Living Wisely: Embracing Purpose and Integrity in Christ

Summary

### Summary

Today, we gathered to celebrate our church's anniversary and to reflect on the wisdom found in Ecclesiastes 7:1-14. We began with a heartfelt prayer, asking God to bless our time together and to draw those who do not yet know Him into a personal relationship with Jesus. We also shared various announcements about upcoming events and activities, emphasizing the importance of community and fellowship.

Our main focus was on the wisdom that King Solomon imparts in Ecclesiastes. Solomon contrasts the fleeting nature of wealth and pleasure with the enduring value of wisdom. He emphasizes that a good name is more valuable than precious ointment, highlighting that while ointments can mask odors temporarily, a good name reflects one's inner character and integrity. For Christians, a good name is ultimately found in being written in the Lamb's Book of Life through Jesus Christ.

Solomon also speaks about the value of death, suggesting that it offers a unique perspective on the fragility and brevity of life. While the day of birth is filled with potential and dreams, the day of death brings a sobering reflection on how life was lived. This perspective encourages us to make the most of our days, living with purpose and urgency, especially in sharing the gospel and serving others.

We also took a moment to reflect on the gospel message, emphasizing that salvation is not about our deeds but about what Jesus has done for us. His death and resurrection offer us hope and victory over sin and death. This truth should compel us to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity to share the love and message of Christ.

### Key Takeaways

1. The Value of a Good Name: A good name is more valuable than precious ointment because it reflects one's inner character and integrity. For Christians, a good name is ultimately found in being written in the Lamb's Book of Life through Jesus Christ. This eternal perspective should guide our actions and decisions, ensuring that our lives reflect the character of Christ. [32:41]

2. The Perspective of Death: Solomon teaches that the day of death offers a unique perspective on the fragility and brevity of life. This sobering reflection encourages us to make the most of our days, living with purpose and urgency. For Christians, this means sharing the gospel and serving others, knowing that our time on earth is limited. [36:16]

3. The Gospel Message: Salvation is not about our deeds but about what Jesus has done for us. His death and resurrection offer us hope and victory over sin and death. This truth should compel us to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity to share the love and message of Christ. [42:15]

4. Living with Urgency: Understanding that we are not promised tomorrow should drive us to live each day with intentionality. This means loving our neighbors, sharing the gospel, and making the most of every opportunity to reflect Christ's love and truth. [45:23]

5. The Basis of Wisdom: True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. For Christians, this means placing our faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ. He is the foundation of our wisdom, guiding us to live lives that honor God and impact others for His kingdom. [50:53]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[05:24] - Children's Dismissal
[10:07] - Announcements
[11:43] - Golf Tournament and Spina Bifida Walk
[13:39] - Honoring Doug Buckley
[17:22] - Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 Reading
[27:30] - Introduction to Wisdom
[29:18] - The Value of a Good Name
[32:41] - Ointments vs. Good Name
[34:05] - Internal vs. External
[36:16] - The Value of Death
[38:26] - Numbering Our Days
[40:25] - The Gospel Message
[42:15] - Salvation Through Jesus
[45:23] - Living with Urgency
[47:16] - Hope in Christ
[50:53] - The Basis of Wisdom
[53:00] - Reflecting on Our Name
[54:55] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Reading
- Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

### Observation Questions
1. What does Solomon compare a good name to in Ecclesiastes 7:1, and why is it considered more valuable? [29:18]
2. According to Ecclesiastes 7:2, why is it better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting? [36:16]
3. How does Solomon describe the relationship between wisdom and wealth in Ecclesiastes 7:11-12? [27:30]
4. What does Solomon say about the day of prosperity and the day of adversity in Ecclesiastes 7:14? [30:56]

### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Solomon place such high value on a good name, and how does this reflect one's inner character and integrity? [29:18]
2. How does the perspective of death provide wisdom and urgency in living a purposeful life according to Solomon? [36:16]
3. In what ways does the gospel message, as presented in the sermon, offer hope and victory over sin and death? [42:15]
4. How does understanding that we are not promised tomorrow influence the way we live our daily lives, especially in terms of sharing the gospel and serving others? [45:23]

### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own name and reputation. How does it align with the character of Christ, and what steps can you take to ensure it reflects your faith more accurately? [29:18]
2. Think about a recent experience with loss or mourning. How did it change your perspective on life and your priorities? How can you use this perspective to live more intentionally? [36:16]
3. The sermon emphasized that salvation is not about our deeds but about what Jesus has done for us. How does this truth impact your daily actions and decisions? [42:15]
4. Considering that we are not promised tomorrow, what specific actions can you take this week to share the gospel with someone in your life? [45:23]
5. How can you cultivate a deeper fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom, in your daily walk with Christ? [50:53]
6. Identify one area in your life where you feel a sense of urgency to make a change. What practical steps can you take to address this urgency in a way that honors God? [45:23]
7. Reflect on the gospel message shared in the sermon. How can you better articulate this message to someone who may not know Christ? [42:15]

Devotional

Day 1: The Eternal Value of a Good Name
A good name is more valuable than precious ointment because it reflects one's inner character and integrity. For Christians, a good name is ultimately found in being written in the Lamb's Book of Life through Jesus Christ. This eternal perspective should guide our actions and decisions, ensuring that our lives reflect the character of Christ. Solomon contrasts the fleeting nature of wealth and pleasure with the enduring value of wisdom. He emphasizes that while ointments can mask odors temporarily, a good name reflects one's inner character and integrity. For Christians, a good name is ultimately found in being written in the Lamb's Book of Life through Jesus Christ. This eternal perspective should guide our actions and decisions, ensuring that our lives reflect the character of Christ. [32:41]

Proverbs 22:1 (ESV): "A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold."

Reflection: Think about your actions and decisions over the past week. Do they reflect the character of Christ? What steps can you take today to ensure that your name is associated with integrity and godliness?

Day 2: The Sobering Perspective of Death
Solomon teaches that the day of death offers a unique perspective on the fragility and brevity of life. This sobering reflection encourages us to make the most of our days, living with purpose and urgency. For Christians, this means sharing the gospel and serving others, knowing that our time on earth is limited. While the day of birth is filled with potential and dreams, the day of death brings a sobering reflection on how life was lived. This perspective encourages us to make the most of our days, living with purpose and urgency, especially in sharing the gospel and serving others. [36:16]

Psalm 90:12 (ESV): "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."

Reflection: Reflect on the brevity of life. How can you live with more purpose and urgency today? What specific actions can you take to share the gospel and serve others?

Day 3: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
Salvation is not about our deeds but about what Jesus has done for us. His death and resurrection offer us hope and victory over sin and death. This truth should compel us to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity to share the love and message of Christ. The gospel message emphasizes that salvation is not about our deeds but about what Jesus has done for us. His death and resurrection offer us hope and victory over sin and death. This truth should compel us to live wisely, making the most of every opportunity to share the love and message of Christ. [42:15]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: How does the truth of the gospel impact your daily life? What opportunities do you have today to share the love and message of Christ with someone?

Day 4: Living with Urgency and Intentionality
Understanding that we are not promised tomorrow should drive us to live each day with intentionality. This means loving our neighbors, sharing the gospel, and making the most of every opportunity to reflect Christ's love and truth. Knowing that our time on earth is limited, we should live each day with intentionality. This means loving our neighbors, sharing the gospel, and making the most of every opportunity to reflect Christ's love and truth. [45:23]

James 4:14 (ESV): "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can live with more intentionality today? How can you show love to your neighbors and share the gospel in your daily interactions?

Day 5: The Foundation of True Wisdom
True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. For Christians, this means placing our faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ. He is the foundation of our wisdom, guiding us to live lives that honor God and impact others for His kingdom. True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. For Christians, this means placing our faith, hope, and trust in Jesus Christ. He is the foundation of our wisdom, guiding us to live lives that honor God and impact others for His kingdom. [50:53]

Proverbs 9:10 (ESV): "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to seek God's wisdom? How can you place your faith, hope, and trust in Jesus more fully today?

Quotes

1. "In my time in ministry I've been in the ministry for a long time and I've never seen something as to what is happening at Shaw's Creek Baptist Church. Let me tell you we have so many individuals that are feeling this call to vocational ministry and they are saying yes and they're starting seminary and so all the proceeds will go to the seminary students." [11:43] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Wisdom sees the value of a good name. In verse 1, King Solomon opens up with placing value on a good name. He compares it to ointment. The western world of 2024 doesn't understand the importance and the reputation of good ointment. They used it for smelling good, for medicine, for embalming purposes. Oils and ointments were used for so much." [30:56] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Ointments can cover up nasty odors. It is good only for a while and then guess what? Smells go away. It gives a pleasant impression but quickly evaporates. Perfume and oil is only concerned with the external while a good name flows from within. Your conduct, your character. And for the Christian I'm going to leave Ecclesiastes for just a minute and For the Christian, a good name is the name that is written in the Lamb's book of life." [34:05] (93 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We can have a good name because of the even greater name. So my question to you this morning to your church. How is your name? How is your name? The second value that we see. Wisdom sees the value of death. Value is found sometimes in unlikely places. Look with me at what King Solomon says. Better to go to the house of mourning than the house of feasting. That the day of death is better than the day of birth." [36:16] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "For the Christian, we are given each day fueled by the spirit of God living and working in us. We are given God's holy, infallible word. We are saved and redeemed by the blood of the lamb, and we are not saved to sit. We are not saved to do this. I got my ticket. Just sit on my hands. We are saved to serve. We are saved to serve, and we are saved to share. We have this message that the world needs to hear, and it comes by the way of you and by me." [38:26] (51 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "You and I are train wrecks. We are. We have sin in our life. And yet God saw that, He knew that, and He still came to this world. He still lived a perfect, sinless life. He still healed. He still saved. He still called people to rise from the dead. He still made a way. And He was getting to the end of His life. And what happens? The cross. A crown of thorns is placed on His head. Spikes are driven into His hands. And feet." [43:12] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "On the day of the resurrection, death died. On the day of the resurrection, death was defeated. And so we can say, death, where is your sting? Grave, where is your victory? This is the gospel. And so in points one and two, where it says wisdom sees the value of a good name, we see a better name that gives us a good name, that is put in the Lamb's book of life." [44:07] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "If you knew that, if you truly lived in this truth of saying, I'm not promised tomorrow, I only have today. How much better would you love your neighbor? How many phone calls would you make to share the hard things that you're going to do with people around you? How many people would you look at in the circle of influence in your life and say, they do not know I'm a Christian. And they must know." [45:23] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "I have good news that there is hope for the hopeless there is help for the helpless Jesus Christ is Lord and we do not follow an elephant nor do we follow a donkey we follow the lamb that was slain for you and for me and that is the hope that we need here today." [47:16] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "If you want to be a wise person today it begins by placing your faith hope and trust in Jesus Christ because he is the basis of our wisdom he 100% is the basis of our wisdom and so I don't know where you have come from today and I don't know if anyone needs to hear the gospel in a salvation way but maybe you already have but I just believe that for us to have a good name it starts with us looking at the even greater even better name." [48:50] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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