HOFC Sermon Archive: Ecclesiastes Part 8: Wisdom to Endure Life I

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction & Prologue

2. The Search for Meaning I

3. The Search for Meaning II

4. Solomon’s Observations I

5. Solomon’s Observations II

6. Counsel for Better Living I

7. Counsel for Better Living II

8. Wisdom to Endure Life I

Today is Sunday. December 8^th, 2024

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE - Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:18

Selected Readings; Ecclesiastes 8:2-4 “I say, “Keep the command of the king because of the sworn oath before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry to go from his presence. Do not stand in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.” 4 Since the word of the king is powerful, who will say to him, “What are you doing?””

In other words, Obey the law of the land, but do not take part if the leader decrees evil, because the leaders will do whatever they want, and you are powerless to stop them.

Ecclesiastes 9:2-4 “It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and for the unclean; for the man who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good man is, so is the sinner; as the swearer is, so is the one who is afraid to swear. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead.”

INTRODUCTION

In the end, we all must die and face judgment.

Today, we will look at the wisdom to endure the governments of the world and their evil ways, as well as find how to enjoy life, though we know an end is inescapable.

I. I. ENDURING THE GOVERNMENTS OF MEN

a. Submit to authorities, for God’s sake

i. We are told in Ecclesiastes 8:2-3 to obey our leader’s commands

1. It never fails when you say something like this. Those who are rebellious quickly say, “Yeah, well, what if they make a law out of something evil?”

2. Our God is a God of common sense. You may not have the wisdom of Solomon, but rest assured, if you try, you can use the common sense God has given you.

3. Obviously, God does not want you to partake in wickedness.

ii. But we still respect the power and authority of the government.

1. Like Daniel, who worked for an evil government and a wicked king who said all must worship him and no other god. Daniel didn’t fight the king, start a rally, he didn’t rage quit his job, or picket outside the king’s throne room. He simply did not partake in that evil and continued worshiping the true God of the Bible.

2. Wisdom tells us, just as the story of Daniel and Ecclesiastes 8:4-5, that if you respect the government’s power and authority, God will defend you.

iii. A wise man understands that their judgment will come in God’s time, and we need not resort to wickedness (i.e., rebellion) to alleviate misery. (Ecclesiastes 8:5-9)

iv. Compare the counsel of Solomon here with that given to Christians

1. Romans 13:1-7 “Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist have been appointed by God…”

a. No matter who wins elections, they were appointed by the sovereignty of God

2. 1 Peter 2:11-17 “…Be subject for the sake of the Lord to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do good…”

a. We obey the laws of the land and respect authority for the sake of the Lord because we bear His name.

b. Illustration: My friend in Australia

b. Anticipate the fact that most rulers are wicked

i. There will be terrible rulers

ii. Why does God allow evil rulers? Because their judgment does not occur immediately, just as yours does not.

1. 2 Peter 3:9-11 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be found out. Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness…”

iii. It is better to fear God than man. They will answer for their sins if they do not repent, just as we all will.

c. Expect to be confused

i. Sometimes, the righteous do suffer, and the wicked prosper.

1. Matthew 16:26-27 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay each one according to his deeds.”

ii. So, though sometimes we don’t understand why God allows certain things, why good people sometimes suffer, or why occasionally wicked people prosper, know that the Lord is one day coming. Every one of us will receive what we have coming according to our deeds.

iii. So do not waste your time worrying about evil people because no one escapes judgment in God’s time.

iv. Not even us.

v. Find peace in knowing God is in control.

d. Therefore, enjoy life!

i. Delight in the fruits of your labor

ii. Love the family and friends the Lord has blessed you with

iii. Live joyfully with the spouse God has given you, the children you have been blessed with, the friends that you have

iv. This advice is given throughout Ecclesiastes 2:24-26; 3:12-13; 5:18-20

There is little value in getting all worked up about the inequities in the governments of men. As long as there are imperfect men, there will be imperfect governments. It is better to simply obey the laws, do good, trust in God, and enjoy the fruits of one’s labor.

II. II. ENDURING THE INEVITABILITY OF DEATH

a. Death happens to all and then comes judgment

i. We read both the righteous and the wicked must die and face judgment

1. The righteous are in God’s hands

2. But the sons of men are full of evil

ii. While we live, there is hope! When we die

1. We will no longer care what happens on earth

2. Others will eventually forget us

b. While you are here, enjoy life!

i. We should still enjoy life!

1. Ecclesiastes 9:7-9 “Go then, eat your bread in gladness and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has already accepted your works. 8 Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head. 9 See life with the woman whom you love all the days of your vain life, which He has given to you under the sun”

a. Have a merry heart

b. Let your clothes be white all the time is a nod to being covered in the righteousness of Christ, ready for the Day of Judgment

c. Not letting the oil lack from your head means continuing to pray God wills your thoughts and mind with His Holy Spirit

d. And though life itself is meaningless, on earth, God has given us life, family, and purpose in Him, which IS the meaning of life itself.

i. And those without Him find no meaning.

c. Expect to be surprised

i. Wisdom in scripture warns us that, like animals caught in an unforeseen trap, so is death to man.

1. Do not wait to get right with the Lord

2. Do not wait to serve Him

3. Do not wait to call on His name for Salvation

ii. Wisdom is often despised when it comes from a poor man. However, true wisdom spoken quietly is better than the shout of a ruler of fools.

CONCLUSION –

It may be difficult to accept all of life’s emptiness, but if we remember that our purpose and meaning come from serving the Lord, we will have a better understanding of all the things in life!

There are times we find ourselves under wicked leadership in government And, unless the Lord returns in our lifetime, death is inevitable

However, we can endure the things in life with the help of God’s wisdom

Enduring the governments of men by submitting to authorities, for God’s sake, without taking part in their evil. We understand that wicked rulers will occur, but we will not have to be judged by their actions by God unless we participate.

Remembering, we can still enjoy our life as God gives us the opportunity. We do not have to fear death if we belong to the Lord. God wants us to enjoy our family and friends and what we accomplish in this life through the things He has given us!

Use the wisdom of God’s Word that is readily available to us to get the most out of life. Listen to Solomon’s God-given wisdom, and do not just endure life, but live it!

NEXT WEEK: “Part 9: Wisdom to Endure Life II”

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Wednesday, December 11, 2024

Ecclesiastes Part 8: Wisdom to Endure Life I

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