The Meaning of Life
Vanity • Sermon • Submitted
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· 10 viewsJust when you think life is getting started it has come to an end. In Ecclesiastes twelve, the Preacher sums up the whole matter with two things: fear God and keep His commandments. So, how can we maximize the time we do have here on the earth. Pastor Bill list 4 things that will help you to maximize your short life while your here and prepare you for the life to come.
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Reading the book of Ecclesiastes is like watching the sun cross the sky. You don't pay much attention to it. But before you know it, the sunrise has become the sunset. And the day is far spent.
4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises.
We have learned that all is vanity: vanity upon vanities. Life is but a vapor, here today, gone tomorrow. And in this short span of experience we have here on the earth, how can we maximize the effectiveness of the time we have.
In the scheme of things, very little of our lives have significant meaning and purpose. Let's recap some of the things we have learned through this study of life.
Self-indulgence has little value.
Walking in wisdom doesn't allow you to escape the clutches of death.
Working hard is only useful if you enjoy what you're doing.
There is a proper time in life for everything under the sun.
Even though this life is short, God has placed eternity in our hearts. We know this is not the end, and we long for it.
There are many hurts, heartaches, and oppressions in this life. And the only comfort is friends you make along the way.
Guard your words lest they get you into trouble or cause you to sin.
Be careful of the deception of riches. They are also vanity; here today and gone tomorrow.
A good name at the end of life is better than the beginning of life.
Keep the King's commandment. He is ordained to keep you from evil.
Enjoy the ones you love while you have them because death comes to us all.
A person doesn't know how much time he has. So, make the most of it.
Foolishness produces foolish results, but the wise gain favor.
Make long-term investments in people and watch God do a work in them.
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— 5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets—
6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern, 7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
4 Things you can do to maximize the effectiveness of your life.
4 Things you can do to maximize the effectiveness of your life.
Recognize your Creator
Capitalize on your Youth
Internalize Wisdom
Finalize the Judgement
Recognize your Creator
Recognize your Creator
Recognize the person of creation.
Recognize the person of creation.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
Recognize the purpose of your creation.
Recognize the purpose of your creation.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
What has God created you to do for his glory?
What has God created you to do for his glory?
This fundamental question holds the key to unlock the joy and fulfillment of your life.
This fundamental question holds the key to unlock the joy and fulfillment of your life.
“Find out what God wants you to do and do it with all your might.”
This will come through your intimate relationship with Christ.
Capitalize on your Youth
Capitalize on your Youth
Become an agent of change in the world.
Become an agent of change in the world.
12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Don't be satisfied with the status quo. Have new thoughts and new ideas.
Wisdom of the old is meant to keep you on the rails but not to determin your course.
Young: Become a force for God Kingdom.
Young: Become a force for God Kingdom.
Go on a mission trip and share the gospel.
Change the world with the power and love of the gospel.
It's easy to waste time when you think you have an abundance.
Old: Become a Mentor for the Youth.
Old: Become a Mentor for the Youth.
Elders are to teach and train the younger.
Youth need our experience and guidance to maximize their potential.
Internalize Wisdom
Internalize Wisdom
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.
Heed the Shepherd's words while you're young.
Heed the Shepherd's words while you're young.
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
“Just as Jesus nailed our offences to the cross, we should nail His truth to our hearts.”
When wisdom and strength are united passion is ignited.
When wisdom and strength are united passion is ignited.
“So, Let’s blow some stuff up!!”
Finalize the Judgement
Finalize the Judgement
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
You will be held accountable for what you to measured against the Word of God.
God's judgment is not subjective. You are not judged by what mood God is in when you get to heaven. Therefore you decide your judgment by keeping or not keeping God's commands.
Judgment and punishment are two different things.
Judgment and punishment are two different things.
We have all sinned against God and been found guilty and worthy of death.
"For the wages of sin is death."
Some receive God's grace of sending his Son to be the substitute for our sins.
Others reject God's grace and suffer the penalty for their sin, which is death and separation from God.
In either case, your judgment is sealed by what you decide now, not what God chooses later.