Ecclesiastes 6:1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: Ecclesiastes 6:2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction. Ecclesiastes 6:3 If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he– Ecclesiastes 6:4 for it comes in vanity and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. Ecclesiastes 6:5 Though it has not seen the sun or known anything this has more rest than that man, Ecclesiastes 6:6 even if he lives a thousand years twice—but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place? Ecclesiastes 6:7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied.
Exodus 20:17 You shall not covet your neighbor’s house . . . nor anything that is your neighbor’s.
I) THE SHORTAGE OF SATISFACTION IS EVERYWHERE. Ecclesiastes 6:1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: Ecclesiastes 6:2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity, and it is an evil affliction.
Ecclesiastes 5:10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. this also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 1:8 … The eye is not satisfied with seeing, Nor the ear filled with hearing.
1 Kings 10:23 So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom.
Song lyrics I can’t get no satisfaction though I’ve tried and I’ve tried
Frederic Seaman book “The Last Days Of John Lennon” (quote) John and Yoko appeared to be compulsive shoppers, like kleptomanics who paid. Most of what they bought was neither needed nor ever used. Clothes, antiques, art, stereo equipment, eletronic gadgets, pieces of furniture — all were delivered, stored away, and promptly forgotten. It never ceased to amaze me that the man who had penned the classic verse, “Imagine no possessions” had become a slave to them. The only real value of many of these items was the mere fact they were owned by John Lennon.”
II) THE SEARCH FOR SATISFACTION IS A VAIN PURSUIT. Ecclesiates 6:3 If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he— Ecclesiates 6:6 Even if he lives a thousand years twice—but has not seen goodness.
The Law of the Itch: No one ever made an itch go away by getting really good at scratching. The law of satisfaction: No one has ever made the satisfaction itch go away by getting really good at scratching.
Fate of Man lyrics He’s worked all his life to get things the way he wants them. He comes here against his will and he goes away disappointed.
III) THE SOURCE OF SATISFACTION IS GOD HIMSELF. Ecclesiastes 6:2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it,..”
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.
Ecclesiastes 6:2 … yet God does not give him power to eat of it, …
Ecclesiastes 6:7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul is not satisfied.
Ecclesiastes 6:9 (NLT) Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have.
IV) THE SECRET OF SATISFACTION IS CONTENTMENT. Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: Philippians 4:12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
1) THE CONTENTMENT OF THE GODLY. 1 Timothy 6:6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
Psalm 23:1 (NLT) The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. Psalm 23:1 (MSG) God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. Psalm 23:1 (GW) The Lord is my shepherd.I am never in need.
1 Timothy 6:8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest You.”
The testing ground is simply this: Is God enough? Because when this life is over, He is all we will have. If God is not enough then nothing will ever be enough.
Psalm 68:19 Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, the God of our salvation!
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
Christmas is God becoming a man, God coming to man, Heaven coming to earth.
A “chronicle” is defined as a factual written account of important or historical events in the order of their occurrence.
In the Christmas Chronicles, we find: I) THE PERSON AT HIS INCEPTION. John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Jesus Christ is God’s “Word” to reveal His heart and mind to us.
In the Christmas Chronicles, we have: II) THE PLAN OF HIS INCARNATION. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
O Come, All Ye Faithful Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing.” contains: Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see, hail the incarnate deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Emmanuel.”
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
God became something He had never been a man without ceasing to be what He had always been God.
Hebrews 10:5 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.
In the Christmas Chronicles, we know: III) THE PURPOSE OF HIS HUMILIATION. Philippians 2:6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, Philippians 2:7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
We have a Christmas hymn that includes these words: Thou didst leave Thy throne and thy kingly crown, When Thou camest to earth for me;
Hebrews 2:7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;
Luke 20:36 Nor can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for for the suffering of death … that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.”
Nehemiah 1:11 “… For I was the king’s cupbearer. Nehemiah 2:1 And it came to pass in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was before him, that I took the wine and gave it to the king …”
Luke 22:42 saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” Luke 22:43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. He drank the cup.
Hebrews 2:9 “… for the suffering of death …” Philippians 2:8 “… He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
He became like us so He could die for us.
In the Christmas Chronicles, we see: IV) THE PLACE OF HIS IDENTIFICATION. Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
The doctor became the patient at the same time he was still the doctor.
He became like us so He could live like us.
In the Christmas Chronicles, we know: V) THE PERFECTION OF HIS MOTIVATION. Hebrews 10:7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me–To do Your will, O God.’ “
Jesus spent all of his life doing two simple things, obeying God and serving others.
In the Christmas Chronicles, we recognize: VI) THE POSITION OF HIS GLORIFICATION. Hebrews 2:7 “… You have crowned him with glory and honor, and set him over the works of Your hands. Philippians 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, Philippians 2:10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, Philippians 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Psalm 110:1 The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, till I make your enemies Your footstool.”
He became like us so He could live like us He became like us in order to show us how to live He became like us so He could save us. He became like us so He could die for us He became like us so we could live with Him He became like us so we could become like Him
Hebrews 2:8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him.
Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod
the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,
Matthew 2:2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have
seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem
with him.
Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people
together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Matthew 2:5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by
the prophet:
Matthew 2:6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the
rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people
Israel.’ ”
Matthew 2:7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from
them what time the star appeared.
Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for
the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may
come and worship Him also.”
Matthew 2:9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which
they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the
young Child was.
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child
with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had
opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
I. WISE MEN WERE SEEKING THE KING.
Matthew 2:1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod
the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,
Matthew 2:2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have
seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Romans 3:11 There is none that seeks after God.
Hebrews 1:6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:
“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
Luke 2:20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things
that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
These wise men have come a great distance, about 300 miles to worship the King
of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jeremiah 29:13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all
your heart.
II. RELIGIOUS MEN WERE IGNORING THE KING.
Matthew 2:3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem
with him.
Matthew 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people
together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.
Matthew 2:5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by
the prophet:
Matthew 2:6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the
rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”
These Jewish scholars knew all the prophecies about the Messiah:
1.He will be a Jew.
2. He will come from the tribe of Judah.
3. He will be a descendant of David.
4. He will be born in Bethlehem.
5. He will be born of a virgin.
James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
These religious men who knew the Word of God wouldn’t even get on their feet
to see what was happening a mere five miles away in Bethlehem.
III. EVIL MEN WERE OPPOSING THE KING.
Matthew 2:8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for
the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may
come and worship Him also.”
The world is full of people who will not kneel before Jesus Christ, so they miss
Christmas just like Herod did.
Revelation 12:4 ” … And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give
birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born.
Matthew 2:16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men,
was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem,
and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time
which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
The birth of Jesus Christ brought to Bethlehem a godless leader, who murdered
babies of weeping mothers, and that is the forgotten message of Christmas.
IV. WISE MEN WERE WORSHIPING THE KING.
Matthew 2:9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which
they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the
young Child was.
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.
Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child
with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had
opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Acts 10:25 As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and
worshiped him.
Acts 10:26 But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.”
Revelation 22:8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw all these things. And when
I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed
them to me.
Revelation 22:9 But he said, “No, don’t worship me. I am a servant of God, just like
you and your brothers the prophets, as well as all who obey what is written in this
book. Worship only God!”
Matthew 2:2 “… For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:8 “… when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come
and worship Him also.”
Matthew 2:11 And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child
with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him.
Philippians 2:9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name
which is above every name,
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in
heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
Philippians 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to
the glory of God the Father.
O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, let us adore Him, Christ the Lord
Angels, from the Realms of Glory
Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ, the newborn KIng!
Angels We Have Heard on HIgh
Come adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn King.
O Holy Night!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine, O night when Christ was born!
The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah
And He shall reign for ever and ever
King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)
And Lord of lords (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)
Matthew 2:11 “… they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”
The Christmas song “We Three Kings of Orient Are” includes the lines:
O star of wonder, star of night
Guide us to thy perfect light
Daniel 12:3 Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament,
and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.
1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on
even those who have wives should be as though they had none,
1 Corinthians 7:30 Those who weep as though they did not weep, those who
rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess,
1 Corinthians 7:31 And those who use this world as not misusing it. For the form
of this world is passing away.
Corrie ten Boom said (quote)
“Pastor Swindoll, you must learn to hold everything loosely … everything. Even
your dear family. Why? Because the Father may wish to take them back to Himself
and when He does, it will hurt you if He must pry your fingers loose.Remember …
hold everything loosely. . . everything.”
1 Corinthians 7:27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed
from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
1 Corinthians 7:28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin
marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but
I would spare you.
I) HOLD ON LOOSELY TO HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS.
1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on
even those who have wives should be as though they had none,
1 Corinthians 7:31 “… For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
Matthew 22:28 Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be?
For they all had her.”
Matthew 22:29 Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not
knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God.
Matthew 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage,
but are like angels of God in heaven.
We are all leaving this world as singles and we are staying as singles for all eternity.
1 Corinthians 7:29 (NLT) So from now on, those with wives should not focus only
on their marriage
Luke 14:25 Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them,
Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife
and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.
Hebrews 13:5 “… For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Romans 8:39 “… [Nothing]shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
II) HOLD ON LOOSELY TO HUMAN EMOTIONS.
1 Corinthians 7:30 Those who weep as though they did not weep, those who
rejoice as though they did not rejoice, …
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common
to man …
1 Thessalonians 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those
who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
Philippians 4:11 “… for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:
Nehemiah 8:10 “… Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
III) HOLD ON LOOSELY TO HUMAN POSSESSIONS.
1 Corinthians 7:30 “… those who buy as though they did not possess,
1 Corinthians 7:31 “… For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
Luke 12:20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you;
then whose will those things be which you have provided?’
Luke 12:21 “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Matthew 6:19 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth…
Matthew 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven …
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart be also….
Ernest Hemingway said, ” If I can give these things away then I own them but if
I can’t give them away because they have somehow become so important to me
then they own me. ”
1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry
nothing out.
If want to know how rich you are add up all the things you have that money can’t buy
and death can’t take away, then you will know how rich you really are.
IV) HOLD ON LOOSELY TO HUMAN PLEASURES.
1 Corinthians 7:31 And those who use this world as not misusing it.
1 Corinthians 7:31 (GW) Those who use the things in this world should do so but not
depend on them.
1 Corinthians 7:31 (ESV) And those who deal with the world as though they had no
dealings with it.
2 Timothy 3:1 But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
2 Timothy 3:2 For men will be lovers of themselves, ..
2 Timothy 3:4 “… lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
1 Corinthians 7:29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on
1 Corinthians 7:31 “… For this world as we know it will soon pass away.
Life is about holding on loosely and then letting go completely.
Only one life twill soon pass, only what’s done for Christ will last
“Remember hold everything loosely. . . everything.”
Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
A conspiracy is defined as a secret plan by a group to do something unlawful or harmful.
Abraham Lincoln once said, ” There are a thousand ways to getting at a man if it
is desired that he should be killed. ”
Parkland Dr. McClelland recalls
“When [Dr. Perry] left the room, someone came up to him who Dr. Perry thought
maybe was a Secret Service man, and he told Dr. Perry, ‘You must never, ever
say that was an entrance wound again if you know what’s good for you.”
Arlen Spector told Parkland Dr Ron Jones, “I want to tell you that we have people who
will testify they saw him shot from the overpass but we do not believe they are credible
witnesses and I don’t want you to say anything about it.”
There is a list of 103 people who have supposedly died strange or convenient or
mysterious deaths connected to the JFK assassination.
A study done said “the odds against these [assassination] witnesses being dead by
February 1967, were one hundred thousand trillion to one.”
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me,
though he may die, he shall live.
John 11:43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus,
come forth!'”
John 11:44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes,
and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
John 11:45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things
Jesus did, believed in Him.
John 11:46 But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things
Jesus did.
John 11:47 Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said,
What shall we do? For this Man works many signs.
John 11:48 If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans
will come and take away both our place and nation.”
Miracles per se no matter how great — do not always translate into belief in Jesus!
Mayor Wheeler,
I have seen your response to the riots in your city and I am urging you to stick to
the proven Democratic Play book,
1: Deny there is a Problem, (Press will support this)
2: Refer to everything as peaceful and calm, (Press will help here also)
3: When all hell breaks loose, go on camera and show your support for anybody
breaking the law, (Press will praise you for this, you will be a new hero, trust me).
4: When you can no longer keep any order ‘BLAME TRUMP!’ (I cannot over emphasize #4,
This has worked every time we have used it and again the Press has told me they will
support and fact check any claim we make!! THIS IS POLITICAL GOLD!!)
5: Go on Television and Condemn TRUMP and refuse any assistance! We CANNOT
give TRUMP any victory before the election!!!!!!”
best wishes, Nancy Pelosi.
John 11:49 And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them,
You know nothing at all,
John 11:50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die
for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”
John 11:51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that
year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation,
John 11:52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one
the children of God who were scattered abroad.
John 11:53 Then, from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.
Secret Service Agent Clint Hill said “It’s my belief the United States lost its
innocence on November 22, 1963.”
John 11:57 Now both the chief priests and the Pharisees had given a command,
that if anyone knew where He was, he should report it, that they might seize Him.
Acts 3:14 (ESV) But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer
to be granted to you,
Acts 3:15 And you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this
we are witnesses.
You killed the Author of life, and you gave life to a killer.
John 1:4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life.
John 14:6 “… I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Human pride was and still is the great fuel that feeds human unbelief.
John 12:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground
and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.
