1 Timothy 4:6-8 holy habits
Habits are formed from consistency, not intensity. Strive for godliness.
The Ways of Jesus
1. Worship in all things. John 4:24. Challenge: 15 minutes a day of uninterrupted worship . Psalm 90
2. Community 1 Cor 12:12 challenge: at least one intentional spiritual conversion each week. How can I pray for you?
Books don't change people, but sentences do - John Piper.
3. Service Mark 10:45 challenge: one unseen act of service every day, especially if it costs recognition or convenience
4. Generosity 2 Cor 9:7 challenge: give first, not last.
5. Multiplication: Matthew 4:19 challenge: pray the BOB prayer every day. Burden Opportunity Boldness
Take inventory of your life. What's going well? Where do I need to improve?
Clay Smith JFBC
Jan 11, 2026
What's the Point? Ecc 1:1-11
What if you knew everything? Would it help? The man who wrote Ecclesiastes was very wise, knew very much…Solomon.
Busy, Successful, and Empty, the way so many do through life. The author was a son of David. Solomon was the wisest man ever. He wanted the ability to discern good from bad, more than having riches and power.
v 1 the preacher is more like a public teacher of philosophy. Like a photographer taking snapshots of the world.
v 2 the word vanity. Not conceited but hevel, used 38 times. Means temporary, deceptive, and illogical. Like the fog we've had recently. Illogical. Solomon gives us the human point of view, apart from God
v 3 Gain is an economic word, of the world. What is the meaning of this?
The crisis is real. Why are we climbing the ladder of success. We've never been more connected, but never more lonely
Habits are formed from consistency, not intensity. Strive for godliness.
The Ways of Jesus
1. Worship in all things. John 4:24. Challenge: 15 minutes a day of uninterrupted worship . Psalm 90
2. Community 1 Cor 12:12 challenge: at least one intentional spiritual conversion each week. How can I pray for you?
Books don't change people, but sentences do - John Piper.
3. Service Mark 10:45 challenge: one unseen act of service every day, especially if it costs recognition or convenience
4. Generosity 2 Cor 9:7 challenge: give first, not last.
5. Multiplication: Matthew 4:19 challenge: pray the BOB prayer every day. Burden Opportunity Boldness
Take inventory of your life. What's going well? Where do I need to improve?
Clay Smith JFBC
Jan 11, 2026
What's the Point? Ecc 1:1-11
What if you knew everything? Would it help? The man who wrote Ecclesiastes was very wise, knew very much…Solomon.
Busy, Successful, and Empty, the way so many do through life. The author was a son of David. Solomon was the wisest man ever. He wanted the ability to discern good from bad, more than having riches and power.
v 1 the preacher is more like a public teacher of philosophy. Like a photographer taking snapshots of the world.
v 2 the word vanity. Not conceited but hevel, used 38 times. Means temporary, deceptive, and illogical. Like the fog we've had recently. Illogical. Solomon gives us the human point of view, apart from God
v 3 Gain is an economic word, of the world. What is the meaning of this?
The crisis is real. Why are we climbing the ladder of success. We've never been more connected, but never more lonely
Ecclesiastes addresses many pertinent issues
1. Who am I, when my identity is constantly being compared?
2. What is truth, when reality can be manipulated?
3. Does it matter, if I am replaceable by technology?
4. How do I lead a meaningful life while the world is constantly on the brink?
5. Where is God in all this?
v 4-7 a futility in life. Can you remember the names of your great grandparents? In 100 years we won't be remembered.
v 8 all things are full of weariness. Are hearts are never satisfied. Why we try to fill our lives with stuff. The new American dream is perfection. Perfect family job - they're never fulfilled. Is this futile? New inventions to old problems.
Every generation thinks the next generation is lazy. Even Plato thought so.
v 11 there is no remembrance of later things. Some think people will be able to live forever. But the penalty for sin is death
Romans 8: one day all this will be made new. Romans 8 is the Ecclesiastes of the New Testament.
Solomon is telling us to look at this world. Ask: what's the point? We were made to want more than this world can give. We know what Solomon didn't know: the One who came after Solomon who made all things new. We can have a new identity in Christ, a new covenant with Christ, a new nature.
The point: Christ can give us what we need.
Book to read: Everything is Never Enough.
22 days of prayer at JFBC starts today, with prompts at www.JFBC.org with fasting once per week, gathering weekly to pray together.
The versify app is a good app to help memorize scripture.
31+ in Sunday School. Robert Ryder retired on Dec 31st.
1. Who am I, when my identity is constantly being compared?
2. What is truth, when reality can be manipulated?
3. Does it matter, if I am replaceable by technology?
4. How do I lead a meaningful life while the world is constantly on the brink?
5. Where is God in all this?
v 4-7 a futility in life. Can you remember the names of your great grandparents? In 100 years we won't be remembered.
v 8 all things are full of weariness. Are hearts are never satisfied. Why we try to fill our lives with stuff. The new American dream is perfection. Perfect family job - they're never fulfilled. Is this futile? New inventions to old problems.
Every generation thinks the next generation is lazy. Even Plato thought so.
v 11 there is no remembrance of later things. Some think people will be able to live forever. But the penalty for sin is death
Romans 8: one day all this will be made new. Romans 8 is the Ecclesiastes of the New Testament.
Solomon is telling us to look at this world. Ask: what's the point? We were made to want more than this world can give. We know what Solomon didn't know: the One who came after Solomon who made all things new. We can have a new identity in Christ, a new covenant with Christ, a new nature.
The point: Christ can give us what we need.
Book to read: Everything is Never Enough.
22 days of prayer at JFBC starts today, with prompts at www.JFBC.org with fasting once per week, gathering weekly to pray together.
The versify app is a good app to help memorize scripture.
31+ in Sunday School. Robert Ryder retired on Dec 31st.
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