Ecclesiastes Chapter 8:11-9:12.

Sermon Notes: Ecclesiastes Chapter 8:11-9:12.

Sometimes when you look at life it seems so unfair. It just does not make sense! Do you ever get frustrated by the struggles of this life?

Sometimes when you are going through a particularly difficult time in your life you feel as if there is no GOD, no one in charge, no one in control of things. Is that how you feel?

1: We get frustrated when we feel that wicked people seem to able to do all kinds of wrong and still get away with it! Why is that? Ch8:11-13.

‘Why do people commit crimes so readily? Because crime is not punished quickly enough.’ V11. GNB: ‘When a crime is not punished, people think it is safe to do wrong.’

‘Does God realize what is going on? They ask. Is the Most-High even aware of what is happening? Psalm 73:11.

‘God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.’ Ecclesiastes 12:14.

‘if we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from every wrong.’ 1 John 1:8-9.

Question: If nobody ‘gets away with it’, not the wicked, not us either…How seriously are you taking those ‘hidden sins’ in your own thoughts, attitudes, words and actions?

Question: Are there specific things that you need to be ‘real’ before God about and deal with honestly so that you can experience the freedom and joy of His forgiveness?

2: We get so frustrated when we feel that life is so unfair that people do not seem to get what they deserve in this life. Why is that? 8:14.

‘For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to lead such a painless life, their bodies are so healthy and strong. They aren’t troubled like other people or plagued with problems like everyone else.’ Psalm 73:3-4

‘now He (God) commands everyone to repent. For He has set a day of judging the world with justice, by the man He has appointed, and He proved to everyone who this is by raising him (Jesus) from the dead.’ Acts 17:30-31

‘There is not a single person in all the earth who is always good and never sins.’ Ecclesiastes 7:20

‘The LORD is compassionate and gracious He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.’ Psalm 103:8-10

Question: We want GOD to treat people with justice but that means that He must also treat us the very same way. So, what is God to do with the sin in your life if He is to fair and just?

Question: Because Jesus, the innocent One, took the punishment that He did not deserve for me then…I the guilty one can now go free. Have you ever taken that step of personal repentance and saving faith in Jesus which brings you freedom from your guilt and peace with God?

3: We get so frustrated when life seems so unpredictable and death seems so unavoidable. Why is that? Chapter 9:1-12

‘People can never predict when hard times might come. Like fish in a net or birds in a snare, people are often caught by sudden tragedy.’ Ch9:12

‘I (Jesus) came so that they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.’ John 10:10

Question; Life is not a lottery. Our Father God is in charge. Our lives are His ‘gift’ for us to enjoy each new day. Do you love the Giver and are you enjoying His gift?

Question: If this life is not all that there is and Jesus is offering you as a ‘free gift’ aliveness in Heaven for ever, isn’t that a gift worth grasping with both hands today?