"Restless" Oppression

Restless 8 Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3 “Oppression”

Vrs 16 Solomon is discouraged by corrupt systems, where we should find safety and justice wicked people rule

Vrs 17 Judgment, if there is no judgment then God cannot be loving. (Last week talked about our ultimate judgment)

Vrs 18-22 dismal look at life if we are indeed just like animals

In Solomon’s discouragement he is saying “aren’t we just like animals, we live and die,” so his conclusion is verse 22 we see his response, enjoy life and the fruit of your work because you don’t know if there is something more then this.

I briefly want to talk about animals and the biblical view of animals.
Animals…
-are a creation of God Gen. 1
-are under the dominion of people Gen 1
-are cared about by God Matt. 10
-Can be eaten Acts 10 Peter and sheet
-make good pets 2 Sam 12

Will there be animals in heaven? Yes Lion/Lamb
Will they be our animals? I can’t answer that.

We have Disney theology when it comes to animals. That animals are a lot like us.

The unfortunate thing about our society people are told they are like animals or better yet came from animals so they act like animals.

But animals are not accountable for what they do like humans and they don’t have moral laws, therefore there is no salvation for them or a need for salvation.

People are infinitely more complex and different because we are image bearers of God.

A little doctrine tonight…then we will get to the main point.
What the Bible teaches about material and immaterial of humans look at the immaterial
1. Spirit- only refers to the immaterial and originates from God
2. Soul “nephesh” life –can mean the whole person. Material or immaterial
3. Conscience- witness within a person, right from wrong 1 Tim 4:1-3
4. Mind-perceiving and understanding Romans 12:1-2 (think differently)
5. Flesh – disposition or opposition to God Romans 8 John Owen “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you” wars against the Spirit
6. Will-to do right or wrong, can be an expression of other facets
7. Heart-inner person 3:18 “I said in my heart” vrs 22
-Seat of intellectual life- Psalm 119:11 Word, Matt 15:19 comes defilement, Jer. 17:9 Deceitful
-Seat of emotional life- Loves Deut 6:5, Rejoices Psalm 104:15, Sorrow Rom.9:2, Desires Ps 37:4
-Seat of volitional life- Seek Deut 4:29, hardened Heb 4:7
-Seat of spiritual life- belief Rom 10:9-10, purity 1 Tim 1:5

Case and point why we are different then animals, here is an example…
4:1-3 Oppression is power in a burdensome, cruel or unjust manner

Knowing that we are so complex we can see how oppression can impact our lives (connect these to the 7 facets of people)

Vrs 1 In the animal kingdom it is survival of the fittest

Vrs 2-3 the result of letting oppression continue is that it communicates to people there is no hope, no one cares possibly there is no God, no afterlife, we live we die just like the animals

Christians should meet the needs of the oppressed, but your heart has to be in the right condition.

How do I respond to that?

• Who in your life is being oppressed?
It is often easier to become outraged by injustice half a world away than by oppression and discrimination half a block from home. ~ Journalist/Author Carl Rowan

Tosh and Jesus “Tosh has taught the class how to respond to handicapped children”

If your heart is hard you turn a blind eye to injustice, if someone is getting treated badly at work or school. Maybe a family member is being ousted by other family members. Solomon states “THEY HAVE NO COMFORTOR”

The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people. ~MLK

As Christian it is our calling to do what we can. WHY? Cause Jesus did GOSPEL

Jesus came for the sick, oppressed, beaten down, fallen sinner which is everyone of us. The oppressor is usually responding to oppression… or the desire to follow the deeds of the flesh (the sinful person)

People in our community are spiritually oppressed because they are lied to about truth. They need to hear the real gospel and they need to see it lived out in us.

Some even go the extent of saying…religion is a form of oppression it changes peoples culture and has done harm in the past.

• Who are you oppressing?
-Are you holding something over someone’s head?
-Are you not willing to forgive?
-Are you being unfair to people you are in charge of?
Richard Mow says “if you want to be a leader, bear more pain then you inflict”

When you succeed because of the deeds of someone under you do you claim it but when you fail do you look to blame?

-Are your conflict resolution skills sorely lacking? (Mom and silent treatment)
-Your sin 2 Peter 2:7 (Lot)

• How are you dealing with being oppressed?
-Solomon’s advice in discouragement “better to be dead”
Nietzsche’s Advice ~ If a man wishes to rid himself of a feeling of unbearable oppression, he may have to take hashish. ~ Escape with substance abuse
Jesus’ Advice Psalm 9:9 The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed,A refuge in times of trouble.