Oppression

INTRO:

New Years Eve push

No Service next wednesday

Continuing Ecclesiastes

Everything is vanity it’s pointless and nothing matters

Solomon views oppression

Ecclesiastes 4:1–3 ESV

Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 4:1-

What is Oppression?

Hebrew word means TYRANNY

Tyrant - a person exercising power or control in a cruel, unreasonable, or arbitrary way

Nero - Roman Emporer

Hitler Fuier of Nazi Germany

Voldemort

Solomon as a king saw all the oppression from neighboring nations and those in authority oppressing people

So oppression is ruled by a destructive force

Hebrews 2:14–15 ESV

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

The devil brings bondage and oppression through the fear of death

Our Oppression

Ephesians 2:1–2 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—

What is our oppression?

sin and death

From Hebrews Satan keeps us in bondage and oppression by our fear

fear of what?

Death

Justice for our sin

Keeps us in chains and suppresses the truth

John 8:31–32 ESV

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Our oppression:

Pulls us away from God

keeps us from the truth

keeps us in fear

keeps us in bondage

Solomon’s view on the oppression

Ecclesiastes 4:1–3 ESV

Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.

ecclesiastes 4:1-

NO Comforter

Oppressed are in SORROW

BETTER to be DEAD

BETTER YET to have never been BORN

He’s heartbroken over the oppression

Jesus:

Matthew 23:37 ESV

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

Paul:

Romans 9:2–3 ESV

that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh.

There is a hurting for the oppression people are under

Freedom from our Oppression

There is Great News!!

Revelation 5:5 ESV

And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Jesus has CONQUERED!

Don’t weep

Don’t mourn

There is HOPE!!!

Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Quote Next Verse

Romans 5:8 ESV

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 8:36 ESV

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Everyone who Jesus frees is free

Cause for Celebration

No more bondage

Satan has no hold