The Futility of Pleasure and Work
Notes
Transcript
Heavenly Father,
We come before You today, humbled by the wisdom of Your Word and the life lessons it imparts. As we reflect on the words of King Solomon and his search for meaning, we ask that You open our hearts and minds to the truth that only You can satisfy the deepest longings of our souls.
Help us to see beyond the fleeting pleasures and empty pursuits of this world and to find our purpose and joy in You alone. May Your Spirit guide us to understand the vanity of life apart from You and the abundant life You offer through Your Son, Jesus Christ.
Father, prepare our hearts to receive Your message today. Convict us where we have chased after the wind and draw us closer to You, the source of all meaning and fulfillment. We dedicate this time to You, seeking Your wisdom, grace, and truth.
In Jesus’ precious name, we pray,
Amen."
Text: Ecclesiastes 2:1–11
Introduction
For most of us, there was a time when we begged God in prayer for things we now have and take for granted. We prayed for a job, a little better salary, a house, a spouse, and a family; and now that we have those things, we still are not satisfied. You think to yourself, For me to be happy, I need ________, and just fill in the blank for your own life: the new iPhone, a new car, a new house, a promotion, a new relationship, and on and on you go. Our entire lives are like this.
What are we living for? King Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, embarked on this journey to discover the meaning of life. Despite his vast resources and unparalleled wisdom, he concluded that life’s pursuits, apart from God, are meaningless.
I. The Pursuit of Pleasure and Its Limitations
I. The Pursuit of Pleasure and Its Limitations
I said in my heart, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.” But behold, this also was vanity.
I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?”
I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine—my heart still guiding me with wisdom—and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life.
"I said to myself, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.' But that also proved to be meaningless."
Solomon Experiments in Pleasure:
Solomon indulged in every form of pleasure available. He adopts the lifestyle of eat, drink, and be merry. Tim Keller points out that it is not until Solomon already concluded that there are no answers in life that he turns to pleasure.
Notice the Result of his pursuits: Each pursuit left him empty. Pleasure is fleeting and cannot sustain the human soul.
Proverbs 14:13 — "Even in laughter, the heart may ache, and rejoicing may end in grief." The temporary nature of pleasure often masks a deeper longing for something eternal.
Even in laughter the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief.
Illustration: Imagine trying to quench your thirst with salt water—it seems refreshing at first but leaves you thirstier. This is the nature of worldly pleasure.
Application:
What temporary pleasures are you chasing? Are you relying on fleeting joys to fill an eternal void? Only Jesus satisfies.
For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.
II. The Striving for Greatness Through Work
II. The Striving for Greatness Through Work
I made my works great, I built myself houses, and planted myself vineyards.
I made myself gardens and orchards, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them.
I made myself water pools from which to water the growing trees of the grove.
I acquired male and female servants, and had servants born in my house. Yes, I had greater possessions of herds and flocks than all who were in Jerusalem before me.
I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the special treasures of kings and of the provinces. I acquired male and female singers, the delights of the sons of men, and musical instruments of all kinds.
So I became great and excelled more than all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me.
"I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards... I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me."
Solomon’s Accomplishments:
He built grand palaces and gardens.He amassed wealth and treasures. He surrounded himself with music, servants, and luxury.
The Result: Despite achieving what many dream of, Solomon still felt empty. His labor and success were ultimately meaningless.
Psalm 127:1 — "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." Efforts without God are fruitless.
Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain.
The Deception of Accomplishments: Solomon reminds us that even the greatest achievements cannot fulfill our soul’s deepest needs.
Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
Illustration: Consider the countless stories of wealthy and successful individuals who, despite their accomplishments, express feelings of emptiness and despair.
Application:
Evaluate your goals and achievements. Are they centered on God’s purposes, or are they driven by self-interest? Work becomes meaningful only when it aligns with His eternal plan.
III. The Ultimate Conclusion: "Everything Was Meaningless"
III. The Ultimate Conclusion: "Everything Was Meaningless"
And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil.
Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.
"I denied myself nothing my eyes desired... Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done... everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind."
The Vanity of Earthly Pursuits: Despite indulging in every pleasure and achieving unparalleled greatness, Solomon found no lasting fulfillment.
The "Chasing After the Wind": This phrase captures the futility of trying to grasp something intangible and elusive.
Matthew 16:26 — "What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" Jesus highlights the eternal consequences of pursuing worldly gain over spiritual riches.
For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
The Human Condition: Our souls are designed for eternity, and only God can satisfy this longing Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
Application:
Are you chasing the wind? Reflect on how your pursuits align with God’s eternal purpose. Commit to seeking Him as your ultimate source of fulfillment.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Solomon’s journey in Ecclesiastes 2 is a cautionary tale. He had everything the world could offer, yet found it meaningless without God. The same is true for us.
Invitation to Fulfillment in Christ: Jesus offers the true source of joy and purpose.
John 10:10 — "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." True satisfaction comes from a relationship with Him.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Call to Action: Redirect your pursuits toward God. Find joy in Him, not in fleeting pleasures or temporary achievements.
Closing Prayer
Closing Prayer
"Father, thank You for the wisdom found in Your Word. Teach us to seek You above all else, to align our pursuits with Your eternal purpose, and to find our joy and fulfillment in You alone. Help us to abandon the vanity of worldly pursuits and embrace the abundant life You offer through Jesus Christ. In His name, Amen."
