The End of the Matter

**Turn to Ecc. CH. 12**

**Prayer**

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I. Introduction: Doing Your Own Thing

HUMAN BEINGS from an EARLY AGE want to go THEIR OWN WAY & DO THEIR OWN THING...

BABIES = UTTERLY DEPENDENT

TODDLERS—GAINING INDEPENDENCE

ADULTS—DON’T WANT to BE TOLD WHAT to DO...

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EXTREME,, POSTMODERN-AGE: “YOUR OWN TRUTH”

RIGHT & WRONG = SUBJECTIVE!

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WE WERE CREATED to BE DEPENDENT

CREATED for RELATIONSHIP

CREATED for GOD...

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Transition: OUR TEXT TODAY— REVEALS THIS SO WELL...

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II. Passage Reading

Ecclesiastes 12:9–14 (ESV)

9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care.

10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.

12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

This is God’s Word for us this morning...

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II. Context Recap: Rejoicing & Remembrance

Last Week:

NEARING END of STUDY— VALUE of LIFE

EVERY DAY YOU SEE the SUN = a BLESSING

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to OLD—REJOICE in MANY YEARS

to YOUNG—REJOICE in YOUTHFULNESS,,

REMEMBERING YOUR CREATOR/LIVING RESPONSIBLY

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LIFE PASSES TOO QUICKLY— ENJOY IT, REJOICE in IT...

Last Wk: LIFE = GIFT

Today’s Focus: PURPOSE of that LIFE...

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Transition: GOING to FINISH STUDY in ECCLESIASTES...

LOOK W/ ME @ V. 9-10

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III. Passage Exposition

A. Thought 1: Reflection/Summary (Ecc. 12:9-10)

Ecclesiastes 12:9–10 (ESV)

9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care.

10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

TEXT SHIFTS—THIRD PERSON

SOME CONCLUDE— WRITING CONVENTION

SOME CONCLUDE — EDITOR

REGARDLESS:

ENDORSES CONTENT of ECCLESIASTES

INSPIRED SCRIPTURE

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(V9) BEGINS BY REFLECTING on NATURE of TEACHER’S WORK

STUDYING,, TEACHING,, ARRANGING PROVERBS…

(V10) DESCRIPTION of WORK

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WORDS of DELIGHT

BEAUTY of CERTAIN PASSAGES

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV)

1 For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

POETIC RETELLING of LIFE in OLD AGE…(CH. 12)

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Transition: yes...BEAUTIFUL, POETIC WORDS…more importantly...

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WORDS of TRUTH

**MOST IMPORTANT**

W/ EVERY MESSAGE — CONTENT = MORE IMPORTANT THAN DELIVERY

PACKAGE ILLUSTRATION:

MESSED UP BOX = NO PROBLEM

KETTLEBELL LAST WK. — JOKE??

MESSED UP CONTENTS = BIG PROBLEM…

CARDBOARD BOX = SIMPLY a VESSEL...

I’D RATHER READ/LISTEN to MESSAGE of TRUTH,, POORLY SPOKEN....

THAN a FALSE MESSAGE BEAUTIFULLY ARTICULATED...

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ECCLESIASTES = ENDORSED as TRUTH

HARD TRUTH at TIMES

UNCOMFORTABLE

BUT TRUE NONETHELESS...

HARSH REALITIES—MEANT to HAVE US LONGING for LIFE BEYOND the SUN....

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Transition: & IN FURTHER REFLECTION on WORDS—

— TEXT WILL SAY in V.11-12

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B. Thought 2: The Words of the Wise (Ecc. 12:11-12)

Ecclesiastes 12:11–12 (ESV)

11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.

12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

WORDS of WISE = LIKE GOADS...

GOADS = CATTLE-PRODS,, POINTY STICK

USED to MOTIVATE ANIMALS WHILE PLOWING

USED to STEER THEM

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SOME PASSAGES in ECCLESIASTES = UNCOMFORTABLE/POKY

FUNERALS = BETTER THAN PARTIES??

EMPTINESS of LIFE’S PLEASURES as PURSUITS

ALL is VANITY??

PEOPLE DIE LIKE FISH in NET??

UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS LEAD US ALONG RIGHT PATH...

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2ND METAPHOR— LIKE NAILS FIRMLY FIXED

Quote, SIDNEY GREIDANUS: “With the word “nails” we can think of tent pegs. Tent pegs or stakes are firmly planted into the ground to keep the shepherd’s tent stable—to keep it from blowing away in a storm.”

LIKE JESUS’ WORDS— BUILDING HOUSE on ROCK...

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(V11b) REASON THESE WORDS WORK: GIVEN BY ONE SHEPHERD

GOD = SOURCE of ALL TRUTH...

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (ESV)

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

SCRIPTURES = DIVINE in ORIGIN —

--GOD USED HUMAN PERSONALITY & VERNACULAR—BUT IT’S HIS MESSAGE to US!

**AGAIN—LIKE GOADS**

REPROOF

CORRECTION

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SCRIPTURE = GIVEN to US—SO WE MIGHT LIVE a GOD-PLEASING LIFE!!

WE NEED GOD’S WORD—DAILY— KNOW HOW to LIVE BEFORE HIM

Illustration: COMPUTER CLASS in HIGH SCHOOL—NO RUBRIC

HOW COULD WE KNOW WHAT is EXPECTED W/ NO RUBRIC??

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GOD’S WORD = RUBRIC— GUIDELINES— ETC.

MODERN BELIEVERS HAVE NO EXCUSE: UNPRECEDENTED ACCESS to GOD’S WORD...

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**CONSCIENCE = GOOD,, BUT IMPERFECT**

Problem: CONSCIENCE SEARED BY REPEATED SIN—NO LONGER SENSITIVE

PEOPLE REDEFINE SIN,,

CULTURES SWAY & INFLUENCE—

—BUT GOD’S WORD = IMMOVABLE.

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WE NEED GOD’S WORD:

READ IT

STUDY IT

HEAR IT

APPLY IT

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TRUE COMPASS THAT GUIDES NORTH

LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATES YOUR WAY

GOAD THAT MOTIVATES & STEERS US

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(V12) TEXT WARNS ABOUT EXCESSIVE STUDY

YOU COULD WEAR YOURSELF OUT—STUDYING EVERYTHING THERE is to KNOW...

Testimony: PhD WARNING from PASTOR-FRIENDS

**WE’LL NEVER HAVE ALL the ANSWERS to EVERY QUESTION**

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MAIN FOCUS of STUDY—TO KNOW OUR WAY in LIFE = GOD’S WORD

DEVOTIONALS = NICE

BOOKS = NICE

BUT DON’T NEGLECT to STUDY GOD’S WORD—THE FOUNTAIN of ALL TRUTH.

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GOD BREATHED OUT HIS WORD—HEBREW, ARAMAIC,, GREEK

PRESERVED COPIES UPON COPIES

TRANSLATORS BROUGHT IT TO US

SOME TRANSLATORS DIED

History, TYNDALE—FIRST ONE to TRANSLATE N.T. INTO ENGLISH from ORIGINAL LANGUAGES = STRANGLED & BURNED @ the STAKE...

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GOD GAVE HIS WORD—

PEOPLE GAVE THEIR LIVES...

— AND WE LET it GET DUSTY on the SHELF?

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We ought to take God’s Word seriously,

STUDY it DILIGENTLY,

and APPLY it THOROUGHLY.

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JOSHUA TAKING OVER LEADERSHIP of ISRAEL:

Joshua 1:8 (ESV)

8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

PROSPEROUS WAY = TIED to KNOWLEDGE & OBEDIENCE of GOD’S LAWS...

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Transition: now,, ECCLESIASTES WILL CLOSE

LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 13-14

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C. Thought 3: The End of the Matter—Fear God & Keep His Commandments (Ecc. 12:13-14)

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 (ESV)

13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

WHOLE of ECCLESIASTES: “FEAR GOD & ENJOY the RIDE”

Illustration: ROLLER COASTER

FEARING GOD—KEEPING ARMS/LEGS in CART

ENJOY the RIDE— YOU CAN’T CHANGE IT...

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TRUE MEANING & ENJOYMENT = ROOTED in RIGHT RELATIONSHIP W/ GOD...

EARTHLY LIFE APART from HIM (UNDER the SUN) = VAIN

BUT FAITH in GOD—ADDS MEANING to OTHERWISE MEANINGLESS LIFE...

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(V13) FEAR GOD & KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS

WHOLE “DUTY” of MAN...

HEBREW: HEBREW TEXT DOESN’T HAVE “DUTY”

---> FEARING GOD & KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS = the WHOLE of MAN...

IT’S EVERYTHING...—>> THIS = WHY WE’RE HERE...

WE WERE CREATED for GOD.

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Exhort: TRYING to FIND MEANING APART from GOD = EMPTY

MATERIAL PLEASURES

RICHES

RELATIONSHIPS/SEX

WISDOM/KNOWLEDGE—GETTING ANSWERS

APART from GOD —THESE = ALL EMPTY!

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w/ GOD—WE CAN FIND TRUE ENJOYMENT in LIFE...

FILLING GOD-VOID W/ STUFF = EMPTY...

WE WERE CREATED for GOD

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FEARING HIM—WALKING in HOLY REVERENCE & AWE of HIM

KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS— THE PROOF of FAITH

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---> HOW WILL WE KNOW HIS WORD—WITHOUT READING??

--->> WHAT BENEFIT is READING WITHOUT APPLYING??

James 1:22 (ESV)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

GOD’S WORD = MEANT to CHANGE US...

WE DON’T CHANGE GOD’S WORD to FIT OUR CRITERIA/IDEAS

WE CHANGE to FIT GOD’S WORD.

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(V14) Reason: GOD WILL BRING EVERY DEED INTO JUDGMENT

EVERY DEED

EVERY SECRET THING

GOD SEES ALL…GOD KNOWS ALL...

ONE DAY WE’LL GIVE an ACCOUNT

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Transition: THIS = TRULY TERRIFYING THING....

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IV. Gospel Connection: Day of Judgment Coming

Atheistic Worldview: IF WE’RE ALL JUST CLUMPS of CELLS ....

.... FLOATING on a ROCK in SPACE BY CHANCE—

—NONE of THIS MATTERS.

--->BUT if GOD is REAL & HE HAS REAL DECREES—

--->> THEN EVERYTHING WE DO HERE— EVERY DEED, EVERY SECRET THING—THEY MATTER

Reference, Philip Ryken: THEN EVERYTHING MATTERS

ETERNITY to COME...

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REAL COMING JUDGMENT = PROBLEM for US

NONE of US = GOOD ENOUGH....

Problem: ALL SINNED—PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

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Frequent Claim: I’M a PRETTY GOOD PERSON

—> ACCORDING to WHO’S STANDARDS?

Story: BETTER THAN MICHAEL JACKSON??

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James 2:10 (ESV)

10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

Conclusion: WE’RE ALL LAWBREAKERS

NOT MURDERED?? CONGRATULATIONS

NO ADULTERY?? GOOD

DON’T COVET? GOOD LUCK.

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N.T. —JESUS SAYS:

ANGER/INSULTING BROTHER— LIKE MURDER

LUST—LIKE ADULTERY

GOD WILL BRING EVERY DEED & EVERY SECRET THING INTO JUDGMENT....

Conclusion: WE’RE GUILTY.

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Good News: GOD = NOT ONLY JUST-JUDGE—

—HE’S a GRACIOUS REDEEMER

Romans 5:7–9 (ESV)

7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—

8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

Solution: JESUS DIED for our SINS—

— BORE GOD’S JUST WRATH—ON OUR BEHALF

HE DIED for the MESSED-UP ME…

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1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)

15 Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.

IF I PUT MY TRUST in CHRIST—I CAN BE FORGIVEN

HE’S PAID MY DEBTS

I JUST HAVE to RECEIVE the GIFT BY FAITH...

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for THOSE in CHRIST:

Romans 8:1 (ESV)

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

WE CAN HAVE CONFIDENCE for the DAY of JUDGMENT (1 jn. 4:17)…BECAUSE of JESUS...

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Invitation: TO ANY WHO HAVEN’T PUT TRUST in CHRIST…

YOU CAN HAVE HOPE for JUDGMENT DAY—THAT is SURE to COME

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Transition: NOW to ALL the BELIEVERS HERE THIS MORNING...

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V. Application: Fear God & Keep His Commandments

Preaching Idea:

FEAR GOD & KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS

**FORGIVENESS in CHRIST DOESN’T MEAN WE JUSTIFY SIN**

OUR LIVES = MEANT for GOD...

FEARING GOD & KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS = the WHOLE of MAN—

— IT’S WHY WE’RE HERE—WHY WE WERE MADE...

N.T. OBEDIENCE = ROOTED in LOVE

John 14:15 (ESV)

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

IF YOU SAY YOU LOVE ME,, PROVE IT!

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JESUS DIED for US—WHAT WILL WE DO in RETURN? WE’RE to OBEY HIS WORD...

**HOW WILL WE KNOW HIS COMMANDMENTS.... if WE NEVER PICK UP HIS BOOK??**

LIKE GOADS—MOTIVATES US, STEERS US

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REMEMBER—THIS = WHY WE’RE HERE

RELATIONSHIP W/ GOD—SERVICE to GOD—NOT to BE PERIPHERY—

— BUT the WHOLE of OUR LIVES

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HOW WE LIVE MATTERS

We ought to take God’s Word seriously,

OPEN it CONSISTENTLY

STUDY it DILIGENTLY,

and APPLY it THOROUGHLY.

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Conclusion:

IN the END WE’LL GIVE an ACCOUNT for OUR LIVES…

WE CAN’T PLEAD IGNORANCE WHEN HE’S GIVEN US HIS WORD…AMEN?

Close in Prayer