1. Together
Ecclesiastes 4:7-16

2. Together
Loneliness abounds (vv7-8)

3. Loneliness abounds “Meaningless”, “Under the sun” Hard knocked life
7 Again I saw something meaningless under the sun: 8 There was a man all alone; he had neither son nor brother. There was no end to his toil, yet his eyes were not content with his wealth. “For whom am I toiling,” he asked, “and why am I depriving myself of enjoyment?” This too is meaningless— a miserable business!
“Meaningless”, “Under the sun”
Hard knocked life
For whom..? – Loneliness
And why…? – Pointless
Miserable business – Rat Race with no reason.

5. Choose one
Would you rather die with loved ones surrounding you at 50 years old or alone at 80?

8. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

9. Sharing relieves (vv9-12)
together
Loneliness abounds (vv7-8)
With Jesus, I’m never alone
Sharing relieves (vv9-12)

10. Sharing relieves Relief while at work Relief when we fall
9 Two are better than one,     because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down,     one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls     and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.     But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered,     two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Relief while at work
Relief when we fall
Relief while journeying
Relief when challenged
Two is good, three is better.

11. Sharing relieves

15. 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

16. together Change is temporary (vv13-16) Loneliness abounds (vv7-8)
With Jesus I am never alone
Sharing relieves (vv9-12)
With Jesus I am relieved indeed
Change is temporary (vv13-16)

17. Change is temporary
13 Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king who no longer knows how to heed a warning. 14 The youth may have come from prison to the kingship, or he may have been born in poverty within his kingdom. 15 I saw that all who lived and walked under the sun followed the youth, the king’s successor. 16 There was no end to all the people who were before them. But those who came later were not pleased with the successor. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.
Change is good
Change brings different perspectives
Good changes lasts for a while
BUT, later generations want a different change as well

18. Change is temporary

19. Change is temporary

24. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21

25. together With Jesus, I am never alone With Jesus, I am truly relieved
Loneliness abounds (vv7-8)
With Jesus, I am never alone
Sharing relieves (vv9-12)
With Jesus, I am truly relieved
Change is temporary (vv13-16)
Through Jesus, I am changed forever