The Way of Wisdom, Part 1

Ecclesiastes chapter 7. Ecclesiastes chapter 7, the way of wisdom. We're going to spend three weeks in chapter 7. And you'll see why after tonight, because we won't get very far in the first 14 verses.

But all that to be said is that we need to understand the way of wisdom. In other words, how do you see things from God's perspective? How do you understand things from God's point of view? And chapter 7 is a very unique, unique part of the book of Ecclesiastes. Because it's a turning point in Solomon's life. It's a turning point in his journey. Ecclesiastes is all about his journey in life. And so when you come to chapter 7, everything begins to change. And so we're going to see that as we study the scriptures.

Chapter 7 falls on the heels of chapter 6. And in verse 12, Solomon says these words. What will be after him under the sun? He asks a question. Who knows what is good for man? Well, the only answer to that is the Lord. The Lord knows. And so what Solomon is going to do is show us God's better way. In fact, 8 times he will use that word better in the first 10 verses.

Let's look at them together. Ecclesiastes 7 verse number 1. A good name is better than a good ointment. And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting. Because that is the end of every man. And the living takes it to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter. And when a face is sad, a heart may be happy. The mind of the wise is in the house of mourning, while the mind of fools is in the house of pleasure. It is better to listen to the rebuke of a wise man than for one to listen to the song of fools.

For as a crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool, and this too is futility. For oppression makes a wise man mad, and a bride corrupts the heart. The end of a matter is better than its beginning. Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit. Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools. Do not say, why is it that the former days were better than these? For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. Wisdom, along with an inheritance, is good, and an advantage to those who see the sun.

For wisdom is protection, just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors. Consider the work of God, for who is able to straighten what he has bent? In the day of prosperity be happy, but in the day of adversity consider. God has made the one as well as the other, so that man will not discover anything that will be after him. Solomon makes it very clear that there are some things that are better than other things. And so he answers the question about that which is good for a man.

And that which is better is to understand things from God's perspective. When we try to look at things from man's perspective, chapter 7 doesn't make much sense.

But when you look at it from God's perspective, God's wisdom, then it does make sense. And that's why chapter 7 is called the way of wisdom. And it talks to us about the value of wisdom. I don't know how much time you think about that, but wisdom is of utmost value. In our study with the parents on that 179-month perspective on parenting, we've been looking at Proverbs 24, 3 and 4. And there it says in verse number 3, by wisdom a house is built. In other words, unless you understand wisdom, you can't build the kind of home that honors the Lord.

You must understand what wisdom is. And wisdom truly sees things from God's perspective. Wisdom is discernment. Wisdom is penetration. Wisdom is not knowledge. Wisdom is not knowing a lot. Wisdom is living in light of what you already know. That's very important. The Bible says in verse number 5 of Proverbs 24, a wise man is strong.

That's the value of wisdom. A wise man is strong. A man of knowledge increases power. Look what it says in verse number 10 of Proverbs 24. If you're slack in the day of distress, your strength is limited. If during the day of distress you can't handle the stress, that's because your strength is limited. Why is your strength limited? Because your wisdom is shallow. Because the wise man is the strong man. The man with knowledge increases strength. Look what it says in verse 14. Know that wisdom is thus for your soul.

If you find it, then there will be a future and your hope will not be cut off. Wisdom is extremely valuable. In fact, in Luke 11, it tells us that God's word is called the wisdom of God. Isaiah 11 verse number 2, the Holy Spirit is called the spirit of wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 1, Christ becomes to you the wisdom of God at salvation. In Colossians 2, it says, in him dwells all wisdom and knowledge. In 2 Timothy 3.15, faith in Christ makes you wise unto salvation. Turn with me, if you would, to Matthew chapter 7.

In Matthew chapter 7, it says in verse 24, these words, Therefore, everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them may be compared to a wise man who built his house on a rock. So the wise man hears the word and acts upon the word. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house, and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock. Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.

The rain fell, the floods came, the winds blew and slammed against that house, and it fell, and great was its fall. So Christ says at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, you've heard the sermon.

You've heard what it means to live like a child of the king. You've heard what it means to enter the kingdom of God. The wise man hears the words, acts upon what you have just heard. That person is like one who builds his house upon the rock. But the one who hears the word of God and doesn't act upon it, turns his ear away, well, he builds his house upon the sand. So when the winds come and the floods come, he can't stand. His strength is limited in the day of distress. But the person who's a wise man, his strength is strong in the day of distress.

Turn back with me, if you would, in your Bible to Proverbs 3. Proverbs 3, just to emphasize the value of wisdom. Proverbs 3, verse number 13, how blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding. For a profit is better than the profit of silver, and you'll gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire compares with her. Long life is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast. The Lord, by wisdom, founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens. By his knowledge, the deeps were broken up, and the skies drip with dew. My son, let them not vanish from your sight. Keep sound wisdom and discretion, so they will be life to your soul, and adornment to your neck. Then you will walk in your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. When you lie down, you will not be afraid.

When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes. For the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught. So again, Solomon emphasized the fact that wisdom is so valuable, that not only does it make you strong, it keeps you from slipping, it keeps you from falling. So if you find wisdom, hold on to her. He goes on to say in chapter four, in verse number three, these words.

When I was a son to my father, tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, then he taught me and said to me, let your heart hold fast my words. Keep my commandments and live. Acquire wisdom. Acquire understanding. Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will guard you. If you love her, she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is acquire wisdom. And with all your acquiring, get understanding. Prize her, she will exalt you. She will honor you if you embrace her.

She will place on your head a garland of grace. She will present you with a crown of beauty. Hear my son and accept my sayings, and the years of your life will be many. So again, Solomon emphasizes the value of wisdom. There's nothing greater to have. That's why by wisdom, the house is built. It is so valuable, so important, so crucial, that without it, you can't stand strong. Without it, you will fall by the wayside. During the day of distress, your strength will be limited. You want your strength to be strong in the Lord.

That comes because of your understanding of God. Seeing things from God's perspective. Living out the principles of scripture. The application of truth to life. That's what wisdom is. In fact, James says over in James chapter one, verse number five, these words. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. So James says, if you lack wisdom, ask of God. Now the context is very important. Because you're asking wisdom from God about something specific. And what is it? Trials. Verse two, consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But if any of you lacks wisdom, lack wisdom about what? These things, trials, tribulation, things that come your way that you do not understand. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, and God will grant you the wisdom to understand why the trial and how things are going. But you need to be able to ask God for that wisdom, because wisdom comes from the Lord. So Solomon is going to emphasize the value of wisdom. Having said that, before we go any further, you must understand that the first six chapters has a summary verse.

And that's in Ecclesiastes chapter two, verses 11 and 12, where Solomon said in verse 17, I'm sorry, Ecclesiastes two, 17 and 18. Twice he says, I hated life. I hated the fruit of my labor. Because everything I searched for, everything I did ended up in futility, ended up with nothing. So Ecclesiastes two, 17 and 18, is a summation of the first six chapters.

When you come to chapter seven, everything begins to change. Under the sun was the common phrase in the first six chapters.

From chapter seven to 12, under the sun is not nearly as frequently used. But what is used is the word wisdom. 35 times in chapter seven through chapter 12, Solomon speaks about wisdom. And that's important, because God had granted Solomon wisdom. And so when you come to chapter seven, things now are beginning to change. How do we know that? We know that because he gains a perspective from God's point of view, and he begins to write as he did when he wrote the Proverbs. That's why in the first 14 verses, you have seven Proverbs.

Remember he wrote Proverbs in the middle of his life, when things were well, when he was writing to his son, to help his son understand the importance of life, wisdom, knowledge, understanding the fear of the Lord. And he wrote those Proverbs. And Proverbs are just simple statements that give you insight in how to live your life. So when you come to chapter seven, he begins to rattle off all these different Proverbs, showing us that he is getting back to the way of wisdom, helping you understand what is happening in life, so you might understand what is the best in life, what is better in life.

Now note that Proverbs come in three categories. Very important. There are contrasting Proverbs, there are completive Proverbs, and there are contrasting, I'm sorry, comparative Proverbs. Contrasting Proverbs, completive Proverbs, and comparative Proverbs. In chapter seven, you have comparative Proverbs. You say, what's a contrasting Proverb? A contrasting Proverb intensifies the meaning of the verse by throwing contrasts at you. For example, Proverbs chapter 13, verse number one, a wise son accepts the father's discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

So the second half intensifies the first half. Proverbs 13, verse number 10, through insolence comes nothing but strife, but wisdom is with those who receive counsel. So when Solomon interjects a but in the Proverb, it's simply a Proverb that is a contrast. And then there are completive Proverbs. That is, the second half completes the thought of the first half.

Example, Proverbs chapter 14, verse number 10, which says, the heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy. Verse 13, even in laughter, the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief. So the second half completes the first half.

And then you have comparative Proverbs. And this states one aspect as being better than the other aspect. For instance, Proverbs chapter 15, verse number 16, says this, better is the little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and turmoil with it. Verse 17, better is a dish of vegetables where love is than a fattened ox served with hatred. Proverbs chapter 25, verse number 24, it is better to live in a corner of the roof than in a house shared with a contentious woman. So those are called comparative Proverbs.

And that's what Solomon is using in chapter 7. And he uses the word better eight different times to show you that which is better than what we really think it is. And so while it might seem strange to you to say that your death day is better than your birthday, if you see it from God's perspective, you understand that. If you don't see it from God's perspective, you'll never get it. It's better to be in the house of mourning than in the house of feasting. But nobody believes that unless you understand it from God's perspective.

That's what wisdom does. That's why Proverbs 7 is the way of wisdom. So when we go through chapter 7, we're going to look at wisdom's evaluation, wisdom's recognition, wisdom's consolation, wisdom's exhortation, wisdom's direction, wisdom's comprehension, and wisdom's illumination.

We need to know the way of wisdom. We need to see things from God's perspective and not our perspective. And that's what wisdom is all about so that we can take the truth, apply it to our lives, and be better because of it. So Solomon is going to do that. So everything about this man who's been on this journey to satisfy his own desires comes to a place where now he begins to turn the corner and things are going to be different from chapter 7 to chapter 12. He's talked to us about his journey to satisfy himself and all the things that he's accomplished in life.

And he's accomplished quite a lot. But all of it was for naught because it never gave him what he wanted. It never was able to fill the emptiness of his soul. Only the Lord can do that. Nobody else can. And therefore, we need to understand it from God's perspective. And so that's what Solomon's going to do. So let's look at, number one, wisdom's evaluation.

Wisdom sees every situation and circumstance and evaluates it from God's perspective. Not from man's perspective, but from God's perspective. So chapter 7, verse number 1 says very clearly, a good name is better than a good ointment. And the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. Solomon begins by helping you understand the importance of a good name. Now, name is not the letters that make up your name. Name deals with a person's character, who he really is. So he says that a good name, your character, is better than your cologne.

Now, cologne or perfume helps you smell really, really good. And I think that everybody should smell good. I don't think you ought to come to church smelling bad or go to work smelling bad. I think you ought to shower. I think you ought to wear cologne or perfume. And I think you ought to wear deodorant. Those are just basic necessities of life. But there's something a lot better than how you smell or even how you look. It's who you are on the inside. It's your character. And so Solomon wants you to understand that the way of wisdom says, your character is more important than your cologne or how you smell.

He would say over in the Song of Solomon, chapter one, verse two, the Song of Songs, verse one, I'm sorry, I have chapter one. The Song of Songs, which is Solomon's, may he kiss me with the kisses of his mouth. For your love is better than wine. Your oils have a pleasing fragrance. Your name is like purified oil. Therefore, the maidens love you. They love you for your character. They don't love you for how you smell. They love you for who you are. Very, very important. And so Solomon makes it very clear that a good name is better than a good ointment.

Proverbs 10, verse number seven, he said, the memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot. Very important. Let me talk to you about this for a second so you understand it.

We talk about the name of the Lord. Proverbs 18, the name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and it's safe, right? It doesn't mean the letters L-O-R-D are a strong tower. That means the character and nature of God is so strong that the righteous can run to the Lord and they will have a place of refuge, a place of strength. Isaiah nine, verse number six, his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Father. Remember, it's the name of God.

God doesn't have names. He has just one name, but it manifests itself in different ways. That's why he's called Wonderful, because that's who he is. He's the Prince of Peace, because that's who he is. He is the Eternal Father, the Everlasting Father, the Originator of Eternity. He is the Mighty God. That's who he is. So in Exodus chapter three, when Moses said, what is your name? He said, my name is I Am. And that became, as he said, in verse 15 of Exodus three, this is my memorial name, by which I'm to be remembered from generation to generation.

So the memorial name of the Lord is I Am. That's what Christ said in John 8, 24. Unless you believe that I Am, you will die in your sins. Because that's who I Am, the great God Jehovah. Very important to understand that. That's why in Matthew 1, 21 it says, you shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins. Because I Am is a deliverer. I Am is a Savior. I Am is a Redeemer. That's the memorial name of God. So when you say, call his name Jesus, because he is a Savior. He'll save his people from their sins, Acts 4.12.

There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby you must be saved. What name is that? The name of Jesus. At the name of Jesus, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. That's who he is. That's his character. That's his nature. That's why in Exodus 20, verse number 7, it says these words. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain. For the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes his name in vain. God is very serious about his name.

And therefore you are not to take his name in vain. You're not to treat his name as if it's meaningless, as if it's irrelevant. So when we talk about taking the name of the Lord of God in vain, we think of profanity, right? That's just one aspect of taking God's name in vain. There's also frivolity, and that is treating God's name as if it's not important or frivolous, as the big man upstairs. That's taking the name of God in vain. But there's also hypocrisy. That's another way to take the name of the Lord God in vain.

Luke chapter 6, the Lord said, Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and yet do not do what I say? That is taking the name of the Lord God in vain. And God says they will not be unpunished who take my name in vain.

We need to be more concerned about hypocrisy among the saints rather than profanity in the streets. Because hypocrisy among the saints is taking the name of God in vain. Treating him as if he has no value at all to you. He makes no difference at all to you. So many times we think that if we swear that that's taking the name of the Lord God in vain, and it is. And I want to minimize that. But we also have to maximize the fact that if we don't live up to the name of God, we take his name in vain. And God says they will not go unpunished who take my name in vain.

Interesting that in Exodus chapter 33, in verse number 19, when Moses said, Show me your glory, the Lord said, I myself will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim the name of the Lord. You want to see my glory? You must understand my name, who I am. And when he passes by Moses, hides him in the cleft of the rock, he proclaims, he proclaims, verse 6 of chapter 34, The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving kindness and truth, who keeps loving kindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin, and yet he will by no means leave the guilty unpunished that is in the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.

So what does he proclaim? He proclaims his name. He proclaims his glory. And that consists of the attributes that make up who God is. That is the name. So, when you read Ecclesiastes 7, verse number 1, Solomon says a good name is better than a good ointment. A good name. Your character. Who you are. Is everything. So let me ask you a question.

Do you have a good name? Interestingly, he says in the next phrase, that the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth. Why? Because from the day you're born to the day you die, you have all that time to develop a name that honors the Lord. But that's all the time you have. And everybody has three names. Your parents gave you a name. Right? Your friends, they call you a name. That's number two.

And then number three is the name that you develop that exemplifies your character, that everybody knows who you really are.

And Solomon's concerned about that. And so I ask you tonight, what kind of name do you have? And how do you get a good name? Notice he didn't say a popular name is better than a good ointment.

A famous name is better than a good ointment. A kind name is better than a good ointment. No, he says a good name is better than good ointment. Why? Because a good name can only come from a God who is good. So let me give you ten principles that you can measure your life to see whether or not you have a good name.

We're going to go through these things rather rapidly because at the end I want to conclude with two people who have two names, one which is honored and one which is dishonored. Okay? A good name, number one, is conceived in spirituality.

It's conceived in spirituality. In other words, it's given to you by God. Let me read to you Revelation chapter 3.

Revelation chapter 3, verse number 5. I'm sorry, let me start with chapter 2, verse number 17. Revelation 2, verse 17. He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, to him I will give some of the hidden manna. And I will give him a white stone and a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it. To the overcomer, to the one who has ears, to hear, the one who has wisdom because he has ears, he hears, he applies to his life. The Lord says I will give him a new name.

First of all, I'm going to give him a white stone because in ancient days they had two stones, a black stone and a white stone.

Okay? And the judge would hold one of those two stones and if you were guilty, the black stone would be revealed. But if you were innocent, the white stone would be revealed. Christ says I'm going to give you a white stone.

And on that white stone will be a new name, a name that you will receive from me that no one knows except the one who receives it. And then it says over in chapter 3, verse number 5, he who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments and I will not erase his name from the book of life. What name is that? Well, that's the new name that he gives you that no one knows but the one who receives it. And I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. And then in chapter 3, verse number 12, he says he who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of my God and he will not go out from it anymore and I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God and my new name.

So not only do you have a name that signifies ownership because the name of God is on you, and not only do you have a name that signifies your citizenship because the New Jerusalem's name is written on you, but you have a name that signifies your relationship with the living God because you receive his new name. Well, what name is that? Well, Revelation 19 tells us these words. When the Lord comes again, verse 12, his eyes are a flame of fire and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written on himself which no one knows except himself.

He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood and his name is called the word of God. But he has a name that no one knows except him, which speaks to the fact that it speaks to the immensity of God. If no one knows it, the angels of heaven don't even know it. But he knows it. It's his new name which is written on you. So a name that's a good name is conceived in spirituality. It's conceived that the moment you're born again and Christ writes a new name on you because he transforms your life. Now your character is changed.

Who you are is very valuable, and therefore, you have a new name. It's conceived in spirituality. Number two, it's characterized by integrity.

It's characterized by integrity. Job 1 verse number 1 tells us that Job was blameless, upright, fearing God, turning away from evil. Daniel 6 verse number 4 says of Daniel, there was no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption in him nor any sin found about him. He was a man of integrity. Daniel, his name was characterized by integrity. Job's name was characterized by integrity. Over in Psalm 15 verse number 1, O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell in your holy hill? He walks with integrity and works righteousness and speaks truth in his heart.

So a good name is conceived in spirituality. A good name is characterized by integrity. Number three, a good name is concerned with maturity.

It's concerned about growing in Christ. Why? Because you want to become like the God who gave you a new name. You want to become like a good God who is gracious and kind. And so like the Apostle Paul, you strive to know him as much as possible. It says in 2 Peter 3.18, that we may grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord. Daniel 11.32, that those who know their God will display strength and take action. But those with a good name are concerned with maturity in Christ because they're characterized by integrity because that name was conceived in spirituality.

Number four, a good name is committed to purity, holiness. There is no one holy like the Lord, 1 Samuel 2.2. Our Lord who gave us a name, a new name, is a holy God. He wants us to exemplify his holiness. And therefore, a man with a good name, a woman with a good name is characterized or committed to purity. The Bible says over in 2 Timothy 2.19, Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands having the seal that the Lord knows those who are his.

And everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness. And that's because you have a new name. And therefore, your name, your character is committed to purity. Number five, a good name is not just conceived in spirituality, not just characterized by integrity, not just concerned with maturity, not just committed to purity, but it's consumed with authenticity, consumed with genuine honesty, transparency, veracity, consumed with being the kind of person on the outside that you are on the inside.

And that's why the Bible says we're to buy truth and never sell it. We're to gain wisdom, understanding, and knowledge. That's why Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 2, As you know, he says, as you know, several times, you well know. How do they know? Because he lived the life of authenticity before them. They're able to see the genuineness of his character. He was a man of truthfulness, a man of transparency, a man of genuineness. And those with a good name are consumed with authenticity. Number six, they're conditioned by simplicity.

A good name is conditioned by simplicity. The simple life is the uncomplicated life. The simple life is the unconforming life. The simple life is the untangled life. It's conditioned by simplicity. That's why the Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 2, that no good soldier of Jesus Christ entangles himself in the affairs of this world.

Why? Because he is untangled by those things. He doesn't entangle himself in the everyday mundane things of the world. Why? He's conditioned by simplicity. It's best to find that a simple life doesn't draw attention to itself. It doesn't draw attention to sin. It only draws attention to the Savior. That's why John the Baptist said, he must increase, I must decrease. He's conditioned by simplicity. That's why the writer of Hebrews said this, Hebrews 11, 13, all these died in faith without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth, for those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.

And indeed, if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country that is a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. That's what the Bible calls us, aliens and strangers in a foreign land. Why? Because this is not our home. And so the good name is conditioned by simplicity. Number eight, a good name is clothed with humility. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5, all of you clothe yourself with humility, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

The more you are occupied with Christ, the less you'll be occupied with yourself. Humility is a byproduct of Christlikeness. So therefore, a good name is clothed with humility. Number eight, a good name is captivated by God's glory. It's all about the glory of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 10.31, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do all to the glory of the Lord. Ephesians 3.21, let there be glory in the church, not just corporately but personally. Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6.19-20. It's all about the glory of God. And a good name is captivated by His glory. It wants to reflect the righteous radiance of a Savior. Number nine, a good name will always be contested by the enemy. A good name is always contested by the enemy. How do we know that? Ask Job. Job had a good name, but Satan attacked him vehemently. Ask Peter. Christ said, Peter, I'll let you know that Satan has come to me and he's asked to sift you like wheat. But I've prayed for you that your faith will not fail.

So Peter, his name was contested by the enemy. Job, his name was contested by the apostle Paul. His name was contested by the enemy. 2 Corinthians chapter 12, he was given a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, Jesus. His whole name was contested by the enemy for his entire life. Even after his death, his name was contested by the enemy because that's what happens when you have a good name. And then lastly, a good name is commemorated in eternity. The good name is commemorated in eternity. That's why the Lord says, well done thou good and faithful servant.

Remember Luke 16, the rich man and Lazarus, one has a name, the other doesn't. The rich man has no name, but Lazarus has a name. Lazarus is in Abraham's bosom, but the rich man is not because his name was not commemorated in eternity. But Lazarus, his was. Having said that, turn with me to Mark chapter 14.

Mark chapter 14. In this story, you have two characters. One whose name means bitter, rebellious. The others whose name means praise. The person with a name that means bitter and rebellious ended with a name that's blessed for all eternity. The person with a name that means praise has a name that's punished for all eternity. Let me read to you the narrative.

Mark 14 verse number 3. Some were indignantly remarking to one another, why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over 300 denarii and money given to the poor. And they were scolding her. But Jesus said, let her alone. Why do you bother her? She has done a good deed to me. For you always have the poor with you. And whenever you wish, you can do good to them. But you do not always have me. She has done what she could. She has anointed my body beforehand for the burial.

Truly I say to you, wherever the gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of in memory of her. Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the 12, went off to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. They were glad when they heard this and promised to give him money. They began seeking how to betray him at an opportune time. Judas is from Judah, the tribe of Judah, the royal tribe. His name means praise. Mary of Bethany, her name means bitter or rebellious.

But Mary's name is remembered forever. It became a blessed name. But nobody names their son Judas. Many people name their daughters Mary. And that's because one had a good name and the other did not. And Mary had a good name. And what made Mary so unique is that she understood wisdom. Because Mary of Bethany was the one who would listen at the feet of Jesus in Luke's gospel in the 10th chapter. When Martha was running around, Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus listening to the words of the Lord.

She chose the one thing that was needful to hear His words. But notice something about Mary. She believed in the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah. Mary of Bethany was not at the cross. And Mary of Bethany was not at the tomb. You know why? Because she listened well to what Jesus said. And she believed that He would die. That's why she anointed His body. And she knew He would arise again. Mary, the Lord's mother, she was at the cross. Mary Magdalene, she was at the tomb. Mary, the mother of James and John, was at the cross and the tomb.

But Mary of Bethany, neither place. Because she believed in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord. And she has a blessed name. She anointed His body because she trusted in the words of the Lord. Judas, on the other hand, sold Jesus to the enemy. He died. And his name is completely shameful. And Judas was with the Lord every day. Mary of Bethany was not. Judas was involved in preaching the gospel. Mary of Bethany was not. Judas was involved in observing all the miracles of Jesus.

Mary of Bethany was not. But when she heard Him speak, and she listened to His voice, and sat at His feet, she did the one thing that was needful. So when you come to Mark's gospel in the 14th chapter, her name is a good name. But Judas, although his name means praise, he did not live up to the praise of Almighty God. And he went out, hung himself, he was the son of perdition. I say all that simply because Solomon says a good name is better than a good ointment, and the day of one's death is better than the day of one's birth.

How can it be that your birthday is better than your death day? If you have the wisdom of God, you see your death day from God's perspective. And therefore, that's where true wisdom comes in. And so between the day of your birth and the day of your death, you have this opportunity to have a good name. And I wonder how many of us here this evening have that kind of name, a name that's conceived in spirituality, a name that's characterized by integrity, a name that's committed to purity, that's conditioned by simplicity, that's consumed with authenticity, that's captivated by God's glory, a name that's always contested by the enemy, because it stands for truth.

It stands for Christ, lives for Christ, a name that one day will be commemorated in eternity like Mary of Bethany. Or do you have a name like Judas, a man who lived for himself, a man who was following Jesus only for what he could get out of following Jesus, not because he was truly committed to being one of his apostles and followers? My prayer for you and for me is that we would have a good name. Our character would exemplify Christ's character. And we live for the glory and honor of our God. Let's pray together.

Father, we thank you for tonight. The opportunity you give us to study your word didn't get very far in Ecclesiastes 7, but that's okay. The things you want us to cover, Lord, are very important. My prayer is that there'd be no one here who doesn't have a good name, a name given by God, a new name, written on a white stone, a name that will not be erased from the Lamb's book of life. What a promise. A name that's secure throughout all eternity. So when we do die, we'll hear those words, well done, thou good and faithful servant.

There are men and women in the Bible who had good names because they were committed to following the God who's good. And all of his goodness is his glory. And our prayer, Lord, is that all of us tonight will know for certain that Christ is our king and we are your children for the glory of your name. We pray in Jesus' name, amen.