Week 31 When Times are Good; When Times are Bad (Ecclesiastes 7-8)

Ecclesiastes means “one who convenes an assembly” or “preacher” Written by King Solomon Central theme - life is meaningless if not centered on God Asks the question – Is life really worth living?

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 God’s Sovereignty “God is continually involved with all created things in such a way that he (1) keeps them existing and maintaining the properties with which he created them; (2) cooperates with created things in every action, directing their distinctive properties to cause them to act as they do; and (3) directs them to fulfill his purposes.” -Wayne Grudem

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 God’s Sovereignty Romans 8:28 (NASB) And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 God’s Sovereignty Acts 2:23-24 (NIV) 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 God’s Sovereignty The sovereignty of God, in a Christian worldview, is the underlying answer to all that we experience Sometimes adversity is good!

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 God’s Sovereignty 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT) 3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 5 For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God…

Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 God’s Sovereignty 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (NLT) …will shower us with his comfort through Christ. 6 Even when we are weighed down with troubles, it is for your comfort and salvation! For when we ourselves are comforted, we will certainly comfort you. Then you can patiently endure the same things we suffer. 7 We are confident that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in the comfort God gives us.

Ecclesiastes 7:15-20 Frustration in what you can’t control Focus instead on what you can control Avoid all extremes

Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 Our tendency to worry Reason we worry: we try to take control Worry is a form of idolatry We must be content to take the pieces one by one, without knowing how they fit into the overall plan

Ecclesiastes 8:14-17 Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NLT) Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. God designed us so that we can’t find fulfillment or lasting enjoyment apart from this eternity!