Watch Your Step When You Worship (Part TW0): Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 by Dr. Rod Mattoon

Scripture

• Ecclesiastes 5:1–7

About this sermon

Solomon warned us to watch our step when we worship in this passage. In the first part of this message, noted some spiritual minefields that we should cause us to be on our guard. More mines in the minefield that we should watch out for are a lack of availability to the Lord, a lack of alertness and awareness for the things of God as well as destructive temptations, and an apathetic attitude about obeying God and His Word. Solomon said we are to “be more ready to hear.” What is he actually saying? This word “hear” is from the word shama` {shaw-mah'}. The word not only means to listen or hear, it means “to obey and put into practice what you hear.” It is translated either “obey, obedient, or hearken” approximately 285 times in the Old Testament. If we are going to guard ourselves against spiritual drowsiness and apathy, we MUST learn to put God’s Word into practice and be obedient to the Lord. It is not enough to read the Bible and hear the preaching in the church service beloved, it is vital that you listen carefully to the message and then put the principles and lessons into practice in your own life. Failure to internalize the Scriptures is like going to a beautiful buffet of food in a restaurant with all kinds of wonderful goodies, but never preparing a plate and taking a bite. The food will not strengthen you unless you eat it and take it into your body. If you do not internalize Scripture and make it a part of your life, it will not benefit you either. Put the Word into practice! Solomon warned about offering the sacrifice of a fool. Why? What is it? The answer has much to do with the attitude and actions of a fool. The fool offers his sacrifice without repentance, without sincerity, without any kind of change in behavior. He has no devotion for the Lord and no desire to obey Him or His Word. He believes that if he gives an offering or sacrifice to the Lord that God will be pleased or appeased, even though he does not give himself to the Lord and obey Him. In this message, we note five sacrifices that the Christian can offer to the Lord today that please Him. Solomon also warned about not considering the consequences of your actions. This is what the fool does. In this message we address a number of matters that the Christian is to consider. We are to especially consider Jesus. * Consider Jesus … * If sorrow or sadness is weighing you down like a heavy boulder, then consider Jesus. * If suffering is giving you pain like the sting of a scorpion, then consider Jesus. * If sickness is draining your strength like a sponge that soaks up water, then consider Jesus. * If you’re stunned or bewildered, like a hiker lost in the thick fog of the night, then consider Jesus. * If you’re a slave to addictions that leave you bound like a prisoner with heavy chains, then consider Jesus. * If your heart is shattered or broken like a glass vase splattered on a marble floor, then consider Jesus. * If you’re seduced with temptations like a fish that is lured to a hook, then consider Jesus. * If your home is splintered into pieces like a tree struck by lightning, then consider Jesus. This message was preached on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 at Lincoln Land Baptist Church.

Topics

• Worship