This document summarizes key points from Ecclesiastes 7:1-19 about finding wisdom in life. It discusses: 1. Accepting that life can be difficult and contain sorrow, mourning, and rebuke. 2. Avoiding potential pitfalls like impatience, anger, nostalgia, and immorality. 3. Appreciating that wisdom provides shelter, perspective, and power to live, and is found through fearing God and asking Him for it.

1. Series - ‘How can I make sense of life?’
Today
‘How can I find wisdom?’
Ecclesiastes 7:1-19

2. “To know is not to be wise.
Many men (women) know a
great deal, and are all the
greater fools for it. There is no
fool so great a fool as a knowing
fool. But to know how to use
knowledge is to have wisdom”
Charles Spurgeon

3. 1. Accept the fact that life is tough - Ecc 7:1-6
A good reputation is better than
expensive perfume
Ecc 7:1a

4. 1. Accept the fact that life is tough - Ecc 7:1-6
Death is better than life - 7:1b
Fasting is better than feasting - 7:2
Sorrow is better than laughter - 7:3
Mourning is better than pleasure - 7:4
Rebuke is better than flattery - 7:5

5. “It’s the hammer pounding on the
piece of metal on the anvil that
shapes it into a beautiful piece of
art. It’s the fire that makes the tool
strong and reliable. It’s the metal,
tested and tried that won’t fail when
under pressure and tension”
Derek Tidball

6. “Turn your wounds into wisdom”
Oprah Winfrey

7. 1. Accept the fact that life is tough - Ecc 7:1-6
Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and
challenges come at you from all sides. You know
that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into
the open and shows its true colours. So don’t try
to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its
work so you become mature and
well-developed …
James 1:2-4 The Message

8. 2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26
• Extortion - 7:7
• Impatience - 7:8
• Anger - 7:9
• Nostalgia - 7:10
• Immorality - 7:26

9. 2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26
Impatience
The end of a matter is better
than its beginning, patience
is better than pride
Ecc 7:8

10. 2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26
“How can a society that exists on
instant mashed potatoes, packaged
cake mixes, frozen dinners, and instant
cameras teach patience to its young?”
Paul Sweeney

11. 2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26
God is patient with pre-Christians
The Lord is not slow in keeping His
promise, as some understand
slowness. Instead he is patient with
you, not wanting anyone to perish,
but everyone to come to repentance
2 Peter 3:9

12. 2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26
God is patient with Christians
… He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the
day of Christ Jesus
Phil 1:6

13. “The church needs more people
with the discipline of the long
distance runner and fewer with the
character of the sprinter”
Derek Tidball

14. 2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life - Ecc 7:7-10, 26
Nostalgia
Do not say, ‘Why were the
old days better than these?’
For it is not wise to ask
such questions.
Ecc 7:10

15. 3. Appreciate the value of wisdom - Ecc 7:11-19
Wisdom
• is a good thing - 7:11
• is a shelter - 7:12
• gives us right perspective in life - 7:15-18
• provides a power for us to live - 7:19

16. How can I find wisdom?
Fear God
The fear of the Lord is the
beginning of wisdom
Prov 9:10a

17. How can I find wisdom?
Ask God
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and
he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for
asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your
faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person
with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of
the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind –
James 1:5-6 NLT

18. 1. Accept the fact that life is tough
2. Avoid the potential pitfalls in life
3. Appreciate the value of wisdom