“Nobody Does It Better”

Shane Sowers

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The Toothpick

I am seeing how this is an all is vanity kind of world. So much of life is meaningless. But is there a way to live in this world? We know and will continue to see that this life does not and will not work without Christ. But how should we then live? We live in accordance to the Word of God simple. But again…are we? We are constantly seeing comparisons of right way and wrong way to live from the philosophies, ideologies, and ingenuity of man. It is amazing how much of worldly principles have penetrated our lives and we don’t even know it. One of the ways to flip the light switch on this is the proverbs. We are gonna look at some today.

Ecclesiastes 7:1–4 NLT

Ecclesiastes 7:1-12

Ecclesiastes 7:1–12 NLT

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born. Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time. Better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. A fool’s laughter is quickly gone, like thorns crackling in a fire. This also is meaningless. Extortion turns wise people into fools, and bribes corrupt the heart. Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride. Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool. Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise. Wisdom is even better when you have money. Both are a benefit as you go through life. Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life.

The grass withers the flower fades but the Word of our God stands forever.

The Day

The Funeral

The Criticism

The End

The Wise

The Way

The first thing we will explore is the comparison of the day we were born and the day we die in light of integrity. Another comparison to consider is the value of a funeral and a festival and the conclusion of which is better. And finally we will uncover that all roads do not lead to heaven and the way the truth and the life is better than any other way.

Thesis: Though sin and the pattern of this world deceive us into thinking that rebellion against God is the right way to live, it is the light of scripture and the power of the Spirit that will illuminate the right way, the way the truth and the life.

I. The Day

Preaching the Word: Ecclesiastes—Why Everything Matters The Days of Birth and Death

Fair fame is better than fine perfume

- Fair fame is better than fine perfume.

A. The Preacher begins by offering us wisdom for understanding the great matters of life and death.

Fair fame is better than fine perfume

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 150). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

The Preacher begins by offering us wisdom for understanding the great matters of life and death.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 NLT

A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 150). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

B. Qoheleth compares a good reputation to the rich aroma of an exotic fragrance. A good literal translation could be...“Fair fame is better than fine perfume.” This proverb seems to have been a popular saying in ancient times. In the dry dusty communities of Biblical times, scented oils and other fragrances were valuable valuable commodities.

This proverb may have been a popular saying in those days. In the dusty communities of Biblical times, scented oils and other fragrances were valuable commodities. Yet having a name that people admire for integrity is even more valuable. With every comment we make and every action we take, we either build up or tear down our reputation.

C. Yet having a name that people admire for integrity is even more valuable. With every comment we make and every action we take, we either build up or tear down our reputation. And according to Solomon… it is so much more.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 150). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

“Fair fame is better than fine perfume.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 150). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

D. Qoheleth calls us to good character. Think about it, what kind of name are we making for ourselves. When people think of us, what character traits come to mind? Are they the characteristics of Christ? Character is as character does, and sooner or later you will be known for the character you keep and its more valuable than we might think.

E. Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius depicts the story of the legendary golfer. In the early 1920s, Jones retired at the age of 28 as an amateur, yet captured golf's most elusive prize, the Grand Slam. To accomplish this, Jones triumphed over his bad temper, self-imposed perfectionism, and some painful medical problems to earn the title "Best Golfer in the World."

In this scene, Bobby is playing his second U.S. Open Championship, and he feels pressured to win in order to prove that his first win was not a lucky accident.

Visibly upset, Jones calls for an official.

"I caused my ball to move," Jones tells them.

The officials confer with one another and with his opponent, Walter Hagen (Jeremy Northam), and then call Bobby over.

"Bobby, we've talked with Walter, all the officials, and several people in the gallery. Nobody saw your ball move. Seems a matter for you to decide."

The official takes Jones aside and asks, "Are you sure you caused that ball to move?"

"I know I did."

With this response, the official nods with some hesitation. "You're to be congratulated, son."

Jones gives him a surprised look, "Sir, that's like congratulating a man for not robbing a bank. I don't know how else to play the game."

Walter Hagen and the officials look on with amazement as Bobby Jones walks over to finish his shot.

The scene shifts to later that evening where reporter O. B. Keeler (Malcolm McDowell) is typing his story: "Bobby Jones lost the U.S. Open by one stroke. In calling a penalty on himself, he demonstrated the highest ideals of sportsmanship for all of us, and personal honor. I'm prouder of him than if he'd won. There are things finer than winning championships."

E. Impressed. Yeah but not really the way things are today in our culture. Stephen Carter in Christianity Today - “America's integrity dilemma: we are all full of fine talk about how desperately our society needs it, but, when push comes to shove, we would just as soon be on the winning side.” Think about it.

F. The comparison in the first part of verse 1 sets up the comparison that follows, about birthdays and funerals. Here is how the verse fits together: “As a name is better than oil, so the day of death is better than the day of birth.” What we should see here is both precious perfume and a good reputation are wonderful to possess. Similarly, both the first and the last day of life have something to offer, especially to anyone who has a good name in the courts of Heaven through saving faith in Jesus Christ.

Qoheleth calls us to wear the cologne of good character. Consider, therefore, what kind of name you are making for yourself. When people think of you, what character traits come to mind? Are they the characteristics of Christ? To give just a few examples: Are you known more for being cheerful or for having a critical spirit? Do you have a reputation for speaking the absolute truth or for coming up with stories that are hard to believe? Are you generous with what you have, or do you err on the side of stinginess? Character is as character does, and sooner or later you will be known for the character you keep. Make a good name—not for yourself but for Jesus.

The comparison in the first part of verse 1 sets up the comparison that follows, about birthdays and funerals. Here is how the verse fits together: “As a name is better than oil, so the day of death is better than the day of birth.” The

Both precious perfume and a good reputation are wonderful to possess. Similarly, both the first and the last day of life have something to offer, especially to anyone who has a good name in the courts of Heaven through saving faith in Jesus Christ.

G. The story goes… Didymus the Blind studied this verse, he commented that a believer’s dying day is best because it is “the end and termination of evil.”

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 151). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

H. The Apostle Paul came to the same conclusion...

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 151). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 150). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Philippians 1:21–23 NLT

For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So I really don’t know which is better. I’m torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me.

Philippians

I. This is why the day of a believer’s death is the best day of all, we get to be with Christ.

Thomas Boston wrote, “In the day of his birth he was born to die, but in the day of his death he dies to live.”

Boston further described our dying day as the day we enter a better world, with higher perfection, greater purity, deeper rest, better company, higher perfection than the world we entered on the day we were born.

J. Death is our entrance into glory. The great Charles Spurgeon described as the day believers “reach their port, all danger over, and come to their desired haven.”

“In the day of his birth he was born to die,” wrote Thomas Boston, but “in the day of his death he dies to live.” Boston further described our dying day as the day we enter a better world, with higher perfection, greater purity, deeper rest, better company, higher perfection, and better employment than the world we entered on the day we were born.

This is why the day of a believer’s death is the best day of all.

Death is our entrance into glory—what Charles Spurgeon described as the day believers “reach their port, all danger over, and come to their desired haven.”

K. The best way for us to see how the last day is better than the first day, we need to go back to the day Christ was born and compare it to the even better day when he died for our sins. The day Jesus was born was one of the best days ever—the coming of our God and King. This is what we celebrate now.

L. But even that blessed day is not the best day. We look beyond Bethlehem to Calvary, where the Savior in the manger died upon the cross. It is not the birth of Jesus that saves us, although of course he had to be born before he could die. What is important for us to see is that the death of Jesus is what sets us free—the shedding of his blood for our sins. It is only because the day of his death was so good—Good Friday, that we can have any hope of life after our death.

Whereon the Savior of the world was born.

Rise to adore the mystery of love

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 151). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Which hosts of angels chanted from above,

With them the joyful tidings first begun

Of God incarnate and the Virgin’s son.

L. But even that blessed day is not the best day. We look beyond Bethlehem to Calvary, where the Savior in the manger died upon the cross. It is not the birth of Jesus that saves us, although of course he had to be born before he could die. Rather it is the death of Jesus that delivers—the shedding of his blood for the atonement of our sins. It is only because the day of his death was so good—Good Friday, we usually call it—that we can have any hope of life after our own death.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (pp. 151–152). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

M. Some of the best Christmas carols speak to this great truth. In celebrating the birth of Christ, they also praise his life-saving death. “What child is this, who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” The carol answers: “Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you.”

But even that blessed day is not the best day. We look beyond Bethlehem to Calvary, where the Savior in the manger died upon the cross. It is not the birth of Jesus that saves us, although of course he had to be born before he could die. Rather it is the death of Jesus that delivers—the shedding of his blood for the atonement of our sins. It is only because the day of his death was so good—Good Friday, we usually call it—that we can have any hope of life after our own death.

Some of the best Christmas carols speak to this great truth. In celebrating the birth of Christ, they also praise his life-saving death. “What child is this, who, laid to rest on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” The carol answers: “Nails, spear shall pierce him through, the cross be borne for me, for you.” “Within a crib my Savior lay, a wooden manger filled with hay.” Then these words: “Upon a cross my Savior died, to ransom sinners, crucified.”11 Or consider these beautiful words from a hymn by Paul Gerhardt: “He becomes the Lamb that taketh / Sin away and for aye full atonement maketh.” The truth we find in is most perfectly expressed in the fragrant character, joyful birth, and atoning death of Jesus Christ.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (pp. 151–152). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 151). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

II. The Funeral

-“It will do us more good to go to a funeral than to go to a festival.” - Matthew Henry

A. In light of the day of our death being better, we will understand Solomon most clearly when we see his words in context. We see then that the main reason why the day of death is better than the day of birth is because, ironically, death has more to teach us about life.

There are several ways, then, to interpret what the Preacher says about the days of birth and death. But we understand him most clearly when we see his words in context. The main reason why the day of death is better than the day of birth is because, paradoxically, death has more to teach us about life:

Ecclesiastes 7:2–4 NLT

Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies— so the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. A wise person thinks a lot about death, while a fool thinks only about having a good time.

B. Matthew Henry summarizes by saying, “It will do us more good to go to a funeral than to go to a festival.”

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 152). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Matthew Henry summarizes by saying, “It will do us more good to go to a funeral than to go to a festival.”

C. The Preacher is not to deny that laughter and feasting have their place in life. The Preacher’s comparison is enlightening because it assumes that it is good to celebrate. Jesus himself was known to feast on occasion, and the banqueting table is one of the Bible’s most positive images of divine blessing.

D. But lets be honest. Even the happiest celebrations tend to be fairly superficial.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 152). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Yet even the happiest celebrations tend to be fairly superficial.

E. Derek Kidner wisely observes, “At a birth (and on all festive occasions) the general mood is excited and expansive. It is no time for dwelling on life’s brevity or on human limitations: we let our fancies and our hopes run high. At the house of mourning, on the other hand, the mood is thoughtful and the facts are plain. If we shrug them off, it is our fault: we shall have no better chance of facing them.”

F. In other words… Going to a funeral is better because it teaches us to be wise in the way we live and prepare to die.

As Derek Kidner wisely observes, “At a birth (and on all festive and gay occasions) the general mood is excited and expansive. It is no time for dwelling on life’s brevity or on human limitations: we let our fancies and our hopes run high. At the house of mourning, on the other hand, the mood is thoughtful and the facts are plain. If we shrug them off, it is our fault: we shall have no better chance of facing them.”

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 152). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

G. When the Preacher mentions “the house of mourning,” he is talking about visiting a home where someone has died. In those days it was customary for people to pay their last respects in people’s homes. Jesus did this when Lazarus died; he went to comfort Mary and Martha. Today we say our last farewells in church or at a funeral home, but whatever the custom, it is good to have a direct encounter with death.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 152). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Going to a funeral is better in this sense: it teaches us to be wise in the way we live and prepare to die.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 152). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

H. Does this not seem like something that goes against our culture today, which does as much as it can to deny the reality of our mortality. Lets just not talk about it. In secular society, wrote Susan Sontag, “death is the obscene mystery, the ultimate affront, the thing that cannot be controlled. It can only be denied.”

I. In light of Qoheleth’s words, we see it is better for us to deal with death and to lay it to heart. According to Martin Luther, it is good for us to “invite death into our presence when it is still at a distance and not on the move.”

It is better for us to deal with death directly, to know that this is the way of all flesh, and to lay it to heart. According to Martin Luther, it is good for us to “invite death into our presence when it is still at a distance and not on the move.”

J. Going to a good funeral helps us think wisely about death. It causes us to mourn, which enables us to receive the comfort that Jesus promised to those who mourn.

- Going to a funeral encourages sober contemplation of our own mortality, and this in turn teaches us how to live. Moses’ prayer is helpful when he says, “So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”

- One place to get that wise heart is at a good funeral, where we recall that our own days are numbered and recommit ourselves to make every day count for eternity.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 153). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

K. A good funeral also helps us prepare to die. Many people are not prepared to die at all, to their own folly. The believer in Christ, by contrast, is ready to die. One of the solemn duties of every believer is to die well, and this takes a lifetime of preparation.

One of the best ways to learn about death, while we still have time, is to help people bury their dead, especially when this is done with faith in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 153). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

The believer in Christ, by contrast, is ready to die. One of the solemn duties of every believer is to die well, and this takes a lifetime of preparation:

L. So we can all see now, Solomon is right: it is better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of mirth. When we do this, we gain more wisdom from going to one good funeral than we do from going to a whole year’s worth of birthday parties. Dealing with death is good for the heart—a word the Preacher mentions repeatedly in verses 2–4. Verse 3 says that “sorrow is better than laughter” because it makes the heart glad.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 154). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

The Preacher is right: it is better to go to a house of mourning than to a house of mirth. We gain more wisdom from going to one good funeral than we do from going to a whole year’s worth of birthday parties. Dealing with death is good for the heart—a word the Preacher mentions repeatedly in verses 2–4. The heart is the center of who we are—the thinking, feeling, willing core of our being. Verse 3 says that “sorrow is better than laughter” because it makes the heart glad. More literally, by sadness the heart “is made better” (kjv). The point is not so much the gladness as it is the soundness of the heart. Dealing with death, in all its sorrow, makes us better people.

M. Many of us who have been to funerals could attest to this truth. And what a time to present the Gospel.

word the Preacher mentions repeatedly in verses 2–4. The heart is the center of who we are—the thinking, feeling, willing core of our being. Verse 3 says that “sorrow is better than laughter” because it makes the heart glad. More literally, by sadness the heart “is made better” (kjv). The point is not so much the gladness as it is the soundness of the heart. Dealing with death, in all its sorrow, makes us better people.

These Biblical truths cause me to reflect on what I have learned from some of the funerals I have attended. I remember when Sheri Nystrom died, from my church back home. Sheri is one of the most vibrant, fun-loving people I have ever met. To give just one example, when she was a little girl she and a friend mailed some goldfish to our pastor as a prank (do not try this at home; the fish did not survive). We were desperately sad when Sheri was killed in a car accident after college, newly married, with a child in her womb. Yet the visitation and burial were scenes of surprising joy, with the whole church family—people of all ages—crying, laughing, singing, and holding on to one another in Christian love. Most of us stayed until the very end, when Sheri’s coffin was lowered into the ground and her father cast rose petals on the casket.

N. From this experience I learned the pain of a family’s loss and the passion of a church’s love, with the joy of grieving in the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. In the house of mourning I laid it to heart, and it made my heart better than it was before. To this day I sometimes sing my children a song that Sheri taught our youth group to sing, based on : “Now to him who is able to keep you, who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in his presence, without fault, blameless, with great joy.” By the grace of God and through faith in Jesus Christ, even death can be used by the Holy Spirit to bring us life and joy.

III. The Way

- The Way the Truth and the Life.

A. One of the first things we think of at a funeral… why does this even happen? Why death? This is one of the beautiful things about the scriptures. The scriptures answer these questions.

B. We have to face death because of what happened in the garden of eden with Adam and Eve. In the beginning God created the heavens...God created man, Adam and Eve for his glory and for our enjoyment of Him, but the tree. Oh they ate the apple and plunged mankind into sin and separation from God. Man desired to be independent of God and ruined the world that we were created for. But God made us a promise that a descendant will one day come and make it all right

In the beginning God created the heavens...God created man, Adam and Eve for his glory and for our enjoyment of Him, but the tree. Oh they ate the apple and plunged mankind into sin and separation from God. Man desired to be independent of God and ruined the world that we were created for.

But God made us a promise that a descendant will one day come and make it all right

C. The sons of Adam and Eve Cain and Abel - Cain killed Abel due to his need to be free from God’s command. Lamech created a sword and killed a man for hurting him declaring forget God’s revenge, I don’t need it, I don’t need Him. My revenge is way better 70 times better.

Lamech created a sword and killed a man for hurting him declaring forget God’s revenge, I don’t need it, I don’t need Him. My revenge is way better 70 times better

D. Mankind got so bad that God saw that every intention of his hear was evil, destroyed man in the Flood that came because of rain for 40 days and nights, God did save a descendant of Seth... Noah and his family and the animals.

E. God makes a promise to Abraham a promise to his people a promise that will come by grace through faith. And the people would find themselves in Egypt due to a famine

F. Israel would be enslaved but set free by the power of God through Moses. The people would be given the ten commandments the law of God and after all the amazing things God did the people still desired independence from God making a golden calf in complete rebellion.

G. God still brought them into the promise land keeping the promise that he made to Abraham and to Adam that a son of eve would come to make it all right. But the people continued to do the things that they thought were right in their own eyes getting them into trouble. God would rescue them by sending judges like Gideon, Deborah, and Samson.

The people continued to do the things that they thought were right in their own eyes getting them into trouble. God would rescue them by sending judges like Gideon, Deborah, and Samson

H. Though many in the kingdom would still seek independence from God and still break the laws, men like David the man after God’s own heart, the King of Israel would would still be there guiding the people in the way that they should go.

I. They would still break the commands of God even when the prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Jonah swallowed by the Big Fish and all ...would warn warn and warn more and more. They would not listen...

J. They would go into slavery again, yet their continued breaking of the law would continue even after freedom. That is the purpose of the law of God. It would show us all that we could not keep it. Show us that there is something wrong. The 10 commandments show us that we are sinners and we need mercy. We also feel the emptiness in our selves... no matter what, we are never satisfied, we still long for more than this world can offer... then we can logically conclude that we were created for another world

Grandma showed me this very clearly... bad language is a sin. The 10 commandments show us that we are sinners and we need mercy. We also feel the emptiness in our selves... no matter what, we are never satisfied, we still long for more than this world can offer... then we can logically conclude that we were created for another world

K. Then on Christmas Day Christ was Born... he was the promised child from the beginning. He came to make it all right. He came to live the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died to bring us into the world he created us for.

L. Then on Easter Sunday Christ rose from the dead. To show us that he really is the Son of God, to show that all that he did really did something, to show that all that said was really true, and to show that God was satisfied, and the work was finished. Jesus died for our sins according to the scriptures...

M. God makes another promise... He declares that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. If we confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that Jesus is Lord we will be saved.

N. There is a better way today. It is found in Christ and in Christ alone. He is the way, the truth and the life.

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