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Living a Pointless Life Ecclesiastes 11:9 and 12:13

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Living a Pointless Life Ecclesiastes 11:9 and 12:13 Living a Pointless Life C) We do not need context here Ecclesiastes 11:9 and 12:13-14 1) Ecclesiastes is “wisdom literature” • Practical instruction to live life wisely A) 2020 has been a year that I do not think • We see the world as God sees it and we will soon forget acts accordingly 1) I say that because of the verse we are • It helps us fall in line with God’s will reading today …. 2) It is written by Solomon • “Let’s hear the conclusion of the • He was king whole matter” • He refers to himself as “the preacher” 2) Revival really is us focusing on what 3) Solomon was the wisest man that ever really matters! lived outside of Jesus Christ • In our society fighting and dividing • In I Kings, Solomon was anointed over everything King of Israel • Politics, mask, etc. • God asked him what he wanted for • Occasionally it is good to be his reign …. Solomon answered reminded of what really matters “wisdom” 3) We sometimes hear this verse… “hear 4) God responds …. “because you didn’t the conclusion of the whole matter.” ask for wealth or fame or power….. • And we think “condemnation” is • God actually gave all of those coming 5) Solomon started his rule living God’s will • Yet in all honesty … it should give us • He turned Israel into an international comfort! power • Living our life in “His reality” • But over time …. he got out of God’s will and pursued every means of B) Our passage is really saying “Lord, help “self-fulfillment” change my perspective!” • His fame went to his head with 1) Give me something better and new money, sex and fleshly fulfillments • God, please change me in all this! 2) So in this scenario “the conclusion of the whole matter”…… • Is a steady hand on our lives • It is the end of our need for worry and 6) This portion of Ecclesiastes is Solomon anxiety looking back on his life • He is explaining to us (and his son) B) The judgment of God permeates the the real meaning of life entire Bible • This verse is the final charge of a 1) Numbers 32:23 “Be sure your sins will wise old man find you out” • Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God D) Let’s look at Solomon’s comprehension is not mocked: for whatsoever a man of life and see four things soweth, that shall he also reap.” 1) These things should bring our life back • Ecclesiastes 11:1 “Cast thy bread into focus upon the waters: for thou shalt find it • Words like “end” and “conclusion” after many days.” and “whole” Decide who you are living for ….. self or • No exceptions allowed in this verse God??? REVIVAL 2) What did he say?? II. You Must Acknowledge Life’s Brevity Ecclesiastes 12:1-4 “Remember now thy I. You Must Choose Life’s Direction Creator in the days of thy youth, while the Ecclesiastes 11:9 “Rejoice, O young evil days come not, nor the years draw man, in thy youth; and let thy heart nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and pleasure in them; While the sun, or the walk in the ways of thine heart, and in light, or the moon, or the stars, be not the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, darkened, nor the clouds return after the that for all these things God will bring rain: In the day when the keepers of the thee into judgment.” house shall tremble, and the strong men A) Solomon sarcastically tells his son to shall bow themselves, and the grinders live as he pleases cease because they are few, and those 1) Look at the phrases said “tongue in that look out of the windows be darkened, cheek” And the doors shall be shut in the streets, • “Let your heart cheer” when the sound of the grinding is low, and • “Walk in the ways of thine heart” he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and • “Walk in the sight of thine eyes” all the daughters of musick shall be brought low.” 2) Then he adds the caveat… A) You only have one life to give to God • The phrase that gets your attention.. 1) (Illustration) of old man at the old • “God will bring thee into judgement” mechanic shop at 42 • The year was between 1987-89 • 5 years old • 17 years old B) Solomon describes the aging process • 30 years old, married just under a 1) (vs. 2-6) describes an aging body month • “Keepers of house tremble” (arm B) The key to living is to be ready to die! strength) • “Strong men stoop” (gait) IV. You Must Prepare for Life’s Judgment • “Grinders cease” (teeth) A) Craig Groschel preached a message … • “Windows grow dim” (vision) “Your next waking moment after you die” • Rise up at the voice of the bird (early 1) Death doesn’t end it all rising) 2) Earthly fame, money and secular • Daughters of music shall be brought accomplishments mean nothing low (hearing) 3) The judgement of God is real! 2) Probably describing his father David B) All of our life leads us to the moment III. You Must Realize Life’s Ending you face your God! Ecclesiastes 12:7 “Then shall the dust 1) Matthew 7:21-23 “Not every one that return to the earth as it was: and the spirit saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter shall return unto God who gave it.” into the kingdom of heaven; but he that A) No one is promised tomorrow doeth the will of my Father which is in 1) Signs of death are all around us heaven. Many will say to me in that day, • Every obituary we read Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in • Every cemetery we pass thy name? and in thy name have cast • Every tombstone we see out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess • Every hearse we pull off the side of unto them, I never knew you: depart the road for from me, ye that work iniquity.” 2) Psalm 96:13 “Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his 2) Death is no respecter of persons truth.” • I thought of my ministry … 3) Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God shall bring • Babies every work into judgment, with every • 1 year old secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Conclusion: A) I want to end the way Solomon ends this book 1) Ecclesiastes 12:8 “Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, all is vanity.” • All of what many are living for is pointless – living life for that which was pointless • Vanity “under the sun” means “the pointless things we lived for on this earth.” 2) The most important is when you face God …. • To be ready to give an account unto God 3) Revival helps us remember what is really important! .
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