Living the Word
Vanity
VS
Endurance
Faith in Action
Just a Vapor
“You appear for a little while and then VANISH away.”
James 4:14
Chasing Fog
Running fast.
Getting tired.
Going NOWHERE.
The Question
If life ends in one breath…
What was the point?
The Truth
Without God: EMPTY
With God: ETERNAL
Point 1
Life Without God
The Empty Cycle
The Verdict
“Vanity of vanities… All is VANITY.”
Ecclesiastes 1:2
Hebel
Hebrew Word Study
MIST
Breath. Vapor. Gone.
Under The Sun
“What advantage does man have in all his work?”
Ecclesiastes 1:3
The Trap
Life with NO GOD.
A closed loop.
Generations come and go.
The Struggle
“There was NO PROFIT under the sun.”
Ecclesiastes 2:11
The Reality
Success does not survive the grave.
Point 2
God’s Purpose
Turning Pain into Power
The Shift
“Consider it all JOY when you encounter various trials…”
James 1:2
Not Random
Stop asking “Why me?”
Ask “What is God BUILDING?”
The Process
“The testing of your faith produces ENDURANCE.”
James 1:3
Dokimion
Testing
Like gold in fire.
Burns away the FAKE.
Proves the REAL.
Hypomone
Endurance
Not passive waiting.
Active STANDING.
Holding up the weight.
The Result
“Perfect and COMPLETE, lacking in nothing.”
James 1:4
Wholeness
The world leaves us broken.
Trials make us WHOLE.
Point 3
The Answer
Obedience over Emptiness
The Conclusion
“Fear God and keep His commandments.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13
Fear God
RESPECT
It cures emptiness.
Obedience
Build on Rock.
Stop CHASING.
Start HOLDING ON.
Judgment
Life is not random.
Every choice matters.
JUSTICE is coming.
The Choice
The Treadmill of VANITY?
The Path of ENDURANCE?
Invitation
Break The Cycle
God’s Plan
1. HEAR
2. BELIEVE
3. REPENT
God’s Plan
4. CONFESS
5. BAPTISM
6. LIVE
Living the Word
Faith in Action
Waupaca Church of Christ