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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Avg Guy: Oh to be wise. Wisdom is such a good thing!
SBC Host: It is… if the source is right.
Avg Guy:Huh?
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, brother in Christ, Josh Peglow, fills in at the pulpit and shows us that wisdom — as the book of James lays out — can come from above… or from below.
And therefore, the child of God must be on guard to desire and pursue true Christian wisdom which eschews prideful strife and promotes peace.
Description: It’s a comforting thought to realize that God wants us to know Him. And while most people see the Bible as “too deep” and “too confusing,” the reality is just the opposite. Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Elder Keith Barker opens the Bible to clearly establish the most important truth in all of Scripture – a truth made so simple by God that a child can both understand and respond:resulting in a life redeemed.
“The queen of Sheba heard about Solomon and his connection with the Name of God. She came to put his reputation to the test by asking tough questions. She made a grand and showy entrance into Jerusalem—camels loaded with spices, a huge amount of gold, and precious gems. She came to Solomon and talked about all the things that she cared about, emptying her heart to him. Solomon answered everything she put to him—nothing stumped him. When the queen of Sheba experienced for herself Solomon’s wisdom and saw with her own eyes the palace he had built, the meals that were served, the impressive array of court officials and sharply dressed waiters, the lavish crystal, and the elaborate worship extravagant with Whole-Burnt-Offerings at the steps leading up to The Temple of God, it took her breath away.”
— 1 Kings 10:1-5 MSG
Today on Scandia Bible Church Podcast, Elder Keith Barker laments the great sadness in the world today: that so many know the name of Jesus… yet do not (or will not) grasp who He is. (Even the Disciples who walked with Jesus during His days traveling the dusty trails in Israel, didn’t understand that indeed He was far greater than even King Solomon). Yes, the Truths of the Bible are hidden only to those who refuse to seek them.
In our sermon, Elder Barker recounts the history of the Queen of Sheba seeking to know whether or not “The Great” King Solomon was as great as his reputation held. … And that’s really the point: this African queen — so many decades ago — set an excellent example for us today. Hearing of the wisdom of Solomon, she sought him with an open heart to confirm the stories of his greatness.
…”Oh that everyone walking the earth today would come to Jesus with the same hunger and honesty seeking the Truth.”
Description: Our culture in America places great value on the knowledge that comes with a college education. From a financial perspective it nearly guarantees your life earnings will increase. The Bible, though, tells us to study for knowledge, but to askfor wisdom. There’s a difference between knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is acquired through study, but wisdom is something that is given. You can’t get wisdom just by obtaining that precious college degree, because wisdom is a gift of God.
Description: To be a Christian Mother is a high, holy and crucial calling. It is the highest calling any Christian woman can enter. We must never underestimate the power of God working through a mother to achieve His purposes.
Description: Our Redeemer lives. He was victorious over death the grave could not hold Him. Paul presents in 1 Corinthians 15 the facts concerning the resurrection of Christ to those at the church at Cornith.
Description: Paul continues his admonition that we are to be imitators of God. We are to imitate God as we walk in love, walk in light, and walk in wisdom. Paul encourages us to make the most use of our time, literally redeem our time which is one way that we are to walk in wisdom.
Sermon Archives
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in SBC Classic Edition
We’re in the process of digging through the colossal SBC Sermon Archive Library to bring forth the rich and timeless Biblical Truths found within the hundreds and hundreds of sermon cassettes from yesteryear, in our Tape to Podcast Project.
Currently on the workbench:
The Jim Allen Lamentations Study (1998-1999) has joined our SBC Classic Edition.
The Jim Allen MARK Study (1999-2001) is (finally) complete! …as part of our SBC Classic Edition.
Watch our Steeple Study grow! … Great for a listen-study through a book or series.
Our Find-A-Sermon resource page helps you find what you’re looking for.
With the increased release of sermons from our archives, SBC Classic Edition is now podcasting on its own dedicated feed, separate from our current Sunday sermons.
Motherhood: A Calling
May 13, 2012Date: 04/15/2012
Preacher: Frank Acevedo, elder
Key Text: 2 Timothy 3:14-15
Description: To be a Christian Mother is a high, holy and crucial calling. It is the highest calling any Christian woman can enter. We must never underestimate the power of God working through a mother to achieve His purposes.
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