Further Complications (2)

Tonight, I would like to begin with a prayer request (actually several of them).

It doesn’t appear that South Charlotte Baptist Academy is going to be able to make its budget this current school year.

Our budget is based upon an enrollment of 100 students.

For the past couple of years, our enrollment has “held steady” at just over 80 students. (That’s actually a good thing after seeing a decline in enrollment for a few years. Our high enrollment has been 124 students.)

The reason that this has not been an issue until this year is that, during a number of years when we had over 100 students, we were able to set aside a surplus. Unfortunately, that surplus has been used.

Our deacons are well-aware of the situation. In fact, Mr. Litchfield and Mr. Litchfield have done a wonderful job of assisting me in “keeping tabs” on the finances for the church and school.

The church’s finances are doing well. (We praise the Lord for that!)

I feel strongly that we must continue the ministry of South Charlotte Baptist Academy. I believe that we have a Biblical responsibility to assist families as they rear their children as God would have them.

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:

Our families are extremely supportive of South Charlotte Baptist Academy. We just need more of them!

We have never made finances the main deciding factory for attending South Charlotte Baptist Academy. (Even though I know that we must “balance” the books and pay our bills!)

I so desire to be like George Mueller who, completely by faith, without telling anyone of his/their needs, operated a number of orphanages in England during the 19th century and ministered to thousands of children.

I have several requests that I would like to share with you:

Pray that our current student body would re-enroll for the 2020-2021 school year.

Pray that those new families, who have expressed interest in the Academy for next year, would follow through and enroll their children.

We have 54 students who have re-enrolled/enrolled/in process of enrolling for next year. We have 27 prospective new students looking at SCBA. We have 39 current students who have yet to re-enroll for the 2020-2021 school year. All that added up would be 120 students!

Pray that God, in some way, would provide financially for the needs of the Academy for this current year and for the years to come.

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.

As I was travelling back to Charlotte last week, 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.

Turn to and read Matthew 7:24-27. This passage of scripture is, in a way, a comparison of the these two worldviews. (This passage clearly show the outcome of each worldviews.)

I would like you to see two other passages of Scripture in which we see this contrast between worldviews. 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.