Dr Tom Hover
February 25, 2024
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 / Philippians 2:5
IF I WERE YOUNG AGAIN / BEING MINDFUL OF THE MINDS
IF I WERE YOUNG AGAIN...
Old people were young people, before young people were people.
Text: Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, Ecclesiastes 12:1-8
Introduction: Obsession with youth is depriving us of an opportunity to learn lessons from our elders.
A.) The Ageing Process
B.) The Anguishing Age Process
In poetic language Solomon describes the old age process:
Ecclesiastes 12:3-7 “In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble (trembling hands), and the strong men shall bow themselves (stooped over), and the grinders cease because they are few (lose your teeth), and those that look out of the windows be darkened (eyes don’t see like they once did)” Verse 4 “And the doors shall be shut in the streets (don’t speak as loud or clear), when the sound of the grinding is low (can’t ear as good), and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird (can’t sleep as well), and all the daughters of musick shall be brought low; (the vocal cords are not strong)” Verse 5 “Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high (fear of heights), and fears shall be in the way (other fears come), and the almond tree shall flourish (white hair), and the grasshopper shall be a burden (little things agitate you), and desire shall fail (apprehensiveness /discouragement): because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: (nerves)” Verse 6 “Or ever the silver cord be loosed (our breathing), or the golden bowl be broken (our brain) , or the pitcher be broken at the fountain (our heart) , or the wheel broken at the cistern.(our circulation of our blood)” Verse 7 “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. (what we call death)” “Time has a way of slipping up on you like bugs on a windshield.” “Time crawls for a child, walks for a teenager, runs for an adult. I married, sneezed, & now I have 10 grandchildren. I’m afraid to sneeze again.”
C.) The Early Advancing Age Process Solomon got older before his time because of sin. Many say, Solomon started his reign as King from ages 12 to 20. These are all Guesstimations because the Bible does not come out and say. The bible does however say he reigned for 40 years and he died. Regardless he died young from 52 to 60. Galatians 6:7-8. Solomon lived life with a BIG L: 1.) Luxury 2.) Lust 3.) Liquor 4.) Learning 5.) Laughter 6.) Lord. Solomon was a man who hated his life that he had lived. Ecclesiastes 2:17-18, Ecclesiastes 12:1 Solomon is looking back at his life and saying if I had to do it all over again, I will live my life this way:
I. I WOULD LIVE MY LIFE REJOICING Ecclesiastes 11:9
A.) We Are Command to Enjoy Life. Philippians 4:4
B.) God Is No Kill Joy! God Is a Joy Giver! John 15:11,10:10
II. I WOULD LIVE MY LIFE RESPONSIBLY
Ecclesiastes 11:9 “but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.”
A.) Responsibility is our response to God’s ability
B.) Threefold Responsibility: (1) God (2) Others (3) Ourselves
C.) Ask Yourself Three Questions:
(1) Who you are? (2) Whose are you? (3) Why are you here?
III. I WOULD LIVE MY LIFE REMOVED Ecclesiastes 11:10
A.) Be Removed from All Lust and Liquor James 1:14-15
He who would not fall down ought not to walk in slippery places!
Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 23:32, Proverbs 5:3-13
IV. I WOULD LIVE MY LIFE IN REMEMBRANCE
Ecclesiastes 12:1
A.) What Will You Remember Solomon? My Creator my God!
B.) When Will You Remember Solomon? When I am young!
V. I WOULD LIVE MY LIFE WITH AN AWESOME RESPECT FOR GOD Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Conclusion: If I were young again, I would live my life Rejoicing, Responsible, Removed, Remembering God, and having an Awesome Respect for Him.
PM SERVICE
BEING MINDFUL OF THE MINDS
Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:”
