Living with Purpose: Embracing Mortality's Lessons

 

Summary

In reflecting on the recent events in my life, I've been reminded of the profound truths found in the book of Ecclesiastes. The death of my uncle, who did not know the Lord, has been a heavy burden on my heart. It has forced me to confront the finality of life and the reality of death, which is a destiny we all share. This experience has brought into sharp focus the teachings of Solomon, who, despite his wisdom, wealth, and power, concluded that life is ultimately meaningless without a deeper understanding of what truly matters.

Solomon's reflections in Ecclesiastes challenge us to consider the futility of our pursuits when viewed through the lens of mortality. He reminds us that wisdom, wealth, and pleasure are all fleeting. The day of death, he argues, is better than the day of birth because it brings clarity to what is truly important. It is in the house of mourning, not feasting, that we gain wisdom, as it forces us to confront our own mortality and the legacy we leave behind.

This week, I've been grappling with the realization that many of the things we chase after in life are ultimately meaningless. The relationships we neglect, the pride we hold onto, and the material possessions we accumulate will all fade away. What remains is our character, our "good name," and the impact we have on others. Solomon's words urge us to live with the end in mind, to make decisions that will matter when we face our own mortality.

In light of this, I encourage you to reflect on your own life. Are you living for things that truly matter? Are you ready to face death with a good name, or are you caught up in the meaningless pursuits of this world? Let us strive to live with purpose, focusing on what is eternal and significant, rather than the temporary pleasures that distract us from our true calling.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Finality of Life: The death of a loved one who did not know the Lord is a stark reminder of life's finality. It challenges us to consider the eternal implications of our lives and the urgency of sharing the gospel with those who are lost. [03:33]

2. The Wisdom of Ecclesiastes: Solomon's reflections in Ecclesiastes teach us that life is ultimately meaningless without a focus on what truly matters. Wisdom, wealth, and pleasure are fleeting, and only a life lived with eternal purpose holds true value. [08:54]

3. The Importance of a Good Name: Our character and the legacy we leave behind are more important than the material possessions we accumulate. Solomon reminds us that a good name is better than fine perfume, urging us to prioritize integrity and impact over wealth. [13:03]

4. The Value of Mourning: Visiting the house of mourning provides wisdom and perspective, as it forces us to confront our own mortality. Solomon teaches that sorrow is better than laughter because it leads to a deeper understanding of life's true purpose. [18:02]

5. Living with the End in Mind: We are encouraged to make decisions in light of our mortality, focusing on what will matter when we face death. This perspective helps us prioritize relationships, character, and eternal impact over temporary pleasures. [20:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - Introduction to Men's Ministry
- [00:50] - Personal Struggles and Loss
- [02:14] - The Weight of Unbelief
- [03:33] - The Finality of Death
- [06:19] - Understanding Ecclesiastes
- [08:00] - Solomon's Reflections on Life
- [09:13] - The Meaninglessness of Earthly Pursuits
- [11:03] - Paradoxes of Wisdom
- [12:37] - The Value of a Good Name
- [14:19] - The Day of Death vs. Birth
- [16:23] - The House of Mourning
- [18:02] - The Destiny of Death
- [20:01] - Living with Mortality in Mind
- [25:17] - Heeding Wisdom Over Folly

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Ecclesiastes 7:1-4 - "A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart. Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure."

2. Luke 16:19-31 - The parable of the rich man and Lazarus, which illustrates the finality of life and the importance of living with eternity in mind.

#### Observation Questions
1. What does Solomon mean when he says "a good name is better than fine perfume"? How does this relate to the legacy we leave behind? [12:37]

2. In Ecclesiastes, why does Solomon claim that the day of death is better than the day of birth? [14:19]

3. How does the parable of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31 illustrate the finality of life and the consequences of our earthly choices? [04:00]

4. What are some examples given in the sermon of pursuits that Solomon considers meaningless? [09:13]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Solomon's perspective on the day of death versus the day of birth challenge our cultural views on life and death? [14:19]

2. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of living with the end in mind, and how does this perspective influence our daily decisions? [19:31]

3. How does the story of the rich man and Lazarus serve as a warning about the consequences of neglecting spiritual matters in favor of earthly pleasures? [04:00]

4. In what ways does the sermon encourage us to evaluate our character and the legacy we are building? [13:03]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your own life: Are there pursuits or possessions you are currently prioritizing that might be considered meaningless in light of eternity? How can you shift your focus to what truly matters? [09:13]

2. Think about a relationship in your life that may be strained. How can you take steps to mend it, keeping in mind the finality of life and the importance of leaving a good legacy? [05:50]

3. How can you incorporate the practice of visiting the "house of mourning" into your life to gain wisdom and perspective? What practical steps can you take to confront your own mortality and live with purpose? [18:02]

4. Identify one area of your life where you feel you are not living with the end in mind. What changes can you make this week to align your actions with your eternal values? [20:01]

5. Consider the people in your life who do not know the Lord. How can you be more intentional about sharing the gospel with them, given the urgency highlighted in the sermon? [03:33]

6. Reflect on your character and the legacy you are building. What specific actions can you take to ensure you are known for integrity and impact rather than material success? [13:03]

7. How can you create space in your life for meaningful conversations that matter in light of death, rather than getting caught up in trivial or superficial discussions? [40:20]

Devotional

Day 1: The Urgency of Eternal Perspective
Reflecting on the death of a loved one who did not know the Lord brings a sobering awareness of life's finality. This reality challenges individuals to consider the eternal implications of their lives and the urgency of sharing the gospel with those who are lost. The inevitability of death serves as a reminder that life is not just about the here and now but about preparing for eternity. It calls for a reassessment of priorities, urging believers to focus on what truly matters in the light of eternity. [03:33]

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil." (2 Corinthians 5:10, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the gospel, and how can you share it with them this week?


Day 2: The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Pursuits
Solomon's reflections in Ecclesiastes highlight the futility of pursuing wisdom, wealth, and pleasure without a focus on what truly matters. Despite his immense wisdom and riches, Solomon concluded that these pursuits are ultimately meaningless when viewed through the lens of mortality. This perspective encourages individuals to seek a life of eternal purpose, recognizing that true value lies not in temporary achievements but in aligning one's life with God's eternal plan. [08:54]

"Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven." (Proverbs 23:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: What is one earthly pursuit you are currently prioritizing over your relationship with God, and how can you realign your focus today?


Day 3: The Legacy of a Good Name
The importance of character and the legacy one leaves behind is emphasized over the accumulation of material possessions. Solomon reminds us that a good name is better than fine perfume, urging individuals to prioritize integrity and the impact they have on others. This calls for a life lived with intention, where one's actions and decisions reflect a commitment to leaving a positive and lasting legacy. [13:03]

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

Reflection: What steps can you take today to strengthen your character and ensure you are leaving a positive legacy?


Day 4: The Wisdom Found in Mourning
Visiting the house of mourning provides wisdom and perspective, as it forces individuals to confront their own mortality. Solomon teaches that sorrow is better than laughter because it leads to a deeper understanding of life's true purpose. This paradoxical wisdom encourages individuals to embrace moments of mourning as opportunities for growth and reflection, allowing them to gain insights that can shape their lives for the better. [18:02]

"It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart." (Ecclesiastes 7:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you use a recent experience of loss or mourning to gain wisdom and perspective in your life?


Day 5: Living with Mortality in Mind
The call to live with the end in mind encourages individuals to make decisions that will matter when they face death. This perspective helps prioritize relationships, character, and eternal impact over temporary pleasures. By focusing on what will endure beyond this life, individuals can live with purpose and intention, ensuring that their lives reflect their true calling and values. [20:01]

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

Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that reflects living with eternity in mind, and how will it impact your daily life?

Quotes



The finality of it what killed me you know just walking up and seeing the body and just going that's it that's it there's there's not a there's not a chance there's nothing I can say and and you know you start thinking man I I really would really I've thought this through I'd give everything I owned right now if I could just have an hour with him and just to talk to him and just to just to man if I I could go back just for an hour. [00:04:15]

I was reading this week I was reading uh I was reading the book of Ecclesiastes just read through a couple of times and I felt like for the first time in my life I get it I finally got it I mean I you know I studied in school you know did did my work in school in seminary and you read through and you understand what it means but you don't get it you know a lot of passages you don't really get until you get to a certain point in your life and you read and go ah now I'm tracking. [00:06:19]

He says a good name is better than fine perfume and the day of death is better than the day of death of of birth he say it's better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting for death is the destiny of every man and the living should take this to heart he says sorrow is better than laughter you hear that all the time huh because a sad face is good for the heart he says the heart of the wise is in the house of mourning but the how the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. [00:11:37]

He says it's better to heed a wise man's rebuke than to listen to the song of fools like the crackling of thorns under the pot so is the laughter of fools this too is meaningless so so so he starts off and okay the first thing he says he okay a good name is better than fine perfume okay and I understand that being named Francis okay but but that's that's not really what he's talking about okay what he's talking about is a good name in the sense of you know who you are that's what a name was okay that's not what we think of today but you know when he talks about someone's name it's his character his very being. [00:12:15]

He says you know why it'd be good for you to go to a house of mourning where everyone's weeping and they're thinking about this death he says because you need to think about death he says because that's your Destin Desy it was so good for me to walk up to a casket and see a dead body in there not saying it was fun not saying it was enjoyable but it was good it was good for me because you look at a a pile of bones and flesh and go man that that's my destiny you just go that's that's how it ends. [00:18:02]

He says sorrow is better than laughter has anyone ever heard that from anyone else Solomon other than Solomon sorrow is better than laughter you see we we don't believe this I'm I'm at the funeral right on on H Friday this Friday and and my aunt's B her eyes out and one of my relatives comes up hugs her and I just hear her whispering to my aunt oh don't cry everything's fine oh yeah everything's fine yeah don't cry we we meet feel like we got to fix it if someone's crying like something's wrong if you're sad you know here's some here's some medication maybe you need to go to medication because you're sad and and sadness isn't right. [00:20:01]

He says a good he says a a sad face is good for the heart and and you guys sometimes we just we have all this pressure like we've got to be you know these Smiley people all the time and absolutely there's a time to Rejoice seriously and I think the general flow of Our Lives is one where we're filled with absolute joy and peace and not saying that I don't have that I'm just saying that there are times when you you're still sad and and uh and and to fake it that's what's wrong that's deception and and that you you shouldn't feel like you need to come to church and and put on a face you know and pretend you're happy if your life's falling apart. [00:21:52]

I mean if if they wrote about the church here in SEI Valley and everything else what would they say in this book it'd be like oh yeah there's this group that just so sought after Comfort pleasure and everything else they forgot all about the fact that people die and spend eternity apart from him and they lost their Vision they lost their focus just like everyone else did in history but every once in a while every once in a while there's a person that stands out in Scripture that stays focused all the way through you know and it's rare it's so rare you can't expect to have everyone there. [00:31:44]

I kept my focus the whole time go man he's still fired up you know one of the cool things about this last trip this last weekend was I I got to go and see uh my wife's grandma grandma Clara and a lot of you guys know her that that were here when the church was was you know early on she uh just the sweetest lady who just loves the Lord and just has such a unique relationship with him she's been through everything in life gone through so much in in life and and we we take her out to dinner and I'm sitting across from this 92y old lady just sharp as a tack still just just just an awesome awesome woman and she looks at me and she goes honey I need some advice from you. [00:34:44]

I just think you're 92 years old and you're trying to figure out still how to save the world you are still focused on trying to win these these these older people in this home cuz you want to fight till you die don't you you know it's it's rare when you see someone stay in the battle and stay focused and not let their mind wander off and onto all these plastic Playland things that we have here in Southern California to actually think about death and to think about the stuff that matters listen church church has become a joke and we we bicker and complain about stupid things and and it's like I see it more clearly now than ever how meaningless that is. [00:36:18]

I thought to myself you know what I I would would I would give everything I own if I could have had another if you could take me back just to have an hour of life again with my uncle I'll give you everything I own but then you think well then why don't I take that hour with the people who are still alive so I don't feel like this again the next time and I'll tell you why I don't usually because I don't stay in this mode I go back to Playland I go back to plastic Southern California and let's just laugh and let's just sing some songs let's watch a movie and forget about the fact that people die and they suffer and as a church I don't want us to ever lose that it it's not about a style or a way we do things it's just about the fact that at our at the core of who we are there's a bunch of people out there that don't know the Lord and it drives us crazy think about it you're going to die you just are dwell on that for a while this week and dwell on whether or not you're ready for it you've done what you've done and are you going to die with a good name or just find perfume what are you known for this is the stuff that matters not easy to listen to but it's good for you it's real good for you so good for you you would have laughed here with a you know left here with a bigger smile if I talked about something else but it wouldn't have been as good for you some you're going to die and you you've never you've got all sorts of issues in your life that you're lying about and you've got a great reputation but a terrible name you know you fake it and everybody thinks you're a certain person but you're just a liar and you want to die you could die this week you really could you know the rain the road slippery you can go out there you get you get nailed seriously it's over it's over forever think about it and do something because of it get your life together if you need to pray with someone you need some direction man that's what we're here not that we have all the answers we're just trying to figure this out and do it right in God's eyes so some of you keep putting off getting getting a relationship with God going I got time I got time you don't you don't know that it's time to to get up out of your chair give your life to the Lord and say you know what I have been living for myself I have been living a Li and I want to follow him now I want to follow Jesus I want to get in that water and show look I don't care look I I'm following Jesus now man it's it's it's just time and I I I know that I like to joke around a lot I like I like to have fun but you know I realize that there are just times when you have to get serious and deal with the real issues otherwise you're just a fool and I don't want to die that way so if you you guys need to pray with anyone or talk to anyone as the worship team comes up I'm going be over there if you want to get baptize today give your life to the Lord anything that's serious um if you want to just talk small talk then don't don't don't even talk to me today okay honestly um let's just let's just have a week maybe where everything we talk about actually matters and light of death we try that you know just just meaningful conversation things that matter not baseball Dodgers are stupid they're really stupid okay it's established it's meaningless it's pointless okay and we just go on and let's talk about things that matter and if you guys need to come up and just talk to us about things that matter or pray about something that matters then come up as we worship Him for. [00:37:59]

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Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?