The True Meaning to Life #11. A Study in Ecclesiastes
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Textual Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION:
A. It was mentioned last week that there are two things we can count on for sure in this life ““ and that is death and taxes.
1. In our last lesson we discussed the government and it is God ordained, and how that giving honor to government is giving honor to God
2. In this lesson we are going to discuss death
B. Psalm 23:4
1. Why was David able to look at death in this way?
2. Psalm 116:15
C. In this chapter Solomon will give counsel concerning enduring the inevitability of death
DISCUSSION:
A. DEATH COME TO ALL
1. Death happens to both the righteous and the wicked “¦Ecclesiastes 9:1-3
a. The righteous are in God’s hands, and the sons of men are full of evil
b. Death comes to all:
1) Job 30:23
2) Psalm 89:48
3) Hebrews 9:27
2. While we live, there is hope “¦ Ecclesiastes 9:4
a. While there is life there is hope.
b. While there is life there is an opportunity of preparing for death
c. A proverb: “a living dog is better than a dead lion” – The smallest measure of animal existence is better than the largest of dead matter. Why? Because there is still time to prepare for death
3. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6
a. “The living know that they shall die” – This is so self-evident that none can doubt it; and therefore all that have this conviction should prepare for death
b. Solomon said, “the dead know not anything,” that is, so far as their bodily senses and worldly affairs are concerned
c. When we die others’ memory of us soon fades “¦ but this is not true concerning God ““ Psalm 116:15
4. We cannot escape death, therefore there is hope only while we live
B. ENJOY GOD”™S BLESSINGS NOW
1. While death is inevitable, we should still enjoy life “¦ Ecclesiastes 9:7-8
a. Do not vex yourself over the inevitability of death, enjoy the blessing of this life that God had provided
b. But, “let thy garments be always white,” that is, enjoy life, but keep yourself pure ““ free from sin
2. Live joyfully with the wife God has given you “¦ Ecclesiastes 9:9
a. One of the great blessings to be enjoyed in this life is the blessing of marriage
b. We are to enjoy our marriage partner, and take care of them ““ our wife or our husband are a gift from God to be enjoyed
c. We need to be reminded of Proverbs 5:15-20
d. Proverbs 18:22
3. Work diligently while you are here “¦ Ecclesiastes 9:10
a. We cannot redeem lost opportunities in the grave
b. Notice that there is a what, a how and a why in this passage to consider:
1) The what: Our efforts on this earth
2) The how: “with thy might” – determined, fully convinced, maximum effort
3) The why: Because of “Sheol” – we are going to die
4. While we cannot escape death, there is no reason to give up on life!
a. There is much work to do
b. The is much enjoyment to be had
C. A LESSON IN THE UNEXPECTED
1. Time and chance happens to all “¦ Ecclesiastes 9:11
a. Being swift and strong does not mean you will always win
b. Being wise, understanding, and skillful does not always ensure that you will be fed, rich, and the recipients of good favor
c. Many times things do not turn out the way we wish they would or think they should ““ we struggle to understand the why
d. We do know one things for sure, “time and chance happeneth to them all”
e. Every man has what may be called time and space to act in, and opportunity to do a particular work.
1) But in this TIME and OPPORTUNITY there is INCIDENT, what may fall in; and OCCURRENCE, what may meet and frustrate an attempt.
2) These things should be wisely weighed, and seriously balanced; for those four things belong to every human action.
3) While you have TIME, seek an OPPORTUNITY to do what is right; but calculate on hindrances and oppositions, because time and opportunity have their INCIDENT and OCCURRENCE [From Clark”™s Commentary]
2. Sometimes death will come unexpectedly, like animals caught in a trap “¦ Ecclesiastes 9:12
a. Again, this points to the need of our using our time on this earth to prepare for death
b. Hence, there is danger in delaying the work of God
3. Anticipating the unexpected, we are less likely to be overwhelmed when it occurs
D. APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF WISDOM
1. Solomon saw how wisdom saved a city “¦ Ecclesiastes 9:13-15
a. Even though found in a poor man
b. Even though the man was soon forgotten
2. Therefore Solomon praises the value of wisdom “¦ Ecclesiastes 9:16-18
a. As better than strength
b. As better than weapons of war
c. But it only take “one” to ruin everything
d. Though often despised when it comes from a poor man, wisdom spoken quietly is better than the shout of a ruler of fools
CONCLUSION:
A. Death will come and could come at any time
B. Therefore we must live our lives in preparation of death