In Search of Meaning (Part 2 of 2)

Seem to wicked people seemed to enjoy success more often than faithful would more people follow Jesus.

If the distribution of rewards and punishments were clearly distinct. The Bible addresses these concerns are listening to Truth for Life today.

Alistair Begg is picking up in our study of the book of Ecclesiastes. In chapter 7 chapter 7 instead of arguing his case at all. It's kind of stuck cancel burst of insights which just hit us from all kinds of angles and what I wanted to run through them with you. First of all, and in the opening phrase of the chapter.

A good name is better than fine perfume was that. Meanwhile, perfume can only be purchased by the affluent. Therefore fine perfume was an indication of wealth largely is today, and is much as you don't find poverty-stricken people spending hundred and $50 on on 1/2 ounce or quarter rhymes a very expensive perfume and what he saying is a good name is a better legacy than the fragrance that is dispensed in the mall. As a result of you being able to squeeze yourself so whatever you do in your life. Remember this the best legacy to leave your children is to allow them to walk with confidence down any high street in this in the country and examine meets and said what are you exes son are you exes Dr. and then they bless the memory of your parents and your memory to a good name is far better than riches, honor is the issue on spelling versus 2 to 16. This gives us some pithy, common sense says he what he saying is this is face the facts. Face the facts.

The bumper sticker is not all wrong. Life is tough and then you die as I'm very happy does but is actually fairly accurate. Life is tough and you are going to die and what he saying is when you face up to that, then you will realize that it's better actually to go and have a coffee in the graveyard and chagrin Falls than it is to go to some dumb party with a bunch your high school friends you can run away into a party in an affluent neighborhood and kid yourself that life will go on forever.

That is time ill spend you and go sit in park your car in the graveyard and surround yourself in a house of morning and say now we get into the issue now would be insensible.

Now were facing its success.

Look at your sensible people read your Bibles. Spurgeon writings that I'm afraid that all the grace I've gotten out of my comfortable and easy times and happy hours might almost live on a penny and affliction he said is the best bit of furniture in my house. In other words, life confirms what the Bible conveys that more spiritual progress will be made through failure, disappointment, hard times and tears then will be discovered as a result of success.

Laughter. Easy times and trivialities in verses 7 to 10 he says is important that you exercise self-control self-control as was seen in the matters of money verse seven because extortion turns a wise man into a full and a bride corrupts the heart some of us know that you are paying.

We lost our ability to do business with a clear conscience and a crystal-clear gaze. Be careful became fellows in the snare of unguarded talk the end of the matter is better than his beginning. Patient is better than pride.

Don't be quickly provoking your spirit was going to be bursting out all of the time. Don't let your mouth run ahead of your mind, self-control is part of the fruit of the spirit, self-control, and of becoming a crusty old fool walks around all the time saying man, the good old days we love the good old days.

Verse 10. Why were the old days better than these as a silly question that happens in churches, more than anywhere I've ever been very fortunate here.

Part say that we don't have a lot of the good old days brigade. There are some of you temperate very well, for which I'm very grateful if you ever get out of control will have to talk further because it really is a waste of time and what the idea taken a holiday in history to prevent us from putting our shoulder to the plow in the present is something that isn't held onto his is an option, and when we are always harping on the good old days is because we forgotten about the disappointments and the disadvantages were part of the same old days there are good days neuraminidase.

Today's the day. Let's go freeway exit 11 and 12 is not wisdom. Added insurance against the risks of life. We've stopped here before we will stop here again. For now we move on verses 13 and 14. Consider what God has done. I just wrote one word against this the word trust because these verses are a reminder to is that life is not blind faith. It's not random chance occurrences. Rather, God is overall and is in control of all this God to whom the writer meets intermittently is able to turn our difficulties and our problems in our bad choices in our foolish wanderings, all of them into good, sweeping them all into his plan and purpose for us so his advice is straightforward. In verse 14, whether times are good, be happy, and when the times are bad. Be thoughtful. Think about the fact that God has made the one as well as the other was supercilious to write on a sunny day and safe although God is done a wonderful job today and that you are the next in the and the clouds in a 400 feet and visibility in landing is about 450 yards and tears of all God must've taken a vacation today know God is as much in control of the of the rain in the clouds as he is of the sun beauty.

He actually is in control of the good days and the bad days in our lives is hard to work out that are secondary causes. We are the causes of so much of our discomfort.

Bad choices people come to me all the times he could you put these eggs back in the shell forming answers no, I couldn't. I couldn't and no one can you smash the acts you drove the car of your life foolishly you made foolish choices. God is able to restore you to usefulness his forgiveness is unmitigated, and so on. But I'm sure you deliver the implications of this is why it's important to think these things out while you're still young's perspective.

In verses 15 to 22 is tremendously helpful. What he says in this meaningless life of mine. I've seen both of these I've seen a righteous man, perishing in his righteousness, and the wicked man, living long in his wickedness. While there is an honest man is not this one. Play well on Christian TV.

I can tell you right now. You then get on Christian television late in the night and hold this out.

I have seen a righteous man taken in the head and I've seen a wicked man live a long time. It tears the carpeting in the substructure out from underneath her notions, health, wealth, happiness, trust, and is all flying come here and everything falls into line is not true to life, it's not true to the Bible. The idea that the righteous automatically prosper in the wicked automatically suffered isn't true. Ultimately, in the light of eternity.

God will right all wrongs and justice will all be settled. He is dealt with this at the cross but the experience of life is straightforward. I have seen a righteous man, perishing in his righteousness the idea that if your righteous you don't suffer.

Of course, the person with that story to tell. Scott have to do some unbelievable theological gymnastics to get themselves out of that equation perspective needs to be there in relationship to righteousness and wickedness and also in verse 16 in relationship to over righteousness is interesting is that, do not be over righteous success and don't be over wise is describing your kind of spiritual intensity which is pushed so far that it gets to the realm of unreality. When I looked at this phrase. Do not be over righteous. It made me think of the Pharisees could come up with all these kind of rules and regulations. They came down on Jesus and his disciples like a ton of lead not because Jesus and his disciples were disobeying the law because they were breaking all of the pharisaical exactitude that they had loaded onto the law.

All of their little additions that they had made other people like that everywhere in the course of my life I've had people come and tell me that they don't think is right for a Christian to go on vacation because life is too hard and too tough and it would be wrong to squander money on a vacation, come to me and it suggested that it wouldn't be right for a Christian to go to a doctor or to take a blood transfusion because after all, we trust God is very assertive, righteous posture, the same people I have the view that if you have a Christmas tree in your house and you you may not have met these people are not fabricating up your Christmas tree in your house you're endorsing a pagan celebration never is a violation of eminent Bible teaches, and therefore you have a dreadful Christmas tree out of your house. There are over righteous.

They're the same people who lambasted me because I'm going on the neighborhood getting as much candy as I possibly can on Halloween night wearing whatever I jolly well choose to wear within the bounds of propriety so that I can come back and eat like a pig along with my kids in front of the fireplace on on on on on all your candid the same individuals who will not allow me to read my children fiction stories because fiction stories are fiction, and fiction is not nonfiction a nonfiction's current fiction is untrue and imagination, and so on. Hey hey hey hey you're about to blow the lid off your pressure cooker. It will blow off and it will make a dreadful mess all over your kitchen listen to the word of God do not adopt this strange, unreal over righteous nonsense while you say what you endorsing over wickedness know there are 70. Don't be overweight can you be a fold to do that you want to die before your time. So what's the answer is to walk the tightrope in between them know it's the answer we discovered last week. The man verse 18 who fears God will avoid all extremes you want to know how to operate asked the question will father approve will father approve of the time. I'm going to spend with this girl of the decision that I'm about to make in business of the plans and I'm about to endorse in terms of investments. One question one question only will father approve I was that kind of insight that then closes out the chapter, verses 23 to 29. Look at verse 29. This only had I found God made man upright, but men of gone in search of many scheme men of gone insurgents many schemes I had a letter in recent days from far away from here young man, well educated, both in American and British universities. Indeed, at the highest level in the course of the letter. He said this to me. I must say all the education in the world has made me the most stupid and unenlightened man all the education in the world is may be the most stupid and unenlightened man, how can he possibly say because foolishness when the Bible speaks about does not have to do with mental faculty it has to do with moral rebellion he's lost his wife he's lost his children. He's lost his self-respect. He is the man described in an earlier chapter, who is all alone with neither brother and sister family member and he knows it's in his letter finishes in faith, that you may say something to me that would help in my time of need.

I am cordially yours, help me if you can. I'm feeling down, and I do appreciate you being around.

Help me get my feet back on the ground, will you please please help me. He's your neighbor.

He's your traveling companion on a 757 he's your professor and in that insight. It points us ultimately to the fact and with this I finish that all of our folly is found in our sinfulness.

Sin is foolishness because it is disobedience to and rebellion against the will of the one who made us who loves us, who sustains us and who one day will SSS what the Bible says is that all of these journeys. All of these dead-end streets.

All of this consideration is moving pointing forward to.

Ultimately, the way in which God has made wisdom known to men and women if they will only find one not only fully says the Bible but would also alienated and would also condemn you said yourself as you filing moving your seat for the last time, hoping that the wheels are down on the sermon from Sue for a fast landing you say, did I really come out here this morning to hear that I am foolish that I'm alienated and that I am condemned, I mean Alister, can we possibly finish on slightly higher note than this YZ I can go to the good news without were confronted with the bad news because the good news makes no sense without the bad news like me saying all one of you does not arrest you. Let me rescue your ego.

He's now finally taking leave of his senses.

We do not need rescue, but if you're on the upper building and the thing is on fire. I bring a ladder and I said it against your window and I said I have come to rescue you. Suddenly the awareness of your condition makes the rescue seem so amazing, so wonderful and so necessary, so first I need to understand that the foolishness of which the writer speaks is a foolishness and exist because of sin, disobedience against God's law that brings alienation from God. From others for myself brings condemnation because God must punish sin. So what in the world are we supposed to do that will listen listen here is the good stuff. God has provided the way of salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ and that in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ. All of his love and all of his justice is expressed and in that he meets all of our needs precisely is there's nobody in this room this morning that knows your needs. Nobody even the person that loves you most lives with you most understand everything about you think don't really know your needs. There is only one person who knows them and can meet them precisely and the wisdom of God is expressed in the Lord Jesus Christ and that wisdom and that reality may become hewers when you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God's son, your only Savior, and when in believing that Jesus came to be the answer to that dilemma and with Christ's help you enable to give up an old way of life and by the help of the Lord Jesus to begin a wonderful new year of life. The Bible calls that repentance under there are some of our old ways into making amends, and restoration.

Where possible, and is starting out on a brand-new journey. Salvation is again in faith comes as we hear the word of God and as we turn to Christ in our sinfulness and in our emptiness and as we receive his fullness in this forgiveness, repentance, the desire to turn away from sin is born in the heart of a boy or a girl, a man or woman. Only when we realize that in coming to Christ, he will receive us in forgiveness. He will accept us even in our sinfulness and then by his power, he will take and changes by his grace. This is God's wisdom. You can find in Chopra or Chuck or whoever that character is you can find it in seven helpful stamps in the New Age section of your bookstore you. Those are dead-end streets, my dear friend, their amalgamation of moral philosophy, Eastern mysticism, a scattering of biblical notions and all stirred together like a gigantic part of distasteful's June cannot find it there, you cannot find it in religion. You can find it in the Lord Jesus Christ. He has become our wisdom and our righteousness is what he says in current. The person who has discovered this has prayed a prayer like this and I tell you the kind of prayer, not the actual prayer does not interest in our work. Listen carefully because you and I have one question in your mind as I read this here's a question. Have I ever come to God like this Lord Jesus Christ. I am so foolish. Give me your wisdom to see and follow your truth Lord Jesus Christ. I am so full of guilt and have no peace but you have died to bring forgiveness and the assurance of part I trust you to be my Savior, and by your grace. I turn away from my sin Lord Jesus Christ.

I am weak and ruled by sin. Give me your power and rule in my heart and take charge of my whole life have your come to God like have you ever prayed like that. Are you a Christian. I and what prevention try ignorance. Today if you hear God's voice and harden your hearts. God is sovereign over the bad days as well as the good.

We can trust him to know what is best for us listing to Truth for Life with Alistair Begg Alister will be back in just a minute to close today's program. We just learned from Alister that we can't go to the good news of salvation without first confronting the bad news of our sinfulness.

If you still have questions and would like to know more about the gospel. We encourage you to take a few minutes to watch a couple of short videos on our website you'll find them a Truth for Life.org/learn more. There's a book we want to recommend to you today. We think of it as a must read.

If you are struggling to understand all that's taking place in the world around us. One of the most jarring realizations for Christians is our new lack of status we are increasingly in the minority, and our views about things like sexuality and gender often leave us being viewed as the bad guys and that's the title of the book were recommending being the bad guys. It explores the dramatic shift in lifestyle, norms, and the increasingly unpopular views of those who follow Jesus. So how do we remain faithful to him in a world that says we shouldn't request your copy of the book being the bad guys. It provides encouragement to not only persevere but to do so with peace and joy.

The book is yours.

When you give a donation to support the teaching you hear on Truth for Life. You can tap the image you see in the mobile app or visit Truth for Life.org/donate or you can give us a call. Her number is 888-588-7884 and if you'd rather mail your donation along with your request for the book right to Truth for Life at PO Box 39, 8000, Cleveland, OH 44139. Now, here is Alister close with prayer O God our father, we thank you that in the Lord Jesus Christ. All of your loving wisdom is been expressed that in the death of your son, all of your justice is exercised in all of your love displayed. It is an amazing thing when we think about it.

There were actually more sinful than we ever care to acknowledge and yet that we are more loved in the Lord Jesus Christ than we ever dared to imagine. So then help us Lord to move by your grace from an interest in religion to a relationship with your son the Lord Jesus Christ.

Help us to believe enable us to turn grant is the gift of faith. We pray may grace and mercy and peace from father-son Holy Spirit rest upon and remain with each one of us today and forevermore about looking thanks for listing. Why do bad things happen to good people often ask question and it's not unique to our current culture. Tomorrow will explore Ecclesiastes review Bible teaching of Alistair Begg is furnished by Truth for Life where the learning is prolific