Sermon outline on Ecclesiastes 12:1-7

I am tired (physically)

• Last Monday I went to the bank to cash some checks.
• As I was waiting on the teller, another employee (unknown to me) came around the corner.
  1. This new person rounded the corner and said, “It’s awful to get old” –
  2. After saying this, there was a general reference to some aches and pains.
• Once this woman finished speaking, I turned to her and said: HOLD OLD ARE YOU?
• This lady looked at me and didn’t answer my question.
• After failing to get a reply from her, I asked my question again and with a little more force –
• HOW OLD ARE YOU?
  31. After pausing for a moment this lady said: 31.
  32. We spoke for a bit longer and the three of us went our separate ways.
• Last week we introduced the idea of “being tired.”
• Today we continue this line of study, and our focus for this morning is on the physical body.
• We were asked to turn to Eccl. 12 – let’s start by reading the first verse of this passage – READ
  1. Solomon warns us to learn about some matters in life during our early years –
  2. The reason for this is “old age will one day come” (verses 3-7).
• I am not sure what Solomon had in mind when he wrote about “old age.”
  1. I would need some convincing to believe he thought 31 is “old.”
  2. People can begin to feel the effects of aging early in life, and some of them can be significant.
• We see how the chapter begins – let’s get a little more before us – verse 2 – READ
• Here we find references to the sun, moon, stars, and a storm.
  1. After a storm, the sun may shine and a similar thing is often true of youth –
  2. There may be some difficult times, but these often soon pass and “brighter days come.”
  3. When “old age” strikes, it may not seem like the sun comes out as quickly or comes out at all.
  4. 12:2 may also have reference to a person’s mind, judgment, understanding & affections.
  5. The wise man realized that advanced age has a great influence on the body and our lives –
  6. We no longer spring back as we once did and some abilities have definitely declined.
• The effects of age are further described in verse 3 – there are “keepers of the house” – READ
  1. Our body is compared to a “house” & something in this house “trembles.”
  2. The “trembling” in the “house” (body) is a reference to the hands.
     1. A man or woman might be a highly skilled surgeon – imagine a doc with super steady hands –
     2. One day those non-shaking hands begin to quiver.

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• Some surgeons have insured their hands, sometimes for millions of dollars.

1. People other than surgeons have also had an interest in insuring their hands –
2. Barbers, dentists, musicians, massage therapists – people know the value of their hands.

1. Solomon said the hands can eventually begin to suffer some wear – they can “tremble.”
2. The once steady hands of a surgeon may shake like a leaf –
3. The electrician may have hands which finally shake too much to do electrical work.
4. Hands may shake too much to one day read a book or easily read a piece of paper –

• Along with trembling hands, the “strong men bow” as we heard from this verse.
  1. The “strong men” is a description of our legs.
  2. Most of us have seen people with weakened legs.
• Perhaps weakened legs result in someone walking with a can or walker; others use a wheelchair.
• Bones may shrink; joints may become stiff; atrophy begins to overtake muscles.
• Legs generally bear the weight of the human body for many years and they may finally bow.
• Our arms and our legs can tire with time, but this is not all.
• The “grinders” mentioned in this verse may “cease.”
  1. The “grinders” are our teeth. Teeth can break.  Teeth can be lost because of disease.
  2. If we are not aware of it, some illegal drugs can destroy teeth.
  3. If we value your teeth, never get involved with illegal drugs.
• Being a toothless old person is not fun; among other things, it is difficult to eat.
• We have some technology to help with lost and damaged teeth; try to preserve this part of the body.
• We have seen the problems from hands, feet, and teeth. What else is in Eccl. 12?
• The end of Eccl. 12:3 refers to “looking out darkened windows.”
  1. This description of the body should be immediately clear – it refers to eyesight.
  2. Time will diminish the eyesight of almost all people.
• Sometimes there are sight problems early in life – before the teen years –
  1. Maybe we are near sighted, far sighted, or both.
  2. Perhaps we have had cataracts or another eye issue – this is one more possible physical problem.
• Moving to verse 4, we read about “shut doors in the street” (this describes hearing) – READ
• Unless an environment is very noisy, young people hardly ever say: I didn’t hear that.
  1. Good hearing is generally associated with the earlier years in life.
  2. When we hit the age of 50, we may be told it is time for a hearing test or hearing aids.
• In the middle of verse 4 we read about “birds” and the sounds they make.
• Solomon said people would get up at the “sound of a bird.”
  1. This statement might seem odd since the wise man had just talked about hearing –
  2. If we can’t hear well, how would we be able to hear the chirping of a bird?
  3. The point about the bird is not hearing it make sounds – the point is about sleeping.
  4. In the later years getting a good night’s rest may be difficult –
• The smallest of things may interfere with a good night’s rest.
  1. In the earlier years, a person might be tired; they go to bed and instantly fall asleep.
  2. In the later years, bed time comes and it may take a LONG, LONG time to go to sleep.
  3. When sleep comes, the rest is not sufficient for the body to fully recharge.
• Looking now at verse 5, we find “fear” associated with the later years – READ.
  1. Heights can terrify those who are in their later years. Maybe there is a fear of falling.
  2. In the younger years, people may be sure (even overconfident) about their balance –
  3. “Sure footedness” is often a sign of youth. In the later years, falling & breaking a bone is a concern.
• The “terrors in the way” are also part of the later years.
  1. Being young and going a lot of places (even in the dark) may seem fun and not challenging.
  2. In the later years, there may be poor eyesight, poor balance, and slow reflexes – big problem.
  3. Things can be so difficult a “grasshopper” is a “burden” (small tasks become difficult).

  4. The “blossoming Almond tree” is a reference to white hair.
  5. The “failing desire” is a reference to sexual activity.
• Physical fatigue is real and it generally becomes more of an issue as people age.
• Some see what happens to others and think: THAT STUFF WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME.
  1. God says to us: If you live long enough, you will suffer the effects of aging.
  2. We can change the color of our hair. We can get false teeth.
  3. We can have surgeries to help with some problems.
  4. We can likely be prescribed some pills to limit some symptoms –
• Age and age related problems are part of being a created being which lives on this planet –

WE ALL AGE AND EVENTUALLY DIE UNLESS THE LORD RETURNS FIRST.
AFTER SOLOMON HAD A LOT OF THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THE AGING PROCESS, HE TURNED TO THE SUBJECT OF DEATH.

1. At the end of verse 5, we read about “mourners in the streets.”
2. It might seem like a strange custom to us, but the ancient world had mourners.
   1. There were people who were “paid to mourn” at funerals –
   2. These individuals would go from funeral to funeral and publicly grieve for the dead.

• My understanding of why this was done was to encourage others to grieve –

1. If we see a person doing something, that suggests to us it is okay for us.

1. Solomon made it clear death is part of humanity.

• Moving down to verse 6, our life is compared to a “golden bowl” – READ
  1. A “golden bowl” would seem to be something of value and that is true for us –
  2. Each human life has great value. Each life is precious because it is in God’s image.
• Along with portraying life as a golden bowl, he said our “bowl” is attached with a silver cord.
• THEN the wise man spoke of the “silver cord” is “loosed” or “cut” and then the bowl is broken.
  1. Imagine a precious bowl being suspended in the air by a string.
  2. One day the supporting string is cut, the bowl falls to the ground, and it breaks.
  3. Our life is like this image – our “cord will be cut,” but we do not know the day or time.
  4. Maybe our cord will be cut today, tomorrow, or several decades from now.
  5. There are questions about WHEN this will occur but not IF it will occur.

• When our “bowl is broken” (we die), what happens?
• The answer to this question is found in verse 7 – READ
• At death, our physical body begins to return to the earth.
  1. After we die, our body can be placed in the most beautiful casket.
  2. We can have the nicest funeral. The finest funeral message might be preached about us.
• Regardless of what happens at our funeral and what is done to our body, IT DOES NOT MATTER.
  1. The body returns to the earth; the eternal part of our being “returns to God.”
  2. There is an afterlife and this begins after we go through the experience of physical death.
  3. Many want to know what their future will be like – God tells us: Aging and death.
• I once read that “old age” is God’s final call to encourage people to repent.
• Whoever came up with that idea was exactly right.
  1. The world sees old age as a curse; many (especially the unsaved) want to keep their youth.
  2. To “stay young,” people will go to great lengths and spend unbelievable amounts of money.
  3. Some are now spending tons of money to have their brains preserved and put into another body.

• One of the wisest men who ever lived said: Recognize the aging process – it is a guarantee.
  1. Begin to prepare for your death while you are young, and do that by starting to serve God.
  2. When we get tired, remember how we are in the process of wearing out –
  3. Each day is a day closer to death. For the Christian, this is one day closer to an eternal reward.
• Death comes to all; the only question for us is: What happens when our body finally gives out?
• If we die of old age, will we be free of aches and pains or enter into an eternity of even worse suffering?
• Many go to a funeral of someone who suffering for a long time and have said: “His suffering has ended.”
• If God has told the truth, that statement is false – the suffering on earth was nothing compared to the hereafter.
• Today, are we ready to leave our physical body and enter into the afterlife? If not, this may be our final opportunity.

Estoy cansado (físicamente)
1) Texto – Eclesiastés 12 – 2) LEA 12: 1,2.
a) Después de una tormenta, el sol puede brillar y algo similar ocurre con frecuencia en los jóvenes:
b) Puede haber momentos difíciles, pero a menudo pasan y “vienen días más brillantes”.
c) Eccl. 12: 2 también puede tener referencia a la mente, el juicio, la comprensión y los afectos de una persona.
3) Los efectos de la edad se describen con más detalle en el versículo 3 – hay “guardianes de la casa” – LEE
a) El “temblor” en la “casa” (cuerpo) es una referencia a las manos.
b) Los “hombres fuertes” son una descripción de nuestras piernas.
c) La mayoría de nosotros hemos visto personas con piernas debilitadas.
4) Los “moledores” mencionados en este versículo pueden “cesar”.
a) Los “molinillos” son nuestros dientes. Los dientes se pueden romper. Los dientes se pueden perder debido a una enfermedad.
b) Si valoramos tus dientes, nunca te involucres con drogas ilegales.
5) El final de Eccl. 12: 3 se refiere a “mirar hacia afuera de las ventanas oscurecidas”.
6) Pasando al versículo 4, leemos sobre “puertas cerradas en la calle” (esto describe la audición) – LEER
7) En el medio del versículo 4 leemos sobre “pájaros” y los sonidos que hacen.
a) El punto sobre el pájaro no es escucharlo emitir sonidos, el punto es sobre dormir.
b) En los últimos años puede ser difícil descansar bien por la noche –
8) Mirando ahora el versículo 5, encontramos “miedo” asociado con los años posteriores: LEER.
a) Las alturas pueden aterrorizar a aquellos que están en sus últimos años. Tal vez hay un miedo a caerse.
b) La “piedad segura” a menudo es un signo de juventud. En los últimos años, cayendo y rompiendo un hueso es una preocupación.
9) Los “terrores en el camino” también son parte de los últimos años.
a) En los últimos años, puede haber problemas de visión, equilibrio deficiente y reflejos lentos, un gran problema.
b) Las cosas pueden ser tan difíciles que un “saltamontes” es una “carga” (las tareas pequeñas se vuelven difíciles).
c) El “almendro floreciente” es una referencia al cabello blanco.
d) El “deseo fallido” es una referencia a la actividad sexual.
10) La fatiga física es real y generalmente se convierte en un problema mayor a medida que las personas envejecen.
DESPUÉS DE QUE SALOMON TUVIERON MUCHAS COSAS PARA DECIR DEL PROCESO DE ENVEJECIMIENTO, VUELVE AL TEMA DE LA MUERTE.
11) Al final del versículo 5, leemos acerca de “dolientes en las calles”.
12) Bajando al versículo 6, nuestra vida se compara con un “cuenco dorado” – LEER
13) Junto con retratar la vida como un cuenco de oro, dijo que nuestro “cuenco” está conectado con un cordón plateado.
14) ENTONCES el hombre sabio habló de que el “cordón de plata” está “suelto” o “cortado” y luego se rompe el recipiente.
15) Cuando nuestro “tazón se rompe” (morimos), ¿qué sucede?
16) La respuesta a esta pregunta se encuentra en el versículo 7 – LEA
17) En la muerte, nuestro cuerpo físico comienza a regresar a la tierra.
18) Uno de los hombres más sabios que haya vivido dijo: Reconocer el proceso de envejecimiento: es una garantía.
a) Comience a prepararse para su muerte mientras sea joven y hágalo empezando a servir a Dios.
b) Cuando nos cansemos, recuerde cómo estamos en el proceso de desgaste –
c) Cada día es un día más cercano a la muerte. Para el cristiano, este es un día más cercano a una recompensa eterna.