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Sermon Nuggets Week of Jan 19, 2009
Sermon Nuggets Mon Jan 19
Theme- Solomon's Sermon
Verses Eccl 1:1-11
3 What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?
Understanding the Sermon
This week I will begin with a new devotional study taken from the book of Ecclesiastes. I confess that lately I’ve felt like a skeptic. Most of the outlines are from a series of sermons I preached in 1993. But my concern in 2009 is it seems the nation literally crumbling before my very eyes, and the religious movements in America is changing so drastically in doctrine and truth that once was foundational beliefs are discarded. The American church is falling apart with more movement to the truth of Paul’s warnings to Timothy 2 Tim 4:3-4 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
I realize more each day that we really don't have much time left. I don’t know who will call the nation to repentance and see the truth to present to lost people, but the Jesus many proclaim is a recreation of what we want Him to be.
This book is not so much a call to repentance as it is the revelation of the futility of the things of this world. Hold on to Jesus tight. He is your only strength and hope in these final days. The wisdom of Solomon in his day may allow us to continue our new years self examinations.
On the third day of the Feast of the Tabernacle in Jewish synagogues the book of Ecclesiastes is read. Some are surprised about that for so much of this book seems to be written by a discouraged skeptic. Instead of finding it uplifted and inspirational, many Christians question whether this should be even in the Bible. But I think many have missed the marvelous message as it is written from someone who saw that the promise of this life is vain.
Jeff MacNelly, creator of the comic strip, "Shoe" has skewered politics with just such distrust. He got the jaded view from a childhood experience with T.V. Howdy Doody show. "You have to be very cynical to be a cartoonist," MacNelly said, "In my case when I was 5, Clarabell the clown was my greatest hero. One day, low and behold, my father got a ticket for me to be in the Peanut Gallery at the Howdy Doody show. On Saturday I jumped into my sailor suit and went over there and Buffalo Bob. his voice still rises in wonder, selected me to help go look for Dally's uncle. We had to walk up to this machine that made snow. I stopped to look and on coast to coast TV, I started asking questions all about this snow machine. All of a sudden a big hand reaches out, pulls me out of the camera and says, "Now shut up kid" It was Clarabell. That planted the seed. That's how it works."
Someone said, that a realist is an idealist who has gone through the fire and has been purified. A skeptic is an idealist who has gone through the fire and has been burned. There is a difference. I believe that many experiences can make us better people and those same experience can make some bitter people. Which are you an idealist, a realist, or a skeptic?
The book of Ecclesiastes is written for all people and asks some of the most basic questions of life. He asks the question what is life all about really. It seems the writer has been completely disillusioned with it and concludes that life is just a great big nothing. Ecclesiastes is not a skeptical book at all in my opinion.
I believe it is a realistic book. I believe that Solomon was an idealist who had gone through the fire and has been purified. I believe this preacher/teacher is not one who is speaking from a natural man's point of view. I believe if we understand that message within the context of Solomon's life and situation it is as authoritative and inspired as the rest of the Bible. As we begin this study we have a greater understanding of life even as we evaluate some important things.
This search for meaning becomes the basis of this autobiographical presentation by the wisest man on earth at the time. (Before Jesus). Maybe it is wise to do self evaluation and ask ourselves what value is gained in this thing called life? There is amazing beauty all around us, but when we are at the center of it all it seems to come and go so quickly. We need that stable anchor in unsettled times. It’s good to remind ourselves that it will not be found in Washington even though we want to pray regular for our new president and elected officials.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Tues Jan 20
Verses Eccl 1:1-2
1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem:
2 "Meaningless! Meaningless!" says the Teacher. "Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless."
Understanding Solomon's Situation
Ecclesiastes is an interesting book and far different than most of other Scriptures. The author identifies himself, declares his theme and introduces the question addressed in this book. Aw we get an overview of the sermon from Solomon, Son of David, it is helpful to look at his situation. 1:1 The name Ecclesiastes is the Greek equivalent of Qoheleth - Hebrew word which means a convener of an assembly.
The church is sometimes called in Greek, Ecclesia, or the assembly, or called out ones, or the gathering. That is the same word as Ecclesiastes only this is the one that does the calling or the convening or the teaching of the assembly. Sometimes the word is translated the preacher or the teacher or the convener and that's how the book got its name.
There is no one who could be a Son of David as he is identified and have as much experience other than the King. He is the wealthiest, and the most powerful. He is the Preacher, the son of David, King in Jerusalem (v 12). There are three books he wrote, each in an entirely different style because I think he wrote them at different periods in his life. The Song of Solomon was written as a young man deeply in love. In his middle years many of his proverbs, and wisdom that came from God were complied into the book of the proverbs. But the book of Ecclesiastes was written, in my opinion, when he was old. I believe he strayed from some of his own wisdom he taught and came back to tell his story to all who will listen for their own good.
To remind ourselves of Solomon’s situation he started on the right foot. I Kings 3:5- 15 explain that Solomon started with a commendable attitude. "Lord help me."
If you had that opportunity to have any wish you could have, what would it be? The whole movie "Alladin" is the story of the magical lamp that could give anyone wishes. The conflict of good and evil continues because of the greed and wickedness of selfish hearts. God certainly knows the desires of men's hearts. Solomon was appointed as king and what he wanted more than anything else was the desire to be wise. He asked for wisdom. "I'm just a little child. I don't know how to take all the responsibilities that are needed to judge and rule over these people. Lord this job is more than I can handle I need you to help me and give me wisdom."
God said, "Solomon you could have asked for many things, you are a man who has asked rightly not for yourself as much as for the people you serve. Therefore Solomon, I will grant your request, but as an added measure and blessing I will also give you wealth and long life and honor and fame You will be the greatest of Kings if you walk in the ways and obey my statues and commands as David had done."
He had been given the gift-now it was up to him to do his part. What gifts has God given you? Your talents are also gifts from God, musical ability, money, management, hospitality, love, children, mechanical abilities, academic prowess, leader, friendly? They are given to you so you can walk in the ways of God in obedience and in love and commitment unto Him.
We see what Solomon did. I King 10:1-9 Queen of Sheba could not believe all the stories of this man's wisdom and wealth and greatness so she had to see for herself. She found it was even greater than the stories she heard.
A noted illustration was how he decided to find the true mother of two women claiming each the baby their theirs. He decided to have the baby divided into two. But the real mother protested to let the other woman have it. Solomon easily knew she was the real mother.
Solomon built fortresses and achieved great accomplishments; he was the king of peace in Israel. He built the temple of the Lord and there has been no time in history that temple matched the greatness of Solomon's temple. He loved and served the Lord in truth and obedience.
But beware, Solomon. You are so gifted that with time most people stumble and fall. After receiving so much for so long it is easy think you can do it on your own.
The gifts abilities and accomplishments of your life can also be the temptations for pride, self sufficiency and independence. Today offer thanks for the gifts your have received and give them for God to use.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Weds Jan 23
Verses Eccl. 1:4- 8 What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?
Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises. The wind blows to the south and turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever returning on its course. All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.
All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing.
Understanding Solomon’s Subject
This theme certainly captures out attention. The King declares everything to be meaningless and vain. The question that is to be answered is “What does man gain from all his labor at which he toils under the sun?” After all Solomon received from the Lord with wealth and fame and power and love he isn't enjoying the excitement of life anymore. He wanted to gather the people around and as the assembly convener gives them a message which we will be looking at for the next several months and we look at different topics in the book. But the subject of his sermon is before us in these opening verses.
The subject of his sermon is what is the meaning and purpose of life? What is it all about? Solomon started as an idealist, seeing the glory of fame, the blessings of riches, the honor of wisdom, but now that God has shown him the folly of his way that doesn't appear to be as exciting anymore. Life has lost its luster. He is learning a very hard lesson and he want to warn his people. Vanity of vanity all is vanity.
Dr. Dan Block used to teach at Bethel. I remember him speaking on this book. He used the term soap bubbles, soap bubbles, all are soap bubbles. That's what life is. A soap bubble that appear and pop is gone is the explanation of the unfulfilled life. There is no substance in it.
Vanity means a vapor. It is here very quickly. Life is so fast and then gone. All things that men think are so important aren't without God. The important questions of life are not why type of car we drive or which neighborhood is the best to live in. But questions-Who is man? Why am I here? What happens after death? How can we know what is real? Solomon's subject is that things of this earth are really vanity, they are nothing.
Life is labor, work, toil. Those who work all their lives to make something of themselves soon discover it did not bring the happiness that they thought. People come and go and whether we work hard or don't really doesn't matter in the long run. There seems to be a monotonous routine that leads to nowhere and little excitement after awhile. A housewife’s routine can seem to leads to nowhere and making beds only to be messed up again, cleaning dishes only to do it the next day. Mopping floors are only to be muddied, vacuum dust over and over again. A man's work is from sun to sun; a woman's work is never done.
One man fished and rested and hunted. Others were telling him he was lazy. He asked why work was so important. "So you can earn more money. "Why?" To make a living, “for what purpose." To save for retirement, "Why?" so you can fish and hunt and rest. What do we have to show at the end of all our labors?
Jesus asked the question concerning labor, "What does it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your own soul" John 6:27,29 "Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires? Jesus answered, "the work of God is this: To believe in the one he has sent." Ah, the work and labor find meaning when labor isn't an end unto itself or an end to money, but a means to glorify God and be doing his ultimate will.
Verses 4-8 discuss elements of creation. The wind blows round and round, streams flow back and forth, and sun rises and sets, and over and over again without stopping. Everything is restless until he finds his joy in God. You see if nature glorifies God like the psalmist teaches then it is a means to an end. But when we are in a proper relationship to God by Jesus Christ, then nature is not monotonous it is marvelous. When we see we are in the plan, purpose and have a connection with the Almighty then He is glorified not in what we do, but as His children. IT is not in the responsibilities that God delights, but in our relationships. And in that relationship the preacher has something he want everyone to hear. It is his testimony.
Pastor Dale
Sermon nuggets Thurs Jan 22
Verses Eccl 1:9-11 What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
10 Is there anything of which one can say, "Look! This is something new"? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time.
11 There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those who are yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow.
Understanding Solomon’s Searching
From time to time I see God's blessing and my heart swells with gratitude. I remember the day I came to Stanchfield. That first week I thought I had no right to be here. The job is beyond me. I am not able to handle the situation and staff it is beyond human wisdom. Lord, please help me and guide me for you have called me beyond my capabilities. Through the years the prayers get shorter and there are less tears. As soon as I am tempted to say "I can handle it." boom something falls into my lap that is overwhelming. We are not as smart as we think. God keeps humbling us to make us continually dependent upon Him. Forgiveness and repentance and recommitment is a pattern needed in our Christian growth. Some people never re evaluate their life by God's standards. Only when things go badly do they cry unto God in humility and seek his wisdom and when things go well they don't bother him. That is the way we are. That's why we must daily come to Christ and commit to him all our ways, then he shall direct our paths. I hope that is part of your regular habit. As believers there is no other way.
Vs. 9-10 History doesn't even come up with anything new. Nothing is new under the sun. Everything is the same. Perhaps we see in our day change happening so fast, we can easily say the Old Testament skeptic hadn't lived in a day like ours, but after years one begins to ask so what? So what that telephones are coming in when you take them on your cell phone. Isaac, our youth/music pastor, was introducing me to the 21st century last Friday with a cell phone that does everything electronically, internet, emails, calendars, word processing and accounting program, music, games, and can even call people, text them or tell you where you should be going (GPS). Our world has the star war capabilities of blowing up the world several times with the touch of a computer button. But mortality rate is still 100%. You may change the pawns around the chess board of life a little longer but they are the same moves and the same outcome. We lose if this earthly life is all there is.
Saul didn't want to be king with all that responsibility. God choose him and saw his potential but after awhile it went to his head and his heart changed. He began serving himself and being disobedient to God. David was a man after God' own heart. But like humans before him he too had weaknesses when he failed to keep his eyes on his Shepherd and needed to learn over again that the power of the kingdom was not in his hands but in God's. Now King Solomon is on the throne the wisest of men, richly honored.
Solomon's lusts got the best of him. The Lord realized his heart is not true though wise, yet his wisdom was beginning to be self centered and not God centered. Solomon was departing from the close and needed commitment he desired early in his youth. Solomon could have the desires of his heart; what he wanted was wisdom of God for his people, now however, his heart was following false Gods and women. He was spending money to evil ends. It is in that context that we find an older Solomon preaching now. He had now lost the enjoyment of life.
vs11 When we are dead who remember us? Aren't there just few, very few who gain ancient notoriety and even today some one must be very important and special to be famous. Though not many can name the president 80 years ago unless we look him up and then we have to think even very hard who some of the vice presidents were in your own lifetime. How many can remember the names of their great grandparents on both sides, or even few the great-great grandparents? So 75 years from now Dale Cope will only be a picture on the wall of the church which will no longer be here if God tarries. Indeed, if Stanchfield is still in existence, then it will probably be remodeled again and pictures will be laid aside in some historical nook and cranny.
Then Solomon talked about subjects we'll respond to in the days to come, As Solomon set out to study wisdom and get education, to pursue pleasure, wine, women, song. As he lived the hedonist dream, he concluded it is all empty soap bubbles. Friends if there is one message I went away from in nursing home work, it is from their lips that taught me that lesson. What good is money in later years? Or work or fame, or all the earthly things we sought after? For those who had hope in God there is something to look forward to; Outside of God there was nothing but vanity.
Pastor Dale
Sermon Nuggets Fri . Jan 23
Verses Eccl 12:13-14 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole of man.
14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
Understanding Solomon’s Summary
People tell me that times have changed. We don't have to live by the old standards anymore. We live in a new day of morality, a new day of individual interpretation and understanding, a world where we have eliminated hell and punishment and judgment. But there is one who tried immorality, and pleasures, and work, and study and found himself completely empty.
This first seek of looking at Ecclesiastes I want to look at the conclusion to his sermon. It becomes the lens by which all other things are compared. After all the matter is heard, "Fear God and obey him." When Solomon tried to make sense out of life, tried to learn the lessons in life, after all is said and done there is only God who give us any meaning in life. The revelation is through his word and we have learned with the resurrection Lord Jesus Christ there is hope.
I would like to put Solomon's Summary in three important lessons of life. 1) Earthly pursuits are futile. Solomon has tried them all and they do not satisfy. All that you work for, that you seek in this life is indeed a lie. It is fruitless. It blocks your growth in God. Satan will seek to have you get off the path of real joy for temporary pleasure and in the end there is nothing. You have lost reward, lost meaning, lost purpose, lost reason for living. One only exists. He should know. He tried everything imaginable. Earthly pursuits are futile. All is soap bubbles, vanity, worthless.
2) The joy of the things of this earth come only when they are in proper perspective. At the end of most sections the teacher demonstrates I think a message that is often missed. 2:24-26 All that exists comes from the hand of God for without him who can eat or find enjoyment? " In other words all that exists was created by God for us, but we can only find enjoyment in all of it if we are in the right relationship with God. Remember the creator in the days of your youth and not when you are old and most of your life is gone. To the man who pleases him, God give wisdom knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner these gift of God are not enjoyed for only vapor, they are here and gone again.
This summary of Solomon in the context of the total message of his book is God is the only one that brings eternity to our temporary life. With Him nothing else really matters, where we work or what we do with our lives. Solomon’s message was this – “I in my youth humbly served God and sought wisdom, riches, and women and pleasure and all that life had to offer, but in my personal pursuits I left God behind. Now and see that since I've moved from his grace and goodness I had made a horrible mistake. Nothing is worth it without God and in God everything was made finds worth. Eat, drink and enjoyment are gifts from God but there is something else that is a gift form God-it is the enjoyment of his world. Sin may have its fleeting pleasure, but it is so short lived and it is vanity, a vapor, quickly passes.”
3) The third part of his summary is this. Remember that our ultimate accountability is to God. We must answer for what you do as a Christian and as a non Christian. I heard people rationalizing away disobedience. I have heard people try to convince me they don’t have to follow legalistic laws. I have heard people convince me why they don’t need church, or marry a Christian, or give money into the offering plate. There are lots of religious rituals that mean nothing to them. Why pretend? I agree. Only God knows the heart. But don't tell me, tell God. No one has to answer to me, but don't deceive yourself. The works of God is to believe in Jesus Christ and love God with all your heart and your mind and your soul. If God comes first then he gives you other things to enjoy, but if you lose them, no sweat- for God is in control. If however he is not the love of your life and you lose them then you have lost the love of your life.
Christian's worldview is to be built on biblical framework; it is learning to look at all of life with its science or art, or music, or literature, or T.V through the lenses colored by that which is eternal and true. I ask again what do those who do not know Christ do in situation of tragedy? Where is hope if life is nothing more than struggle to keep alive as long as you can have children to carry on name and leave wealth to? If God is the God of eternity and He has a life everlasting with him then everything finds meaning and purpose in seeking to glorify and honor God. Take it from one who knows. The old king had hard lesson to learn because he had left God. He discovered without Him, life is tasteless. With Him there is meaning. That message is what we will explore in the next few months.
George Beverly Shea wrote a hymn, “I'd rather have Jesus then silver or gold, I'd rather be His than have riches untold; I'd rather have Jesus than house or lands; I'd rather be led by His nail pierced hand that to be king of a vast domain or be held in sins' dread sway. I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today. I'd rather have Jesus than men's' applause, I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause; I'd rather have Jesus than world-wide fame, I'd rather be true to His holy name." Is that you desire?
Pastor Dale
