The World that Missed the Messiah (Luke 3:1-3)

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:46

Common sense is rare. Solomon understood that. He watched people ruin their lives over small compromises. He watched his own choices collapse into regret. In Ecclesiastes, he warns you to avoid the things that spoil a godly reputation. Today, Stephen shows how foolish habits, careless words, and hidden sins can undo years of integrity. This lesson is called When Common Sense is no longer common.

Dead Flies And Ruined Reputations

Little Sins, Big Consequences

Solomon’s Warning To His Son

Joy, Gratitude, And Boundaries

Remember Your Creator Early

Aging, Memory, And Wise Commitments

SPEAKER_01 1:22

I've heard it said that common sense is no longer common. You just can't find much of it around today. And I believe that. But also believe that common sense has never been common to mankind. In fact, today on our wisdom journey in the book of Ecclesiastes, we're going to find out why. We're now here in chapter 10, and Solomon is going to use the terms foolish, folly, fool nine different times. All three terms, by the way, describe someone who was lacking common sense, who was living life apart from God. Now Solomon opens this chapter with an illustration. It might strike us a bit odd today, but he writes here in verse 1, Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench. So a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor, or an honorable reputation. Now you might think that back in these ancient days, well, nobody wore perfume, so what's he talking about? Well, we've discovered today that in the ancient world the making of perfume was a highly skilled science. We now know that during the days of Daniel the prophet's generation in Babylon, the wise men, the magi, were the ones in charge of protecting the best formulas for perfume. Royalty during the days of Queen Esther had merchants scouring the known world looking for the latest fragrance, the latest cologne, the best perfume. Well, of course, the most expensive bottle of perfume could instantly become worthless if an insect, a fly, got into the formula and fouled up the whole bottle. So Solomon is making a connection we don't necessarily like to make, but common sense tells us it's true. Just as a little dead fly can ruin expensive perfume, a little foolishness can cast a shadow over a good reputation. Let me put it this way: small sins can foul up a godly reputation. Just a little lie, just a little padding of the expense account deceitfully, just a little exaggeration on your resume or on social media, just a little folly, a little foolishness that can add up to some big problems for somebody's reputation. We see it happening among leaders in the world today, and unfortunately we see it happening in the church. All of a sudden, some sin is brought to light, and what was once the aroma of integrity and dignity, it all starts to stink. It stinks with hypocrisy and deception. I have visited people in prison, and by the way, we get letters here at Wisdom International every week from inmates who tell their story, and it all began with just one little step of folly and one little decision of foolishness. I think back to eighteen fifty nine when Charles Spurgeon, the famous London pastor, preached a sermon he entitled Little Sins. In that sermon he said this wise people have always been afraid of little sins. A world of iniquity is hidden in a single act or thought or imagination of sin, and hence they have avoided it. Little sins lead to big ones. That's true, isn't it? Let me warn you, beloved, now's the time to do that kind of heart check to make sure you're as far away from just a little folly as possible. That little fly buzzing around your mind, around your heart can ruin your life unless you get the fleece water out and you deal with it. Now let me remind you that in his later years Solomon repents of his foolishness, his sinful decisions. And we know that from his private journal here, the Book of Ecclesiastes. Solomon is writing this primarily to warn his own son, Rehoboam. Solomon is concerned for his son. He's soon going to be crowned the king of Israel. So the warning continues here in chapter 11. Solomon writes this in verse 9. Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Again, Solomon's not, you know, trying to ruin his son's parade. He's encouraging him, and he's encouraging all of us to have a joyful spirit in life. In fact, learning to rejoice wherever God has you today is one of the best ways to battle those little flies of discontent and despair. You might be thinking at this point, well, well, how do I do that? Well, can you thank the Lord for something right now? Make that kind of thanksgiving a daily practice. Start with something small. Then just sort of work your way up. Ask the Lord to give your eyes the ability to see his gifts, little ones, little ones, and and then big ones. And decide right now, beloved, that you're gonna make the most of today. Well, Solomon goes on to write here in verse nine, walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. You could translate that. Follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. And I know what you're thinking. You're thinking that, well, that's gonna be dangerous. You're right. But Solomon adds this qualifier here in the text, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. In other words, Solomon is saying, look, you have the freedom to live your life. Just remember your freedom has a fence around it. There are boundaries of right and wrong. They were created by God. Something might be fun, but it also might be folly. It might be foolishness. Your liberty, beloved, comes with accountability. So make sure your happiness doesn't violate holiness. Solomon writes now here in verse 10. Vexation, by the way, means anger and rebellion. And put away pain from your body. Pain in this verse represents sin. For youth and the dawn of life are vanity. In other words, sin and rebellion eventually lead to an empty life. Well, now with that, chapter twelve opens, and Solomon writes from his own personal testimony. He says here in verse one, remember also your creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, I have no pleasure in them. Solomon is saying here something that some older believer might have said to you, before the evil days come, that's a reference to troubles and regrets of old age. You know, before those days come, make sure you're following your creator God so you minimize those regrets. You're going to get old. And in fact, you're going to start forgetting things, but you'd never want to forget this, that in those earlier years you remembered your creator God. That reminds me of a story somebody sent me some time ago you might enjoy about some college friends who decided they would have a reunion every 15 years just to be able to remember their friendship, to stay in touch. So 15 years later, when they turned 35, they decided to meet at the glowing embers restaurant because it was conveniently located. Fifteen years later, they discussed where to meet and eat a meal together, and they decided to go to the glowing embers restaurant. Well, because they liked the menu. Fifteen years later, at 65 years of age, they again met and discussed where to go eat, and they all agreed, let's go eat at the glowing embers restaurant. Well, because it was quiet and relaxing. And then again, after another fifteen years, well, now they're at the age of eighty, they talked about where to meet, and they decided to go to the glowing embers restaurant because they've never eaten there before. Well, we do tend to forget a lot of things when we get older. Solomon is telling young people here that while they're still young, they need to carve into their memory some powerful truths. Remember that God created you, your creator God. You were planned, you were crafted by God with your unique abilities and even your disabilities. Remember that no matter who you are, you're accountable to God, both now and then at the end of your life. And remember, you only have one life. So don't spend it in folly and foolishness. Don't spend your life chasing flies. They're going to spoil the aroma of a godly reputation. Remember your creator in the days of your youth. The word Solomon uses here for remember in verse 1 means more than simply recalling something or bringing something to mind. It carries the idea of making a commitment, making a decision that leads to action. So here's the point no matter how old you are, dedicate your life today to walking with God. And by the way, that's the most common sense decision you will ever make. Well, with that, we're out of time. Join me next time as we close out this private journal of Solomon and learn from his final words of wisdom. Until then, may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Final Takeaways And Invitation

SPEAKER_00 11:47

Small choices shape big consequences. Solomon reminded us that even little foolish decisions can spoil a reputation, the same way a tiny fly ruins the whole bottle of perfume. And he urged us to walk with God now, before the evil days come. Because wise living starts with remembering our Creator. That's a great reminder for all of us today. As we wrap up, I'd love to invite you to stay connected with us through Friends of Wisdom. It's completely free, and it's a simple way to get a little extra encouragement each week. Every Thursday, Stephen sends out an email with biblical insight, practical wisdom, and answers to questions from listeners just like you. It's short, helpful, and always rooted in God's Word. When you sign up, you'll also get a free resource every month. And we'll send you two of Stephen's most requested booklets right away. Blessed Assurance, which helps you understand the confidence you can have in your salvation, and the coming tribulation, which answers common questions about the end times. It only takes a minute. Just visit wisdomonline.org forward slash friends. Fill out the quick form, and you're in. Thanks for joining us today. I hope you'll come back next time as we continue our wisdom journey together.