1. Text: Ecclesiastes 10:1 5/19/20151

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3.  Eccl. 10:1—Dead flies make g the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. (ESV) g  Eccl. 10:1—Dead flies cause the ointment of the a apothecary to b send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little c folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. (KJV) a b c  Eccl. 10:1—As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. (NIV)  Eccl. 10:1—Dead flies make a a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor. (NASB 95) a  Eccl. 10:1—Dead flies make g the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. (ESV) g  Eccl. 10:1—Dead flies cause the ointment of the a apothecary to b send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little c folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour. (KJV) a b c  Eccl. 10:1—As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. (NIV)  Eccl. 10:1—Dead flies make a a perfumer’s oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor. (NASB 95) a 5/19/20153

4.  Eccl. 9:18—Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.  Context: A wise but poor man is able to deliver a city.  Therefore wisdom is greater than strength (v.16)  Therefore wisdom is than weapons of war. (v.18)  In the process of the wise delivering the city, all it would take is one sinner to botch things up.  Eccl. 9:18—Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.  Context: A wise but poor man is able to deliver a city.  Therefore wisdom is greater than strength (v.16)  Therefore wisdom is than weapons of war. (v.18)  In the process of the wise delivering the city, all it would take is one sinner to botch things up. 5/19/20154

5.  Priest and kings were anointed with it when they entered upon their offices. ( 1 Samuel 16:13 )  Guests at the table of the rich were treated to it as a luxury. ( Amos 6:6; Luke 7:46 )  It was used medicinally for outward application to the bodies of the sick. ( Isaiah 1:6; Jeremiah 8:22; Mark 6:13 )  It was sprinkled on bodies of the dead before burial. ( Genesis 50:2, 3, 26; Mark 16:1 )  Priest and kings were anointed with it when they entered upon their offices. ( 1 Samuel 16:13 )  Guests at the table of the rich were treated to it as a luxury. ( Amos 6:6; Luke 7:46 )  It was used medicinally for outward application to the bodies of the sick. ( Isaiah 1:6; Jeremiah 8:22; Mark 6:13 )  It was sprinkled on bodies of the dead before burial. ( Genesis 50:2, 3, 26; Mark 16:1 ) 5/19/20155

6.  Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible:  “It was necessary to exercise great care in storing unguents and perfumes. They kept best in alabaster or lead boxes and were stored in the shade because sunshine was harmful to them…Vases have been found in tombs with scent still clinging to them. The lids of the jars were sealed and the vessel, usually the neck, was broken to pour out the contents (cf. Mark 14:3).” (page 517)  “Ointments were prized highly in ancient times. Hezekiah displayed them in his treasure house to the representatives of the king of Babylon (2 Kings 20:13). They were used for payment of tribute (Hos. 12:1). Amos considered them evidence of luxurious living (Amos 6:6; Eccl. 7:1).” (Page 517)  Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible:  “It was necessary to exercise great care in storing unguents and perfumes. They kept best in alabaster or lead boxes and were stored in the shade because sunshine was harmful to them…Vases have been found in tombs with scent still clinging to them. The lids of the jars were sealed and the vessel, usually the neck, was broken to pour out the contents (cf. Mark 14:3).” (page 517)  “Ointments were prized highly in ancient times. Hezekiah displayed them in his treasure house to the representatives of the king of Babylon (2 Kings 20:13). They were used for payment of tribute (Hos. 12:1). Amos considered them evidence of luxurious living (Amos 6:6; Eccl. 7:1).” (Page 517) 5/19/20156

7.  Song of Solomon 2:15---Catch l the foxes 1 for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, f for our vineyards are in blossom.” l 1 f  1 Cor. 5:6—Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that g a little leaven leavens the whole lump? g  Eccl. 9:18—Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.  Song of Solomon 2:15---Catch l the foxes 1 for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, f for our vineyards are in blossom.” l 1 f  1 Cor. 5:6—Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that g a little leaven leavens the whole lump? g  Eccl. 9:18—Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good. 5/19/20157

8.  “It is a painful fact that a little folly, one foolish act, one silly peculiarity of manner or disposition, will suffice to impair the real value of a man’s wisdom and the estimation in which he was held. The little element of foolishness, like the little insect in the ointment, obscures the real excellence of the man, and deprives him of the honour that is really his due. And in religion we know that one fault unchecked, one secret sin cherished, poisons the whole character, makes a man lose the grace of God.” (“Ecclesiastes,” The Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 9, p. 249) Illustration: When you think of king David what is your first thought? When you think of the apostle Peter what is your first thought? 5/19/20158

9.  The Rich Young Ruler Had Many Good Qualities:  He believed in God and in a better world to come (Matthew 19:16)  He was genuinely interested in eternal life (Mark 10:17)  He realized that if he was going to be saved, he had to do something himself (Matthew 19:16)  He realized that Jesus had the answers that he needed  He dared to associate with Jesus  He was at the very least very respectful, if not reverent of Jesus because he knelt when he came before him. (Mk. 10:17)  He had obeyed the commandments of God. (Matt. 19:20)  He had served God from his youth up. (Mark 10:20)  He longed to press on to perfection. (Mt. 19:20)  But he had ONE trait that held him back.  The Rich Young Ruler Had Many Good Qualities:  He believed in God and in a better world to come (Matthew 19:16)  He was genuinely interested in eternal life (Mark 10:17)  He realized that if he was going to be saved, he had to do something himself (Matthew 19:16)  He realized that Jesus had the answers that he needed  He dared to associate with Jesus  He was at the very least very respectful, if not reverent of Jesus because he knelt when he came before him. (Mk. 10:17)  He had obeyed the commandments of God. (Matt. 19:20)  He had served God from his youth up. (Mark 10:20)  He longed to press on to perfection. (Mt. 19:20)  But he had ONE trait that held him back. Luke 18:18-22— And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to v inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: w ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.’ ” 21 And he said, x “All these I have kept from my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. y Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have z treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” v w x y z 5/19/20159

10.  A negative attitude  Haughtiness and Egotism  Rashness  A hot temper  A sharp tongue  Irritability  Insensitivity  Over-sensitivity  Intolerance  Over-tolerance  A negative attitude  Haughtiness and Egotism  Rashness  A hot temper  A sharp tongue  Irritability  Insensitivity  Over-sensitivity  Intolerance  Over-tolerance 5/19/201510

11.  Nosiness  Laziness  Thoughtlessness  Inconsiderate  Nosiness  Laziness  Thoughtlessness  Inconsiderate 5/19/201511 Point: We need not commit every sin imaginable, nor even the most wicked wrong one can conceive, to hinder our effective service to God …one little “fly” will do it! (James 2:9-10)

12.  We all have flaws in our character so there should be a place for tolerance. (Eccl. 7:21-22; Eph. 4:1-3)  We need to recognize we can be too tolerant.  Too tolerant with self  Too tolerant with others  Are we willing to accept character flaws without trying to overcome them?  We all have flaws in our character so there should be a place for tolerance. (Eccl. 7:21-22; Eph. 4:1-3)  We need to recognize we can be too tolerant.  Too tolerant with self  Too tolerant with others  Are we willing to accept character flaws without trying to overcome them? 5/19/201512 Application: If you have a problem with a quick temper, then that is something you need to work on, and not ignore. If you are given to a negative, pessimistic outlook on life, then you need to try to change that, not accept it. If you have a haughty spirit, then you need to develop a humble spirit. If you are inconsiderate, then you need to really work at being considerate. Application: If you have a problem with a quick temper, then that is something you need to work on, and not ignore. If you are given to a negative, pessimistic outlook on life, then you need to try to change that, not accept it. If you have a haughty spirit, then you need to develop a humble spirit. If you are inconsiderate, then you need to really work at being considerate.

13.  Haman had one (Esther 5:11-13).  Ahab had one (1 Kings 21:1-4).  Do we had a touch of Ahab or Haman in us?  Do we focus on what we’ve been blessed with?  Do we focus on the one thing we don’t have?  Haman had one (Esther 5:11-13).  Ahab had one (1 Kings 21:1-4).  Do we had a touch of Ahab or Haman in us?  Do we focus on what we’ve been blessed with?  Do we focus on the one thing we don’t have? 5/19/201513

14.  Phil. 4:6-9— do not be anxious about anything, s but in everything by prayer and supplication t with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And u the peace of God, v which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and w received and heard and seen x in me—practice these things, and y the God of peace will be with you. s t u v w x y  Phil. 4:6-9— do not be anxious about anything, s but in everything by prayer and supplication t with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And u the peace of God, v which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and w received and heard and seen x in me—practice these things, and y the God of peace will be with you. s t u v w x y 5/19/201514

15.  Remember Achan? (Joshua 7)  One man ruined the opportunity for victory at Ai.  In the local church:  One wolf can devour many sheep. ( Matt. 7:15; 1 Peter 2:1-3; Acts 20:29,30 )  One factious man or woman can sow discord and keep things in an uproar or even cause an open division ( Romans 16:17-18 )  One mouthy person (with a bad attitude) can disrupt Bible class.  One Diotrophes can drive away many good brethren. ( 3 John 9-10 )  One ungodly member can ruin a whole church’s reputation in the community ( 1 Cor. 5:1 ).  One wagging tongue can cause much hurt.  Remember Achan? (Joshua 7)  One man ruined the opportunity for victory at Ai.  In the local church:  One wolf can devour many sheep. ( Matt. 7:15; 1 Peter 2:1-3; Acts 20:29,30 )  One factious man or woman can sow discord and keep things in an uproar or even cause an open division ( Romans 16:17-18 )  One mouthy person (with a bad attitude) can disrupt Bible class.  One Diotrophes can drive away many good brethren. ( 3 John 9-10 )  One ungodly member can ruin a whole church’s reputation in the community ( 1 Cor. 5:1 ).  One wagging tongue can cause much hurt. 5/19/201515

16.  A fly in our thinking?  A fly in our character?  A fly in the oil in the local church?  When others think of us what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it positive or negative?  Is there something ruining your influence?  A fly in our thinking?  A fly in our character?  A fly in the oil in the local church?  When others think of us what is the first thing that comes to mind? Is it positive or negative?  Is there something ruining your influence? 5/19/201516

17.  This sermon was borrowed from brother Kevin Kay and later reworked by Lee Hyatt. 5/19/201517