Dr Tom Hover
February 11, 2024
Ecclesiastes 10:1 (Ecclesiastes 10:1-20)
DEAD FLIES IN THE OINTMENT
DEAD FLIES IN THE OINTMENT
Text: Ecclesiastes 10:1 (Ecclesiastes 10:1-20)
“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.”
Introduction: John 1:12, II Corinthians 5:20
If anyone should be a person that is “in reputation for wisdom and honour” it should be the child of God. If you are one of the Born Again, you are a child of the King of kings and Lord of lords.
Ecclesiastes 10 Is God’s Yucky Chapter in the Bible for His Children. Dead Flies in our Needed Ointment are: Unpleasant, Distasteful, Unsavory, Obnoxious, Awful, objectionable, Dreadful, Nauseating, Foul, Revolting, Repugnant, Repulsive, Sickening, Vexatious, Distressing, Nasty, Disgusting, Terrible, Horrible, Irritating, Offensive, Unthinkable, Unlikeable. John:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” We are to be ambassadors of our Lord. II Corinthians 5:20“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.” As Children of God and Ambassadors of Heaven, we must have a glowing testimony that will point people to Jesus. In this passage the emphasis is not on the big things that hinder but the little things. It does not say the dead elephants in the ointment causes it to send forth a stinking smell. Nor does it say dead cows, dogs, or frogs, but it says little dead flies. Question? Would you use “Vick’s Vapor Rub,” or ladies would you use cold cream with dead flies in it? It would turn you off from using it. Now there is not a thing wrong with the salve or cold cream. You could use it, and it would still do a great job. Most real Christians will not likely be caught with dead elephants in their lives, but dead flies - well, that is another story. There are things that might be considered as little flies in some people’s eyes; yet, to a lost person, these dead flies stink and causes them not to trust Christ. I thought it might be good to just dig up some dead flies that may be in your life that are mentioned here in Ecclesiastes 10. These dead flies will cause your testimony and soul winning efforts to stink. Now there’s not a thing wrong with the Gospel message or its power. It saves just like it always did and always will, but many can’t see past the dead flies in your life.
THE DEAD FLY OF:
I. FOOLISHNESS Ecclesiastes 10:2-3, 2:16
II. STUBBORNNESS Ecclesiastes 10:4
III. PRIDEFULNESS Ecclesiastes 10:6, Pro. 6:16-19 (17)
IV. BITTERNESS Ecclesiastes 10:8-9
V. UNPREPAREDNESS Ecclesiastes 10:10, II Timothy 2:15
VI. UNWISE AND UNBRIDLEDNESS OF SPEECH Ecclesiastes 10:11-12,14,20
VII. IGNORANCE Ecclesiastes 10:15
VIII. CHILDISHNESS Ecclesiastes 10:16, Psalm 119:165
IX. LAZINESS Ecclesiastes 10:18, Titus 2:3-5
X. COVETOUSNESS Ecclesiastes 10:19, Matt. 6:21
XI. DISRESPECTFULNESS Ecclesiastes 10:20
Conclusion: I Peter 4:14, Matthew 5:16
The overindulgence and underachievement of our age have created a monster whose brain is lazy; vison is blurred; hands are greedy; skin is thin; middle is round; seat is wide; and whose testimony for Jesus seems to turn the average lost person off from being a Christian. This does not need to be our reality. Under the operation of the Spirit of God, we have the inner strength to resist and refrain, the strength not to indulge, and not to act on impulse. The strength to have a glowing testimony will cause others to say, “I want to know your Jesus, the One who saved you, and the one you serve!”
