August/20/ 2017
Better
Part 3
Less is better
More doesn't make you happy, it just makes you want more
Ecclesiastes 5:10 “Whoever loves money never has enough;
whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income.
This too is meaningless.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 “Better one hand full with tranquility than two hand fulls with toil and chasing after the wind.”
it’s better to have less of what doesn’t matter and more of what does.
Luke 12:15 “Watch out! Be on your guard against of all kinds of greed.
because a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.
verse 21 “This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself, but is not rich toward God.”
3 things…
1. Identify
What are the things that are most important to you?
2. Simplify
Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”
How do you do it? Notice 3 things…
A. Cut back
B. Turn off
C. Give away
Ecclesiastes 4:6 “Better one hand full with,” what? “Better one hand full with tranquility than two hand fulls with toil and a chasing after the wind.”
3. Fortify
What does fortify mean?
Dictionary = to strengthen so as to protect it against attack.
1 Timothy 6:12 NLT “Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you…”
Nehemiah 6:12 NKJV “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you?”
August/14/ 2017
Better
part 2
Together is better
Ephesians 2:19 (LB) “you are members of God’s very own family, citizens of God’s country, and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian.
1. Increased focus on independence
2. Increased Mobility
3. Increase in Modern Conveniences
4. Increase in Social Media
Text Ecclesiastes 4:8-12
There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business! Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
1. Seclusion.
verse 8 “There was a man who was all alone”
2. Selfishness.
verse 8b “His eyes were not content with his wealth.”
3. Sadness.
verse 8c “this too is meaningless a miserable business”
4. Sickness
5. Sin
Why is together better?
1. You need help.
verse 8 “there was a man all alone, he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil.”
Genesis 2:18 “It is not good for man to be alone.”
Genesis 2:19 “I will create a help mate for him.”
Genesis 1:26 “Let us create man in our image.”
2. You need to help others.
Ecclesiastes 4:8-10 “There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless—a miserable business!”
Ephesians 2:10 (LB) “It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others.”
3. We need to help each other.
Verse 9 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor
August/07/ 2017
Better
Part 1
Wisdom is Better
God’s ways are better
Ecclesiastes 2:12-14 NCV “Then I began to think again about being wise, and also about being foolish and doing crazy things. But after all, what more can anyone do? He can’t do more than what the other king has already done.13 I saw that being wise is certainly better than being foolish, just as light is better than darkness.14 Wise people see where they are going, but fools walk around in the dark. Yet I saw that both wise and foolish people end the same way.”
1. Wisdom is not easier
2. Wisdom is not quicker
3. Wisdom is not more popular
Why is wisdom better?
1. Wisdom gives you constant protection
Proverbs 2:10-11 MSG “Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion. 11 Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you. 12 They'll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions from those who are lost themselves”
2. Wisdom gives you clear direction
Proverbs 2:6 and 9 “For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding…Then you will understand what is right, just, and fair, and you will find the right way to go.
Proverbs 4:10-11 MSG “Dear friend, take my advice; it will add years to your life. I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns.”
3. Wisdom gives you continued success
Proverbs 3:-1-2 MSG “Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you; take to heart my commands. They’ll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.”
Proverbs 3:15-16 NLT “Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.
So if wisdom is that much better, then how do I get it?
Proverbs 2:6 (CEV) “all wisdom comes from the Lord and so do common sense and understanding.”
Proverbs 8:22-30 “The Lord formed me (wisdom) from the beginning, before he created anything else. 23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. 24
I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. 25
Before the mountains were formed, before the hills, I was born—26 before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. 27 I was there when he established the heavens,
when he drew the horizon on the oceans. 28 I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established springs deep in the earth. 29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth’s foundations, 30 I was the architect at his side.
Proverbs 2:3-5 "call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.”
James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Proverbs 2:6-8 “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.”
