Series - ‘How can I make sense of life?’

Today

‘How can I find wisdom?’

Ecclesiastes 7:1-19

“To know is not to be wise. Many men (women) know a

great deal, and are all the greater fools for it. There is no

fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But to know how to use

knowledge is to have wisdom”

Charles Spurgeon

1. Accept the fact that life is tough - Ecc 7:1-6

A good reputation is better than expensive perfume

Ecc 7:1a

1. Accept the fact that life is tough - Ecc 7:1-6

Death is better than life - 7:1b

Fasting is better than feasting - 7:2

Sorrow is better than laughter - 7:3

Mourning is better than pleasure - 7:4

Rebuke is better than flattery - 7:5

“It’s the hammer pounding on the piece of metal on the anvil that

shapes it into a beautiful piece of art. It’s the fire that makes the tool strong and reliable. It’s the metal,

tested and tried that won’t fail when under pressure and tension”

Derek Tidball

“Turn your wounds into wisdom”

Oprah Winfrey

1. Accept the fact that life is tough - Ecc 7:1-6

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its

work so you become mature and well-developed …

James 1:2-4 The Message

2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26

• Extortion - 7:7

• Impatience - 7:8

• Anger - 7:9

• Nostalgia - 7:10

• Immorality - 7:26

2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26

Impatience

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, patience is better than pride

Ecc 7:8

2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26

“How can a society that exists on instant mashed potatoes, packaged

cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant cameras teach patience to its young?”

Paul Sweeney

2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26

God is patient with pre-Christians

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand

slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish,

but everyone to come to repentance

2 Peter 3:9

2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26

God is patient with Christians

… He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the

day of Christ Jesus

Phil 1:6

“The church needs more people with the discipline of the long

distance runner and fewer with the character of the sprinter”

Derek Tidball

2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26

Nostalgia

Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’ For it is not wise to ask such questions.

Ecc 7:10

3. Appreciate the value of wisdom - Ecc 7:11-19

Wisdom

• is a good thing - 7:11

• is a shelter - 7:12

• gives us right perspective in life - 7:15-18

• provides a power for us to live - 7:19

How can I find wisdom?

Fear God

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom

Prov 9:10a

How can I find wisdom?

Ask God

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind – James 1:5-6 NLT

1. Accept the fact that life is tough

3. Appreciate the value of wisdom

2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life