Ecclesiastes: Meaning in Christ

INTRO:

Recap -

All is Vanity (1:1-11)

Wisdom is Vanity (1:12-18)

Pleasures are Vanity (2:1-11)

Wisdom = intelligence, knowledge

Pleasure = worldliness, carnal desires

Wisdom or Folly…Which is Better?

Read

Solomon tried both foolishness and what is considered wise

Unlimited resources as king

vs.12 “Who better than a king can do more to test all the things of the world to satisfy the soul?”

King

Complete rule and authority

Access to whatever their heart desires

Conclusion of Solomon’s research:

Wisdom is more valuable - vs. 13

Wisdom and foolishness are like light and dark

Wise have eyes, fools wander in darkness

Both the wise and the fool come to the same conclusion

The Wise and The Foolish…Both Perish

Read

Both the wise and the foolish perish…death comes for everyone:

Great and small

Wise and foolish

Rich and poor

Strong and weak

Popular and unpopular

Luke 16:

Luke 16:19–24 ESV

19 “There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. 20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, 21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. 24 And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’

Solomon comes to the same conclusion that all perish

vs. 17

Solomon is broken because his work is meaningless

Even though wisdom is better it fails and perishes like the foolish

Is there any hope?

Hope in Jesus Christ

Finish story of Rich man and Lazarus

Luke 16:29–31 ESV

29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

Luke 16:

What is important about Moses and the Prophets?

Acts 10:43 ESV

43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Acts 1

Jesus is the hope we have

The hope Solomon seeks

John 7:37–38 ESV

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ ”

John 7:37 ESV

37 On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.

God’s way is far greater than any wisdom this world can offer

1 Corinthians 1:19–23 ESV

19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” 20 Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,

1 Corinthians 1:19-