What is life? This was what the philosopher considered in Ecclesiastes. He lamented that everything he did, everything he worked for and earnt would be nothing to him when he died. Like building sandcastles on the beach – you may build the most beautiful and ornate sandcastle, but when the tide comes in, it is gone as though it never existed. He had realised that without God in the picture, everything he did would eventually perish.
\nLike the philosopher, the apostle Paul also knew that without God, life is meaningless and transient. Ultimately, both Paul and the philosopher came to the same conclusion – a meaningful and everlasting life can be found only through faith in Christ, that through faith we might work for the glory of God.<\/p>\n
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This evening’s sermon on Matthew 2:1-12 was the third time in a month! Maybe God is trying to tell me something? Anyway, I shall quote a hymn which seems to sum it up.<\/p>\n
As with gladness, men of old
\nDid the guiding star behold
\nAs with joy they hailed its light
\nLeading onward, beaming bright
\nSo, most glorious Lord, may we
\nEvermore be led to Thee.<\/p>\nAs with joyful steps they sped
\nTo that lowly manger bed
\nThere to bend the knee before
\nHim Whom Heaven and earth adore;
\nSo may we with willing feet
\nEver seek Thy mercy seat.<\/p>\nAs they offered gifts most rare
\nAt that manger rude and bare;
\nSo may we with holy joy,
\nPure and free from sin\u2019s alloy,
\nAll our costliest treasures bring,
\nChrist, to Thee, our heavenly King.<\/p>\nHoly Jesus, every day
\nKeep us in the narrow way;
\nAnd, when earthly things are past,
\nBring our ransomed souls at last
\nWhere they need no star to guide,
\nWhere no clouds Thy glory hide.<\/p>\nIn the heavenly country bright,
\nNeed they no created light;
\nThou its Light, its Joy, its Crown,
\nThou its Sun which goes not down;
\nThere forever may we sing
\nAlleluias to our King!
\nWill\u00adiam C. Dix<\/cite>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
What is life? This was what the philosopher considered in Ecclesiastes. He lamented that everything he did, everything he worked for and earnt would be nothing to him when he died. Like building sandcastles on the beach – you may build the most beautiful and ornate sandcastle, but when the tide comes in, it is… <\/p>\n