Under the Sun / Week 5

 The Test of Pleasure
Passage July 31, 2022   

1. Introduction:
   1. How many of you have ever seen an illusionist – they are skilled at presenting something real in front of our eyes which leads us to an incorrect perception or false impression about the object .
      1. I have always been amazed and entertained by them as they admit it is not magic but an illusion. 
      2. Satan is also an illusionist as he is skilled at putting the real things of this world before the eyes of our heart with the intent to mislead or deceive us into thinking this is just what I need!
      3. One of the greatest illusions that Satan presents to both to the lost and believer is that what the world has to offer will bring you the fulfillment and joy you are looking for.
      4. Turn to 1 John 2:15-17 and read
         1. Note:
            1. Loving God and loving the things of this world are polar opposites
            2. What God offers lasts forever and what the world offers passes away
         2. We also see the heart of what the things of the world are:  Reread v16.
            1. Lust of the flesh – the pleasures that please our senses and body
            2. Lust of the eyes – the possessions we see
            3. Boastful pride of life – the high positions within a group or organization that could make you prideful
         3. So all the world has to offer are pleasures, possessions and position. Satan is very skilled as presenting those to us as what will bring meaning and joy to our lives.
   2. In Ecclesiastes 2, we see that Solomon takes all the world has to offer to see if that answers the question of what brings lasting meaning, significance and value to life.  Turn and read v1-2  
   3. Review briefly what we saw is going on in this book.  
      1. Question and the test 
      2. The major sections at the top
      3. Conclusion 
      4. Key backdrop – vanity – meaninglessness
   4. Eric Bihl made a suggestion to me regarding the role of vanity in this book and I think he said it better than I have been saying.  
      1. He said that the idea of vanity that shows up 30 times in this book is suggesting that our works and activities in and of themselves are not useless but they are useless to provide the answer to what bring lasting meaning, significance and value, to life!     
      2. That only can come from fearing God and keeping His commandments! 

• We will see an example of that again here in Ecclesiastes 2 when he tested all that the world has to offer:  pleasures, possessions and positions

1.  Ecclesiastes 2
   1. Structure of the passage
      1. V1-2 – states he is testing pleasure to see if that will bring this lasting meaning and value he is looking for.
      2. V3-8 – he tests pleasures and possessions
      3. V9 he experienced high position 
      4. V10-11 – he gives his conclusion to this test
   2. Watch for all of this as I read and comment along the way
      
      
      
      
   3. Conclusion – the outcome of this pleasure hunt, where he tested the best the world has to offer – was that there was some temporary pleasure but ultimately all of this was vanity and striving after wind when it comes to answer our question what can provide lasting meaning, significance, value or joy.  Reread v10-11
      1. As we have seen before the answer to that question comes from fearing God and keeping His commandments!
      2. So following Jesus and impacting others is not only the mission God gave us; it really is the pathway to lasting meaning, significance, value or joy!
2.  Following Jesus, impacting others
   1. I think Solomon’s test is so important for us in North America today.  As we learned there are things we can enjoy but they do not provide the ultimate things in our heart and life that we need.
      1. Satan uses the illusion of the world satisfying as one of his most powerful distractions for Christians today from following Jesus.  
   2.  Following Jesus is much like a marriage relationship where we leave and cleave. 
      1. Read Matthew 4:18-22 
         1. V19 – definition of a disciple at MVC – follow and impact
         2. V20 – they left their livelihood
         3. V22 – they left their possessions, boat and family 
   3. Listen further to these verses about being a disciple of Jesus
      1. Matthew 16:24–26 – note speaking to His disciples – 
         1. If you want to hang onto your life the way it is and what you have, you will lose out on experiencing life indeed. 
         2. Even if you gained the whole world, you will come up empty! 
      2. Listen to what Peter said in Mark 10:28 to Jesus.   
         1. Read v28
         2. Read v29-30  
3.  Testimony 
   1. I want to introduce you to some friends of mine and missionaries of MVC who left everything to follow Jesus down to the boarder of Mexico to minister to the poor and orphans: 
      1. Bruce – tell us what your life was like before God called you to the mission field.
      2. Bruce – you left some great opportunities up here and followed Jesus down to Mexico to minister to the poor.  Tell us about how God worked in your hearts and brought that about
      3. Peter said to Jesus – we left everything … and Jesus told him about the great blessings he would get in return in this world and in eternity.   How has God blessed this leaving the security of the North American dream and cleaving to Jesus as you minister to the poor and orphans in Mexico.
      4. Next hour in the Chapel people will have an opportunity to meet you two and hear more about the ministry that you have.   In one minute, tell us what they can expect if they come to that time.
   2. Let me ask you and myself today this question – is there anything, anyone or pursuit that we need to leave in order to better cleave to Jesus so we can experience a life that has lasting meaning, significance, value and joy?