I Pity the Fool!

Lead Vocalist (Kelly)

Welcome & Announcements (Sterling)

Good morning family!

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Now please take a moment of silence to prepare your heart for worship.

Call to Worship (1 Timothy 1:15-17)

Prayer of Praise (Brannan Holdren)

Immortal Invisible

Holy Forever

Prayer of Confession (Nathan Rathbone), Foolishness

Assurance of Pardon (Colossians 2:8-10)

CareNet Video

Come To Jesus (Rest In Him)

Scripture Reading (Eccl. 9:13-10:20)—page _________ in the black Bibles

Pastoral Prayer (Sterling)

Prayer for PBC—Wisdom for our leaders

Prayer for kingdom partner—Ham, Justin & Angie (IMB)

Prayer for US—Against loneliness

Prayer for the world—Bolivia

Pray for the sermon

SERMON

START TIMER!!!

He could have gone down as one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history.

He ended the draft and brought home American troops after years of war in Vietnam.

He opened diplomatic relations with China, easing decades of tension between two global powers.

His foreign relations with the Soviet Union eased the tensions of the Cold War, and lowered the risk of nuclear confrontation.

He enforced desegregation of the schools in the south, and launched initiatives that advanced civil rights in our nation.

He presided over the Apollo moon landing, when two men stepped onto the lunar surface as the world breathlessly watched.

He won reelection to a second term as president in one of the largest landslides in history.

Yet for all these impressive accomplishments, few people think of any of them when they hear the name Richard Nixon.

Instead, they remember what happened on June 17, 1972—a small, foolish break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters that spiraled into a national scandal. What began as a petty political scheme turned into a cover-up, a collapse of trust, and ultimately, the downfall of a presidency. On August 9, 1974, Richard Nixon resigned from office in disgrace—the first and only U.S. president ever to do so—remembered not for his wisdom, but for his folly. [1]

Nixon’s story is a sobering reminder that...

It only takes a little folly to create a big problem.

That’s the Big idea we’re going to learn from God’s Word this morning.

Turn in your Bibles—if you’re not already there—to Ecclesiastes 9:13.

Our passage this morning can be a bit dizzying on its surface.

These verses contain parable, proverbs, case studies, comparisons, sayings, and commands.

There are flies, horses, serpents, and birds; slaves, kings, fools, and the wise.

And it seems like the Preacher is jumping back and forth from one idea to the next with little rhyme or reason.

It’s no wonder Martin Luther wrote about this section, “Solomon really makes some harsh transitions!” [2]

But as we pay careful attention to God’s Word a theme emerges.

The Preacher is warning us about the dangers of folly.

He wants us to see how It only takes a little folly to create a big problem.

A close examination of the text reveals Four Features of Foolishness:

In 9:13-17 we will consider how Foolishness is Celebrated.

In 9:18-10:2, we’ll notice how Foolishness is Corrupting.

In 10:3-7, we’ll examine how Foolishness is Common.

And in 10:8-20 we’ll conclude with a reminder that Foolishness is Costly.

Just a brief warning now: the Preacher spends the most time on this final feature of foolishness.

So when I get to point 4, don’t start packing up your things because you think we’re getting out of here early.

Don’t worry, I promise to get you home before dinner!

By the way, it’s significant that Solomon devotes the bulk of this section to the costliness of foolishness.

He is not exposing the features of foolishness so we can gawk at the trainwreck and thank God that we weren’t involved.

His goal is to show us folly so we will strive to cultivate wisdom.

Don’t listen to all of this with the ears of a Pharisee.

Don’t listen and say, “I thank you, God, that I’m not one of those fools!”

Ask Him to expose the smallest pockets of folly in your heart so you can avoid the costliness of foolishness.

Let’s begin by considering how…

1) Foolishness is CELEBRATED

Ecclesiastes 9:13–15—I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siegeworks against it. But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.

The Preacher begins with a parable.

There was once a little city that was surrounded by a powerful king. The powerful king had great weapons of war, and it looked as if the little city was doomed to be destroyed. All the rulers of the city gathered to discuss how to defeat the powerful king, but nobody knew what to do. Until a poor man entered the room. And by his wisdom, the city was saved.

We don’t know what the poor man said that rescued the city. We don’t know how the city was saved. And that’s part of the point. The poor, wise man was completely forgotten.

This leads us to an important question: would you rather be right or remembered?

We live in a culture that is obsessed with fame and popularity.

The other day I was sitting in the chair at the dentist, listening to one of the hygienists talking about how one of her TikTok videos was going viral. She told her co-workers once she had reached a certain number of followers she was going to unfollow everyone she knew. When someone asked why, she said “I don’t care if people I’ll never meet watch these videos. But it’s too embarrassing when people I know are watching them.”

In our world, popularity requires you to be flashy and fancy. You have to be a provocateur, to push the envelope, to do something out of the ordinary, something different.

Wisdom is often quiet, unassuming, and uninteresting. But wisdom is right.

If you choose the path of wisdom, don’t be surprised if you live much of your life in obscurity.

Ecclesiastes 9:16-17—But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man’s wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Here the Preacher contrasts two voices:

The voice of the wise is despised by the world. It’s quiet, so most people don’t hear it.

The voice of the foolish is celebrated. It’s loud. It gets all the press. It’s repeated, retweeted and reposted.

This seems even more true in our digital age, doesn’t it?

It takes only a few seconds to post something online that can be seen and celebrated by millions of people all over the world.

It takes months, maybe even years to study something , think deeply, and write those ideas down in a book. It takes even more time for those ideas to be edited and published.

And yet, studies show teens spend nearly five hours a day on social media, but only about 10-15 minutes a day reading books. That’s roughly three minutes of book reading for every hour spent scrolling online. [3]

Now I am NOT saying that everything on social media is foolish and everything written in a book is wise. But the medium of social media tends towards greater foolishness while the medium of books tends towards greater wisdom.

Christian, if you want to be wise, you probably need to read more books than you think. And you probably need to engage less on social media than you want.

One reason why PBC has a bookstall is to recommend what we think are some of the best books to help you grow in wisdom.

It only takes a little folly to create a big problem. So cultivate wisdom, even though folly is celebrated.

But also, you should cultivate wisdom because…

2) Foolishness is CORRUPTING

Ecclesiastes 9:18—Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.

Think of the example of King Rehoboam.

His father, King Solomon, was a wise ruler who ushered in the greatest peace and prosperity the nation of Israel had ever seen.

But Rehoboam was a fool.

After his father died, Rehoboam called his counselors to ask him how he should rule.

His older counselors advised him to lighten the load that Solomon had placed on the people.

But then Rehoboam asked his peers. They told Rehoboam to tell the people, “my father laid on you a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” [4]

Unfortunately, Rehoboam heeded this foolish advice and as a result the kingdom of Israel was split.

One foolish sinner can destroy much good. Foolishness is corrupting.

Solomon continues…

Ecclesiastes 10:1—Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

Have you ever heard someone talk about a “fly in the ointment”?

It’s a saying used to describe a small problem that ruins something otherwise good.

That saying has its origin right here in Ecclesiastes.

A perfumer’s ointment was precious and valuable, but the whole batch could be contaminated by a single dead fly.

In the same way, even a little foolishness can create a big problem because foolishness is corrupting.

So what do we need to do? Look at…

Ecclesiastes 10:2—A wise man’s heart inclines him to the right, but a fool’s heart to the left.

Alright, all the Republicans in the room need to calm down just a bit, because this verse probably doesn’t mean what you think.

The Preacher isn’t talking about political parties here. In the ancient world the left hand was typically considered unclean—perhaps because it was associated with personal hygiene in the latrine. But the right hand was the position of honor and prestige.

So here’s the question the Preacher is inviting us to ask ourselves: where is your heart inclined? Is your heart drawn to evil and perversity, or is your heart drawn to what is righteous and good?

The Apostle suggests this in...

Philippians 4:8—Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Are these the things that captivate your heart?

Consider the books you read, the people you follow on social media, the music you listen to, the movies and shows you watch, the games you play, and the conversations you have with family, friends, and co-workers. What do they say about the inclinations of your heart?

These things are both a thermometer and a thermostat for your heart.

Like a thermometer, you can often measure the temperature of your heart by examining the things that captivate your heart and capture your affections.

And like a thermostat, the things you fill your mind with can often warm or cool your affections for what is righteous and good.

Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see,

Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.

For the Father up above is looking down in love,

Oh, be careful, little eyes, what you see.

Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear,

Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear,

For the Father up above is looking down in love,

Oh, be careful, little ears, what you hear.

It only takes a little folly to create a big problem. So cultivate wisdom, because folly is corrupting.

But also, you should cultivate wisdom even though…

3) Foolishness is COMMON

Given how corrupting folly can be, you would think that more people would seek to avoid it.

But the reality is, foolishness is so common there isn’t much shame in being a fool.

Look at…

Ecclesiastes 10:3—Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.

The fool is so senseless he broadcasts his foolishness everywhere he goes.

Plato once said, “Wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something.” [5]

Perhaps one application here is simply to speak less frequently.

As Mark Twain once said, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt.”

This is especially good advice when you’re in the presence of a foolish authority...

Ecclesiastes 10:4—If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.

The common response when someone lashes out at you is to yell back.

Even as a dad, I sometimes find myself yelling at my kids to stop yelling!

But the common response is rarely the right one.

If your authority lashes out at you, stay calm. Don’t lash back. Do your job and keep your mouth shut. Often your silence will have far greater impact than your words ever could.

We need to learn this, because often fools are in positions of authority...

Ecclesiastes 10:5–7—There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.

It’s easy to miss the Preacher’s main point here. He isn’t advocating slavery or some sort of caste system. He’s not saying the rich are always right or the poor are always wrong.

He’s simply saying that often the most unqualified people are in positions of great influence, while the most qualified people are stuck at the bottom.

This reminds me of a song by Emmy-nominated songwriter Ben Rector that perfectly captures the irony of seeing unqualified people celebrated while those who work hard and build quietly go unnoticed…

Howard drives a minivan to the cruise ships from Fort Lauderdale

And it's been that way since 1994

Does his business on a flip phone with the most obnoxious ringtone

I didn't ask, but I can tell he's from New York

He spoke proudly of his daughter and that this fall she'd be in college

And that he always wished he'd gotten his degree

You can tell he came from nothing, built a future out of hustling

And somehow I'm the one you people pay to see

Oh, isn't that just the way it goes?

You're dealt a good hand and you get celebrated

Oh, how am I the only one who knows

I'm half the man of the men who drive me places? [6]

This is what life often looks like in a fallen world.

The foolish are celebrated while the wise are forgotten, overlooked, or condemned.

No wonder it’s so easy for us to be content with foolishness in our lives.

But it only takes a little folly to create a big problem. So cultivate wisdom, even though folly is common.

Finally, you should cultivate wisdom because...

4) Foolishness is COSTLY

Alright, just remember: we’re not done!

The Preacher spends the bulk of His time outlining some of the costliness of foolishness, so we’re going to do the same thing.

I think we can divide the cost of folly into three main categories.

First, let’s consider…

A) The PERSONAL Cost of Foolishness

Ecclesiastes 10:8–9—He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.

The Preacher lists four accidents that were common in the ancient world.

Sometimes people fall in pits…

Or get bit by poisonous snakes after moving a stone wall…

Or get hurt digging for stones…

Or splitting logs.

Now the Preacher is not saying only foolish people have accidents. But he is suggesting that wisdom can often protect us.

This is more clear when you look at the next few verses...

Ecclesiastes 10:10-11—If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed. If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.

Fools are often impatient. They’re in a hurry, so they don’t take time to do things carefully.

The foolish woodcutter doesn’t want to take time to sharpen his axe. Far better to just keep chopping.

And the foolish snake charmer doesn’t want to take time to charm the snake, often leading to deadly consequences.

Alright how do we apply this in our 21st century world?

Most of us aren’t digging pits, quarrying stones, splitting logs, or charming snakes.

But all of us engage in activities that could lead to grave consequences without wisdom.

One of the clearest examples in our world today is driving a car.

Driving is something most of us do every day—it seems ordinary, even safe—but it is potentially deadly if approached foolishly. And yet, foolishness is everywhere on the roads.

Just as the ancient woodcutter must sharpen his tool, and the snake charmer must take time to charm the serpent, drivers must take their tasks seriously: paying attention, obeying the rules, and avoiding distractions. One small moment of impatience or carelessness can lead to accidents that change lives forever—often in ways we never intended.

If it’s wise to take your time sharpening an axe, charming a snake, or driving a car, it’s wise to take your time to do your work carefully. It’s wise to take time off work to rest and enjoy your family. It’s wise to leave town and take a vacation so you can refresh and recharge and do your work more faithfully when you return.

Your foolishness will affect you personally.

But it will also affect the people around you.

Consider next…

B) The RELATIONAL Cost of Foolishness

Ecclesiastes 10:12—The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.

We’ve already said that foolishness is celebrated. That’s certainly true in a fallen world.

But even though fools are often celebrated, they’re not known for the depth of their relationships.

You can have millions of “friends” and followers on social media, and yet feel lonely and isolated enough to end your own life.

It takes wise words to win favor in your relationships with other people. But the fool can tear down a relationship in seconds with just a few words. But the reality is, the more foolish you are the more words you speak...

Ecclesiastes 10:13-15—The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness. A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him? The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.

Notice in these verses the fool has two problems with his words.

First, the fool talks too much. The person who doesn’t know when to stop talking is a fool.

This is an especially strong warning for people—like me—who have to talk for a living!

There is no virtue in preaching a long sermon. I should only preach as long as (1) I have something worth saying and (2) most people are still listening.

Far too many preachers—especially young ones just getting started—think that there’s a virtue in preaching long for it’s own sake. But if you’re not listening, and if I don’t have something worth saying than it’s far better to shut up and sit down.

Which leads to the fool’s second problem with his words...

The fool talks a lot about things he doesn’t know.

Notice, the fool doesn’t even know how to get to town. And yet, he talks as if he knows everything.

You’ve met this guy, haven’t you? He knows very little and yet he’s very confident about everything he talks about.

How many of you think, “Oh hooray, the know-it-all is coming to dinner! I LOVE hanging out with that guy! I just LOVE how he always corrects me when I say something! What a joy it is whenever he says “Well, actually...”.

Nobody ever says that. We hate hanging out with that guy! Because foolishness has relational consequences!

Your foolishness will affect your relationships.

But finally, consider…

C) The SOCIETAL Cost of Foolishness

Ecclesiastes 10:16-17—Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning! 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!

Foolishness doesn’t just affect you personally. And it doesn’t merely affect your web of relationships.

A little foolishness can create big problems in an entire society.

When your rulers act like children, when they’re getting drunk, or partying in the morning it can destroy the entire society.

A society with rulers like this is like a house that isn’t maintained...

Ecclesiastes 10:18—Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.

The lazy person is too busy” to deal with his leaky roof, so the problem grows until the entire roof sinks in.

And the country with foolish leaders will eventually collapse too.

In his Institutes, John Calvin says “a wicked king is the Lord’s wrath upon the earth.” [7]

Whether you prefer Republicans or Democrats, you have much to lament when you look at many of the leaders who have led this nation in my lifetime. Whether you’re talking about personal character or public policy, many of our leaders have been fools. And unless the Lord brings a genuine revival in our nation, it’s only a matter of time before our society collapses.

Meanwhile, the fools in society continue on the same collision course with disaster...

Ecclesiastes 10:19—Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.

This verse is most likely a party song being sung by the wicked leaders. All they care about is food, drink, and money.

How should the wise person respond to such wickedness?

Ecclesiastes 10:20—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.

Have you ever heard the saying, “a little birdie told me?” That’s also from right here in Ecclesiastes.

Rather than curse our wicked, foolish rulers, the Preacher urges us to exercise caution.

Be careful what you say, loved ones. Your words are not as private as you might think.

It only takes a little folly to create a big problem.

Think back to Richard Nixon. He could have gone down as one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history, with accomplishments that shaped the world. But it only took one small act of foolishness to destroy everything and leave a legacy remembered for folly rather than wisdom.

You might think, how could Nixon have been so dumb?

And yet, Nixon came by his foolishness honestly. Just like you and me.

Our first parents, Adam and Eve, had everything.

A perfect life, perfect relationships, perfect provision, and direct fellowship with God.

Yet it only took one small act of foolishness—eating the forbidden fruit—to bring sin, death, and brokenness into the world.

One foolish choice had consequences not just for them, but for all humanity.

The good news is that God didn’t leave us in that folly.

The Good News of Christianity is that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to succeed where Adam (and all of us!) failed.

Jesus lived a sinless life and died a sinner’s death...

So that whoever turns from their sins and trusts in Him can be forgiven.

Whether your foolishness has been small or great, you can be forgiven!

You don’t have to end your life shamed by a legacy of foolishness.

You can cultivate a life of wisdom by looking to Jesus.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Christ Our Wisdom

Benediction (James 1:5)