• Ecclesiastes 4:1-5:10
• Ecclesiastes 4:1-3 – Solomon sees life on earth as vanity. But if you bring eternity into the picture, it’s better to live even with suffering and enjoy eternity. Compare Luke 16:19-31; Romans 8:18. See also Psalms 73:1-3, 17, 26.
• Ecclesiastes 4:5 – See Proverbs 6:10. The fool is lazy!
• Ecclesiastes 4:6 – Over-work is also vanity. Moderation is key.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – Companionship is valuable!
• Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 – Power and influence don’t last. Beware of getting stuck in your ways as you age and refusing good advice.
• Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 – Be careful what you promise, especially to God. Compare Ecclesiastes 6:12; 7:14; 9:1, 12; 10:14.
• Ecclesiastes 5:7 – Be careful not to over-commit yourself, especially because we can’t control most circumstances. See James 4:13-15. Finish what you say you will!
• Ecclesiastes 5:8 – Everybody has a boss!
• Ecclesiastes 5:10 – Contentment is a state of mind – not an amount of money. See Philippians 4:11.

Is this authorized?

• Mark 16:9; John 20:19; Acts 2:1, 41; I Corinthians 16:1; Acts 20:7 – The importance of the first day of the week. Only one day is specified as a special day under the New Covenant – the first day of the week.
• I Corinthians 14:15
• Colossians 3:16
• Acts 20:7-12 – Are assemblies limited to certain hours? No.

Is this helpful?

• I Corinthians 10:31, 23-24
• Our purpose should be to glorify God and edify each other.
• I Corinthians 11:20-22 – The same two principles applied to worship.
• I Corinthians 14:1-4, 12, 26 – Let all things be done for edification.
• The change in schedule is not an allowance for laziness!
• Acts 2:42; 19:9; I Peter 2:2; Psalms 1:2 – God’s people desired to be zealous in study and worship.
• More convenience does not make worship sinful.
• Colossians 2:20-23 – Paul preached against the idea of depriving yourself to attain holiness.

Is this going to work?

Maintain brotherly love.

• I Corinthians 13:1-3
• Philippians 2:2-4

Give yourself a chance to get used to it.

Use the breaks.

Voice any concern with love.

• I Peter 5:1-3

If this doesn’t work, blame David.

Conclusion

• Hebrews 10:23-25

Where does forgiveness come from?

• Combination

  • Change of mind (repentance)

  • Request

  • Desire to reconcile (Romans 12:18; II Peter 3:9; Colossians 3:12-13; Matthew 5:23-24

  • Accessibility to the one forgiving (II Corinthians 5:18-20; Matthew 11:28-30; 23:37)

What it is not

Quid pro quo (Colossians 3:12-13)

• How did Jesus forgive us?
• What did it cost Him?
• What did He want in return? (Acts 17:24-25)
  • He wants our hearts and our love. He doesn’t need anything from us!

Forgetting

• We remember our own sins (who can forget?)

  • Learn (James 1:2-3)

  • Gain strength against repeats.

• Put them behind us – press on! (Philippians 3:13-14; I Timothy 1:12-14(

Avoiding the offender

• Consider Peter and Jesus

  • On the water (Matthew 14:26-31)

  • Night of betrayal (Matthew 26:69-75)

  • Attitude toward Gentile Christians (Galatians 2:11-14)

  • Jesus’ forgiveness foreseen and planned for (Luke 22:31-32)

  • Relationship continually renewed

  • No demotion

  • Confidence given

For us toward others

• We are not better than Jesus
• Forgiveness for mending, not separating (Matthew 5:23-24)
• His desire should be our desire

Making excuses for the forgiven

• Accountable for their actions (Luke 19:8-9)
• If forgiveness needed, offense must have occurred.
• The devil didn’t make me do it.

Our attitude

• Our great desire

  • For our forgiveness

  • To forgive others

  • Forgiving brethren

  • Ephesians 4:32

  • We should be willing to out to others (I Peter 1:17-21; Ephesians 3:8-12)

  • Be accessible so others can receive forgiveness (Revelation 3:20)