Fleeing Folly

I. Introduction: Small Mistakes, Big Consequences

MANY DISASTERS in OUR WORLD ARE TRIGGERED BY SMALL CAUSES...

TORNADOES/HURRICANES— RESULT from SMALL CHANGES in ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE

WILDFIRES— RESULT SINGLE LIGHTNING STRIKE, FLICKED CIGARETTE BUTT, BURNING TRASH

CERTAINLY MANY MORE EXAMPLES

************

Transition: THIS APPLIES to LIFE as WELL

SOMETIMES SMALL THINGS LEAD to BIG RESULTS—GOOD or BAD...

Focus: TODAY—LOOKING at WHY we SHOULD: FLEE FOLLY, & EMBRACE WISDOM.

************

Transition: BEGIN W/ PASSAGE READING

LOOKING @ WHOLE CHAPTER, V.1-20

🐢🐢🐢 --- 37 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

II. Passage Reading:

Ecclesiastes 10:1–20 (ESV)

1 Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

2 A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.

3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:

6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.

7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.

11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.

14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.

16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!

17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

🐢🐢🐢 --- 34 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

III. Context Recap:

Last Wk: WE LIVE in a BACKWARDS WORLD

SWIFT LOSE RACES

STRONG LOSE BATTLES

WISE & INTELLIGENT MIGHT GO HUNGRY

WORLD DOESN’T MAKE SENSE—BUT WISDOM = STILL BENEFICIAL

--------

Takeaway: WE OUGHT to SEEK WISDOM from the ONE WHO MADE the WORLD...

WISDOM = BETTER THAN WEAPONS of WAR...

(9:18) **YET ONE SINNER—CAN DESTROY MUCH GOOD**

************

Transition: W /THIS in MIND—

— TEACHER = GOING to WARN US CONCERNING FOLLY

LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 1

🐢🐢🐢 --- 32 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

IV. Passage Exposition

A. The Consequences of Foolishness (Eccl. 10:1-3)

Ecclesiastes 10:1 (ESV)

1 Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

OVERARCHING IDEA TODAY—LITTLE FOLLY = BIG PROBLEM

TAKE BEAUTIFUL BOTTLE of PERFUME

SMELLS GREAT

FEW FLIES in IT? RUINED.

SMALL THING—HUGE IMPLICATIONS

----------------

Main Point: LITTLE FOLLY OUTWEIGHS WISDOM & HONOR— ONE GOOF CAN STAY on RECORD FOREVER

Biblical Examples:

a. Samson

IN LOVE W/ PHILISTINE WOMAN

LOST HIS HAIR, STRENGTH, EYES—MADE PRISONER

--------

b. King David:

MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART— BATHSHEBA—COVETING, ADULTERY, MURDER.... UNRAVELING KINGDOM...

**DAVID WOULD’VE NEVER SINNED HAD HE KNOWN the CONSEQUENCES**

--------

b. King Solomon:

INCREDIBLY WISE— BUILT TEMPLE

MANY WIVES TURNED HIS HEART AWAY from TRUE GOD.

--------

c. King Hezekiah

BOASTING B4 BABYLONIAN ENVOYS— STOREHOUSES of GOLD...

BABYLON WOULD LATER COME BACK in FORCE to TAKE IT.

SMALL SINS CAN CAUSE CHAIN-REACTION of CONSEQUENCES— AS SUCH, WE SHOULD FLEE FOLLY.

************

Transition: ONE WAY to DO THIS = FOUND in VERSE 2

(V2) A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.

Background: RIGHT = SYMBOLIC of GOOD (JESUS @ RIGHT HAND)

Quote, Eugene Peterson: “Wise thinking leads to right living; Stupid thinking leads to wrong living” (10:2, MSG).

Challenge: HOW MANY SINS BEGIN in MIND?

ACTS of FOLLY = PREMEDITATED

ADULTERY = GREAT EXAMPLE— NOT JUST SPONTANEOUS—PREMEDITATED, THOUGHT ON, PLANNED...

----------

Application: Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)

23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.

KEEPING INNER MAN/WOMAN PURE—

THOUGHTS PURE == GREAT WAY to ABSTAIN from FOLLY

Takeaway: PREVENTING FOLLY BEGINS in the HEART

************

Transition: TEACHER WILL SHARE ANOTHER KEY to AVOIDING FOLLY— LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 4

🐢🐢🐢 --- 26 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

B. Wisdom in Action: Staying Calm in Conflict (Eccl. 10:4)

Ecclesiastes 10:4 (ESV)

4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

C.C. ANYONE ELSE HAVE GIFT for ADDING GAS to FIRE in ARGUMENT?

Main Point: WISDOM KEEPS CALM DURING TIMES of CONTENTION

FOLLY RUNS AWAY or CAUSES FURTHER PROBLEMS

--------

TEACHER’S EXAMPLE: RULER

C.C.: PERHAPS for US— BOSS, (REALLY ANYONE)

RESPONDING in KIND = FOLLY — ADDING FLIES to PERFUME

Result: MIGHT LOSE YOUR JOB, MARRIAGE, ETC.

Application: BETTER to REMAIN CALM, AVOIDING IMPULSIVITY (FOLLY)

************

Transition: TEACHER—TRANSITIONING to FOLLY in WORLD,,, WE ARE STUCK DEALING W/

LOOK W/ ME @ VS.5-7

🐢🐢🐢 --- 25 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

C. A Backwards World: Folly in Leadership (Eccl. 10:5-7)

Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 (ESV)

5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:

6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.

7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

Main Point: FOLLY in LEADERSHIP = PUTTING WRONG PEOPLE in WRONG POSITIONS

Quote: Scholar, Philip Ryken, “But when folly sits on the throne, everything is topsy-turvy. Slaves ride, while princes walk.”

C.C. PERHAPS YOU WERE PASSED-OVER @ WORK

SOMEONE LESS QUALIFIED GETS PROMOTION

Takeaway: SOMETIMES WE SUFFER CONSEQUENCES of OTHER’S FOLLY

Application: WISDOM DOESN’T RESPOND in KIND W/ MORE FOLLY

**CAN RESULT in WORSE CONSEQUENCES**

PERFECT OPPORTUNITY: CALMNESS LAYS OFFENSES to REST.

************

Transition: SOMETIMES WORLD JUST DOESN’T MAKE SENSE,,

WISDOM STILL HELPS to NAVIGATE THIS (WHEN APPLIED)

LOOK W/ ME @ VS.8-11

🐢🐢🐢 --- 23 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

D. The Dangers of Negligence (Eccl. 10:8-11)

Ecclesiastes 10:8–11 (ESV)

8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.

9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.

11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.

Negative Examples:

DIGGING PIT (TRAP ANIMAL) — TRAPPED YOURSELF!

BREAKING WALL—POSSIBLY FARMING CONTEXT—BIT by SNAKE

QUARRYING STONES/CUTTING WOOD—HURT

Takeaway: ONE ACT of FOLLY—NOT TAKING PRECAUTIONS—CAN RESULT in GREAT HARM

99% of the TIME YOU’RE GOOD—BUT 1% GETS YOU.

WHY MANY OCCUPATIONS REQUIRE SAFETY GEAR/POLICIES

--------

WISDOM HELPS THESE THINGS—BUT MUST BE APPLIED

(V11) SNAKE-CHARMER DOESN’T GET to CHARMING HE’S of NO BENEFIT

(V10) SHARPENING AX— WORKING SMARTER NOT HARDER

AVOIDING FOLLY of WASTED TIME

--------

Personal Application: BEEN USING THIS PRINCIPLE on SCHEDULING

EATING ELEPHANT—ONE BITE @ a TIME...

SOMETIMES YOU NEED a PLAN to EAT—SHARPENING AX

Takeaway: WISDOM—WHEN APPLIED—HELPS to FIGHT COSTLY MISTAKES & WASTED TIME.

************

Transition: WISDOM = NOT JUST RESERVED for WHAT WE DO,,

BUT WHAT WE SAY

LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 12-15

🐢🐢🐢 --- 18 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

E. Wise Words vs. Foolish Speech (Eccl. 10:12-15)

Ecclesiastes 10:12–15 (ESV)

12 The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.

14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?

15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.

ONE FOOLISH COMMENT STAYS on RECORD FOREVER.

James 3:2 (ESV)

2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

PEOPLE CAN CONTROL SHIPS W/ RUDDERS & HORSES W/ BRIDLES—

— BUT WE CAN’T SEEM to CONTROL OUR MOUTHS.

--------

Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Quote, NLT: “those who love to talk will reap the consequences.”

Testimony: AS a TALKER—THIS = SO TRUE...

MORE YOU SPEAK—MORE LIKELY YOU ARE to MISSPEAK

--------

Application: A LITTLE FOLLY in SPEECH—CAN BRING ABOUT GREAT PROBLEMS— GUARD YOUR WORDS...

************

Transition: Now, TEACHER = GOING to REVISIT FOLLY in LEADERSHIP & LIFE

LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 16-17

🐢🐢🐢 --- 15 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

F. The Folly of Irresponsible Leadership and Sloth (Eccl. 10:16-18)

Ecclesiastes 10:16–18 (ESV)

16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!

17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!

Takeaway: LAND RULED BY FOOLS = DISHONORED

RIGHT TIME for EVERYTHING

RIGHT TIME (FEASTING)—BUT NOT FIRST THING in MORNING

RIGHT MOTIVE: STRENGTH & NOT DRUNKENNESS

************

Transition: THIS = ALSO TRUE of THOSE WHO NEGLECT THEIR DUTIES/WORK

18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

Takeaway: FOLLY of PROCRASTINATION RESULTS in BIGGER PROBLEMS

WISDOM = BOTH AVOIDING WRONG THINGS & DOING RIGHT THINGS

Illustration: (MODERN HOUSE) SMALL LEAK—CAN RESULT in RUINED DRYWALL, MOLD, ETC.

SMALL BITS of FOLLY/NEGLIGENCE— CAN HAVE HUGE RESULTS

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (ESV)

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.

************

Transition: NOW— TEACHER GOING to CONCLUDE this STRING of PROVERBS...

LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 19-20

🐢🐢🐢 --- 13 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

G. Final Warnings: Wisdom Even in Private (Eccl. 10:19-20

Ecclesiastes 10:19–20 (ESV)

19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.

Takeaway: AGAIN, TEACHER SHOWS WE OUGHT to ENJOY GOD’S SIMPLE PLEASURES of FOOD & DRINK

ALSO POINTS OUT—MONEY = SUPPLIER of THESE THINGS

ANSWERS EVERYTHING—CONTEXT, ANSWERS “BOTH”

Quote, GNT: “BUT YOU CAN’T HAVE EITHER WITHOUT MONEY”

----------------

(v20) TEACHER POINTS OUT—SINS WILL FIND YOU OUT

EVEN in PRIVATE,, DON’T CURSE OTHERS

SOMEHOW IT’LL GET OUT

LITTLE FOLLY—AGAIN LEADS to PROBLEMS...

Application: AGAIN WE SHOULD GUARD OUR HEARTS, (V2)/ PROV.

************

Transition: ALL in ALL,, I BELIEVE the TEACHER is SAYING to US THIS MORNING, SIMPLY,,

Preaching Idea:

Flee folly, embrace wisdom.

🐢🐢🐢 --- 11 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

V. Gospel Connection: Forgiveness for Folly

C.C. BUT PERHAPS—MESSAGE CAME TOO LATE.

MAYBE YOU NEEDED THIS:

LAST WEEK,

LAST YEAR,

10 YEARS AGO.

YOU’VE ALREADY FALLEN INTO SOME FOLLY—REAPING WHAT YOU’VE SOWN.

--------

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Problem: —ALL HAVE SINNED, MESSED UP, FALLEN SHORT of GOD’S GLORY

MIGHT STILL FACE NATURAL CONSEQUENCES—

— BUT you CAN BE FORGIVEN of ETERNAL ONES

Example: DAVID = FORGIVEN BY GOD—STILL SUFFERED MAJOR PROBLEMS

----------------

Bad News: SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD.

Good News: JESUS—the ONE CALLED “WISDOM” from GOD—NEVER SINNED, NEVER COMMITTED a SINGLE ACT of FOLLY

--------

Solution: SINLESS ONE DIED for SINNERS—PAYING OUR DEBTS

WE CAN BE FORGIVEN BY TRUSTING in CHRIST for SALVATION...

--------

Application: WISEST THING YOU CAN DO in THIS LIFE— PREPARE for ETERNITY—

BY PLACING YOUR FAITH & ALLEGIANCE in CHRIST—TURNING from SIN to the SAVIOR

Invitation: IF YOU DON’T KNOW WHERE YOU STAND W/ GOD,, HAVE QUESTIONS,, I’D LOVE to SPEAK to you AFTER SERVICE TODAY.

************

Transition: Now, in CLOSING,, an ADMONISHMENT for THOSE WHO BELIEVE...

🐢🐢🐢 --- 6 minutes left---🐢🐢🐢

🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢🐢

VI. Application: Live Wisely, Not Foolishly

Challenge: We ought to flee folly and embrace wisdom.

PERHAPS SOME FOLLY isn’t SINFUL,

BUT STILL PAINFUL— FALLING INTO PIT/SNAKE-BITE...

BUT MUCH of it IS.

----------------

Warning: A LITTLE FOLLY— LIKE FLIES in PERFUME = BIG PROBLEM

Application: USE SOME of the TOOLS of THIS MESSAGE to FIGHT TEMPTATION

1 Corinthians 10:12–13 (ESV)

12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

ALL of US ARE PRONE to FOLLY

SAYING WRONG THING

DOING WRONG THING

DOING NOTHING

GOD = FAITHFUL to PROVIDE US a WAY OUT.

SIN/FOLLY CROUCHES @ DOOR,, DESIRING to HAVE YOU.

--------

Reflection: TEACHER OFFERS a FEW TOOLS THIS MORNING…

a SUMMARY,, CAN BE FOUND on BACK of YOUR BULLETIN

--------

LIVING WISELY DOESN’T HAVE ALL the ANSWERS— ONLY CHRIST DOES...

Conclusion:

BUT FOR THOSE WHO KNOW CHRIST—

WE CAN USE TOOLS in HIS WORD to FIGHT FOLLY

& LEAD GOD-GLORIFYING LIVES

Close in Prayer