Warnings

Item #1: I wanted to begin tonight with a warning. Last week, I mentioned that we have had to discontinue our support of one of our missionaries, the Pak Family, because they have changed their doctrinal position (specifically their doctrinal position on the end times). The Pak Family were BIMI missionaries so I had the opportunity to discuss the situation with Bro. Maldoff last week. He shared with me that, when questioned, Bro. Pak shared that his change in doctrinal position began as a result of watching YouTube videos of a preacher that I am familiar with.

As I have done in the past, I must caution you. You must be careful with what you allow your mind to feed on through books, podcasts, social media, etc. There has never been a time in history when so much “information” has been available to mankind. We must be discerning! No one is exempt from this warning!

May I give you an example? Suppose you were “questioning” whether it is biblical to tithe or not. If you did a Google search on the subject, you would get a lot of results that went both ways: Yes it is biblical and No it is not. If your “heart” is already leaning away from tithing, then you are likely going to spend your time reading those articles which say “No” it is not biblical. Turn to and read 2 Timothy 4:1-4.

Turn to and read Colossians 2:6-8; Ephesians 4:11-14

If those warnings were needed in the first century, they are even more needed in the 21st century. That’s why you need God’s Word; that’s why you need a local church family - not an “online” church; that’s why you need a pastor to warn you of these things!

Item #2: I would like to make this statement: There has never been a time than right now when Christian education has been more needed! When we hear of things happening in the public schools, we often write it off by thinking, “That’s not happening in our local public schools.” However, just this morning, I was made aware of this - Students in the Charlotte/Mecklenburg public schools in the 5th-12th grades were forced to take a sexual preference survey recently. In this survey, the students were asked such questions as, “How do you describe your gender identity?” “Do you identify as transgender?” “Which of the following best describes your sexual orientation?” (It was reported that some students didn’t even know what some terms, like “pansexual” and “asexual” meant!) The survey is aimed to get students’ “feedback on school climate, safety, behavior, harassment and bullying.” I posted a link regarding this on our Facebook page.

Along those same lines...

Item #3: Tomorrow, February 27, the Human Rights Campaign is holding its annual readings of I Am Jazz in schools across the country. It's the story of Jazz Jennings – a boy who transitioned to a girl at a very young age. While I cannot find that any of our local public schools or libraries will be participating this doesn’t fully eliminate the possibility that some individual teachers/classrooms will participate. Just another reason to choose Christian education or homeschooling over public education. There is a website - www.welcomingschools.org - that is specifically designed to help schools and communities indoctrinate children with this sinful practice. One article on the websites is entitled, “Affirming Gender in Elementary School: Social Transitioning.” Ladies and gentlemen, our children are not safe in the public school system. This, again, reaffirms in my mind and heart the need for Christian education.

Psalm 78:4 KJV 1900

We will not hide them from their children, Shewing to the generation to come The praises of the Lord, and his strength, And his wonderful works that he hath done.

Psalm 78:7 KJV 1900

That they might set their hope in God, And not forget the works of God, But keep his commandments:

Now, on to our bible study for tonight. Turn to Ecclesiastes chapter 1.

Ecclesiastes 1:2–3 KJV 1900

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?

Solomon, in his search for meaning and purpose in life, found that every bag that he looked in was empty!

Now, the last time that we met, we began to look at some complications which hindered Solomon’s search.

Can anyone remember the “complication” that we looked at last time?

It was...

Solomon’s Heart

Ecclesiastes 1:13 KJV 1900

And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith.

But, as we learned, our heart is deceitful and is desperately wicked.

Jeremiah 17:9 KJV 1900

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

So, if we cannot trust our heart, what is the alternative?

We looked at that as well...

We must trust the Lord.

Proverbs 3:5–6 KJV 1900

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

And...

We must trust God’s Word.

Psalm 119:42 KJV 1900

So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: For I trust in thy word.

That brings us to the next complication that Solomon had to deal with in his quest for meaning and purpose in life. And that was...

Solomon’s Eyes

Ecclesiastes 1:14 KJV 1900

I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.

When Solomon wrote those words, he was really referring to his worldview.

What is a “worldview?”

Your worldview is the basic set of beliefs that color how you view and interpret the world. It shapes your perspective of everything.

Yesterday, as I was travelling back to Charlotte, I had the opportunity to listen to an interview on Rejoice Radio. It was entitled: “A Christian Look at Immigration.” (I posted that interview on the SCBC Facebook page. I would encourage you to listen to it.)

Our worldview shapes our perspective of everything…and that means everything!

Everyone has a “worldview.”

There is no such thing as a neutral worldview.

There are only two “worldviews.”

There is a worldview that is based upon God’s Word. There is a worldviews that is based upon man’s ideas. That’s it.

I would like to point you back to a couple of the passages we looked at earlier tonight. Turn to and read Ephesians 4:11-14 and Colossians 2:6-8.

If time remaining, watch video. Be sure to add “disclaimers” to watching Answers in Genesis video.