Being Slow to Vow and Quick to Keep It

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=50 BGCOLOR="#333366" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Being Slow to Vow and Quick to Keep It</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=165 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B> <TABLE BORDER="0" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="132" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="VOID" RULES="NONE" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id228.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Power of Relationships"><U><B><IMG SRC="007151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <A HREF="id231.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Limitation of Wealth"><U><B><IMG SRC="008151d0.gif" border=0 width="21" height="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="20"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="35" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="20" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="13"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP><NOBR><div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="29" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" WIDTH="27"></div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></B></div> <div> Previous/Next Sermon</div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="www.stanbaker.org"><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Biblical and Theological Studies"><U><B>Biblical and Theological Studies</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id3.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Church Ministry"><U><B>Church Ministry</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id15.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sermon Notes"><U>Sermon Notes</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id4.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Links"><U><B>Links</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id5.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal"><U><B>Personal</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> <div> <A HREF="mailto:stan@stanbaker.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:stan@stanbaker.org"><U>stan@stanbaker.org</U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=430 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Ecclesiastes 5:1-7, “Being Slow to Vow and Quick to Keep It,” Berean Bible Church, October 7, 2001am</B></div> <bR> <div>      A sign in a store said, “We rent wedding rings.” How can the symbol of unending commitment be rented? It is common and easy to “bailout” of responsibilities in our society (marriage is just one area). It is not giving our best on the job, breaking promises to kids, committing to ministry at church and then backing out. Maybe you have been the victim of a broken commitment. Followers of Christ should be different!</div> <bR> <div> <B>I. Be slow and very careful to make vows (5:1-3)</B>.</div> <div>      Vs. 1, “Watch your step!” (a common idiom in our culture). Don’t be reckless. Listen with humility, rather than offering the “sacrifice of fools.” Foolish behavior includes many words, making deals with God, no concern for obedience or righteousness, no humility, clueless about spiritual reality. Vs. 2, Approach God with humility. Listen before making promises. It is the issue of respect. Vs. 3, Dreams (restless sleep due to concerns) and the many words of a fool – both are empty!</div> <div>      Get God’s direction when you make commitments to anything or anyone. Don’t run ahead, don’t lag behind. Let <I>him</I> give <I>you</I> the plan, rather than you giving him your plan.</div> <bR> <div> <B>II. When you make vows, be quick and very careful to keep them (5:4-7)</B>.</div> <div>      Vss. 4-5, Keep your vows or else don’t make them. Vs. 6a, Don’t let your mouth (making a vow) lead whole person (body) into an act of sin (not keeping it). Failing to follow through is sin, missing the mark, failure to meet God’s standard. Vs. 6bc, God gives consequences for not keeping your word (tied to work, activity, pursuits; one source of satisfaction, Ecclesiastes 3:22). Just like there are consequences for failing to pay loan, there are consequences for failing to follow though on a vow.<I> </I>Vs. 7a, Dreaming and many words are empty. Vs. 7b, Fear God. Fearing involves respect, but it also recognizes the consequences for wrong actions. In Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira lied to Peter and the Holy Spirit, and because of their untimely deaths, “great fear seized the whole church” (vs. 11). God takes our word very seriously!</div> <div>      Follow through on your commitments (that is why you must make them carefully).</div> <div> Specific examples – giving money, being there for someone in time of need, commitment to work (showing up, giving your best), commitment to church (showing up, volunteering, praying), commitment to family (faithful to spouse, spending time with your kids, helping your aging parents).</div> <bR> <div>      Is there a commitment you have made that you are not fulfilling? Take care of it right away. The main thing is, “fear God” (vs. 7). Commit as followers of Christ to follow, every day, with willingness to carry out his commands.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> copyright, 2001, Stanley Baker</div> <div> www.stanbaker.org</div> </td> </tr></table></body>