Lesson - 9
Intro
- Sandwiches, we probably all enjoy them though they do rough things to our bodies. Tell
me about your favorites?
- How does the bun inform the middle of the sandwich? Grilled Cheese (toasted bread
and cheese), Reuben (rye and corned beef), Philly Cheesesteak (hoagie roll and shaved
beef with peppers), Monte Cristo (fried bread and ham w/ jam).
- Tonight we are going to look at the sandwich Solomon gives us, there is a top bun and
bottom bun and they inform what the middle is constructed with.
Body
1. Top Bun - Death is certain Vs.1-6
- What we are going to see is that your life is short and is a gift from God. We tend
to want to be like God, wanting it all, knowing it all, having all the answers,
achieve everything, control what good happens to us and our loved ones, and
prevent all evil, and be remembered for all time by everyone. But this is not
reality.
- The same event happens to all mankind. Whether they do good or evil all the
days of their life. This is the only certain thing in life. You will die and you have no
idea when. This is an evil he states. It is wrong that man dies, this is not how it
was supposed to be. Good people will get no better than the evil in dying. But
they are in God’s hands and he will do what is just.
- We see that living is a good thing. There is hope in it for one can still grow in
knowledge of God before death sets in stone our lives. This should inform our
ability to die well. What could that mean in your own words?
- There is the bible story of the rich man and Lazuraus. Nothing could be done for
the rich man, but he had family and there was hope for them as long as they
lived in light of what is to come.
2. Bottom Bun - Everything else is uncertain Vs. 11-12
- OK so death is certain, but that is all we know under the sun that is certain. We
do not know time or place. As it says here chance happens to all people. You
can measure your dreams and change them as you grow in wisdom. You ought
to see that there is no promise you will get this or that job, you will have a spouse
to grow old with, you will be surrounded by children who love you, you will have
money stored in your storehouses for the rainy season.
- James 4:13-14 says:
- What Solomon has done is break down the idea that we all are prone to hold
onto, that we are gods able to determine and dictate what is in flux and unset
what is fixed. We are not like God.
- So how should we live since we will be dead tomorrow? We live today.
3. White Cheddar and Bacon Hamburger - Enjoy the good gifts of God Vs. 7-10
- We have the two buns and now we see what has to be in the middle. The nice
juicy hamburger. God wants you to live today, not be gloomy about the future
death, anxious about tomorrow's uncertainty, or cemented into fixing things the
way you think they ought to be. But by having joy.
- How do we do this? He says go! We are to pursue these joys like we mean it,
with vigor and intention. God takes pleasure in enjoying what he has given us
with thankfulness.
- God has given you food, drink, family, and a body. He commands and urges you
to enjoy them. Clothe yourself in beauty to reflect God’s own heart of design.
Take care of your body. Enjoy time with your spouse, he says. You should never
be too busy for your spouse. If you are or if your spouse says you are then
something is wrong and must be addressed. Because your life is vain.
- Go for a walk, see the geysers of Yellowstone, watch a play, learn to make art, visit the
sick, care for the elderly, cook a meal, feed the hungry, go the movies, delve into a book,
laugh with friends until it makes you cry, play soccer, do a turkey trot, swim in ocean
reefs, listen to Mozart, call your parents, write some letters, play with your kids, spend
your money, learn another language, plant a church, start a school, talk about Christ,
travel somewhere brand new, adopt a child, give away your money, and shape someone
else’s life by laying down your own. - Adapted from Death by Living by N. D. Nelson
- We can only enjoy God’s gifts when we don’t worship them. Enjoy them but don’t
hold them up to be something they can never be.
- Knowing we are dying is what helps us live in a way that is alive. And remember
these are all joys, smells, tastes, and sights of a real country we have yet to go
home to.
Application
- Which bun do you struggle to embrace?
- How might embracing the certainty of death and uncertainty of life inform the way you
live your life?
- In what ways can you live better?
