Ecclesiastes 12:12-13 By: Pablo M. Lachica November 4, 2007 Rabon Church Of Christ Rabon San Fabian Pangasinan

12 But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. 13 That's the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

1. The Concept of Duty 2. Fear and Reverence of God 3. Obey the commandments

 obligation: something that somebody is obliged to do for moral, legal, or religious reasons  duties as a parent  duty to pay taxes  duty to respect God

 1. Stature in Society- Kings and Subjects  2. Stature in Education – The learned & the innocent  3. Rank in an organization (Military)

 1. Servant – Slave- Service, No expectation of compensation, complete surrender (Romans 6: )

 15 Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! 16 Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.

 17 Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. 18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

 19 Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.  20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.

 21 And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. 22 But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life.  Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

BONDSERVANT – for life relationship (1 Corinthians 7: ) “called by God to be his bondservant”

 20 Yes, each of you should remain as you were when God called you. 21 Are you a slave? Don't let that worry you—but if you get a chance to be free, take it. 22 And remember, if you were a slave when the Lord called you, you are now free in the Lord. And if you were free when the Lord called you, you are now a slave of Christ. 23 God paid a high price for you, so don't be enslaved by the world. 24 Each of you, dear brothers and sisters, should remain as you were when God first called you. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Luke 17: 9-10 – “unworthy servant, we have done what we have to do”. Not an eye pleaser, not to work only because he is watched.

Run to win – I Cor.9:24 Do everything to gain the price, but it must be clean – 2 Timothy 4:6 Follow the rules – 2 Timothy 2:5

2 Tim 2:5-6 5 And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

2 Tim 4:6-9 6 As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Suffer as soldier – 2 Timothy 2:3 Fully armed and equipped– Ephesians 6:11-17

1. Belt of Truth 2. Body Armor of God’s Righteousness 3. Shoes- Peace that comes from Good News 4. Shield of Faith 5. Helmet of Salvation 6. Sword of the Spirit

Fear of God Different kinds of fear: 1. Fear because of little faith - Mateo 8:26 2. Fear because of punishment – Rev. 6: 12-15; Matthew 25: Reverence – Acts 10: 1-2 – Cornelius Philipians 2: 12

WHY OBEY? 1. Never die – John 8:51- Saan a maisina iti Dios 2. Sign of love for Jesus – John 14:15, Sign of love to the sons of God- 1 John 5:3 4. God will remain in him – 1 John 3:24 5. God will judge those who do not obey- take vengeance to those who do not obey

1) Man had become too busy because of the advancement of technology. 2) Man had become too busy because of preoccupation of work