#17 Cherry Blossom Trees in Greerton (Ecclesiastes 8:10-13)
Notes
This sermon on Ecclesiastes 8:10–13 confronts the reality of wicked people in a fallen world. Solomon observes that the wicked often abuse sacred things, are celebrated by society, and seem to prosper because judgment is delayed. Yet he insists they are still mortal, their time is limited, and ultimately it will not go well with them. In contrast, it will be well with those who fear God. Philip moves from this stark realism to the hope of the gospel: Jesus was counted among the wicked, buried, and raised so that sinners who trust him might receive eternal life and a heart that turns toward God rather than evil.
"Then I saw the wicked buried. They used to go in and out of the holy place and were praised in the city where they had done such things. This also is vanity. Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. Though a sinner does evil a hundred times and prolongs his life, yet I know that it will be well with those who fear God, because they fear before him. But it will not be well with the wicked, neither will he prolong his days like a shadow, because he does not fear before God"(Ecclesiastes 8:10-13).
