Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
Teacher: Rob Sweet
Upside Down Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14: "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. It is better to go to a house of mouring 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. It is better to listen to rebuke from a wise person than of listen to the song of fools, for like the crackling of burning thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile. Surely, the practice of extortion turns a wise person into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the mind. The end of a matter is better than its beginning; a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit. Don't let your spirit rush to be angry, for anger abides in the heart of fools. Don't say, 'Why were the former days better than these?' since it is not wise of you to ask this. Wisdom is as good as an inheritance and an advantage of knowledge is that preserves the life of its owner. Consider the work of God, for who can straighten out what he has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider: God has made the one as well as the other, so that no one can discover anything that will come after him."
We live in an upside down world. EVERYTHING IS DYING as opposed to EVERYTHING COMING TO LIFE.
v1 talks about a name. In Hebrew a name is more than just a label...It is a representation of one's character and reputation...An ointment at the time was an expensive luxury item. Solomon is telling us that character and reputation is worth much more than wealth...even great wealth.
Solomon also mentions that death is better than birth. In Hebrew, "better" is not necessarily more enjoyable, rather more valuable of significant.
v2 points out that we should live with the end in mind. In my old life, teaching, we always planned based on what we wanted our students to know in the end...Planning with the end in mind. Likewise, when we live life, we must anticipate the end; as Christians the end is an eternity with our savior reveling in the magnificence of His glory, righteousness and majesty. Tombstones always contain the year of birth - year of death. The important question in life is NOT the day we are born or the day we die, rather, how we spend our hyphen.
v3 "return mankind to the dust" Our wounds never heal by faking happy. We must be real and feel. We should not miss the hard stuff, but live them to the fullest extent. There is healing in facing our own wounds.
v4 mind is also the word used for heart. True life cannot be found from distracting ourselves from what is true about life. Movies, games, mindless activity certainly has a place, but it should NOT distract us from actually living our life.
The wisdom of the world will not save our souls, this is why we must make counterintuitive choices. Conventional wisdom does not work.
True life is found in places we do NOT expect.
v7 extortion and bribery makes one foolish. Power and greed must be kept in check, or we become foolish.
v9 It is wise to be patient. Often we feel pressure and our rushed into making decisions. The wise person is patient and makes choices when necessary, not when under pressure.
v10 Nostalgia is a powerful emotion. Solomon reminds us, that there is nothing new under the sun...We should not desire the past, but should live for the day we have been given. Every day is a gift from God.
v.12 Solomon speaks of money and wisdom...Both are good however money does not preserve life, knowledge and wisdom does. Both are good, only one saves.
v 14 good and bad things happen in life...we cannot control or predict this...God stands in control over it all...
I'm constantly amazed that the God of the universe, who controls it all, as indicated in v14, pursues me and draws me to Him. He wants a relationship with me and pursues it.
We are all in s sailboat, not a motor boat, to coast through life. We are riding the winds of God, not pushing through with a motor of our own making. We should praise God for the good winds, and trust him in the storm. The Lord brings them both, according to His purposes.
v13 Solomon has left no stone unturned and he has discovered that everything is broken. How do your explain brokenness of creation apart from God's authority. Only 1 person can straighten out the brokenness. Solomon cannot answer the question of who can straighten it, but his question is an arrow that points us to the New Testament. Christ tells us He is coming to make all things new.
God said creation must be broken and fallen, because we/Adam chose sin. Only Jesus Christ can make things new.
Looking ahead we see that Solomon is not the only person with upside down wisdom. Jesus also taught us through upside down wisdom. The Sermon on the Mount, specifically the beatitudes are also upside down.
While Solomon could not see the future, Jesus could. Jesus picks up where Solomon left off, AND He sees beyond death.
All of the upside down wisdom expires when Jesus returns and makes straight all things broken
We should all live as citizens of a new world (heaven) while living in a broken world. We need to anticipate life after death, with the hope of faith.
Wednesday, July 18, 2018
Sunday, July 1, 2018
Ecclesiastes Part 9
7/1/2018
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 The Curse of More
Teaching Pastor: Rob Sweet
Accumulating more is not always a good thing.
There are two "Seas" in Israel: The Dead Sea and The Sea of Galilee
The Jordan River feeds both Seas, but the Seas could not be more different. The Dead Sea does not sustain life, and The Sea of Galilee is a lushes green full of the vibrant colors of life.
Why the difference? The Dead Sea accumulates, The Sea of Galilee gives.
The Dead Sea has no outlet, so as the water evaporates the salt builds up and has created a space where life is not sustained. The Dead Sea has gained "more and more" salt, not giving, creating an environment of death.
The same river, The Jordan feeds The Sea of Galilee, however The Sea of Galilee has an outlet, it gives of itself so that there is no accumulation.
Like the seas in Israel, Giving your life over to accumulation will not give life. There is not life in "more."
THE CURSE OF MORE v. 8-12
vs. 8-9 "If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don't be astonished at the situation, because on official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field."
Society has a tendency to develop tiers based on what we have. We should not be surprised when those on a higher tier take advantage of us, this is true of life in a fallen world. In vs.9 the NIV translates that the king profits from the field. We all step on those below us on our way to the top. As Christians, God has called us to help those with less. Much like he did with us. He came to serve, not to be served.
PROBLEMS WITH MORE:
You never achieve enough...The more is never satisfied, the love of more creates a desire that cannot be met.
2. MORE COLLECTION CREATES MORE CONSUMPTION
vs. 11 "When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes?"
The more we have it seems the more we need.
3.THE MORE YOU HAVE THE LESS YOU REST
vs. 12 "The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits him no sleep."
Right now in the US as the standard of living has increased, our sleep has decreased. The CDC reports that sleep issues are on the rise.
When you go after "more" you never get what you want.
vs. 13-17 tell us of the tragedy of a wasted life. In this story of a man who gives his life to accumulating riches, we learn that in the end, regardless of what we have collected, we die and lose it all.
THE SOLUTION TO MORE
vs. 18-20 "Here is what I have seen to be good: It is appropriate to eat, drink and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward. Furthermore, everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart."
The solution is to eat drink and be merry. We are to receive the life we have as a gift from God. The 1st solution is that life is gift, not gain. We are to open our eyes and see gifts from God and enjoy them. We must stop looking at what has not been given to us, and be thankful and enjoy the abundant gifts in our life. Even if that is only the gift of salvation. The second solution "more" is to give not grasp at our blessings. Even Jesus, our example, came to serve, not to be served.
We are to be conduits, not containers.
The blessings of God are given to flow through us to bless others. Not to be hoarded.
Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 The Curse of More
Teaching Pastor: Rob Sweet
Accumulating more is not always a good thing.
There are two "Seas" in Israel: The Dead Sea and The Sea of Galilee
The Jordan River feeds both Seas, but the Seas could not be more different. The Dead Sea does not sustain life, and The Sea of Galilee is a lushes green full of the vibrant colors of life.
Why the difference? The Dead Sea accumulates, The Sea of Galilee gives.
The Dead Sea has no outlet, so as the water evaporates the salt builds up and has created a space where life is not sustained. The Dead Sea has gained "more and more" salt, not giving, creating an environment of death.
The same river, The Jordan feeds The Sea of Galilee, however The Sea of Galilee has an outlet, it gives of itself so that there is no accumulation.
Like the seas in Israel, Giving your life over to accumulation will not give life. There is not life in "more."
THE CURSE OF MORE v. 8-12
vs. 8-9 "If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don't be astonished at the situation, because on official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field."
Society has a tendency to develop tiers based on what we have. We should not be surprised when those on a higher tier take advantage of us, this is true of life in a fallen world. In vs.9 the NIV translates that the king profits from the field. We all step on those below us on our way to the top. As Christians, God has called us to help those with less. Much like he did with us. He came to serve, not to be served.
PROBLEMS WITH MORE:
- MORE IS NEVER SATISFIED
You never achieve enough...The more is never satisfied, the love of more creates a desire that cannot be met.
2. MORE COLLECTION CREATES MORE CONSUMPTION
vs. 11 "When good things increase, the ones who consume them multiply; what, then, is the profit to the owner, except to gaze at them with his eyes?"
The more we have it seems the more we need.
3.THE MORE YOU HAVE THE LESS YOU REST
vs. 12 "The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich permits him no sleep."
Right now in the US as the standard of living has increased, our sleep has decreased. The CDC reports that sleep issues are on the rise.
When you go after "more" you never get what you want.
vs. 13-17 tell us of the tragedy of a wasted life. In this story of a man who gives his life to accumulating riches, we learn that in the end, regardless of what we have collected, we die and lose it all.
THE SOLUTION TO MORE
vs. 18-20 "Here is what I have seen to be good: It is appropriate to eat, drink and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward. Furthermore, everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart."
The solution is to eat drink and be merry. We are to receive the life we have as a gift from God. The 1st solution is that life is gift, not gain. We are to open our eyes and see gifts from God and enjoy them. We must stop looking at what has not been given to us, and be thankful and enjoy the abundant gifts in our life. Even if that is only the gift of salvation. The second solution "more" is to give not grasp at our blessings. Even Jesus, our example, came to serve, not to be served.
We are to be conduits, not containers.
The blessings of God are given to flow through us to bless others. Not to be hoarded.
Ecclesiastes Part 8
This message was spoken on June 24, 2018.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 Watch Your Words
Teaching Pastor: Lloyd Shadrach
How do we live and enjoy life with or without God on a fallen planet. For all to be good we need to live in the absence of judgment, the absence of oppression and the absence of death).
We cannot separate life with God from life with each other.
We are all called to walk this life in community. We are all ONE body in Christ. Everyone is essential and serves a purpose.
Listening is the key to living life on this planet.
vs. 1"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong."
In speaking of the House of God, Solomon is referring tot he church. In his time, perhaps the temple, but regardless, the House of God. Guard your step is a caution. He is caution us to come to listen to God. The word for listen is Shamah. our priority in coming to church should be to Shamah or listen to God. All to often I can find a million other reasons to go to church. While none of my reasons are bad, Solomon cautions that I should go to listen to God.
Interestingly enough, the word Shamah translates to listen, but also to obey. In Hebrew culture, listening implied obedience.
Solomon cautions because once heard, the word of the Lord must be obeyed. There is NO separate Hebrew word for obey. Listening and Obeying are one and the same in the original text.
To listen and NOT obey is evil. The two cannot be separated.
"Sacrifice of fools" - When Solomon refers to offering the sacrifice of fools, he is referencing careless observance of religion. "Acting Christian." As someone who grew up in the deep south, this is very prevalent. It is socially acceptable and often socially demanded that we look the part of a Christian. Solomon is calling us to be Christian in our hearts and souls...Not just for the appearance of men.
vs. 2-3 "Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God.. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Just as dreams accompany much labor, so a fool's voice comes with many words."
We should let our words be few because God is God and we are not. We are to freely come before the God of all, but we need to come with deep reverence and awe of what he has done and will do. But honestly, just because of what he has done...That is enough, even if it is al he does do.
vs. 4-6 "When you make a vow to God, don't delay fulfilling it, because he does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?"
Vows: We must keep our vows. If we make them, they are to be kept, regardless of the cost. Hannah, Samuel's mother, kept her vow despite it costing her dearly. God takes our promises as seriously as He takes His own. He's never made a promise he hasn't kept.
To hear God is to Obey God
3 PRINCIPLES
1. To listen is to obey
2. To listen is to say less
3. To listen is to keep my promises
Therefore to obey is to keep promises
My prayer is to let my words be few, so that every word has a purpose and matters.
Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 Watch Your Words
Teaching Pastor: Lloyd Shadrach
How do we live and enjoy life with or without God on a fallen planet. For all to be good we need to live in the absence of judgment, the absence of oppression and the absence of death).
We cannot separate life with God from life with each other.
We are all called to walk this life in community. We are all ONE body in Christ. Everyone is essential and serves a purpose.
Listening is the key to living life on this planet.
vs. 1"Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to approach in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong."
In speaking of the House of God, Solomon is referring tot he church. In his time, perhaps the temple, but regardless, the House of God. Guard your step is a caution. He is caution us to come to listen to God. The word for listen is Shamah. our priority in coming to church should be to Shamah or listen to God. All to often I can find a million other reasons to go to church. While none of my reasons are bad, Solomon cautions that I should go to listen to God.
Interestingly enough, the word Shamah translates to listen, but also to obey. In Hebrew culture, listening implied obedience.
Solomon cautions because once heard, the word of the Lord must be obeyed. There is NO separate Hebrew word for obey. Listening and Obeying are one and the same in the original text.
To listen and NOT obey is evil. The two cannot be separated.
"Sacrifice of fools" - When Solomon refers to offering the sacrifice of fools, he is referencing careless observance of religion. "Acting Christian." As someone who grew up in the deep south, this is very prevalent. It is socially acceptable and often socially demanded that we look the part of a Christian. Solomon is calling us to be Christian in our hearts and souls...Not just for the appearance of men.
vs. 2-3 "Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God.. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Just as dreams accompany much labor, so a fool's voice comes with many words."
We should let our words be few because God is God and we are not. We are to freely come before the God of all, but we need to come with deep reverence and awe of what he has done and will do. But honestly, just because of what he has done...That is enough, even if it is al he does do.
vs. 4-6 "When you make a vow to God, don't delay fulfilling it, because he does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it. Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?"
Vows: We must keep our vows. If we make them, they are to be kept, regardless of the cost. Hannah, Samuel's mother, kept her vow despite it costing her dearly. God takes our promises as seriously as He takes His own. He's never made a promise he hasn't kept.
To hear God is to Obey God
3 PRINCIPLES
1. To listen is to obey
2. To listen is to say less
3. To listen is to keep my promises
Therefore to obey is to keep promises
My prayer is to let my words be few, so that every word has a purpose and matters.
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