Preaching Series >  Ecclesiastes: A Journal on Life

Primary Theme:  Everything under the sun is vanity or meaningless – nothing a person does or possesses “under the sun” has any real value or worth.  Apart from God, man is miserable and life is empty.

Key Texts: Chapter 1:1-3; 14; 2:11

To anyone who thinks the Bible is not relevant to our lives or is out of touch with our times – I say “think again.”  Just read the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes – you will find it very relevant.  Ask any man on the street, “What is life?” and his answer might surprise and amuse you.  Ask the Preacher/Teacher of Ecclesiastes that same question and his answer will stun you: “Meaningless, meaningless; all is meaningless” [1:2]. This is not some mere offhanded response of a sidewalk philosopher.  This is the reasoned conclusion of one of the wealthiest, wisest, and most influential men of the Bible: Solomon, King of Israel, “the son of David, king in Jerusalem.”  As if looking through a pair of binoculars, the Teacher/Preacher Solomon looks at life through two lenses.  When viewed from the perspective of “life under the sun,” all his earthly pursuits and possessions seem futile and unsatisfying.  Only as he lives “above the sun” – with a heavenly perspective – can life become meaningful and fulfilling.  Ultimate satisfaction and meaning and purpose come, not from the good things of life but from the Giver of life.  Only then can the God-shaped vacuum or void in man’s life be filled.  Only then can he truly live out his days “in the world, but not of the world.”

 Life is meaningless…or meaningful…depending on your perspective.

 We are going to take a positive approach in studying Ecclesiastes.  Its message is as contemporary as any postmodern university textbook or a celebrity interview.    Although Solomon was a believing sinner, what he wrote in Ecclesiastes was superintended by the holy, all-knowing God.  It is a complete and inspired Book of God that presents the truth about human life as it is lived apart from God.      

 With timeless answers for timeless questions, Ecclesiastes talks about finding meaning in what seems like a meaningless existence.  It deals with love, happiness, knowledge, God, work, money, time, politics, growing old, and staying young.  In the shifting sands of today’s constantly changing world, you will find a rock of stability in the God inspired words of Ecclesiastes.

 Series will begin on Sunday, January 10, 2010