The Search for Meaning #4 A Lesson from Ecclesiastes

Solomon asks us to check our own motives and heart for meeting with God. Now it’s consumer Christianity.

Solomon begins this unit of thought by speaking to worshippers: 1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. (Eccl 5:1a)

The truth is, everyone, everywhere, is continuously worshipping someone or something. Biblically, worship is not limited to a time, place, or style of music.

The God of the Bible cares a lot about worship. The LORD deserves to be the sole object of our worship, because created things are unworthy of such glory. Worship is to be to the right God, in the right way, with the right heart.

There were five primary purposes for the Temple: Temple was the place of connection. The Temple was the place where God’s presence dwelt on the earth.

The Temple was the place where God’s people could gather together in God’s presence. The priests oversaw the ministry at the Temple. In the place of the sinful people, the priest would offer a sacrifice for sins, providing propitiation.

What’s the first responsibility of a worshipper? The preacher says, “not to be quick with your mouth” or quick to speak. Worshippers are to “draw near to listen!”

We are to begin our time with God by listening. We must avoid two common errors in worship:

Some people come to church as if they were going to impress the LORD. Some people come to church as if they were meeting with an employee.

Solomon has given us a biblical pattern of worship.   1b ... Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. (Eccl 5:1b)

2 Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be 2 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. 3 A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. (Eccl 5:2-3)

28 “God blessed them and said…” (Ge 1:28) In paganism people are at the center of worship, and god comes to submit to our demands. Fearing God and keeping his commandments do not represent our cultural values.

4 “Do not worship the LORD your God in 4 “Do not worship the LORD your God in the way the pagan peoples worship their gods.” (Deut 12:4)

4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it 4 When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. 5 It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it. (Eccl 5:4-5)

6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin 6 Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? 7 Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God. (Eccl 5:6-7)

Behind vows and worship is the fear of the Lord. Solomon teaches us: We are to live life in the face of God.

Jesus fulfills the five functions of the Temple: Jesus is the place; God become a man and the connecting point between heaven and earth. Jesus is the presence of God on the earth.

Jesus is where the people of God go to meet together spiritually in worship. Jesus is our High Priest and mediator between God and man as the God-man. Propitiation: Jesus is the One who laid down his life to atone for our sin.

The Search for Meaning #4 A Lesson from Ecclesiastes