Ecclesiastes: Living in Light of the End | Dr. Stephen Conley
Release Date: 06/10/2024
The Supremacy of Christ in Our Witness | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Colossians 4:5-6 Gospel Urgency with Wisdom (4:5) We are called to conduct ourselves in biblical wisdom to those around us. We are called to use our time wisely for the Gospel’s sake. Gospel Fluency with Grace (4:6) We are called to speak grace-filled words that are seasoned with the flavor of Christ. We are called to respond to others with grace-filled answers that point them to Christ and His Word.
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The Supremacy of Christ in Our Prayers | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Colossians 4:2-4 Dependance Upon Christ in Prayer (4:2) Pray with steadfast consistency. Pray with persistent watchfulness. Pray with Godward gratitude. Devotion to Christ’s Mission Through Prayer (4:3-4) Pray for opportunities to declare the Gospel. Pray for obedience to make the Gospel known.
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Christ's Last Command Must Be Our First Commitment | Jeff Fitzgerald
Raintree Community Church
Text: Acts 1:1-11 Jeff Fitzgerald preaches to us about how Christ's last command to His disciples as He ascended into heaven must be our first commitment as we live out our discipleship here on earth.
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The Supremacy of Christ in the Workplace | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Colossians 3:22-4:1 Christ-Centered Servanthood (3:22-25) We are called to obey our superiors as unto the Lord for His glory. We are called to serve wholeheartedly in all things for the Lord and His reward and reckoning. Christ-Centered Supervision (4:1) We are called to treat those we lead with respect and equality, knowing that Jesus is Lord and supreme over all.
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The Supremacy of Christ in the Home | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Colossians 3:18-21 Christ-Centered Submission (3:18) Christ calls and empowers wives to submit to their husbands in a way that brings glory to Him. Christ-Centered Love (3:19) Christ calls and empowers husbands to love their wives in a way that treasures them with gentleness. Christ-Centered Obedience (3:20) Christ calls and empowers children to obey their parents in every way that pleases Him. Christ-Centered Parenting (3:21) Christ calls and empowers parents to shepherd their children in a way that proves their love for them while not provoking them...
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"Contribute": Serving Christ Together | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Texts: Philippians 1:3-11, 27-30; Romans 15:1-7; Romans 12:3-8 We Serve in a Gospel-centered Partnership (Philippians 1:3-11, 27-30) We are saved into a partnership with one another through the Gospel. This partnership manifests itself in a life worthy of the Gospel that strives side by side together. We Serve in a Gospel-centered Culture (Romans 15:1-7) We are called to a unity and harmony by Christ. We are called to welcome one another as Christ has welcomed us. We Serve through Gospel-centered Gifting (Romans 12:3-8) We are equipped to serve one another by...
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"Connect": Growing in Christ Together | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Texts: Colossians 2:6-10; Ephesians 4:11-16 We are Rooted in Christ Together for Gospel Growth (Col. 2:6-10) We are established in Christ. We are steadfast in Christ. We are fulfilled in Christ We are Equipped in Christ Together for Gospel Ministry (Eph. 4:11-16) We are equipped by the Word through gifted shepherds. We are matured by the Word through the Christ’s working. We are discipled by the Word through one another.
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"Come": Worshipping Christ Together | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Texts: Psalm 95:1-7a; 2 Corinthians 3:18-4:7 Worship: The Attitude of the Heart (Psalm 95:1-7a) Worshipping God is about an internal attitude before it is an external activity. Worshipping God reframes our reality around God’s Word. Worship: The Transformation of the Life (2 Corinthians 3:18) Worshipping God leads to a life that beholds the glory of Christ. Worshipping God leads to a life that is transformed by the glory of Christ. Worship: The Proclamation of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 4:1-7) Worshipping God leads to faithful Gospel ministry that is fueled by...
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The End of the Matter | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 Consider the Weighty Words of Wisdom (12:9-12) God’s wisdom is like a goad that spurs us onward. God’s wisdom is like well-driven nails that fix our hearts to truth. God’s wisdom comes to us from the Shepherd of our souls. Consider the Whole Duty of Man (12:13-14) We are called to walk in the fear of God. We are called to obey the Word of God. We are energized and equipped by God to walk in His ways (1 Thess. 5:23-24).
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How to Live in Light of the End | Dr. Stephen Conley
Raintree Community Church
Text: Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:8 Live Every Day With Faith in God’s Plan (11:1-6) We must live surrendered lives before the face of God, trusting in God’s sovereign plan. The future may seem uncertain to us, but we can trust in the certainty of God’s faithfulness. Live Every Day With Gratitude for God’s Gifts (11:7-10) We must celebrate our days before the face of God, rejoicing in all He has given and done for us. We must live wisely before the face of God, knowing we are ultimately accountable to Him. Live Every Day in Remembrance of God’s Name (12:1-8) ...
info_outline“Ecclesiastes: Living in Light of the End” (Book Overview)
The Author of Ecclesiastes
- The human author is announced in 1:1 as the “Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” This is most likely referring to Solomon, who also wrote the Book of Proverbs and the Song of Solomon.
- When Solomon became king, he asked God for wisdom instead of wealth and honor, which God granted to him in abundance. (1 Kings 3:5-15). However, Solomon went astray from God’s wisdom to following His own heart.
- Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes in his old age as he seeks to make sense of his life.
The Arrangement of Ecclesiastes
- Ecclesiastes is bookended with these phrases: “All is vanity” and “Fear God and keep His commandments.”
- The word vanity is a key word in the book that refers to life being a “breath” or “vapor.”
- Ecclesiastes is arranged for the reader to see what life looks like when it is lived backwards.
The Aim of Ecclesiastes
- The purpose of Ecclesiastes is to help us to live our lives backwards – in light of the end.
- This book helps us to loosen our grip on the temporal and live for the eternal.