Sermon Tone Analysis

Wisdom shared

We have seen much, read much, endured much under the sun and also as we have been looking at Koheleth (Solomon) view, opinion, conclusion and investigative material to back up his claim.

In other words he has shared his wisdom.

He does not stop here.

He give more instructions, more shared wisdom in our passage tonight.

Wisdom shared from his own search for meaning (Ecc7:27)

Wisdom shared from God’s wisdom given (Ecc1:16; 1Kn3:12; 1Kn4:30)

and

and just one more

God given wisdom that we get to hold in our hand and gain wisdom from too!

We have previously looked at better instructions for living (Ecc7:1-29) and it is good for us to take instruction, learn from instructions and apply instructions so as to improve our life “under the sun.”

There are things we can know for sure about life under the sun.

There are things we cannot change

There are things we cannot escape

There are things we cannot know, comprehend

As we survey chapters 8-9 of Ecclesiastes tonight there are two things we can know that I want to glean from the passage

The inevitability of death

The necessity, the must of enduring the government

Koheleth continues to share better instructions tonight to help us to endure life under the sun and the vanities of this life under the sun.

Enduring the government

We cannot avoid that no matter where you live there is a government of men, that for the most part is for the people, but still it takes endurance in dealing with them, even if you are not a political person.

We are looking at Solomon’s view and not a personal or political view, but a biblical view of dealing with government.

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Submit to authorities (Ecc8:1-3)

Respect authority and it is better for you (Ecc8:4-5)

Even if don’t agree, know God will judge in His timing and way (Ecc8:5-9)

Now a New Testament look at enduring government (Rom13:1-7)

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Submit to authorities (Ecc8:1-3)

Remember Koheleth, Solomon, preacher is the one given all wisdom and he knows there is none wiser than him (v.1) and he is sharing good wisdom

Obey, keep the commands of the king (government) (Ecc8:2-3)

Submit to authorities (Ecc8:1-3)

Respect authority and it is better for you (Ecc8:4-5)

Respect authorities authority and you have no trouble (Ecc8:4)

Submit to authorities (Ecc8:1-3)

Respect authority and it is better for you (Ecc8:4-5)

Even if don’t agree, know God will judge in His timing and way (Ecc8:5-9)

It is a wise man who knows all judgment belongs to the Lord and He will judge in His way and in His time, so be wise and endure life under the sun under the authority of men.

Submit to authorities (Ecc8:1-3)

Respect authority and it is better for you (Ecc8:4-5)

Even if don’t agree, know God will judge in His timing and way (Ecc8:5-9)

Now a New Testament look at enduring government (Rom13:1-7)

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In knowing wisdom, having better instructions for enduring life under the sun in regards to government, may we also know there are, will be, wicked rulers, authority and we should be ready for them, in other words anticipate them.

Wickedness will be to their own demise, hurt (Ecc8:9)

After their demise they will be forgotten (Ecc8:10)

So, why be evil?

because judgment is not instantaneous (Ecc8:11)

So for us, may we remember, fear God (Ecc8:12-13)

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In knowing wisdom, having better instructions for enduring life under the sun, in regards to government, authorities, may we also know there are, will be, wicked rulers, wicked authority and we should be ready for them, we should anticipate them.

Wickedness will be to their own demise, hurt (Ecc8:9)

You will reap what you sow, maybe you have read that before somewhere (ref.

Gal6:7) evil will have it’s just reward one day, it will be for their own hurt, own demise.

Wickedness will be to their own demise, hurt (Ecc8:9)

After their demise they will be forgotten (Ecc8:10)

Who was Warren E. Burger?

Anyone know that name? - He was chief justice of Supreme court and chief proponent in Roe v. Wade.

You may know the ruling, the evil done under the sun, but forget the man behind it.

Wickedness will be to their own demise, hurt (Ecc8:9)

After their demise they will be forgotten (Ecc8:10)

So, why be evil?

because judgment is not instantaneous (Ecc8:11)

People become cold, callus even to sin because the penalty of sin is not carried out immediately.

Wickedness will be to their own demise, hurt (Ecc8:9)

After their demise they will be forgotten (Ecc8:10)

So, why be evil?

because judgment is not instantaneous (Ecc8:11)

So for us, may we remember, fear God (Ecc8:12-13)

Next in enduring the government, authorities we should expect the unexplainable

Why at times righteous suffer, evil prospers (Ecc8:14)

We may not know, understand, comprehend why evil seems to prevail at times, we just need to know that while God does not create evil He allows evil and judges evil.

(i.e.

Egypt, or look at all the minor prophets and judgment against Israel by evil nations around)

We cannot know, comprehend why things happen they way they do (Ecc8:16-17)

Think of Job here?

He did not know why, did not understand why everything was going on to him for even God called him a man of integrity.

So, what to do while enduring government, authorities?

Enjoy life and the fruits of your labor (Ecc8:15)

That is nothing new he has given that sage advise before (Ecc2:24-26; Ecc3:12-13 and Ecc518-20) in case you were wondering.

It is easy to get worked up about the government or authorities turn on the News channels or AM Radio and the iniquities of men, of the government, of authorities will quickly be pointed out to you.

You can dwell, be swayed by that or you can enjoy the life God has given you under the sun for the time you have.

Inevitability of death

Have you looked around, have you noticed anyone that is 2000+ years old walking around?

Then there is no escaping it, death is inevitable, but how we endure that knowledge, that wisdom of it matters.

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Death happens to all, righteous and wicked (Ecc9:1-3)

We can have hope while we live (Ecc9:4)

When we die, we cannot be assured of hope and memory fades (Ecc9:5-6)

So, what do we do while know this, enjoy life (Ecc9:7-8)