Ecclesiastes 9:4-6 “4 For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.5 For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not any thing, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6 Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.”
Message:
● The Bible is comparing these two animals, a lion and a dog.
● As they used to say: A lion is the king of the forest and a dog is nothing before the lion because a dog can be a prey to the lion but if the lion is dead, it has no power over the dog.
At least a living dog can bark. A dead lion can no longer roar! A lion is much more powerful, bolder, cunning and swift than a dog while he is living. Proverbs 28: 1 “The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.”
The point is this: No matter what your abilities before death, they become completely useless after death. Use your life while you have it. If you are a Christian, dedicate your life to the Lord while you are living and use your life for His Glory while you have it.
Let me give you some thoughts concerning your value in this life:
-God controls your life. Proverbs 16:9 “9 A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth (establishes) his steps.
-Your life has potential as long as you live,
-The time will come when you, like the dead lion, can do nothing.
-Do whatever you can do now with joy and contentment. 1 Tim. 6:6-8 “6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
While you are alive, live a clean, Holy Spirit filled life.
Now notice: Ecclesiastes 9:11 “1 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
"Race is not to the swift." So you are not fast enough?
"Nor the battle to the strong." So, you are not strong enough?
"Neither yet bread to the wise." So, you are not wise enough?
"Nor yet riches to men of understanding." So, you are not rich enough?
"Nor yet favour to men of skill." So, you are not skillful enough?
"But time and chance happeneth to them all."
"Only one life, that will soon be past. Only what is done for Christ will last." Do whatever, you can do now, while you are alive. Stop living a fake live. Be real!
Revelation 3:15-16 “15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”
● Get connected with your maker, otherwise you will become dead spiritually. Spiritual death can manifest physically and psychologically.
● Because God is spirit, we can only connect with him spiritually. - John 4:24 “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.”
Note: Many people go to church nowadays because they want to make friendship. Without any spiritual motive. Many turn church to a social gathering. That’s the reason you can see a Pastor/ Prophet still worshipping idols, you can see a Deacon or Deaconess still perform rituals. They do not rely on God’s power.
Matthew 15: 8 "'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” NIV
Revelation 22:12 “12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be”.
It is time to get connected with the living God by giving your life to Him. Let Him be the master and Lord over your life. He heals spiritually, physically, psychologically, and maritally
Altar call: If you wish to make a new spiritual commitment to Jesus Christ, please come forward.