The ancient Latin phrase carpe diem (translated as “seize the day”), made popular by
the movie Dead Poet’s Society, is associated with the way of life that seeks to live life
simply in the light of the reality that can actually be seen. In the movie, Robin Williams
plays the role of a new teacher at a traditional private school who invites his students
to squeeze the most out of life, resulting in both humorous and tragic consequences.
In Ecclesiastes, the Teacher’s philosophy is also to some extent that all mortal beings
should “seize the day.” It is indeed the appropriate response to the reality of the
“times” that are beyond our control, but lie in the hands of God, that we should cease
to worry overly much about how things are going to work out and concentrate on
living joyfully in the moment that is currently given to us: “I know that there is nothing
better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat
and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God” (3:12–13).
What is noticeable about what the Teacher says, of course, and what marks out his
philosophy from modern secular views of the world with which it shares superficial
similarity, is that it is centred on God. The Teacher’s carpe diem is an expression of
faith, not of self-fulfilment. It is not the greedy consumption of experiences and
pleasures before oblivion consumes us. It is, rather, the patient and joyful embrace of
daily life as it comes to us as a gift from God. That it involves ethics is also patently
clear from 3:12; it is not a life centred on the self, but a life that is turned outward
towards the neighbour, asking what is “good.” We are indeed to seize the day, but
we are to remember its divinely created nature as we do so. The biblical carpe diem,
then, is not a self-centred response to the uncertainties surrounding life after death,
but a worshipful response to the God of creation, who is also the God of new creation
and resurrection.
(Quoted with minor modifications from: Provan, I. (2001). Ecclesiastes, Song of
Songs (p. 99). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan)
6 September 2015
We are delighted to have you join us today! It is our prayer that you will enjoy all aspects
of our gathering this morning.
The ‘SL’ in ‘SLE’ means St Lucia. The suburb our church is located in. The ‘E’ stands for
English. We are a church family made of many migrant families from across South-East
Asia, and we are English speaking. The ‘E’ also stands for Evangelical. We are a church
family committed to following Jesus Christ as Lord. We do this by getting to know him
through his living Word, the Bible, which is why the sermon is the key part of our Sunday
services.
Please join us for refreshments and a chat after the service. We look forward to getting to
know you. If you are new to SLE Church, have a prayer request, family news, or change of
contact details please email: info@slechurch.org.au or call 3371 7589.
Connect with us online at slechurch.org.au
or ‘like’ us for further updates on facebook.com/slechurch
Last Week:
$2,872.90
Weekly Required 2015:
$5,469.00
Shortfall for 2015:
$1,185.00
A/C Name:
Bank:
BSB:
A/C No:
Description:
SLE Church
National Australia Bank
084-424
396558544
Offering
9:00am
11:00am
SLE Church is a branch church of Chinese Christian Church Brisbane
Today
Chair
Joshua
Preach
Ps Steven
Bible Read Simeon
Alice
M.Tea
Anna
Mee Lan
Clean up gp YF Saturday
Welcome Esther
Amy
Nick
Next Week
Randy
Ps Steven
Jansen
Marilyn
Genevieve
Serene
YF Saturday
Esther
Amy
Nick
Andrew
Andrew
June
June
Joy
Joy
Stewards Matthew Tao Matthew Tao
Jansen
Jansen
Jordan
Jordan
Yuang
Yuang
Barry
Barry
Helen
Helen
Piano
Serene
Deb Lee
Guitar/Bass Ivan, Chris
Last week: Ecclesiastes 2: Life as Gift from God We
Fear (Eccl 2:24-3:14)
This week:
Ecclesiastes 3: Life Under The Sun (Eccl
4:1-9:12)
Drum
Next week: Ecclesiastes 4
Vocal
PA
Gary
Bryan, Jo
Felix
DX
1. Sunday School Parent Information Session | Sunday 13 September, after Sunday School
Sunday, September 13, will be the last Sunday School lesson for the term. There will
be a parent information session straight after Sunday School run by Pastor Ben in
the downstairs hall. Pastor Ben will be speaking about the biblical principles of
bringing your child up to know and love God, how to practically go about this, and
also recommend resources you can use. Also, a few parents will share their stories
about what they are doing at home with their kids.
We will be playing a movie for the kids in the toddler and preschool rooms after
Sunday School finishes. Parents please go to the preschool rooms to sign your
children out and then take a seat in the hall. Morning tea will be provided. We plan to
finish by 11:30am. We will be giving you the opportunity to purchase some useful
resources on the day so please bring some cash to spend.
2. 9am Sunday Service for 20 September CANCELLED—11am Service Only!
Due to the SaLT and Family camps running over the weekend of 18-20 September,
the 9am service will be cancelled, as well as the combined morning tea. Only the
11am service will run. Please note this change in your diary.
Alicia, Sarah
Reuten
Terence
1. Thank God that He has made everything beautiful in its time. Pray that God would give
us the wisdom to know what to do with the different phases, events, and moments in our
life. Praise God for revealing His eternal plans and purposes in Jesus Christ and pray that
we would let this revelation shape our lives in every moment.
2. Thank God for the Bloom event yesterday and for the opportunity many women in the
church to be able to think deeply about the biblical teaching on women. Pray that the Holy
Spirit would be at work in the lives of these women to help them receive and understand
what God says and to help them be equipped to teach others in the church.
3. Pray for the approximately 20 million refugees and 40 million internally displaced
people (forcibly uprooted within their own country). Pray for them to find a welcome in
another country. Pray for hope. Pray for physical provision and protection. Pray for an end
to poverty, violence and oppression. Pray for the rich to do something. Pray for Christians
to act. Pray for God to be merciful. Pray for spiritual life and strength in Jesus. Pray ‘Lord
Jesus come’
1.
Sunday School Parent Information Session—13 Sept
2.
11am service Only—20 Sept
83 Ryans Road,
St Lucia 4067
3371 7589
info@slechurch.org.au
Pastor Ben Ho
m: 0433 581 335
e: ben.ho
@slechurch.org.au
Pastor Steven Tran
m: 0411 621 159
e: steven.tran
@slechurch.org.au
4. The joy in this hebel life (8:14-9:12)
Intro: perspective matters in life
1. ‘Hebel Life’ - recap
2. The evil of this hebel life (4:1-6:12)
Work
Jesus our wisdom
Wealth
James, wisdom for life
3. The not so bad of this hebel life (7:1-8:17)