Pastor David Keuss - Hope without Compromise

Joy.      We live in a time that people find joyless. Folks are turning to all manner of things and people to find joy, that don't always deliver.      Yet as Christ followers we are to live in God's joys, even simple ones, He has given us. Our salvation is a great joy to reflection on foremost (Philippians 1-4). But also, we find hints of other common joys, we're to live out. Small joys too are a worthwhile pursuit enjoying what is declared good. Joy. In Ecclesiastes 8, we find a call to have joy. The word joy there means to make glad. And in that, realize simple joys don't simply come upon you always, or passively come upon you. Seize joy. Choose by God's Word (Ecclesiastes 8) to delight in life, using a cheerfulness even, over ways God has given you and those near you, very good things, gifts, relationships, and worship moments. Enjoy the fellowship of the Lord in prayer. Access and savor joy God has given in things you like to think on. Each of us ha...

       What is it to be thoughtful obeying God-given authority, a boss, a parent, so on? Well, Solomon in Ecclesiastes 8 brings up if asked, a dilemma. That is namely, pretty much everyone thinks that they are wise, already. Solomon speaks to those who listen, so it is at least someone who might grow wiser. Found in the Old Testament, in Ecclesiastes 8, he asks by the Spirit, ‘who is like the wise person,’ as not a real question: rhetorical. This is like someone today saying ‘do cats meow’ or ‘is rain wet?’ Solomon admits he is not perfect, though is legitimately wise.      There’s a saying, ‘the more you know, the more you know you don’t know.’ Solomon admits he and others can grow in wisdom. Yes he has experience as a king, as a son to another king before, as a current monarch over Israel the country, yet says greater wisdom than typical is to see: you could be given a lawful commend to do something, you don't agree with too much. A greater than a...