Power

Passage

Ecclesiastes 4:1 - 5:9

‍Sermon Summary

Lord Acton famously said that "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." The Preacher laments this reality but exposes the universal root underneath it: envy. And instead of surrendering to this reality, he challenges us to use our own power to resist it by building community. Ultimately this impossible without rightly relating to the power of God, whom the Preacher calls us to fear. His challenge is right but incomplete: Only through the cross of Jesus can we humbly submit to God's rule while boldly taking hold of his free grace with both hands. In Christ, "fearing" God means releasing the impulse to control while using the power he gives us to bless others.

Discussion Questions (choose any—you don't have to answer them all!)

1. [Optional starter question] What stood out or stuck with you from the sermon?
2. Where do you see injustice in the world, and how does it affect you?
3. Where do you see envy ("being bitter when others have it better") operating in your own heart?
4. What are some practical ways you can use your power to work against injustice and build community?
5. Consider the likelihood that your best efforts may work for awhile and eventually be forgotten. How do you feel about that?
6. Why is it important to approach God with both "fear" and delight? What happens when we only do one or the other?

Prayer Prompts

• Lord, I lament the way ___________ are oppressed.
• Thank you, Father, for giving me power to build community by __________
• Forgive me, Jesus, for my __________ (envy, apathy or outrage) in the face of injustice.
• Help me, Holy Spirit, to use my power to__________

Resources Consulted

• Africa Bible Commentary, ed. Tokunboh Adeyemo
• Everything is Never Enough, Bobby Jamieson
• A Table in the Mist, Jeffrey Meyers
• Rcovering Eden: The Gospel According to Ecclesiastes, Zack Eswine
• NICOT Commentary on Ecclesiastes, Tremper Longman
• Reason for Being, Jacques Ellul
• A Time to Tear Down & a Time to Build Up, Michael V. Fox
• The Message of Ecclesiastes, Derek Kidner
• Ecclesiastes for Everyone, John Goldingay
• NIV Application Commentary on Proverbs, Ecclesiastes & Song of Songs, Ian Provan
• Living Life Backward, David Gibson
• The Wisdom Books translation and commentary, Robert Alter
• The Bible Project videos on Ecclesiastes

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