Before we begin today’s service I want to make it very clear that I have not come here today to speak about bible prophecies; however, I do want to bring to your attention something that I consider is of the utmost importance. I also want it to be very clear that with what I am about to tell you I am not trying to scare or intimidate anyone, my only intention is to bring some of you up to speed of the things that are occurring in the world that you may not be aware of. I do not know how many of you pay attention to the international news, but for the last several days I have been hearing a particular news article that I deem very important. The news article is that “China has called for the creation of a new currency to eventually replace the dollar as the world's standard”[1].
Although many may not pay attention to this particular piece of news, and others simply dismiss it from their mind as something unimportant, the reality of it all is than when we do the math, that is to say, when we begin to add up everything that is happening around the globe, it is not difficult to conclude that every day that passes brings us closer to the “New World Order” which will be lead by the antichrist. Why did I begin today’s service in this fashion? The reason I started today’s service in this fashion is because as I said last week, all of us, without exception of anyone, run the danger of being tempted or attracted to abandon God’s truth. However, now we must ask ourselves: why does this happen? The answer to this question will be our theme for today.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-4 - Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil. 2Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few. 3For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words. 4When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed.
The majority of the bible scholars feel comfortable saying that the author of the book of Ecclesiastes was Solomon. Something that all of us should know is that Salomon was a man that had an excellent beginning before God’s eyes; his intentions were pure and unblemished. This is something that is clearly expressed in the blessing that God bestowed upon him as we find in 1 Kings 3:9-12 when we read: “Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?” 10The speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11Then God said to him: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked long life for yourself, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice, 12behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you.”
The problem that Solomon had was not very different than the problem that exists in the church today. The problem that Solomon had was that eventually he departed from God’s way. This is something that is clearly stated in 1 Kings 11:4-6 when we read: “For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David. 5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David.” However, according to the verses that we are exploring today, we see that Salomon eventually repented from his sins. I say this because according to Bible scholars, the book of Ecclesiastes was written towards the end of Salomon’s life. Why have I told you these things?
I have told you these brief details because in them we find that without exception all of us will be tempted or seduced to abandon God’s truth. This of course is the first danger that faces all believers, and this happens largely in part because of the mistakes that we make. The truth of it all is that all of us make numerous mistakes; however, in the verses that we are studying today we find the three most common ones. Let’s continue now with our study to discover them.
Continuing with our study we read: “Walk prudently when you go to the house of God; and draw near to hear rather than to give the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they do evil.” In this first verse we find the mistake that many make: “the sacrifice of fools.” In this first verse we find a great warning about attending the church, so now we must ask ourselves: why do we attend the church? The answer to this question varies from person to person. I say this because people attend church for diverse reasons. Some attend church because they are going through difficult moments, and so they look for the solution to their problems in God. Some attend church because they want to fulfill a commitment with a person or relative. Some attend church because they are religious, that is to say, they think that because they come to church week after week they will be accepted by God. Some attend church because they are in charge of, or participate in some type of ministry or have a certain responsibility within the congregation. However, none of these things must be the reason for attending church, as all of this is nothing else than “the sacrifice of fools.” What is the sacrifice of fools?
The sacrifice of fools is to listen to God’s truth, but not to change. The sacrifice of fools is not taking seriously our relationship with God. The sacrifice of fools is not taking seriously what has been taught to us through His word. This is why I have repeated on numerous occasions that coming to church must never be because we are trying to fulfill an obligation. We must come to church because we genuinely wish to establish a fellowship with our brothers, and with Jesus Christ. We must come to church because we want to hear the Word of God, and most important of all, because we want to live according to the Word of God. We must come to church because we feel the need in our heart to praise and worship the God almighty. So tell the person sitting next to you: don’t offer the sacrifice of fools.
Continuing with our study we read: “Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.” The second error that many make is that they approach God incorrectly. I say this because quite frequently many of us come before the Father in prayer incorrectly. Quite frequently we come before God in prayer insisting on the material and/or physical things, thus ignoring the blessings that God has bestowed upon us. The Word here tells us: “…let not your heart utter anything hastily before God.” The reality of it all is that God knows what we need. This is something that is clearly stated by our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:7-8 when we read: “And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8“Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.” How should we approach God in prayer? In the verses that we are studying today we read: “…let your words be few.” But what does this mean?
This means that what we must look for at all times are not the material blessings, what we must seek after at all times are the spiritual blessings. Why do I say this? I say this because the blessings that really count are spiritual and celestial. Look carefully at what the Lord says about all of this in Matthew 6:33 when we read: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” The material things are not of great importance, the most important thing is our spiritual life. The most important thing to do is to seek the kingdom of God, in other words to look for the will of God in our life. Why? Because looking for the will of God in our life strengthens us; looking for the will of God in our life fortifies our spirit, and when our spirit is strong we can then rise and conquer any situation that can arise. It is as we find in Philippians 4:13 when we read: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Always remember what we also find here when we read: “For a dream comes through much activity, And a fool’s voice is known by his many words.” So tell the person sitting next to you: “Do not be rash with your mouth.”
Continuing with our study we read: “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to pay it; For He has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you have vowed.” The third error that we commonly make is that we displease or defraud God. Why so I say this? I say this because when we came to God, the first thing that we did was to make a vow. Without exception, when we came to God we took an oath. What was our vow? The essence of accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior is a vow to God; by accepting Jesus we vowed to God than from that moment on we would surrender to His will. When we accepted Christ as our Lord and Savior we promised God that we would completely change and that we would leave all wickedness behind.
Unfortunately, there are many do not fulfill their vow and continue leading a sinful life; needless to say this is something that God definitively despises. Something that I have said on numerous occasions is that God loves the sinner, but despises sin. And it is for this reason that in Leviticus 20:26 the Lord tells us: “And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from the peoples, that you should be Mine.” Tell the person sitting next to you: God does not dwell in sin.
God lives in holiness, and it is within this holiness that the Holy Spirit reveals to us our weaknesses and transgressions. I am talking about those things that perhaps we do without giving it much though or importance, but that are despised by God. I am talking about those things that we sometimes do because it is a custom, or simply because it is something that is fashionable. However, when we lead a life in holiness, the Holy Spirit gives us conviction of the things that what we have done or said that are displeasing to God. The Holy Spirit speaks to us and lets us know the will of God for our life. Look carefully at how this thought is very well reflected in Revelations 2:7 when we read: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.” But again I say, this is something that happens only when we lead a life in holiness. This is something that happens only when we lead a life seeking to be more like Jesus. Because if we are not doing this, then we are not keeping the vow that we made to God. So tell the person sitting next to you: keep your vow.
In conclusion; as we have seen, there are three common errors that many commit that can lead them astray from God’s path. The first error is not walking prudently to God, and offering Him “the sacrifice of fools.” In other words attending church out of religiosity or compromise. Attending church without wanting to change or have a genuine encounter with God, and not taking seriously what the Lord reveals to us through the messages that we hear and through His word. So if you truly wish to please God, then you have to not only listen, you also have to act in what you hear. We have to deepen our relationship with God and seek His truth and will for our life.
The second mistake that many make is that they draw near to God incorrectly. We draw near to God seeking the material or physical things instead of seeking that which is forever lasting, the spiritual blessings. We draw near God with covetous prayers; prayers that will never be heard by God.
The third error that many commit is not keeping the vow that they have made to God. The truth of it all is that all of us here began our walk with the Lord with very good intentions, just as Salomon did; however, through the walk of life we have allowed the pressures or the wicked desires to lead us astray from God’s presence. All of us started with very good intentions, but remember that with good intentions and two dollars we might be able to buy a decent cup of coffee, but most definite, good intentions without repentance will serve us nothing.
Now examine your life very closely and ask yourself: do I offer unto God my heart, or am I offering the sacrifice of fools?
[1] http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/23/china-takes-aim-dollar-urges-new-global-currency/
