“Isn’t It Ironic”

In the late eighties and early nineties, there were several hundred studies about happiness published each year; by 2014, there were over 10,000 per year. It was an exciting shift for psychology, one that the public immediately responded to. Major media outlets clamored to cover the new research. Soon, entrepreneurs began monetizing it, founding start-ups and programming apps to help ordinary people implement the field's findings. They were followed by a deluge of celebrities, personal coaches, and motivational speakers, all eager to share the gospel of happiness. According to Psychology Today, in 2000, the number of books published about happiness was a modest fifty. In 2008, that number had skyrocketed to 4,000. Of course, people have always been interested in the pursuit of happiness, but all that attention has made an impact: since the mid-2000s, the interest in happiness, as measured by Google searches, has tripled. "The shortcut to anything you want in your life," writes author Rhonda Byrne in her bestselling 2006 book The Secret, "is to BE and FEEL happy now!"

And yet, there is a major problem with the happiness frenzy: it has failed to deliver on its promise. Though the happiness industry continues to grow, as a society, we're more miserable than ever. Indeed, social scientists have uncovered a sad irony—chasing happiness actually makes people unhappy.

Isn’t it Ironic? The ironies in life continues to baffle the minds of even the most extraordinary thinkers. For many it is a continued enigma that brings continued frustration. Many throw in the towel. Thats the way it goes thats the name of the game giving up my life to the God of cocaine. For many the ironies in life cause us to become angry at God. Sure some ironies we can’t control, but many of them we can. What do you mean Shane? We call them ironies, but the Bible calls it foolishness. Irony should neither surprise us nor concern us… Solomon showed us how to deal with it all, so many years ago. Lets take a look.

Ecclesiastes 10:4–7 NLT

If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes. There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth. I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants!

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

Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 NLT

There is another evil I have seen under the sun. Kings and rulers make a grave mistake when they give great authority to foolish people and low positions to people of proven worth. I have even seen servants riding horseback like princes—and princes walking like servants!

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

Upside down Folly

Foolish Authority

Upside down Gospel

The first thing we will look at today is the upside down nature of folly and the dramatic picture is paints. Lastly, we will see the upside down nature of the Gospel and the dramatic picture it paints in our redemption.

Thesis: Though sin and the pattern of this world sees foolishness in leadership causing and upside down effect in society, it is the upside down nature of the Gospel that will bring to us life and life more abundant.

I. Upside Down Folly

- How are we to deal with foolish anger of those in authority?

A. Last time we saw the Preacher encouraging us to avoid folly in our lives, but now he gives advice on how to deal with folly in the lives of others. (married people don’t elbow your spouses).

B. Fact: There are so many foolish people around. Again defined as those who do not fear God and are motivated to live for themselves. Fact: sooner or later we will be frustrated by their folly. Some of us live with fools,(married people stop elbowing your spouse) and their foolish behavior messes up life of our home. Some of us work with fools. We have to endure their laziness. We have to endure their selfish demands. We have to endure their impulsive erratic decision-making and all it does is make life in the workplace miserable.

There are so many foolish people around—so many people who do not fear God but live for themselves instead—that sooner or later we will be frustrated by their folly. Some of us live with fools, and their foolish behavior disrupts the life of our home. Some of us work with fools, and their laziness or their selfish demands or their erratic decision-making make the workplace miserable.

C. To top it all off… I hate to say it, but there are fools even in our government. Many of us could relate to one of Mark Twain’s frequently-quoted humorous assertions: “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress.”

Many of us could relate to one of Mark Twain’s frequently-quoted humorous assertions: “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 234). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (pp. 234–235). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

D. The gravity of this illustration is emense when we see it in the context of verse 1.

Ecclesiastes 10:1 NLT

As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor.

E. All it takes is a little bit to mess it all up.

- Martin Luther writes, “just as dead flies ruin the best of ointments, so it happens to the best of counsel in the state, in the senate, or in war; along comes some wicked rascal and ruins everything.”

Martin Luther, “just as dead flies ruin the best of ointments, so it happens to the best of counsel in the state, in the senate, or in war; along comes some wicked rascal and ruins everything.”

F. As much as it pains me to say it, there are fools in our government. Many who do not fear God. As foolish as they are, they somehow/someway manage to get put into positions of political leadership. Some are completely incompetent topped off with no fear of God making things even worse. Others use their position for personal advantage which is a clear indication of no fear of God. They are more interested in status than service which oozes with the lack of the fear of God. As a result, by the time their foolishness is revealed, it is too late and the damage has been done.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Unfortunately, there are many foolish people in government. As foolish as they are, they nonetheless manage to work their way into positions of political leadership. Some are completely incompetent. Others use their position for personal advantage. They are more interested in status than service. By the time their folly is exposed, it is too late—the damage has been done. Afterward people wonder how they ever managed to get put in charge.

G. When the wrong people get into power, everything gets turned upside down. This is not a good thing. This is not viable situation. Look at verse 5… The Preacher says that these errors in leadership produce evil in society. And all it takes is a little bit. Just a little bit godless incompetence to mess it all up.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

H. How does it mess things up? What it does is it turn the world upside down. 1. People of worth sit in low places. Some of your translations say the rich, but in this context it should be understood as people of proven worth. When folly is on the throne you can expect all the people of proven worth and ability to sit in the low places.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

I. Van Leeuwen commented on this, “it is an instance of the world upside down, a pattern of inversion or chaos that is found throughout the world from ancient times to the present.”

J. So you see…if folly is ruling and reigning then wisdom and sober logic will not work. It turns the world upside down. No only do people of worth sit in low places and the worthless sit in positions of authority, number 2...princes walk while slaves ride on the place of honor.

K. In Biblical times, horses were strongly associated with power, wealth, and royal authority. Horses were in fact costly. It was used primarily for high ranking generals, nobles, or kings. Slaves generally did not ride on horseback but walked in front of or behind their masters. But when folly sits on the throne, everything is upside down. Slaves ride, while princes walk? The upside down nature of foolishness in power.

L. Parked on the side of the road, waiting to catch speeding drivers, a state trooper sees a car puttering along at 22 mph. Thinking the driver is as dangerous as a speeder, the state trooper turns on his lights and pulls the car over. As he approaches the vehicle, the officer notices there are five elderly ladies inside—two in the front seat and three in the back—wide-eyed and white as ghosts.

In Biblical times, horses were strongly associated with power, wealth, and royal authority (e.g., ). Slaves generally did not ride on horseback but walked in front of or behind their masters. But when folly sits on the throne, everything is topsy-turvy. Slaves ride, while princes walk.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

As he approaches the vehicle, the officer notices there are five elderly ladies inside—two in the front seat and three in the back—wide-eyed and white as ghosts.

The driver, obviously confused, says, "Officer, I don't understand. I was going the exact speed limit. What seems to be the problem?"

The driver, obviously confused, says, "Officer, I don't understand. I was going the exact speed limit. What seems to be the problem?"

The trooper, trying to contain a chuckle, explained to her that 22 was the route number—not the speed limit.

A bit embarrassed, the woman grins and thanks the officer for pointing out her error.

"Before you go," the officer says, "I have to ask: Is everyone in this car okay? These women seem awfully shaken."

"Oh," she answered, "they'll be all right, sir. We just got off of Route 127."

M. All of this to say… foolishness in leadership is like foolishness with driving. We take others with us. When the world goes upside down we go as well. One of the great concerns for us in society today, whenever we see things turned upside down—whenever a society celebrates immorality, perpetrates wrongful violence, punishes righteousness, denies the authority of God, or persecutes his people—we may be sure that folly is in control and in an upside down world it affects us all. Its not just happening today, but has happened though-out the history of the world.

N. So the question now remains… what do we do? Solomon’s answer may surprise you. Lets go back to v.4

But whenever we see things turned upside down—whenever a society celebrates immorality, perpetrates wrongful violence, punishes righteousness, denies the authority of God, or persecutes his people—we may be sure that folly is in control.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 NLT

If your boss is angry at you, don’t quit! A quiet spirit can overcome even great mistakes.

O. We do not run away from tyranny and take the law into our own hands. We do not claim that we have a right to be angry for all of this foolishness. We do not say that we do not have to obey a crazy foolish government. Solomon the preacher inspired by God recommends a calm and quiet response that turns away wrath. This is the Biblical way to deal with fools. We are not to share in their folly but living out the character of Christ.

P. Point of illustration… a bad-tempered leader who gets mad at one of his officials. Rather than getting angry about this or walking away as a matter of principle, the official should stick to his post and speak words of gentle wisdom. In the words of one commentator, “The anger of a ruler must be soothed with a calm forbearance that neither panics in fear nor deserts in bitterness.”

Rather than running away from tyranny or taking the law into our own hands or claiming that we have a right to be angry or saying that we do not have to obey a foolish government, the Preacher recommends a calm and quiet response that turns away wrath. This is the Biblical way to deal with fools—not by sharing in their folly but by living out the character of Christ.

a bad-tempered leader who gets mad at one of his officials. Rather than getting angry about this or walking away as a matter of principle, the official should stick to his post and speak words of gentle wisdom. In the words of one commentator, “The anger of a ruler must be soothed with a calm forbearance that neither panics in fear nor deserts in bitterness.”

Q. The same counsel applies to many other situations in life. The Preacher is not condoning verbal abuse. Nor is he saying there is never a time for people in authority to put down a tyrant or for someone to walk away from a fight. In fact, back in he seemed to indicate that on certain occasions we should walk away.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (pp. 235–236). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

- But here the Preacher is saying that ordinarily the best response to anger is to stay.

- The best response to anger is not to run away.

- The best response to anger is remain calm and not to get angry. Getting angry would only make things worse.

- Derek Kidner explains, “it is better to have only one angry person than to have two!”

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 236). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

R. This is great advise for workers with an angry and foolish boss, for students with an angry teacher, for parents with an angry child, and for wives with an angry husband (or vice versa). It is good advise for all the many many many situations in life when someone else is suddenly provoked to anger and it makes us super mad.

- According to scripture… just because someone else gets upset does not mean that we have the right to walk away from a relationship, especially if that relationship is ordained by God and is sealed with a promise.

- The way to deal with foolish anger is not to be intimidated by it or to respond in kind but to keep calm, which we can only do by the power of the Holy Spirit.

S. When someone gets angry, it is tempting to say, “I have had it! No way Jose! I’m not going to take this anymore!” I will say, there are times when Christians are called to leave a bad work situation, push back against tyranny, when we have Biblical grounds for separation and divorce, or when we need to hold an angry person accountable so that the foolish can get the help he or she needs.

- But even then we should still be calm and careful instead of retaliating. This is some of the problems I see today…especially with politicians. Usually the wisest thing for us to do is to remain in the situation. Staying calm is part of God’s winning strategy for dealing with foolish anger. Agree?

T. Well the Apostle Peter does. Understand that he knew what it was like to deal with angry people. There were many many angry fools who told him to stop preaching the gospel. Yet Peter encouraged us all to live a life of quiet gentleness. Think about it… He told Christians to submit to the governing authorities, even when they were persecuting the church, because by doing good deeds, the suffering church would “put to silence the ignorance of foolish people”

1 Peter 2:13–15 NLT

For the Lord’s sake, submit to all human authority—whether the king as head of state, or the officials he has appointed. For the king has sent them to punish those who do wrong and to honor those who do right. It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you.

). He told servants to respect their masters, even if they were unjust, for it is a gracious thing to endure injustice (). He told wives to submit to their husbands, even if they were unbelievers, so that by pure and respectful conduct they might win their husband’s heart for Christ ().

- He told servants to respect their masters, even if they were unjust, for it is a gracious thing to endure injustice

1 Peter 2:18–19 NLT

You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.

He told wives to submit to their husbands, even if they were unbelievers, so that by pure and respectful conduct they might win their husband’s heart for Christ ().

- He told wives to submit to their husbands, even if they were unbelievers, so that by pure and respectful conduct they might win their husband’s heart for Christ

1 Peter 3:1–2 NLT

In the same way, you wives must accept the authority of your husbands. Then, even if some refuse to obey the Good News, your godly lives will speak to them without any words. They will be won over by observing your pure and reverent lives.

).

U. If we doubt the wisdom of Peter’s counsel—or if we think that it is impossible for us to follow—then we should remember the example that Peter gives. Why should we keep serving people who make us suffer? Peter said,

1 Peter 2:21 NLT

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

“Because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” ().

W. Now Jesus calls us to follow in his footsteps. Who is the angry or foolish person in your life, and how will you respond? The way to glorify God and to lay great offenses to rest is by keeping the calm of Christ.

Ryken, P. G. (2010). Ecclesiastes: Why everything matters (p. 237). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.

II. Upside Down Gospel

-The foolishness of the cross brought to us life and life more abundant.

A. Then Peter pointed out that Jesus did exactly what Ecclesiastes tells us to do. Angry rulers rose against him—foolish men who treated him with angry contempt until finally they crucified him. Yet Jesus refused to leave his place of service or to fight anger with anger. Instead he calmly did the work that he was called to do...

1 Peter 2:23 NLT

He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

B. By his calm response, Jesus laid great offenses to rest, carrying our sins upon the cross and forgiving everyone who trusts in him, including some of the very men who crucified him.

C. The way to glorify God and to lay great offenses to rest is by keeping the calm of Christ. But it is difficult is it not. Many of us experience the opposite of this. We sever relationships, we get angry, we explode, we lose it and we quit. That is the reality of sin in our lives. It is the reality of the foolishness in our lives. It is the reality of our foolish upside down world.

D. But our Lord exemplified something that unbelievers think is foolishness. He bought wisdom to something the world sees as foolish. It is the cross.

1 Corinthians 1:18 NLT

The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

E. It got flipped upside down again. We do not see the cross as foolish, but the very power of God. It all changed again. Got flipped back to right side up all for the glory of God. It is called the Gospel of Jesus.

F. The reason we have good news today is that Christ succeeded where we failed and because he did we have life and life more abundant. He lived the life we should have lived and he died the death he should have died.

G. Jesus die for our sins according to the scripture and he was buried ...

H. The promises continue today… if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. All written in the gospel of John is so that we will believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the living God.

I. The Kingdom of God is real. And the King in this kingdom is not like the kings of old. There is no foolishness in Him. Christ is the very wisdom of God. He is our King and he is our Lord. Rest and trust in our Lord today. Jesus has the victory and this prince of peace will remain on his horse and on his throne forever.