Working in a Wicked World

Service Notes

Welcome new members

Family Meeting tonight

Encouraged by time with Canavans and Blooms

Grateful for Pastor Beau, Stephen, and Ben Cherry bringing the last three sermons.

Intent of today’s passage

Solomon’s urges his listeners, in view of the wickedness, oppressions, and envy in this world, not to slave away in ruthless competition with their neighbors but to enjoy their work and its fruit with quietness.

New Testament Reading

Passages we will handle with more time during our midweek Core Seminar. Longer portions in Ecclesiastes will be read as we walk through the passage together.

1 Thessalonians 4:2 KJV

2 For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 4:10–11 (KJV)

10 And indeed ye do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;

Prayer for Our Church

sick among us

those we love who have yet to believe

those facing challenges in their work place

those who are tired and seek rest

Sermon Introduction

Some people say a man is made outta mud A poor man's made outta muscle and blood Muscle and blood and skin and bones A mind that's a-weak and a back that's strong

You load 16 tons, what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt St. Peter, don't you call me 'cause I can't go I owe my soul to the company store

- Tennesse Earnie Ford

Song refers to a system where coal miners and other laborers were paid in company-issued scrip instead of cash. This scrip could only be used at the company-owned store, which often charged inflated prices, trapping workers in a cycle of debt and dependence.

To the people Solomon was speaking their was a real pull for them to “sell their soul to the company store” in exchange for all that the world had to offer. Because of expanding international trade the economy was booming.

I. The Harsh Realities of Life

Learned this week where many of you had your first job.

Chuck worked on a ranch with horses.

Mrs. Yvonne Johnson worked at a K-Mart

Mrs. Gyda waited tables

Nathan Diller and David Rackley had a paper route

Hannah Vincent worked at CFA

Anna Holan worked at McDs as the fry girl

Cooper as a bus boy and janitor at the Airport Cafe

Amber Broadrick was a gofer for a florist

Thatcher is slinging pizzas at YourPie on Bethany Bend

My first job was at the One Stop Gas Station. The only gas station, the only store, beside the only red light in town. I would run people down when they would drive off with gas.

Expect you had challenges but you might not have left saying, “in this place of righteousness, iniquity was there.” Over the years you have problem been made aware of the nature of the brokenness of this world there are places in this world you would not expect to find injustice.

A. Corruption in places of justice and righteousness

Ecclesiastes 3:16“16 And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there.”

Courts of law expected to be just but filled with wickedness.

Places of worship and religious organizations.

Saw the Stature of Liberty. So called she had her hands in her pockets. Learned that this Lady Liberty was stepping forward in shackles to commemorate the end of slavery and us moving forward as a country. Beautiful sight for those going to Ellis Island.

Wickedness is so pervasive in society that justice is the novelty.

Solomon says, that we should not be amazed at the matter. Ecclesiastes 5:8“8 If thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they.”

Children do not get far into life without uttering the phrase, “That’s not fair,” to which we parents respond, “Life’s not fair.”

B. God's Judgment and Timing

Ecclesiastes 3:17“17 I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.”

Assurance that God will judge the righteous and the wicked.

Solomon had elaborated in the first half of chapter 3, God is in charge of the times.

Hoped Pastor Beau would spend more time elaborating on when it is a “time to dance” we are still trying to learn when we are to clap

Judgement is a time on God’s calendar.

Why not now? We are reminded that MY STORY is not THE STORY

Knowing that God is outside of time and sees it all and will, in the end, bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, stops me needing to be in control of everything that happens to me

We wait with the word in hope of redemption. Romans 8:20–21“20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”

II. Human Nature Exposed

A. God tests humanity through delayed judgment

Ecclesiastes 3:18“18 I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts.”

God’s postponement of judgment on wickedness allows God to test humans to see whether they are indeed inclined to all evil.

God allows injustice under the sun in order that man may become aware of his fallen estate.

Many live without regard for being accountable to a Holy God for their treatment of others. Ecclesiastes 8:11“11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.”

Humans, left to their own devices, act like animals.

Modern-day examples: Hitler’s holocaust in Europe, Saddam Hussein’s gassing of his own people in Asia, and current rebellions promoting raping and killing in Africa and South America.

Saddam Hussein was executed on Saturday, December 30, 2006. We had a special day for the Kurdish people of Northern Irag. It fell on the day of the execution of Sadam Hussein. News Reporters came to film a church “celebrating a death.” This was not the case. In following the example of our God we find no “joy in the death of the wicked.”

B. The Preacher supports the idea that humans “are but animals” with two arguments.

1. Humans and animals share the same fate—death

Ecclesiastes 3:19“19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity.”

Humans are like animals in that they have no advantage over animals with respect to death. Neither are immortal.

2. Humans and animals share the same fate—returning to dust

Ecclesiastes 3:20“20 All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.”

Reflection on Genesis 3:19: "For dust you are, and to dust you shall return."

Dug whole my back yard for our dog. Afraid neighbors might think it was a person. Both return to the dust. / Reminder we are choosing a limited view of life; under the sun

3. When we observe the world from a secular perspective there is no difference.

Ecclesiastes 3:21 “21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?”

The New Testament Teaching on the Survival of the Human Spirit

Jesus' words to Martha John 11:25 “25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

Jesus' promise to His disciples John 14:3 “3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

III. How to approach work in a broken world.

A. The Teacher advises that we should enjoy our work as God's gift.

Ecclesiastes 3:22 “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?”

Contentment rather than relentless pursuit of success.

But before we explore this Solomon has more to say .

B. The Teacher cannot let go of the wickedness in this world.

Considers the poor and oppressed.

Ecclesiastes 4:1 “1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.”

The oppressed have no one to comfort them.

Three times he refers to oppression: “oppressions,” “oppressed,” and “oppressors.”

In the Bible, oppression involves cheating one’s neighbor of something, defrauding him, and robbing him.

Oppression is accumulation—the seeking after profit—without regard to the nature, needs, and rights of other people

Solomons conclusion concerning this wickedness

Ecclesiastes 4:2–3“2 Wherefore I praised the dead which are already dead more than the living which are yet alive. 3 Yea, better is he than both they, which hath not yet been, who hath not seen the evil work that is done under the sun.”

Wanted to make relevant application to the struggles you are having at your place of work; I guess I could say “it certainly could be worse.”

C. The Role of Envy in the Workplace

Ecclesiastes 4:4“4 Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit.”

The Teacher so far has mentioned two forms of wickedness:

Wickedness even in the courts of justice

People being oppressed and no one stepping forward to help them.

Finally he mentions another form of wickedness that pervades society; envy.

Work driven by envy leads to dissatisfaction and emptiness.

Envy is a powerful force in this world. Proverbs 27:4 “4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?”

All achievement spring from one person’s envy of another.

Envy drives our business world. We try to outdo each other, often to the detriment of the other

In the words of Dolly as she teaches life lessons about working nine to five.. “It's a rich man's game no matter what they call it nd you spend your life puttin' money in his wallet.’

How can God’s people work in such a wicked, competitive world?

Wickedness is pervasive

People are being oppressed

Much of what we do is just funding someone elses envy

Listen to these last 2 verses before you walk out of here and quit our job. Radio driving through Nashville. Song was on repeat. I think a DJ walked off the job. Song says my “reason for work - just walked out the door.”

IV. Three Approaches to Work

Since we usually work with our hands, Solomon sketches the three options with three positions of our hands

A. The Fool's Approach: Folded Hands

Ecclesiastes 4:5“5 The fool foldeth his hands together, and eateth his own flesh.”

Since there is nothing else to eat, they will eat up their savings and then they will die.

Laziness leads to self-destruction. Proverbs 6:10–11“10 Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: 11 So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.”

B. The Workaholic's Approach: Two Hands

Ecclesiastes 4:6“6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”

Who would not rather have two handfuls instead of one?

In order to gain the two handfuls, people have to resort to toil without rest: work, work, work.

Greg jokingly says when making his plate, “If some is good, more is better.”

Jesus says : Luke 12:15 "Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions."

We have a “craving to outshine and not to be outshone.”

C. The Proper Approach: One Handful with Quiet

Ecclesiastes 4:6“6 Better is an handful with quietness, than both the hands full with travail and vexation of spirit.”

Finding the contentment in God’s provision is a theme for Solomon.

Proverbs 15:16 “16 Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.”

Proverbs 16:18 “18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

Proverbs 17:1 “1 Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than an house full of sacrifices with strife.”

Because work in our society is driven by envy, we still have to make choices as to what we will work for.

Will we fold our hands and opt out of the workforce?

Or will we cup both hands and become “workaholics”?

Or will we be content with one handful?

When we stop and think about serving and loving our neighbor, it prevents two extremes: idle laziness (v. 5) and manic busyness

Conclusion

NYC illustration: The stress of wanting to figure out the subway system. My objective really just needed to be how to find our way back.

Are we asking to much from this world? From our work? We tend to use the world around us—work, possessions, people—as leverage for our own purposes to achieve our own goals. They are the tools we use to master life for our own ends.

But the Preacher’s whole point in this section is to show us that the world cannot be leveraged to suit me, and life is meant to be enjoyed not mastered.

What if our work was never intended to make us successful but simply to allow us faithful and generous?

What if work was not created to give us identity but as a gift from God to be obedient according to his plan for our lives.

Ecclesiastes 3:22“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?”

How do we rejoice in our work?

No matter who hired you you work for the Lord. Colossians 3:23“23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”

We can work with God. Paul told those who were in slavery who could get out to get out but rather you can or cant you can rejoice in 1 Corinthians 7:24“24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God.”

We can serve the Lord with gladness. Psalm 100:2 “2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.”

I think the implication in the Bible is not mainly that we should refuse to work until we find the work that we think we can enjoy, but that we should take the work that we can for the good of the family, the good of the community, the glory of God, and then pray our way into the enjoyment of it and shape it in whatever way we can so that it becomes more fruitful and more enjoyable.

Who can see what happens after we die?

From its chosen standpoint, Ecclesiastes can only reply, Who knows?

From our current stand point we can reply “Who cares”

When once he is dead he shall never return into this life to see into whose hands his estate falls, and how it is either used or abused; nor is he at all concerned in those matters.

Read Together

Ecclesiastes 5:19“19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God.”

Prayer: Tomorrow you will take your portion. Will you rejoice? Let’s take this moment to thank God for our work as a gift.