Sermon Central
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Work: The Achievement Syndrome Series
Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Sep 17, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: Work is a necessity and can be a joy, but when our focus gets off kilter, we will not be satisfied! Solomon writes of his frustration with work and life. Let's see what we learn to avoid the frustration!
INTRODUCTION
• Video Clip from Family Man- WingClips
• SLIDE #1
• Today as we conclude our Rhythm of Life series, we will explore an area of life that can get out of rhythm with the rest of our life, when this area rages out of control it will have negative effects on our family, faith, and even the core of who we are.
• When the area of work gets out of control, it will knock our life out of rhythm with our families and God.
• A case concerning work and achievement will be built from the book of Ecclesiastes as we examine the thoughts of King Solomon.
• Solomon was one of the wealthiest people possibly to ever live. In the book of Ecclesiastes Solomon writes about the dilemma he was facing in life. He had EVERYTHING a person could want, he could do ANYTHING he desired because he was the King, and he could purchase ANYTHING he wanted because he was wealthy!
• In spite of having what most would die to have, he knew something in his life was amiss.
• So with his wisdom in hand, Solomon writes the book of Ecclesiastes. The theme of the book deals with the temporary nature of life.
• The transitory nature of life was a source of frustration for Solomon and the last part of verse 3 explains his objective.
• SLIDE #2
• Ecclesiastes 2:3 (HCSB) I explored with my mind how to let my body enjoy life with wine and how to grasp folly —my mind still guiding me with wisdom—until I could see what is good for people to do under heaven during the few days of their lives.
• In our time together I will equate work to achievement since that is the way many adults are able strive to achieve as we viewed in the opening video clip.
• Before we dig into Solomon’s writing, we need to begin with an opening thought concerning work.
• SLIDE #3
SERMON
I. The necessity of work.
• This is one of the difficulties with the concept of work and why it can be so easy to allow work to disrupt the rhythm of life, we are called to work!
• When God put Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, He told them they would be working.
• SLIDE #4
• Genesis 2:15 (HCSB) The LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to work it and watch over it.
• From the beginning mankind was designed to work, to have something to do. God did not design us to habitually sit around with nothing to do.
• When we work we are should work hard as if we are working for the Lord.
• SLIDE #5
• 2 Thessalonians 3:10 (HCSB) In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: “If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat.”
• I kind of like to eat, so I will continue to be willing to work!
• As with many things in life, work is not the issue, it is what we do with work that becomes the problem.
• There is nothing wrong with wants to reach levels of achievement, but the problem comes when we get our priorities mixed up.
• Let’s look at verses 4-6 to illustrate the next observation.
• SLIDE #6
• Ecclesiastes 2:4–6 (HCSB) 4 I increased my achievements. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 5 I made gardens and parks for myself and planted every kind of fruit tree in them. 6 I constructed reservoirs of water for myself from which to irrigate a grove of flourishing trees.
• SLIDE #7
II. The wrong perspective concerning work. (4-6)
• Solomon is a troubled man. He is frustrated and maybe a little confused. Here is a man with everything anyone could possibly want, but he knows something is missing from his life.
• In verses 1-3 he speaks about trying to fill the void in his life with pleasure, to no avail.
• Then in the verses we read he talks about turning his focus on achievements and work.
• Solomon you have to remember built the magnificent temple for God. It was a sight to behold; however, there was a problem, HIS FATHER DAVID DID ALL THE LEG WORK, MADE ALL THE PREPARATIONS SO EVEN THOUGH IT WAS CALLED BY MANY SOLOMON’S TEMPLE, the truth was, it really should have been called David’s Temple.
• Solomon lived in the shadow of his father, so Solomon wanted to achieve more than any other before him.
• SLIDE #8
• Ecclesiastes 2:9 (HCSB) So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem; my wisdom also remained with me.
