Ecclesiastes 4: Consider the Comforter

“So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter. “
Ecclesiastes 4:1

Sermon notes:

The negativity of this Sermon is to counter the positivity of Satan. The devil says, “Yea,” where the Preacher begins with a “Nay.”

The Preacher examines the man who suffers the hardships of life without comfort. He will also look at the man who seeks comfort apart from the Comforter.

Many seek for comfort in things.
Like the Sword of Damocles, what we want of life will not provide what we need in life.

“For the bed is shorter than that a man can stretch himself on it: and the covering narrower than that he can wrap himself in it. “
Isaiah 28:20

What will men do without a Comforter?

I. They will desire it more than life (vv. 1-6)

A. In Earnest “behold the tears” (v.1)

B. In Envy “for this a man is envied of his neighbour” (v. 4)

II. They will destitute themselves to obtain it (vv. 7-12)

A. From Fellowship (v. 8) “There is one alone, and there is not a second”

To Failure (v. 10) “Woe to him that is alone when he falleth”
To Feeling (v. 11) “How can one be warm alone?”
To Fighting (v. 12) “If one prevail against him, two shall withstand him”

B. From a Future (v. 9) “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. “

III. They discover eventually that comfort is not found in things

A. The Joy of a Child, a Person

Though Poor
Though Imprisoned
Though Replaceable
Though Just One of Many

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God”
Isaiah 40:1

B. The Joy of Christ, the Right Man

“If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.
John 14:15-18

Substantial comfort will not grow
In nature's barren soul;
All we can boast till Christ we know,
Is vanity and toil.

But where the Lord has planted grace,
And made his glories known;
There fruits of heav'nly joy and peace
Are found, and there alone.

A bleeding Saviour seen by faith,
A sense of pard'ning love;
a hope that triumphs over death,
Give joys like those above.

To take a glimpse within the vail,
To know that God is mine;
Are springs of joy that never fail,
Unspeakable! divine!

These are the joys which satisfy,
And sanctify the mind;
Which makes the spirit mount on high,
And leave the world behind.

No more, believers, mourn your lot,
But if you are the Lord's;
Resign to them that know him not,
Such joys as earth affords.

--John Newton

IV. True Comfort is found– not from without, from within

A. In the Scriptures

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. “
Romans 15:4

“I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.”
Psalm 119:52

B. In the Spirit

His Chastening “thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ” (Psalm 23:4)
His Fear “Then had the churches rest… and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.” (Acts 9:31)

C. In Salvation

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. ” (John 16:7)