Aging is Vanity

Introduction

Well, good morning!

It’s feels so good to be back with you guys…And again thank you so much for your prayers…thank you for going (we had people volunteer to drive us to and from the airport)…thank you for giving (we raised over 16 thousand dollars for this trip…16 thousand dollars)…We’re truly a church without walls…A church who delivers, a church who disciples, a church who deploys…and listen, how you’ve all served, it’s proof of that. And I mean this when I say it, it’s such a privilege to pastor a church that cares so much for the kingdom of God.

God did amazing things in Honduras…hopefully you had some time to hear some of the stories in Sunday school. And listen, if you feel that call to go with us…we already have next year’s dates…we’ll be putting out that information very soon. I’d encourage you, take that step of faith…come with us…see what God’s doing for yourself!

Amen?

Alrighty…if you have a Bible and I hope that you do, open ‘em up with me to Ecclesiastes chapter 11. We’re actually gonna finish this book today and then we’ll jump back into the book of Genesis after that, looking at the life of Jacob.

And so, if you’re there with me in Ecclesiastes 11…would you stand with me as we read our text together? We’ll be reading chapter 11, verse 7 through chapter 12, verse 14.

Ecclesiastes 11:7–12:14 ESV

Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun. So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity. Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity. Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”; before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low— they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets— before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity. Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth. The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Thank you, you can be seated.

If you’ve been with us through this series in Ecclesiastes, you’ve probably felt the weight of Solomon’s words, right?

He’s taken us on a journey through the emptiness of life, a life lived “under the sun”…when God’s pushed to the margins or when God’s forgotten about altogether.

We’ve watched him explore every path the world says’ll bring happiness, right? Wisdom, pleasure, career, success, wealth, relationships, achievement, religion…and listen, he reached the top of all of those things, only to look around and say:

Ecclesiastes 1:2 ESV

Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.

Solomon’s been brutally honest with us…Life’s short, work doesn’t last, wealth doesn’t satisfy, death comes for everyone.

And yet, tucked into all this raw realism are moments of clarity…moments where Solomon reminds us that life’s still a gift. That it’s good to eat and drink and enjoy your work. That it matters how you live. That fearing God brings substance to the vapor of life.

And so, as we come to this final passage in Ecclesiastes, Solomon, his tone shifts a little bit more.

He’s not just a philosopher anymore. He’s a father, maybe a grandfather, speaking with urgency and compassion. He knows the clock’s ticking, and he wants us to understand something before time runs out.

If I’m honest, as I get older myself—I feel this message in a very real way…more so than I ever have before.

People, they used to tell me when my kids were little: “Don’t blink—they grow up so fast.” Right?

And at that time, I believed them in theory, but now that I’m older, I know it firsthand.

It feels like just yesterday I was holding ‘em in my arms…and now my oldest, she’s 16, driving, about to graduate, asking deep questions. You guys have been there…some of you guys are past that and you know exactly what I’m talking about.

It’s just amazing how fast it’s all gone—and how much faster it seems to be going now.

You don’t notice time slipping away until it already has. And Solomon’s saying here: Don’t wait until life starts slipping through your fingers to wake up to what really matters.

In this closing passage, he gives us three final truths to hold onto—truths that point us toward joy, urgency…ultimately, toward Christ…Which is our three points this morning:

Number 1, Enjoy God’s gifts while they last.

Number 2, Turn to God before time runs out.

And then finally, number 3, Trust Jesus to give your life meaning.

Listen, this isn’t just the end of Ecclesiastes—it’s a call to stop drifting…to start living with purpose. Because the sun, its setting on all of us.

The question is: Will your life end in vanity, or will it end in the hope and the wisdom of God?

And so, if you’re there with me in Ecclesiastes chapter 11…let’s dig into this first point together.

I. Enjoy God’s Gifts While They Last (vv. 11:7-10)

Enjoy God’s gifts while they last.

Solomon, he begins with a poetic truth:

“Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.”

He’s speaking literally—and metaphorically here. He’s saying to wake up to a new day, to see the sun rise, to have another breath in your lungs—it’s sweet. It’s good. Life itself is good.”

God created it, and He called it “very good” (Gen. 1:31).

We’re seeing a language of gratitude here. Solomon, he’s urging us to delight in the simple goodness of just being alive.

Too oftentimes, especially in religious circles, we equate seriousness with godliness and suspicion of joy with maturity. But Solomon reminds us that to rejoice in God’s good creation, its not sin—it’s worship.

Charles Spurgeon said: “There’s a time to be born and a time to die, and in between is a time to live—and the Christian should live with all his might, FOR the glory of God.”

And so, are you so focused on what’s wrong with your life that you’ve forgotten to thank God for the light of your life?

Verse 8:

“So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.”

This is where Solomon holds joy and soberness together. Yes, rejoice in every year God gives—but remember, the days of darkness, they’re coming. He’s speaking of aging and death here—the shadow side of life. He’s not trying to depress us, he’s trying to wake us up.

This is biblical realism. Life is beautiful—but it’s also brief. It’s not a contradiction to say that life is a gift and that death is certain…It’s wisdom.

J.I. Packer, he wrote,“The Christian is realistic: he knows that life is both glorious and grim. That’s what Scripture teaches—and that's what Ecclesiastes gets right.”

Guys, understand what’s Solomon’s saying here…Don’t put off joy until your life’s perfect. That day’ll never come under the sun. Enjoy your years while you can—but enjoy them with eternity in view.

Verse 9:

“Rejoice, O young man, in your youth… Walk in the ways of your heart… But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.”

This is one of those misunderstood verses. Solomon, he’s not giving permission to follow your heart blindly (that’s actually one of the biggest lies our society tells us…, “Just follow your heart.”…No!!! It’s evil!)—he’s telling young people to live fully…but at the same time, he’s saying to live responsibly. The joy of youth is real—but it’s not ultimate.

So go ahead—use your gifts, take risks, fall in love, pursue what’s good and beautiful in the world. But don’t forget: you are accountable to God for how you live.

As Matthew Henry put it, “Youth is the time for joy, but it must be joy in the Lord. Let young people remember that their Creator is also their Judge.”

Listen, it’s like handing your teenager the keys to the car—you want ‘em to enjoy the freedom, right?…but you also expect them to drive wisely. Freedom doesn’t cancel accountability.

And so, if you’re young—don’t waste it in self-indulgence or endless scrolling. Build a life of purpose now, not later. You don’t get these years back.

Verse 10:

“Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.”

Here’s what Solomon’ s telling us: Don’t waste your life waiting for the “perfect moment” to start living with joy and purpose. Enjoy what God’s given you now—your youth, your health, your relationships, your calling—but do it all with eternity in view.

This means: Don’t delay obedience, thinking there’ll be a better season. Don’t withhold joy, thinking life has to be perfect first. Don’t just assume you’ll start taking God seriously “later,” when you’ve had your fun. You won’t!

God’s not trying to steal your joy—He’s inviting you to experience it fully in Him.

And listen, this isn’t just for young people either…I know some of you are sitting there thinking, “You get ‘em Pastor!”

Listen, some of you ain’t no spring chicken anymore…You think you still got the rest of your life ahead of you and you’re knocking on death’s door thinking the same think these young people are.

Hear the words of Solomon. Enjoy the gifts that God’s given you while you still can.

John Calvin wrote, “It’s vain to delight in this life without a well-grounded hope of the life to come.”

True joy under the sun is only possible when you remember the God who made the sun.

So if you’re young—pursue God now, not later…If you’re older—don't regret lost time, rejoice in what remains…And for all of us—don’t settle for pleasure that fades. Find your joy in the One who never will.

If you approach life with this mindset, you’ll see the gifts God gives today…and listen, regardless of the season you find yourself in, you’ll rejoice.

And so, enjoy God’s gifts while you still can. Don’t bank on your age to give you what only God can give…which is time. Your age…the time you think you have left…its all vanity!

II. Turn to God Before Time Runs Out (vv. 12:1-7)

Which leads us into the next point…turn to God before time runs out.

Look at chapter 12, verse 1 with me again:

“Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, ‘I have no pleasure in them’”

Solomon, he moves from joy to urgency. From celebration to preparation. He says, “Remember your Creator now”—while you’re young, while you have strength, while your heart still feels soft.

Why? Because the evil days are coming.

He’s talking about old age here—not in a disrespectful way, but in a realistic way. The days when the body breaks down, when strength fades, when you no longer wanna get up in the morning.

And Solomon knows how the human heart works—we tend to put things off, right?

We think, “I’ll get serious about God later—after this phase, after I graduate, after I get married, once the kids are older, once life slows down…”

But Solomon’s saying, Don’t wait! The longer you wait, the harder it gets. Life moves faster. Regret piles up. And listen, before you know it, the years, they catch up to you…and you find yourself asking, “Where’d it all go?”

Charles Spurgeon, he said: “Youthful sin lays a foundation for aged sorrow.”

That’s the tragedy Solomon wants us to avoid.

Let’s keep moving…look at these next several verses…we see the process of aging here—it’s poetic, but it’s also very personal. He’s painting the picture of a house that’s slowly falling apart. Watch this:

Verse 2, “…before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain…”

This is a metaphor for the loss of mental clarity and emotional lightness. When you're young, the storms of life come, but then the sun comes back out…you bounce back quickly. But in old age, Solomon says, “the clouds return after the rain.” You don’t recover like you used to. The clouds stay.

Verse 3 – “…in the day when the keepers of the house tremble…”

That’s your hands, once strong and steady—they now tremble.

“…and the strong men are bent…”

Your legs, once able to carry you—they’re bowed now, unstable.

“…and the grinders cease because they are few…”

Your teeth. They’re gone or going.

“…and those who look through the windows are dimmed…”

That’s your eyesight fading. You need glasses, then stronger glasses, then surgeries. Solomon’s not mocking—he’s just real.

Verse 4 – “…and the doors on the street are shut…”

That could refer to your mouth, your ability to speak or be heard—or even just your social world shrinking around you.

“…when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird…”

Sleep becomes light. You wake up early, even though you’re tired. That’s the paradox of old age—you can’t rest like you used to.

“…and all the daughters of song are brought low…”

Your hearing fades. The music you once loved now sounds dull or even annoying. Conversations become frustrating.

Verse 5 – “…they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way…”

Fear increases. Simple things like stairs or driving at night become sources of anxiety. You start to avoid things you once embraced.

“…the almond tree blossoms…”

That’s the image of white hair.

“…the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails…”

Even your appetite fades—both physically and emotionally. Energy’s gone. Desires that once drove you no longer do.

“…because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets…”

Death is approaching. The funeral’s being planned. People begin to talk about your life in the past tense.

Verses 6 and 7—watch this crescendo:

Verse 6 – “…before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern…”

Each of these images is of something precious…something valuable…but also fragile. Solomon’s saying: life’s precious, yes—but it’s also easily broken. One moment of weakness, one diagnosis, one fall…and the golden bowl shatters.

Verse 7 – “…and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

And just like that…it’s over.

You return to dust—just like Genesis 3:19 says. And your spirit stands before God. Not reincarnated. Not recycled. Accountable.

That’s why Solomon starts the chapter with “Remember your Creator”—because you’re going to meet Him. You’re not just a creature made from dust…you’re a creature made in His image. And one day, you will return to Him.

John Calvin wrote this: “[We’re] not our own: let not our reason nor our will therefore sway our plans and deeds. We are not our own: let us therefore forget ourselves and all that is ours. But we are God’s: let us therefore live for Him and die unto Him.”

And so listen, this is the question we need to ask ourselves this morning: Have I remembered my Creator? Not just believed in Him generically…Have I acknowledged Him personally—trusted Him, feared Him, followed Him?

Because the time’s coming when it’ll be too late.

If you’re young, turn to God now. Don’t waste your youth on things that won’t matter in 10 years—much less eternity.

If you’re middle-aged, you might feel like you’re too far down the road to change. You’re not. There’s still time. Turn to Him before the silver cord snaps.

If you’re older, you may already feel some of these verses in your body. Don’t assume it’s too late. God’s grace reaches even into the last chapter of life. Turn to Him—and help the next generation do the same.

It’s never too early to remember your Creator.

But I want you to listen to me…there’s coming a day when it will be too late.

As Spurgeon once said: “The best day to seek the Lord is today. The next best day is tomorrow. But tomorrow is never promised.”

And so, turn to the Lord before time runs out.

III. Trust Jesus to Give Your Life Meaning (vv. 12:8-14)

Which moves us into our last point…Trust Jesus to give your life meaning.