Eccleciastes (II) Making Sense out of life

finding true joy FINDING JOY IN GODS CREATED WORLD –Life and pleasure and things are gifts from God: E.g. Eating and drinking with enjoyment and seeing good in ones labor -- 2:24-25, 3:13, 5:17,18 E.g. Wisdom, knowledge -- 2:26. E.g. Wealth and riches -- 5:17,18 E.g. The enablement to enjoy riches -- 5:18,19 E.g. Life itself -- 5:17,18 –There is nothing better Not absolute. There are some things better. But, Its from the hand of God to enjoy life Abut not without God – 2.25 –It is all good Gen 1.31 – It was all very good 1 Tim 4.4; 6.17 Some see it otherwise – Mt ; ; Col »But to enjoy the blessings God has given us is not wrong. He has not given pleasure and things in this world to tempt us, but rather he has given them to bless us with enjoyment -- 1 Tim –Enjoy life to its fullest while you can – Eccl ; 12.1f

Getting the most out of life –By seeing things in light of eternity -- Eccl 3.11; 11.9 –By knowing our purpose – Eccl finding the beauty in Gods timing – –Theres a time for everything – Seasons of life –Cannot always know Gods plans and reasons – 3.11c; ; 9.1; 11.5 –With the purpose that all should fear him – vs.24