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The sermon teaches that believers remain in the world by divine purpose: not because God cannot bring them immediately to heaven, but because they have work to do. Ecclesiastes 9:10 is applied broadly to vocation, household duties, humble service, and evangelism, with death presented as the limit of earthly opportunity. Christ’s cross is the central motive for wholehearted service, while family discipleship is treated as a primary responsibility rather than a lesser ministry. The sermon concludes with an urgent call to believe the gospel and bring others to salvation.
Theological center: Christ’s atoning death saves believers and obligates them to grateful, urgent obedience while they remain on earth.
Applications: Serve through present opportunities · Work wholeheartedly in every task · Serve Christ without delay · Raise children in God’s ways
Primary texts: Ecclesiastes 9:10 · Mark 16:16
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:10 IF God had willed it we might each one of us have entered heaven at the moment of our conversion. It was not absolutely necessary for our preparation for immortality that we should tarry here. It is possible for a man to be taken to heaven and to be found fit to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light, though he has but believed in Christ a solitary moment. The thief upon the cross had no long time for the process of sanctification, for thus spoke the Savior, “Verily, I say unto thee this day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” It is true that in our case sanctification is a long and continued process, and we shall not be perfected—the being of sin shall not be cast out—till we lay aside our bodies and enter within the veil. But nevertheless, it is quite certain that if God had so willed it, He might have sanctified us in a moment. He might have changed us from imperfection to perfection, He might have cut out the very roots of sin, and have destroyed the very being of corruption, and have taken us to heaven instanter, if so He had willed it. Notwithstanding that, we are here. And why are we here? Would God keep His children out of paradise a single moment longer than was necessary? Yet it is not absolutely necessary for them. Then, why are they here? Does God delight to tantalize His people by keeping them in a wilderness when they might be in Canaan? Will he shut them up in prison when He might give them instant liberty, unless there be some overwhelming reason for His delay in giving them the fullness of their life and bliss? Why are they here? Why is the army of the living God still on the battle field? One charge might give them the victory. Why are God’s ships still at sea? One breath of His wind might waft them to the haven. Why are His children still wandering hither and thither through a maze, when a solitary word from His lips would bring them into the center of their hopes in heaven? The answer is, they are here that they may glorify God and that they may bring others to know His love. We are not here in vain, dear brethren. We are here on earth like sowers scattering good seed, like ploughmen ploughing up the fallow ground. We are here as heralds, telling to sinners around— “What a dear Savior we have found,” and heralding the coming of our Master. We are here as the salt to preserve a world, which else would become putrid and destroyed. We are here as the…