Sermon Tone Analysis

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Tones
Emotion
Anger
Disgust
Fear
Joy
Sadness
Language
Analytical
Confident
Tentative
Social Tendencies
Openness
Conscientiousness
Extraversion
Agreeableness
Emotional Range
Anger
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FCF: The uncertainties of life can paralyze us.
FCF: The uncertainties of life can paralyze us.
Proposition: Looming certainties should motivate you to live your life to the fullest.
I. Looming certainties should motivate you to enjoy life (11:9).
A. Rejoice in the circumstances of life (v.
9a).
B. Follow the desires of your heart (v.
9b).
C. Consider your future accountability (v.
9c).
II.
Looming certainties should motivate you to dismiss anxiety (11:10).
A. Cease your needless toil (v.
10a).
B. Consider the brevity of life (v.
10b).
III.
Looming certainties should motivate you to remember your Creator (12:1)
A. Fear God in the prime of life (v.
1a).
B. Consider your approaching death (v. 1b).
Introduction
Uncertainty paralyzes.
When terrorists flew American planes into buildings on the morning of September 11th, the nation entered a period of uncertainty.
In fact, the uncertainty was so great that all US airlines completely stopped operations for two days.
Every airline, every plane, every passenger was grounded…America was paralyzed in uncertainty.
Uncertainty affects every part of life.
Uncertainty in the financial market causes recessions.
Uncertainty in the housing market can cause a housing crisis.
Even uncertainty about your child’s health or your future plans or your job can completely paralyze you.
In those situations, you have no idea what to do.
Often, when we face uncertainties, rather than making bold decisions or enjoying life, we become anxious and fearful.
[FCF] The uncertainties of life can paralyze us.
That reality is actually addressed in the book of Ecclesiastes in chapter 11.
Here Solomon recognizes that life is full of uncertainties, and he continues to remind us that there are things that we just don’t know.
In verse 2 he says, “you know not.”
Then again twice in verse 5: “you do not know…you do not know.”
Then finally in verse 6: “you do not know.”
Solomon admits it: life is full of uncertainties.
But being paralyzed with fear is not an option for Solomon.
In fact, he commands us to do the very opposite, to take action, to make choices, to live life.
So, what would motivate a person to do that in such an uncertain world?
Well, Solomon makes a shift in chapter 11 from discussing the uncertainties of life to discussing some things that are certain in life, certainties which God has ordained.
And each of these certainties in some way involves approaching death.
Solomon tell us that [Proposition] those looming certainties, though they may seem difficult, should actually motivate you to live your life to the fullest.
It is helpful to view Ecclesiastes as a commentary on life after , after the fall.
Solomon wants to remind his readers what life is like outside the garden of Eden—it is fallen, unsatisfying, and futile.
But the futility of life actually has a purpose, to point our attention to our Creator and to offer meaning in Him.
So, when we arrive at , we see that the looming certainties that surround death have the same purpose, to point us to God and to give us reason to rejoice.
We are faced, then, with the question: “How should you respond to those looming certainties?”
Solomon gives three responses: the first is stated positively, the second negatively, and the third presents a concluding, all-encompassing response.
I. Looming certainties should motivate you to enjoy life (11:9).
Our modern translations introduce “know that for all these things God will bring you in judgment” with the word “but.”
This command, however, is not a restriction on how much we can rejoice.
It provides motivation for joy!
The certainty of God’s judgment should bring joy to fleeting lives.
Each section of this passage is formed similarly: a command followed by the certainty that motivates that command.
A. Rejoice in the circumstances of life (9a).
Joy is not optional.
Solomon commands us to rejoice.
“In” answers the question when?
We are to find joy during the days of our youth.
However, this command is not restricted to people under a certain age, for the passage continues to contrast “youth” with “old age” or those who are on the brink of death.
In other words, we are to rejoice before we reach the brink of death.
The second word for “youth” means “choice young man.”
This is referring to a young man in the prime of life or one who has the capacity to enjoy life.
This applies to a lot of people, not just youth.
B. Follow the desires of your heart (9b).
We are now commanded to assess our desires and follow them!
Similar to the meaning of , everyone has a passion or life calling.
Solomon urges us to follow that life calling while we can.
This pursuit, however, cannot transgress God’s law.
As we will see later, we must weigh both our desires and the commands of God.
C. Consider your future accountability (9c).
What is the certainty that motivates our joy?
Future accountability.
This command is also non- optional.
As we enjoy life, we are commanded to “know” this.
“Judgment” could be translated “The Judgment” since it probably refers to one event.
All of the uncertainties of life are moving toward one great certainty, the judgment seat of Christ where He will bring everything into account.
Though the Son is not mentioned here, Jesus Christ is the key figure of this judgment day.
Every moment of life finds its climax on this day.
“Judgment” also reveals God’s justice or righteousness.
God always does what is right, like Abraham tells us in .
Every circumstance of life is ultimately subservient to God’s just plan.
Our future accountability prompts joy! “This, like the exhortation to receive joy as God-given, is to enhance its value, not to diminish it.
Under the appraising eye it will have reason to be pure, not corrupt; and it will know something more than triviality and ‘the laughter of fools’” (Kidner, 101).
We will give account for how much we rejoiced.
God wants you to rejoice (9:7).
In C. S. Lewis’s The Silver Chair, two children, a prince, and a Marshwiggle named Puddleglum find themselves trapped in an underground fortress controlled by a witch.
After they have been down there for some time, they began to wonder whether what they’ve always known above is actually true.
The real world above starts to feel like a dream.
But at once, Puddleglum tightens his grip on the real world.
In the midst of all of the uncertainty, he clings to the world above as the realest thing he can think of.
In the same way, though there are many uncertainties here on earth, we do know that God is going to bring everything to its proper climax at Christ’s judgment day.
He will bring everything and everyone into perfect judgment.
Application: Paul discusses this same topic in .
Throughout our lives here on earth, there are many things which we don’t know.
We don’t even know how to pray sometimes!
But there is one thing that we can know for sure, that all things are working together for good, for the glory of Jesus Christ.
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