Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction

Opening: FUNNY VIDEO

“Wake up Call” = a person or thing that causes people to become fully alert to an unsatisfactory situation and to take action to remedy it

So we are going to be getting some wake up calls.

In the book of Ecclesiastes we get several wake up calls that alerts us to reality and challenges us to make a change.

Wake Up Call: Your life pursuits are futile/pointless.

If we are attempting to live the “meaningful” secular life—a life “under the sun” without reference to God—we are attempting to grasp the unattainable.

(Gospel Transformation Bible)

The Pursuit of Knowledge (1:12-18; 2:12-17)

Ways we attempt to use knowledge:

Technology

Medical science

Self-help

Life planning

Wisdom vs. Foolishness

The Pursuit of pleasure (2:1-11)

Verse 2--“Laughter” -- makes me think of the show Jack Ass … just trying to get a laugh (at any cost)

Verse 3--partying -- get drunk and act a fool … always the next day’s hangover

Verses 4-8a--success and wealth

Verse 8b--Arts -- sex and relationships.

The Pursuit of Work (2:18-26)

All of our hard work and “toil” will inevitably be left on this earth for another to enjoy

We can’t take it with us

Illustration: Egyptian Pyramids/Tombs -- though it took awhile, they still left it for others.

Illustration: Sand Castles in the Sand

Conclusion

Eccl.

2:11

What are you pursuing?

Will it last?

Matthew 6:19-21--19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 9:24.

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.")

Jim Elliot, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."