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He is the Professor. We are the Students. Ecclesiastes 1:13. “I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven.”. The Search for Meaning Part XII. I. Youth (v. 1) II. Aging (vv. 2-5) III. Death (vv. 6-8) IV. Knowledge (vv. 9-12) V. Conclusion (vv. 13-14).
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He is the Professor We are the Students
Ecclesiastes 1:13 “I devoted myself to study and to explore by wisdom all that is done under heaven.”
The Search for Meaning Part XII I. Youth (v. 1) II. Aging (vv. 2-5) III. Death (vv. 6-8) IV. Knowledge (vv. 9-12) V. Conclusion (vv. 13-14)
Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.” • “Remember” = Focused concentration, the place where your mind is fixed. • “Your Creator” = God, the one who made you. You were made for a purpose and your life is not your own.
“In the days of your youth” -Ecclesiastes 12:1
The Age That American Christians Say They Were Saved 0-4 1% 4-14 85% 15-30 10% 30+ 4%
4-14 Window 0-4 1% 4-14 85% 15-30 10% 30+ 4%
The Search for Meaning Part XII I. Youth (v. 1) II. Aging (vv. 2-5) III. Death (vv. 6-8) IV. Knowledge (vv. 9-12) V. Conclusion (vv. 13-14)
“The sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark.” -Ecclesiastes 12:2
Declining Physical Health Ecclesiastes 12:3-5 = Hands and arms = Back and legs = Teeth = Eyes = Ears = Sleeplessness • “The keepers of the house tremble.” • “The strong men stoop.” • “Grinders cease because they are few.” • “Windows grow dim.” • “Doors are closed.” • “Rise up at the sound of birds.”
Declining Physical Health Ecclesiastes 12:3-5 = Fear of falling, prefer to stay home = White hair = Slow, stiff movement = Reduced passion for living • “Afraid of heights and dangers.” • “Almond tree blossoms.” • “Grasshopped drags himself along.” • “Desire no longer is stirred.”
“MAN GOES TO HIS ETERNAL HOME” -Ecclesiastes 12:5
The Search for Meaning Part XII I. Youth (v. 1) II. Aging (vv. 2-5) III. Death (vv. 6-8) IV. Knowledge (vv. 9-12) V. Conclusion (vv. 13-14)
“Remember Him” -Ecclesiastes 12:6
The End of this Life Ecclesiastes 12:6 • “The silver cord is severed.” • “The golden bowl is broken.” • “The pitcher is shattered at the spring.” • “The wheel broken at the well.”
Death Ecclesiastes 12:7 • Your body will return to dust. • Your spirit will return to God.
Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.”
Key sign of Meaninglessness BOREDOM
The Search for Meaning Part XII I. Youth (v. 1) II. Aging (vv. 2-5) III. Death (vv. 6-8) IV. Knowledge (vv. 9-12) V. Conclusion (vv. 13-14)
Ecclesiastes 12:9 “Not only was the Teacher wise, but also he imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.”
Listen to the Teaching of God’s Word • This is “knowledge” from God. (v.9) • These are the “right words” to convey God’s truth. (v.10) • The teaching is supposed to be pointed, like “goads and nails.” (v.11)
The Search for Meaning Part XII I. Youth (v. 1) II. Aging (vv. 2-5) III. Death (vv. 6-8) IV. Knowledge (vv. 9-12) V. Conclusion (vv. 13-14)
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Here is the conclusion of the matter.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Here is the conclusion of the matter.” “Fear God.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Here is the conclusion of the matter.” “Fear God.” “And keep His commandments.”
1 John 3:23 “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”
The Search for Meaning • Human “wisdom,” learning is meaningless (Ch.1) • Pleasures and possessions are meaningless (Ch.2) • Advancement in career is meaningless (Ch.2) • Without God, life events are meaningless. (Ch.3) • Without God trials are meaningless. (Ch.4) • Riches are meaningless. (Ch.5)
The Search for Meaning • Long life is meaningless (Ch.6) • Wise living comes from God (Ch.7) • Things in this world are upside-down (Ch.8) • Everyone will eventually die. (Ch.9) • Learn from those who are wise, not from fools. (Ch.10) • Use this life to serve the Lord. (Ch.11) • Turn to the Lord while you are young (Ch.12)
1 John 3:23 “And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “This is the whole duty of man.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “This is the whole duty of man.” This is the whole of man.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 God will bring every deed into judgement “There is, and will be, an eternal accounting for everything we do. This is the complete opposite of believing that all is vanity or meaningless; it means that everything has meaning and importance, both for the present and eternity. If God cares as much as this, nothing can be pointless.” -Derek Kidner
Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” • Sin exposed and judged—shame and ruin • Service exposed and rewarded—joy
“What would it be like, asks the preacher, if things were utterly different from what you thought? What if this world is not the ultimate one? What if God exists and is a rewarder of those who seek Him?” -Michael Eaton
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