Vanity or Not?
Notes
Transcript
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Introduction
Dorothy Sayers, Christian Letters to a Post-Christian World
In ordinary times we get along surprisingly well, on the whole, without ever discovering what our faith really is. If, now and again, this remote and academic problem is so unmannerly as to thrust its way into our minds, there are plenty of things we can do to drive the intruder away…But to us in wartime, cut off from mental distractions by restrictions and blackouts, and cowering in a cellar with a gas mask under threat of imminent death, comes in the stronger fear and sits down beside us. "What," he demands rather disagreeably, "do you make of all this? What do you believe? Is your faith a comfort to you under the present circumstances?"
Carolyn Mahaney: After decades of ministry, what is one piece of advice I wish I had received as a young woman? Study the book of Ecclesiastes.
Ecclesiastes has shown me the secret of enjoying life, even in the midst of trouble. It has rescued me from disillusionment when labors I thought were fruitful appeared to be for naught. When friends have turned their backs, Ecclesiastes has helped me guard against bitterness. It has cured me of setting my hope on a particular outcome, and protected me from becoming bewildered and disheartened by bad news.
In short, Ecclesiastes made me a realist, and yet I’m happier than ever before. This collection of wisdom has become (as it is for J.I. Packer, whose writings introduced me to Ecclesiastes) my favorite book of the Bible, and one I regret not studying sooner.
YOLO, The circle of life, Events, Make something of your life, Self-improvement
Life under the sun is vanity and produces only one result - weariness.
Life under the sun is vanity and produces only one result - weariness.
Vanity/ No gain
Under the sun
Vs. 4 No lasting people
Vs. 5-6 Nature’s unending cycles with nothing new accomplished
Vs. 7-8 Unending labor with no satisfaction = weariness
Vs. 9-10 Nothing new done under the sun
Vs. 11 No lasting remembrance by people
Repetitious work with no legacy
The Weariness of Life because of dissatisfaction
Men weary as much of not doing the things they want to do as of doing the things they do not want to do. Eric Hoffer
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/eric_hoffer_161595?src=t_weary
Thus so wretched is man that he would weary even without any cause for weariness... and so frivolous is he that, though full of a thousand reasons for weariness, the least thing, such as playing billiards or hitting a ball, is sufficient enough to amuse him. Blaise Pascal
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/blaise_pascal_107947?src=t_weary
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
But the resurrection brings rest and hope.
But the resurrection brings rest and hope.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
1 Cor 15:58
12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.
1 Peter 4:
11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
11 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
1 Corinthians 3:11-
Cycles to direction
Weariness to rest
Vanity to productivity
legacy, lasting value, contentment
Questions:
Where do you find life wearisome?
What lies do you find it hard to refuse as you face the day?
How can you focus on the rest of Christ?
What things encourage you to believe that nothing is vain in the Lord?