Despite what we might imagine, Ecclesiastes is written from the perspective of an older Solomon, not younger. It is the recappings of his life pursuits and desires, and what God has taught him through it all. In Ecclesiastes 7, “Grandpa Solomon” is unpacking several lessons he learned in life.
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There is blessing in difficulty. Through seven examples, character, death, correction, faithfulness, endurance, wisdom, and pain, Solomon shows that choosing the difficult path over the easier one is far more rewarding. God uses each one of these to make us more dependent on and trusting of Him to grow fruit among this life’s thorns.
“Everyone experiences sorrow, and during it the wise person will take stock of their life later making them glad. But the fool, in their sorrow, turn towards porn, clubs, bars, etc. and as a result they will not be made glad in the end.” #Meaningless
— Providence Baptist (@PBCRaleigh) July 12, 2020
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There is a burden that accompanies righteousness. Every culture has the idea that good visits the good, and bad visits the bad. When we see someone who is immoral endure some kind of suffering, we tend to say, “Well, that’s Karma.” But, while we are taking a hard look at others’ sins, we tend to ignore our equal sinfulness and the broken system in which we live. Self-righteousness is defining ourselves right by what we do or don’t do compared to others. Self-righteousness will destroy you, but so will its opposite. The one who fears God will avoid both! Jesus came under the sun to do what we could not do: bring justification. Being given perfect righteousness by grace is the good news of Christianity.
“Justified means to be made righteousness. When we pursue self-righteousness, it is a dead end.” #Meaningless
— Providence Baptist (@PBCRaleigh) July 12, 2020
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There is immense beauty to be found in walking with God. As a young man, Solomon had turned from God and ran to wealth and women. One wife turned to 700, and he added 300 concubines. Most were pagan, taking his heart further from God, and all were idols added to replace what he lost in God. Unsatisfied souls that turn to sex see a body without a soul, and everyone soon laments their idols. The better way is to find rest in God.
“Everyone will soon lament their idol. They will look around at everything they tried to assemble in their life apart from God to make them happy and they will say, ‘What am I doing?'” #Meaningless
— Providence Baptist (@PBCRaleigh) July 12, 2020
Solomon’s writing, his endurance through these things, and his understandings on the other side are all gifts to us from God. We are able to see, through this man’s life, that God is truly the prize; He is always the better option, the better choice, and the best way to find satisfaction for our souls.
SERMON NOTES
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The blessing of difficulty. (Ecclesiastes 7:1-14)
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The burden of righteousness. (Ecclesiastes 7:15:24)
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Luke 18 — Self-righteousness will destroy you, but so will its opposite.
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Romans 5:1 — Through Jesus Christ, we find righteousness by grace. He is the only way.
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The beauty of walking with God. (Ecclesiastes 7:25-29)
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Matthew 11:28 — The better way is to find rest in God.
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INTROSPECTIVE QUESTIONS
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Are you trusting in God by pursuing the fruit among the thorns?
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Have you trusted Christ and been made righteous?
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Do you trust in Christ’s ability to satisfy your soul?
CLOSING THOUGHTS
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” – 1 John 2:15-17
The things of this world are fleeting and fading, but God reigns forever and never fades. Let’s trust in Him.
Watch the entire sermon below or on the Providence mobile app.