Life Under the Sun

Part 4: Focus on What Really Counts

By Louie Marsh, 8-28-2022

 

Opening slides – last one coffee machine.

 

THREE OPENING QUESTIONS:

 

1) Am I telling myself THETRUTH about possessions?

 

“1Again I saw all the oppressions that are done under the sun. And behold, the tears of the oppressed, and they had no one to comfort them! On the side of their oppressors there was power, and there was no one to comfort them. 2And I thought the dead who are already dead more fortunate than the living who are still alive. 3But better than both is he who has not yet been and has not seen the evil deeds that are done under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 4:1–3, ESV)

 

“15And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”” (Luke 12:15, ESV)

 

2) Am I heeding GOD’S WARNINGS about priorities?

 

“4Then I saw that all toil and all skill in work come from a man’s envy of his neighbor. This also is vanity and a striving after wind. 5The fool folds his hands and eats his own flesh. 6Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 4:4–6, ESV)

 

“33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, ESV)

 

It might help to remember Yussif, the Terrible Turk! Yussif  was the three-hundred-and-fifty-pound wrestling champion in  Europe a little over two generations ago. After he won the  European championship, he sailed to the United States to beat our  champ, whose name was Strangles Lewis-- a little guy, by  comparison, who weighed just a shade over two hundred pounds. 

Although he wasn't huge, Strangler had a simple plan for  defeating his opponents. It had never failed to work. He'd put  that massive arm of his around the neck of his opponent. He'd  pump up that bicep and cut the oxygen off, right up there near  the Adam's apple. Many an opponent had passed out in the ring with Strangler Lewis.

The problem he had when it came to fighting the Turk was that the European giant didn't have a neck! His body just went from his head to those massive shoulders. Lewis could never get the hold, so it wasn't long before Yussif flipped Lewis down on the mat and pinned him.

After winning the championship, the Turk demanded all five thousand dollars in gold. After he wrapped the championship belt around his vast middle, he stuffed the gold into the belt and boarded the next ship back to Europe. He was now the possessor of America's glory and gold. He had won it all... all except immortality.  He set sail on the SS Bourgogne . Halfway across the Atlantic, a storm struck and the ship began to sink.

Yussif went over the side with his gold still strapped around his body. The added weight was too much for the Turk, and he sank like an iron anvil before they could get to him with the lifeboats He was never seen again.

 

3) Am I getting THE SUPPORT I need?

 

“7Again, I saw vanity under the sun: 8one person who has no other, either son or brother, yet there is no end to all his toil, and his eyes are never satisfied with riches, so that he never asks, “For whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure?” This also is vanity and an unhappy business.” (Ecclesiastes 4:7–8, ESV)

 

“66After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”” (John 6:66–69, ESV)

 

ONE POWERFUL FACT:

 

Two Are Better Than One!

 

“9Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9, ESV)

 

WHY IS THIS TRUE?

 

• Mutual ENCOURAGEMENT when I’m weak.

 

“10For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” (Ecclesiastes 4:10, ESV)

 

“21And he returned from following him and took the yoke of oxen and sacrificed them and boiled their flesh with the yokes of the oxen and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he arose and went after Elijah and assisted him.” (1 Kings 19:21, ESV)

 

• Mutual SUPPORT when I’m vulnerable.

 

“11Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone?” (Ecclesiastes 4:11, ESV)

 

“16But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” (Ruth 1:16, ESV)

 

• Mutual PROTECTION when I’m attacked.

 

“12And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, ESV)

 

“3But David vowed again, saying, “Your father knows well that I have found favor in your eyes, and he thinks, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” 4Then Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you say, I will do for you.”” (1 Samuel 20:3–4, ESV)

 

THREE WAYS TO RESPOND:

 

• MEMBERSHIP IN A LOCAL CHURCH
• ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN A BIBLE STUDY
• MAKING CHRIST YOUR ULTIMATE FRIEND!

 

“24A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, ESV)