Let Your Words Be Few

The sermon opens by establishing that worship of God is not a casual or mundane activity but a sacred encounter with the Almighty. Through Ecclesiastes 5:1, Solomon warns that when you approach God's house, prepare your spirit and heart. Rather than bringing empty rituals that fools offer, you should come with genuine listening and reverence. The sermon emphasizes that worship is not something we consume but something we offer to God.

The second section develops the theological argument that your words carry weight in God's presence. Ecclesiastes 5:2–3 states, "God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." The sermon connects this to Matthew 6:7, where Jesus warns against heaping up empty phrases in prayer. God is not impressed by the quantity of words you speak but by the sincerity of your heart. The sermon uses an illustration of how people speak carefully before a judge in court to argue that you should speak to God with thoughtfulness and reverence.

The third section applies the argument to vows and promises. Ecclesiastes 5:4–6 strongly warns against making vows to God lightly and failing to fulfill those commitments. The sermon gives examples such as Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5, who lied about an offering and were struck dead by the Holy Spirit. It also mentions modern examples like "God, if you get me through this, I'll serve you" or marriage vows. The practical application is: if you say something to God, mean it; if you cannot follow through on a promise, do not make it.

The conclusion focuses on fearing God as the foundation of true worship. Ecclesiastes 5:7 states, "But God is the one you must fear." The sermon clarifies that "fear" here is not terror but deep respect, awe, and accountability. This fear of God does not push us away from Him but draws us close with reverence rather than arrogance. The sermon closes with the exhortation to let your words be few, let your heart be full, and let your worship be real.