December 18, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 12/18/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Description:
How do you sum up a book that seemingly is all about uncovering the vanity and meaninglessness of life??… life under the sun?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao brings us to the conclusion of our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and shows us the ONE THING we should walk away with after reading this book: The secret to NOT having a meaningless life.
… And that secret??… The fear of the Lord.
After all, it is the fear of the Lord that is the fruit of the Gospel. Not a fear of dread… but of love, awe, and wonder.
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December 4, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 12/04/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 11:7 – 12:8
Description:
You’ve been given the opportunity to address today’s youth. What will your message be?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and presses us to consider what we’d say if we had such an opportunity.
What words of wisdom would you give to a young person just starting out in life? Would you tell them about education? …Investments? Would you share insights about love and family?
As you consider what you’d say, you might want to consult our passage in Ecclesiastes, for Solomon had some timeless words of advice for them… advice that may surprise you.
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November 27, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 11/27/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
Description:
Some say the book of Ecclesiastes is more about the ethic of work than the ethic of life.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and shows us how its author, King Solomon, is not about one or the other… but rather both — encouraging both industry, as well as generosity… all while coming from a place of fearless courage.
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November 20, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 11/20/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 9:13 — 10:20
Description:
While wisdom is necessary for proper living, it can be fragile… and like the proverbial “fly in the ointment,” all it takes is a little folly, and wisdom loses its strength.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and demonstrates how the author, Solomon, brings this message home with some unique illustrations — showing that while wisdom is better than power and money, folly is always lurking near… threatening to collapse what wisdom has built.
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November 13, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 11/13/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 9:1-12
Description:
Sometimes spiritual warfare doesn’t look like war and doesn’t seem very spiritual… and yet…
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and preaches that *and yet* in a world full of sorrow, one of our greatest defenses and triumphs against evil circumstances is to take our hearts to the Lord in gratitude and joy.
To work hard and to enjoy the Lord’s provision is the mark — not only of the wise man — but of the one who has learned to be content, and even happy, in a world full of bitterness and complaint.
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November 6, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 11/06/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 8:1-17
Description:
This world is fraught with danger.
We need wisdom to safely navigate our way through life’s perils; but, wisdom doesn’t necessarily guarantee smooth sailing, nor does it answer every question.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and reminds us that as Christians, we need to recognize the limits of wisdom… and why our finite wisdom shouldn’t cause us to worry, but rather, all the more, to trust in our infinite God.
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October 16, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 10/16/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 7:15-29
Description:
SBC Host: WARNING… Do not be excessively righteous or too wise.
Avg Guy: Come again??
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and confirms that we too would likely be surprised by this warning in the Bible.
After all, if we are called to be like Christ, and He was PERFECTLY righteous, is it even possible to be TOO righteous?
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October 9, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 10/09/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 6:10 — 7:14
Description:
SBC Host: She made us eat our veggies… when dessert was what we—
Boy: —REALLY WANTED!
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and reminds us that when we were young, Mom knew best. For she knew the things that we wanted were not always the things that we really needed.
In much the same way, God knows exactly what we really need, and He often gives it to us through times of sorrow — the very thing we don’t want.
For it is in these times of sorrow that God enables a harvest of spiritual wisdom to spring forth in our lives — wisdom that can only find root in fields plowed in adversity.
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October 2, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 10/02/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 5:8 — 6:9
Description:
We think it will make us happy… and yet, he was in a unique position to tell us it won’t.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and reminds us that the Bible has a lot to say about money, and that Solomon, as the wealthiest (and wisest) man of his day, had a perspective unlike any other.
For not only was he able to shed light on the DANGERS of money, but to share his ironic OBSERVATIONS about how riches — the very thing we think will make us happy — will not.
Instead, actual satisfaction and contentment, can only come from GRATITUDE… gratitude for the gifts of God.
Let us not miss this lesson, but enjoy the good gifts that God has given with grateful hearts.
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September 25, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 09/25/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
Description:
One of the most important questions that any person or church could ask themselves is…
“How is God to be approached in worship?”
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and reveals that as important as this question is, it often goes unasked.
Why? Because we fail to listen.
… all while trying to approach the God who speaks.
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September 18, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 09/18/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 4:7-16
Description:
As Solomon continues to observe ‘life under the sun,’ he sees another form of vanity: loneliness.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and shows us that as man rejects God’s design for human companionship, the culture becomes more and more isolated.
After all, envy, greed, and isolation may lead you to possess many things — but often possessing them alone.
What’s the point??
…Or as Solomon would astutely observe: “This too is vanity.”
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September 11, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 09/11/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 4:1-6
Description:
Last time on the Scandia Bible Church Podcast…
Pastor Simao: “Solomon is giving us six things that he sees in life that are not beautiful… Six things that everyone agrees are not beautiful… Six things that ought to challenge everyone ‘living under the sun,’ as well as cast the eye of the believer upward towards God.”
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes in which we continue to address these six “non-beautiful things” — six objections Solomon raises to the sovereignty of God.
In our last sermon we looked at WICKEDNESS, found in places we ought not expect: places of justice, and even places of worship.
This time, Solomon objects to the OPPRESSION he sees all around… as well as the ENVY that shamefully and covertly drives our motivation behind our work — robbing us of the enjoyment it is intended to supply.
And it’s no wonder, with all of this… that life “under the sun” continues to look more bleak.
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September 4, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 09/04/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 3:16-22
Description:
Avg Guy: Okay, riddle me this… If God is good and God is sovereign and rules over all things, then why do we find wickedness in surprising places? …such as places of law and worship? …Furthermore, as men, if we have to die like animals then what makes us any better??
SBC Host: Sounds like you’re ready for another sermon in Ecclesiastes.
Avg Guy: I thought you were going to say that.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and shows us that these objections were brought up by Solomon and have been raised by many men over the years…
…But the ANSWERS to these objections have only been found in ONE man: the God-Man, Jesus Christ.
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August 21, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 08/21/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Description:
SBC Host: It’s one of the first questions that a person learns in a new language—
Avg Guy: Excuse me — guy with the microphone. What time is it?
SBC Host: You’re absolutely right!! That’s the first question!
Avg Guy: No, I’m serious.
SBC Host: Oh, it’s 9:58. Church starts in two minutes.
Avg Guy: Good. There’s still time. Where’s the bathroom?
SBC Host: Down the hall and to the right.
Avg Guy: [takes off down the hall, and calls back] How much does it cost?
SBC Host: [calling to him down the hall] The bathroom is free… and so is church!
Avg Guy: Thanks!
SBC Host: [speaking to podcast audience] …And THOSE are the OTHER questions.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes in which we talk about “time.” It’s what life is made of.
The ebb and flow of events chronicle our days, and yet to what point??
What are we to do with this time we’ve been given?
We frantically attempt to make more of it, quickly spend it, and then try to find it!
But it brings more questions than answers. God has ALL the answers, but leaves us with questions. So what do we do??
Don’t spend too long thinking about it…
[clock ticking]
…Because time is moving on.
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August 14, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 08/14/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 2:12-26
Description:
Avg Guy: Why is it that so few people find any lasting enjoyment out of life? …If everyone is searching for fulfillment and satisfaction, then why do so few find them? Where are they hiding?? Who holds the key or possesses the secret??? I need to know!
SBC Host: Those are some deep questions. …and you’re not the first to ask them. This sermon may help.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes in which we see how Solomon’s journey in asking these questions took him to the depths of despair but didn’t leave him there.
He found a path that showed him how fulfillment and satisfaction can still be found in this life.
… But the problem was not that Solomon was heading in the wrong direction, it was that he wasn’t even on the correct road!
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August 7, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 08/07/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
Description:
What if you could make your most outlandish dreams come true? …a waterfront mansion, a garage full of exotic cars, unlimited travel to any destination where you could stay at the finest hotels.
What if your life could be another episode of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and shows that Solomon examined all that money could buy. He pursued everything from the grandiose to the gutter, and he found it all lacking. He found it all vanity.
Perhaps you think you could have done better and avoided the pitfalls of Solomon’s failed experiment, but Solomon is not the only man to try this pursuit — and it wasn’t lack of smarts or lack of effort that left him empty.
… But rather —[Robin Leach: “Champagne Wishes and Caviar Dreams!”]— it was seeking satisfaction from things that cannot satisfy.
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July 31, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 07/31/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
Description:
Avg Guy: Ecclesiastes is confusing. Isn’t wisdom a GOOD thing???… And shouldn’t we pursue it?
SBC Host: Yes, wisdom is a good thing, and it ought to be pursued; however, there is false wisdom that doesn’t make you wise but empty.
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao continues with our study in the book of Ecclesiastes and shows us that true wisdom —the only true wisdom— must come from God.
…And while that may seem daunting, it is not, for God promises to give wisdom to all who ask Him.
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July 24, 2022
Sermon Notes
Date: 07/24/2022
Preacher: Monty Simao, pastor
Series: Ecclesiastes
Key Text: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
Description:
Some of the greatest thinkers have ended their pondering by taking their own lives. Why??
Perhaps it is because they have realized the futility of all human labor. After all, what is the point???
Is mankind any better off, or happier? Are there fewer wars, violence, famines, droughts, or plagues?
And apart from God, what does a person believe happens after death? If nothing, then what is the point of life?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Pastor Monty Simao embarks upon our new study in Ecclesiastes — a book of the Bible that takes the reader down the horrifying spiral of life apart from God:
—life lived as if God wasn’t there;
—life lived as if there were no heaven, no eternity…
—and that everything that ever mattered (or will matter) is found “under the sun.”
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