“There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it:
Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet not man remembered that same poor man.
Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”
Ecclesiastes 9:14-16
Sermon notes:
God’s grand purpose for man is intended by God in eternity, initiated by God at each man’s birth, and must be enjoined by YOU sometime in this temporary life. This line in the Preacher’s sermon illustrates the point of acting on the unpopular wisdom of God NOW, rather than THEN. This chapter speaks typically, not theologically. Beware that you don’t make a doctrine out of a type, and visa versa, don’t proverbialize a prophecy:
“…The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments…”
Luke 16:22-23
- God has a sense of humor
- God employs similitudes in teaching
I. The Nature of The Heart (vv. 1-3)
A. The Seat of Affection
- Reservoir of Wisdom
- Revealed by God alone
B. The Seed of Sin
“For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:”
Matthew 15:19
- Realized in every man- sin comes from the heart
- Regardless of their state- atoned or unforgiven, sins are still committed
C. The Second Hand of Time – the heartbeat says “You don’t have forever!”
II. The Nature of Hope (vv. 4-10)
The ages-old controversy: dogs vs. cats. A dog displaced looks for a new pack leader. A cat displaced takes his pride with him.
A. The Living Dog Enjoys Life because of:
- His Connection “joined to the living”
- His Compensation “any more a reward”
- His Commendation “a portion for ever in any thing that is done”
- His Character “their love, and their hatred, and their envy”
B. The Dead Lion Exists Only In the Memory
III. The Nature of the Herd (vv.11-18)
A. Entrapped in a Contest – where the race’s prize, the battle’s peace, the bread’s satisfaction, the riches’ endurance, and favor’s smile DOES NOT LAST.
B. Entrapped in a Crowd – “schools” where the majority lose their independence and some lose their life
C. Entrapped in a Conundrum –
The final answer to your biggest problem, sin, comes from the only one meek Voice.
- Little City, Big Problem
- Many Loud Fools, One Poor Wise Man
- The Wise Man saved the Unthankful Fools
“For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.” (2 Corinthians 8:9)
“For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to them that believe.” (1 Corinthians 1:21)
“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)”
2 Corinthians 6:2
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