Enjoy Life
Ecclesiastes: Follow God's Commands • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsSince death comes for all, do not follow earth's wisdom, rather follow God's commands and enjoy the blessings he brings.
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
So far
riches
did not satisfy
just goes to someone who has not worked for it
injustice
good things happen to bad people, bad things happen to good people
Death the equalizer (1-6)
Death the equalizer (1-6)
hand of God
not to justify the imbalance, but to give it balance
God has sovereignty
looks after those who follow him
Deut. 33:3 “Indeed, He loves the people; All Your holy ones are in Your hand, And they followed in Your steps; Everyone receives of Your words.
Ps. 31:15 My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me.
John 10:29 “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
we are his and he cares for us
the righteous ones are in his hand
he knows who are his
mankind does not know our future
unless we are children of God
Solomon is saying
in the end, God will straighten it all out
Same fate for all in the end
Though we see the bad get rewarded and the good punished
there is one great equalizer
fate is death
comes for everyone
the earthly outcome of sin around us
if death comes for us all then whats the point?
v3
live evil
“party hearty with my friend Charlie.”
death will come so why be good?
wrong lens
earthly wisdom says be happy, its all about you, do what you want
Godly wisdom says enjoy the work you do for God, enjoy the blessings he brings, they are eternal
the evil one tries to convince you to celebrate in this life, do what you will in this life, because after it there is nothing else
Solomon has found this to be futile thinking
if we have relationship with God, then we have eternity on our minds and in our hearts
we have life through Christ
live like it.
Response to death (7-10)
Response to death (7-10)
Don’t mask it with evil
put on bright clothes, wash yourself
enjoy the fruit of your work
enjoy your family, your spouse
this is our reward
for doing the work God has called you too
family, faith, friends
if you have been given blessings from him, God has approved your work
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.
living a life that honors him above all
wisdom is knowledge in action
knowing death comes live your life to show others Jesus
live your life enjoying what God has given you
not focusing on what earthly recognition you get for it
accepting what you have been given, and being thankful for it
Wisdom does not mean reward
Wisdom does not mean reward
God rewards those who are faithful
but the world does not
you can do what you think will bring you peace and pleasure
but the battle does not always go to the warrior
the very thing and activities you think will bring you peace, may be your snare
A parable
poor man was wise and saved his city
yet had no reward and was forgotten
earthly rewards are given with no true respect of talent or ability
Men often find their bane where they sought their bless, and catch their death where they thought to find a prize. Let us therefore never be secure, but always ready for changes, that, though they may be sudden, they may be no surprise or terror to us.
do not seek them for they one day will fade away
HS awards in a Walmart bag in my closet
seek wisdom, Godly wisdom is what is eternally rewarded
Conclusion
Conclusion
wisdom that knows though death is the great equalizer
it no longer has a hold on me!
Jesus defeated death
live as though you are alive
Romans 6 says we died with Christ, and we will rise also
Dead to earthly things, dead to earthly pleasures
now alive in Christ
Live as Christ
work for him, have joy from him, enjoy life because of him
in a way that honors him
we know Death comes for all
but does not defeat all
share life, share Jesus
he came to bring life
not over indulgent life, not earthly life, but life more abundant and free