Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
1 Remember now your Creator (bara) in the days of your youth,
1b Before the difficult (evil - sickness, sorrow or senility) days come, And the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them": 2 While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain; 3 In the day when the keepers of the house (arms/hands) tremble, And the strong men (legs) bow down; When the grinders (teeth) cease because they are few, And those that look through the windows (eyes) grow dim; 4 When the doors (ears) are shut in the streets, and the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound (insomnia) of a bird, And all the daughters of music (ears) are brought low; 5 Also they are afraid (acrophobia) of height, And of terrors (walking) in the way; When the almond tree hair blossoms, The grasshopper (stooped over) is a burden, And (sexual) desire fails. For man goes (dies) to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets. 6 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. (death & devastation) 7 Then the dust (body) will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 8 "Vanity of vanities," says the Preacher, "All is vanity." (Specifically, under the sun!)
9 And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. 10 The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright--words of truth. 11 The words of the wise are LIKE goads long pointed sticks, and the words of scholars are LIKE well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd.
a. They are like "goads", prodding our thinking, moving us along in the right direction
b. They are like "nails", that which can provide stability and steadfastness in our lives
Question: Who’s your shepherd? Education, humanism, materialism?
Books, I-pods, internet, FaceBook, etc…be selective in choosing your shepherd!
12 And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man's all. 14 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Solomon acquired it all! He had fame, fortune and females!
Solomon explored it all! He lived it all through education, sex, drugs and possessions!
Solomon built it all! He amassed great cities and a great kingdom!
Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
Growing Old isn’t for Wimps!
Introduction – Senior Special
We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the "Seniors' Special" was two eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast for $1.99.
"Sounds good," my wife said. "But I don't want the eggs."
"Then I'll have to charge you two dollars and forty-nine cents because you're ordering a la carte," the waitress warned her.
"You mean I'd have to pay for not taking the eggs?" my wife asked incredulously. "Then I'll take the Special."
"How do you want your eggs?"
"Raw and in the shell!" my wife replied.
She took the two eggs home.
Remember your Creator! 1a
Your Attitude in life - ownership
Your Fortitude through life - trials
Your Gratitude for life - thankfulness
Illustration – Seniors Ode to Medication
A row of bottles on my shelf
caused me to analyze myself.
One yellow pill I have to pop
Goes to my heart so it won't stop.
A little white one that I take
goes to my hands so they won't shake.
The purple ones that I use a lot
tell me I'm happy when I'm not.
The blue pill goes to my brain
and tells me that I have no pain.
The capsules tell me not to wheeze
or cough or choke or even sneeze.
The red ones, smallest of them all
Go to my blood so I won't fall.
The orange ones, very big and bright
prevent my leg cramps in the night.
Such an array of brilliant pills,
helping to cure all kinds of ills.
But what I'd really like to know...........
Is what tells each one where to go!
Redeem your Time! 1b-8
The Difficult day’s 1b-2
Vs. 2 Mental aging, dullness & depression
The Distressing day’s 3-5a
Vs. 3 trembling of voice & hands / Strong men – legs grinders – teeth / Windows dim – eyes
Vs. 4 doors shut – ears / Sound of bird – insomnia / music low – voice weak
The Deadly day’s 5b-8
Vs. 5 acrophobia / fear of unknown / white hair / grasshopper – much slower caper berry – sexual impotence / death / funeral procession
Illustration – If My Body Were a Car
By Anonymous
I see newer models rolling down the street,
But my own car is growing older and it’s not very neat.
I’ve got bumps, dents and scratches that have ruined my new coat.
Instead of zipping around, it drives like a boat.
My tires are balding and I have this little fear,
My radio and 8 track are getting harder and harder to hear.
My little MG fenders are sadly now a bummer.
Today they are wide enough to fit a brand new Hummer.
My leather seats are stained and wearing rather thin,
I gave up seat belts when the Krispy Kreme moved in.
I’m sorry to say I’ve got no air bags in this prize.
The only bags I have these days are circles under my eyes.
My headlights are out of focus, it’s especially hard to see,
My driving is unstable and at times a bit bumpy.
For a jump start in the morning, coffee meets the need,
But it takes a couple hours to reach my maximum speed.
But here’s the worst of it, my body loudly speaks,
Every time I sneeze or cough, my radiator leaks.
I guess a total overhaul would make me like brand new;
But looking at the coins in my tray, a car wash will have to do.
Transition:
Today’s lesson is not going to give you a face lift, but it will give you a faith lift.
Recognize your Purpose! 9-12
There are several philosophies in life. Here are four of them…
Materialism…Stuff rules-get all you can!
Epicureanism…Life is a party-enjoy it!!
Humanism…Humanity is glorious-exalt yourself!
Fatalism…Life is hopeless- just quit!
Why are you here? Allow me to list three reasons you are placed here on planet earth!
Sharing in God’s Love 9
Caring in God’s Truth 10-11
Daring in God’s Vision 12
Illustration – Live Fearlessly!
Speaking to the Knights of Columbus Council in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia said: "God assumed from the beginning that the wise of the world would view Christians as fools and he has not been disappointed. If I have brought any message today, it is this: Have the courage to have your wisdom regarded as stupidity. Be fools for Christ. And have the courage to suffer the contempt of the sophisticated world."
Revere your God! 13-14
Solomon’s Conclusion
Death comes to all!
Man’s Purpose – This man’s all
a. Stand in awe of God – Love Him!
b. Obey His Word – Enjoy Him!
Live for Him!
Illustration - Purpose of the church
Win Arn, a leading church consultant conducted a survey: He surveyed members of nearly a thousand churches asking the question, “Why does the church exist? The results? Of the church members surveyed, 89 percent said, “The church’s purpose is to take care of my family’s and my needs.
For many, the role of the pastor is simply to keep the sheep who are already in the pen?” Happy and not lose too many of them.
Only 11 percent said, “The purpose of the church is to win the world for Jesus Christ.”
Not only are we to win the lost but we are to disciple the saved. Teach them how to live and discover their purpose on earth!
No Legacy/no name – it is NOT about me! It’s about Him!
So,
What are you doing for God’s glory? What are you doing to affect God’s kingdom? What kind of life are you modeling before non-believers? What is your contribution in time, talent and treasures? How are you making a difference before you die?
