Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

Under the Son

I.                    Life under the sun is meaningless without life in the Son, so we must see life under the sun with the proper perspective (Vv. 1-9)

a.       This list of twenty-eight statements, fourteen positive and fourteen negative, which describe and highlight the reality which every human has experienced and will experience under the sun, isn’t given to attempt to compel us to understand that there is a right and wrong time appointed for us do or not do the things which are listed. The purpose is to show us that these qualities which describe every life under the sun, are fixed, unavoidable, and out of our control. The reality of the first group of statements frames the reality of the rest. No matter what degree of control we think we exercise, or we wish to exercise over birth and death and all things in between, both will keep happening independent of our influence, and they form the bookends for every uncontrollable life under the sun. Our place in the cycle may seem long or short in different periods of time, but they’re set outside of our control. Our actions in the creative and destructive process of life are ultimately framed in time and structure beyond our control. There are times to pass moral judgments, and times for rehabilitation and healing, but all things we build up in their season, will ultimately be dismantled in the next, whether physically or relationally, nothing lasts forever. We experience the full range of human emotions in life’s seasons of highs and lows, and life and death. One season of emotion has not merit without the contrasting experience of its opposite, it’s critically important experience weeping, laughter, mourning, and celebration. There are times when we’ll be for people or with people, and times when we’ll be against people or away from people, but none of the seasons will last indefinitely. Time proves that our possessions are fleeting, they come and go. Time reveals cycles of grief in life, but grief passes. In those times and all others, a word or lack of a word can help mend or tear. We’re to hate sin without hating those who sin. Love and hate, war and peace are all necessary parts of life, and all of one or all of the other will ultimately destroy, but the proper balance and focus in each is necessary. So considering the realities of life which time reveals, is there any point to anything we do? It’s ultimately all about perspective. Life under the sun is cursed because of sin. It must always show a net gain of zero in and of itself, because God is in control, and He is righteous and just, and must hold us accountable for sin. But He is also merciful, gracious, and loving, and He sustains in our world of net zero, so that we might gain in Him, what is lost under the sun. When we attempt to control our lives under the sun, and manage them for what we perceive to be a net positive gain, we’ll always perceive a net loss and realize massive frustration. (Vv. 1-9; Gen. 3:17-19; 9:6; 2 Sam. 12:15-23; 2 Kings 3:19, 25; 1 Chron. 15:29; Job 1:21; 14:5; 24:1; Ps. 31:15a; 97:10; 139:13-16; Prov. 8:3; 18:6-7; 21:23; 26:4-5; Eccl. 1:1-3; Song of Sol. 2:7; Isa. 5:2; 28:24-29; 46:9-10; Jer. 18:7-9; Amos 5:15; Mark 8:35; John 13:34-35; Rom. 3:23; 12:15-21; 1 Cor. 7:3-6; Jas. 1:19; 3:3-12; Rev. 21:6; 22:13)

II.                 Life under the sun is meaningless without life in the Son, so we must live life under the sun with the proper perspective         (Vv. 10-15)

a.       It is God who assigns appropriateness, beauty, or fittingness to all things. He is in control of all things, and all things, no matter our perception, are part of His larger picture which results in His glory. So we must change our perspective to see the larger eternal reality in which our present circumstances fit, and the desire to understand that is intrinsic to the nature of all human beings. We perceive that there’s more than just life under the sun, and we desperately want to understand what that is. However, it’s impossible in our limited scope of intellect, perception, and abilities, to fully understand the work of the eternal and living God. When we give up on the proper perspective, we live within the improper perspective, and the result is the frustration of living short of our purpose. So we must change our perspective of life so that we can change our perspective of living. God uses futility of life to show us that only what He does remains forever, and that all else comes and goes. And He uses the futility of life under the sun to draw us to life in the Son, so that we can live life under the sun with the proper perspective. Meaningful life that is well pleasing to God is only found by living in and for the only One who is well-pleasing to God, Jesus Christ. When we live for Him, we find satisfaction, purpose, joy, and meaning in every season, event, and second of life, both in times of light and times of shadow. (Vv. 10-15; Gen. 50:20; Ps. 4:7-8; 104:1-2, 14-24; 127:2; Eccl. 1:13; Acts 17:24-31; Rom. 1:18-25; 8:18-39; 1 Cor. 10:31; 2 Cor. 5:7-10, 14-21; 12:7-10; Gal. 2:20; Eph. 1:9-13; 2:8-10; Col. 3:1-4, 23; Phil. 4:4-13; Heb. 11:1, 6)