Following Through

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2
1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2 “Meaningless! Meaningless!”
    says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
    Everything is meaningless.”

The word “meaningless” is really better translated: “Vapor” or “Mist.” So, this world we’re in is important, but it’s a Vapor - a cloud that will disappear as quickly as it came.

Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. A dream comes when there are many cares, and many words mark the speech of a fool. When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.  It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.  Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

Think Before You Speak 

My word is my bond… until it’s not

1. This is ultimately rooted in our own selfish desires
2. Scripture is very clear about how we should value what we say. In fact, Jesus spent time discussing this during the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:33-37

• Consider how often we see promises no longer made, or even worse, promises thrown out that we NEVER had an intention of making
• We as a society no longer feel the value or importance of honoring our commitments

Matthew 5:33-37

"Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King. And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No'; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

1. Jesus is not leaving any room for negotiation, if you make a promise (or vow) you need to follow through with what the promise was.
• In fact, Jesus quotes Ecclesiastes when it says it’s better to not say anything than to break the oath that you make. (v. 34)
• We as believers should be so firm in upholding what we say that when we say yes or no, we don’t need to add “proof” to it.

Make a Commitment? See It Through To The End...

When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.  It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

We struggle with commitments in this country, but ESPECIALLY so here in Indy.

1. Let’s be honest, this is rooted in FOMO
   • In our desire to not miss out on something, we end up letting incredible things go by!
   • How many times have you looked at a challenging task and thought, “Not my problem.” or been halfway through a difficult task and you quit because, “I don’t want to”
2. The primary problem here is that we are once again, putting our own selfish needs first.
• It’s hard to get a commitment for virtually anything!
• We also give up, way to easy. 
• The Apostle Paul earned his finish

2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NLT)

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

1. Consider what he went through to say that he has run the race and remained faithful
• 3 times shipwrecked
• Stoned
• Received a 39 lash flogging 5 times
• 3 times beaten with rods
• Prisoned on numerous occasions
• ALL THIS… While taking the Gospel to areas it has never been before
2. When would you have quit? What has God called you to that you have have quit with not nearly this much affliction?
   • Faithful with little
   1. I have heard many times people say that they want a specific role in a church, or a new job, or change in a relationship
   2.  Jesus spoke about this in the parable of the shrewd manager

Luke 16:10-12

"If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven? And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?

1. We find ourselves repeatedly requesting more and more, and the Father is watching and waiting for us to be faithful to what He has already called. 
• Similarly, we cannot have a task that God has called us to remain unfinished, and in turn ask for more work or something else to do. 
• If God has or called you to do something, and you don’t finish, you are taking someone else away from what God called them to do to pick up your slack.

Keep Your Temper in Check

Do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And do not protest to the temple messenger, “My vow was a mistake.” Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Therefore fear God.

1. As we complete the work that God calls us to do, we CANNOT resort to grumbling, anger, or frustration for the work that God calls us to. 
• The attitude behind the work is equally, if not MORE important than the completion of the job

Philippians 2:14-15a

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you.

You also cannot get anger or complain about circumstances and say that it’s ok because it is “righteous anger”. The only instances in Scripture this is talked about is directly in reference to God the Father or Jesus. You don’t get to decide if your anger or frustration is “righteous,” God does. No different than not being able to save yourself from your sin, you cannot determine if your anger is righteous. See James 1, when it says in verse 20 that “human anger does not produce righteousness.”

1 Corinthians 10:31

 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

1. Every work that God calls you to is of significant importance
   • Why?
     1. Work as an outpouring of your love for Christ. 
   • Because the Creator of the Universe asked you to do it! 
     1. When God asks you to fulfill a task, it is providing you an opportunity to express thanks and appreciation back to God.
     2. In doing what He asks of you, you are also living out the Gospel to the community of people that God has placed among you.

Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

1. The people around you are watching. They are seeing when you serve in frustration and when you serve with a grateful heart, this is one of the greatest testimonies you will ever have.