“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Check out last Sunday’s sermon here.

“The antithesis to God’s work and intent in the gospel is to live this life for yourself.”  -Pastor Mike

Pastor Mike highlighted four ways to do life wrong from Ecclesiastes 4. In essence all these are selfish ways to live.

1. Doing life to oppress others (Ecclesiastes 4:1-3).

Subtle oppression occurs any time you seek to better yourself at the cost of another. Rather than seeking fairness, subtle deceptions put you in an advantage over one another.

2. Doing life with envy to outdo others (Ecclesiastes 4:4).

If not for oppression, your neighbor will become your motivation for success. In comparison to your neighbor, if you stand out, then you believe your life has meaning and purpose.

3. Doing life in laziness (Ecclesiastes 4:5).

Laziness may be the most subtle form of selfishness. A common source of poverty arises from a self-focused unwillingness to work. 

4. Doing life alone (Ecclesiastes 4:7-8).

Doing life alone may seem the most harmless of all. No one is being oppressed, the worker is not lazy. Yet, as beings of a relational God, living life for solitude is a sure way to waste your life, living outside of God’s design for His creation.

All these are vanity.

Solution: Live for Christ, for His Glory, and Among His People

“The whole point of the gospel message is that God has redeemed a people for Himself, not individuals.” -Pastor Mike

Christ will purify the prideful heart, causing repentance and faith. He alone can make dysfunctional people function as a knit-together body which cares and comforts each member. He alone will use His people to seek the good of others within and without the Church.Life alone is not worth living.

Live for Christ and glorify His name as His people.