Series: 3:16- Numbers That Bring Hope [#18]
THE HOPE THAT COMES FROM LIVING Ecclesiastes 3:16
Introduction:
This morning I want to continue in our series of “Numbers That Bring Hope”. Our text is perfect for this Mother’s Day.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.”
Each and every minute you are on this earth has been given to you by God and He wants you to use that time well. As we live out our life on this earth, we go through many different seasons of life and sometimes we don’t do so well. I’ve definitely made my share of bad decisions; but I don’t want you to focus on what was in the past. I want you to decide today that you are going to make the most of the rest of your life.
Ecclesiastes 3:2-8 (NIV)
“A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”
There is hope in…
1. God’s guidance during every season of life.
We are all born and we will all die; but there is a lot that happens in between. How do you know when to kill a situation or gather up your resources? How do you know when you should embrace the moment or walk away? During each moment of your life, you need wisdom that you don’t have on your own. So, if you want to make the most of the rest of your life you will have to rely on God for everything. You need to notice that some of the seasons you go through are difficult moments, like giving up or mourning; but others are times of joy and celebration. God is the same God through all of those seasons and He promises to be there for His children regardless of the season.
Ecclesiastes 3:9-10, 22 (NIV)
“What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 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?”
There is hope in…
2. Putting effort into what you can actually control or influence.
The job you have, God gave it to you. The abilities and talents that you have to perform that job are also given to you by God. You are to work as you are working for God Himself. You are to strive to do as good as you can. Doing a good job at whatever the task is will bring you joy. God has been giving man responsibility since the beginning of time. It wasn’t until after the fall of man that work became toilsome. This was part of man’s punishment. The great part of this is, when we work for the Lord, it won’t be toilsome; but enjoyable.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
There is hope in…
3. Enjoying the beautiful things that God has put in your life.
It is so easy to miss the beautiful things in life because we get focused on the circumstances and not the blessings. Stop for just a moment and think of the blessings God has given you.
Ecclesiastes 3:12 (NIV)
“I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live.”
There is hope in…
4. Applying yourself to do good.
God tells us that we are to be holy because He is holy. We have been set apart to be different. That means that we should be about doing good. It usually takes an effort to do the right thing and that’s what we should be about.
Ecclesiastes 3:13-14 (NIV)
“That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil--this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.”
There is hope in…
5. Appreciating your time as a gift from God.
Every moment that you are here is a gift from God. Only God knows how long you will be on this earth. Enjoy each moment and don’t forget that life is short.
Ecclesiastes 3:15-21 (NIV)
“Whatever is has already been, and what will be has been before; and God will call the past to account. And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment--wickedness was there, in the place of justice--wickedness was there. I thought in my heart, "God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed." I also thought, "As for men, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
There is hope in…
6. Being prepared to give an account of your life to God.
I almost left out verses 18-21 because it didn’t seem to fit; but then, I read it in the context of Solomon’s frustrations. If you live your life without the influence of God, you will begin to think that you’re no different than any other animal. There are many who believe that when they die, that’s it; but we know better.
Each and every person is going to have to give account for their life. When you stand before God, it will be you and you alone. For the believers here this morning, I have really good news for you. When you stand before Almighty God to give an account of your life, those areas of failings will be washed clean through the blood of Jesus. When God sees a Christian, He sees a person that is perfect.
Conclusion:
Most likely, the season that you are going through is different than the one I’m in; but the key is to make sure that God is at the center of it all.
