The Power Of Partnership

The Power Of Partnership

Text: Ecclesiastes 4:7-12

Introduction

Have you ever tried doing something alone? Have you ever had someone help you accomplish something? With ease of deduction, we can all conclude that it is far easier to accomplish a task when others help you.

Let us notice an individual that the preacher King says he observes and by which he launches us into our main thought (his conclusion) today.

1) Option #1 - Self isolation

Here we see the preacher making careful observation of the way people live. (vv7-8)

The tale the preacher informs us about is the sad tale of a solitary individual.

So, what do we know about this person?

He lives and works alone.

If he has a wife she is not mentioned. He could possible be a bachelor.

He has not heir, son or a brother to inherit His wealth.

He is only working for himself.

Ultimately, he has chosen a life of which is never a blessing or benefit to anyone!

What are some conclusions we can make regarding his life?

There is no question that we are presented a man who is living a life of vanity (emptiness).

There seemed to be no end to his work. Working from morning to night.

40 to 50 to 60 hours per week and never satisfied.

You could call him the “compulsive money maker.”

He was working too hard to make any friends, start a family.

Even if he had a family, he would live as if they did not exist. They too would barely know he existed.

Not only did he not take time for others, he never took time for himself.

While advancing his career and bank account, he never stopped to consider this question, “Is all this really worth it?”

The answer is simple; NO!

All that he was investing all himself in never brought satisfaction or happiness.

He hinged his life purpose on things that could be taken away from him!!!

Here is the preacher’s warning to us all:

Do not live a life of isolation.

This does not mean everyone must marry. This extends to all relationships.

SADLY, many Americans subscribe to what is called RUGGED INDIVIDUALISM.

Listen, WORK can be something we ENJOY. However, when pursued with selfish ambition, it turn the American dream into a nightmare.

Illustration: Otherwise we will end up like the businessman whom Ellen Goodman described in a provocative column for the Minneapolis Tribune. Goodman told the tragic story of a man who worked as hard as the man in Ecclesiastes 4. When he died at the age of fifty-one, his obituary said the cause of death was coronary thrombosis, but most people knew better. At the office six days a week, often until 8 or 9 at night, his friends and family said that he had simply worked himself to death. Yet on the day of his funeral, when the company was already making inquiries about his replacement, the president looked around the office for candidates and said, “Well, who’s been working the hardest?” But the killer line was delivered by the dead man’s wife. When a friend said, “I know how much you will miss him,” she said, “Oh, I already have.” [Philip Graham Ryken, Ecclesiastes: Why Everything Matters, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2010), 115.]

Here is the CHRISTIAN RESPONSE:

Who and for what purpose am I labor for?

ANS — for the GLORY OF GOD and the GOOD OF OTHERS. This includes those in the family of God.

2) Option #2 — Embracing Partnership

Two are better than one

Let us go back to God’s declaration of what is better for man — Genesis 2:18 “18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.”

So, how can two be better than one?

(v9) “they have a good reward for their labour.”

When two work together, more gets accomplished.

We witness this truth in many areas:

Pastorate/Ministry — men have challenged my ideas, methods and scriptural interpretation. IRON SHARPENS IRON!!!

Home — Cooking, dishes, laundry, raising kids, etc...

Our reward is much more pleasant when we share in the work together.

Here is a warning:

We (individually, family unit, corporately) must not draw too many lines in the sand by which we stunt our efforts for God’s kingdom.

All through Baptist history, you will notice those (while agreeing on Christ, faith/not works, eternal security, virgin birth, yet having some differences on the scriptures dealing with God’s election, church government, Lord’s Supper, end times) they partnered together on some of the most recognized missionary efforts ever recorded.

(v10) they can help one anther in time of trouble.

There are countless way we can end up on the ground (the fault of others or our own).

We may try something and fail, relationships might end up broken, financial problems, etc...

Think of where you would be if that person (family or friend) were not there to help you?

LISTEN, the truth is we are NOT ALONE!!!

Even if our Christian brethren become forgetful, Jesus remains closer than a brother.

From Christ we have encouragement, renewal, love, mercy and strength to rise up again.

(v11) The warmth they share

This again is far more reaching than a marriage relationship.

SONG — The snow is snowing, the wind is blowing, But I can weather the storm! What do I care how much it may storm? I’ve got my love to keep me warm.

The idea is two persons traveling through the desert and needing warmth during the cold nights.

It is very easy to become COLD living the CHRISTIAN LIFE.

An intentional church family gains it’s value in this area.

We should be a people who make themselves available to bring warmth to those who have grown cold.

(v12) They can protect one another

The wilderness is also subject for being robbed.

Christians need comrades to have their back instead of shoot them in the back!!!

The DANGER IS REAL!

1 John 2:16 “16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”

1 Peter 5:8 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

3) Christ Is Our Best Partner

I am by no means saying the writer is referring to Christ here. He is not.

However, we must declare the reality of Jesus friendship to His children!

Luke 7:34 “34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!”

John 15:14 “14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.”

Jesus is there to strengthen us, forgive us, love us, lift us up, defend us and one day deliver us!!!

Jesus is a friend we most desperately need!

QUESTION: Have you become Jesus’ friend by putting your trust in Him?

Quote: Two really are better than one when one of the two is the Best One of all. [Philip Graham Ryken, Ecclesiastes: Why Everything Matters, Preaching the Word (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2010), 118.]