Aflame Com Church Inc Sunday Sermon – 08 August 2004
Theme : “R” U CHASING the WIND ?
Minister : Jimmy Goh
“R” U chasing the “Wind” in LIFE ?
Have you found any meaning in your LIFE ? any purpose in your LIFE ?
Ecclesiastes 1: 2 (NIV)
“Meaningless ! Meaningless !”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless !
Everything is meaningless.”
Ecclesiastes 1: 2 (NKJ)
“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher;
“Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”
READ
Ecclesiastes 1: 3 - 6
The whole earth continues its cycle throughout the ages,
NOTHING is new or which is DONE is EVER NEW –
Is there anything of which it may be said,
“SEE, this is NEW” ? - Ecclesiastes 1: 10a
King SOLOMON of Israel, with 40 years of REIGN with
GREATNESS, POWER, WEALTH, WISDOM and ACCOMPLISHMENT.
King SOLOMON did his research thesis :
Ecclesiastes 1: 13 - 14
-I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven.
-What a heavy burden God has laid on men! I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the WIND.
Ecclesiastes 1: 17
-Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the WIND.
Ecclesiastes 2: 3
-I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly – my mind still guiding me
in wisdom. I wanted to see what was worthwhile for men to do under heaven
during the few days of their lives.
While King SOLOMON accomplished great projects during his “few days” life-time,
his conclusion :
Ecclesiastes 2: 10 – 11
- I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure.
My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward of my labor.
-Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I toiled to achieve,
EVERYTHING was meaningless, a chasing after the WIND;
NOTHING was gained under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 2: 17
- So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me.
All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the WIND.
His dilemma was that after all his projects are accomplished, what will happen to
all being left behind – who will succeed to manage, wise man or foolish ? Safe ?
Grief ! Anxiety ! Restlessness ! Depression ! Pain ! Meaningless !
So what a man can accomplish in life, are we able to find satisfaction in work ?
READ
Ecclesiastes 2: 24 – 26
ANSWER – YES . GOD will give us the satisfaction to work, to eat and to drink with
Enjoyment, as we are pleasing to HIM in conduct and work.
HE gives us the WISDOM, the KNOWLEDGE, and the JOY,
and the POWER to acquire WEALTH and to ENJOY IT.
1 Timothy 6: 17
Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty,
nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living GOD,
who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
By our OWN WORKS and effort, we cannot change GOD’s TIME & SEASON .
Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 2, 4, 6.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven;
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to gain, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
~ Learn to wait upon GOD, for HIS TIME & HIS SEASON.
~ We cannot outdo GOD with our own thoughts, plans, skill, or effort.
Ecclesiastes 3: 11 (Amplified)
HE has made everything beautiful in its time;
HE also as planted eternity in men’s heart and mind.
[a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through
the ages which nothing under the sun, but only GOD, can satisfy],
yet so that man cannot find out what GOD has done
from the beginning to the end.
Ecclesiastes 3: 12 - 13
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice,
and to do good in their lives.
And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy
the good of all his labor – it is the gift of GOD.
~ We are not to get tired and weary in doing good for GOD’s purpose.
READ
Galatians 6: 9 - 10
John 10: 10
Ecclesiastes 3: 22
So, I saw that there is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work,
because that is his lot. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him ?
READ
Ecclesiastes 6: 2, 6, 9
Ecclesiastes 9: 7 - 9
~ GOD does want us to enjoy the simplicity of life , basic things of life
~ Enjoy your LIFE with your WIFE, if you are married.
~ Enjoy the very “few” meaningless days you have given by GOD.
1 Timothy 6: 6
Now godliness with contentment is great gain .
READ
Ecclesiastes 5: 10, 12, 13 – 15.
Ultimate Success in Life does not come by being the best performer.
READ
Ecclesiastes 9: 11
Ecclesiastes 10: 7
If we are dull in spirit and mind, we need more human strength.
Ecclesiastes 10: 10
If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge,
Then he must use more strength;
But wisdom brings success.
Wisdom from GOD brings us SUCCESS
~ “Wisdom is better than strength” - Ecclesiastes 9: 16a
~ “ Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of the city.” - Ecclesiastes 7: 19
~ “ Wisdom is better than weapons of war” - Ecclesiastes 9: 18a
~ “ Wisdom is good with an inheritance and profitable to those who see the sun.”
-Ecclesiastes 7: 11
Proverbs 9: 10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the HOLY ONE is understanding.
~ Without honor, respect and fear of the LORD, there will not be any wisdom from HIM.
DO START YOUNG to HONOR, RESPECT & FEAR the LORD ALMIGHTY
Ecclesiastes 12: 1, 6
Remember, now your CREATOR in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come, and the years draw near
when you say, “ I have no pleasure in them”.
Remember, your CREATOR before the silver cord is loosed,
Or the golden bowl is broken,
Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain,
Or the wheel broken at the well.
Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to GOD who gave it.
READ
Ecclesiastes 12: 10 – 12
Ecclesiastes 12: 13 – 14
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter :
Fear GOD and keep HIS commandments,
For this is man’s all.
For GOD will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
CLOSING PRAYER for SAINTS of the CHURCH :
Colossians 1: 9 – 13