Sermon Tone Analysis

Life Under the Sun Contrasted to Life In the Son

Sep 10, 2017

Sovereign Over the Shadows

Shakespeare describes life in his play Macbeth, “Life’s a walking shadow, a poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard of no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury signifying nothing.”

Our God is compassionate to grant us wisdom as we confront the vanity of life to know that our life does have significance.

I.

Under the Sun –

A. A phrase used 29 times in Ecclesiastes

1.

The question is what are the results of our efforts?

– , , – And what is response?

2. The Hebrew word for profit comes from a verb meaning left over or to remain.

What remains and what effect does our effort have?

B. Great wickedness is done “under the sun”

1. Oppression –

2. Hoarding –

3. Yet there is enjoyment –

4. Live joyfully –

Under the sun, life is futile.

We need an eternal perspective beyond the sun.

II.

The Creation’s Witness –

A. The cycles of creation are restorative

1.

A homemaker knows the futility of continually cleaning, washing dishes, dusting, etc., but does so for the health and well-being of the family

2. The sun rising and going down – .

Night gives time for rest.

Night gives plants time to absorb water to face the heat of the day.

The rising sun provides rays for photosynthesis –

3. The wind moves seed to replenish the earth – ; and to move the waters of the earth.

4. The River Jordan runs into the Dead Sea and evaporates quickly leaving minerals that are life giving (28% mineral content) –

B. But also tends toward vanity

1.

An older generation passes away with all its knowledge and experience often leaving another generation without wisdom –

2. The eye is not satisfied with seeing –

III.

What is New? –

A. With mankind – nothing –

1.

If you only look at what you can see under the sun

2. People, nations, history repeats itself with sorrows and heartache over and over

B. The Living God makes all things new

1.

There is a road in the wilderness –

2. His mercies are new every morning –

3.

By faith in Christ, all things have become new –

C. Jesus teaches us the same truth . . .

1. Invest in the new heavens and new earth –

2. Do not work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life –

3. Jesus Christ remembers our service to Him –

Let us worship the God of hope –