Sermon Tone Analysis
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INTRODUCTION
Good Morning
Release the children
Hope you are having a great summer
Thank you to so many people who are stepping in to serve in different areas as we have numerous families out of town this summer
Ecclesiastes
“Under the sun” - meaning and purpose apart from God
“Vanity, meaninglessness” - the wrong pursuits we strive after for meaning, apart from God
PRAY
East of Eden - meaning and purpose
Wisdom vs Broken World
Last week
Big Idea This Week / Hook / Connection
Under the Sun - Realities of a Broken World extend to those in power
Nations
(Iran, China, Brexit, another political season)
Authority
Police - we see those who serve and protect the community and those who abuse their power
Military
Workplace
manager
boss
teacher
Parenting
Love or ridicule
Protect or abuse
School Kids
Popular kids or class president - serve the student body or bully
How do people get to positions of authority?
How should we respond as Christians to leaders/people in authority when they are wicked/fools?
How can we be strengthened to sustain godliness in a broken world under foolish leaders?
You begin to realize the challenge that God does not always put the wisest person in charge.
Sometimes - those in authority over you are the fools described in Ecclesiastes and/or proverbs
How then should we respond when we find ourselves under the authority of a fool?
Pray
Apply Wisdom to These Questions
[8:1a] “Who is like the wise?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
In chapter 7 the teacher just said no one is truly wise.
Fully wise.
[8:1b] “A man’s wisdom makes his face shine, and the hardness of his face is changed.”
Nobody is absolutely and fully wise
But we can possess some human (man’s) wisdom and this impacts our lives, our countenance.
GOD ESTABLISHES THE AUTHORITIES (8:2)
QUESTION: How are people put in positions of authorities?
ANSWER: Leaders are established by God
This does not mean that all leaders are good or wise
At times, we see God allow wicked and foolish people to become leaders.
Hosea and in “do everything they say to you, for they are rejecting me, not you.
They don’t want me to be their King any longer.”
[Politically charged environment] Please do not hear any political undertones here.
I am not speaking in code.
What I pray we see here this morning are biblical principles concerning wisdom and how we relate to people in authority according to God’s Word
.
[8:2] I say: Keep the King’s command, because of God’s oath to him.”
2 Meanings:
ESV translates this: “God’s oath to the King”
Can also be translated “because of your oath to God.”
Or is it the King making rash oaths before God...
Context is for someone in the King’s Court, under the King’s authority
Either way: [] speak directly to this:
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
Therefore, whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgement.”
“For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority - whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed.”
Not every person in authority is righteous and wise.
At times, according to God’s purposes, he also allows wicked fools to be in positions of authority.
This may raise questions in your mind and heart - “why did God allow ____________ to be in authority?”
Maybe this is Hitler, Kim Jung Un, Teacher, Boss, Parents
Answer: That may not be for us to know.
Remember “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.”
At times, we see God allow wicked and foolish people to become leaders.
Hosea and in “do everything they say to you, for they are rejecting me, not you.
They don’t want me to be their King any longer.”
Hosea and in “do everything they say to you, for they are rejecting me, not you.
They don’t want me to be their King any longer.”
[Politically charged environment] Please do not hear any political undertones here.
I am not speaking in code.
What I pray we see here this morning are biblical principles concerning wisdom and how we relate to people in authority according to God’s Word
But these are national leaders.
These authorities and powers over my life...
“Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are regarded as dust on the scales; he weighs the islands as though they were fine dust.”
(NIV)
QUESTION: How should we respond as Christians to leaders/people in authority when they are wicked/fools?
Especially when that person in in direct authority over us (context of a person in the court of the King)?
SHREWD CAUTION (8:2-9)
The Answer: As Christians we should respond with shrewd caution
DON’T DISRESPECT THE LEADER
[8:3] “Be not hasty to go from [the king’s] presence.”
CONTEXT
“Who is wise”
A king was the ultimate authority.
To enter the King’s presence could mean your life.
To quickly leave was to turn your back on the King which was extremely disrespectful.
Even today, it is against protocol to show your back to the Queen of England.
Just back away.
The purpose though is ultimately about respect
APPLICATION
Don’t disrespect those God has place in authority.
Insults, jokes, slander, gossip, etc.
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