1. Ecclesiastes: Pilgrims in Exile “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecc 12:13)

2. Pilgrims in Exile Part 5 – God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Responsibility

3. Hebel – Creation subject to futility

4. Ecclesiastes 1 - 3 Highlights Ecc 1: Captivity in the “Not Yet” Everything “hebel”. Nothing new under the sun. Ecc 2: Solomon’s Failed Experiment in Lord Self All selfish pursuits – dead ends. So, “I hated life”. But -- God grants joy in the journey, as a gracious gift to those who please Him. Ecc 3: Everything in the Hands of God God makes everything beautiful in its own time – appropriate. Wickedness everywhere, but God will one day judge..

6. God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Duty Scripture Psalm 104:14. Divine Providence over nature. Psalm 139:13. God made us for His purposes. Isaiah 46:8-13. Actively working out His Promise-Plan. Acts 17:24-31. Actively governing man. Will one day judge.

7. God’s Sovereignty and Man’s Free Will Alternative Views Humanist: Contradiction. Ability to make unbiased choices. God won’t violate man’s free will. Augustine: No contradiction. Free but no moral ability. But God -- “called, shattered my deafness, now I pant after you”. Edwards: No contradiction. Always act according to our strongest inclinations. God allows, or transforms our will. Sproul: No contraction. Every choice is free, every choice is self-determined. God transforms our “self” inclinations.

8. God’s Sovereignty and Free Will Scripture Free but corrupt: “slaves to sin”. Gen 6:5; Rom 3:9-20, 5:12; Ps 51:5. Born Again: Free but struggling against “old self”; “slaves to righteousness”. Ro 6-7. God actively transforming: Sanctifying, Php 2:12, Hardening, Rom 1:24-26. God uses man as means to His ends: Ge 12:1-7, 50:20; Jos 11:4-9; Isa 13:.

10. God and Uncle Sam “Called according to His purpose” (Ro 8:28)

12. Where We Connect to God’s Plan “Abide in me ….. and you will bear much fruit”

13. So What? God’s Sovereignty – Man’s Responsibility Fear God, keep His commandments. Daily meditate on God’s sovereignty and your responsibility. Daily remind yourself – you are not your own. Called to serve. Daily ask Him for direction, then do the works He prepared.

14. Pilgrims in Exile “Conduct yourself with fear throughout the time of your exile.” (1 Pe 1:17)