Embracing God’s Gifts: The Joy of Life
Summary
In our journey through Ecclesiastes, we are confronted with the question of what place pleasure holds in the Christian life. Historically, the church has swung between extremes—asceticism, where all worldly pleasures are shunned, and a more liberal approach that embraces pleasure as a gift from God. The world often views Christianity as incompatible with pleasure, suggesting that true enjoyment is only found in sin. However, Solomon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, invites us to pursue pleasure as a gift from God, cautioning us to prioritize the Giver over the gift itself.
Solomon's counsel in Ecclesiastes 9 encourages us to enjoy life despite its inherent frustrations and the inevitability of death. He acknowledges the vanity and injustice of life but urges us to find joy in the simple pleasures God provides. This includes enjoying food and drink, dressing well, cherishing our spouses, and finding satisfaction in our work. These pleasures are not ends in themselves but are meant to draw us closer to God, the ultimate source of joy.
The danger lies in pursuing pleasure for its own sake, which can lead us away from God. Instead, we are called to enjoy life under the umbrella of God's grace, recognizing that these pleasures are gifts meant to sustain us in a broken world. Solomon's message is clear: life is fleeting, and we should not delay in living it well. We are to embrace the joy found in everyday moments, understanding that they are a foretaste of the eternal joy promised to us in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- Pleasure as a Gift from God: Pleasure is a divine gift, but the danger lies in valuing the gift over the Giver. Our highest joy should be found in God, who provides ways for us to experience pleasure in this world. This balance helps us navigate the spectrum of pleasure in our lives. [34:16]
- Enjoy Life Despite Its Frustrations: Solomon encourages us to enjoy life even amidst its frustrations and the certainty of death. Life is short, and we should make the most of it by finding joy in the simple pleasures God provides, which help balance the despair of living in a sinful world. [37:08]
- The Role of Relationships: Enjoying life with our loved ones, especially our spouses, is a significant aspect of finding pleasure. Christian marriages should be characterized by joy and sacrificial love, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the church. [58:57]
- Work as a Source of Joy: Whatever work we do, we should do it with all our might, finding satisfaction in the tasks God has given us. Our work is not just a means to an end but a way to glorify God and find pleasure in His provision. [01:05:20]
- Eternal Perspective on Pleasure: The pleasures we experience in this life are a foretaste of the eternal joy we will have with God. We should enjoy life as a gift from God, knowing that our ultimate joy is secured in eternity with Him. [01:11:15]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Sanctuary Refresh Update
- [03:00] - Introduction to Ecclesiastes 9
- [05:45] - The Place of Pleasure in Christian Life
- [10:20] - Historical Perspectives on Pleasure
- [15:00] - The Dichotomy of Pleasure and Christianity
- [20:30] - Solomon's Invitation to Pursue Pleasure
- [25:00] - The Gift of Pleasure from God
- [30:45] - Enjoying Life Amidst Frustration
- [35:30] - The Balance of Life's Pleasures
- [40:00] - The Role of Relationships in Pleasure
- [45:00] - Finding Joy in Work
- [50:00] - Eternal Perspective on Pleasure
- [55:00] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ecclesiastes 9:7-10
Observation Questions:
1. What does Solomon encourage us to do in Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, and how does this relate to the concept of pleasure in the Christian life? [37:08]
2. How does the sermon describe the balance between enjoying life's pleasures and maintaining a focus on God? [34:16]
3. What examples of simple pleasures does Solomon mention in Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, and how are they meant to draw us closer to God? [40:47]
4. According to the sermon, what is the danger of pursuing pleasure for its own sake? [46:13]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Solomon's view of pleasure challenge the common perception that Christianity and enjoyment are incompatible? [34:16]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that relationships, particularly marriage, play a role in experiencing pleasure as a gift from God? [58:57]
3. How does the sermon interpret the idea of work as a source of joy and satisfaction in the context of Ecclesiastes 9:10? [01:05:20]
4. What does the sermon imply about the importance of having an eternal perspective on the pleasures we experience in this life? [01:11:15]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current approach to pleasure. Are there areas where you might be valuing the gift over the Giver? How can you shift your focus to find your highest joy in God? [34:16]
2. Solomon encourages us to enjoy life despite its frustrations. What simple pleasures can you intentionally embrace this week to help balance life's challenges? [37:08]
3. Consider your relationships, especially if you are married. How can you cultivate joy and sacrificial love in your marriage or close relationships this week? [58:57]
4. Think about your work or daily tasks. How can you find satisfaction and joy in them, viewing them as opportunities to glorify God? [01:05:20]
5. The sermon emphasizes the fleeting nature of life. What steps can you take to live life well and not delay in embracing the joy found in everyday moments? [46:13]
6. How can you maintain an eternal perspective on the pleasures you experience, recognizing them as a foretaste of the eternal joy promised in Christ? [01:11:15]
7. Identify one area of your life where you might be pursuing pleasure in a way that doesn't honor God. What changes can you make to align this pursuit with God's grace and kindness? [46:13]
Devotional
Day 1: Pleasure as a Divine Gift
Pleasure is a divine gift, but the danger lies in valuing the gift over the Giver. Our highest joy should be found in God, who provides ways for us to experience pleasure in this world. This balance helps us navigate the spectrum of pleasure in our lives. [34:16]
"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." (James 1:17, ESV)
Reflection: What is one pleasure in your life that you might be valuing more than your relationship with God? How can you begin to shift your focus back to the Giver today?
Day 2: Embracing Life Amidst Frustration
Solomon encourages us to enjoy life even amidst its frustrations and the certainty of death. Life is short, and we should make the most of it by finding joy in the simple pleasures God provides, which help balance the despair of living in a sinful world. [37:08]
"So I commend the enjoyment of life, because there is nothing better for a person under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany them in their toil all the days of the life God has given them under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 8:15, ESV)
Reflection: What simple pleasure can you intentionally enjoy today, despite any frustrations you are facing? How can this act of enjoyment draw you closer to God?
Day 3: The Joy of Relationships
Enjoying life with our loved ones, especially our spouses, is a significant aspect of finding pleasure. Christian marriages should be characterized by joy and sacrificial love, reflecting the relationship between Christ and the church. [58:57]
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you intentionally bring joy and sacrificial love into your closest relationship today? What specific action can you take to reflect Christ's love in this relationship?
Day 4: Finding Joy in Work
Whatever work we do, we should do it with all our might, finding satisfaction in the tasks God has given us. Our work is not just a means to an end but a way to glorify God and find pleasure in His provision. [01:05:20]
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going." (Ecclesiastes 9:10, ESV)
Reflection: What task or responsibility can you approach with renewed vigor and purpose today? How can you see this work as an opportunity to glorify God?
Day 5: Eternal Perspective on Pleasure
The pleasures we experience in this life are a foretaste of the eternal joy we will have with God. We should enjoy life as a gift from God, knowing that our ultimate joy is secured in eternity with Him. [01:11:15]
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: How can you remind yourself today that the pleasures you experience are just a glimpse of the eternal joy to come? What can you do to keep an eternal perspective in your daily life?
Quotes
"Now, the danger exists when we pursue the gift of pleasure more than we pursue the gift giver of it. Do you notice that subtle distinction? The danger exists when you are pursuing the gift of pleasure more than you are pursuing the giver of the gift of pleasure." [00:34:51] (23 seconds)
"Solomon declares to us that life is short. It's full of injustice, it's full of injustice, but God's will is that we should enjoy the pleasures of life, the pleasures that he gives. Notice that I said capital H in that sentence. The pleasures he gives." [00:41:14] (21 seconds)
"The very fact that God gives us the opportunity to find joy in brokenness is a gift to us so that we don't just really walk through this world in utter despair, thinking, what is the point anyways? Everything is broken. Everyone is sinning against everyone." [00:42:18] (18 seconds)
"Solomon says, listen, pleasure is a gift to help keep us grounded in the goodness of God. Because without finding joy in this world, why would we live here anyways? Why doesn't God just take us home to heaven? Why would he cause us to suffer so much if we can't find joy in this world?" [00:42:50] (31 seconds)
"Solomon isn't saying wear your white robes for other people to applaud you for how white robes, you know, how clean and how perfect everything is. No, he's saying, listen, don't worry about what you wear, like dress to the nines for yourself, not for other people." [00:55:05] (20 seconds)
"Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life. Solomon is commending to us the enjoyment that comes from the pleasures of marriage and family life. This isn't, I want to be sensitive to the room. This isn't just talking about one part of our married life, guys." [00:57:18] (25 seconds)
"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might. For there is no activity, or planning, or knowledge, or wisdom in Sheol where you are going. So there's like, there's this very careful balance that Solomon is painting in our minds of what's happening in our world." [00:38:03] (25 seconds)
"Solomon invites us to give God 100 % of our might in the work that we do. And can I just say, the work that we do isn't just the things that we do. We get a paycheck for it's whatever work we find ourselves doing." [01:06:43] (16 seconds)
"Thank you for the opportunity to worship you in these ways, to give you praise, that you give us these delights along the way to balance the frustration and the bitterness that we can find great pleasure in this world as we walk with you. God, we love you." [01:13:14] (27 seconds)
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