03 - Pleasure + Passion
Passions Purpose + Obsessions • Sermon • Submitted
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I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards.
I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by planting beautiful vineyards. I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me. I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire!
So I became greater than all who had lived in Jerusalem before me, and my wisdom never failed me. Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure. I even found great pleasure in hard work, a reward for all my labors. But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
Let’s Pray
Ecclesiat
Ecclesiatets
Let’s Pray
Intro/Recap of Series
Intro/Recap of Series
Aspects of our Design
Song + Design - We all sing a song; Made in Imago Dei
Purpose + Design - We all crave purpose; purpose is part of design
Words of Solomon the teacher/philosopher provoke us...
Pleasure + Passion
Pleasure + Passion
3 Main Points:
3 Main Points:
We were made to enjoy pleasure
A Pleasure that kills
A Pleasure that heals
We were made to enjoy Pleasure
We were made to enjoy Pleasure
Does happiness lead to good life?
Pleasure - Joy, Glad, Delight, Lust, Rejoice, Happy - Words the scriptures use (636 Verses)
God enjoys and finds pleasure...
God enjoys and finds pleasure...
- God is happy about what He has created.
There are things God does not enjoy.
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?
His greatest pleasure in creation: Humanity, “Very Good”
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.
- After humanity, “Very Good”
- We exist for God’s pleasure
There are things God does not enjoy
Rev. 4:11 - We exist for God’s pleasure
Solomon has a good deal to say about pleasure
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For you created all things, and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
- We exist for God’s pleasure
If we were made in God’s image, we were made to enjoy pleasure
Pleasure is like a fire
Pleasure is like a fire
Pleasure is like a fire
Pleasure is like a fire
We are made to enjoy fire …to be warmed by it, to be healed even by it.
…to be warmed by it, to be healed even by it.
Not all fire is the equal though.
Some is useful, helpful, lasting. Some is careless, fleeting, dangerous.
Anyone have any good memories around a fire?
Some is careless, fleeting, dangerous...
Story about my burn pile, the flash and the long burn
A pleasure that kills
A pleasure that kills
Pleasure that kills is like that careless fire, the quick flash…
It is dangerous and can cause a bigger issue… burn a whole forest down… not useful
Some of use play with pleasures that are like a quick flame...
Peterson translates this passage:
I said to myself, “Let’s go for it—experiment with pleasure, have a good time!” But there was nothing to it, nothing but smoke.
Nothing but smoke
Nothing but smoke
It is painful to be the parent of a fool; there is no joy for the father of a rebel.
= vanity… vanishing...
It’s all smoke… It’s a momentary flash that is dangerous...
A fire can be so good and yet twisted to be so bad
Pleasures that kill are crooked, twisted; taking that which is good is deforming out of God’s design
Taking that which is good is deforming out of God’s design
Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. These men turn from the right way to walk down dark paths. They take pleasure in doing wrong, and they enjoy the twisted ways of evil. Their actions are crooked, and their ways are wrong. Wisdom will save you from the immoral woman, from the seductive words of the promiscuous woman. She has abandoned her husband and ignores the covenant she made before God. Entering her house leads to death; it is the road to the grave. The man who visits her is doomed. He will never reach the paths of life.
I said to myself, “Let’s go for it—experiment with pleasure, have a good time!” But there was nothing to it, nothing but smoke.
Ecclesiastes 2:1
How do we get a happiness that leads to good life?
Taking that which is good is deforming out of God’s design
A pleasure that heals
A pleasure that heals
There is a strong but often unseen correlation between wise pleasure and true freedom.
Think about Sex. Yes, sex.
Sex outside of Marriage is exciting, diverse, loose, spontaneous...
Sex in a marriage could become dull, but doesn’t have to…
Think about it… if I am with someone new all the time, when do I get to be comfortable and just be me?
I have to be what that new person expects or what turns them on...
In my marriage, I become wise, I learn, I develop relationship...
I get to be ME in the bedroom, I get to be who I am, without shame.
If I don’t get to be me, how am I supposed to know I am enjoying it…
This is wise pleasure.
This is wise pleasure.
What defines wise pleasure vs foolish pleasure? Your design.
Doing wrong is fun for a fool, but living wisely brings pleasure to the sensible.
You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.
The father of godly children has cause for joy. What a pleasure to have children who are wise.
Living your right design
Living your right design
I don’t enjoy Maui because it’s got everything I want…
I enjoy Maui because I got to experience it with the person that brings me the most Joy.
= right relationship w/ God and others = true lasting pleasure
Ecclesiastes 9:7-11
Seize life! Eat bread with gusto, Drink wine with a robust heart. Oh yes—God takes pleasure in your pleasure! Dress festively every morning. Don’t skimp on colors and scarves. Relish life with the spouse you love Each and every day of your precarious life. Each day is God’s gift. It’s all you get in exchange For the hard work of staying alive. Make the most of each one! Whatever turns up, grab it and do it. And heartily! This is your last and only chance at it, For there’s neither work to do nor thoughts to think In the company of the dead, where you’re most certainly headed. I took another walk around the neighborhood and realized that on this earth as it is— The race is not always to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor satisfaction to the wise, Nor riches to the smart, Nor grace to the learned. Sooner or later bad luck hits us all.
tells us to enjoy life with our wife...
What happens if you settle for object-oriented pleasure:
You run from life. You are no longer enjoying life, you’re escaping it.
You are no longer enjoying life, you’re escaping it
Isn’t the purpose of pleasure to experience and enjoy LIFE?
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Jesus didn’t promise us ease… but He did promise us Joy...
Jesus didn’t promise us ease… but he did promise us Joy...
I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.
We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.
The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.
Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.
Proverbs