Finding Hope Amidst Evil: God's Redemptive Plan
Summary
In today's exploration of Ecclesiastes chapter four, we delve into the profound question of why evil exists in a world created by a good God. This question is not new; it has been asked across generations and remains a significant point of contemplation for believers and non-believers alike. Solomon, the wisest man to have lived, sought meaning and purpose in life and found that apart from God, life is meaningless. He observed the brokenness, selfishness, loneliness, and wastefulness of the world, which are the four main themes of Ecclesiastes chapter four.
The chapter begins by highlighting the oppression and power dynamics that exist in the world, where both the oppressed and the oppressors find no comfort. Solomon's observations lead him to a somber conclusion that it might be better not to have been born than to witness such evil. He also notes the vanity of human endeavors driven by envy and competition, which ultimately lead to loneliness and dissatisfaction. The futility of striving for material gain without meaningful relationships is emphasized, as is the importance of community and mutual support.
The sermon transitions to a broader theological perspective, reminding us that God is inherently good, and humans are inherently sinful. Despite the pervasive evil, God has a redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, who offers comfort, rest, and companionship. Our purpose as believers is to be the light in this dark world, to live out the gospel, and to be the church wherever we are. This mission is rooted in the original command to Adam and Eve to fill the earth with God's image bearers and subdue it, which means to bring God's goodness into the world.
Key Takeaways:
- The Reality of Evil and Oppression: Ecclesiastes chapter four begins with a stark observation of the oppression and power imbalances in the world. Both the oppressed and the oppressors find no comfort, highlighting the absence of love and compassion. This reality challenges us to be agents of God's love and comfort in a broken world. [22:18]
- The Futility of Envy and Competition: Solomon observes that much of human toil is driven by envy and competition, leading to a life of vanity and dissatisfaction. True contentment is found not in striving for more but in finding peace and rest in God. [25:09]
- The Importance of Community: The passage emphasizes the value of relationships and community. Two are better than one because they provide mutual support, encouragement, and protection. As believers, we are called to live in community, supporting and uplifting one another. [30:27]
- God's Redemptive Plan: Despite the evil in the world, God has a redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. He offers us salvation, comfort, and rest. Our mission is to be the light in the darkness, proclaiming the gospel and living out God's love. [43:30]
- Our Purpose as Believers: We are called to be the church, to live out the gospel in our daily lives. This involves being fruitful, multiplying, and filling the earth with God's image bearers. Our mission is to bring God's goodness into the world, subduing the evil around us. [49:00]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[15:13] - Introduction and Context
[16:18] - The Question of Evil
[17:48] - God's Sovereignty and Human Seasons
[18:58] - Two Perspectives: Kingdom vs. Self
[19:39] - The Brokenness of Humanity
[20:49] - Evil Exists Because We Do
[22:18] - Oppression and Lack of Comfort
[23:11] - The Sadness of Oppression
[24:05] - Envy and Competition
[25:09] - The Vanity of Human Toil
[25:58] - Contentment vs. Striving
[27:15] - The Rat Race of Life
[28:05] - The Meaninglessness of Striving
[29:19] - Loneliness and Isolation
[30:27] - The Value of Community
[31:10] - The Trap of Work and Disconnection
[32:15] - The Importance of Community Groups
[33:21] - The Need for Face-to-Face Connection
[34:34] - The Story of the Wise Youth and Foolish King
[35:12] - The Vanity of Human Praise
[36:00] - Reflections on God's Sovereignty
[37:23] - Understanding Evil and God's Goodness
[38:18] - God is Good
[39:13] - Humanity's Sinfulness
[40:15] - The Origin of Sin
[41:12] - The Consequences of Sin
[42:31] - God's Redemptive Plan
[43:30] - The Promise of Jesus
[44:34] - Jesus as the Light in Darkness
[45:36] - Our Mission as Believers
[47:02] - The Spiritual Battle
[47:57] - The Church as the Body of Christ
[49:00] - Our Purpose in the World
[50:35] - The Call to Subdue Evil
[51:31] - Living Out God's Goodness
[52:50] - Being the Church to One Another
[53:57] - The Need for Prayer and Support
[55:10] - Bringing Our Burdens to Jesus
[01:06:09] - Affirmation of God's Goodness
[01:06:53] - Final Song and Call to Action
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ecclesiastes 4:1-16
- Matthew 6:33
- Ephesians 2:4-8
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the four main themes Solomon observes in Ecclesiastes chapter four, and how do they relate to the human condition? [19:39]
2. How does Solomon describe the relationship between oppression and comfort in Ecclesiastes 4:1-3? What does this reveal about the state of the world? [22:18]
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of community as described in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12? [30:27]
4. How does the preacher contrast the perspectives of a kingdom-focused life versus a self-focused life? [18:58]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the presence of evil in the world is connected to human existence? How does this perspective align with the biblical narrative of sin? [20:49]
2. How does the preacher explain the futility of envy and competition in Ecclesiastes 4:4-6, and what implications does this have for modern life? [25:09]
3. What does the sermon suggest about the role of Jesus in God's redemptive plan, and how does this offer hope in the face of evil? [43:30]
4. How does the concept of being "the light in the darkness" challenge believers to live out their faith in practical ways? [49:00]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt oppressed or witnessed oppression. How can you be an agent of God's love and comfort in similar situations today? [22:18]
2. Consider your own life: Are there areas where envy or competition drive your actions? How can you find contentment and rest in God instead? [25:09]
3. How can you actively participate in a community that provides mutual support and encouragement? What steps can you take to strengthen your relationships within your church or small group? [30:27]
4. In what ways can you embody the mission of being the church in your daily life? Identify one specific action you can take this week to bring God's goodness into your environment. [49:00]
5. How does understanding God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ change your perspective on the presence of evil in the world? How can this understanding influence your interactions with others? [43:30]
6. Think about a person in your life who is struggling with the question of why evil exists if God is good. How can you engage them in a meaningful conversation about faith and hope? [16:18]
7. Reflect on the sermon’s call to be fruitful and multiply as image bearers of God. What is one practical way you can live out this calling in your community or workplace? [50:35]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
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Day 1: The Challenge of Oppression and Power Imbalances
In a world where oppression and power imbalances are prevalent, both the oppressed and the oppressors often find themselves without comfort. This reality is a stark reminder of the absence of love and compassion in many areas of life. The call for believers is to become agents of God's love and comfort, actively working to bring healing and justice to a broken world. This involves recognizing the pain and suffering around us and responding with empathy and action. As we engage with the world, we are challenged to reflect God's heart for justice and mercy, offering hope and support to those in need. [22:18]
Ecclesiastes 4:1-2 (ESV): "Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive."
Reflection: Who in your community is experiencing oppression or injustice? How can you be a source of comfort and support to them today?
Day 2: The Vanity of Envy and Competition
Solomon's observations reveal that much of human effort is driven by envy and competition, leading to a life filled with vanity and dissatisfaction. This pursuit of more, often at the expense of others, results in a cycle of striving without true fulfillment. True contentment is found not in accumulating wealth or status but in finding peace and rest in God. As believers, we are called to examine our motivations and seek a life that is centered on God's purposes rather than worldly success. This involves cultivating a heart of gratitude and contentment, trusting that God provides all that we need. [25:09]
Ecclesiastes 4:4-6 (ESV): "Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself driven by envy or competition? How can you shift your focus to find contentment in God's provision?
Day 3: The Strength of Community
The passage emphasizes the importance of relationships and community, highlighting that two are better than one because they provide mutual support, encouragement, and protection. In a world that often values individualism, the call for believers is to live in community, supporting and uplifting one another. This involves being intentional about building relationships and creating spaces where people can connect and grow together. As we invest in community, we reflect God's design for humanity, experiencing the joy and strength that comes from being part of a supportive network. [30:27]
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV): "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!"
Reflection: Who in your life can you reach out to for support or offer support to today? How can you be more intentional about building community?
Day 4: Embracing God's Redemptive Plan
Despite the presence of evil in the world, God has a redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. He offers salvation, comfort, and rest to all who seek Him. As believers, our mission is to be the light in the darkness, proclaiming the gospel and living out God's love in tangible ways. This involves sharing the hope we have in Christ with others and being a source of encouragement and strength. By embracing God's redemptive plan, we participate in His work of restoration and healing, bringing His kingdom to earth. [43:30]
Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."
Reflection: How can you share the hope of God's redemptive plan with someone in your life today? What practical steps can you take to be a light in the darkness?
Day 5: Living Out Our Purpose as Believers
As believers, we are called to be the church, living out the gospel in our daily lives. This involves being fruitful, multiplying, and filling the earth with God's image bearers. Our mission is to bring God's goodness into the world, subduing the evil around us. This requires intentionality in how we live, making choices that reflect God's character and values. By living out our purpose, we become agents of change, transforming the world around us with God's love and truth. [49:00]
Genesis 1:28 (ESV): "And God blessed them. And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to live out your purpose as a believer? How can you bring God's goodness into your immediate environment?
Quotes
1) "In the book of ecclesiastes, there's this guy that's speaking. They call him the preacher. His name is Solomon, the king Solomon, who was the wisest guy to live here on earth. He lived and pursued everything in his life because he was trying to find meaning and purpose. And so he tried everything, and he came up empty. In fact, it was worse than empty. He concluded that this life apart from God is a waste. It's pointless. It's meaningless. Last week, he testified about the sovereignty of God, the all powerful, all knowing, with all authority. God who oversees and allows and orchestrates the seasons, the moments and the seconds of everyone's life, all for his glory. The season of sorrow that you're in, it's for his glory." [17:48] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2) "Whatever the season and time that you're in, God's purpose for you in that is to be with him, to live like him and do whatever he would do in that moment and bring him honor and glory. Remember, at the end of chapter three, he anticipated people asking questions. It was almost like he's talking about the bigness and the sovereignty of God. And then he is anticipating people raising their hands, saying, hey, you're talking about this big God. What about all the evilness that's happening? What about all the injustice that's happening in this world? Where is he at then? And so the preacher started to address the pushback there, pointing how everything's gonna end up at the, at the end. Everything's gonna balance out. People will be judged. It would happen in this time." [18:58] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3) "Evil in this world exists because we do. Because we exist. But even in that, God has a plan and a purpose that takes us out of this evilness and gives us a new life and him glory. And so for the rest of the game, I went on to give her this sermon that we're going to hear today. And so, joking. Here's what I hope for our time today, that we will understand the evilness in this world. And then at the end of the time, I'm going to try to kind of step back so we can see the big picture of things and make, connect some points for us so that we would have a better understanding of why there's evilness when there's a good God." [20:49] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4) "And so, sure, you may have gained materially, you may have gained financially. But what verse seven and eight says, but then you'll be all alone, no one to share life with, no one to celebrate your winnings, no one to walk alongside you in the hard times. And at the end of the day, your job is your spouse, your work is your family. And what he says here, it's all sad vanity and an unhappy business, not fun at all. Then he goes on in verse 910, eleven and twelve to kind of explain that further. And it gives us some illustrations. He says in verse nine, two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil." [29:19] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5) "Church. Just a reminder. We are created to be relationally with one another. We were created to be in community. And what happens when we listen to the lives of Satan and follow the desires of our heart, we will get sucked into the trap of work. We will get caught up in the rat race of life. And before you know it, you're disconnected from community. You're bitter because you're detached from people and you end up alone and discontent. Because this is why we make the push for people to be in some sort of community group. We have life groups, we have classes like foundation or region. All of these are designed for us to be in community with one another." [31:10] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6) "God is good. He alone is good. Point. That's point number one. Jesus says in Luke, chapter 18, verse 19, no one is good except God alone. First John, chapter one, verse five, says, God is light. In him there is no darkness at all. He is light, he is good. He always acts in accordance with his right, that with what is right, what is true and what is good. Holiness and righteousness are all part of God's nature. He cannot contradict his nature. He cannot do anything that's unholy or unrighteous. Point number one, God is good. Point number two, there is no human, absolutely no human that is good. We are all sinners." [38:18] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7) "But God. Ephesians, chapter two, verse four through eight. But God being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our sins, dead in our trespasses, he made us alive together with Christ. By grace, you have been saved. And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace, you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing. It is a gift of God. God showed us mercy, holding back what we deserve. God showed us grace, giving us what we don't deserve." [43:30] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8) "The very purpose Jesus Christ has us created and gathered here is to go be the church while we live, work and play in proclaiming the gospel. I think about that now. Let me step a little bit back. A little bit more. That trout, man. Sorry, there's so much here and I'm running out of time. If you go all the way back to right when Adam and Eve were created, God tells them this, be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth. And then he says this, subdue it. Subdue what? Be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. Okay. Fill the earth. Be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth. Okay. Fill the earth of image, bearers of God. But then he says, subdue it. Subdue means to keep in control, to restrict. Subdue who? Subdue what?" [49:48] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9) "So when people ask you, man, why is there so much evil in this world? You can say, oh, we're all sinners. Then they may ask, well, where's the goodness of God? I mean, right now it may be hard to be like, man. We, the church, are trying to be good because so many people have church hurt. There's so much drama happening with churches. They're not being christlike. And so it may be hard for us to be like, well, the goodness of the Lord comes through the church. But that's what we're trying to do here. That's what we're trying to live out here. We are called to live on mission, proclaiming the gospel by being fruitful, multiplying and filling the earth of image bearers because there's evilness happening. I hope this helps." [51:31] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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