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Part 1: “Chasing Significance” What Are You Chasing?

ECCLESIASTES

PART 4

 
Message Notes
 
Reading Plan
 
 
 
 
 

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

  • The purpose of Ecclesiastes:

  • Discussion questions to make you think.

  • Answers to the discussion questions are found in the rest of the Bible.

The key question today:

  • What is the meaning and purpose of your life?

“‘Everything is meaningless,’ says the Teacher, ‘completely meaningless!’” Ecclesiastes 1:2 (NIV)

“What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 1:3 (NIV)

1. TWO COMMON ANSWERS FROM CULTURE OF HOW TO FIND MEANING IN LIFE:

  • The pursuit of progress.

“We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.” Ecclesiastes 1:11 (NLT)

“Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea.” Ecclesiastes 1:4-7 (NLT)

  • The pursuit of the pleasures of life.

“Everything is wearisome beyond description. No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.  Sometimes people say, ‘Here is something new! But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new.’” Ecclesiastes 1:8-10 (NLT)

2. WHO IS THIS AUTHOR AND WHY SHOULD WE LISTEN TO HIM?   

“These are the words of the Teacher, King David’s son, who ruled in Jerusalem.” Ecclesiastes 1:1 (NLT)  

“I devoted myself to search for understanding and to explore by wisdom everything being done under heaven. I soon discovered that God has dealt a tragic existence to the human race. I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. ’” Ecclesiastes 1:13-14 (NLT)

  • Is life under the sun all there is?  

  • The Gospel is God’s message of restoration and reconciliation–He makes all things new.  

“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’” Revelation 21:5 (NIV)

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS: 

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This Week’s Reading Plan:

  • YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
    “Path to Purpose: Ecclesiastes” (5 days)

EcclesiastesDr. John Gerlach