How Far Do We See? I. Introduction. A. Have you ever experienced limited sight--fooled by what you saw? Learned, upon a closer look, how different things were? B. Do not always see things as they are--because we do not look carefully. C. How tragic when we do not see! D. Jesus encouraged: John 4:35. II. Body. A. One must see beyond material substance: Ecclesiastes 6:1-2. 1. If this is all one has: how disappointing(song: Is that all there is?) 2. Those who miss life because they sought only treasure are not only empty and lonely now--but hereafter(the Rich Man). 3. Too much substance causes: Ecclesiastes 5:12. 4. Need to realize: Proverbs 13:7. 5. Moses saw beyond the riches of Egypt. 6. "God does not value wealth highly--look at the kind of people he permits to have it." 7. Men exaggerate the value of wealth. 8. How much we should realize: Ecclesiastes 5:15. B. One must see beyond the satisfaction of immediate desires: Ecclesiastes 6:3-7. 1. The works of men serve only to satisfy immediate desires. 2. Lot saw a pasture for his cattle--he did not see... 3. The rich farmer saw a way to satisfy his flesh--he did not see... 4. How few have the vision that stretches beyond fleshly desires. 5. "The appetite grows by what it feeds on, and hence never cries, 'enough.'" 6. This is the selfish side of many lives: at the school; at work; at play; at home(marriage). 7. This is a problem for the poor, as well as rich. 8. The pursuit of a goal(in this life) is often more satisfying than the goal. 9. Man has capabilities, desires, longings, etc. that cannot be fulfilled in this life. C. One must see beyond temporary joys and/or sorrows: Ecclesiastes 7:2-3. 1. The writer contrasts attitude of most with reality. 2. However, both joy and sorrow are fleeting in this life. 3. Also, some laugh to keep from crying(better to go ahead and cry). 4. Sorrow because of sin better than laughter at sin. 5. One can see: a. The end of this existence: Hebrews 9:27. b. Vanity of earthly things. c. How to bear burdens and help others. d. Even joy and sorrow of life will pass. e. Necessity of taking advantage of life. f. There are two sides to life: temporal & eternal. D. One must see the beginning of life--to end of life: Ecclesiastes 7:8. 1. Some skeptics view life as only a curse and non- existence as a blessing. 2. But life does have meaning--if one sees its purposes. 3. All activity of this life should be for next life. 4. The writer speaks of good things--not evil. a. Evil desires, aims, and works are not to be completed. b. A life outside of Christ is not better in the end. 5. We rejoice over birth--mourn over death: but if faithful.... 6. Rejoice in the beginning of church(Pentecost): but-- think when kingdom given back to God. 7. If not true--why be a Christian--maybe why some not faithful, cannot see the end. E. Those of limited sight see only the present--they do not envision the hereafter: Ecclesiastes 6:11-12. 1. Seek physical comfort--relief from thorns and thistles. 2. Israelites in wilderness saw present(& Egypt)--not Canaan. 3. Early Christians saw Saul the persecutor: God saw Paul, the apostle. 4. Stephen saw Heaven--not just stones: Acts 7:59. 5. Ecclesiates writer concerned about "under the sun" --something beyond this--Jesus revealed. 6. If man cannot see even the future of this life--must depend on God's revelation. 7. Man cannot envision the hereafter because of: finite nature and giving over to flesh. 8. Christian does not have to be so worried about the future--they see, "by faith," what lies beyond. III. Conclusion. A. Because we cannot see beyond this life, God has revealed what will be hereafter.-jy