"Restless" Teachable

Ecclesiastes 4:13-16 “teachable”

Vrs 13-15

Here we have an example of two kings…poor wise youth and Old foolish king who apparently knows it all.
Admonished=taught

Then in verse 16 he says this young wise king even though was a great ruler was not appreciated.
The vanity of this is another thing that is leaving Solomon “restless”

What we are going to do tonight.
1. Look at being teachable
2. Then challenge the idea of worrying about how people will respond to what we have accomplished.
-Solomon’s original reason for wanting wisdom was so he could govern God’s people, now all of sudden he wants to be able to boast.

Better to be “teachable” =capable of being taught


Not teachable people…
-Are Legalistic-they make the rules (add rules)
-Are Annoying-because they don’t listen
-Are Prideful- they know it all (while you are talking instead of listening they are thinking about what they are going to say)
-Miss blessings-
Keys to being teachable.
1. Environment-puts themselves in an environment in which they will learn (possible rant about how this goes to far, circles in class to all participate) Paul said check out WITH THE SCRIPTURES to the Beraen’s

The environment for learning we want to create here (at The Five)…Topic: Jesus Concept: Living for Him Curriculum: The Bible

Personal ideas, Read, ask questions, surround yourself

2. Attitude- I still have much to learn, I can be wrong, what can I gain from this?
Proverbs 1:7, “ Fools despise wisdom” Rom 12:1-2

In life you can receive a position because of your teachable character.
Solomon was teachable but when he thought he knew it all that is when he fell and something shifted.

Vrs 16 seems to be saying that the kings who come after this king did not learn from him, he can be a great teachable person that rises up from nothing and that popularity was not recognized by the next king.

Soloms’s attitude is “oh what is it worth”
Maybe you feel this way sometimes…
With your children
With your parents
With your spouse
With your boss
With your employees
I would agree with Solomon’s discouragement but what we can take away something better from this.

Are you only doing good for a particular response? It is a vain pursuit if everything you accomplish is for you.

Your popularity will always be challenged…but there is a way out…
Use your life to bring glory to the One who can glorify you GOSPEL

All of your accomplishments, responsibilities, positions should bring glory to Jesus. If they are for you will be “restless” .

How can you bring glory to Jesus? The first step is being “teachable”

let Jesus teach you how to be a good
child, parent, spouse, boss, employee

People will always find something wrong and something to criticize but a teachable spirit will win people and the Christian’s desire is to win people for Jesus.

When we do things for Jesus and learn from Him we then realize it is Him working through us and we cannot boast in our own power.

But there is something that we can then boast in…
Boast is the Lord Jer 9:24 Galatians 6:14
Our life and accomplishments should show Jesus to others in all that we do