Deepening Wisdom
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 10 (ESV)
1 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench;
so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 A wise man's heart inclines him to the right,
but a fool's heart to the left.
3 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense,
and he says to everyone that he is a fool.
4 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place,
for calmness will lay great offenses to rest.
5 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: 6 folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in a low place. 7 I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on the ground like slaves.
8 He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
9 He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
and he who splits logs is endangered by them.
10 If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge,
he must use more strength,
but wisdom helps one to succeed.
11 If the serpent bites before it is charmed,
there is no advantage to the charmer.
12 The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor,
but the lips of a fool consume him.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness,
and the end of his talk is evil madness.
14 A fool multiplies words,
though no man knows what is to be,
and who can tell him what will be after him?
15 The toil of a fool wearies him,
for he does not know the way to the city.
16 Woe to you, O land, when your king is a child,
and your princes feast in the morning!
17 Happy are you, O land, when your king is the son of the nobility,
and your princes feast at the proper time,
for strength, and not for drunkenness!
18 Through sloth the roof sinks in,
and through indolence the house leaks.
19 Bread is made for laughter,
and wine gladdens life,
and money answers everything.
20 Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.
Sermon Outline
Real wisdom is needed to live well in this world.
1. The problems of folly
a. Faulty readings of the world
vv16-17 “Woe… your princes feast in the morning! Happy… your princes feast… for strength, and not for drunkenness!”
v8 “He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.”
b. Unwanted outcomes
v1 “Dead flies… so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.”
v18 “Through sloth the roof sinks in”
vv5-6 “There is an evil… folly is set in many high places”
c. Inevitable exposure
v20 “Even in your thoughts… in your bedroom… for a bird of the air will carry your voice”
2. The way of a wise life
Ephesians 5:15-17 “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise… do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Prayer of Confession
God of wisdom and life, we need forgiveness and help. We misunderstand things because we have much to learn, but also because our corrupt desires distort how we see and interpret. We do what we know we should not do and suffer consequences. We harbor secret thoughts and actions as if you won’t find out or we will never have to answer for them. We need forgiveness that goes deeper and further than our own awareness of wrongs we have done. We need full and powerful grace, the kind that is only offered to us in Jesus. Cleanse us. Renew our hearts and minds that we would gain knowledge from the treasures of wisdom that are hidden in Christ. We ask for wisdom. Teach us and guide us. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
What are some wise principles for defining success? What is essential to living life well? How do the typical markers of success (the things most people seek after) fit into a wisely lived life?
What are some applications of the lesson that a “little folly outweighs wisdom and honor”? If you believe that to be true, what are helpful expectations for what you will encounter and what kinds of choices you will have to make? What insight does it give into how the world works?
What should you do with your problematic thoughts and desires (things others don’t necessarily see or know about)? What are some foolish ways of dealing with them? What are wise ways?
How can faith in Jesus make you wise? What has Jesus said and done that you need? How does Jesus teach us presently, in the on-going course of our lives?
Where are you being pushed to grow? What is an area where you are realizing things are more complex than you thought? What does it look like to move forward with God in that area?