“Have Mercy on Me”

Luke 18:9-14

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Introduction: Often times when we are learning to pray, we do so by learning what we call “rote” or memorized prayers. For meals our family often says, “Come Lord Jesus, be our guest, let this food to us be blessed.” OR, “God is great, God is good, now we thank Him for our food.” Probably the most notable rote prayer is The Lord’s Prayer.

Why do we learn rote prayers? Because they help us to feel comfortable praying, since it is often a challenge to think of our own prayers. They help us to not have to worry about what to say, and so we can come to God with confidence. They teach us some important truths. When Jesus taught the disciples The Lord’s Prayer, He wanted them to understand many foundational spiritual truths.

This morning I want to teach you another rote prayer that I say quite often, and then I want to break it down so that we understand what it is saying to us. The prayer goes like this: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.”

I. Lord- (2 Corinthians 4:5; Psalm 23:3)

We talk much about Jesus coming to this earth to die for our sins, but we

don’t talk much about Jesus being “Lord.” The Bible is very clear that Jesus is not just our Savior, but our Lord. This means that Jesus is not only the one who saves us from our sins, but He is the One who we are to be subject to. And in fact, one of Jesus’ titles is Lord. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. In fact He is referred to as Lord of all, Lord God Almighty, Lord from heaven, Lord of glory, Lord of hosts, Lord of the dead and the living, Lord of the Sabbath, Lord strong and mighty. I think you get the point!

In 2 Corinthians 4:5 the apostle Paul tells us: “For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants.” A lord is the one in charge, and the servant is the one who listens to his or her lord. This is difficult for many people, because they want to be the lord of their own life; they want to be able to control what they do.

To pray this prayer I am teaching you is powerful because it reminds us that Jesus is to be our Lord. If we start our day with this prayer, then maybe we will remember to have our priorities right, and seek our Lord to guide us and help us throughout the day. If we give Him control of our lives, I would bet our lives would go far better, because He would lead us in the right ways. As Psalm 23:3 tells us, ‘He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake..’ If we are children of God, and followers of Jesus, then how we live our lives affects the name of God. We need to let Him guide us for His name’s sake!

II. Jesus- (Matthew 1:21; Philippians 2:8)

The next word in the prayer is Jesus. Now in one sense this is a simple name.

It is just like Chris, or Tim, or Betty. It is the name He was called to distinguish Him and give Him identity. But the name Jesus is pretty significant. If you remember in Matthew 1:21 an angel comes to Joseph and tells him that Mary is pregnant by the Holy Spirit, and that they will name Him Jesus, because His name means ‘He will save His people from their sins.’

Jesus’ name had significance because it foretold what He was to do. Jesus is to be the captain of our salvation. But to do that He had to become human. And so in the name Jesus we also see the humanness of Jesus. Jesus, being perfect in human form, was able to give Himself as a sacrifice, once for all. The apostle Paul talks about this transformation in Philippians 2:8, “And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross.”

The name Jesus’ name reminds us that God became man, took on flesh, and dwelt among us. He then founded the church by the calling and training of disciples, and gave us the ultimate example of how we are to live. Because of Jesus, we can know how we are called to live, and love, and believe!

III. Christ- (Matthew 1:16; 16:15-16)

In Matthew 1:16, as we read the genealogy of Jesus, it says: “And Jacob the

father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” Even though we know Him as Jesus Christ, the term ‘Christ’ is a special term. The word Christ means ‘Anointed,’ or ‘Messiah.’

We see how all of these names of Jesus work together, as the Messiah was the One who was to come and save the people. Now there were many who were confused about how the Messiah would do this. Many believed it would be an establishing of an earthly kingdom where the Jews would reign.

We know, because of the Scriptures, that the Messiah is the One who came to remove our sins. Jesus, as The Christ, comes to establish a relationship with His people (at least with those who followed Him; the believers). And it seems that the disciples start to understand this after Jesus asks the disciples in Matthew 16:15, “… ‘Who do you say that I am?’” Peter answers, seemingly for all the disciples in verse 16: “… ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’”

As The Christ, Jesus was consistently seeking to get people to understand that they needed to believe in Him as the One who would take away their sins and give them eternal life. As The Christ, Jesus was leading them to understand that He would give His life for this purpose. As The Christ, when His death occurred, He wanted people to be ready to receive it as the magnificent, and predestined event that it was.

IV. Son of God- (Colossians 2:9)

Next, when you hear the word Son, you might think of it in earthly terms. In

one sense this is okay, because Jesus was the son of Mary and Joseph. But as the Son of God, we need to understand that Jesus was no mere human being; Jesus was God in the flesh! This title is to show the relationship Jesus had with the Father.

To illustrate this, let me give you a little theological lesson. In the Bible, when it is talking about having offspring, the word ‘begat’ is used. To begat is to give birth. Of course, like begats like. So, a cow begats another cow, a dog begats a dog, and humans begat humans. But because Mary was impregnated by the Holy Spirit, what was begat was God. The Holy Spirit, being the essence of God, created Jesus Christ, also the essence of God (the manifestation of God in human form).

Colossians 2:9 helps us to understand this, as the apostle Paul says: “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity (or Godness) lives in bodily form.” So we see that Jesus is God in full. He is not a lesser god, as the Jehovah’s Witnesses think, or a man who achieved godhood, as the Mormon’s believe. He is the Son of God, the One who created the world, redeemed the world, and now reigns over the world! He has the full power of God, and the full knowledge of God. This is why it is so magni-ficent that He allowed Himself to be arrested, beaten, tried, convicted and killed.

V. Mercy- (Luke 1:46-50)

He did it so that you and I could be saved. This is what God’s mercy is about.

Example- I think back to when I was a kid. My dad built a basketball hoop in our driveway. My brother and I would go out and spend hours shooting the basketball and playing against each other. Inevitably, one of our shots would bounce off the rim and head towards the glass window on the side of the house. We broke that window several times! But my dad would replace the window and not punish us (since it was an accident and we didn’t mean to break the window). I’m not sure how much it cost my dad to replace that window each time, but it was a merciful act on his part.

In an even greater way, Jesus has brought the mercy of God to us. Because of our sin we have cut ourselves off from God’s presence. Because God is holy and can’t be in the presence of ungodliness, we are unable to come to God on our own. God, in His mercy, sent Jesus to offer us forgiveness and cleansing from our sin.

Mary, the mother of Jesus recognized this after she gets pregnant with Jesus and she sings a song in Luke, chapter 1. Let me read verses 46-50 for you:

“And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, ⁴⁸ for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, ⁴⁹ for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. ⁵⁰ His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation…’” The mercy of God extends to those who fear Him; revere Him; give themselves over to Him; accept Him as Lord and as the Son of God.

VI. Sinner-

To do this though we have to acknowledge and accept that we are sinners. Then we have to give ourselves to Christ. There is a beautiful story, called the Quilt of Holes, that says:

As I faced my maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with

all the other souls. Before each of us, laid our lives like the squares of a quilt in many piles. An angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares together into a tapestry that is our life. But as my angel took each piece of

cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult; the challenges and temptations I was faced with in every day life. I saw hardships that I endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the other tapestries were filled with rich color and the bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air. Finally the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light; the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled their lives had been. My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to rise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly fortunes. I had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials... I often struggled with temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image; the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, 'Every time you gave over your life to me, it became my life, my hardships, and my struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you.'

Here we see the mercy of God. When we give ourselves over to Christ, Christ

not only forgives us of our sins, but makes us more like Him each day!

Conclusion: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. When I say this prayer, I usually will say it several times, each time focusing on a different word. LORD Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. Lord JESUS Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. Lord Jesus CHRIST, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner. How powerful this prayer is when we understand what it means; when we understand what we are praying.

I hope that you will remember this prayer, and use this prayer, and let this prayer affect and change you. Let God be your Lord, and Your Savior, and Your God. Let Jesus give His mercy to you, this day, and every day. Amen.

“Words of Truth and Wisdom”

(based on the devotions of Selwyn Hughes: “Every Day Light”)

Series on the Book of Ecclesiastes

Sunday, August 28, 2011; Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14

Introduction: I am one of those people who has said that if I ever win the lottery, I would give a good portion of it to the church. Now, since I don’t play the lottery it will be difficult for me to win it, but I believe that I would give from what had been given to me. And yet, I remember that when my dad passed away, and I got some money from his inheritance, it was a challenge to give 10% of it away!! This surprised me, because I have always thought of myself as a giving person. This reminded me of the pull that money has on us. The more we get, the harder it is to give away; the more control money has over us.

Solomon wants to remind us that even though it might be hard to give away from what we have (whether what we have is a small amount or a great amount), it is best to follow through on this desire to give away. Solomon closes out the book of Ecclesiastes with some important truths and wisdom that we need to understand from God.

I. Choose Life- (Ecclesiastes 11:1-8; Psalm 27:1)

a. Generosity- Solomon begins this chapter by saying: “Cast your

bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.” This is Solomon telling us to be generous; to share ourselves with others. Often times on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays we get a delivery of bread. We keep the chapel open during the day and people in the community and from the church come and take it. After Thursday, the chapel isn’t opened again until Sunday. By that time, the bread is dried out and not good for eating.

Solomon wants us to understand that when we hold onto things, and don’t give away, our lives will dry up and we will not enjoy what we have. But if we give ‘seven ways, or even eight,’ then we will enjoy life all the more because we know that our resources are being used to bless others and are not going to waste.

Are you bold in your generosity? Not just in the giving of money, but in the giving of your resources and abilities and even of yourself. When we give, it comes back to us in blessing. Suppose the little boy had refused to give Jesus his five loaves of bread and 2 fish? So many people would have gone away that day hungry. But in giving them, he got to experience the blessing of the feeding of the 5,000. We too can only experience these kinds of miracles when we give away what we have, and ask God to bless what we have given.

God has opened Himself to us generously. We ought to do the same to others.

b. Don’t just stand around- The giving of ourselves also includes

choosing to live our lives with fullness and in cooperation with God. The truth is, there are so many things in life that we cannot change. We cannot change the weather. It may be hot, and you want it cooler; it may be raining, and you want it sunny. But there is nothing that you can do about that. As Solomon says in verse 3: “When clouds are full, they empty rain on the earth…”

So, since there are many things we can’t change, we should focus on those things we can change. EX. There is a sign on a rough road somewhere in northern Canada that reads: “Choose your rut carefully. You’ll be in it for the next 200 miles.” WE CAN KEEP OURSELVES OUT OF RUTS! All too often we fall into ruts and settle for a drab, predictable life void God. We need to make sure that we are USING our God-given creativity to keep our lives exciting and productive. We shouldn’t just drift through life—we need to pursue it.

If you are retired, there is still so much that you can do with your life. In fact, there are many of you who are busier now that you are retired than you were when you were working. If you are still at the working age, then make the most of your time at work, and your time at home. Don’t allow yourself to get into a rut.

c. Don’t worry if you don’t understand- Along with not being able to

change many things, Solomon lets us know that there are many things we won’t understand in life. This is coming from the person who was probably the wisest of all time. Solomon uses the illustration of the wind. He tells us that we do not know where the wind will blow, or what course it will take.

Solomon gives us wisdom on how to best live our lives: verse 6 says, “In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hands be idle; for you do not know which will prosper, this or that, or whether both alike will be good.” Again, Solomon reminds us that during the day we are to stay busy sowing the seeds of our work, our love, our giftedness. Then at night, we are at home staying busy with what we need to do there. And if we give it to God, God will bless all the work that we do.

If we are too tired at night to do much when we get home, then we need to evaluate our lives. Are we getting the proper sleep so we have the energy we need to do all that we are given to do? Is the job we have the right job for us? Are we expending energy that we shouldn’t expend during the day? Maybe we need to learn how to be more organized, or more effective in how we do things.

d. Enjoy the years that you have- Do you need permission to enjoy

life? That might sound like a silly question, but there are many who would do better if they were given permission to enjoy their lives. They go around all grumpy, putting a damper on the enjoyment of others. Solomon says in verse 7: “Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.” Now Solomon here is talking about natural light, but I think he is also talking about the light of God. In Psalm 27:1 it says, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?”

The light of God’s love is ever present, and is there for us to receive. When we let the light of God into our lives, then it helps us to focus on that which we should be focusing upon. When we focus on the light of God, then we are led to do the things that bring enjoyment into our lives, and we are in a place where we can enjoy our lives. If you are not enjoying your life, then maybe there is something that is keeping you from experiencing what God has given you to enjoy. Maybe it is a sin. Maybe it is your attitude. Maybe it is bitterness that you are harboring. Whatever it is, give it to God, let God’s light into your life, and enjoy the life you have!

II. From Childhood to Death- (Eccl. 11:9-12:6; 1 Corinthians 13:12)

a. The days of youth- Go back with me a moment to your childhood.

What do you remember of it? It is interesting to me that our long-term memory outlasts our short-term memory. There have been times when I have visited someone with Alzheimer’s, and they might not even remember who I am, but I can ask them about their childhood, and they can tell me stories of what they did. Our childhood does, and should stay with us, because it is a wonderful time of growing up, and trusting in our parents, and in God, and learning about life.

Solomon says to us in verse 9: “Rejoice…while you are young, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Follow the inclination of your heart and the desire of your eyes, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.” This continues the theme of enjoying the life we have day by day. But even in our older years the thoughts of when we were young help to bring us cheer.

There are things we might have done which we need to ask for forgiveness, but in all we should let the days of our youth give us the strength and energy we need to live the life that is in front of us now.

b. When trouble comes- So many people struggle with life whenever

trouble enters the picture. Life is easier when we are young, because our parents are there to help us in times of trouble; to get us out of trouble; to keep us out of trouble. As Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes 12:1, “Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come…” Statistics tell us that most people who become Christians do so before the age of 15. As we get older, more trouble comes into our lives, and squeezes out the seeking of God.

People get to the point where they think that have to take care of all their troubles on their own, and don’t understand that God is there to help, and to give life meaning. But those who have placed their faith in God, when trouble comes, they know they can go to God to help them.

The point that Solomon is making in this verse is that too many resist God in their youth, and then fail to look for God when they get older. They get to the point where they don’t think that they have a creator, or that their creator doesn’t care. For us that know God, we need to make a priority in our lives the sharing of the gospel with children and youth. It should also lead us to be thankful that we have God when trouble does come.

c. Serving God as we get older- Of course we know that inevitably we

get older. Solomon acknowledges this as well, and points out the advantages of serving God both when we are young and when we get old. There is not a time when we are to stop serving God, as long as we have breath in our body. While we slow down as we get older, God still gives us energy and ability to serve. It might be different than when we were younger, but there are still many possibilities.

In verse 2, of chapter 12 we read: “Before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return with the rain.” The sun and light are symbols of clarity and sharpness. At times they recede when the clouds come, and it makes it difficult to see. So, in life, the clouds come and descend on our minds. Along with mental deterioration, there is also physical, as Solomon mentions in verse 3, to our limbs beginning to tremble, and when we are not able to be as active. Solomon uses very descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the changes that occur as we get older.

But in it all, we are to seek in wisdom how we can still serve. It might be through phone calls on the prayer chain and praying for others. It might be the Binky ministry where we can sit in front of a sewing machine and sew. Whatever it is, there are always ways to serve no matter what age we are, and what limits we have with our body!

d. The spirit returns to God- When we get to verse 5 Solomon is

talking about the last stages of life. There are increased fears. There is the difficulty of walking, as Solomon says: “the grasshopper drags himself along.” Then in verse 6 Solomon returns to the thought of remembering God even as death approaches. And in fact, when you talk to someone who knows death is close, they are actually more at peace with this than others around them are. They are gaining peace from God in their last days.

If we were to stop here, it might seem a little gloomy, as we have pointed out the changes in our bodies as we approach death. But Solomon doesn’t want us to stop here. He lifts our hearts in verse 7, saying: “And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the breath returns to God who gave it.” Death, to those who know God, is not the end, but the beginning; the beginning of our eternity with God; the beginning of really seeing, and living, and experiencing, and knowing. As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” We are to not only know how to live, and enjoy the days we have, but know how to die, and enjoy the reality of heaven.

III. Keep the commandments of God- (Eccl. 12:9-14; Matthew 6:33)

a. Sharing God’s commandments- Solomon closes up the book by

talking about the teaching of others, speaking wise words, and fearing God. While Solomon refers to “The Teacher,” I believe the qualities he mentions are for all who follow God. If we all try and implement these qualities into our lives, then we will be able to teach God’s commands to others, and help others learn and grow.

Solomon mentions five characteristics: the first is to be wise, and this wisdom is to come from being in consistent communication with God. As we pray and listen to God, God will give us wisdom and understanding about His word and life. Second is to be able to impart this knowledge to others. It is said that not everyone who has knowledge is a good teacher. We need to learn how to share with others in a way that they can understand. Jesus did this so well, because the illustrations He used were based on whom He was talking to. When He talked to fishermen, He used fishing illustrations. When He talked to farmers He used farming illustrations. When I teach children, I try and use objects that make the lesson more understandable for them.

Third, is to reflect on what you learn. As you reflect, you will understand it more. Fourth is putting things in a logical order. Order what you learn so that you can prioritize what is most important, and how it applies to you. And last is searching for the right words. For example, if I were to use many theological terms, there would be many people who would not understand. We need to talk in a way that makes sense to all. Everyone, not just preachers and teachers can use these qualities to share God with others.

b. Using wise words- In verse 11 Solomon says: “The words of the

wise are like goads, their collected sayings like firm embedded nails…” A goad is a long stick with an iron point that is jabbed against the tough hindquarters of an animal to make it increase its speed. Words can motivate and urge us to action. The wisest words we can speak to others are words that encourage, build up, and motivate people. We have the power to choose the words we speak.

One of the most powerful speeches I’ve heard in a movie is in the movie Henry V. There is a scene near the end of the movie when King Henry V is giving his men a charge of why they are to go into battle, and the difference it will make if they choose to do so. Up to this point there was a lot of fear by the soldiers, but after this speech they are all revved up to go and fight.

If you have ever had a child who doesn’t want to go to school, you know you have to give them a good pep talk to get them to want to go. Or the talk I have given to so many of Tyler’s baseball teams before they go out to play.

c. Guided by Scripture- In verse 12 Solomon warns us to not put too

much trust in books that go beyond the Scriptures. While reading is a wonderful thing, we need to be careful not to take the teachings of others too far. Everything we learn and everything we read should be balanced with what the Bible teaches. This means we have to know the Bible so that false teachings and false teachers don’t lead us astray.

It is easy to be led astray by someone who speaks eloquently. Their words sound wise, and their tone encouraging. But are they speaking the truth? Thanks be to God that we have the Bible to give us the truth with which we can filter all other teachings. In fact, when I teach and preach, it is good for you to make sure I am speaking the truth of God.

d. Attached to God- Solomon gives it to us simply, as he wraps it all

up in verse 13: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God, and keep His commandments; for that is the whole duty of everyone.” In other words, if after hearing all of Solomon’s teachings you are confused about what to do, he tells you right here: fear God, and keep His commandments.

To fear God means that we have reverence of Him. We put God first because we don’t want to offend God or dishonor God. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 6:33, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” If we seek God first, then our lives will make sense and things will fall into place. It is when we fail to seek God first that life gets complicated.

Conclusion: Solomon starts off the book of Ecclesiastes with the feeling that life is lived in vain. That is because he had tried to find contentment in all the wrong places: pleasure, riches, land, relationships, knowledge. He finally discovers that life is only meaningful if we seek after God and grow in our relationship with God. In this relationship, God will help us to understand who we are, how our work fits into life, and how we are to reach out and care for others.

But it all starts with understanding that God is our creator, and that we were created to live for God. Because so many people live for themselves, they lose focus on what life is about, and end up feeling like Solomon, that life is lived in vain. Let us be a people who seek God first, and who give or ourselves. In this way, God will bless our lives. Amen.

“Take Life As It Comes”
(based on the devotions of Selwyn Hughes: “Every Day Light”)
Series on the Book of Ecclesiastes
Sunday, August 7, 2011; Ecclesiastes 9:1-10:20

Introduction: Have you ever noticed a child who is almost at the walking stage? It actually starts with them standing up and getting their balance. Then, when they try and take a step, they often fall. Partly this is because they haven’t gotten the hang of walking., but it is also about confidence. They don’t have the confidence to believe that they can walk on their own. If their parent holds their hand, then they can walk fine, but without their parent’s hand they stumble and fall.
In the first 8 chapters of the book of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon has been telling us that we need to look to God to help us walk in our life. We can easily stumble and fall by looking to money and possessions for contentment, by thinking we can do it on our own, by forgetting that life will bring us struggles. With God holding our hands He will lead us forward and give us the confidence we need to experience the wonder of this life He has given us. This morning we will be talking about being able to ‘take life as it comes.’

I. Everything is in God’s Hands- (Ecclesiastes 9:1-10)
a. In God’s hands- Solomon tells us that we who are righteous and
wise are in the hands of God. This makes sense, because the righteous and the wise are the ones who are seeking after God; giving themselves over to God. As we think about being in the hands of God, it should give us reassurance. If matters in our lives seem to get out of control, then we just remember that we are in God’s hands. If we don’t understand something, we know that we can turn to God who can give us the wisdom we need to not only understand, but to respond in the appropriate way. We know that we are not alone in life, but have God right there with us helping us to handle all the many challenges of life. When we are in God’s hands we know that it isn’t just about us handling the situations of life.
b. Death comes to all- Solomon next wants us to have a foundational
perspective, as he tells us that death comes to all. It doesn’t matter if you are righteous or wicked, good or evil, clean or unclean, you will experience death. So often in this life we struggle to do what is right; we struggle to be good; we struggle to be faithful to God. But when we are in God’s hands, what matters is the faith we place in God. Because of this faith, when death ultimately comes to us, we won’t have to try and ‘win’ ourselves into heaven based on our works, but will receive a reward based on the faith we have placed in God. Anyone who lives only for this time here on earth is a fool. When we know that death is a certainty, we can live for God here on the earth, preparing ourselves for heaven with God.
c. Don’t expect too much- Solomon also instructs us to not expect too
much of humanity. If we keep our expectations reasonable, understanding how sinful and selfish we can be, then we won’t be disappointed. Instead, place your expectations on God to guide you, and instruct you, and bring blessings and contentment into your life. We cannot run our lives successfully without God, and putting our trust in others will surely disappoint us.
d. There is always hope- But in all of this Solomon wants us to know
that in life there is always hope. In 9:4 Solomon says: “But whoever is joined with all the living has hope…” If you were to look through the Bible, you would see that even when the Israelites were in slavery, or lost in their sin and rebellious ways, there was still hope. God continued to reach out to them and promise them help if they would only turn back to God. They were never without hope, and neither are we.
e. Keep yourself clean- Solomon encourages us to live our lives with
joyful living. Know that God has given you this life to enjoy. So eat your bread with enjoyment and have a merry heart. Then in verse 8 Solomon says: “Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil.” This statement is a symbolic statement to keep yourselves clean. Solomon wants us to understand that God wants us to enjoy ourselves, but in a way that in not sinful or that brings dishonor to God. When you get to the end of the day, you may be weary and spent, but you can know that you enjoyed God by enjoying your life.

II. True Success Comes By Walking with God- (Eccl. 9:11-18)
a. Keep balanced- It is important for us to understand that God has
given us this life to enjoy. Solomon talks about this many times in the book of Ecclesiastes. But Solomon wants us to understand that we need to keep balanced in how we live. We need to be careful not to go too far in our trying to enjoy life so that we indulge ourselves in sinful living.
EX. Remember The Prodigal Son, in Luke, chapter 15. The youngest son got his inheritance early, and he decided to go and enjoy his newfound wealth. He ended up squandering it in sinful living; in partying and other frivolous ways.
Too often I have seen people, even Christians, think that they can indulge themselves in worldly entertainment that is not honoring of God, in the thinking that they are just ‘enjoying’ their lives. People who love God and want to honor God will resist this pressure. You can make money without cheating others. Your can be well liked and still be honorable. You can have fun in this world and not have to give yourself over to worldly pleasures.
True success and true enjoyment comes by walking with God. As I said before, because everything is in God’s hands, and things can happen when you least expect them, we must stay strong in our walking with God. If we are not balanced, then when the uncertainty of the world hits us, we will be thrown for a loop and feel like we our lives are spinning out of control. We need to stay balanced with both the way we live, and the trust we place in God.
b. Wisdom is better than strength- Solomon then tells us a little story
in 9:14-16. Let me read that passage for you again… “There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siege works against it. 15 Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. 16 So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded.”
The moral of Solomon’s story is that wisdom is better than strength. This comes from the one, King Solomon, who has experienced both in full. From a worldly observation, strength is more impressive than wisdom, but in the long run wisdom is more effective. The way of the world tells us to be strong, be smart, and be competitive. But when the real trouble hits, a wise word that gets us out of trouble, is better received.
We are surrounded by troubles and evil. We are under threat. Marriages are struggling. Morals are eroding. Responsibilities are being forgotten. Commitments are being laid aside. But we have a book, the Bible, which contains the wisdom of God that we need, and the world needs. We need to know it, follow it, and share it with all that we encounter.

III. Don’t Be A Fool- (Ecclesiastes 10:1-7; Matthew 5:22)
a. Fools are careless- Next we see in chapter 10, Solomon give us a
tour of the anatomy of a fool. He helps us to see how a fool behaves, not only so that we can recognize a fool when we see one, but so that we can avoid being a fool. We need to be careful not to point a finger at a fool, only to notice that there is a finger pointing back at us.
Jesus warned us in Matthew 5:22 to not call others fools. But what Jesus was referring to is to not call someone worthless. In understanding what a foolish person looks like, it will help us to avoid foolishness ourselves, to not get caught up in their foolish actions, and maybe even to help them move out of their foolish behavior. Just because a person does some silly things doesn’t make them worthless.
In 10:1 Solomon starts the chapter by saying, “As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.” It doesn’t take much to bring dishonor to an honorable life. A faithful spouse who cheats on their spouse quickly becomes a fool. A respected businessman who turns to drugs loses his place of respect. A politician who has had an “indiscretion” is forced to resign in shame.
Solomon instructs us in verse 2: “The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.” By having God impart His wisdom to us, we can keep on the right track and avoid falling into those careless behaviors.
b. Fools in authority- Solomon goes on to tell us that a further
characteristic of a fool is that he cannot control his anger. A boss who can’t control his temper. An employee who quits his job in an angry outburst. But the one who is wise is the one who can remain calm under stressful situations.
Solomon points out to us that all too often an aggressive personality is put in a position of authority. This person is really an incompetent fool who doesn’t know how to manage employees or keep his calm when stress arises. In response to the challenges of the job this fool leads through anger instead of wisdom and guidance.
Dr. Kenneth Gangtel says in his book Thus Spake Qoheleth (Qoheleth is a synonym for Solomon): “Certainly we see things every day in our own country and around the world which make us wonder whether there is a great deal more of foolishness than wisdom in every human government. Maybe God just wants us to see how foolish we are and how useless it is to trust in the vanities of mankind ‘under the sun’.”
We can look to our own government and understand that many act with foolishness, not caring about the people they are supposed to be representing and serving, but only caring about themselves and their payoffs. Instead, we must entrust ourselves to God in the midst of the foolish authority around us.

IV. Operate By Wisdom- (Ecclesiastes 10:8-20; Ephesians 4:29)
a. Keep aware- In verses 8-11 Solomon points out our need to be
aware of our surroundings and the results of our efforts, by identifying some dangerous activities. If you dig a pit, be careful not to fall in it. If you break through a wall, be careful there is not a snake on the other side. If you carry heavy stones, be careful not to be injured by them. If you split a log, remember that it is an activity that can cause harm. In other words, fools don’t see the harm that could come to them. This passage is what gave rise to the quote: “Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” If people operated from wisdom, instead of foolishness, then these kinds of accidents wouldn’t take place.
You have heard the term ‘poetic justice’? Poetic justice is where people get what they deserve. Fools don’t understand the danger before them, and so they continue in their foolish behavior.
b. The tongue- Here’s a question for you: “What has stirred up more
strife than any other thing in the history of the world?” The answer is: THE TONGUE! While the words of the wise are gracious, the words of a fool consume them. While we might be on the one side of being berated or offended by the tongue of a fool, the fool is ultimately ‘consumed’ by his own tongue. That is exactly what Solomon says in 10:12, “…but fools are consumed by their own lips.”
To be consumed really means to be swallowed up. The fool is the one who is undone by his words. He speaks words that leads to his undoing. If you come across a fool, don’t try and counsel them, because you will really just be wasting your time. As Solomon tells us in verse 15: “The toil of fools wearies them; they do not know the way to town.” Or as someone once said: “Fools are ever learning, but never arriving.” (Hughes, Every Day Light, p. 115) The only time you should counsel a fool is if they arrive at the understanding that they have been foolish and they must change their ways!
c. A little bird told me- Solomon gives another warning when he says
in verse 16: “Woe to the land whose king was a servant and whose princes feast in the morning…” Solomon speaks of this king as an immature king; a foolish king. When there is a fool on the throne chaos and disorder will reign. The greatest fool is the leader who will not listen to God.
Solomon closes up this chapter in verse 20, saying: “Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.” We are foolish if we speak foolish words, even when we think no one is listening. A little bird may take your words to the person you are talking about. How often is something said in private, and it becomes public?
So, Solomon insinuates, keep things to yourself, because you never know when a fool might repeat your words. We are wise to think before we talk. As Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.”

Conclusion: In these two chapters Solomon is reminding us that everything is in God’s Hands. If we don’t expect too much from this world, or from the people of this world, and keep our hope in God, watching what we say, then we will be able to take life as it comes, and enjoy the life we have been given. Let us praise God for these wise words to us, and honor God by living according to them. Amen.