Eccleciastes (II) Making Sense out of life

finding true joy

• FINDING JOY IN GOD’S CREATED WORLD– Life and pleasure and things are gifts from God:

• E.g. Eating and drinking with enjoyment and seeing good in one’s labor -- 2:24-25, 3:13, 5:17,18• E.g. Wisdom, knowledge -- 2:26.• E.g. Wealth and riches -- 5:17,18• E.g. The enablement to enjoy riches -- 5:18,19• E.g. Life itself -- 5:17,18

– “There is nothing better”• Not absolute. There are some things better.• But, It’s from the hand of God” to enjoy life• Abut not without God – 2.25

– It is all good• Gen 1.31 – “It was all very good”• 1 Tim 4.4; 6.17• Some see it otherwise – Mt 11.16-19; 9.14-17; Col 4.20-24

» But to enjoy the blessings God has given us is not wrong. He has not given pleasure and things in this world to tempt us, but rather he has given them to bless us with enjoyment -- 1 Tim

– Enjoy life to its fullest while you can – Eccl 11.9-10; 12.1f

• Getting the most out of life– By seeing things in light of eternity -- Eccl 3.11; 11.9– By knowing our purpose – Eccl 12.13

• finding the beauty in God’s timing – 3.1-11– There’s a time for everything – 3.1-8

• Seasons of life

– Cannot always know God’s plans and reasons – 3.11c; 8.16-17; 9.1; 11.5

– With the purpose that all should fear him – vs.24