Utterly Meaningless

Intro

- Illustration- during the pandemic, many people found themselves in depression. With all of the distractions of life removed, there was a lot of time to think, and many came to ask themselves, what’s the purpose of all this- it caused many people to make major life changes

o But this has always been a question that has dominated philosophy for millennia- “What is the meaning of life?”

o “Life is hard and then you die”

o It is easy to grow weary in this world- just a few weeks ago my dad shared from Galatians “don’t grow weary”

o This series is titled Wisdom for the Weary, and it is my desire to drive us to the wisdom of God’s Word in the midst of a world that can so quickly wear us down

§ It’s his Word that ought to fuel us and drive us to live with purpose in this world

- Ecclesiastes

o Wisdom literature along with Psalms, Proverbs, and Song of Solomon

o 12 chapters that deal with this very question

o It is a book that seems a little out of place, and for that reason, it is often neglected

o But as we begin to study this book, I think you will see just how relevant it is to the world we live in today

- Author

o Verse 1- “The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.”

o There is much debate on who the author is, but traditionally, and certainly from this description, it is believed to be Solomon. I agree with that, but regardless, we know that these words are ultimately God’s Word

o He is writing here not as King Solomon, but as teacher Solomon

o Solomon's life- consumed with the pursuit of things under the sun- now he reflects on it all

§ As he reaches the end, he is forced to consider what all of it really meant

§ We shouldn't wait until the end to evaluate the meaning and purpose of life

- Purpose

o Evangelistic- exposes the futility of the world in light of eternity which should motivate us to share our eternal hope with others

o The world around us goes to great lengths to create an illusion of meaning and purpose in things like wealth, fame, power, and possessions

o But Solomon's goal is to pull the rug out from anyone who is trusting in their own efforts, wealth, and even their own righteousness to improve their lot in life and to point them to the full meaning of life found only through faith in God

§ The book is meant to drive people to God

§ It’s meant to show us what happens when we pursue good things in excess

§ it’s meant to show us that we ought to enjoy good things in life

§ but ultimately, it is meant to shows us the emptiness of a world without Jesus, and calls us to fix our perspective on what truly matters

· illustration- trying to scare your kids so they get the seriousness of the issue- “You could die!”

- Let’s jump into the first part of chapter one

- Read 2-3

The Futility of Our Effort (2-3)

A. Utterly Meaningless (2)- vanity of vanities, absolute futility,

1. Hebel- used 38 times in the book

a. Something that is there and then gone- Breath, wind, vapor-

b. Lacking any real value

c. Illustration- trying to convince the kids to buy something that will last instead of candy

2. What is meaningless? Everything!

a. Everything covers a lot! Work, wisdom, righteousness, wealth, fame, pleasure, youth, strength, life itself

b. As he is writing this, Solomon draws deeply on his own life experience-

(1) we often view these things as… if I could only have x, y, or z, I’d be content, I’d have purpose- well, whatever it is, Solomon had it, and he is telling us his experience

B. What does all our effort gain?

1. Profit or advantage

2. Ultimately, human effort cannot produce any sense of certainty, any lasting value, or any true meaning in life

C. Under the sun

1. This is a key phrase for us and the difference between the teaching in Ecclesiastes and the teachings of nihilism

2. Here on earth- from a human point of view

3. If this world is all there is, we don’t have much hope, but if there is something beyond this life, something greater than the time we spend in this world, then that is where we will find true meaning

- In verses 4-11, Solomon illustrates his point

The Monotony of Life (4-7)

A. Our lives are fleeting

1. The earth was created for us to enjoy, we are called to take dominion over it, to rule over it, yet we are the ones who are transient while the earth stands firm

2. Illustration- census in Ireland- allowed for people to write something to be saved in the national archive- “The branch of the family tree I am on dies with me. I am an only child and have chosen not to have children myself. No one will ever do a genealogy search for me. When I die, I will be forgotten, most likely. This time capsule is an opportunity for me to once more have some say my name, think of me, know that I lived.”- what a sad reality, but she is not alone!

a. How much do we know about our great grandparents? People are forgotten. Generations come and go

B. And this monotony is Illustrated in nature (5-7)

1. But the earth does change, and we see this similar repetitive reality in nature

2. These things go on and on without really accomplishing anything- if fact, it is degenerating

a. The sun "hastens"- pants- drags or crawls- grows weary

b. There seems to be no end goal

3. Illustration- I want their to be a goal- an end in sight- so I know where I need to get to succeed- just have to make it till lunch

- We are in a repetitive cycle, and if this world is all there is, there’s not much to look forward to- things don’t change!

Nothing New under the Sun (8-11)

A. The weariness of this life can overwhelm us

1. Nothing is new

2. 8- eyes and ears- no matter how much we see and hear; it is never truly satisfying- there is always more

a. There is a poem that illustrates this- see if you might recognize it

b. “From the day we arrive on the planet, and blinking, step into the sun, There’s more to be seen than can ever be seen, more to do than can ever be done.… There’s far too much to take in here, more to find than can ever be found; But the sun rolling high through the sapphire sky Keeps great and small on the endless round, In the circle of life.”- The Lion King

3. Illustration Traveling- I've been able to see so many amazing things, but there are so many things I haven't seen

a. Comparing with Ross where we've been

4. We never get to the point where we can say, “Welp, I’ve seen it all!”

B. Even the course of human history is a cycle, repetitive

1. What is there to look forward to?

2. Illustration- excitement of a new iPhone

3. Man landing on the moon- discovery of a new place, has been done before and will be done again

- Conclusion

o so where does this leave us? Is life meaningless?

§ In one sense yes. If our focus is on finding lasting meaning “under the sun”, we won’t find it

§ But, when we have a relationship with God and live our lives in light of his judgment, there can be meaning greater than what we find in this life

§ Our entire mission is focused on this- telling others that there is more to life than just this

§ And so, in pursuit of meaning beyond this life, it in turn gives us purpose while we are here on this earth

o This was God's plan all along

§ Romans 8:18-20- For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility (same root as hebel), not willingly, but because of him who subjected it (God)

o Why?

§ So that when we try to look for meaning in the things of this world, we will inevitably be met with failure

· V. 21- in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

o this is the Gospel!- is only possible because of Jesus

§ Jesus came into this sinful world- this endless cycle of futility, and freed us from its grip

§ This is what Solomon looked forward to and this is the reality in which we find our salvation

o Jesus told us himself in John 10:10 “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

o We do not strive without purpose!

§ 1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

o So as we begin this study in Ecclesiastes, it’s my prayer that we are driven to the reality of Jesus, because he is the one who gives us meaning and purpose, and hope, in this life and the life to come.