Solomon says life is too short not to enjoy or to live in folly. Sound advice. Take a look.
Ecclesiastes 9: Death Comes to All
1 But all this I laid to heart, examining it all, how the righteous and the wise and their deeds are in the hand of God. Whether it is love or hate, man does not know; both are before him.
2 It is the same for all, since the same event happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath.
3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.
4 But he who is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion.
5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten.
6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
Enjoy Life with the One You Love
7 Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.
8 Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.
9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun.
10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
Wisdom Better than Folly
11 Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favour to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all.
12 For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.
13 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me.
14 There was a little city with few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siege works against it.
15 But there was found in it a poor, wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. Yet no one remembered that poor man.
16 But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's wisdom is despised and his words are not heard.
17 The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.
18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.
Ecclesiastes 10:
1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honour.
2 A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left.
3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler:
6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place.
7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8 He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth win him favour, but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city.
16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child, and your princes feast in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time, for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.
19 Bread is made for laughter, and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything.
20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.
Things to think about…
1. Solomon’s reasoning in Eccl 9:1-6 is that while there is life there is hope. A live dog is better than a dead lion. Strength is nothing if it has died. Whatever our gifting or ability, God has given it to use while we are here. Solomon says eat bread with joy and enjoy wine with a merry heart for God has approved what you do, Eccl 9:7. He says to enjoy marriage etc, because one day you will die. What benefit does worry have in your life? Even Jesus says we shouldn’t overtly worry about the future. What are you presently concerned about? Time to refocus. I love vs 10, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.” This is not a denial of life after death, but the fact that those who remain on the earth after your death move, your work here is done. The point being, make it count. Don’t waste time. Get on with it, and be blessed in it, because God in Christ has already approved it.
2. The point of Eccl 9:11-18 is that even a poor but wise man can deliver a city. Quiet wise words are better than the ranting of fools, whether they are made by rulers are not. What wisdom can you share today with someone you have the potential to influence for Christ?
3. The right is seen as a result of being blessed and the left, cursing Eccl 10:2. Even in the NT we see this – those on the left “depart from Me I never knew you” and are called “goats”. Even the Son sits at the ‘right hand of the father’. Some have said this applies in politics as well, but I would suggest anything not balanced and in accordance with scripture is a belief or action not worth pursuing.
4. There are some practical truths Solomon brings out here, especially in Eccl 10:19 “money answers everything”. The wealthy seem to live longer and have better access to health services, food and living conditions. We in the west are very wealthy, yet spiritually poor. Solomon is of course speaking in terms of this life, but he gets to a greater point at the end of the book.
5. Honour everyone, but Solomon says especially honour the king, Eccl 10:20. In a democracy like ours in Australia we can and do say whatever we feel regarding our leaders. Some would say until they live up to a better standard this should continue. Christians at least are told to speak with grace and truth like their master Jesus. Having said that, He still called Herod a fox, Luke 13:32.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Living each day as your last” – Reading 1 Thess 4:13-5:11.
1. Jesus is returning to the earth. It is called the Day of the Lord. While we don’t know the exact time and that He will come like a thief, it will be universal. Have you ever given any thought to this or the day of your own death?
2. When this Day occurs, the dead in Christ will rise first. How certain are you of the resurrection of Christ and even you own resurrection. Do you have any evidence to support your claims.
3. What do you understand about the rapture? When and how will it occur?
4. Does this practically relate to the gospel and our witness to others?
Prayer Points
1. The right choice for a full time Youth and Young Adults Pastor to start Jan 2023.
2. Some away through sickness.
3. Ministry leaders within the church.
4. Sunday’s members meeting.
5. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Many returning back to full health.
2. Worship on Sunday – thankyou Gina, Suzy, Zac, Richard and Maddison looking after Kidz at Church. Bec doing the words. Fiona and Suzy in café always do a stellar job. Thankyou for those who welcomed at the door.
3. All those who faithfully serve in ministries, Worship, Sound/Technical/Kids Church/ Cell Groups/Admin - Bulletins/Finances/Property/Welcoming/Spiritual Leadership/Cafe
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Remember to check your duty rosters.
2. Members’ meeting 28th August after the morning service.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for August...
Q. 7. What is hell? A. A place of dreadful and endless punishment & torment.
