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The Shadow of Death and the Lord of Life
The Son of God is our joy and our life, the One who comes to us from beyond death.
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:12-17
Sermon Notes:
- In Ecclesiastes Solomon is showing us how to view life under the sun.
- Apart from God in Christ, life in a world that is fallen and infected with sin is without lasting meaning.
- The reason for vanity and vexation under the sun is that whether we are wise or foolish, good or bad, we all die.
- Solomon says he hated life, for all in life is vanity.
- Biblically there is a time to hate; there is a wise and righteousness kind of hatred of sin and its effects.
- Solomon knew he was gifted with wisdom from God, and he feels called to think deeply on these questions of life and death.
- Wisdom is knowing God’s Word and knowing how to rightly apply God’s Word to life.
- The wise man has eyes in his head to see wisdom and folly in the world around him.
- Hatred is often a decision of the will to reject something that is wrong or evil.
- Solomon’s hatred for life is wise, holy and God-given. He rejects the sin-filled condition of the world.
- Our present sufferings pale in comparison to the glory of God’s promised redemption (Romans 8:18-22).
- Jesus is the source of resurrection and eternal life for those who believe in him (John 11:25, 1-6, 17-27).
- Jesus was deeply troubled by the fact of sin and death as evidenced in Lazarus’s case (John 11:35).
- Jesus calls out to release Lazarus from the hold of death.
- Likewise Jesus releases all those who believe on Him from the power of sin and death.
- There is a wiser man who comes after Solomon, the Lord Jesus (cf. Ecclesiastes 2:12).
- The Son of God is our joy and our life, the One who comes to us from beyond death.
- The wisdom of faith believes what we do not yet see, that we will be resurrected in life (1 Thessalonians 4:13-14).
- God has spoken and He will wipe every tear from our eyes (Isaiah 25:6-8).
Application Questions:
- What is biblical wisdom?
- Why is the fear of the Lord the starting point of wisdom?
- Give examples of wisdom and folly in our culture?
- As Solomon reflects on the reality of death, why does it lead to hating life? What does it mean to hate life?
- When is hatred holy and appropriate?
- Do we believe that Jesus is the resurrection (John 11:25)? How does this promise affect our attitude toward life?