Church of Christ Sermons and Lessons for 2014
Speaker	Sermon/Lesson Title	Audio Video Text MS Word	Category	Date Added	Lesson
Bobby Stafford	Living Life As It Is		Christian Living	August 31, 2014	Sunday PM Sermon

Living Life As It Is

Introduction:

I love the book of Ecclesiastes. The writer, Solomon, gives it to us straight. He tells us about living life as it really is, not as it is in our dreams. He gives advice for coping in a sin-cursed world. There is straight talk which is often difficult to swallow.

Our lesson picks up about midway through the book, Chapter 7. Solomon did it all. If you can imagine it, he’s done it. He had practically anything he wanted. But by this time in our book, he had begun to realize the folly of living life under the sun, life without God and without His wisdom. Also, note that the style of writing changes somewhat in the first part which contains many short and simple statements. Much like Proverbs, these tell us about how to handle life as it is in wise sayings which are easily remembered.

Text: Ecclesiastes 7:1-10

Body:

We will look at seven contrasts.

1. Good Name “A good name is better than precious ointment,” Ecclesiastes 7:1a Ointment or perfume is for outward use only and is used up and then gone. A good name, that which has influence and character, that which changes lives, that which has a good and honorable reputation has integrity. These come from the quality of our “inner” selves. (Proverbs 22:1) Does your name stand for quality? Will it help get you through life?

2. Death “And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;” Ecclesiastes 7:1b This kind of gets us right where it hurts, doesn’t it? How could our death be better than our birth? This very basic issue is answered for us by Paul in Philippians 1:23-24. “For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” NKJV Paul would rather be with God than among humanity. The wonderful days after our death will far outweigh the painful and difficult days after our birth. Let us recall that there is certainly a time and place for social fellowship and recreation. Remembering this helps us cope with reality and maintain a balance.

3. Mourning “Better to go to the house of mourning Than to go to the house of feasting.” Ecclesiastes 7:2a A thirty minute stroll through a graveyard is far better than the whole day spent at a carnival. This is not the way the world thinks, is it? It says let’s have fun and games all the day long. Let’s not worry about anything at all, especially about eternity. (Luke 12:16-20) The result of walking through a graveyard causes us to think about what is beyond the grave. Without a doubt, we will learn more about life in sorrowful situations than in an atmosphere of a party.

4. Sorrow “Sorrow is better than laughter,” Ecclesiastes 7:3a It is amazing how quickly we forget a joke; yet that walk through the cemetery is not soon forgotten. “The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.” Ecclesiastes 7:4 Death and morning endow us with the wisdom of knowing what is important and what isn’t. This is a true story. During the sinking of the Titanic, before entering the lifeboat, a lady went to get her three oranges, rather than jewels, money, or clothes. Those who know they have only a certain amount of time left here on earth usually spend their time very wisely for they know what is important and what needs to be done. Many times what was the greatest priority in their life becomes of no consequence whatsoever. Sports might be such an example. What used to be worthless becomes priceless! We find an example of children in Psalm 127:3-5. Much the same thing is happening to Solomon here. He seems to be losing interest in the silly side of life. So many of us never do.

5. Rebuke of a wise man “For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 7:6 What does the song of fools sound like? Verse 6 says that it is empty. There is nothing to it. Jews used thorn wood to heat food and water. It popped and cracked. The sound was meaningless and of no value. It is the same as fool’s jokes and silly stories. Many of us fail to hear the rebuke of the wise. Often we simple don’t want to hear what they are saying. It isn’t time to laugh at more jokes when your life is crashing down around you. (Proverbs 11:14) It is time to listen to the counsel of the wise; for this is certainly part of coming to terms with reality.

6. End “The end of a thing is better than its beginning;” Ecclesiastes 7:8a Dreams are over. The whole truth is on display. There are no more unrealistic expectations and hopes. Can the whole picture be seen? How many of us in our lives have said something to this effect, “I just wish I could have done that over again.” Or we have wished “If I had just chosen a different profession” or “If I had just raised my children differently”, and on and on. These things come back to haunt us, don’t they?

7. Patience “The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.” Ecclesiastes 7:8b It is always better to be patient than to do something foolish. Remember that patience is an attribute of the fruit of the Spirit. During our sojourn here on earth God is molding our character so that we will be fit for heaven. One way He does this is by replacing a proud spirit with a patient spirit. Wisdom then can work in our lives. Listen to Verse 9. “Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry. For anger rests in the bosom of fools.” Wisdom cannot work in us as long as anger resides there. To allow your temper to go unchecked is the mark of a fool. Verse 10: “Do not say, Why were the former days better than these? For you do not inquire wisely concerning this.” Don’t long for the good ol’ days, for you don’t know whether they were any better than these! Avoid living entirely in the past. (Philippians 3:13) This is good advice!

Conclusion:

In closing, let’s read Verses 11-14. “Wisdom is good with an inheritance, And profitable to those who see the sun. For wisdom is a defense as money is a defense, But the excellence of knowledge is that wisdom gives life to those who have it. Consider the work of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider; Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.” Wisdom preserves us from pride, doubt, resentment, and many other feelings. It allows us to make a living. Wisdom provides us with the understanding that we will have both good times and bad, straight days and crooked days. We should not worry about what the future holds for us. God does what pleases Him and we must learn to accept it or be miserable. Coping with reality means making the most of what God sends our way. (Ecclesiastes 12:9-14) The future can be a frightening thing for many people. But to those inside the church, the future holds only great and wonderful blessings which will be ours one day.

Invitation:

Are you inside the church? Have you wandered away? 

Bobby Stafford

August 31, 2014