If I were to give you the choice, would you rather be present at someone’s death, or someone’s birth? Would you rather be at a party or a funeral? Would you rather laugh or cry, do you prefer comedies or tragedies? If we answer honestly, I’m sure I can guess your answers. It seems almost ludicrous to ask the questions in the first place. Yet once again, what we see as right isn’t, the world isn’t as we think it is. And the world’s wisest man explains to us why.
Today we’ll be sharing a passage from our continued study in Ecclesiastes, chapter 7 verses 1-4. Although we took a look at the first half of verse 1 a couple days back, I will include that as well, as it offer’s a strong truth worth repeating, and allows the second part of the verse to make sense.
Ecclesiastes 7:1-4
1 A good name is better than precious ointment,
And the day of death than the day of one’s birth;
2 Better to go to the house of mourning
Than to go to the house of feasting,
For that is the end of all men;
And the living will take it to heart.
3 Sorrow is better than laughter,
For by a sad countenance the heart is made better.
Well once again, our world has been turned upside down with the teachings of Solomon. It’s better to die then to be born. It’s better to go to a funeral then to a party. And sadness does more for the heart then laughter does. These teachings could probably all be spoken about separately, and in much greater depth then were going to look at this morning. But they do all go together in some ways.
So why do death and sorrows find their way ahead of happiness and party’s, truth. That’s right our favorite word here at Ambrose Brothers Ministries truth. Death and sorrow offer a truth, where as partying and laughter is often an escape from such truth. We can not avoid the question of eternity at a funeral. When someone dies, when tragedy strikes, it’s at those times that we realize our own mortality. Let me offer that truth now the death rate here in America and around the world has held steady, since the dawn of time it stands pat at 1 to 1. That’s right, if you’re born, you will die. And in thinking about that question, we have to ask the question what comes next.
In America we hate the topic of death, its almost taboo to speak of our own death or the death of others, we act as if not speaking about it we can somehow mineralize its effects. Instead we promote a culture of worldly things. Of extravagance, we say there is nothing more then the next electronic device, or better food. Our society is built around making money, and using that money to enjoy yourself. Even those in the church often get caught up in the same things, as they place their priorities on things like sports, vacations, and a solid work schedule rather then finding themselves in the house of the Lord.
Out time here on earth is fleeting.
Before we close today and look at an action point, I’d like to take a moment to clarify that Solomon is not telling us it’s wrong to be happy, or to feast, or to laugh. Instead he’s telling us that it’s important to look at things with an eternal perspective.
For our action point today let’s take a moment to look at things with an eternal perspective. Is there that person in your life who you have never shared your faith with because you were afraid of how they would react? Stop and remember if they die without Christ they will spend eternity in hell. How much worse is that then the little bit of uncomfort you will feel in speaking with them. Or perhaps you yourself have been holding off committing your life to Christ, because you just want to experience what the world has to offer. Let me encourage to look at things with an eternal perspective and commit your life to Christ today.
"Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved."
