The Satisfied Life | Here Today Gone Tomorrow

Ecclesiastes 6:1-12

Presented By Paul Kordik:

Sunday, June 27, 2021

Good Morning!!!

So much has happened in the last 19 months since we were last together….in PERSON!!! Let’s Review for a minute:

NONE …OF WHAT HAPPENED THESE PAST 19 MONTHS WAS A SURPRISE TO OUR LORD…..BUT IT SURE WAS TO ALL OF US!!!

• 19 months ago, the world was caught up in buying and selling.

• Acquiring more stuff….more toys….Solomon calls this VANITY.

• Going more places on vacation.

• I believe that THE time of Covid Lockdown …provided us with a new perspective about what is really important IN LIFE and what is VANITY.

• In a way….Solomon might say…. it was ALL VANITY:

• In some ways just prior to the Covid Lockdown…… Perhaps we were so caught up in our day to day lives that we sometimes forgot about the one TRUE AND LIVING and LOVING GOD Who gives us everything…..and all HE asks is for us to acknowledge Jesus, Love HIM, and learn about HIM so we are prepared to share the GOOD NEWS about Jesus to a lost world.

There is a fascinating 19th century science experiment…

• As we study Ecclesiastes it is important that we remember that the writer….Solomon….had already lived a life of riches, glory, pleasures of the flesh….the pride of life. He had it all!

  • Solomon is providing a reflection of life through his own experiences.

• He is teaching how we need to focus on what really matters in life….A life lived well for our Lord and not for our own accomplishments and stuff accumulated.

  • He is not saying it is bad to achieve or have nice things as a result of our work.

  • He is talking about where we place our primary focus and about doing it all for the sake of Our Lord.

• In Ecclesiastes 2:9-11 Solomon Shares…..

^{9 “}So I became great and ^[f]excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.

¹⁰ Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them.
I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure,
For my heart rejoiced in all my labor;
And this was my ^[g]reward from all my labor.
¹¹ Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done
And on the labor in which I had toiled;
And indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind.
There was no profit under the sun.”

• Outline of Ecclesiastes Chapter 6 could be….

  • About refusing to find JOY…..Vs 1-6

  • About we waste our time…..Vs 7-12

  • Rhetorical questions…..Vs 12

• What Bible verses say about vanity:

  • The definition of vanity is having a lot of pride or conceit in your appearance or achievements. It also means worthless, emptiness, or something without value just like life apart from God is nothing.

• John MacArthur said…

  • “The key word is “vanity,” which expresses the futile attempt to be satisfied apart from God. “

Specifically, What does the Bible say about VANITY?

10 Verses:

1. Proverbs 30:13

2. Proverbs 31:30

3. Proverbs 21:4 

4. Proverbs 16:18

5. 1 John 5:21

6. 1 Corinthians 10:14

7. 1 John 2:16

8. Romans 12:2 

9.  James 1:26 

10. Ecclesiastes 4:4 

• So much of these 10 verses are about:

  • Not conforming to the world

  • Not being Prideful….”The Pride of Life”

  • Not chasing the wind

• In Ecclesiastes 3:12 and 22….Solomon says…

  • 12 “I know that there is ^anothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime;”

  • 22 “I have seen that ^anothing is better than that man should be happy in his activities, for that is his lot.”

Memory Verse for Chapter 6

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

New King James Version

^13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
¹⁴ For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.”

Main Idea of Today’s Text:

“You have only one life to live”….Do not waste it!

• Solomon expresses this sentiment in Chapter 6 Vs 9

• “Better is ^[a]the sight of the eyes than the wandering of ^[b]desire.
  This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.”

• In other words…..If we are always looking for more, we will miss what we have right in front of us

• Solomon is not suggesting that we neglect planning for the future…..but that our plans for the future should include an opportunity to enjoy the moment that God has given us now

• Perhaps the word to be used here is….BALANCE

• Why is it dangerous to define your life by your achievements?

• What do you want to be known for after you are gone?

• Are you ready for God to summarize your life?

• What robs you of your JOY in life?

• How do you balance covering your expenses, saving for the future, and enjoying what God has given you?

• “Your identity will be tied to whatever you give your heart to”…. What has your heart?

JOY = Jesus Over You

The Satisfied Life | Guard Your Steps

Ecclesiastes 5:1-20

The Book Of Ecclesiastes:

Encourages Us To:

HONOR God, ( Give God Glory )

OBEY His Commandments, ( Advance His Kingdom )

ENJOY Life.

BOOK OUTLINED:

EXPLORATION:

Exploring The Problem Under The Sun:

CHAPTERS 1-8.

EXHORTATION:

Explaining Life In The Hand Of God:

CHAPTERS 9-12.

THE CONTRAST:

HUMAN WISDOM VERSUS GOD'S WISDOM:

HUMAN WISDOM GAINS FOR US NO ETERNAL VALUE.

YES: KNOWLEDGE IS GOOD AND COMMENDABLE.

BUT IT CANNOT SAVE US.

SUMMARY OF BOOK:

God Precisely Works Out All Activities Under The Sun.

God Has A Perfect Plan Revealed In His Perfect Time.

God Discloses Only What His Perfect Wisdom Dictates.

God Holds All Mankind Accountable.

THE ONLY HOPE OF A GOOD LIFE:

PREPARING OURSELVES FOR HEAVEN.

THE ONLY REASONABLE RESPONSE:

BELIEF IN HIM BY FAITH.

THE ONLY EXPECTED RESPONSE:

OBEDIENCE TO OUR SOVEREIGN GOD.

THE VANITIES OF ECCLESIASTES:

QUICK REVIEW:

The Preacher Began His Search For Meaning In Life.

First:

Beginning With Human Wisdom.

Human Wisdom Is Like Grasping For The Wind.

Human Wisdom Was The Source Of Much Grief And Sorrow.

Second:

True Living Is Not Found In:

Achievement, Possession, Pleasure, Or Work.

When We Fail To Consider God’s Will In Life?

Third:

The Teacher Is Seeking To Find Joy In God’s Good Gifts.

God Has Graciously Given Us Many Avenues To Find Joy.

But God’s Gifts Are Subject To Abuse Which Leads To Misery.

God’s Gifts Will Never Answer The Desire For Meaning In Life.

Seeking Ultimate Meaning In His Gifts Leads To Dissatisfaction.

The Preacher Finds Wickedness In Place Of Justice.

The Preacher Finds Oppression Instead Of Comfort.

But God Will Judge The Righteous And The Wicked.

Fourth:

The Mysterious Purposes Of God Are Incomprehensible.

Without Revelation From Scripture

We Can't Discern God’s Purposes.

Without God's Blessing

We Can't Enjoy The Fruit Of Labor.

Fifth:

The Vanity Of Skillful And Selfish Work:

Contrast Between Love Others Or Love Yourself.

Learn To Appreciate The Value Of Friends.

Friends Help Each Other In Time Of Work And In Time Of Need.

THE TEACHER ENCOURAGED HIS AUDIENCE:

To Protect Their Joy.

To Be Aware Of The Brutal Reality Of Oppression In The World.

To Labor For Their Own Joy Rather Than Out Of Envy Of Others.

To Pursue Joy Within Community.

TODAY:

THE TEACHER EMPHASIZES RIGHT PRIORITIES.

RIGHT PRIORITIES ALWAYS BEGIN WITH GOD:

REGARDING WORSHIP:

I. PRIORITIZING GOD (1–7):

WHY PROPER WORSHIP IS IMPORTANT.

THE ABILITY TO ENJOY FROM ONE'S LABOR IS A GIFT.

God Gives Some People Wealth, Possessions And Honor, So That They Lack Nothing Their Hearts Desire,

But God Does Not Grant Them The Ability To Enjoy Them, And Strangers Enjoy Them Instead.

Ecc 6:2.

2. IMPERATIVE THAT WE PLEASE HIM IN OUR WORSHIP.

There Is VAIN WORSHIP. Not All Worship Is Acceptable To God.

These People Honor Me With Their Lips,

But Their Hearts Are Far From Me.

They Worship Me In Vain;

Their Teachings Are Merely Human Rules.

Mt 15:7-9.

HOW TO WORSHIP GOD:

1. WALK PRUDENTLY:

Ecc 5:1a.

The NIV SAYS: GUARD YOUR STEPS.

Worshipers Should:

Give Thought To What They Will Do.

Be Careful What They Will Do.

2. DRAW NEAR TO HEAR:

Ecc 5:1bd.

Be Concerned With What God Has Revealed Thru His Word.

Be Concerned About Attitude Our Toward The Word.

3. DO NOT OFFER THE SACRIFICE OF FOOLS:

Ecc 5:1c.

SOME WORSHIP IS CONSIDERED AN ABOMINATION.

If Anyone Turns A Deaf Ear To My Instruction, Even Their Prayers Are Detestable.

Prov 28:9.

4. DON’T BE RASH WITH YOUR VOWS (PROMISES):

Ecc 5:2-3.

Be Careful What You Say;

Herod’s Foolish Promise That Lead To The Death Of John.

Mark 6:23-26.

Be Careful When Making A Vow Of Commitment To God.

5. KEEP THE VOWS YOU MAKE:

Ecc 5:4-7.

God Has No Pleasure In Fools:

Fools Are Those Who Make Vows And Do Not Fulfill Them.

It Is Better Not To Vow Then To Vow And Not Pay.

Don’t Let Your Mouth Cause You To Sin:

Many Words Lead To Vanity And Sin.

Wise To Restrain.

Prov 10:19.

NOTE: PROPER WORSHIP: TO HONOR GOD.

REGARDING OPPRESSION:

A. OPPRESSION DOES OCCUR:

As The Preacher Observed.

Ecc 3:16.

B. YET DO NOT MARVEL:

There Is Oppression Of The Poor And Perversion Of Justice.

Ecc 5:8a.

For Even High Officials Answer To Someone Else.

Ecc 5:8b;

OFTEN IN THIS LIFE THEY ARE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

BUT EVEN IF NOT, THEN THERE IS THE DAY OF JUDGMENT!

The Profit Taken In Oppression Usually Comes Back To All.

Ecc 5:9.

THOSE WHO OPPRESS OTHERS TO GAIN MUCH

RARELY CONSUME IT ALL.

WHAT PROFIT FROM THE LAND THEY GAIN

“TRICKLES DOWN” EVENTUALLY.

REGARDING RICHES:

RICHES ARE EMPTY (8–17).

A. RICHES CAN BE TAKEN (8–9).

B. RICHES ARE NEVER ENOUGH (10–12).

C. RICHES ARE A POOR SUBSTITUTE FOR A SPIRITUAL HERITAGE (13–17).

RICHES ARE VANITY:

Because They Are Unable To Truly Satisfy.

Ecc 5:10-12.

Lovers Of Silver And Abundance Will Never Be Fulfilled.

As They Increase So Their Desire For More Will Increase.

Because Those Obsessed With Riches Are Hurt By Them.

Ecc 5:13-17.

Riches Can Hurt Those Who Possess Them.

Riches Provide Too Much Turmoil For Restful Sleep.

Through Misfortune, Through Death, One Loses Their Riches.

THE PREACHER’S OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING RICHES.

It Is Good To Enjoy The Good Of One’s Labor.

Ecc 5:18.

It Is God Who Gives One The Power To Truly Enjoy Them.

Ecc 5:19-20.

CONCLUSION:

TRUE JOY COMES FROM

PRIORITIZING GOD AND HIS GOOD GIFTS.

BE SURE TO TURN TO GOD NOT RICHES

FOR ANSWERS TO TRUE LIVING.

GUARD YOUR STEPS.

WE ALL NEED TO BE CAREFUL

IN OUR WORSHIP OF GOD!

ECCLESIASTES IS A WARNING

TO THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO

FIND JOY WITHOUT GOD.

DRAW NEAR TO HEAR 

WHAT GOD HAS REVEALED THROUGH HIS WORD.

 

The Satisfied Life | Two Are Better Than One

ECCLESIASTES 4: 1-16

The Book Of Ecclesiastes:

Encourages Us To:

HONOR God, ( Give God Glory )

OBEY His Commandments, ( Advance His Kingdom )

ENJOY Life.

BOOK OUTLINED:

THE SEARCH FOR SIGNIFICANCE:

EXPLORATION:

Exploring The Problem Under The Sun: Chapters 1-8.

EXHORTATION:

Explaining Life In The Hand Of God: Chapters 9-12.

BIG QUESTION: DOES LIFE HAVE MEANING ?

CONTENTS:

TAKEN FROM THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF HUMAN LIFE.

TAKEN FROM MANY VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.

THE CONTRAST:

HUMAN WISDOM VERSUS GOD'S WISDOM:

Human Wisdom Gains For Us NOTHING OF ETERNAL Value.

YES: KNOWLEDGE IS GOOD AND COMMENDABLE.

BUT IT CANNOT SAVE US.

SUMMARY OF BOOK:

God Precisely Works Out All Activities Under The Sun.

God Has A Perfect Plan Revealed In His Perfect Time.

God Discloses Only What His Perfect Wisdom Dictates.

God Holds All Mankind Accountable.

THE ONLY HOPE OF A GOOD LIFE:

PREPARING OURSELVES FOR HEAVEN.

THE ONLY REASONABLE RESPONSE:

BELIEF IN HIM BY FAITH.

THE ONLY EXPECTED RESPONSE:

OBEDIENCE TO OUR SOVEREIGN GOD.

THE VANITY OF THE WORLD SYSTEM:

All Is Vanity Said The Preacher Without The Life Of God In You.

MEANING: IN CHRIST As We Know Through Revealed Scripture.

THE VANITIES OF ECCLESIASTES:

HUMAN WISDOM AND HUMAN EFFORT:

HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT:

HUMAN LIFE:

THIS STUDY:

HUMAN RIVALRY:

HUMAN SELFISH SACRIFICE:

HUMAN POWER:

QUICK REVIEW:

The Preacher Began His Search For Meaning In Life.

First:

Beginning With Human Wisdom.

Human Wisdom Is Like Grasping For The Wind.

Human Wisdom Was The Source Of Much Grief And Sorrow.

Second:

True Living Is Not Found In:

Achievement, Possession, Pleasure, Or Work.

When We Fail To Consider God’s Will In Life?

Third:

The Teacher Is Seeking To Find Joy In God’s Good Gifts.

God Has Graciously Given Us Many Avenues To Find Joy.

But God’s Gifts Are Subject To Abuse Which Leads To Misery.

God’s Gifts Will Never Answer The Desire For Meaning In Life.

Seeking Ultimate Meaning In His Gifts Leads To Dissatisfaction.

The Preacher Finds Wickedness In Place Of Justice.

The Preacher Finds Oppression Instead Of Comfort.

But God Will Judge The Righteous And The Wicked.

Fourth:

The Mysterious Purposes Of God Are Incomprehensible.

All Things Serve God’s Divine Purpose.

God Wants Honor And Obedience.

God Wants Us To Rejoice In Him And Enjoy Him.

WITHOUT REVELATION FROM SCRIPTURE

WE CAN'T DISCERN GOD’S PURPOSES.

WITHOUT GOD'S BLESSING

WE CAN'T ENJOY THE FRUIT OF LABOR.

NOW, THE STUDY FOCUSES ON THE VANITY OF:

HUMAN RIVALRY:

HUMAN SELFISH SACRIFICE:

HUMAN POWER:

THE VANITY OF SKILLFUL AND SELFISH WORK:

WE LEARN: TWO ARE BETTER THAN ONE:

OUTLINE:

I. JOY-STEALING LABORS (4–8).

A. JOYLESS LABOR IN PURSUIT OF ENVY (4–6).

B. JOYLESS LABOR IN SACRIFICING RELATIONSHIPS (7–8).

II. FINDING JOY WITH OTHERS (9–16).

KEY TAKEAWAY:

TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF FRIENDS.

FRIENDS HELP EACH OTHER IN TIME OF WORK AND IN TIME OF NEED.

ECC 4:9-10.

1. JOYLESS LABOR:

WHEN IT BREEDS RIVALRY AND ENVY IN OTHERS.

He Saw How That Skillful Work Causes One To Be Envied By His Neighbor.

Ecc 4:4.

ACQUIRING TOO MUCH IS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT.

For It Really Does Not Satisfy.

Ecc 4:5-6.

PROVERBS 15: BEST TO HAVE LITTLE WITH QUIETNESS.

2. JOYLESS LABOR:

WHEN IT SACRIFICES RELATIONSHIPS.

The Preacher Saw One Alone And With No Companion.

Ecc 4:7-8.

Who Is Never Satisfied Indeed He Can’t Be.

Ecc 5:10.

And Doesn’t Think For Whom He Is Laboring.

Ecc 2:18-19.

3. FINDING JOY WITH OTHERS:

IT IS MUCH BETTER TO HAVE FRIENDS:

Ecc 4:9-12.

Who Can Help Each Other In Their Labor.

Who Can Help Each Other When They Fall.

Who Can Help Each Other Withstand Conflict.

1. It Is Better To Poor And Wise And Young

Than Old And Foolish And A King.

Ecc 4:13.

2. For Despite Rising From Poverty And Prison To Become King,

The People Will Eventually Prefer Another Much Younger Than He.

Ecc 4:14-16.

CONCLUSION:

AGAIN: APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF FRIENDS

WHO CAN HELP US IN TIME OF WORK AND NEED.

BECAUSE WE MAY BE PERPLEXED AT TIMES

CONCERNING THE WORKINGS OF GOD.

When Solomon Said, “Two Are Better Than One,” He Acknowledged That True, Godly Friends Are:

A Comfort In Need,

A Help In Trouble,

A Companion In Toil,

A Protective Guard Against Danger.

We Have The Family Of God To Help Us In Our Labor And In Time Of Need.

1 Thess 5:11.

SO, SPECIFICALLY HOW ARE TWO BETTER THAN ONE.

ECCLESIASTES 4:9

We Discover A Most Valuable Things In Life: True Friendship.

Solomon Reflects On:

The Benefits Of People Working Together.

The Importance Of Companionship,

Because They Have A Good Return For Their Labor.

Ecclesiastes 4:9.

Because Two Laborers Have A Better Return For Their Efforts.

They Achieve More Than One Alone Even After Dividing Profits.

Because It Can Offer Different Strengths To Complement And Encourage One Another.

Because If One Person Falls The Other Can Reach Out And Help.

But Someone Who Falls Alone Is In Real Trouble.

Sometimes We Fall Down Physically And Need Help Getting Up.

Sometimes We Need An Even Greater Emotional Hand.

Because Sometimes A Person Needs Help In Walking Spiritually.

It Is Vital To Have A Friend Who Can Come Alongside Us.

It Is Vital To Help Restore Us To Wholeness In Our Relationships.

Share Each Other’s Burdens. This Is Obedience To Christ.

Galatians 6:2.

THERE IS NO GREATER FRIEND:

Jesus: The Ultimate End Of All God’s Purposes In This World.

Ephesians 1:9-10.

Through Jesus We Obtain Mercy And Find Grace As Needed.

Hebrews 4:15-16.

THE VANITIES OF ECCLESIASTES:

HUMAN WISDOM AND HUMAN EFFORT:

HUMAN ACHIEVEMENT:

HUMAN LIFE:

THIS STUDY:

HUMAN RIVALRY:

HUMAN SELFISH SACRIFICE:

HUMAN POWER:

COMING SOON:

HUMAN GREED 5:10

HUMAN ACCUMULATION 6:1-12

HUMAN RELIGION 8:10-14