Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
God’s Word describes that God of the Bible is God of order.
The world we live in has an order set by God from eternity – God designed it – HE created it – HE set an order till HE uncreates the world.
Along with the order HE also set seasons for the physical world as well as the spiritual world.
The writer of this book Ecclesiastes, King Solomon expressed a great philosophy of life on earth.
The first verse expresses his thought process.
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
In the world we live in we have to recognize that there is an appropriate time for everything in our life’s journey – Solomon calls them seasons – Seasons of life experiences and expectations
We all know that a season is a period of time. 
The writer says for every activity under the sun there is an appointed moment and a season.
Whatever God has purposed for our lives is going to come to pass. 
So life consists of seasons and seasons consist of particular moments in time. 
We are all created by a God who set the seasons based upon the rotation of the earth at it orbits the ‘sun’.
As the earth rotates seasons change, like sun rise and sun set where sun remains constant.
So also in our spiritual life, our Christian lives rotate around ‘THE SON’ Lord Jesus Christ.
Our lives keep changing as we enter and exit many seasons in life.
The Son remains constant and HE never changes.
Verses 2-8 we see Solomon uses 14 sets of opposites as a means of covering everything in between.
These 14 opposites cover every human life and story – it’s absolutely brilliant the way Solomon puts it.
If we deeply look at these verses they tell my life story and your life story
Solomon names them seasons in everyone’s life – what we go through in our life falls under these verses expressed so beautifully.
No one escapes these phases or seasons in life.
Youth is the time to build physically, educationally and mentally.
Sunset years is the time to fall apart – In old age one should not fight it as it is appropriates at that age – it is in God’s perfect design to fall apart in sunset years.
King Solomon says that no one is going to escape the hurts and sorrows of life.
God orchestrated them in everyone’s life and HE chose and design that way.
 In a fallen world it is right that there will be times of hurt, of sorrow and weeping.
There are values and standards we must never surrender.
Other times we need to throw away things -- clean out the closets, clutters in the garage, throw away the things we don’t need any more. 
There’s a time to accumulate and a time to liquidate. 
There are habits and attitudes - resentments need to be thrown away – Longstanding hurts and grudges need to be forgiven and forgotten.
In verse 11 King Solomon says that God set eternity in every human heart by default and design.
God has given us a curiosity about our tomorrows not sure what may come upon us.
God never gave us every detail of what our tomorrows will be like.
As Christians we know that God is going to bring out something beautiful out of the brokenness of our lives.
C.S. Lewis said, "Our Heavenly Father has provided many delightful inns for us along our journey, but HE takes great care to see that we do not mistake any of them for home."
12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 
13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil--this is the gift of God. 
14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear HIM.
15 Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account.

Luke 8:4-15
This familiar parable is called the parable of the sower but we can call it the parable of the soils because the soil represents the heart of a person.
In 10th Lord says, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘Though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’
Many people were following the Lord during HIS earthly ministry
He knew very well that people had different motives to follow HIM some to hear, some to get healed, for some to have fun, and some to ridicule HIM
He knew very well that many people did not really hear HIM or pay any attention to what HE was saying.
That is why HE chose to tell the parable to make HIS point
He told this parable to encourage the disciples in their future ministry that they should not get discouraged by hearers response..
I. THE HARD HEART (V-5)
The heart of that person was trampled by the world system, values and thinking.
Such people continuously reject the Gospel.
The feet of world view walked on their heart for centuries making that heart hard and they became Gospel hardened.
Lord’s explanation comes in verse 12.
“Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.”
II. THE SHALLOW HEART (V-6)
These are emotional and impulsive who respond to the gospel message quickly and lose the essence.
Spur of the moment emotional decisions quickly fade away because of lack of commitment.
Sun is good for the plants with deeper roots but no good for shallow roots
They profess belief in Christ, and make a profession of faith before the world.
Lord’s explanation comes in verse 13.
13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 
III. THE CARNAL HEART (V-7)
Many people are attracted to Lord Jesus but are unwilling to pay the cost of following HIM.
The worries of the world burdened them and deprive them of spiritual growth.
The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature.
That person lives a double life trying to live for Christ while living for the world.
Lord’s explanation comes in verse 14.
14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 
IV. FAITHFUL HEART (V-8)
The willing heart responds to the good news and hears the Word willingly
They respond to it in true commitment and faith and produce spiritual fruits.
Lord’s explanation comes in verse 15.
15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
The hard heart will not bear any fruit because it rejected the word.
The shallow heart will not bear any fruit because it has no spiritual depth to sustain.
The carnal heart will not bear fruit because it is choked by worldly desires.
The faithful heart is the only one bears much fruit 30, 60 and 100 folds.

Mathew 22:1-14
Lord Jesus speaks in a parable to explain the coming Kingdom of God.
The Lord used many parables to explain many spiritual truths during HIS earthly ministry.
Lord Jesus basically was addressing the Jews who were still rejecting HIM as Messiah.
He warns them of the impending danger if they continue to reject HIM. 
He is also telling them of His intention to include non-Jewish people into HIS kingdom. 
The Lord intends to fill His kingdom with redeemed people only.
THE REFUSAL (3-6)
Those who were invited rejected the invitation because of their disinterest and unwillingness to attend.
It is observable to see that the king was telling them the details of the banquet.
They gave silly reasons to escape the invitation - one to his business – one to his field.
The wedding invitation had no impact upon them at all.
Business is as usual for them
Even they mistreated the servants of the king and killed some of them.
We see today many people all around the world are rejecting the Gospel of our Lord Jesus.
Whenever they heard the message of salvation they reject it – continue to reject it
They are so busy in their lives that they have no time for God and His word.
They have all the time for this perishable physical body but not for the soul that lives forever.
Psalms 14:1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.
THE RE-OPEN INVITATION (7-10)
The servants went to gather anyone they find on the streets.
They invited the rich and the poor, the wise and the fool, old and young and low class and the high class.
King just wanted them to come to the wedding celebration.
Lord Jesus teaching the Jews that because of their rejection, HE is opening the invitation to the Gentile nations.
We are the recipients of that invitation that was opened to gentiles from the 1st century.
This is the plan of salvation through Lord Jesus Christ.
THE REQUIREMENT (11)
The King not only prepared the feast, but He supplied a special garment for the guests. 
This was normally a long white robe.
The guest need to request it from the incharge of the feast and it would be given to him. 
To show up without it was worthy of punishment and was inexcusable.
The king provides the dress no matter who we are.
Though the invitation is free and open to everyone, only one condition is the dress code.
One has to wear that dress that HE alone gives in order to attend the wedding banquet.
When the Lord designed His plan of Salvation, He prepared a way that was open to all people, from all walks of life.
The proper attire is the robe of righteousness, which we can only receive from Lord Jesus.
The day a person accepts the invitation of Lord Jesus and HIS salvation, that person receives a robe of righteousness. 
That is, their sins are forever forgiven and they are justified by faith. 
The wedding garment is given to every believer at the instant of conversion and it is worn by every believer all the time.
God puts 3 conditions to receive the robe:
1. Only by faith we receive it – not by good works
2. It is free of cost – free gift
3. It fits all sizes – all people.
Now one person did not find the occasion important and did not get the robe.
So he blatantly insulted the wedding party and the King. 
The man in the parable was cast out into outer darkness. 
This is a clear picture of Hell
All without salvation are thrown out into darkness of hell forever.
V-14 "For many are invited, but few are chosen."
We are chosen few who accepted the Lord as our Savior and washed our sins in HIS blood.
Today everyone has a chance to accept or reject the invitation of God to enter His coming kingdom.
We have to accept Jesus as our Savior and repent and seek forgiveness for our sins by faith.

1 Cor 11:23-32
The Lord's Supper began by Lord Jesus Himself on the eve of His crucifixion.
There are 4 basic views of the Lord's Supper in Christianity.
1. Transubstantiation 
The bread and wine literally change into the body and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the Roman Catholic view and tradition which is non-biblical.
2. Consubstantiation 
The bread and wine actually contain the body and blood of Jesus, but do not literally change the contents or the elements.
This is the Lutheran tradition and it is also not supported by the Bible
3. Reformed Tradition
Christ is spiritually present in the elements.
This is the Presbyterian and Reformed Church view and it is not entirely biblical.
4. Memorial 
This view teaches that Lord Jesus is present neither physically nor spiritually in the elements.
The Lord's Supper stands as a symbolic reminder of Lord Jesus death and resurrection.
This is the most commonly adopted meaning of the Holy Communion.
This view represents the truth of what the Bible teaches about the Lord's Supper.
When we say memorial we are affirming three aspects of LORD’S SUPPER.
We are remembering Lord Jesus Christ’s death on the cross
We are declaring the risen Lord Jesus Christ
We are rejoicing that Lord Jesus Christ is coming back for us soon
I. TO REMEMBER "in remembrance of Me" (23-25)
Lord Jesus used the bread and the cup to represent forth coming sacrificial death.
On the cross His body and blood would be offered as a sacrifice to human sin.
First we have to see the whole humanity as sinners who are in need of salvation.
The salvation is provided in the atoning sacrifice of the LORD JESUS on the Cross.
There is no other way provided by God for the human soul to be forgiven of sin.
Second we are to see ourselves as forgiven sinners because we accept that full payment for our sins.
We are simply affirming the divine deliverance through Lord Jesus.
Jesus our LORD instructs that in observing this Lord’s Supper we are remembering what He has done for us through His body and blood.
Through this participation we once again acknowledging before God that we are cleansed from our sins.
II. TO DECLARE EVERYONE ABOUT HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS (26)
The supper is more than just a ritual but to remember the new covenant between God and Human made possible through Our LORD JESUS.
We also declare to the unbeliever/non-Christian the only way of salvation through HIS cross.
We tell the world that HIS death unfolds the plan of eternity.
We tell the world that our LORD conquered death and HE is alive.
We tell the world that the LORD JESUS is coming back to take us home to heaven.
3. TO RE-EXAMINE OUR SPIRITUAL WALK BEFORE GOD (27-29)
Lord’s Supper is the time to re-examine our spiritual condition.
That is to look into ourselves what we are in HIS presence.
An opportunity to re-examine our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ right now.
We examine ourselves looking into our personal faith journey.
We examine our hearts for any un-confessed sin that is making us unworthy recipients of the bread and juice that represent His sacrifice on the Cross.
We need to confess and seek God's forgiveness before we partake in the Lord's Supper.
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Let me caution you that Holy Communion does not save a person from Sin.
Lord’s Table does not entitle us to go to Heaven.
We remember and personalize HIS sacrifice for us
We declare to everyone about HIS death as a sacrifice for sins
We re-examine our spiritual condition before our Lord Jesus Christ.
We proclaim to the world HIS return to take us to heaven

Philippians 1:1-11
Apostle Paul writes this epistle from his prison cell in Rome.
Paul was very appreciative of the Philippians church for all the help they had extended to him.
Philippians church brought special joy to Paul for their partnership in his ministry.
Even in prison, Paul has very fond memories of the church and its people.
Paul always thanks the Lord for this church.
6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
What is the Nature of that good work?
What Paul is talking about is God has begun a good work in every one of those people who accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
A Christian is someone in whom God has done a work that changed his/her life radically.
Bible refers to this change as being raised from the dead, or being transformed into a new creation. 
II Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; the old has gone, the new has come!" 
Becoming a Christian is the deepest and most wonderful change that a person can ever know. 
It is not a superficial and temporary change but a powerful work of God in the very center of our being that makes it a permanent change. 
The Prophet Ezekiel describes it beautifully
Ezekiel 36:25-27: 
"I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws…"
Somebody says that God performs a spiritual heart transplant. 
God removes our hard old heart and gives us a new heart that loves Him and follows His ways.
Sometimes the fires of disappointment, heartaches, and trials are all part of God’s continuing HIS good work in us.
What is the purpose of that good work?
We are being prepared for the Day of Lord Jesus Christ. 
What is the Day of Christ Jesus? 
The day of the Lord is when HE comes for the believer what we know as rapture.
We have to remember that all that what we go through the experiences in life are all according to God’s design.
God permits everything that happens in our life.
He is shaping us and preparing us for the glorious future HE has in mind for us in eternity.
By the grace of God we are being prepared to meet our Lord Jesus Christ one day. 
Apostle Paul’s confidence is based on the character of God Himself. 
God never starts a work and leaves it unfinished.
That would be a contradiction of His character. 
Everything rests upon the very fact that God would never have started the work in me or in you if HE had not decided to finish it. 
The character of God guarantees the completion of the work.
Secondly we have to remember that God is working In us till our death.
It is the Holy Spirit living in us, living with us, changing us, molding us, and using us for His good pleasure.
We are indeed a work project in progress that God has started and still working.
God will not abandon the work but carries to completion when Christ comes back or our death.
Ruth Graham’s gravestone says “End of construction, Thank you for your patience”
As we step into 2014, we have to remember that we are God’s handiwork and HE has not finished yet.
We may have to face many challenges, situations, heartaches, temptations, and caught up at cross roads of life.
Remember that God allows all of that to break us, mold us, shape us, and transform us to make us ready to meet the Lord Jesus when the time comes.
We will face 2014 with confidence of the Holy Spirit’s partnership, counsel and power.