 – 7:14. To this point the book and its author, the Preacher, have examined life as it is apart from God. Yet we all live before the face of God (Coram Deo). God sees all. The preacher now teaches that to live well in this world one must consciously and deliberately live before the face of God. If the Bible is real, then there is meaning and purpose in life. Thus, Ecclesiastes teaches joy and wisdom are to be found in God. The Preacher wants us, his readers, to know three things. First, God’s sovereignty rules our lives. God has absolute authority over the world. Verse 10 tells us everything has already been named and implies God is the Namer. To name is to exercise lordship in ancient Hebrew. God, who has sovereignly created the world now sovereignly rules over the world. As verse 10 continues we see the vanity of struggling against the sovereign God. In fact, mankind’s first struggle against God in Genesis Chapter 3, where Adam and eve disobeyed, was the start of a continuing, futile struggle against God. Arguing with or against God, verse 11 advises, is only ongoing vanity. God’s sovereignty should be the ultimate comfort to believers. This is so since His sovereignty means nothing comes our way without His control. Furthermore, we know from other biblical portions that God works for our good (Romans 8:28) whatever does come upon us. For those who have yet to come to God here is an invitation to stop struggling against the God of the universe and come through the salvation work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, a work planned before time began. The Preacher’s second point is that God’s wisdom preserves our lives. Taking life seriously is better than treating it frivolously. Chapter 7:1 – 12 seems almost morose yet it actually teaches a better way. The author uses the word for good or better nine times in this passage emphasizing thoughtful consideration of the end of our lives, rather than the frivolity of foolish, thoughtless living. We are here taught a life well-lived will not ignore the reality of the brokenness of this world or of the destiny of death awaiting us all. While the proverbs in this passage are all helpful the overall teaching is that wisdom is advantageous. The final point is that submitting to God brings contentment to life. God is sovereign; what He has made, what is His design, will not be changed by even the best of man’s schemes. Days of prosperity and adversity are all under His control and are used by Him for His purposes. God sits enthroned in the heavens; how much better to willingly submit to Him than to continue rebelling. In submission can be found joy and contentment. While the final verse teaches us we cannot know what the future holds God’s sovereignty teaches us we can know Who holds the future.   This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on December 11, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on the book of Ecclesiastes with a message centered on Chapter 5, Verse 8 through Chapter 6, Verse 9, entitled “The Love of Money.” Money and wealth can easily become too important in our lives. Jesus tells us “No one can serve two masters . . . . You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). In today’s passage, the Preacher warns against, and shows the pitfalls of, chasing after wealth. In fact, his main lesson teaches we should guard against pursuing riches by learning to enjoy God’s daily gifts. We find three main points the Preacher uses in his argument. First, setting our hearts on riches robs us of joy and contentment. While oppression and injustice are wrong we should not be shocked to find they exist. Still, money will never satisfy the person who loves it, oppressor or oppressed. We were not designed to love money. We were designed to love God. We need to exercise care as are being discipled by life, by ads, by others, to love money and things. However, with more wealth come more need to spend and more worries. At the end of today’s passage (6:7 – 9) the Preacher reiterates, even expands, this teaching. Physical appetites cannot be finally satisfied. Rather, satisfaction is found by the poor man who has seen things as they really are rather than by allowing his appetite(s) to run after more and more things. Money is not the problem; the love of money is the problem. Rather than filling a vacuum, it makes a vacuum that can never be filled. The second point teaches failing to enjoy life is an evil tragedy. God is for our joy. Hence, He speaks plainly about pathways leading away from our joy. Hoarding wealth does not bring joy. Riches kept by their owners lead to their hurt as they trust their riches. Riches cannot be taken with the dead. Trust has been misplaced. Even though the world’s standard may find a wealthy life to be good, Verses 1 – 6 of Chapter 6 describe a tragic life. Having this world’s goods is of little value after the brevity of physical life. What good are they? Setting our heart on riches robs us of joy and contentment in God’s provision and leads to a vain striving, chasing after the wind. Point three shows learning to recognize God’s gifts leads to a life of joy and contentment. All of life is grace. God has given all anyone has, and he gives the power to enjoy them. Without that specific power no one could be satisfied, always wanting more. Recognizing God as the giver of all sets us free, leading to real joy and contentment in God’s provision. Recognizing this enables us to come to God on God’s terms. Jesus said, “guard against all covetousness” (Luke 12:15) and to be “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). We are to live for Him, not for money. Chase after God, not wealth. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on December 4, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/   All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a sermon on Chapter 5, Verses 1 through 7 entitled “Worship God Reverently.” Worship matters to God, He cares what we think of Him and how we act out those beliefs. Unfortunately, true reverence is often lacking in today’s worship. In today’s text the author shifts from giving his own observations about life in a fallen world to instructing us how to approach God in worship. The Preacher, the author of the book, gives four specific warnings. First, we are to be careful how we enter worship. God’s holiness demands reverence not a casual approach. As we “guard our steps” we should also “draw near to listen.” This is one reason why a church should put so much emphasis on preaching the Word of God. Worship is not to be a matter of convenience but rather a thoughtful commitment. The second point made is again practical. We are to be careful what we say in worship. God’s word is full of warnings about the misuse of our tongues; this is especially true in our worship. God, for example, does not measure our prayers by their length or use of big words. He knows our needs before we do; He is God. In our worship, we should work at focusing on Him, remembering what He has done for us, and not letting our minds wander. The third warning concerns vows. While the Bible does not forbid vows, we are to exercise care and wisdom in the making of vows. We are not to misuse vows for sinful purposes or to attempt to relieve ourselves from legitimate responsibilities (Mark 7:11 – 13). Once made though, vows should be completed for it is better not to make a vow than not to keep a vow. Ultimately, the point here is that God expects integrity and honesty in His people, particularly in their worship. Finally comes the Preacher’s fourth caution. Worshippers are to be careful to fear God. Approaching God on our terms leads only to futility and emptiness; it is a vanity. God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Fearing God is to remember who He is and who we are. We are to revere Him. Throughout the centuries God has made known to man the way to approach Him. In the Old Testament (OT) it was clearly a costly experience centered on God’s absolute holiness. The reason for the OT sacrifices was to signify the only way of approaching God required atonement. Ultimately, all the animal deaths in the world could not provide sufficient atonement for men. That atonement came by way of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. True worship now can be effected only through relationship with Christ; it is through Him that we can come to God and be joyfully accepted into His family. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on November 27, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.

Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a message on Chapter 4:7-16 entitled “One Is the Loneliest Number.” American culture often makes heroes of rugged, self-reliant individuals. While it is true that individual effort overcoming obstacles may be ennobling, individualism eventually leads to a lonely, empty life. It is not a scriptural prescription. God has designed us for community. Ecclesiastes teaches a person who has “no other…[is] never satisfied” (v. 8). Working by and for yourself is self-defeating. Furthermore, it is shortsighted. Continuing, the loner does not ask “for whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure.” Where is this man’s focus? He has not set a purpose or goal except to work for more and more. Again, the reader sees the obvious, this is “vanity and an unhappy business.” Rather than this toil for self, believers, having been reconciled to God ought to be living for Him, for His glory not for the glory of ourselves. Rather than living for self, the Preacher shows that living in community provides great blessing. When it comes to relationships, more is better. Two are better than one. When one falls the other can pick up, when one is cold the other can warm, when one is attacked the other helps defend (vv. 9 – 12). God created man for friendship. This became obvious as early as the Garden of Eden when God said “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:18). The Preacher continues with a proverb indicating three is better yet; there is greater strength and it is more productive! Here is great application for the church. Though Jesus calls His followers individually, and though they have a relationship with Him, they are not called to follow individually. We are called to follow Christ together with others. In so doing there is help, comfort, strength, and productiveness. We need others to help us grow. We need to be available to help others grow. Life in Christ is a community effort. Still, as hard as we work together the Preacher tells us that everything in this fallen world will come to an end. Even successful accomplishments will not last (vv. 13-16). The author spends time contrasting a king that will not take counsel and one who will. The wise one, taking counsel rules well, and has a happy constituency. Yet even that ends and a time comes when no one remembers even the good king. Without God in our lives “Surely this is also a vanity and a striving after wind” (16). To trust Jesus Christ is to become not only His follower and to know Him as only your Savior, but to be adopted into a community, His very family so that He becomes your older brother. Unlike the good king’s kingdom, Jesus’ kingdom never ends, it is eternal where is no vanity and striving after the wind. Hear Him calling to you today; turn from your sin and be united with Him through faith.   This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on November 20, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/   All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.