The True Meaning to Life #8. A Study in Ecclesiastes
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Textual Sermon OutlinesINTRODUCTION:
A. In the first six chapters the Solomon has shared with us:
1. His search for meaning to life (chs. 1-2).
2. His observations during this search (chs. 3-6).
B. He has repeated his conclusions time and again…
1. Life “under the sun” is vanity.
2. Yet there is good that one can do, provided one is blessed by God.
C. In relating the experiences of his search and observations, he shared counsel for living life “under the sun”; for example:
1. The value of friendship (4:9-12).
2. The proper way to approach God in worship (5:1).
D. In the next six chapters Solomon continues to share his counsel through a mixture of proverbs and narration designed to help us live a pleasing life before God “under the sun.”
E. With that in mind, let’s take a look at Ecclesiastes 7:1-10, in which we find a series of comparisons.
1. Note the frequent use of the word “better.”
2. In this section of holy writ we will see the value of practical wisdom.
F. It is crucial that we understand that:
DISCUSSION:
A. HONOR IS BETTER THAN LUXURY
1. Ecclesiastes 7:1a
a. Here is seen the value of a good reputation.
b. Notice also Proverbs 22:1.
c. The precious ointment is representative of luxury.
2. Why is a good name better than luxury?
a. We have already seen the vanity of wealth in that:
1) We may leave it for someone who is foolish (2:18-19).
2) And, unless God give us the ability to enjoy it, it is all for naught (6:1-2).
b. But, on the other hand, a good reputation finds honor before God and men, and benefits us after death!
1) Just as it did with the “elders” of the Old Testament, Hebrews 11:2,39.
2) Especially if our “names” are written in heaven!
a) Luke 10:20
b) Philippians 4:3
3. So in what time we have in this life, it is better spent making a good name for ourselves, than accumulating wealth!
B. ONE’S DEATH IS BETTER THAN ONE’S BIRTH
1. Ecclesiastes 7:1b
a. The day of one’s death is better than the day in which they were born
b. Of course, this assumes one has first made a good name for themselves!
2. How is one’s death better than one’s birth?
a. The day of one’s birth is the beginning of many sorrows.
1) Job 14:1; 3:1-3
2) Jeremiah 20:14-18
b. But for the righteous, the day of one’s death is the beginning of eternal bliss!
1) They enter into peace and rest … Isaiah 57:1-2.
2) They go to be with the Lord … Philippians 1:21-23.
3) They are blessed to be at rest from their labors … Revelation 14:13.
3. Speaking of the day of one’s death leads naturally to the next bit of counsel from Solomon.
C. A FUNERAL IS BETTER THAN A PARTY
1. Ecclesiastes 7:2-6
2. Everybody loves a party, but everybody needs to attend a funeral!
3. Solomon tells us why this is the case:
a. “For that is the end of all men.”
1) Life “under the sun” is not forever.
2) We must all die and face what follows next … Hebrews 9:27.
b. “And the living will take it to heart”
1) A funeral reminds us of the brevity of life and the eventuality of death.
2) A funeral forces us to face reality and encourages us to prepare for it.
c. “Sorrow is better than laughter”
1) Laughter may have its place, but sorrow is superior to making the heart better … Hebrews 12:11.
a) Laughter provides a temporary reprieve from the burdens of life.
b) But sorrow, especially at a funeral, encourages us to make positive changes.
2) For this reason, the wise person will be found often in the funeral parlor, while the fool would rather spend time at a party.
d. “It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise than .. to hear the song of fools.”
1) At a funeral, one is likely to hear the rebuke of the wise; at a party, the song of fools.
2) But the laughter of fools is like the crackling of thorns in a fire, and is vanity.
a) Thorns make a lot of noise, but they burn quickly, provide little heat, and are therefore of little value.
b) So also the laughter and songs of the foolish.
D. THE END IS BETTER THAN THE BEGINNING
1. Ecclesiastes 7:8a
a. This is similar to what we have already seen that the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth.
b. But the principle has application to more than just one’s overall life
2. How is the end better than the beginning?
a. Many projects start with good intentions, but are not completed; it is when they are finished that we can truly look back with satisfaction.
b. Many things begin with grief and difficulty, only to end in joy and peace, Psalm 126:5-6.
3. Our primary concern should be how things will turn out in the end, rather than how they may look at the beginning.
E. PATIENCE IS BETTER THAN PRIDE
1. Ecclesiastes 7:8b-9
a. Pride is evil, and is of the world.
1) Mark 7:21-23
2) 1 John 2:16
b. Patience is a virtue to be pursued by the man of God.
1) 1 Timothy 6:11
2) Titus 2:2
2. Why is patience better than pride?
a. Pride leads to contention and destruction … Proverbs 13:10; 16:18.
b. Pride leads to anger, which resides in the heart of the foolish … Ecclesiastes 7:9.
c. Patience, on the other hand, is indicative of wisdom and necessary to salvation, Hebrews 10:36.
F. THE PRESENT IS BETTER THAN THE PAST
1. Ecclesiastes 7:10
a. People often reminisce about “the good old days.”
b. Many bemoan that things were better then than now.
2. Why is one not wise thinking the past is better than the present?
a. Memory has a way of forgetting bad things in the past.
b. Even if one experiences trials in the present, there is cause for rejoicing … James 1:2-4.
c. We may neglect opportunities for much good in the present by dwelling on the past.
CONCLUSION