Sermon Central
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Spiritually Bankrupt
Contributed by Gregory Thomas on Jan 7, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Shows how the abundance of pleasure can bankrupt the Spirit.
Spiritually Bankrupt
Ecclesiastes 2: 1-3
1) I said in mine heart, go to now, I will prove thee with mirth , therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
2) I said of laughter, it is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
3) I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet aquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sun of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
Introduction
Ecclesiastes Is a deep and Problematic book where we will see Solomon making an intense search for the meaning and satisfaction in life on earth.
Solomon the son of David and hailed as the second king in Jerusalem.
He was the wisest, Richest and had made the most impressive accomplisments of all Kings.
Solomon (The Preacher) moves from wisdom to laughter, and wine and then to works, women and wealth but he says all is vanity.
Solomon was trying to be happy apart from God and he recognizedd this state of emptiness and in little or no words says; "Power, Popularity, Prestige or Pleasure
can fill the God shaped void in mans life but God himself. Solomon the richest, wisest, most influential King in Israel’s history was "Spiritually Bankrupt".
Three words that bare importance:
1) Vanity = Emptiness-Wortless-Ruin-Waste
2)Bankrupt = Failed-Out of Business-Broke
3)Folly = (Hebrew-Ivveleth)-Silliness-Foolishness-Morol wickedness.
These formentioned scripture shows a lack of balance. Where there is a large content of pleasure but a small content of spirit.
Fortunately I believe Bible
Proverbs 11:1 says:
A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.
There has to be a balance in everything we do because too much of anything will kill you.
Who shall separate us from the love of God? Shall Tribulation, or Distress, or Persecution, or Famine, or Nakedness, or Peril, or sword.
Conclusion
The conclusion of the whole matter Is: Fear God and keep his commandments, this is the whole duty of man.
Closing
Ecclesiastes convincingly portrays the emptiness and confusion of life without a relationship with the Lord. Each person has eternity in his heart and only Christ can provide ultimate satisfaction, Joy, and Wisdom.
