"Restless": What's the Time

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Is a poem, not an exhaustive list of what there is to do in life.

Vrs 1 Season and a time. Nothing will happen in our lives without God knowing about and allowing to happen.

I believe in this passage God is communicating through Solomon that there are things that fall under four categories that God allows to come into our lives that. As Christian we have to realize our time on earth is to glorify Jesus.

Matthew 5:16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

These things that God allows in our lives serve to teach us.

Four Categories
1. Things that happen (we have no control over)
Death,
birth,
Lose, a relationship. Maybe you have done everything in your power
break down, stress

Responding to things we cannot control. Trust
-Trust that Jesus wants good for you and even in situations that are terrible, you are safe in His hands.
-Realize we don’t really have much control at all?????

2. Things that need to be done… (we have a responsibility)
-Plant, reap (work)
-throw away,-Some people are afraid to bring up issues to other people and then the issues never get resolved and may even cause more problems.
-keep silent- sometimes it is not the time to say something
-sew, (work on life) Your roles in life
-love (a choice not a feeling),

Response to these things… ACT
not procrastinating and dealing with issues that arise and take care of responsibilities

3. Things to be avoided if possible. Certain things in life demand us to take care of… but are last resorts,
-kill-(justice)
-Hate-(hate sin),
-war- to stop evil people from oppressing others.
-Tear-
-Refrain from embracing (not being fake and working out conflict)

Response to these things… Mourn weep

4. Things that make life good(good things from the Lord)
Laugh,
dance,
embrace,
peace,
speak, (fellowship)
healing,
build up,
gain (when the lord blesses you with things)
keep (when the Lord wants you to own something for a time)

Response to these things…Worship, thanks, enjoy and bless others


We are all in a “time” of our lives, Godly counsel tells us to live in that time and deal with the issues that time has to offer and help us to be a light to the dying world

But what about you who do not trust Jesus….
Acts 17:22-28 God placed you in the time you are at so you will see Him. He wants your heart to feel “Restless” Like Augustine “My heart was restless until it found rest in You” GOSPEL

Communion is a time to remember…

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance

"Restless" Leaving a Legacy

“Leaving a Legacy” Ecclesiastes 2:12-26

Vrs 12 Last week we talked about the impressive accomplishments that Solomon had and he viewed it as meaningless or vanity. Now he is saying can anyone who comes after me find satisfaction or purpose? I have exhausted everything.

Vrs 13 Wisdom is superior to folly, light is superior or more desirable then darkness

Vrs 14-16 Wisdom does not give us immortality/salvation the wise and fool die, the wise and the fool are forgotten.

Vrs 17-21 if we spend all our time building into earthly treasures then this is a harsh reality is that we pass away and leave it to someone else who may not take care or steward it the way we would.
(Rehoboam was Solomon’s son and successor and not very impressive 1 Kings 12-14)


Vrs 22 Questions…Do I find self worth in…
1. what I accomplish?
2. what I own?
3. what my career is?

This is how the world chooses to leave its legacy.

if the answer to these questions are yes, you will be let down
Vrs 23 sums it up

Solomon talks a little then about the things that we accomplish or get…the stuff vrs 24-25
Vrs 24-25 Purpose of accomplishments and possessions… The things we have and attain on earth are given by the Lord for our enjoyment. James says good gifts come from above.

Vrs 26 issues of righteous living bears fruit in this life and the next.
“good” “God gives” Jesus is a giver not a taker GOSPEL

Blessings from God go to the ones whose focus is leaving a Godly legacy rather then building a material kingdom.

What will you give to the next generation? Will you leave a Godly legacy?

How do we leave a Godly legacy?
1. Obedience 1 Kings 3:3-4
-Roles you hold in life. Mom, dad, bro, sis, friend, student, worker
-Worship
2. Integrity 1 Kings 3:5-15
-Who you are when no one is looking. How does this leave a legacy? It builds Godly character.
3. Wisdom/discernment 1 Kings 3:16-28
-Wise decisions will prove to leave a legacy for the next generation.
4. Work for the Lord 1 Kings 6 built the temple
-Serve the Lord, use your time and resources for Him
5. Prayer 1 Kings 8:22-30
-Be a person of prayer will not only impact those around you by the example of your faith but you can be impacting the next generation with those prayers.
You have a choice of what you leave behind, have it be a Godly legacy that last and if those around you don’t learn from it they are the fool but they cannot do anything to change it.

"Restless" Kingdom Building

Week 4 “Kingdom Building” 2:4-11 ( we should be working on Jesus’ kingdom)
We build our kingdom for our glory, we build Jesus’ kingdom for Jesus’ glory

2:4-8-His accomplishments

2:9-He was admired and had much power

2:10- He was receiving the reward at that time (no lasting reward)
(matt 6 they have their reward)

2:11-All those things didn’t answer the questions at the end of the day they still left my heart “restless”

All this stuff did not bring lasting fulfillment

But it also brings up the questions…

Is it wrong to…
Have a nice home?
Have a nice car?
Build into a business?
Take time to make things beautiful?

Some may say…”what about Jesus” Jesus was not here to build a life on earth, but to give us life.

The answer is no as long as it is in view of bringing Jesus glory rather then bringing yourself glory.
If it is all for you it will be a problem.

We are ingrained with this idea of building for ourselves little boys build forts little girls play house.

God created man to subdue, when man is creative and shows ingenuity it brings glory to Jesus

Matt 6:19-21 Earthly treasures will let you down and never cure the restless heart

Dangers of material possessions
-Pride -Our own mini kingdom brings glory to ourselves
-Greed-most givers are not wealthy
-Security- rich young ruler Mt 19
-Becomes a god
-Lose yourself for it (neglect, family) American way is to live beyond your means

How can we use our kingdom for Jesus’ kingdom? Learn from Solomon
-Generosity 2 Chronicles 9:27(silver like stones) 1 Kings 10:13 (gave to the queen of Sheba)

-Provision for family (wife) 2 Chron 8:11 (rebuke man cave concept)

-Provided for God’s people 2 Chronicles 8:9 Employment
-Built up protection for God’s people Galatians 6:9-10

-Shared his wisdom with others 2 Chronicles 9:23

-Built the temple for God’s people to worship 1 Kings 9:25
GOSPEL Priest, Sacrifice, Tabernacle. Jesus is the priest and sacrifice and the Holy Spirit comes to live in us.
Local church is that to the world
-Good steward of possessions (we can’t say someone is more spiritual because they have a junky car, I can say maybe they are less spiritual because they don’t take care of what God has blessed them with)

-Testimony to of God’s blessings 1 Kings 10 (queen of Sheba)

As a believer we should use the kingdom Jesus has given us to build the kingdom of Jesus

"Restless": Escape

Questions for Community Groups
1. Have you ever used fun/amusement to escape from thinking about a real problems or issues that you were facing?
2. Do you feel you have a healthy balance of fun/amusement in your life?
3. What do you do for fun/amusement?
4. Have you ever fallen into the trap of using alcohol as an escape from problems?
5. What is your personal conviction about use of alcohol? How does this work for you?



Ecclesiastes 2:1-3
Escape: in this next passage we can see that Solomon falls into the trap that many people fall in. God creates things for us to use but not to abuse and use as an escape from dealing with the real issues of life and what our purpose in life is.

Vrs 1a “I said to my heart” Augustine quote “My heart was restless until it found rest in You”

A restless heart looks for satisfaction and answers in many different places and Solomon was no different he was looking for satisfaction and answers in the pleasures of life

Vrs 1b Mirth = a-muse(to think)-ment lets not think and enjoy pleasure

“Meaningless” I can’t find real answers is pleasure

Vrs 2 “what does it accomplish?”
Is fun and amusement really pointless or does God permit it so we can be well balanced people?
Studies on laughter show that laughter lowers blood pressure and help aid stress management.

During the war movie blood flow decreased by an average of 35%. And during the comedy it increased by an average of 22%. The conclusion? Laughter may be as healthy as exercise!

A joyful heart is good medicine Pro 17:22

Some think that Christians have no fun
“ I envisioned you sleeping on a bed of nails with an iron cross as the headboard”

There are Dangers in Amusement
-What we find funny can be offensive to God, like crass, vulgar and sexual innuendoes.
-Becomes a God. Costa guy “I put my faith in surfing
-Escape Never able to be serious

Bottom line is…
Proverbs 14:13 laughter and amusement won’t fix the problem it is just a temporary escape

Christians should be filled with joy and have fun
We need to understand what the Bible says about true joy.

Find joy in…
-Salvation GOSPEL
-Responsibility- family, service, work
-Fellowship

Vrs 3 “cheer my body with wine” my heart still guiding me with wisdom. Solomon did not indulge himself so excessively with wine that he lost his ability to think with genuine discernment.

Or possible he got drunk and realized that was pointless and did not answer any questions

Bible says
Psalm 104:15 And wine that makes glad the heart of man

Views on Alcohol…Prohibitionist…Abstentionist
Moderation- This view is I believe the most biblical because it takes into consideration that alcohol is a good gift of God and can be rightly used. And also realizes the dangers of alcohol.

Moderation or self-control in all of one's behavior, not abstinence, is the biblical norm

Trap is self control, you can’t be a moderationist if you lack self control in this area.

Dangers:
-You can’t have fun w/o a drink.
-You need a drink to get to sleep
-You focus too much on having a drink
-Drinking becomes an escape

Vrs 3b “Till I might see” Solomon sounds like a college kid “Have fun party and figure out what life is about”

Solomon is saying “it doesn’t work” and it shouldn’t

We will never find true satisfaction from the pleasures of this world

“If I discover within myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world” C.S. Lewis

Rather then escape we need to look for purpose in life

Proverbs 3:12 Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.
When we put our hope in things of this world it makes our heart sick.

Our deepest desire is to have purpose

Vrs 3b “what was good for the sons of men to do under heaven all the days of their lives”

Purpose in life is to...bring glory to Jesus

Here’s how we bring this altogether…all the things that we do in life whether it is having fun out with friends, spending time raising a glass and having a good meal, watching a funny movie, engaging in a fun sport or hobby.

1 Cor 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

"Restless": Look Up

Week 2 “Look Up” 1:12-18

Augustine said “my heart was restless until it found rest in You”

Vrs 12 “Was king” translated “have been king” Solomon was king till he died

Vrs 13 “Search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven” At this point Solomon saying (as you remember he did not feel significant for accomplishments, he felt empty)
It is burdensome to learn about the fallen world around us. “unhappy business”

This reminds of the innocence of a child is broken when they find out that people are not good and there are people in this world who would hurt you, steal from you and want bad for you.

When a child finds out that things don’t always work out: Enchanted Tosh “dreams can’t come true” Silah “yes they can”

The more we find out about this sinful world the more it discourages us and depresses us. The innocence of youth is tainted when they start to find certain things out. It brings grief, problems and anxiety

Vrs 14 In his discouragement it seems that he is saying nothing matters, but those small things do on many levels.

Vrs 15 “What is crooked” (corrupt) Here is the theological truth….We don’t bring peace…Jesus does.
This world is fallen and we as Christians can be salt and light but we are not the cure for sin

as Christians we will not change things, we can alter things but the changing is up to Jesus because it is about the heart of people.

“what is lacking” The fallen state of the world on a human level is an overwhelming problem, there is sin everywhere


Vrs 16 Knowing how to explain things did not comfort me, it just made realize how short I come up at the end of the day, Because he did not know everything

Vrs 17 The answers that this world provides will only get you so far that’s why Solomon says its like “chasing the wind” he is saying I found the answer to this and it caused me to have more questions.

Vrs. 18 The more I learn and understand the more bummed out I become, or in many cases the callous I become (nothing surprises me anymore)

Solomon will talk later about the good gifts of life that are there for our personal enjoyment but at this stage he is saying I know so much and I thought my knowledge would encourage me it actually discouraged me.

There are going to be things that you are never a peace with, that will never get solved, never be resolved, never be explained, never get to the bottom of, never stop hurting…

The broken fallen state of the world makes us looking around for answers

I believe we normally we look in 3 different areas
In the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon is really talking about the first two areas and flirts with the 3rd and does finally settle on the 4th.

Looking in: New age movement says look deep inside yourself for answers. Unfortunately our hearts are wicked. Jeremiah 17:9

Looking out: (to others): Unfortunately if we can’t rely on ourselves others can’t really help either. We are not solo scriptura, that means when we are sick we go to the doctor

Looking away: Run like Jonah, suppress feeling and problems and ignore the fact that you have questions.

When we finally come to the point in life where all those things don’t work that is the point in which we are ready to respond to Jesus and His tug on our heart.

So what do we do? Look up:
Looking up is taking a step back from the worlds wisdom and advice and looking to Jesus.

??Wisdom of this fallen world brings us to the fact that we need to look outside this present world for comfort and answers
Focus on vrs 13 “under heaven” Solomon was looking everywhere but up

In this fallen world we live in Jesus wants us to look up…
We need to look up when…
-we are in trouble. - Stephen Acts 7:54-60 the martyr,
-we are discouraged-Paul Philippians 3:17-25,
-we are suffering- Paul Romans 8:18
-we are blessed- James good gifts come from above
-we are in sin- David Psalm 51:4 & Paul Romans 7
-we need guidance Jesus in the garden looked to the Father in heaven.


Notice that the examples were looking up to heaven “…inspired by hope in Jesus Christ.” Is a statement that keeps us going because our hope is salvation in heaven with Jesus forever not what this world has to offer.

Heaven is the constant reminder that this world is not our home and heaven is what Jesus is calling us to and really the relationship with Him that we are designed for.


This is what we do know about heaven…

Heaven is
-prepared for us by Jesus
-who you are with…Jesus and His people
-a place of perfection (nursing home ill) No more…
-forever
-a free gift through faith in Jesus

Revelation 21:1-5 & 22-27
Close with cry no more song by Andrew

"Restless" Significance

Ecclesiastes = “assembly” and the preacher Solomon

Vrs 1-3 What benefit am I on this earth? Ironic

Read about Solomon’s life in 1 Kings 1-11 & 1 Chronicles 29- 2 Chronicles 9

Highlights About Solomon
-King in Jerusalem
-Asked for wisdom1 Kings 3
-Spoke 3000 proverbs
-Built the temple 7years
-Built a Palace for himself 13 years
-Famous among the nations (Queen of Sheba)

Why does he conceal his name? Matthew Henry says it was Solomon, for no other son of David was king of Jerusalem; but he conceals his name Solomon, peace, because by his sin he had brought trouble upon himself and his kingdom, had broken his peace with God and lost the peace of his conscience, and therefore was no more worthy of that name.

More proofs in weeks to come why he was author

Probably wrote this near the end of his life in repentance in view of his sin 970-930 BC
1 Kings 11 Solomon fell away married foreign wives and worshiped other gods

The theme of Ecclesiastes is the necessity of fearing God in a fallen, and therefore frequently confusing and frustrating, world. I like to say Solomon was “Restless” and dealt with how life apart from God is pointless.

Hetrodoxy-not in conformity with the established teaching – unorthodox. There seems to be contradictions because it is depicting Solomon’s mood.

When people hear this style of teaching although different it is very effective. A bummed out rich king, Why would he be bummed out??

Many different themes such as sin, death, joy, frustration, the tragedy of the fall and the recurring theme of the “vanity of life” which means the present form of this world is passing away.
Meaningless, emptiness

Vanity-pride in ones appearance or accomplishments
Meaningless, Empty

Solomon was significant in many areas but falling away from the Lord still left him dry.

Vrs 4-7 Life goes on

With all I have accomplished I still make little difference.

You may say…I work hard, but no one notices. I do my best but no one encourages me. I give of my time, resources and abilities but no appreciates it.

The problem…
Vrs 8 Satisfaction-looking for satisfaction in the wrong things
You may get the recognition you desire, the encouragement you want and the appreciation but you still feel unsatisfied.

The reason is that you are looking to please others rather then Jesus.


When we are unsatisfied it leaves us…Frustrated
Vrs 9-10 Frustration of my ideas not anything important, Frustrated by the fact that no one notices

Our society dictates what is significant and then we are tempted into following after that and ignoring the areas in life that we really need to and can be significant in.

Desire to be significant may cause us to sin. Areas of sin
-Pride Pro. 29:23 “People will notice me”
-Selfishness Phil 2:3 “I have to have my way and people should know that I am right”
-Envy- I want what others have
-Neglect of real responsibilities (Mr. Holland’s Opus)

Vrs 11 In Solomon’s case being significant caused him to sin
The work of the temple was stalled because he wanted to build his palace, it took 7 years to be the Lord’s temple but 13years to build his own palace.

We want to be remembered
In that time they did not have what we have, printing press, internet, communication. This today is mans attempt at being remembered.

In Solomon’s depression he seems to saying…”Being significant in the areas that I was significant in does not bring pure satisfaction.

So he fell into the trap instead of the arms of Jesus

Many times in life we are trying so hard to be remembered that we forget what is really important…

Why you are significant…
-Bought 1 Cor. 6:20

Areas of Significance…
-Spiritual Life, your life should be about focusing on Him, Solomon was depressed because he let Jesus down. Put spiritual disciplines into practice.
-Family Women then Men, Children
-Body of Christ (church) The only institution Jesus set up, our heart should be for the church and promoting the cause of the Gospel.
-Relationships – we need to care about the people around us
Work
Friendships
-Work-do a good job and be balanced in doing so.

Solomon struggled because he realized he had fallen from following the Lord and he knew that putting Jesus first was the only thing that makes life significant.

The Plan: Part 2

Part 2
-Spiritual
-Growth Heb 5:12-14
-Prayer- Journaling
-Bible reading and memorization
Church should not just fit in, should be planned around.

Community group, 4 are going strong but pray maybe you would like to be a part of one of those or host your own. Ecclesiastes is starting Jan 24th

-Service Matthew 20:28 GOSPEL
Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly commitment
Opportunity arises

-Reaching Matt 5:14-16
-Continued prayer for unsaved family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and classmates.
-Intentional relationships with people who do not know the Lord

-Relationships
“As much as it depends on you, live at peace with others”

Next four are under the umbrella of stewardship.

Steward—someone who manages another persons property and or financial matters

Psalm 50:10 Jesus owns it all John 10:16-18 Jesus has ultimate control even over your salvation




-Financial
Budget- “count the cost”
Giving 1 Cor 8:1-15
Few words about giving…
-Give first to your local church, the church is what Jesus instituted and for us it is the Gospel work of our community.
3500 churches per year close their doors
-When you give let go (church leadership is accountable)
-Give of the first fruits
-Give generously and cheerfully
-You will be blessed

Godly use of your finances


-Health
As Christians we need to look at our bodies as something God has given us to take good care of.
Our Body is the temple of the Holy Spirit 1 Cor. 6


-Work/school Colossians 3:23 also just went into this

-Time Management
-The balancing act
-Leisure/fun
-Sleep

Eph 5:15-16