Living Wisely: Embracing Purpose Beyond the Temporary

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, church family. Today, we explored the profound wisdom found in the book of Ecclesiastes, focusing on the importance of living wisely by understanding our "why." We began by reflecting on the common cultural phrases like "live your best life now" and how they often miss the deeper purpose God has for us. True wisdom, as we discussed, is deeply rooted in the things of God and is essential for navigating life's complexities.

We delved into the concept of "hevel," a Hebrew word often translated as "meaningless" or "vanity," but more accurately described as a mist or vapor—something fleeting and elusive. This metaphor sets the stage for understanding the transient nature of worldly pursuits and the importance of seeking lasting wisdom.

We examined three key areas where wisdom should be applied: work, play, and the inevitability of death. First, we discussed the importance of working hard but not placing our ultimate hope in our labor. Using the example of John D. Rockefeller, we saw how even immense success and wealth can leave one unfulfilled if not aligned with God's purposes.

Next, we explored the idea of playing harder, enjoying the simple pleasures of life as gifts from God, but again, not making them our ultimate pursuit. The cyclical nature of creation reminds us that while these experiences are beautiful, they are temporary and should not replace our devotion to God.

Finally, we addressed the sobering reality of death and the importance of dying well, both physically and spiritually. True wisdom involves dying to sin and living for Christ, allowing His life to be manifested in us. This spiritual death and rebirth are crucial for living a life that is truly wise and fulfilling.

In conclusion, we are called to live wisely by working hard, playing harder, and preparing to die well, all while keeping our hope firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. This is the essence of living a life that is both meaningful and aligned with God's eternal purposes.

### Key Takeaways

1. Understanding "Hevel" and the Transience of Life:
The Hebrew word "hevel" signifies the fleeting and elusive nature of worldly pursuits. It is like a mist or vapor, here one moment and gone the next. This metaphor teaches us that while earthly achievements and pleasures may seem substantial, they are ultimately temporary and cannot provide lasting fulfillment. True wisdom involves recognizing this and seeking what is eternal. [45:41]

2. The Importance of Hard Work and Proper Perspective:
While working hard is essential, it should not be our ultimate hope. The story of John D. Rockefeller illustrates that even immense success and wealth can leave one unfulfilled if not aligned with God's purposes. True satisfaction comes from using our work to serve God's kingdom and others, rather than merely accumulating wealth or status. [49:55]

3. Enjoying Life's Simple Pleasures:
God provides us with everything to enjoy, and it is good to appreciate the simple joys of life. However, these pleasures should not become our primary focus. The cyclical nature of creation reminds us that while these experiences are beautiful, they are temporary. Our ultimate joy and satisfaction should come from our relationship with God. [55:52]

4. Dying Well Spiritually and Physically:
To die well physically, we must first die well spiritually. This involves dying to sin and living for Christ, allowing His life to be manifested in us. This spiritual death and rebirth are crucial for living a life that is truly wise and fulfilling. It is only through Christ that we can find true life and purpose. [59:42]

5. Tracking Wisdom in Our Daily Lives:
Wisdom is supreme, and we should actively seek it in our daily lives. This involves practical steps like spending time with wise friends, listening to podcasts, seeking mentorship, and engaging in spiritual disciplines. By tracking our pursuit of wisdom, we can ensure that our lives reflect our commitment to living wisely and for God's glory. [01:05:23]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[36:33] - Introduction and Personal Story
[37:26] - The Concept of "Living Your Best Life"
[38:21] - The Importance of Wisdom
[38:54] - Rooted in Wisdom
[40:12] - The "Why" Behind Wisdom
[40:56] - Practical Application of Wisdom
[41:49] - The Book of Ecclesiastes
[42:49] - The Realism of Ecclesiastes
[43:50] - The Purpose of Ecclesiastes
[44:31] - Introduction to "Hevel"
[45:41] - Understanding "Hevel"
[46:24] - The Nuances of "Hevel"
[47:16] - Wisdom in Work
[48:13] - The Story of John D. Rockefeller
[49:55] - The Power of Gratitude and Philanthropy
[50:44] - Personal Reflection on Work and Play
[51:28] - The Beauty of Creation
[52:11] - Enjoying Life's Simple Pleasures
[53:12] - Common Sayings and Their Meanings
[53:57] - The Danger of Misplaced Priorities
[55:15] - The Cyclical Nature of Life
[55:52] - Enjoying Life While Keeping Perspective
[56:30] - The Importance of Family and Memories
[57:04] - Wisdom in Facing Death
[57:55] - The Day of the Dead and Spiritual Death
[58:45] - The Reality of Spiritual Death and Rebirth
[59:42] - Living as a New Creation in Christ
[01:00:25] - The Hope in Jesus Christ
[01:01:20] - The Call to Live Wisely
[01:02:08] - Invitation to Receive Christ
[01:03:35] - Prayer for Salvation
[01:04:23] - Challenge to Seek Wisdom
[01:05:23] - Practical Steps to Grow in Wisdom
[01:06:20] - Final Encouragement and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
2. Romans 6:11
3. 1 Timothy 6:17

#### Observation Questions
1. What does the Hebrew word "hevel" mean, and how is it used in the book of Ecclesiastes? ([45:41])
2. How did John D. Rockefeller's perspective on life and work change after his health scare? ([49:55])
3. According to Ecclesiastes 2:24, what is the relationship between work and enjoyment? ([51:28])
4. What does Romans 6:11 say about being "dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus"? ([57:04])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "hevel" challenge our understanding of worldly achievements and pleasures? ([45:41])
2. In what ways did John D. Rockefeller's shift in focus from accumulating wealth to philanthropy illustrate the sermon’s message about the proper perspective on work? ([49:55])
3. How can the cyclical nature of creation, as described in Ecclesiastes, help us keep our enjoyment of life's pleasures in proper perspective? ([55:52])
4. What does it mean to "die well" spiritually according to Romans 6:11 and Colossians 3:3, and how does this concept relate to living a wise and fulfilling life? ([57:04])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current pursuits and achievements. Are there any areas where you might be chasing "hevel" instead of seeking lasting wisdom? How can you shift your focus to what is eternal? ([45:41])
2. John D. Rockefeller found fulfillment in giving back and serving others. How can you incorporate acts of service and generosity into your daily life to align your work with God's purposes? ([49:55])
3. Think about the simple pleasures you enjoy. How can you appreciate these gifts from God without making them your ultimate pursuit? ([55:52])
4. Romans 6:11 talks about being "dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus." What steps can you take this week to die to a specific sin and live more fully for Christ? ([57:04])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of tracking wisdom in our daily lives. What practical steps can you take to seek wisdom this week, such as spending time with wise friends, listening to podcasts, or engaging in spiritual disciplines? ([01:05:23])
6. How can you ensure that your work and play are in proper perspective, serving God's kingdom rather than becoming ends in themselves? ([50:44])
7. Reflect on the concept of "dying well" both physically and spiritually. How can you prepare yourself to live a life that is truly wise and fulfilling, rooted in Christ? ([57:04])

Devotional

Day 1: The Fleeting Nature of Worldly Pursuits
Understanding "Hevel" and the Transience of Life

The Hebrew word "hevel" signifies the fleeting and elusive nature of worldly pursuits. It is like a mist or vapor, here one moment and gone the next. This metaphor teaches us that while earthly achievements and pleasures may seem substantial, they are ultimately temporary and cannot provide lasting fulfillment. True wisdom involves recognizing this and seeking what is eternal. [45:41]

Ecclesiastes 1:14 (ESV): "I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind."

Reflection: What are some pursuits or achievements in your life that you have placed too much importance on? How can you shift your focus to seek what is eternal?

Day 2: The Proper Perspective on Hard Work
The Importance of Hard Work and Proper Perspective

While working hard is essential, it should not be our ultimate hope. The story of John D. Rockefeller illustrates that even immense success and wealth can leave one unfulfilled if not aligned with God's purposes. True satisfaction comes from using our work to serve God's kingdom and others, rather than merely accumulating wealth or status. [49:55]

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ."

Reflection: In what ways can you align your work with God's purposes? How can you use your talents and efforts to serve His kingdom and others?

Day 3: Enjoying Life's Simple Pleasures
Enjoying Life's Simple Pleasures

God provides us with everything to enjoy, and it is good to appreciate the simple joys of life. However, these pleasures should not become our primary focus. The cyclical nature of creation reminds us that while these experiences are beautiful, they are temporary. Our ultimate joy and satisfaction should come from our relationship with God. [55:52]

1 Timothy 6:17 (ESV): "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy."

Reflection: What simple pleasures in your life do you enjoy? How can you ensure that these pleasures do not overshadow your relationship with God?

Day 4: Dying Well Spiritually and Physically
Dying Well Spiritually and Physically

To die well physically, we must first die well spiritually. This involves dying to sin and living for Christ, allowing His life to be manifested in us. This spiritual death and rebirth are crucial for living a life that is truly wise and fulfilling. It is only through Christ that we can find true life and purpose. [59:42]

Romans 6:6-7 (ESV): "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin."

Reflection: What areas of your life do you need to die to sin? How can you allow Christ's life to be more fully manifested in you?

Day 5: Actively Seeking Wisdom
Tracking Wisdom in Our Daily Lives

Wisdom is supreme, and we should actively seek it in our daily lives. This involves practical steps like spending time with wise friends, listening to podcasts, seeking mentorship, and engaging in spiritual disciplines. By tracking our pursuit of wisdom, we can ensure that our lives reflect our commitment to living wisely and for God's glory. [01:05:23]

Proverbs 4:7 (ESV): "The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight."

Reflection: What practical steps can you take today to seek wisdom? How can you incorporate these steps into your daily routine to ensure you are living wisely?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "God created you for so much more. He really cares how you live your life. The truth is, he wants you to live wise. But you'll never live wise. Hear me, if you don't hear anything else, hear this. You'll never live wise if you don't know your why. You'll never live wise if you don't know your why." [37:26] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Rooted in wisdom itself implies a deep groundedness in the things of God, which is wisdom. Again, rooted in wisdom is a deep groundedness in the things of God. I wanted to be said for the record that wisdom is very, very valuable. The Bible says, seek wisdom, obtain it, do whatever you can." [38:54] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you want to live wise, work hard. You may want to listen to this. I'm going to underline the word labor there. Author here in Ecclesiastics, he makes a salient point about work. You can work hard. You can toil your days. Then for what? What you worked hard for will no longer be yours. And your descendants may or may not appreciate it because they didn't have to work for it." [47:16] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "Don't mishear me. You should work hard. But don't put your hope in work alone. Keep it in proper perspective. Work is good and is of God. But you can't stake your life on it. It alone will not allow you to live wise and satisfy your why in life." [49:55] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "The only way to truly live wise is to truly live. For God. And so the question that I want to leave you with in a challenge, if I will, I want to give you this so you can put wise living into practice like this week, right? Not theoretically, but practically put it into being the question. First, I want to ask is, are you truly living for God?" [01:02:08] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "I wish there was a book that could help us avoid the pitfalls of life. To avoid the hardship and pain which comes from living in vain. Well, there is. And the wisdom in Ecclesiastes has pointed answers for all of life. And when I say pointed, oh boy, do I mean pointed. It's been said that, Ecclesiastes pricks our hearts to examine what really matters." [41:49] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "If you want to live wise, number two, if you want to live wise, play harder. This passage is chock full. Full of sayings. And again, it doesn't quite translate in the same way it would have to a Jewish audience. But there are, in and through this passage, riddled with sayings that you would instantly pick up in context." [52:11] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "If you want to be wise, if you want to live wise, die well. Number 3, if you want to live wise, die well. It seems odd, maybe even somber, but the writer of Ecclesiastes is pointing out the reality of the fact that one day you will die. Ultimately, though, to die well physically, you first have to die well spiritually." [57:04] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The pointy wisdom of Ecclesiastes is made to do nothing else than to cause you to realize that we need to not only be saved by his grace, but we need to be daily, daily molded by the gospel. We need to be living in pursuit of who God is and to not pursue these lesser things or even pretend that they're on the same plane. But let our hope be in Jesus." [01:00:25] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I want to issue the challenge. Make a commitment this week to seek wisdom for one hour. And see what happens. Journal a few mornings. Maybe memorize some scripture or just sit in silence. But when you do that, you will be amazed at how that has a cumulative effect on your life. And you just start with one. But before long, you know, you'll find yourself leaning into the presence of God and taking from his wisdom." [01:05:23] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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