Scripture Reading: Ecclesiastes 12:8–14
Introduction
A. Solomon perceived that nothing ever really changes in the course of nature or human events.
B. After searching for meaning in various places, he finally found it in fearing God and keeping His commandments.
Discussion
I. Without God at the center, everything is meaningless.
A. Without God at the center, the everything is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 7).
B. Without God at the center, our work is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1:3, 14; 2:20–21; 4:7–8).
C. Without God at the center, wealth is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 2:5–11).
D. Without God at the center, even wisdom is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 1:16–17; 2:22–23).
E. Without God at the center, man is no better than the animals (Ecclesiastes 3:18–21; cf. 12:7).
II. If God is at the center, everything suddenly has meaning.
A. A man’s all is not vanity when his all is to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
B. Because all will be recalled at the Judgement, all is not empty of meaning (Ecclesiastes 12:14).
C. When God is at the center, nothing that we do is meaningless (1 Corinthians 15:58; Colossians 3:22).
Conclusion
A. When we seek meaning in transient things, life loses its meaning.
B. Serving God will not remove the suffering we may have to endure, but it will give meaning to the struggle.