Saturday 12 October 2013

Saturday 12 October 2013

Read: Ecclesiastes 4:13-16, Luke 9:18-27 What is real success? Our world has many, many different definitions and theories about what real success looks like. Is it being incredibly wealthy? Being able to retire young? Many relationships with attractive members of the opposite sex? Great power? Tremendous fame and adoration?
Throughout Ecclesiastes Solomon deals with each of these myths about success. In this passage however he tells a simple story about the last two items on our list, the myths of power and fame.
The story goes something like this: A young man from a humble background succeeds an old king and becomes the king. This young king is greatly regarded by his subjects. Solomon says that "all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth. There was no end to all the people who were before them." According to these two ideas about success this youth had arrived. He had incredible fame, he was adored by all the people and he had absolute power as king over the whole nation. Added to this he would have had all the wealth and relationships that come with such a role. Surely this man is successful.
But the story does not end here. Instead Solomon ends his story with a sour note: "But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
Despite all that he had accomplished, despite all the fame he had achieved and power that he had amassed all of these things passed in time. The people that once adored him grew cold and antagonistic, his fame grew sour and the power that he once enjoyed waned. What we would define as success proved to be fleeting and without lasting value. Fame and power can never truly satisfy...
Jesus talked about the fleeting nature of this kind of success in Luke 9:25, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?"
Jesus point is clear. True and lasting meaning cannot possibly be found in our fame and power, even if we gain the whole world. Where is true meaning found? Have a look at verse 24, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it"
True and lasting value and meaning can only be found in a life given for the service of Jesus Christ.
Meditate on these words of CT Studd who gave up fame and wealth as a professional cricketer in England to live and eventually die in service of God on the mission fields of China, India: "Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last."
Prayer: Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.
Adoration:
Confession:
Thanks:
Supplication:

• Praise God that He is the one who gives and sustains our lives. Praise Him that He has redeemed us to himself through the blood of Christ. Pray that He would grow in your heart a desire to serve Him in all you do and that you might seek Him and His kingdom above all else.
• Pray for the gathering of believers all over the world tomorrow. Pray that believers all around the world would be encouraged and strengthened in their faith. Pray that The word would be faithfully and boldly preached and that many hearts and lives would be changed.

My Additional Prayer Points

1. 
   
2. 
   

Discussion Questions for families and groups

1. Often we can get taken in by the allure of fame, fortune and power and seek after these things instead of giving ourselves for the sake of Christ. How can you individually protect yourself from seeking after these things?
2. As a group how can you encourage one another to seek after Christ above all else and avoid the allure of fame and power?