An Inescapable Death & Optional Joy
Notes
Transcript
Welcome— HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!
EASY for SOME
HARD for OTHERS
LOSS of MOTHER
NEVER HAD CHILDREN
THANK GOD for OUR MOMS TODAY...
TURN: ECC. Ch. 8— Picking up (V14)
!! Opening Prayer !!
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I. Introduction: The Reality of Choices
I. Introduction: The Reality of Choices
Much of our LIVES is CHARACTERIZED by CHOICES.
Examples: (Today) CHOOSING CHURCH; OUTFIT; BREAKFAST
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OTHER HAND—SOME THINGS = PRE-DECIDED/FIXED
Examples: DON’T CHOOSE:
EYE COLOR
PARENTS
WEATHER
C.C.: SOME THINGS YOU WOULD CHANGE if YOU COULD…BUT CAN’T.
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Takeaway:
SOME THINGS HAVE OPTIONS
SOME THINGS ARE FIXED
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App:
SOMETIMES—CHOICES AREN’T FIXED— & WE DON’T REALIZE IT..
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Transition: THAT’S WHAT WE’LL BE LOOKING AT TODAY—IMPORTANT CHOICE, WE MAY NOT MAKE
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II. Scripture Reading
II. Scripture Reading
Ecclesiastes 8:14–9:10 (ESV)
14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
15 And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep,
17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.
1 But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.
2 It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath.
3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
4 But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
8 Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.
9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
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III. Context Recap
III. Context Recap
Recent Weeks: WISDOM/WALKING WISELY
I. IN LIGHT of DEATH
II. Last Wk: W/ FEAR of GOD.
JUDGMENT DELAYED ≠ ≠ MEAN IT’S NOT COMING.
Takeaway: IT’LL BE WELL—THOSE who FEAR GOD...
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Transition: THIS = HALF PICTURE of TEACHER’S MESSAGE
FEARING GOD
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Today’s Focus:
DESPITE LIFE’S UNKNOWNS & UNCONTROLLABLE FACTORS…
… WE CAN CHOOSE to LIVE W/ JOY
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Transition: BEGIN, TEACHER RECOUNTS ANOTHER DILEMMA AGAIN
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IV. Main Points
IV. Main Points
A. The Dilemma of Unfairness in Life (8:14)
A. The Dilemma of Unfairness in Life (8:14)
Ecclesiastes 8:14 (ESV)
14 There is a vanity that takes place on earth, that there are righteous people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, and there are wicked people to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I said that this also is vanity.
SAME PROBLEM—AGAIN
LIFE = BACKWARDS/UNFAIR—DOESN’T MAKE SENSE
THIS = EMPTY & PURPOSELESS!!
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Backg.: 2 WEEKS AGO—NOT OVERLY RIGHTEOUS…or… OVERLY WICKED
Transition: SEE—WHAT HE SAYS— TODAY
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B. Response: Choose Joy (8:15)
B. Response: Choose Joy (8:15)
Ecclesiastes 8:15 (ESV)
15 And I commend joy, for man has nothing better under the sun but to eat and drink and be joyful, for this will go with him in his toil through the days of his life that God has given him under the sun.
Takeaway: NO CONTROL/UNDERSTANDING? — CHOOSE JOY
—> CONTROL, WHAT YOU CAN <—
App: CHOOSE JOY— SIMPLE GIFTS of GOD...
FOOD
DRINK
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(v15b) WILL GO WITH US—the DAYS,, GOD GIVES US!
Choices/Options:
I. SPEND DAYS SEARCHING—NO ANSWERS
II. ACCEPT WHAT WE DON’T KNOW—ENJOY WHAT WE DO.
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Transition: WE’LL NEVER FIGURE IT ALL OUT…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 16-17
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C. Observation: Enigmatic Ways of God (8:16–17)
C. Observation: Enigmatic Ways of God (8:16–17)
Ecclesiastes 8:16–17 (ESV)
16 When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep,
17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.
Takeaway: NO HUMAN CAN FIGURE it all OUT
(v17) 3x CANNOT “FIND OUT”
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C.C.: SPEND SLEEPLESS NIGHTS??—TRYING to GET ANSWERS
or… ACCEPT GOD’S WAYS = BEYOND US...
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Scriptural Support:
Isaiah 55:8–9 (ESV)
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
1 Corinthians 1:25 (ESV)
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
GOD = CREATOR
WE = CREATURE
Conclusion: (V17b) NO “WISE MAN” can KNOW IT ALL
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Transition: TEACHER CONTINUES—
— PONDERING UNSEARCHABLE WORKS of GOD...
LOOK W/ ME @ 9:1...
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D. Observation: Death Comes to All (9:1–3)
D. Observation: Death Comes to All (9:1–3)
Ecclesiastes 9:1 (ESV)
1 But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.
IT’S ALL in GOD’S HANDS
WISE PERSON, DEEDS, & TREATMENT— UP to GOD
Possibilities:
RECEIVE LOVE? MAYBE
RECEIVE HATE? MAYBE
Takeaway: CHOICE WE DON’T GET to MAKE— HOW PEOPLE RECEIVE US...
Sam. C.: “NOT EVERYONE’S CUP of TEA,, THAT’S OKAY.”
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Transition: ACTUALLY VERY LITTLE,,, WE CAN CONTROL...
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 2-3
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Ecclesiastes 9:2–3 (ESV)
2 It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath.
3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
NO CONTROL OVER OTHERS —
— LIKEWISE NO CONTROL OVER DEATH
ONLY GUARANTEE in LIFE—IT’S END.
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Takeaway:
THIS = SAME for ALL
RIGHTEOUS—WICKED
GOOD—EVIL
CLEAN— UNCLEAN
SACRIFICER— IRRELIGIOUS
SAME EVENT—DEATH—COMES to ALL
GREAT EVIL— & PEOPLE SET to DO EVIL...
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Conclusion: LOW POINT in ECCLESIASTES
Quote, scholar: “LIFE SUCKS, & THEN YOU DIE”
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Transition: BUT— AS LONG as YOU’RE ALIVE— GREAT BLESSING!!
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 4-6
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E. Response: The Blessing of Life (9:4–6)
E. Response: The Blessing of Life (9:4–6)
Ecclesiastes 9:4–6 (ESV)
4 But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
DEATH = INESCAPABLE… BUT LIFE = GIFT!
Proverb: LIVING DOG—BETTER than a DEAD LION
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Cultural Context: DOGS = UNCLEAN SCAVENGERS,,
… NOT MAN’S BEST FRIEND
LION — APEX PREDATOR,, SYMBOL of POWER.
Takeaway: DEAD LION = NO GOOD… LIVING DOG = BETTER
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LIFE = GREAT GIFT!
Challenge: BLESSING of LIFE...
CHRISTIAN—ARE YOU THANKFUL GOD WOKE YOU UP THIS MORNING?
BREATH in YOUR LUNGS from the ALMIGHTY?
**MOTHER’S DAY** — I’M THANKFUL for the MOM WHO CARRIED ME!!
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NOT ONE of US—WAS OWED TODAY.
C.C.: PUTTING THINGS on CALENDAR—
— EXPECTING LIFE to SUSTAIN
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TODAY = GIFT of GOD’S GRACE & MERCY
Illustration: RUNNING BY CEMETERY
GOD BREATHES BREATH of LIFE INTO HUMAN BODIES
Application: THANKSGIVING for GIFT of LIFE & BREATH!!
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(V5-6) END of STORY — DEATH…
DEAD = GONE… NO MORE REMEMBRANCE/WORK HERE...
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Transition: AS SUCH—WE SHOULD ENJOY LIFE HERE...
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 7-10
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F. Conclusion: Choose Joy (9:7–10)
F. Conclusion: Choose Joy (9:7–10)
Ecclesiastes 9:7–10 (ESV)
7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
8 Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.
9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
TODAY: SOME HARSH REALITIES
THINGS = BACKWARDS/UNFAIR
THINGS = BEYOND OUR UNDERSTANDING
LIFE = FLEETING & WE ALL DIE...
Quote, J. Meeks, “Till God comes back and finishes the story we’re all going to be stuck with a world we wish was different.”
THESE = CHOICES WE CAN’T MAKE....
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BUT NOT EVERYTHING is FIXED…
… AGAIN— WE CAN CHOOSE JOY.
CAN’T CHANGE HOW WORLD WORKS—BUT CAN CHANGE our PERSPECTIVE.
Quote, A. Glaze: “SMILE,, or YOU’RE DOING IT WRONG”
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IF YOU’RE ALIVE— YOU’RE BLESSED… (( DOG vs. LION))
App.: LIFE W/ GRATITUDE & ENJOYMENT of GOD’S GOOD THINGS....
(v7) FOOD & DRINK
Example: THANKING GOD—COFFEE.
(V7b) GOD APPROVES
***DISCLAIMER:****ALL in FEAR of GOD—NOT RECKLESS DRUNKENNESS**
YOU ENJOY GOD’S GIFTS?.... GOD ENJOYS your ENJOYMENT.
Quote: E, Peterson: “GOD TAKES PLEASURE in YOUR PLEASURE”
Ill.: KIDS on SWINGS/PLAYGROUND
GREAT JOY—SEEING KIDS WITH JOY
—> HOW MUCH MORE—HEAVENLY FATHER— WHO CREATED this WORLD WE INHABIT??? <—
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(v8) CLOTHING & OIL
C. Context: WHITE CLOTHES — SUIT & DRESS
OIL on HEAD— COLOGNE/ PERFUME
ENJOYING LITTLE THINGS in LIFE
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(v9) SPOUSE/FAMILY
“ALL DAYS of VAIN LIFE”—FUNNY STATEMENT
Backg.: “VANITY” in ECCLESIASTES— “VAPOR”
HERE: LIFE = FLEETING.
Scriptural Support: JAS. 4...
LIFE FLIES BY,, ENJOY YOUR LOVED ONES…
WE,, or THEY,, WILL BE GONE SOON.
Challenge: MEN—HAVE YOU ENJOYED YOUR WIFE’S COMPANY LATELY?
WORK—WHATEVER HAND FINDS to DO
ENJOY IT—DO IT W/ MIGHT!
Colossians 3:17 (ESV)
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Colossians 3:23 (ESV)
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
NOTHING = WORTH DOING HALFWAY.
YOUR WORK HERE WILL SOON CEASE—GOING to SHEOL (the GRAVE)
WORK HARD WHILE YOU CAN...
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ALL THESE THINGS = GIFTS from GOD to US...
WE DON’T LIVE for THEM… BUT GOD…
… BUT THEY’RE a BLESSING to US from HIS HANDS...
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Transition: ALL in ALL—TEACHER = SAYING to US:
Preaching Idea:
Preaching Idea:
Since death is inescapable, enjoy life while you have it.
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V. Gospel Connection: Eternal Hope Beyond Death
V. Gospel Connection: Eternal Hope Beyond Death
BREATH of LIFE = OFTEN TAKEN for GRANTED...
**I HAVE BAD DAYS TOO**
Takeaway: BUT EACH DAY = GIFT from GOD.
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Transition: LOOKING @ LIFE…
… IT’S HIGHS & LOWS...
MAKES ME WONDER HOW GOOD the NEXT LIFE WILL BE.
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Wild Backg.: REMEMBER—TEACHER DIDN’T HAVE the FULL PICTURE.
ENJOY YOUR LIFE—IT’S FLEETING
HE DIDN’T KNOW WHAT CAME AFTER
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John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
THERE’S HOPE—FOR ALL WHO BELIEVE— of ETERNAL LIFE.
JESUS CAME to GIVE LIFE—ABUNDANTLY
John 10:10 (ESV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
LIFE HAS its LOWS...
… BUT IT ALSO HAS HIGHS
Longing: HOW MUCH GREATER WILL the HIGHS of the NEXT BE??
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Textual Reality: DEATH COMES to ALL.
RIGHTEOUS/SINNER
CHURCHGOER/ATHEIST
PASTOR/DOCTOR
RICH/POOR
Reflection: LIFE = NOT GUARANTEED…
… ARE YOU READY for THAT DAY?
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for BELIEVERS: DEATH = ENTRANCE to GLORY
Paul: DEATH = FAR BETTER! GOING to be W/ CHRIST!
Invitation: DO YOU HAVE THIS HOPE?
CHRIST DIED FOR YOU....
.... SO YOU DON’T HAVE to BE SEPARATED from GOD for ALL ETERNITY
SALVATION = GIFT of GRACE
TALK to ME AFTER SERVICE — YOU NEED to BE PREPARED for that DAY...
Transition: FINAL CHARGE for BELIEVERS:
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VI. Application: Enjoy Your Life
VI. Application: Enjoy Your Life
Recap: MANY CHOICES—WE DON’T MAKE.
THINGS ABOUT LIFE—WE’D CHANGE
THINGS WE DON’T UNDERSTAND
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YOU CAN CHOOSE to ENJOY GOD’S GIFTS to YOU—TODAY.
LIFE ITSELF—GOD DOESN’T OWE US BREATH
LITTLE THINGS:
FOOD & DRINK— JOYS from GOD’S HAND.
WEAR a NICE SUIT/DRESS,, COLOGNE, PERFUME...
SPOUSE/FAMILY
GOD’S GREATEST GIFTS = PEOPLE.
WORK/HOBBIES
DOING THINGS W/ MIGHT...
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Challenge: HAVE YOU MISSED THESE BLESSINGS?
Reflection: WHICH BLESSINGS DO YOU OVERLOOK?
LOVE FOOD,, NOT PEOPLE??
LOVE PEOPLE, NOT WORK??
App.: SHOULD REGULARLY BE ENJOYING/THANKING GOD for THESE THINGS—
BREATH in OUR LUNGS
FOOD on OUR TABLE
CLOTHES on OUR BACK
FAMILY
CONTRIBUTION to MAKE
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Conclusion:
WE SHOULD BE ABLE to FIND JOY in GOD’S BLESSINGS
& OUR GREATEST JOY in HIM
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AND WITH ETERNAL LIFE to COME—
— WE SHOULD BE ABLE to ENJOY EVERY BREATH of OUR EARTHLY LIFE… AMEN?
Close in Prayer
