In Search of Meaning
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In Search of Meaning
In Search of Meaning
Ecclesiastes 1
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun?
One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing.
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.
I the Preacher was king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.
Introduction
What are you living for? That is a great question for us to consider at we study the book of Ecclesiastes. A preacher friend of mine head of this new sermon series and replied with a one word response- Depressing! The book of Ecclesiastes can be a book that does not quite light your fire. However, it a book that is so necessary today with so many people searching for meaning and significance in life. I have to admit, this sermon series came about while watching a Amazon Prime show called “Vanity Fair.” What captured my attention is at the beginning of each episode, the narrator gives a brief description of what will happen the says this, “Vanity Fair is a world where everyone is striving for what is not worth having.” Does that describe so many in the world today? People are striving for meaning and satisfaction so the purchase tings, go places, invest time in activities to no avail.
A life without God is meaningless
This morning we will look at the first message in this series called In Search of....Meaning. Growing up I watched the show “In Search of” which was narrated by Leonard Nimoy. The premise of the show was to find answers to unsolved mysteries and answer things which defy explanation. So we are going to go on our own In Seach of moment and hopefully realize. The meaning, purpose, and satisfaction to life must include a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Declaration of Vanity, vs. 1-3
Definition of Vanity
Vanity is often defined as empty or void
Meaningless- the quality of having no value or significance.
Questions we may ask ourselves about the significance to our life.
The emphasis of vanity in verse 2.
The Question asked by Solomon
What benefit has a man of all his toil which he labors on the earth?
A view from man without God
Man toils- labors to the point of being wearisome
He exerts himself greatly
For what purpose, what significance, for what meaning?
Waking up on Mondays.
The Vanity Illustrated by Nature, vs. 4-7
The Example of Succeeding Generations, vs. 4
Generations come and generations go
Yet the earth remains or last longer than each generation
The Generations have all faced the same question of the meaning to life.
The Example of the Sun and Wind, vs. 5-6
The sun rises and sets then starts over again
The wind makes its circuits
The sun and wind are in constant motion but never arrive to any fixed goal or lasting rests
The Example of the River, vs. 7
The rivers run into the sea yet it the sea is not full
Through evaporation and rain, the rivers start over again.
The Dissatisfaction with Life, vs. 8
All matters are wearisome
Man is not able to speak to them
The eyes are not satisfied with what they see
The ears are not content with what they hear
This truly describes the futility and frustration with life
Where do find then meaning, purpose and satisfaction?
The Search of Meaning and Satisfaction, vs. 14-18
The Ambition of Solomon
He gave his heart out to seek and search out wisdom
Solomon viewed this as a difficult task given to men
He viewed it all to which was vanity and vexation of spirit (vexation- striving)
Seeking wisdom with God is futile.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
This search only increased his sorrow. And so it is without God.
The Conclusion to the Matter
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
The whole duty of man or the whole of man
Description of a relationship with God
Fear- or reverance
We are weak and he is mighty
There should be this element in our life
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Love
Obey His Commandments
Obedience is motivated out of love
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Conclusion:
So perhaps you are here today and you believe the life you are living is without meaning and purpose. Then there are two questions I would like for you to answer. First, do you have a personal relationship with God, and second, are you loving God with your entire being? It is when we have a relationship with the one who made us and love him because He first loved us then we will learn the meaning, satisfaction, and purpose to life. Listen to what the Apostle Paul says:
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3: