Sermon Tone Analysis

Ecclesiastes

Review:

: The Advantage of Wisdom pt 2

Big Idea: Wisdom is better than foolishness.

Trusting the Lord through the challenges of life leads to strength of character.

This is how believers are renewed to a true image of Jesus Christ - through enduring suffering in a God-honoring way.

The Advantage of Wisdom pt 1 -

When life gives you lemons...

Enjoy the life you’ve been given for this is your lot (; )

Enjoy your family!

All time is quality time.

Enjoy your work.

PRAY

PRAY

Let’s now look at 7 Advantages that Wisdom provides.

You aren’t going to remember all 7 things.

But usually you might remember the last one on the list.

Solomon builds to the last one - which is that Wisdom builds CHARACTER.

Your character matters, it is who you are, and how you are known.

Good Stories are always about Characters.

Binge Viewing on TV - hit hard in 2013 w/ online streaming TV releasing entire season’s worth of episode simultaneously.

Prior to that, get on DVD.

It is the characters that attract viewers for multiple seasons.

“Character is the second main area of the Christian life—a life that is increasingly Christ-centered and less self-centered, a life that honestly addresses areas of sin and cultivates the fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

In other words, it involves the life-long process of putting off the old fleshly life and putting on the new spiritual life.

And it involves holiness in every part of life.”

Excerpt From: Shane Sanders.

“Critical Mass.”

- Advantage 1: Wisdom Provides Stability in Hard Times

The wise man doesn’t rely on natural abilities.

Race is not to the swift.

Battle is not to the warriors.

Bread is not to the wise.

Wealth is not to the discerning.

Favor is not to the men of ability.

TIME AND CHANCE OVERTAKE THEM ALL.

Man does not know his time or chance.

- Ahab

- Absalom

God is unchangeable.

He is reliable.

He will not fail.

He is dependable.

His word will not pass away.

Why would we trust in anything or anyone else?

- Advantage 2: Godly Wisdom is Better Than Worldly Strength

vs 13 - ‘All this’ that wisdom [fear of the Lord] is better than natural abilities impressed Solomon.

vs 14-16

Small city w/ few men VERSUS great king w/ large seigeworks

Small city had poor wise man that delivered the city by wisdom, but was not remembered.

(Layman’s Prayer Revival 18:12)

Wisdom is better than strength.

But the world despises the poor man.

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- Advantage 3: Wisdom Keeps You From Sin

Wisdom - though quiet and gentle - is better than weapons of war.

BUT, one sinner destroys much good.

‘Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink.’

BUT, one sinner destroys much good.

‘Dead flies make a perfumer’s oil stink.’

Compare/Contrast - David and Jeroboam:

Jeroboam (prophesied to take part of kingdom from Solomon’s heir).

Solomon tries to kill him, Jeroboam flees.

Returns later to take throne of north.

BUT doesn’t trust God and builds idols and institutes bizarre replica of worship and leads Israel into generations of sin.

- Advantage 4: Wisdom Helps Endure Bad Leadership

vs 2 - the right is the place of strength and skill.

Wise man [fears the Lord] directs him to the place of advantage, which is humbly bowed before the Creator.

vs 3 - fools will be revealed by their actions

Sometimes rulers can be foolish and sinful.

Don’t let this surprise you or throw you off your guard.

Don’t expect men to be God.

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- Advantage 5: Wisdom Keeps You From Avoidable Mistakes.

Fearing God gives you an advantage in life.

Pay attention to what you are doing.

Pay attention to what you are doing.

Controlling the tongue - , - Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger

Do not murder, do not steal, do not lie, do not covet, etc.

Honor authority ()

- Advantage 6: Wisdom separates you from the fool

The wise man is made evident by his gracious words.

()

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The foolish man is shown by his many and arrogant words.( )

(Ex: building basketball goal).

(Ex: building basketball goal).

Does not know how to go to a city - No sense - i.e. - Not enough sense to come in out of the rain.

(toddler in ant bed)

- Advantage 7: Wisdom Develops Character

Compare/Contrast - wise and fool

vs 16 - WOE to the Land of the FOOL

King is a lad - inexperienced, immature ()

Princes feast in the morning - not taking the day seriously, eat for pleasure

vs 17 - BLESSED is the Land of the WISE

King is noble - honorable, mature

Princes eat at the appropriate time and for appropriate reason - for strength and not for drunkenness

vs 18 - 20 - STRONG CHARACTER = WISDOM

The rafters sag and the house leaks - the nation run by lazy leaders is in bad shape.

So is the life of the fool.

No fear of God leads to very weak character.

Fools pursue the pleasure of this world.

Don’t speak against them!

Don’t act like a fool!