Ecclesiastes 6:1-12
What Really Makes You Happy?
1 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men:
2 A man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor, so that he lacks nothing for himself of all he desires; yet God does not give him power to eat of it, but a foreigner consumes it. This is vanity hebel, and it is an evil affliction. (It just ain’t right!)
3 If a man begets a hundred children and lives many years, so that the days of his years are many, but his soul is not satisfied with goodness, or indeed he has no burial, I say that a stillborn child is better than he-- 4 for it comes in vanity hebel and departs in darkness, and its name is covered with darkness. 5 Though it has not seen the sun or known anything, this has more rest than that man, 6 even if he lives a thousand years twice--but has not seen goodness. Do not all go to one place?
7 All the labor of man is for his mouth, and yet the soul nephesh is not satisfied. 8 For what more has the wise man than the fool? What does the poor man have, who knows how to walk before the living?
9 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of desire (nephesh). Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This also is vanity hebel and grasping for the wind. It never stops! So, good luck!
Introduction - Test for Dementia
Below are four (4) questions and a bonus question. You have to answer them instantly. You can't take your time, answer all of them immediately. OK?
First Question:
You are participating in a race. You overtake the second person. What position are you in? Answer: If you answered that you are first, then you are absolutely wrong! If you overtake the second person and you take his place, you are second!
Second Question:
If you overtake the last person, then you are...? Answer: If you answered that you are second to last, then you are wrong again. Tell me, how can you overtake the LAST Person?
Third Question:
Very tricky arithmetic! Note: This must be done in your head only. Do NOT use paper and pencil or a calculator. Try it.
Take 1000 and add 40 to it. Now add another 1000. Now add 30.
Add another 1000. Now add 20. Now add another 1000
Now add 10. What is the total?
Did you get 5000? The correct answer is actually 4100.
Fourth Question:
Mary's father has five daughters: 1. Nana, 2. Nene, 3. Nini, 4. Nono. What is the name of the fifth daughter? Did you Answer Nunu? Her name is Mary. Read the question again!
The bonus round:
A mute person goes into a shop and wants to buy a toothbrush. By imitating the action of brushing his teeth he successfully expresses himself to the shopkeeper and the purchase is done.
Next, a blind man comes into the shop who wants to buy a pair of sunglasses; how does HE indicate what he wants?
He just has to open his mouth and ask... It's really very simple.... Like you!
Life is very similar to tests. They are there all the time and sometimes we don’t get it!
Notice…
The Afflictions in Life 1-9
God is the source of all our blessings. If we do not or will not recognize Him as the source we shall not enjoy anything He has given to each of us.
We are Disappointed with success 2
Blessed by God in material blessings yet he can’t enjoy them!
Our ultimate source of joy & peace comes through the grace of Jesus Christ.
We are Disillusioned with life 3-6
*Blessed by God with 100 children
Unbelievable blessings in posterity!!!
*Blessed by God in longevity of life 2,000 years!!!
Unbelievable blessings in health!!!
We are Discontented with necessities 7-8
*Blessed by God in work
You will eat lunch today and you’ll eat again, & again & again….
Your Nephesh/Soul is never satisfied or content without God in control
*Blessed by God in what we have through Him!!!
We are Disconnected with passions 9
We are always wanting more, bigger and newer. Why? It is an innate need to fill a spiritual void or vacuum in our life. What we really need is God’s presence and pleasure!
10 Whatever one is, he has been named already, for it is known that he is man; and he cannot contend with Him who is mightier than he. 11 Since there are many things that increase vanity hebel, how is man the better? 12 For who knows what is good for man in life, all the days of his vain hebel life which he passes like a shadow? Who can tell a man what will happen after him under the sun? Answer: Only God!
The Questions of Life 10-12
God is sovereign. He is righteous and holy. Who are you oh, man, to question the Almighty?
4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Job 38:4 (NKJV)
There are some questions asked by everyone. Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? Have you seriously asked yourself these questions?
Who am I? Adam; man; temporal; created by God in His image; dependant
Why am I here? What is my purpose in life?
Where did I come from? From the primordial soup of evolution or by special creation of the Creator?
Where am I going? So, what does happen to me when I die? How can I know?
The answer is only found in the Person of Jesus Christ!
