First Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant, Michigan

Devotional: Ecclesiastes 2:1-17

Today’s passage: Ecclesiastes 2:1-17

Helpful thoughts:

  • Solomon pursued pleasure in alcohol, foolishness, properties, building wealth, artistry, entertainment, sex and more.  He took for himself whatever he wanted, and did more than we could ever accomplish.  None of it satisfied him.
  • Solomon pursued his wisdom, and though it was better than chasing folly, it still didn’t satisfy and he knew death was coming either way.
  • The result of Solomon’s “experiment”…He hated life.  Solomon was complaining.
  • Remember, the Bible is honest.  Solomon is revealing his heart.  He was in sin and was dissatisfied.

Questions to consider:

  1. What is consistent of Solomon’s pursuit of folly and his pursuit of wisdom?  Who was he doing it for?  What was his goal in either pursuit? (Compare Solomon’s motivations in 1 Kings 3:6-9 with today’s passage.)
  2. In our pursuit of folly, what is it that we actually want?  What motivates us?  What are we hoping to get/gain?
  3. in our pursuit of wisdom, what is it that we actually want? What motivates us? What are we hoping to get/gain? (As Solomon expressed, there is a wrong way to pursue wisdom.)
  4. What motivation will result in joy and contentment?

Devotional: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

Today’s passage: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

Helpful thoughts:

  • The Preacher gave his heart (His inner man) to experience and consider all that is done on this earth.
  • Whenever the word vanity is used, the Hebrew word could also be translated as a “vapor” or “mere breath”. (James 4:14)
  • When the Preacher says, “To know wisdom and to know madness and folly”, the knowledge goes beyond reading or study.  Solomon sought to experience all wisdom, madness and folly.  He participated in madness and folly.  He found earthly gain in none of these things, from wisdom to folly.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why is the business of this earth that we have been given “unhappy”?  What made it that way in the first place?
  2. Why can’t man stop the Curse on this earth?
  3. In what arena does wisdom and knowledge only result in vexation and sorrow? (Hint: Verse 13)

Devotional: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Helpful resources:

As we read through the book of Ecclesiastes together, I will also be reading this book;

Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End by David Gibson.

Today’s passage: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Helpful thoughts:

  • Solomon is the “Preacher” and author of this book.
  • These first eleven verses serve as an introductory summary to the theme of the book.
    • There is nothing for man to gain (Take final and full possession of, or control over) on this earth.
    • Life is not a possession to be gained, but a gift to be enjoyed.
  • Our life will come and go, time will continue on, mankind will always want “more”, and history will repeat itself without anyone even realizing it.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why is it so important for us to remember that we will never “conquer” life under the sun?  What does the acknowledgement of our inability to truly be in control do for our perspective as it relates to God, eternity, and this life?
  2. What perspective has the Preacher not yet brought into his preaching?  Where is God?  How does this omission help us to discern the arena within which vanity persists?
  3. How is it true that there is never anything “new”?  In what way(s) is the technology of our day and mankind’s interaction with it, “Been already in the ages before us?”

Devotional: Matthew 28:16-20

Today’s passage: Matthew 28:16-20

Helpful thoughts:

  • The disciples either worshiped Jesus upon seeing Him…or still doubted.  All believed afterward.
  • Jesus has all authority.  He is God the Son.  He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
  • The last time the disciples were commissioned to go, it was to the House of Israel (Matthew 10:5-6).  Now they (and we) are to go to the world.
  • A disciple is a follower.  Making disciples is results in seeing people become genuine followers of Jesus Christ.
  • Baptism in the “Name” means we are identifying with God.  Baptism is a public testimony, a profession of faith.
  • The Lord of all authority is with us as we go.
  • Evangelism is something we do because we love Jesus and it naturally comes out of us when we talk with others. And, evangelism is something we plan to do, in specific places with specific people.  We share as we go and we go to share.

Questions to consider:

  1. How does the Great Commission help us to see evangelism biblically?  What should be the fruit we are seeing when someone believes?
  2. From where does Jesus encourage the disciples to get their confidence and courage for the task?  Why can we share the Gospel and point people to Christ with complete confidence?
  3. Who could you go to today/this week/etc. with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

Devotional: Matthew 28:11-15

Today’s passage: Matthew 28:11-15

Helpful thoughts:

  • The soldiers were risking much in exchange for the money.  They could have been executed for their failure to guard the tomb.
  • The chief priests and elders heard the report, came up with a lie and paid soldiers (Probably a great deal of money) to spread it.  They didn’t even try to refute the truth!
  • Even though the chief priests and elders knew that Jesus was no longer in the tomb and that a miracle had happened, they refused to believe. (2 Corinthians 4:4)

Questions to consider:

  1. Can you think of some reasons that the story of the disciples stealing Jesus’ body would be ridiculous?  Was it just the chief priests and elders who refused to believe?
  2. Why didn’t these Jewish leaders believe?  What was their mission?
  3. How should their rejection of the obvious encourage us to share the Gospel with the lost?  Who has to be on our side for our witness to be effective?

Devotional: Matthew 28:1-10

Today’s passage: Matthew 28:1-10

Helpful thoughts:

  • The Roman soldiers were not sleeping on the job.  They saw the angel and passed out!  If they failed to protect the grave, their lives could be on the line, and they were no match for this angel.
  • The stone was rolled away so that the women (and the disciples) could go in and see that Jesus’ body was gone.  Jesus was already gone.  The stone could not hold Him.
  • The ladies were told to go and see, and then told to go and tell.  Jesus allows them to see Him first!  Then instructs them to go and tell.
  • For information on the importance of the resurrection, read 1 Corinthians 15!
    • If Jesus was still dead, He is:
      • A false prophet
      • A liar or a lunatic
      • Powerless
      • NOT our Savior and Lord.
    • If Jesus was still dead, we are:
      • Not saved
      • Still looking for a messiah
  • Jesus is alive!

Questions to consider:

  1. What emotions did the women go through as they saw and processed all they were seeing and hearing?  Which emotion ended up ruling them all?
  2. What response did they give when they saw Jesus?
  3. Why is the resurrection so important?  Why must a person believe it to be saved?
  4. Since Jesus is risen from the dead, and because you (If you are in Christ) will be raised together with Him, what is the worst mankind can do to you?  What do we all have to look forward to?  What will we do when we see Him?  How long is eternity?
  5. How does knowing of the resurrection and what is to come change the way we view today?  In light of all that is to come, how should we live today?

Devotional: Matthew 27:57-66

Today’s passage: Matthew 27:57-66

Helpful thoughts:

  • A rich man became a disciple…because with God, anything is possible.  (Matthew 19:23-26)
  • Jesus burial in Joseph’s tomb fulfilled prophecy (Isaiah 53:9).
  • The account of Joseph’s work for burial and the two Marys being present gives validation/eye witness account of the death of Jesus Christ.  He did not swoon. He did not resuscitate.  He was dead.
  • The Jewish leaders knew of the prospect of the resurrection, or at least the attempt at an appearance of resurrection (Matthew 12:38-40). So, they were given permission to take away any possibility of interference.  Jesus’ body was well guarded and sealed by Rome.
  • The Jewish leaders were also well aware of the possible ramification if a resurrection story got out.  People would believe.

Questions to consider:

  1. Why is it important for Matthew to have shared all of this information?  Why would he name names and mention eyewitnesses?  Why would he share about the added security and the motives of the chief priests and Pharisees?
  2. Is it OK for people to call the Bible “religious material” and therefore not acceptable for historical proof?  Why or why not?  Should we always eliminate sources of historical events because the writers actually believe the events they recorded happened?
  3. How should all of this information and the efforts of the unbelievers to prevent a hoax encourage our faith?  How should the eye witness accounts throughout the writers of the NT encourage our faith?

Devotional: Matthew 27:45-56

Today’s passage: Matthew 27:45-56

Helpful thoughts:

  • There is no mention of Jesus crying out or wailing in pain until this passage.  The greatest pain Jesus suffered that day was God’s wrath against our sin.
  • In the midst of all the mockery, the people watching acknowledged that Jesus had done miracles and believed there was a chance Elijah could come and get Him.
  • The veil in front of the Holy of Holies in the Temple was at least 60 feet tall and 30 feet wide.  It is said to have been 4 inches thick.  It took many men to get it hung in its place.  For it to rip from top to bottom was a miracle.  Mankind no longer is separated from God.
  • 1 Corinthians 15:20 says Christ was the first fruits of the resurrection.  And after His resurrection, others were raised as well and made appearances in Jerusalem.  It wasn’t just Jesus who was raised from the dead that week.

Questions to consider:

  1. After seeing all that had transpired, what did the Roman Centurion and his soldiers come to believe?
  2. Why do we no longer need the Holy of Holies and the Temple?  What did Christ accomplish once and for all?
  3. Have you put your faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ? Have you believed in His name? Is the Son of God your Lord and Savior?

Devotional: Matthew 27:27-44

Today’s passage: Matthew 27:27-44

Helpful thoughts:

  • Jesus was mocked by an unjust set of trials.  Now He is mocked by the Roman soldiers, passers by, the chief priests, scribes and elders, even as He hangs on the cross.
  • In their efforts to mock Jesus, they fulfilled scripture. (Psalm 22)
  • For information regarding the details of the crucifixion process (and other events leading up to the crucifixion), check out this article.
  • Gall was given to numb the pain and settle the person down for the crucifixion process.  Jesus refused it.

Questions to consider:

  1. Do you think these mockers would have believed if Jesus had taken Himself off of the cross?  Even if they believed, what would have been their fate if Jesus refused to die?
  2. Since we know that one of the robbers being crucified next to Jesus was promised to be with Jesus in paradise, what had to have happened between the beginning of the crucifixion and prior to their death?
  3. Why do we sometimes take the love of God for granted?  What does preaching the Gospel to ourselves (including the cost!) do to help us keep our eyes and hearts fixed on Him?

Devotional: Matthew 27:11-26

Today’s passage: Matthew 27:11-26

Helpful thoughts:

  • The crime which the Sanhedrin accused Jesus of before Pilate was treason.  They accused Jesus of trying to be King of the Jews.
    • Remember, the crime they wanted to see him pay for was blasphemy; Calling Himself the Son of God.
    • Pilate’s response to Jesus shows that he had little concern over Jesus’ attempt at a revolution.  If Pilate viewed Jesus as a threat, he would not have offered to let Him go free.
  • Pilate attempted to release Jesus.
    • He never declared Him guilty.
    • He tried to offer Barabbas as the other option for release thinking that Jesus would have been the easy choice.
    • He even symbolically washed his hands after the decision was made in an attempt to show that he was not responsible.
  • Ultimately, (In his mind) Pilate went forward with the crucifixion in order to prevent the Jews from breaking out into a riot.

Questions to consider:

  1. How did Jesus handle Himself in the midst of these events and the questioning?
  2. Who suggested crucifixion?
  3. What was the response of the Jewish people when Pilate asked for a specific crime worthy of crucifixion?
  4. Did the Jewish people try to avoid the charge of being responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion?  What did they say?
  5. Why shouldn’t we be judgmental toward the Jews for this?  What would you have done?  What did Peter and the rest of the disciples do?