The Unfulfilled Life

Intro

Henry Allen Ironside who served as the pastor Moody Bible Church in Chicago for 19 years tells this story...

I remember one night in Stockton, Calif, … I was preaching about the coming of Jesus. As I was in prayer I was conscious of a woman getting up and going out, for in those days the skirts would swish whenever a lady walked. It seemed to me that this lady must have gone out in a hurry. When I finished my prayer and went to greet the friends at the door, I found a woman pacing back and forth in the lobby. The moment I came, she said to me, “How would you dare to pray like that—“Come Lord Jesus?” I don’t want him to come. It would break in on all my plans. How dare you!” I said, “My dear young woman, Jesus is coming whether you like it or not.” Oh, if you know Him and love Him, surely your heart says, “Come, Lord Jesus!”

To many times we want our plans, our way to overshadow that of God’s.

He is sovereign, he is in control

So let Him be in control.

Today, Solomon teaches that God is sovereign, so enjoy the blessings He gives

The unfulfilled life (1-2)

Solomon a very wealthy man

est $2 trillion

received 25 tons of gold for each of the 39 years of his reign

total $61.23 Billion at current gold value, add taxes and trade on top of that

“A self-portrait painted in words by Solomon”

have all wealth, but if it is taken away, it goes to someone else

God gives blessings, we should enjoy them (last week)

be satisfied

if all disappears, will we loose ourselves?

some are able to bounce back with a better understanding that it is all just ‘things’

but some loose themselves in pursuit of their riches

Unfulfilled life is one where we fail to realize that God has given us blessings in many ways. As Job says

what God gives, he can take away.

no matter what happens, we continue to bless and honor him

Philippians 4:12-13 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

Hebrews 13:5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU,”

Examples (3-9)

OT means of prosperity

wealth, health, children, long life

wealth and number of children don’t matter

if not satisfied with what you have

have everything the world calls success, but without satisfaction it means nothing

Double Methuselah

2000 years

if you don’t enjoy the good you have, it is vanity

there is always good to be found, rich or poor

God has blessed you, in different ways

“raise christian girls for christian boys.”

V. 9

what you have in front of your is far better than your desires

you already have it!

Be Content (10-12)

God is sovereign

He is in control

He passes out blessings in his time, in his way, for his purpose

be a good steward with what you have, then, if it’s in his will, he will bless you with more

God knows how long your life will be

He knows the areas of influence you will have

he gives blessings to be used for his glory, for his purpose to change hearts and lives for eternity

Conclusion

God has given you many blessings

not all prosperity and wealth is in money

He gave you those blessings for a purpose

enjoy them

seeking after more, denies God’s sovereignty

denies His blessings

denies his purpose for you

No matter if you are rich or poor, many children or no children

God has blessed you in so many ways

enjoy it, be satisfied

for there is more to come!

God blesses his children

those who repented and follow Jesus as Lord and Savior.