| NOTHING EVER CHANGES . . . UNLESS YOU LOVE THE LORD | ||
| April 30, 1991 | Sermon by DRW | Passage Ecclesiastes |
NEED: WITHIN EVERY CHRISTIAN’S LIFE THERE COMES A TIME OF DOUBT (WHETHER GOD IS FOR REAL, ETC.).
AIM: THE AIM OF THIS SERMON IS TO INFORM THE CONGREGATION THAT QUESTIONING WHAT WE BELIEVE IS NOT WRONG AND HELPS TO ANSWER A LOT OF DOUBT.
BIBLICAL TEXT: ECCLESIASTES
TITLE: NOTHING EVER CHANGES . . . UNLESS YOU LOVE THE LORD
THEME: THOUGH ALL APPEARS TO BE BARREN AND FUTILE GOD HAS A PLAN FOR OUR LIVES.
INTRODUCTION: Let’s travel back in time, not too far, to August 1971. I have just accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour. This was indeed the greatest day of my life. My family was in Germany at the time for my father was in the Air Force. A few months later we are shipped to El Segundo, California in the heart of Los Angeles. My father sends us: my mom, older sister and two younger brothers, and me; ahead of him. It is now May 1972. My father gets in the family car–the 1967 Mustang, not the 1969 Towne and Country Station Wagon–and drives away. After two months we realize that he is not coming back. He files for divorce. My mother, who hasn’t worked since 1960, has to get a job. We barely survive. It is 1976 and after 4 years of this lifestyle I begin to doubt God. After all, I am a Christian and things are not supposed to happen this way. When I became a Christian the pastor said that things will be wonderful because I had entered into the family of God. How come he didn’t tell me this: my father would leave, my mother will almost die from working so hard to support her family, my sister and youngest brother would get hooked on drugs, and life would become difficult. It’s not supposed to happen this way. Is God in a coma? In the Summer of 1976 I became perplexed over life and asked the ever earnest question “Why?” to God above. Why do these things happen? Aren’t You in control? The conclusion I had come to is that following this god is not what I want to do, that this god was not good–I threw the Bible away.
I did come to that conclusion and I confess it to you: Life is difficult and it is hard to understand. I imagine this is how Solomon felt. After all David, his father, had recently died and all that his father told him seemed to be untrue. So, let’s go back a couple thousand years to 980 BC. Solomon has seen his older brothers try to take away his father’s kingdom. He saw Adonijah’s rebellion (1 Kings 1.5) and Absalom’s as-well (2 Sam 15).
Solomon’s father soon died (~970BC) and the reign of all Israel was given into his hands. We read that he was the wisest of all men
And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt (1 Kings 4.30).
How he obtained this wisdom is of importance as we seek to understand the book of Ecclesiastes [please turn there as we continue]:
5 In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.
6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as [it is] this day.
7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I [am but] a little child: I know not [how] to go out or come in.
8 And thy servant [is] in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?
(1 Kings 3)
God had given this wisdom to Solomon. What did Solomon do with this wisdom? From the world’s perspective he greatly enhanced the political and social life for the Israelites and the people’s around him. From a religious position he built the Temple of the Living God and greatly enhanced the religious life for the Israelites. In the eyes of Solomon, however, he greatly enhanced the life of futility.
PROPOSITION: TODAY WE SHALL LOOK AT THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES AND DEAL WITH LIFE FROM TWO PERSPECTIVES: THE WORLD’S AND GOD’S.
OUTLINE:
I. THE WORLD
How have we done Socially?
To some extent Solomon reminds me of our generation, as we saw in the introduction. He reminds me of me. He reminds me of you. He reminds me of us. Solomon sought after things, money, pleasure, and accomplishment. Most of us have pursued the same products. We have done as Solomon. He sought after materialism.
A. Materialism
1. 2.12-23 (especially v 19)
2. I have a friend who has amassed a great many gadgets and doohickeys. His desire is to have the best of the best, as did Solomon, as do we at times. His whole life was manifest around that which he could get and keep. He has the finest car, the most up-to-date sound and video systems. Yet he lives a morally bankrupt life for his trust and desire is found in these things. For him the last word is given by what he owns: “I want the very best.” If any other force than God has the last word, then that force is a god. We do the same as my friend and as did Solomon. There are times when the last word comes not from God but from what we want. EX: poor folks and clothes. Anything that controls life (even a dream) is materialism for it is a possession that possess.
QUESTION: Anthony Campolo’s question: Would Jesus drive a BMW? Would He earn 100,000 a year?
Solomon sought after wealth as-well.
B. Wealth
He pursued these things for he became disappointed in who or what he had as a god.
1. 2.1-11
2. 5.8-17
3. In order to maintain the very best Solomon and my friend had to earn monies and amass wealth.
I am constantly reminded what a delicate balance there is between accepting and engaging in the good gifts of life, and valuing those gifts more highly than the One who gives them.
The question is one of value. Matt 6.19-21.
We own things at the risk of them distracting us from other values and loyalties (Ecclesiastes 5.10).
Our values are like eyes (Matt 6.22-23). They affect our perceptions and direction. If you own a house, the grass owns you to a certain extent.
Consider Matt 6.24. “Keeping one eye on God and one eye on your wallet will not work.” Both eyes must be on God, He’ll take care of the wallet.
Solomon also sought after pleasure.
C. Pleasures like sexual pursuits and comfortable living. He didn’t see, until the end, that the only truly fulfilled life is doing God’s will as He calls you, not another.
*. 2.1-11
Solomon had all that money could buy and build. His pleasure was in the works of his hands. His works benefitted mankind greatly and this was pleasurable in the eyes of man.
D. Work
Americans tend to work only for money–to feed basic human selfishness. They live from one coffee break to another. The Christian view of work should be different. The Bible supports work with at least four basic truths:
1) Work is God-ordained (Gen 1.28).
2) As a result of fundamental human rebellion against God, work no longer brings the fulfillment God intended (Ecclesiastes 2.4-11).
3) For Christians, work is done as a service to Christ (Col 3.22-24).
4) Work not only brings glory to God, it has moral benefits as well (Eph 2.48).
Work is part of the nature of God, without work we are not completely fulfilled.
Solomon’s pleasure was in his work and according to the text and history his works were magnificent.
1. 4.4-12
2. Obsession with one’s work is not a healthy attitude. The symptoms of such obsession might include:
1) no leisure time or activities,
2) compulsive perfectionism,
3) fatigue, tenseness, poor sleep, physical ailments such as headaches, stomachaches, back pains, ulcers,
4) a lack of friends or social life, and deteriorating relationships,
5) single mindedness, (to amass wealth through work thinking that this will alleviate problems)
Rather than succumb to workaholism, try to work more effectively by prioritizing tasks, dropping or delegating those you can, allotting time for play and quiet, and time with loved ones.
DAILY DECISIONS DETERMINE DESTINIES
Christians should focus on the bigger picture when evaluating the importance or impact of their daily work.
1) We have God-given resources including life, time, talent, energy, strength, and others.
2) We have constant influence on the next generation.
3) We are uniquely equipped, but each important and interdependent.
It helps to set goals and priorities to guide your daily activity.
[TRANSITION:] To the eyes of the world Solomon was a great social worker. He helped with building needed areas (the Temple and gardens, etc.). He set a good work ethic. According to the world’s standards he was indeed a success for he amassed fortunes. How did he deal in the realm of power? Was he successful in this as-well?
II. How have we done realm of power?
A. Influence
1. Solomon had the Queen of Sheba visit him and pronounce that Solomon was even greater than his reputation had stated (1 Kings 10.1-10).
2. Power corrupts if it is not controlled by God.
B. Oppression
1. 4.1-3
2. Part of the political success of Solomon was due to his hatred of oppression.
[TRANSITION] The world has proclaimed Solomon as the successful business man, the successful man of influence. The question that comes to mind now, after we have seen that Solomon is proclaimed as the success of the ancient world, what did Solomon think about all this?
IV. How have we done Personally?
A. Futility [here’s where we throw the Bible down]
1. For Solomon life was futile. Life amounted to nothing. The introduction to this book announces his view on his life (and all life): “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity! What advantage does man have in all his work which he has done under the sun?” As a matter of fact the term vanity occurs over 30 times in this book. His opinion of life was pretty bleak. When he thought of the areas where others viewed his life as successful he had this to say:
PLEASURE
I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also [is] vanity. (Ecclesiastes 2.1)
WORK
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all [was] vanity and vexation of spirit, and [there was] no profit under the sun. (Ecclesiastes 2.11)
WISDOM
Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also [is] vanity. (Ecclesiastes 2.15)
MONEY
He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity. (Ecclesiastes 5.10) NT Lillies?
MATERIALISM
A man to whom God hath given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wanteth nothing for his soul of all that he desireth, yet God giveth him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eateth it: this [is] vanity, and it [is] an evil disease. (Ecclesiastes 6.1-2)
RIGHTEOUS LIVING
All [things] have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just [man] that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked [man] that prolongeth [his life] in his wickedness. (Ecclesiastes 7.15)
LONG LIFE
But if a man live many years, [and] rejoice in them all; yet let him remember the days of darkness; for they shall be many. All that cometh [is] vanity. (Ecclesiastes 11.8)
2. Solomon, although successful at these endeavors, saw that they did not amount to much when all was said and done in life. If Solomon drove on our road system today and read the license plate frame: “He who dies with the most toys wins,” would probably make one of his own that says: “He who dies with the most toys…dies!” or “Dead men take no toys!”
B. Striving after wind
Another of Solomon’s favourite terms is “striving after wind.” This phrase occurs about ten times in the book and relates to futility as-well. Evidently Solomon took no stock in what the peoples of the world said of his “successes.”
C. Under the Sun
A third and popular phrase of Solomon when he viewed his life is “under the sun.” This also occurs around 30 times in the book. At times I see this as a commentary by Solomon on the futility of life for it is under the sun and the only answer to life must lie above the sun.
D. Conclusion on life [in this section look over at the Bible]
1. 2.24-26
24 [There is] nothing better for a man, [than] that he should eat and drink, and [that] he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it [was] from the hand of God.
25 For who can eat, or who else can hasten [hereunto], more than I?
26 For [God] giveth to a man that [is] good in his sight wisdom, and knowledge, and joy: but to the sinner he giveth travail, to gather and to heap up, that he may give to [him that is] good before God. This also [is] vanity and vexation of spirit. (Ecclesiastes 2)
2. 3.22
Wherefore I perceive that [there is] nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that [is] his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him? (Ecclesiastes 3.22)
3. 5.18-20
18 Behold [that] which I have seen: [it is] good and comely [for one] to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it [is] his portion.
19 Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this [is] the gift of God.
20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth [him] in the joy of his heart. (Ecclesiastes 5)
E. Advice in view of all that has been said and done
1. Man is wicked (7)
2. God is (8-9)
3. Life is uncertain (10)
Today’s youth have not changed all that much; the world around them has changed dramatically. There are six trends affecting young people:
1) Choices are increasing dramatically.
2) The family foundation is crumbling.
3) Young people are investing in a fast-food society–instant gratification is the rule of the day.
4) The media influence is growing–educators and ministers are worried about a shrinking attention span and disabled imagination.
5) The world view is narrowing, focusing more on self. Young people are not only ignorant about the global community but often don’t care. In the 60’s it was the Peace Corps, today we couldn’t point out Bangladesh.
6) They are searching for meaning and a community that will nurture them.
They are pleading for a faith that has meaning and relevance for their lives.
4. Life is certain (11.1-12.8) . . . for those who love the Lord
CONCLUSION: 12.13-14 [go over to Bible and pick it up]
1. Fear God.
2. God will judge all our deeds after this life.
3. God must be kept in the center of life for it is too easy to go astray (Isaiah 53).
4. Do not overdo any interest to the exclusion of everything or everyone else.
5. Enjoy life as a gift from God
6. Do not hold to the world’s applause, hold to the Word of God and receive Heaven’s applause.
7. When this happens we will have meaning in our life and we will help establish community for the one who comes to you and asks why, who says he doubts his faith and his God. Then you can honestly say: “That’s Okay . . . I did too” and you can show him the true meaning of life.
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