Living Boldly: Embracing Purpose Beyond Meaninglessness
Summary
In today's exploration of Ecclesiastes chapter 11, we delve into the profound concept of "Hevel," a Hebrew term that translates to meaninglessness or vanity. This term encapsulates the fleeting nature of life, likened to a vapor—real yet elusive. The challenge presented is whether we are merely chasing the wind or living with divine purpose. The call is to shift from living under the sun (S-U-N) to living under the King, embracing a life of divine order and purpose.
Ecclesiastes 11 encourages us to live boldly, to cast our bread upon the waters, and to release control. This act of releasing is not just about financial investments but about letting go of what we hold dear—our gifts, talents, and resources—and trusting them to God. The passage challenges us to step out of our comfort zones, to take risks, and to live by faith rather than by sight. It emphasizes that wisdom is only seen in practice and that faith requires action.
The sermon also highlights the importance of living with a bigger "yes" in mind. Instead of focusing on what we must say "no" to, we should fix our eyes on the greater purpose and calling God has for us. This perspective shift helps us to live with boldness and courage, trusting in God's plan and timing.
Furthermore, the message underscores the significance of remembering our story—our salvation and redemption through Christ. This remembrance fuels our boldness and willingness to live a life that reflects God's grace and love. It is a call to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that our actions have both immediate and eternal impacts.
As we conclude, the invitation is to live boldly, to release what holds us back, and to trust in God's immeasurable power at work within us. This bold living is not about recklessness but about faith-filled obedience to God's leading, knowing that He can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
Key Takeaways:
1. Life's Fleeting Nature and Divine Purpose: Life is like a vapor—real yet elusive. The challenge is to live not under the sun (S-U-N) but under the King, embracing divine order and purpose. This shift requires us to attach meaning to our lives through a relationship with God. [05:40]
2. Release and Trust: Ecclesiastes 11 calls us to release control and trust God with our gifts, talents, and resources. This act of releasing is an expression of faith, allowing God to work through us and bring about His purposes. [21:18]
3. Living with a Bigger "Yes": Instead of focusing on what we must say "no" to, we should fix our eyes on the greater purpose and calling God has for us. This perspective shift helps us to live with boldness and courage, trusting in God's plan and timing. [34:54]
4. Remembering Our Story: Our boldness is fueled by remembering our salvation and redemption through Christ. This remembrance empowers us to live a life that reflects God's grace and love, impacting both the present and eternity. [29:57]
5. Bold Living Through Faith: Living boldly is about faith-filled obedience to God's leading, knowing that He can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. It involves stepping out of our comfort zones and trusting in God's power at work within us. [43:50]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[05:40] - Understanding Hevel
[08:07] - The Call to Release
[10:03] - Risk and Faith
[11:45] - Identifying Risk-Takers
[13:34] - The Tension of Risk
[16:36] - Living Boldly
[19:37] - Casting Bread Upon the Waters
[21:18] - Release and Trust
[23:42] - From Mortal to Immortal
[27:00] - Seize the Day
[29:57] - Remembering Our Story
[32:53] - The Comfort of Uncertainty
[34:54] - Living with a Bigger "Yes"
[38:46] - The Call to Boldness
[41:21] - Prop 139 and Living Boldly
[43:50] - Why Live Boldly?
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
- Ephesians 2:4-10
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the term "Hevel" mean, and how is it used to describe life in Ecclesiastes? [05:40]
2. In Ecclesiastes 11:1-6, what actions are encouraged, and what is the expected outcome of these actions?
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between living under the sun (S-U-N) and living under the King? [05:40]
4. What examples from the sermon illustrate the concept of releasing control and trusting God with our resources? [21:18]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "Hevel" challenge our understanding of life's purpose and meaning? [05:40]
2. What does it mean to "cast your bread upon the waters," and how can this be applied to our daily lives?
3. How does remembering our story of salvation and redemption through Christ empower us to live boldly? [29:57]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that living with a bigger "yes" can transform our decision-making and priorities? [34:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like you were "chasing the wind." How can you shift your focus to living under the King instead of under the sun? [05:40]
2. What is one area of your life where you need to release control and trust God more fully? How can you take a step towards doing that this week? [21:18]
3. Identify a specific "bigger yes" in your life. How can focusing on this greater purpose help you say "no" to distractions or temptations? [34:54]
4. How can you actively remember and celebrate your story of salvation to fuel your boldness in living out your faith? [29:57]
5. What is one risk you feel God is calling you to take in your faith journey? How can you prepare yourself to step out in faith and take that risk? [16:36]
6. Consider the resources and talents you have. How can you "cast your bread upon the waters" by using them to serve others and glorify God?
7. How can you cultivate an eternal perspective in your daily life, ensuring that your actions have both immediate and eternal impacts? [23:42]
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Life's Ephemeral Nature with Purpose
Life is often described as fleeting, much like a vapor that is real yet elusive. This concept, encapsulated by the Hebrew term "Hevel," challenges individuals to consider whether they are merely chasing the wind or living with a divine purpose. The call is to transition from living under the sun (S-U-N) to living under the King, which involves embracing a life of divine order and purpose. This shift requires attaching meaning to one's life through a relationship with God, recognizing that while life may be transient, it can be filled with significance when aligned with divine intentions. [05:40]
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (ESV): "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end."
Reflection: In what ways can you shift your focus from the temporary to the eternal, and how might this change your daily priorities?
Day 2: Trusting God Through Release
Ecclesiastes 11 encourages believers to release control and trust God with their gifts, talents, and resources. This act of releasing is not merely about financial investments but involves letting go of what one holds dear and trusting it to God. It is an expression of faith, allowing God to work through individuals to bring about His purposes. This requires stepping out of comfort zones, taking risks, and living by faith rather than by sight. Wisdom is seen in practice, and faith requires action, challenging believers to trust in God's plan and timing. [21:18]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you struggle to release control? How can you begin to trust God with it today?
Day 3: Living with a Bigger "Yes"
Instead of focusing on what must be said "no" to, believers are encouraged to fix their eyes on the greater purpose and calling God has for them. This perspective shift helps individuals live with boldness and courage, trusting in God's plan and timing. By focusing on the bigger "yes," believers can align their lives with God's greater purpose, allowing them to live with intention and direction. This approach encourages a life of faith-filled obedience, stepping out in trust and confidence in God's leading. [34:54]
Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith."
Reflection: What is the "bigger yes" that God is calling you to focus on, and how can you take a step towards it today?
Day 4: Remembering Our Story of Redemption
The boldness to live a life that reflects God's grace and love is fueled by remembering one's salvation and redemption through Christ. This remembrance empowers believers to live with an eternal perspective, knowing that their actions have both immediate and eternal impacts. By recalling the story of redemption, individuals are reminded of God's grace and love, which motivates them to live boldly and courageously. This eternal perspective encourages believers to impact both the present and eternity through their actions and choices. [29:57]
1 Peter 1:18-19 (ESV): "Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot."
Reflection: How does remembering your story of redemption through Christ inspire you to live differently today?
Day 5: Bold Living Through Faith
Living boldly is about faith-filled obedience to God's leading, knowing that He can do immeasurably more than one can ask or imagine. It involves stepping out of comfort zones and trusting in God's power at work within individuals. This bold living is not about recklessness but about trusting in God's immeasurable power and His ability to work through believers to accomplish His purposes. By living boldly, individuals can experience the fullness of life that God intends, stepping out in faith and confidence in His leading. [43:50]
Ephesians 3:20-21 (ESV): "Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."
Reflection: What is one bold step of faith you feel God is calling you to take, and how can you begin to take that step today?
Quotes
1) "Are you just chasing after the wind? Why do you do what you do? Do you have a life that is about divine order and divine purpose? Or is it just chasing after stuff that at the end of the day, you just think, what is this? Why am I doing this? And we need to attach meaning to our lives. So we want to live it not under the sun, but under the king. And what does that look like?" [05:40] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "When we say a disciple of Jesus is somebody who is learning his words, living his ways, and loving like him, let me put that into context of today's chapter. You can learn the words of Jesus. That's critical. That's critical. We invest and we give our time to learning the word of God, learning the words of God. What does Jesus say? Let's learn his words because I want to live his ways. I can't live his ways if I don't know his ways, so I need to learn his words. But learning his words on their own is no risk." [13:34] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Live boldly. Wisdom is only seen in practice. Needs faith. Information and knowledge is only of any benefit when trusted and that involves risk. How do we know it's the right time or not? There's an uncertainty and an uncertain future always awaiting us. So who's calling the shots? Who's leading? Am I following? To trust in God is to live with boldness. And this chapter is saying that. Solomon is saying, you can't always play it safe. It's unwise to always play it safe. There's some unknown outcome, and you do not know what may happen. But if you don't step out, you're going to miss out." [16:36] (62 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "Release it. Not holding on. Now, this isn't just about, this is really, it's the money part's a small little deal here. What are you holding on to? You're never going to find the fullness that God has for your life while you are in control of it, while you're holding on. Release it. Cast your bread upon the waters. Even ship your grain. Release it. There comes a point where you've got to release it. Now, what is the it? In your life, you've received gifts. Abilities, skills, learning, knowledge, experiences, people, stuff, possessions, money. You've received stuff. You've all got something, metaphorically, in your hands right now. Multiple things." [21:18] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Live boldly. For those who haven't heard me say it 25 times already, Carpe Diem. Seize the day. Here is my day. Take a hold of the day that the Lord has made and rejoice and be glad in it and trust Him. Seize the day. seize the day. It's huge. Now, verse 8 and 9 of Hebrews 11, which I didn't read, I want to just encourage our young guys and girls in the room. He says this, however many years one may live, let them enjoy them all. You who are young, be happy while you're young and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth." [27:00] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "Who is calling the shots in your life? What is calling the shots in your life? Solomon, as he gets towards the end of this whole book, he's saying, you need to cast your bread upon the water. You're never going to get that return again to you if you keep holding on. Release it. Live boldly. Some of you, the problem is, is you are holding on to stuff, but as a result, it's holding on to you. It's holding on to you. It's got a hold on you. It has a hold on you." [34:54] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "I want to live boldly because by grace I've been saved. I received this grace can I put to you this morning maybe some of you are not stepping out of what's holding you back are not fully trusting God because you need a fresh revelation of his grace not a theology or a doctrine of grace an encounter of his grace I only know by walking in it I would never be married to my wife had I not one day faced the fear and got down on one knee and asked her all my knowledge of I love her I want to be with her forever she is my one this is wonderful oh and it'll just happen one day no it won't if you don't put your knee down and give her a ring." [38:46] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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