Ecclesiastes 6:10-7:12 How Does the Vanity of Life Improve Us?

How Does the Vanity of Life Improve Us? Nov 26, 2017

God has designed life in order to motivate us to ask questions so that we might seek Him? Solomon asks this question in . He uses seven examples of negative experiences having a positive impact: the day of death is better than one’s birth; the house of mourning is better than a house of feasting; sorrow is better than laughing; it is better to be rebuked than flattered by a fool; better is the end of a matter than the beginning; better is patience than proud boasting; better is patience than proud impulsive reaction; and better is today than the good old days. God is with us even in these difficult circumstances. For this reason, look for His hand even in the trials of life. God is in every situation because He sovereignly rules over that difficulty ().

this reason, look for His hand even in the trials of life. God is in every situation because He sovereignly rules over that difficulty ().

I. How is Death a Benefit to Us? –

A. Death is an evangelist –

1. “Lord make me to know my end . . . that I may know how frail I am” –

2. “Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom” –

3. Death is minimized in our culture – the person “kicked the bucket;” or “passed away;” or “went to a better place.” One would think death brought salvation!

B. Consider the day of your death

1. Whose name are you seeking to exalt – your own or the name of Jesus Christ? – “But now the Lord says: ‘. . . For those who honor Me, I will honor, and those who lightly esteem Me shall be lightly esteemed.’”

2. “Better to go to the house of mourning . . .”

3. Laughter can deaden the conscience – for example, the late night talks shows; most situation comedies –

II. How is Rebuke a Benefit? –

A. Wisdom receives the rebuke of the righteous –

1. Open rebuke is better than secret love – ;

2. Rebuke better than flattery – ;

B. The song of fools

1. Restrains self-examination

2. Music can dull our conscience –

3. Foolish laughter produces nothing of value –

4. Remember Solomon’s parties –

III. How is Patient Waiting a Benefit? –

A. At the beginning are hopes and dreams

1. Hope deferred can produce anger –

2. Any endeavor requires working through unexpected problems and disappointments –

B. Today is better than “the good old days”! –

1. Gain a heart of wisdom

2. Wisdom is hidden in Jesus Christ –

3. Jesus Christ is the God of hope –

4. Jesus is the resurrection and the life –

5. Mourning results in comfort in Christ –

“Therefore, for me to live is Christ; to die is gain” ().

Our lives are lived under the sovereign hand of God, therefore rejoice in today! ()

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