Fusion: week of 3/31

FAMILY THEME: THE PURPOSE OF LIFE

Ecclesiastes 11:9 - 12:14

Is it possible to be "so heavenly minded that we are of no

earthly good"? We are to live with "eternity's values in view".

But know also that what we do now is meaningful and colors

the eternal future of other and ourselves.

1.  Live With Judgment in Mind

     (Ecclesiastes 11:9-10)

     Life is fresh. Opportunity abounds. Youthful idealism

     and enthusiasm, at the peak of our physical and mental

     energies, is good.

 
2.  Live with Accountability to God in Mind

     (Ecclesiastes 12:1-8)

     The pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness are tempered

     and enhanced by the truth that we are created in God's

     image for a special purpose.

 
3.  Have Proper Reverence for God and Obey His Word

     (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14)

     Solomon's observations and conclusions are trustworthy

     and foundational in constructing a life.

Fusion: week of 3/24

FAMILY THEME: THE VALUE OF WISDOM

Ecclesiastes 9:7-18

Wisdom is one of those abstract terms in our vocabulary

not so easily defined when you try to put it down on paper.

Undoubtedly, wisdom is better understood when we see it

actually applied in real life.

1.  Wisdom Helps Us Enjoy the Blessings God Gives

     (Ecclesiastes 9:7-10)

     Our lives are filled with many good and simple things

     that God gives to every human being for enjoyment.

     These pose no conflict with purpose in life or eternity's

     values from God's point of view.

 
2.  Wisdom Helps Us Recognize the Brevity of Life

     (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12)

     Two inescapable truths temper life and achievement.

     These are: (1) the law of cause and effect many be

     disrupted producing an entirely opposite result, and 

     (2) all good things in this earthly existence must come

     to a temporary end. 

 
3.  Wisdom Can Accomplish Much Good When People

     Are Willing to Heed It

     (Ecclesiastes 9:13-18)

     Even those who are materially poor may possess

     wisdom in great quantities, making them quite 

     wealthy from a biblical point of view.

Fusion: week of 3/17

FAMILY THEME: LIFE'S CONTRADICTIONS

Ecclesiastes 5:8 - 6:12

While there are countless good things God blesses us

with here, only those things connected to Him and His

purpose will last.

1.  The World Strives for Money and Possessions but

     Finds No Satisfaction

     (Ecclesiastes 5:8-17)

     While money and possessions are not inherently

     bad, they will never satisfy our deepest longings.

 
2.  The Ability to Enjoy the Fruits of Our Labor is a

     Gift from God

     (Ecclesiastes 5:18 - 6:2)

     As Christians, we can enjoy our work and its

     fruit because we know they ultimately come

     from God.

 
3.  Constantly Striving for More is Futile

     (Ecclesiastes 6:3-12)

     Striving without God will always leave us

     wanting more.

Fusion: week of 3/10

FAMILY THEME: EMPTY PURSUITS

Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Even the best things in this life, like wisdom and hard work,

are futile if they are pursued apart from God.

1.  Self-Indulgence Does Not Satisfy Our Longings

     (Ecclesiastes 2:1-11)

     When we indulge ourselves, we actually lose

     satisfaction rather than gaining it.

 
2.  Even Living Wisely is Empty Apart From God

     (Ecclesiastes 2:12-17)

     Our own wisdom, outside of God's direction

     and purposes, will eventually pass away.

 
3.  The Fruits of Earthly Wisdom and Hard Work

     Are Temporary

     (Ecclesiastes 2:18-26)

     Even the best of work and wisdom will go 

     away if not rooted in God's truth.

Fusion: week of 3/3

FAMILY THEME: THE SEARCH FOR MEANING

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

This week, we'll notice from Scripture how God orients us

to a new life of fulfillment, rest, and purpose.

1.  Apart From God, All Human Activity is Meaningless and 

     Fleeting

     (Ecclesiastes 1:1-3)

     God not only gives our lives a purpose, but it is a purpose

     that is rooted in Him.

 
2.  Apart From God, Life is Monotonous and Repetitive

     (Ecclesiastes 1:4-11)

     Christ gives us dynamic ways in which we can be 

     involved in the work of His kingdom.

 
3.  Apart From God, Human Achievement is Burdensome

     and Empty

     (Ecclesiastes 1:12-18)

     Christ's work on our behalf means we do not have to

     work for our salvation.

Fusion: week of 2/24

FAMILY THEME: INTENTIONAL FAITH

Philippians 3:7-14 ; Hebrews 12:1-4 ; 2 Timothy 2:20-26

The longer the apostle Paul lived and served, the more Christ

increased in his life. It was more than just planting churches for

him. It was about a growing person relationship with Christ.

1.  Growing in Christ is an Intentional Active Pursuit

     (Philippians 3:7-14)

     Spiritual growth in Christ does not happen automatically.

     It requires God's grace and the Holy Spirit, but also

     significant self-discipline, commitment, and daily effort.

 
2.  Growing in Christ is a Way of Life

     (Hebrews 12:1-4, 12-14)

     A believer's outward behavior proceeds from an inner

     profession of faith. Spiritual growth and fruitfulness

     indicate an authentic relationship with Christ.

 
3.  Growing in Christ Requires a Balanced Lifestyle

     (2 Timothy 2:20-26)

     Every Christian should distinguish between the doctrines

     of justification and sanctification. Justification relates to

     what Jesus has done for us. Sanctification often relates

     to what we do. These doctrines blend together perfectly

     into a balanced view of what it means to be a Christian.

Fusion: week of 2/17

FAMILY THEME: DISCIPLINED LIVING

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ; Titus 2:1-14 ; Proverbs 23:1-8

We admire the Biblical virtue of self-discipline when we see it

on display. Self-discipline enables even not-so-naturally-talented

individuals to "soar above the level of mediocrity".

1.  Live With Purpose

     (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

     Material awards and public honor for personal achievements

     have a limited shelf-life. However, human effort, married to

     Biblical objectives, has eternal value contributing to something

     that lasts forever!

 
2.  Live to Benefit Others

     (Titus 2:1-14)

     Most virtues within us are not automatic or naturally occurring.

     They must be taught to us.

 
3.  Live With Restraint

     (Daniel 1:1-21 ; Proverbs 23:1-9)

     Babylonian culture was foreign to Daniel and his three friends

     in their captivity.