Nothing Better Than

INTRO.- John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

Regardless of where we are on the economical, social or spiritual scale of life God wants us to experience the better life, a full life. And some things are just better than others in this life.

ILL.- For example, I think that living in the Midwest is far better than living on either coast in the US. California is not for me, unless it would be northern CA. I’ve heard some good things about northern CA, but not much good about southern CA other than the good weather. And most of the eastern states and especially northeastern states are not for me. I visited Boston one time in 1989 and was not the least bit impressed.

As I was walking along the street some man was beating on a woman, whom I presumed to be his wife. They were cussing one another and carrying on. And some woman came to me, asking for money. She appeared to be drunk or drugged up. Both of these incidents happened in broad daylight. No telling what happens after dark in Boston.

I went to Boston to run the marathon and while there I went to church on Sunday morning. It was pouring rain that Sunday morning so I called a taxi to go to church. NEVER DID THAT BEFORE. I attended the 3rd Baptist Church of Boston because it was close by the hotel where I was staying. I quickly found out that it was not a Southern Baptist or a large church. It was an old church house in Boston, very large, ornate, but poorly attended. I doubt there were over 80 people that Sunday morning and the service seemed dead. The people were not friendly at all. And they were not impressed that a stranger (marathon runner, no less) from the Midwest would show up and worship with them.

Ah, there’s nothing like the Midwest for me. Born and raised here and I think I’ll stay. Some places and things are just better than others. We all probably have it better than we realize.

Phil. 4:11-13 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

V. 11 KVJ “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

IN WHATEVER STATE I AM, I AM CONTENT. Do you know what state that is? Some say Arkansas. Some say….

No matter what state in America we live, we can find a certain amount of physical or material contentment. It all depends on our focus. If we have the right focus we can make it, endure, and even be at peace.

Heb. 13:5 MSG “Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you." True contentment can only be found in the Lord. He is our security blanket in life and eternity. He is our only hope for a better life, here and now, there and then.

Eccl. 2:24 “A man can do nothing better than…. A person can do nothing better than what?

PROP.- Let’s consider three thoughts in this text. A person can do nothing better than:

1- Find satisfaction in life

2- Recognize good

3- Seek to please God

I. WE CAN DO NOTHING BETTER THAN FIND SATISFACTION IN LIFE

V. 24 “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.”

We can do nothing better than to eat and drink. Wow! This sounds good and somewhat contrary to what we’ve always heard. It is good and it is scriptural to enjoy what God has given us for food and drink.

ILL.- There was an old man whose family could no longer afford to take care of him. So the family decided that a nursing home for the aged would be appropriate.

Of course the old man rejected the idea at first, but soon he was convinced that it was the right thing to do. On his first day at the home, he spent most of his time lying in bed reflecting on life, feeling lonely. A while later, an orderly stopped by to see how the old man’s first day was going.