Ecclesiates 6

Take your Bibles and turn to Ecclesiates 6. It is a blessing to spend time together between our services. This new format has really encouraged me. It appears to me that it has the same effect on you, which is great. I am very thankful for Legacy Baptist Church and our Church family.

- We have observed that Solomon throughout the book of Ecclesiastes compares the futility of life to a soap bubble - ‘vanity of vanities” and to “chasing after the wind”

People often feel or ask “what is this life all about?” Some are frustrated with their situations and others are truly searching for the answer.

Some might say life feels like a dead end street. On times it seems to be, especially when one doesn’t reach a goal or when one does reach their goal but it doesn’t bring that sense of fulfillment that an individual had hoped.

If you have had read the Bible much you have discovered that within its pages individuals who have become so depressed or discouraged with their situation they wished they were never born or wanted to be die.

Question: DOES ANY ONE COME TO MIND?

Moses

Numbers 11:15

And if thou deal thus with me, kill me, I pray thee, out of hand, if I have found favour in thy sight; and let me not see my wretchedness.

Elijah

1 Kings 19:4

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

Job Job 3:21

Job 3:21

Which long for death, but it cometh not;

Jeremiah, and Jonah as well.

Even the great apostle Paul despaired of life during a particularly tough time in his like. II Cor 1:8-11

Life has so many mysteries that we can’t possible understand and so many puzzles that we can’t possible solve. If people don’t see purpose in life they start to question God and wonder is life is worthwhile.

In this chapter Solomon discuss three of lifes mysterious. 1. Rich without enjoyment. 2. Labour without satisfaction. 3. Questions without answers.

I. Riches without Enjoyement: vs 1-6.

QUESTION WHAT WOULD YOU NEED TO HAVE A SATISFIED LIFE?

What a thought - to have everything for a satisfying life and yet not be able to enjoy them for one reason or another. I am sure some here or watching know of someone looking forward to retirement only to have a serious health crisis occur, or retirement is shattered by a crisis in the family that drains strength and finances.

Solomon states in previous passages that no one can truly enjoy the gifts of God apart from the God who gives them. Our world is driven by entertainment. Any idea how much that industry in USA is worth in dollars ? Almost 30 billion! By 2026 it is project to be 40 billion. We need to remember a truth folks - Entertainment will never ever bring true joy and satisfaction. We need God to experience that.

vs 2 describes a person of considerable means but had no heir and a stranger acquires the estate and enjoys it. Never the way that any individual had it planned.

Enjoy the blessing the Lord gives you. Don’t live in a dream land of if I had this or that, live now. Be satisfied with what the Creator allows you to have and use it for His Honour.

vs 3-6 : This is a hypothetical case. The preacher here was exaggaerating to make his point - No matter how much you have in your possession, if you don’t have power to enjoy it, you might as well never been born.

Solomon was not battling whether existence is better then nonexistence but whether there is any purpose behind the seemingly unbalance way of things.

The ability to enjoy life comes from within. It is a matter of character and not circumstances. Philippians 4:11 “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” I know some rich people are absolutely not enjoying life and I know some who have very little and they have joy thats contagious.

The 2,000 year old man and the still born mentioned - ended up in the same place - the grave. Solomon continues to tell those who listen that death is certain and that life without God is useless.

2. Labour with Satisfaction vs 7-9: The King spoke of the rich man now he turns to the poor individual. The rich and the poor work each day to stay alive right. You either must produce your food or earn money to purchase the grub. The rich will use his money to work for him, the poor man has to use his muscles if he and his family are going to eat supper. No matter how much you labour the appeitite is never satisfied! Christmas is coming and there is always extra treats and food in my house. the freezer will be full but it won’t fill my tribe for long. Our appetite is never satisfied.

I know many people, from many different places and walks of life that enjoy working and eating! Some of you are in the building this morning! haha. But if life consists only of working and eating then folks our appetites are in control of us. Thats not a good thing to be in control cause if that is the case we are living like animals.

The bible clearly teaches that Humans are not evolved from a monkey or any other animal. We are not animals. We were created in the image of God and thus live something much greater then our appetites.

VS 8 - So Solomon is not down playing education or self-improvement, He is saying that these things of themselves cannot make life richer. We must have something greater for which to live for.

King Solomon is not telling us that having a great dream or ambition to see something occur is wrong. But we need to make sure the dream or ambition is sourced or motivated by the glory of God and not for the praise of men. If we think our great works or accomplishments will instantly bring satisfaction we are incorrect.

Question - Where do you think we will find True Satisfaction? Doing the will of God from the heart Eph6:6 “Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;”

When we are in the Will of God there can be riches with enjoyment and labour with satisfaction. Psalm 16:11 “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

III. Questions without Answers vs 10-12: A British man by the name of Joseph Addison wrote “The grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, someone to love and something to hope for.” We have no evidence that Joseph was referring to Christianity but we do have all those things in Christ.

Solomon knew that there were individuals who were looking for answers to lifes questions. The King was definitley not opposed questions - IN This book he is seaching for answers as well.

Explanations don’t solve our problems or at least not in my pastoral experience. I remember a number of Thanksgivings ago after we had ate the turkey and such My wife said lets go on a bike ride. It was a mild day so we agreed. So out comes the bikes and we hit a trail close to the house. Emily stopped to take a picture of herself and Nathaniel as per normal tried to photo bomb the selfie. In his attempted he fell down and hurt his hand. It was starting to swell and kinda sticking off wrong. Michelle took him to the hospital and the x-ray showed a fracture.

Did the explanation to MIchelle and Nathaniel by the doctor of the X-ray bring healing to Nathaniel. He would attest no, but it was an essential step toward recovery right.

Solomon touches on some questions:

Isn’t everything pre-destined? God did name everything - Light is light. Day is day and so on. But life and this world is not a prison. The Almighty does give us a free will. He invites us to labour with Him. We are free to decide and choose but we need to understand that we are not free to change or from the consequences. I JOHN 5:20 “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.”

Why disagree with God … We cant oppose Him…: The word “contend” also means “dispute”. Its almost like just accept it, you can’t win against God. This thought pattern is faulty. It gives the impression that God’s Will is something to be avoided at all costs.

Our greatest freedom and blessing comes when we following the will of the Almighty. Our Heavenly Father is never threatened when we question Him as we love Him and follow His Will for our lives. You understand there will be times when we wont get the answers … just follow.

I never thought I would leave NL and there were times I did ask why, but know I see His way, through not always easy or comfortable is best for me and my family.

Who knows what is good for us? God certainly does! life does seem to be fleeting like a soap bubble on times but “He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” I John 2:17 Nobody knows the future except for God. Yes we can make general statments about the future - I believe I will go work tomorrow or to Asia on a missions trip next year but only God knows right.

One thing is certain about the future we all have limited amount of time, the Lord wants us to use that to the best of our abilities.

Life is God’s gift to us. we should maximizes what we have enjoy it while we can Ecclesiastes 3:22 “Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?”

I hope that helps you understand Gods Word in greater ways

Closing Prayer