When we lose ourselves, he finds us. To find us, he loses himself.
Losing life by finding ourselves (Genesis 3:1-7)
Finding out that we have lost out (Genesis 3:8-24)
Losing himself to find us (Romans 5:12-21)
Finding life by losing ourselves (Romans 6:1-11)
The Caveat: Under the sun will always be insufficient
The Caution: There is nothing better than God’s word
The Conclusion: God alone will give you meaning in the mist
Rejoice in the life you have
Remove all your vexation
Remember your Creator before it’s too late
Jesus arose to be the final word of your life
Pardon from all of yesterday’s sins
Glory as your guaranteed tomorrow
Power to live in newness of life today
Monday's Temple Clearing: Is what I bring enough?
Thursday's Passover Makeover: Is what I do enough?
Friday’s Torn Veil: Is who I am enough?
I
+
Read MoreLife tells us everything we don’t know
Light gives us what we long for
Wisdom is limited and can’t give you real meaning
Wisdom is vulnerable and can be ruined by a little folly
Wisdom is risky and doesn’t guarantee everything goes well
Wisdom is restricted and won’t stop fools from being fools
We avoid the one certainty of life
We cling to the uncertainties around us
There’s a good life waiting in between
The gap with civil obedience
The gap with justice and retribution
The gap with experiencing God
Righteousness and wickedness don’t make the pieces fit
Human nature and reasoning won’t make the pieces fit
Jesus alone can pick up the paradox pieces
Limitations of life give us depth
Limitations of escapes gives us wisdom
Limitations of wisdom gives us mystery
• Wealth slips away (5:8-17)
• Life is a gift for the living (5:18-20)
• Wealth won’t fulfill your life (6:1-12)
• The giver of life gave his life to make you rich (2 Corinthians 8:9)
The Conclusion:
• Life is a gift, not gain. Jesus is the gift and the gain.
Worship life that pleases God is…
Less talking and more listening
Less promising and more obeying.
Times of trouble become unbearable
Accomplishments become rivalry
Sacrifice becomes waste
Friendship becomes vacant
Influence becomes vapor
We see obvious injustice
We say what we believe about it
Limited seeing results in limited believing
Seeing further recalibrates our belief
We must reckon with this foundational reality
Our own efforts lead to frustration and frivolity
Freedom comes when we’re found by Jesus
Bubble #1: Getting all the smarts (1:12-18)
Bubble #2: Indulging in all the pleasures (2:1-11)
Bubble #3: A future with all the legacies (2:12-19)
Bubble #4: Having all the feels (but really just one) (2:20-23)
Bottom Line: Pleasing God is the way to wisdom and joy (2:24-26)
Humanity shares a haunting question
Satisfaction by achievement is a delusion
Significance by novelty is a delusion
We need the most “non-Christiany” book of the bible
Our real life happens in the mist
We see ourselves in the Teacher
There is a deeper faith-life God wants for us
Two realities of God's Plan
1) Our time of exile cannot be abbreviated
2) Our glorious restoration cannot be delayed
Three non-negotiables
1) Seek Jesus with all your heart (12-13)
2) Give primacy to God’s word (8-9)
3) Just live (5-7)
