Introduction

Welcome, beloved friends, to this sacred space where we gather in unity, bound by our shared love for our Savior, Jesus Christ. The world outside may be chaotic, but here, in the presence of our Lord, we find solace, strength, and wisdom. Today, we will be turning our hearts and minds towards the profound wisdom found in the books of Ecclesiastes, Matthew, and Galatians.

Let's read together:

"Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor." (Ecclesiastes 10:1)

"You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)

"For before certain men came from James, he was eating with the Gentiles; but when they came he drew back and separated himself, fearing the circumcision party. And the rest of the Jews acted hypocritically along with him, so that even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy. But when I saw that their conduct was not in step with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all, 'If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?'" (Galatians 2:12-14)

In these passages, we encounter the theme of wisdom and folly, honor and righteousness, and the impact of our decisions. How does folly affect us? What is the fragility of honor and righteousness? How do our wise decisions bear fruit?

The esteemed Christian author, J.I. Packer, once said, "Wisdom is the power to see and the inclination to choose the best and highest goal, together with the surest means of attaining it." This, dear friends, is the wisdom we seek and the wisdom we will discuss today.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we come before You today, eager to receive Your word. Open our hearts and minds to the wisdom You impart through these passages. May we not only hear Your word but also apply it in our daily lives. We pray that our time together will bear much fruit, and that our lives will be a testament to Your wisdom, honor, and righteousness. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

So, let us begin.

Folly's Far-reaching Effects

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we find a striking image. The perfumer's ointment, a substance of great value and importance, is ruined by the presence of dead flies. This image serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive and destructive nature of folly. Just as a few dead flies can ruin a whole jar of precious ointment, a little folly can have far-reaching effects, outweighing wisdom and honor.

It tarnishes: A moment of folly, a single poor decision, can have lasting consequences. It can tarnish a reputation built over a lifetime, destroy relationships, and lead to a path of destruction. It's like a small leak in a dam. If left unchecked, it can eventually cause the dam to break, leading to a flood of destruction.

The impact of folly on our personal lives: We all have moments of folly, times when we make poor decisions or act without thinking. These moments can lead to regret, guilt, and a sense of failure. They can affect our relationships, our work, and our spiritual growth. But the good news is that we can learn from our folly. We can use these moments as opportunities for growth and change.

Our community: Here the effects of folly can be even more significant. A single act of folly can cause division, conflict, and harm. It can undermine trust and unity, and it can lead to a breakdown of community. But again, there is hope. By acknowledging our folly and seeking forgiveness, we can work towards restoration and reconciliation.

The impact of folly on our relationship with God: Folly can lead us away from God, causing us to stray from His path and His will. It can hinder our spiritual growth and our relationship with Him. But God, in His infinite mercy and love, is always ready to forgive us and welcome us back into His presence.

Fragility of Honor and Righteousness

In the book of Ecclesiastes, we find a profound truth about the fragility of honor and righteousness ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO