If all you see in life is this life, then you're going to do all you can to make this life all of life. But Dr. Tony Yavin says there's a greater life ahead of us. Considering what God has in store for tomorrow can change your life today. If you believe that there is a life to come, intrusion of God that affects your perspective for living life under the sun.
This is the alternative broadcast, featuring the timeless biblical teachings from the archives of Dr. Tony Evans. Life without God eventually proves empty and meaningless, regardless of our income, accomplishments, possessions, everything.
Well today, Dr. Evans takes us to the book of Ecclesiastes for a look at how divine perspective can move us from momentary satisfaction to a more fulfilling present and an eternal future. Let's join him. All of us know what it is to look forward to something, to be excited about it, to think about it, for it to keep us up all night. And then when it's over.
to wonder what was that all about. In other words, the excitement dissipates. almost as quickly as as it comes. Chapter seven He says, I've discovered all this, says the preacher, verse 27, adding one thing to another. to find an explanation.
I'm trying to make sense of life. which I am still seeking but I have not found.
Now he's the wisest man that ever lived in all of his searching. all of his Google search. would not give him the answers to life's questions. In other words, what he's saying again is that the answer to life cannot be discovered in life. I have found one man among a thousand, but I have not found a woman among all these.
Behold, I have found only this. that God made man upright, but they have sought out many devices. In other words, men wander from God. Yeah. He comes to chapter eight.
Who is the wise man? And who knows an interpretation of a matter? A man's wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face. To beam. In other words, if you make good choices, you f you feel good about it.
I say, keep the command of the king because of the oath before God, because of the oath before God. In other words, to obey legitimate authority, the command of the king, the government, He says, keep the command of the king, that is, obey legitimate authority. Do not be in a hurry to leave him. Do not join in an evil manner, for he will do whatever he pleases because of the power of the government, the king. He says, be careful how you relate to him because of the power that they possess.
Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, What are you doing? He who keeps a royal command experiences no trouble, that is, a governmental rule of regulation. for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. All of us knows that timing matters. That when you do something is almost sometimes as important as what you do.
Because you can do a good thing at the wrong time.
So, one of the things we must learn to do. is to ask the Lord, Lord, is this wise for me to do this now? Even if you know it's the right thing to do. Verse 8, no man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind or authority over the day of death. And there is no discharge in the time of war, and evil will not deliver those.
Who practice it? He says, death is as inevitable as the wind.
Okay. And uh Nobody can restrain the wind and nobody can stop ultimately death.
So, there is a reality that we have to contend with. We don't like it. When you get sick, when you give an ache and a pain, or you're waiting for a diagnosis to come back. you and i are reminded that Like the wind under the sun, men die. All this I have seen and applied my mind to every deed that has been done under the sun.
Here's our phrase, wherein a man has exercised authority over another man to his hurt. He says, I have observed under the sun all manner of injustice. where people hurt people. Every day you look at the newspaper, every day you're reading something. Just just where men have no conscience at all.
About the value of life.
So then I have seen the wicked buried, those who used to go in and out from the holy place. And they are soon forgotten in the city where they did thus. This too is fertility. That is, after death, then you become a... You just become a name.
Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore, the heart of sons of men. among them are given to fully do evil. That's an interesting concept. Because people don't see anything happening to them now. They think nothing's going to happen.
But the point is, he was saying that evil that goes unaddressed. people think that they're getting away with it. Because there is no sense. Under the sun, there's no sense of Eternal judgment. One day the books are going to be open.
And all of us will stand, Christians will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Non-Christians. will stand before the white throne judgment, two different judgments. The judgment seat of Christ will determine the reward of Christians for their service to the Lord. The white throne judgment will determine the The judgment the degree of judgment on non-believers.
So those are two different judgments for two different groups. And so there is a record. There is a record, a detailed record. of our actions, good, bad, and ugly. That can make you feel real bad.
and real scared. You know? Because there is a record and that record, that book will be open.
So what he is saying is don't think because there's delay in judgment. That there will be no judgment. Because of the end, verse 11, because a sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly. Although a sinner does evil, verse 12. a hundred times and may lengthen his life.
still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear him openly.
Now, he does one of these punctuation marks in the history again. He says, okay, Senator does evil a hundred times. Looked like he's getting away with it. But he says You keep fearing God and you keep fearing God openly. In other words, don't be ashamed of your...
fearing God and taking God seriously.
Okay, because How things look. Is not equal to how things are or where things will wind up.
So, you cannot have a short-term view of life. I love Psalm 73. When the psalmist says he he saw the evil people prospering and he saw the righteous not prospering. And he said, it's not fair. This is Psalm 73 is a struggle of a man seeing evil proliferate.
and good not going anywhere. And he says, like we all say when we see that, it's not fair. It's not fair. But he comes toward the end of the chapter. He said, in his depression, he went into the house of the Lord.
And he said, when he went to the house of the Lord, he says, and I saw their end. God gave him a picture of where things were going to wind up. as opposed to where things are.
So Don't get all shook up that things happen unfairly right now. It ain't over till it's over. But it will not be well, verse thirteen, for the evil man. And he will not lengthen his days like a shadow because he does not fear God. Ultimately, there will be a price paid.
So you got to believe that because you often don't see it. There is futility which is done on the earth. That is, there are righteous men. to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked, On the other hand, there are evil men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say this too is fertility.
Or To say it another way, It ain't right. He says, I observe. That a good man has bad things happening to him, and a bad man has good things happening to him. And he says, I observed this. And if we're going to be totally truthful under the sun, we all observe this.
we all observe Bad happening to good and good happening to bad. And he says that that's what you see under the sun.
So, if under the sun is the only perspective that you have, Then you're going to be frustrated. You're going to be miserable because you see all this stuff happening just like Solomon saw it. But that's why he keeps punctuating this. He's going to come to chapter 12. He's going to wrap all this stuff up for us.
So you'll see him wrap up everything in chapter 12. But right now, he's observing and he's telling you what he sees. and the frustration it's causing him verse 15 so i commanded pleasure for there is nothing good For a man under the sun, except to eat and drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his. uh toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
So he said, look, all this unfairness going on.
So let me just. You know, eat, drink, and be merry. You know, let me just. Party, let me just because I mean, it won't matter anyway, because life is so unfair. He's observing, he's observing, and he's giving us his struggle, his frustrations, even though he will punctuate it.
with a God view. Dr. Evans will return in a moment with more on what that God view can do for us, especially when it comes to dealing with the unknown and unexpected. But first, the message you've been hearing today comes from his teaching series How to Avoid a Wasted Life. An honest and profound look at what the Bible has to say about the complexities of life, pleasure, meaning, and more.
Through the lessons being presented, We've already discovered many reasons to embrace our relationship with God and find ways to enjoy His presence and promise as our perspective on life rises above cultural and worldly uncertainties. There's a lot packed into this powerful series. And if you've missed any of the messages along the way, or want to explore and learn more from the additional material we haven't had time to present, You can get all nine messages as our gift. And thanks for your contribution to help support the Alternative Broadcast Ministry. And as an added bonus, we'll also include a copy of Tony's insightful book, Experiencing God Together.
In it, he shows how loving and serving others is a powerful way to experience God more deeply in our lives. To take advantage of this limited-time offer, visit TonyEvans.org or call 1-800-800-3222. to speak with a member of our resource team. I'll have our contact information for you again after part two of today's lesson and this. When everything feels louder, faster, and more divided by the day, where do you find real peace?
We live in a very frayed world. On the Unbound podcast, Dr. Tony Evans explores timeless truth for today's toughest realities: faith. That doesn't escape the world, but speaks directly into it. Prayer changes the chemistry of the brain.
The Unbound podcast with Dr. Tony Evans. biblical truths. in real life. Listen to the Unbound Podcast any time of the day or night on your favorite podcast streaming platform.
And now let's return to doctor Evans' teaching from the book of Ecclesiastes. He comes to chapter 9. For I have taken all this into my heart. and explain it that righteous men wise men in their deeds. are in the hand of God.
Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred. Anything awaits him.
So life under the sun is unpredictable because We don't know what's going to happen. We don't know what tomorrow is going to be like. There is uncertainty. There's uncertainty on your health. You know, you get nervous whether tomorrow is going to be as good a day as today was.
or whether Tomorrow's going to be. You know, worse than today. There's uncertainty under the sun. And it is the same for all. because we don't have all the information.
We have the information, our five senses per take up, but we don't have all the information. This is an evil, verse three, and all that is done under the sun. that there is one faith for all men.
Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity. Is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards, they go to the dead. And that is talking about their physical life because he's talking about life under the sun. He says, so that death Whether you're good or bad, it's going to be inevitable for all people.
And that's where everybody's going to wind up. If all you see in life is this life, then you're gonna do all you can to make this life all of life. Whether good or evil, because you're going to do all you can, because this is all there is. See? That you're gonna do what you do to get all out of this you can get.
But if you believe, as we all should now, that there is a life to come. then that affects your perspective for living life under the sun. For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope. Surely, a live dog is better than a dead lion. I love that expression.
Even though death is inevitable, life is better. Even with the struggles, even with the difficulties, you're alive.
So that's still better than being a great dead person. You know, we say about people who passed on, we'll never forget them. You give a couple of months or years. Who you're talking about, I mean, you know, you will be forgotten. You will be forgotten because life moves on and there are more generations.
And there may be a picture or something, and that was your great, great, great grandfather.
Okay, but What does that do?
So life under the sun. without the intrusion of God. is ultimate emptiness or vanity. Indeed, verse 6. their love, their hate, and their zeal have already perished.
and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun. On earth. Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart, for God has already approved your works. Whatever life you have, live it to the max. Because whatever life you have.
Is a gift from God. Life is a gift from God. That's why we believe in life because it is a gift. The only life that that baby has is the life you give it. If you take that life away, it has no other life to live.
So Live it. Maximize it. Don't apologize for the legitimate things in it. and live life. But not independently of God.
That's what chapter 12 is all about. Let your clothes be white all the time. and let not oil be lacking on your head. In other words, dress nice and put on cologne or perfume. Oh, he's saying.
He's saying, maximize, maximize what God has given you. Just make sure you remember God gave it. This is in the New Testament, 1 Timothy chapter 6. He tells those of you who've gotten some wealth in this world. He says He says, enjoy it.
But don't forget God.
So it's okay to enjoy whatever God gives you. That is, if you've gotten it legitimately. It's okay to enjoy it as long as you're giving thanks to God for it.
So the question is, can I thank God for this legitimately?
Okay. So you're not called to live miserably when you don't have to. Why? Because under the sun, there's going to be enough misery to find you anyway. Under the sun, the way the world works, you won't have to chase misery.
It knows where you live. Misery knows where sickness knows where you live. Death knows where you live, difficulty knows where you live, bad economic circumstances know where you live, downturns in the economy know where you live, it all knows where you live.
So, if it hasn't knocked on your door yet, praise God for that and maximize with God, under God, under the sun, what he has given you. Because tomorrow could be a different day. because that's how life is under the sun. He says, we'll go down to verse 9. Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life.
which he has given you under the sun for this is your reward in life and is your toil in which you have labored under the sun. He tells you to enjoy marriage. To enjoy marriage. Unfortunately, very few couples enjoy marriage. Most of them endure marriage.
Most who stay married endure marriage.
Okay, 50% of all couples get divorced, right? The other 50%. A large part of the other 50% stay together because of money and children. That's why the the divorce rate skyrockets when the last child goes off to college. because the binding fact of children is no longer there.
The other reason is finances sometime because of obligations. But to think of marriage as Fun. which is how he describes it here. For all the days of your life is not the normal way people. think about it.
And unfortunately, A lot of negative influences have influenced us this way, the media and our relationships. And what I'm saying is, is. He wants the first two words of the key. He says, Enjoy life. Whatever is legitimate fun that's fun for you.
That's okay. Because there's enough misery under the sun. He just doesn't want you to enjoy it independently of God. In fact, let me close, turn to 1 Timothy 6. To show you, this is not just an Old Testament concept.
But a New Testament one. 1 Timothy 6, 17. Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited. or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches. But on God.
who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.
Okay. If God gave it, you don't have to apologize for it. You can enjoy it.
Okay, but he doesn't want you to fix your hope on it. He doesn't want you to treat it like it's a God. Like it's an idol. Your money can't be your God. Your power can't be your God.
Your prestige can't be your God. Your notoriety can't be your God. Only God can be your God. But if God is giving you something to enjoy, it's not wrong to enjoy it. Nor should you let people make you feel guilty that you are enjoying it.
Not if you got it legitimately and you're enjoying it properly, then you don't need to be given false guilt that you are enjoying it. If your hope is fixed on God, that means you're doing it within the priorities that God has established.
So you enjoy life, but don't live life under the sun as though God does not exist. Because one day You're going to see him face to face. A message of wisdom today on the value of obedience.
Now, before we hear a closing prayer from Dr. Tony Evans, I'd like you to consider taking advantage of that special offer I mentioned earlier, all nine messages from how to avoid a wasted life. Sent to you as our way of saying thanks for your donation in support of the alternative. And as an added bonus, we'll also include a copy of Tony's book, Experiencing God Together. Look at how our connection with others can deepen our relationship with God.
It's a powerful reminder that when we give His love away through every day acts of kindness, forgiveness, and hospitality, we encounter His presence in new and meaningful ways. Call us to make the arrangements at one eight hundred eight hundred thirty two twenty two. Our resource center never closes, so you can reach out any time of the day or night. That's 1-800-800-3222. or visit tonyevans.org to take advantage of this special package.
You'll find the details right on the homepage. Again, that's tonyevans.org. Have you ever noticed how quickly something new can lose its appeal? Tomorrow, Dr. Evans explains why that's more than just a passing feeling.
It's a reflection of life lived without God. I hope you'll join us for that as we uncover the vital connection between God and a life of lasting purpose.
Now one final note, today is the National Day of Prayer. A time set aside to seek God's hand on our country. doctor Tony Evans invites you to take part in that purpose right now. Join him as he leads us in prayer for our nation. Dear Lord, I come to you.
on behalf of a nation. in need of heaven. to intervene on earth. There are all kinds of challenges we face. as a community.
There are challenges with regard to unity. racially, culturally, class-wise. There are international challenges, Lloyd. Wars, rumors of wars. Uh There's family challenges, Lord.
Identity and breakdown, and then personal challenges of people who. I need direction, guidance, clarity, deliverance. We say we are one nation under God. But Lord, we need that to be more than a statement, but a reality that we're willing to place this nation underneath your rule. Would you raise up the leaders needed?
to guide our nation. Spiritual leaders, political leaders, community leaders, social leaders. Parental leaders. Who will move the nation and the national discourse back to heaven, so that thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Lord, would you create the scenarios necessary?
To bring our consciousness back to the God of the Bible and, of course, to the good news of Jesus Christ. May you show each of us our responsibility. to be ambassadors. on behalf of this nation before God. Because you said in Isaiah 40, the nations are in your hand.
So we place America in the hands of God. And we ask that the God who is over the nations, will bring America to God so that we experience God in a revival.
so that men are saved Women are saved. and the nation is healed. In Jesus' name. Amen.
