Sermon Summary: Don't Be Overly Righteous: Finding Faith in Life's Mysteries
Introduction and Context This sermon addresses Ecclesiastes 7:16 as part of a "Parishioner's Pick" series. The pastor begins by reviewing the Old Testament structure (Law, History, Poetry, Prophecy) and positioning Ecclesiastes within the wisdom literature. He warns that Ecclesiastes can seem depressing, with "meaningless" as a recurring theme, but offers comfort that we're not alone in questioning life's purpose.
The Troubling Verse The central text - "Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?" - appears to contradict biblical commands to be holy and perfect. The pastor emphasizes the importance of context when interpreting Ecclesiastes, noting that isolated verses can be misleading.
The Preacher's Struggle Reading the surrounding verses (Ecclesiastes 7:15-22) reveals the author's perplexity: good people sometimes suffer while evil people prosper. This contradicts the typical wisdom found in Proverbs, creating a crisis of faith. The preacher observes that life doesn't always follow expected patterns, leading to doubt and frustration.
The Paradox of Righteousness The pastor acknowledges preaching that goodness has rewards, citing verses like Exodus 20:12, Proverbs 3:1-4, and Galatians 6:7 that promise blessings for obedience. However, he admits this isn't always true in practice. Wisdom is valuable but doesn't always pay off, creating apparent meaninglessness.
Finding Meaning in Mystery The core interpretation emerges: "Don't be overly righteous or wise" means accepting that life will always contain mysteries we cannot solve. No amount of righteousness or wisdom can fully explain life's contradictions. The passage warns against results-based faith - pursuing righteousness merely for guaranteed outcomes.
The pastor references other Ecclesiastes passages emphasizing human limitations in understanding God's work (8:16-17, 11:5) and Deuteronomy 29:29 about secret things belonging to God. The message becomes an "invitation to humility" rather than a call to mediocrity.
We Cannot Manipulate God A crucial point: we cannot control God through good behavior. While religion is often sold as a transaction (be good, get good things), this approach inevitably leads to abandoned faith when the formula fails. The pastor warns against making faith contingent on immediate results.
A Story of Lost Faith The sermon includes a cautionary tale about "Bob," a minister who became an atheist partly because Christianity "doesn't work" - starting with unanswered childhood prayers and progressing to larger disappointments. This illustrates how results-based faith can lead to complete loss of belief.
Ultimate Hope in God The answer isn't abandoning faith but redirecting it. Our frustration with life's absurdity should drive us toward God and His gospel. While following God's design may not work out immediately in this fallen world, it will work out ultimately. God promises to make all things new and set everything right in the end.
The Preacher's Conclusion Ecclesiastes must be interpreted through its conclusion (12:13-14): "Fear God and keep His commandments... For God will bring every act to judgment." Our trust shouldn't be in wealth, power, pleasure, or even wisdom, but in God's ultimate justice and restoration.
Faith Despite Outcomes The sermon calls for faith like that of Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego, and Esther - trusting God regardless of outcomes. Their examples show faith that says "even if not" - even if God doesn't deliver us as expected, we will still trust Him.
A Word for All Seasons The pastor addresses two audiences: those experiencing blessing shouldn't judge those facing tragedy, and those suffering shouldn't assume God's displeasure. Both situations occur in a complex world where we're all sinners depending on God's mercy.
Conclusion The sermon's ultimate message is that faith isn't about controlling God through righteousness but trusting Him even when life makes no sense. While we cannot solve life's mysteries through excessive righteousness or wisdom, we can rest in God's promise that one day "all will be well" and "faith will be sight."
