The Work of the Word

Paul Hamilton

Exposition of Ecclesiastes • Sermon • Submitted 3 years ago

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Read Eccl. 12:9-14 > Pray

With this final passage from Ecclesiastes we are going to be talking about words. Words are powerful, words do things. They can wound they can bring healing.

Think of the words:

“I Do!” your mind automatically runs to a wedding ceremony. With those powerful words two people commit themselves together.

“I’m though” in desperation, defeat, those words are the words of giving up, the end. How many broken marriages ended with those powerful words. I’m no longer willing to work at this. “I’m through”

I love you. I hate you. I forgive you. I’ll never forgive you. I can’t wait to see you again. I never want to see you again. I’m sorry.

Words are powerful. God created the world with words. God created the world through THE WORD.

God gives new life through the word of the gospel. “Faith comes through hearing and hearing through the word of Christ”

As we end our study of Ecclesiastes we’ll see the books ends by highlighting the importance of GOD’S WORD.

God’s words are the words of greatest power, bring the ultimate healing, and proclaim final judgement. His words are the most important words.

The end of the matter for Solomon, after all the world has been considered, rests in hearing, trusting and obeying God’s Word.

My title for this morning is THE WORK OF THE WORD.

Before we begin, we need to deal with one question.

Who wrote these words? You’ll notice the book of Ecclesiastes ends as it began, talking about the preacher in the third person. “The preacher also taught.”

Remember that was how it began… “The words of the preacher …” 1: 1. In chapter 1:12 it shifts, “I the preacher…” then the whole book of Ecclesiastes is the preacher speaking. and now at the end it returns to the third person.

So, are these the words of a compiler of Ecclesiastes? an unnamed person who put this together and is now commenting? Or Is this Solomon commenting on himself?

First thing to notice. The Bible doesn’t say. So It’s not too important one way or the other.

Second thing, either way, this is the word of God, so whether God spoke through Solomon or an editor compiling Solomon’s words, it’s still God speaking through them.

Third thing, either way the purpose here is to reflect back on Solomon’s word so whether that is a literary device that Solomon is using to help us reflect or it actually is another person, the effect is the same.

So, the answer? We don’t know, and we don’t need to know.

So let’s walk through the passage and then, look to see how Christ Makes All the Difference at the end.

I) WORTHY WORK (9-10)

Ecclesiastes 12:9–10 (ESV) — 9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

We know that all scripture comes from God:

2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV) — 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

But the emphasis is never that Solomon or any other scriptural author just sat back and acted like a word processor for God, they worked at the word. God worked through their humanity, through the creativity and personality he gave them, through the work ethic he crafted in them.

As we think through these first two verses, I want you first to just value your Bibles more.

But I also want to hold up Solomon as something as an example. We won’t have his wisdom, we aren’t inspired by God, but we can learn from his worthy work, to encourage us to engage in whatever work our hands find to do in a more whole-hearted, God-glorifying manner.

A. God-Given Wisdom

It starts with what God gave. “Besides being wise” that’s a given. That’s what God did. 1 Kings 3, Solomon asks for wisdom to rule wisely and God blesses him wisdom and discernment like none before him and none that would ever come after him.

Solomon couldn’t take credit for that. That came from God. And you all, have being given some wisdom, some understanding, some ability. Some understanding of the Bible, and of life. – Ultimately that all comes from God.

Proverbs 2:6 (ESV) — 6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

That’s the given that’s the starting place that is what God has done. But what did Solomon do with all that wisdom?

B. Used to Bless Others

Ecclesiastes 12:9 (ESV) — 9 … the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, …

This is the PURPOSE of that WISDOM!

Here we see God’s working in Solomon to use his gift of wisdom to be a blessing to others. He turns outward. He used what he received to do good.

It is right to see Solomon’s writings in The Proverbs or Ecclesiastes as God’s love displayed for us, but humanly speaking those words are Solomon’s love. He turned to teach others! To direct us into the way of life.

Now, it’s not right to say the wisdom was God’s part and the effort was Solomon’s part. No, God is in us to WILL and to WORK for his good pleasure God is the root and source of all we do but still, Solomon was fully engaged by a heart of love for God and for people to use his wisdom to do good.

Friends, first, do you see the Bible this way? These are the words of life, the words of true and perfect wisdom? But also it is a work of love of people, moved by God to do good

Secondly then friends, what are you doing with what God has given you? God hasn’t given you a Bible to write, but he has given you a life to live.

Does God’s love for you motivate you outward to love and teach, to use your words for good, for those around you? Church – building up with the Bible, in the world – sharing the gospel and showing love?

C. With Diligent Delight

Look at the language of Solomon’s effort..

Ecclesiastes 12:9–10 (ESV) — 9 …weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.

He weighed, studied, arranged, with GREAT CARE.

SOUGHT to find words of DELIGHT. Uprightly he wrote words of truth. Here we see clearly that Solomon is not just sitting back with pen in hand waiting for God to move him and then in one draft – perfection!

NO, God worked through Solomon’s diligent effort. He labored with diligence to delight us!

Do we think of the Bible this way? Ecclesiastes? there was lots of poetry and metaphor. Some was hard to understand! Some was sober - about death, and meaninglessness. But Solomon’s aim was not to depress us, but to delight us. words of delight.

Not with the lies of the world, we are too easily delighted in the world and it pretend joys. No he is delighting us with God, with the truth that is unshakable in the vanity of life. Do you find the words of God to be a delight?

David Gibson wrote this:

" You can measure whether you find the Bible delightful, not by how often you read it or by how much of it you read, not by whether you find it easy or difficult to read, but by whether you approach the Bible expecting to be surprised. Bible delight is born when you expect it to teach you something you did not know already. The more childlike you are toward the Bible, the more likely you are to find it having just the right words for you."

Jonathan Edwards wrote:

“I should think myself in the way of my duty to raise the affections of my hearers as high as I possibly can provided that they are affected by nothing but the truth.”

Does the truth raise up your affections? Do you see the Bible as a delight? Or do you think chore, rule, duty, first? Solomon labored to bring us words of delight. Words of truth, wisdom, and beauty.

Because, after all, these are God’s word, God is full of all wisdom, the perfection of truth and the most gloriously beautiful being of all!!

BUT Also, as God worked through the diligent delight of Solomon, so too God works through our efforts as well.

What is before you? what opportunities? Church ministry opportunities, spiritual gifts, family service opportunities – God works through the diligent delight of his people working for him!

Thinking carefully about what you’re saying, being careful with your choices, taking life seriously for Jesus.

I think that is a good challenge to us all! If we long to see God working what are we doing to engage in that work, to step out in faith? Not tentatively, but faithfully seeking, working, finding words of Delight. To connect to each other, to those around us.

What has God given you? Wisdom? Talents? Time? Opportunities? Relationships? What are you doing with that? Do you want to see God working? Then get to work!

The Faithful life, BELIEVES God will work, so we work.

So you see the WORTHY WORK of SOLOMON.

II. TRUSTED TOOL (11-12)

The writer goes on to describe the tool that Solomon uses.

Ecclesiastes 12:11–12 (ESV) — 11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

These words of the wise. These careful words breathed out by God, labored over by Solomon are trusted tools. He describes them it two ways.

A. Goads

Goads are a stick usually with some sort of point to get animals moving. Some of Solomon’s words were shocking. He was keeping us moving.

Don’t get stuck living for money. Don’t get stuck living for pleasure keep on moving!

Hedonism, wealth, health, youth… those are the NOT true wells of life, don’t stop and drink there. Keep moving.

God’s word works that way for us. A goad is something of an annoyance – it’s POKY, it can get our attention.

We can be annoyed because we want that other thing, that wealth, that pleasure, we want to stop and drink there. God’s word comes along and spurs us on. Through the word comes conviction of sin.

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV) — 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

When we are thinking rightly God’s discipline and prodding is a comfort. In the light of truth we see the vanity of living for this world, and we are redirected to the water of life that comes from God through Jesus Christ, and found in his word.

B. Nails Firmly Fixed

This is a different image, the goads get us moving, the nails keep us stable. The words of God cannot be moved.

Matthew 7:24 (ESV) — 24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

We build our house of the stable rock of God’s word, like a nail firmly fixed it cannot be moved. So with both keeps us moving and growing towards God and it provides the stable foundation for our lives.

Because…

C. Wielded by the Shepherd

“They are given by one Shepherd.” Here I think we see an awareness of the divine nature of these words.

These words came from God. It could possibly mean that Solomon is the shepherd, but I don’t think that is right. we saw from Proverbs 2: 6 earlier that Solomon understood that all wisdom comes from God.

Solomon had experienced that reality, he had received wisdom from God and yet he labored and labored to craft these words as well as he possibly could but the POWER came not from SOLOMON...

But from the Good Shepherd - David was the prototype of that Shepherd image, the shepherd boy raised to rule the nation. But he pointed ahead, to the true shepherd

Isaiah 40:10–11 (ESV) — 10 Behold, the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. 11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.

This Bible, which we rightly call the WORD of GOD, is the trusted tool to guide and stabilize us because of who it is from. Breathed out by God and because of that it is profitable for Teaching, Reproof, correction, for training in righteousness.

Because it is the source of all perfect wisdom, we can bring our questions here. It won’t answer every question we have in the way we want, and we need to be careful not to twist it to squeeze from it answers it doesn’t supply… but what we MUST KNOW, that is here for all - for JOY, HAPPINESS and LIFE is HERE.

1689 London Confession – section 1 paragraph 7

All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed and observed for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of ordinary means, may attain to a sufficient understanding of them.

The sufficiency of scripture. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW for Salvation, life and happiness is in the words, it is here, and it if it’s not here you don’t need it! this is sufficient for life and godliness!

but the Perspicuity of Scripture What you need to know is CLEAR! it is clearly proclaimed in the Bible for everyone.

That whole section is worth reading and meditating on, the Bible is glorious. Because it comes from our glorious God.

In verse 12 I think that Solomon is contrasting God’s word with every other word. There is nothing to compare with the Bible.

Other books have value ( I have a lot of books) but there is a limit to what they can do, we can weary ourselves trying to know and say everything, to master everything there are always more books.

BUT these words, these words are the words that are necessary. You can’t know everything… make sure you know these words!!

The word is the TRUSTED TOOL.

III. GOOD GOAL (13-14)

These well known words. If you think of Ecclesiastes, you probably think of ‘vanity’ and these words:

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 (ESV) — 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.

This the end of the matter. After all has been heard. All the words heard… what is the way of life?

Fear God and Keep his commandments.

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV) — 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

To See God rightly, is to fear him. to be in awe of him. to revere him above all. Deepest Respect. His power, might, glory, majesty, wonder, beauty is devastating, even the angles are show with faces covered in his presence. WE cannot endure his purity… it would undo us. But that doesn’t diminish our delight in him. the delight is too much.

And in seeing him rightly then we know that his path is the path of blessing.

Psalm 1:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

The way of blessing is the way of obedience. Bowing our will to God’s, and trusting his wisdom, knowing that his way is best. That is the way of life, the way of joy, the way of hope.

Rebellion is the way of death. Because ultimately there will be a judgment and everything will be brought into the light. Truth will be revealed and meaning will be made known.

There is only one safe way through life, death and the judgement. Solomon from his place had the Law, And in faith he was to believe God and obey him – his obedience could never earn salvation but that was his faithful response. to believe God and obey him. that was the safe way.

IN Christ Jesus, the New Covenant, Obedience is still necessary, but it is so much clearer… So let’s see how Christ Makes All the Difference on last time.

CHRIST MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE:

Christ Is THE WORD Incarnate.

John 1:14 (ESV) — 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The word that was God, took on flesh. This is the love and commitment of God to send his own son into the world to die for all who would believe on him! He is the WORD, but also…

Christ Is the GOOD SHEPHERD!

John 10:11 (ESV) — 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

He is the shepherd that speaks, that guides and provides stability. He is the shepherd that lays down his life for the sheep, and the shepherd that keeps his flock safe.

John 10:27–28 (ESV) — 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

He is our safe harbor, our resting place, and in him we stand before God innocent and pure in the judgement He has paid it all!

Christ Is the FULFILLMENT of the Law!

Matthew 5:17 (ESV) — 17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Romans 10: 4 (ESV) — 4 For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes!

He didn’t come to eradicate the law, but to fulfill it! He it is made patently clear! The law cannot make you right with God! you cannot earn your salvation.

That was true in the old covenant and it is still true in the NEW. But it is much more clear now! CHRIST fulfilled the law, he brought it too it’s completion..

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV) — 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

He fulfilled the Law, and he took on our sin so that we might be come the righteousness of God in him! Now, without the unbearable burden of earning righteousness, the way of the law, obedience is now the way of life.

Matthew 11:28–30 (ESV) — 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Come believe the word, follow the Good shepherd, rest in him, believe on him and live!

Pray

Call the men up to serve the Lord’s Table

Sing: All Glory Be to Christ

LORD’S TABLE

We are One in Christ. One Body

1 Corinthians 10:16–17 (ESV) — 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

Family we are ONE in CHRIST HOLY and BELOVED! This table shows us the love of God in Christ, the shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. on the cross the curse of the LAW was defeated – LIGHT HAS WON!! and it empowers us to be changed so that we BE HOLY, to take his yoke upon us and live for him!! To Live for the Glory of God, in all things. That is what the GOSPEL Is for.

So, the Supper is a time to EVALUATE and CELEBRATE.

We evaluate our selves, we see our need for change, we have sin, we have failed. We have not loved God as we ought. We have tried to earn our own way, diminishing the gospel. We have been often too lazy, waiting for God to do the work that he has called us to do, making excuses for ourselves.

In repentance, then we turn to find help. And at the table we remember, there is boundless help for us in Christ Jesus. There is help, so we CELEBRATE! WE REJOICE We are not defeated, we are victorious in Christ. We are at PEACE!! We are not BEYOND GOD’s Power to change! so from that GOSPEL Power we move forward together in peace, for the glory of God.

THIS is for DISCIPLES of CHRIST

“Our understanding of being a disciple of Christ in the New Testament is one who has been transformed through FAITH in Christ, has been baptized into Christ and into his church, and continues to be committed to and serving CHRIST in the body of Christ – a local church. The Lord’s Supper is the fellowship meal for the covenant family of Jesus Christ.”

For those who are not Christians, and this is not for you. This is not for you, you have said no to this, with your life. No to this community, no to Christ. but this SALVATION is for you, Jesus is for you! You’ll see the emblems passing you by… don’t let salvation pass you by again. Make no more excuses, take hold of Christ and live!

Children – boys and girls. I know some of you are believing on Christ, as you wait to take that public step of baptism, and openly commit to be a disciple of Christ, it is good for you to wait to take the Lord’s Supper. For you, feed on Christ as this passes you by, think to yourself, I won’t let this day pass me by without Christ, and call out to him, and then turn and follow Jesus. I know your mom and dad would be delighted to talk with you about what that might look like. Believe on Jesus and live.

The men will distribute the elements, you’ll notice a cup of bread and a cup of juice. the bread was handled safely with gloves but if you’d prefer on top of the juice is a little wafer. please hold the elements and we’ll take them together at the end.

BREAD

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 (ESV) — 23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

CUP

1 Corinthians 11:25–26 (ESV) — 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

731 Doxology

2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV) — 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

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