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ECCLESIASTES 7:1-8 WHICH IS BETTER?
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. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. WHICH IS BETTER?
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. 7 Surely oppression destroys a wise man's reason, And a bribe debases the heart. 8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. WHICH IS BETTER?
A good name is better than precious ointment, Ecclesiastes 7:1a WHICH IS BETTER?
Good Perfume You don't choose a restaurant by the smell A perfumed pig - - - - is still a pig. WHICH IS BETTER? • Good Name • Reputation is earned • “Quality goes in – before the name goes on” – Zenith TV • We must build a reputation, character, and name that is honored
A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth; Ecclesiastes 7:1 WHICH IS BETTER?
Day of Birth When you are born, you are naked, hungry and in debt Few days and full of trouble - Job WHICH IS BETTER? • Day of Death • Death is when we get to be with Jesus • Death is far better
21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. 23 For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Philippians 1:21-23 WHICH IS BETTER?
4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. 6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:4-6 WHICH IS BETTER?
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. Ecclesiastes 7:2 WHICH IS BETTER?
Thanksgiving Dinner Stuffed, moan and groan Watch football game and sleep What did you gain – besides a few pounds? WHICH IS BETTER? • Funeral Home • Funeral homes are not “fun” places to be • Death makes us stop and think - • Soberly • See reality • About death • About eternity
3 Sorrow is better than laughter, For by a sad countenance the heart is made better. 4 The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, But the heart of fools is in the house of mirth. Ecclesiastes 7:3-4 WHICH IS BETTER?
Laughter Laughter – pretends the problems don't exist When the laughter stops – the problems remain WHICH IS BETTER? • Sorrow • Sorrow teaches us many important lessons • Real joy is not jokes, sit coms, movies • Sorrow teaches us to enjoy what we have
5 It is better to hear the rebuke of the wise Than for a man to hear the song of fools. 6 For like the crackling of thorns under a pot, So is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 7:5-6 WHICH IS BETTER?
Song of fools Song (praise) of fools only makes us think we are OK – as is When everyone praises you – watch out! WHICH IS BETTER? • Rebuke of wise • Wise men will rebuke because of their concern and love • Honest rebuke will make us better, stronger, more like what God wants us to be
8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8 WHICH IS BETTER?
Beginning High hopes, dreams, ideals, goals Over time – they dwindle Think – New Year's Resolutions WHICH IS BETTER? • End • We can have the pride of finishing • We learned a lot along the way • Do you want to go back and – live your life over again? • Been there, done that
8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7:8 WHICH IS BETTER?
Proud Pride just puffs us up For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16 WHICH IS BETTER? • Patient • Patience is a virtue • “Tribulation produces perseverance” Romans 5:3 • But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles Isaiah 40:31a
FINAL QUESTION: Are you better? Is your faith stronger? Is your attitude improved? Is your commitment greater? Is your hope more sure? WHICH IS BETTER?