God’s Not Dead
Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 Victory Fellowship
March 3, 2024 - Rev. Roderick Grabski
3rd Sunday in Lent
I. Introduction: God’s Not Dead (2014) was a commercial success, grossing over $62 million on a $2 million budget.
a. In the fall of 2013, Josh Wheaton, a college student and evangelical Christian, enrolls in a philosophy class taught by Professor Jeffrey Radisson, an atheist. Radisson demands his students sign a declaration that "God is dead" to pass. Josh is the only student who refuses. Radisson requires Josh to debate the topic with him but agrees to let his other students decide the winner.
b. In the final debate, Josh halts his line of debate to ask Radisson: "Why do you hate God?" Radisson explodes in rage, confirming he hates God for his mother's death. Josh asks Radisson how he can hate someone that does not exist. Martin, a Chinese student whose father forbids him from talking about God to avoid jeopardizing his brother's chance at overseas study, stands up and says, "God's not dead." Most of the class follows Martin's lead, and Radisson leaves the room in defeat.
c. In the passage today Solomon wants us to focus on death. The fact that we are mortal should get us thinking about the afterlife. In turn, we will be thinking about God, because, as Solomon knows full well, God’s not dead!
II. One of these things is better than the other:
a. A good name is better than fine perfume.
b. The day of one’s death than the day of one’s birth.
c. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart.
d. Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad.
e. The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in a house of pleasure.
III. Death, where is your sting?
a. Some folk don’t like to talk about death.
b. Last week I told you that unbelievers are dead people walking – and such were some of us. But now we are alive in Christ and death has no hold on us. That’s what Solomon wants us to know.
IV. God’s not dead – and neither are we who believe!
a. The bible says a lot using the word NOT:
i. We are not of this world…
ii. Do not live by bread alone, but by every word of God…
iii. Jesus does not lead us into temptation, but he delivers us evil.
iv. Do not store up for ourselves treasure on earth… but store up in heaven.
v. Do not worry tomorrow, each day has enough trouble of its own…
vi. We walk by faith, Not by sight
vii. God has not given us a spirit of fear…
viii. Like Jesus: Not my will but yours be done!
b. In these days before we celebrate Christ’s resurrection, let us be thankful that we do not have to fear death, even though we deserve it.
c. Our hope and strength and new life is found in Christ alone!
PRAYER
SONG: In Christ Alone #390
Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 (HCSB)
A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of one’s death than the day of one’s birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, since that is the end of all mankind, and the living should take it to heart. Grief is better than laughter, for when a face is sad, a heart may be glad. The heart of the wise is in a house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in a house of pleasure.
