All Christians share a common calling to speak the truth in love. Even though distinct offices are mentioned in this passage, we do well to focus on our shared calling. When we grow spiritually, we are conformed by the Holy Spirit's power to the likeness of Christ, to be a blessing to others, even as God in Christ Jesus has blessed us.

The Parable of the Woodcutters is a modern leadership paradigm, the seventh principle of Steven Covey's famous leadership book about highly effective individuals. Abe Lincoln is also rumored to have taught this parable, but we learn it here from the lips of Solomon. It enourages us towards effectiveness and efficiency in all that we do by applying wisdom to every aspect of our lives.

The common Hebrew toast at weddings and celebrations is, "L'Chayim!" It means, "to life," or "for life!" It is an encouragement and blessing for us to enjoy the blessings God gives us in this life. Amidst all that subtracts from our joy and peace, it is good to thank God for the blessing of this life by enjoying it as the gift it is. "L'Chayim!"

Paul leaned into his calling as an apostle, encouraging the Ephesians in their faith. The same God who calls His children to faith calls faithful pastors to serve in His Church. We will discuss this holy calling and consider how God's blessing of ministers is a blessing for the entire church.

Solomon recognized that God's mercy is often used by men to justify doing more sin, more wrong, more injustice. The temptaion to judge God is purely human, and comes from the part of us that wants to be god, wants be the judge. Recognizing this sin within ourselves, we seek the Lord in faith and thank Him for His mercy.

As a preacher, I know that I have my audience's attention much more at a funeral than at a wedding. It may seem or sound morbid, but it is absolutely true, because all the distraction and noise is dead silent when the congregation is looking at an urn or casket. Solomon also knows that God has our attention in times of sadness and encourages us to think with sober judgment about this life, so that we live one that is worth living.

There was a literal wall that separated gentile believers from the Jewish believers in the Temple area. It was a physical barrier of exclusion. It demonstrated the separation of God and men by sin and the religious and ethnic divisions between the Jewish people and others. Paul uses this feature of the Temple to describe God crossing all barriers in Christ Jesus.

Paul teaches that we weren't saved to become bumps on a log. Rather, we've been saved to be productive as members of God's family. God has created good works for us to do, that we might walk in them. It is a calling and challenge from God to put our faith to good work.