1 / 12

Ecclesiastes (5)

Ecclesiastes (5). Vanity of Mirth Ecclesiastes 2:1-3. “I will test you” (2:1) Testing is a good thing Genesis 22:1 (Hebrews 11:17) – Abraham was tested Psalm 7:9 God tests hearts and minds 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, test all things. “I will test you” (2:1)

dwoolley
Download Presentation

Ecclesiastes (5)

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Ecclesiastes (5) Vanity of MirthEcclesiastes 2:1-3

  2. “I will test you” (2:1) • Testing is a good thing • Genesis 22:1 (Hebrews 11:17) – Abraham was tested • Psalm 7:9 God tests hearts and minds • 2 Corinthians 13:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:21, test all things

  3. “I will test you” (2:1) • Testing is a good thing • James 1:3, 1 Peter 1:7 – tested faith, as we deal with life • 1 John 4:1 – test the spirits • To test ourselves does NOT mean we engage in sinful conduct or unnecessary temptation

  4. I will test you with mirth (2:1) • Mirth – amusement, sensory pleasures. Things that produce happiness and pleasure • Not necessarily, sinful or sensual (though that is the appeal of many) • Solomon was examining worldly pleasures here – see 2:10

  5. I will test you with mirth (2:1) • The Bible and pleasure • James 4:1, 3 ἡδονή, (hēdonē) – unrestrained pleasures • Luke 8:14, cares and pleasures of this world • Titus 3:3, our former conduct • Proverbs 21:17, He who loves pleasure will be a poor man; He who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

  6. I will test you with mirth (2:1) • We live in a pleasure driven society • Seen in our homes, our spare time, hobbies, vacations, etc. • Recreation is a very lucrative business today • 2 Timothy 3:4, Hebrews 11:25, lovers of pleasure rather than God

  7. I will test you with mirth (2:1) • Be reminded, pleasure is not wrong. • Even Solomon realized this, Ecclesiastes 2:24, 3:12-13 • Rest and recreation can be good – rejuvenate, relax the mind, but it must have its limits • Solomon in his quest, used moderation • Don’t let it choke out God’s word

  8. I said of laughter (2:2) • Laughter is good medicine Proverbs 17:22 • Ecclesiastes 3:4 • There is laughter and joy in good things (cf. Philippians 4:4) • Also laughter in evil things – much of today’s entertainment.BUT is such really funny?

  9. I said of laughter (2:2) • Consider excess in laughter and joy of this world’s ways • How many become obsessed with laughter and entertainment? • Does it rob us of precious time to serve God?

  10. I said of laughter (2:2) • Madness…what does it accomplish? • Proverbs 14:13, Even in laughter the heart may sorrow, and the end of mirth may be grief • Ecclesiastes 7:3, sorrow is better than laughter… • James 4:9, let your laughter be turned to mourning… Repent!

  11. Gratification with wine (2:3) • Wine – here, related to mirth and laughter. • Many turn to alcohol seeking pleasure and escape. How many begin with casual intents, only to become ruined or addicted? • Solomon’s conclusion – this too is vanity, even in moderation

  12. How do you deal with laughter and mirth?

More Related