The false god of comfort - Ecclesiastes 2:1-11
June 13, 2021 Speaker: Joel Scott Series: Battleground: The War that Wages Within
Topic: Battleground: The War that Wages Within Passage: Mark 12:30, Ecclesiastes 2:1–11, Hosea 14:8, 1 John 1:9
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Where do we turn for comfort?
Food, Medicine, Shopping, Media, Pets
People do need comfort. Our world is confused, scary, violent and capricious.
-Mark Labberton Dangerous Act of Worship
What is the god of comfort?
Aligning one’s life to pursue:
- maximum pleasure
- irresistible experiences
- a lack of conflict at all costs.
False gods never fail to fail.
- Chris Wright
Desire itself isn’t wrong. Desire is part of being human. A sinful desire is a desire that is bigger than God.
-Tim Chester, You Can Change
It ought to be more than passing significance that comfort has not been high on God's methodology list. Wilderness? Exodus? Exile? Incarnation? Crucifixion? Taking up your cross? These elements of the biblical narrative suggest that God does not prize comfort.
-Mark Labberton
We have false idols because we don’t know God.
-Tim Keller, Counterfeit Gods
Dethrone the false god of comfort
1.Confess sin.
2.Repent.
3.Train your heart to receive from God.
We are always glad of comfort, and only with difficulty is a man stripped of self-love.
-Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ
When comfort is withdrawn, do not immediately despair, but humbly and patiently await the will of Heaven; for God is able to restore to you a consolation even richer than before.
-Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ
Be patient, my soul; await the fulfilment of God’s promise, and you shall enjoy the abundance of his goodness in Heaven. But if you hanker inordinately after the good things of this life; you will lose those of heaven and eternity.
-Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ
Therefore, make right use of this world’s goods, but long only for those that are eternal. This world’s good things can never satisfy you, for you are not created for the enjoyment of these alone.
-Thomas a Kempis, Imitation of Christ
More in Battleground: The War that Wages Within
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The false god of sex - Genesis 29:1-30July 11, 2021
The False god of Money - Luke 19:1-10July 4, 2021
The false god of approval - Galatians 2:11-14