What Can I Do With My Youth?

INTRO:

Ecclesiastes wrap up

Vanity of Vanities everything is pointless

A look at things only human ends this way

the here and the now

Moving to the Book of James

Don’t Forget God

Ecclesiastes 12:1–4 ESV

1 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”; 2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 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, 4 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—

Ecclesiastes 12:1-

“Right now my job is to watch film, work out and treat my body right. When I get done with football, then I can relax and drink as many beers as I want and hang out and be a regular guy. Right now, I am a football player and I will sacrifice whatever is necessary to be the best.” - JJ Watt

Ever heard someone say “I’ll follow God when I’m older.”

Why does JJ Watt have this mindset about football?

There is a limited window when he will be at his best to perform his task

does it for a game

does it for money

does it for legacy

Matthew 6:19–20 ESV

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Solomon - Remember God when you are young

pursue Him

Obey Him

Luke 18:16 ESV

16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.

The Point of it All

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 ESV

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.

Ecclesiastes summed up in 2 points:

Fear God

Keep His Commandments

Same message Jesus teaches

Matthew 22:36–38 ESV

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.

Matthew 22:36-