Solomon’s Quest for the Meaning of Life —this series, part 3.
Sermon Outline:
2019 Feb 24, —Based upon Ecclesiastes 6:12
Learning to manage the unmanageable
Solomon writes “Who can say how one’s life can best be spent.” Ecclesiastes 6:12 TLB. Solomon, in Ecclesiastes 3, tells us that there are *FIVE keys in learning to manage the unmanageable.
1. Good and Bad Times
The *first is we are empowered to that God has a purpose in both the good times and the bad times.
“There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
28 times of life
14 positives 14 negatives
Be Born Die
Plant Uproot
Heal Kill
Build Tear down
Laugh Weep
Gather Scatter stones
Embrace Refrain
Search Give up
Keep Throw away
Mend Tear
Speak Be silent
Love Hate
Peace War
2. From the Beginning to the End
“Though God has planted eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
The *second we are empowered to our faith when we can’t see the beginning from the end.
Jesus says, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” John 13:7
“This happened so we might learn to trust, not in ourselves, but in God.” 2 Corinthians 1:9
3. Do Good
The *third we are empowered to the present time to doing good.
“I know there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.” Ecclesiastes 3:12
“God created us for a life of good works, which He already prepared for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10 (GN)
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.” Ecclesiastes 11:4 (LB)
4. Enjoy Life
The *fourth we are empowered to all my time as a gift from God.
“All of us should eat and drink and enjoy what we’ve worked for. It is God’s gift.” Ecclesiastes 3:13 (GN)
“However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all.” Ecclesiastes 11:8
We have just enough time to do .
Now if we say, I don’t have enough time, that simply means
- We are doing something that God never us to do.
- We are doing the right thing in the .
- We are too busy with things that are taking up my time, are more important than You, God. Maybe later!
5. An Account and Judgement
*Fifth, we are empowered to giving an account on how we are using our time.
“God will call the past to account.” Ecclesiastes 3:15
“God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.” Verse 17
“Each of us will give an account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12
“Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as ones who don’t know the meaning of life, but as those who do. Make the best use of your time.” Ephesians 5:15-16 (Ph)
Four questions we can ponder:
- What can I learn from this moment?
- What good can I do in this moment?
- What can I enjoy in this moment?
- How can I trust God in this moment?
Rev. Kenneth L. Williamson
About this series:
Solomon’s Quest for the Meaning of Life
This series is about Solomon’s quest for the meaning of life. King Solomon, who wrote Ecclesiastes, was a seeker on a quest for the meaning and purpose of life. —Pastor Ken
Be Here at Mt. Olive this Sunday
Please join us to hear the next part of this series in person. however, if you cannot be here, the sermon will be available on this website (usually by Wednesday) for listening/downloading.
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