Compliance with Government Authority

Rev James Maciver continues his study on The Search for the Meaning of Life in Ecclesiastes looking at 'Compliance with Government Authority' from Ecclesiastes 8:1-9, in this service of worship streamed live from home.

Order of Service:
WELCOME
PRAISE: Psalm 71 v 1-8 (Sing Psalms, page 90)
SCRIPTURE READING 1: Romans 13 v 1-7
PRAYER
CHILDREN'S ADDRESS: The “I Am” sayings of Jesus (3) – “I am the Door” (John 10 v 7-9)
THE LORD'S PRAYER
SCRIPTURE READING 2:Ecclesiastes 8 v 1-9
SERMON: Study 14, Ecclesiastes – Compliance with Government Authority, Ecclesiastes 8 v 1-9
PRAISE: Psalm 37 v 29-34 (Scottish Psalter, page 255)
BENEDICTION

Ecclesiastes 8:1–9

Keep the King’s Command

[1] Who is like the wise?
And who knows the interpretation of a thing?
A man’s wisdom makes his face shine,
and the hardness of his face is changed.

[2] I say: Keep the king’s command, because of God’s oath to him. [3] Be not hasty to go from his presence. Do not take your stand in an evil cause, for he does whatever he pleases. [4] For the word of the king is supreme, and who may say to him, “What are you doing?” [5] Whoever keeps a command will know no evil thing, and the wise heart will know the proper time and the just way. [6] For there is a time and a way for everything, although man’s trouble lies heavy on him. [7] For he does not know what is to be, for who can tell him how it will be? [8] No man has power to retain the spirit, or power over the day of death. There is no discharge from war, nor will wickedness deliver those who are given to it. [9] All this I observed while applying my heart to all that is done under the sun, when man had power over man to his hurt. (ESV)