1. Welcome

2. The Reason for Life

3. Solomon searched for happiness
Son of David and Bathsheba
Ecclesiastes – autobiography
12 Chapters Verses
Story of his life
Theme: Search for meaning

4. Search for meaning to Life
Eccl. 1:13-18
Wisdom
King of Israel
A wise man – 1 Kings 4:29-32
Demonstration – 1 Kings 3
He learned that wisdom does not bring satisfaction

5. Today men are trying to gain
Wisdom
Emphasize education
More wisdom = more grief
Vanity and vexation of the spirit
Same end for wise and foolish

6. Solomon tried every form of
Eccl. 2:1-3
Pleasure
Laughter – merriment
Wine
Women
700 Wives concubines

7. Mankind tries every form of …
Pleasure
Comedy
Strong Drink
Sexual generation
Recreation
Vanity and Vexation

8. Solomon tried… Architecture Eccl. 2:4 Aqueducts, pools Palaces
Pre-fabricated temple - 1 Kings 9
Queen of Sheba
6. “Then she said to the king: "It was a true report which I heard in my own land about your words and your wisdom.
7. However I did not believe the words until I came and saw with my own eyes; and indeed the half was not told me. Your wisdom and prosperity exceed the fame of which I heard.” Kings 10:6-7

9. Vanity and Vexation of the spirit Men today try …. Architecture
Great building programs
Houses
Vanity and Vexation
of the spirit

10. Then Solomon turned to …
Gardening
Eccl. 2:4-6
Vineyards
Gardens
Orchards
Flowers
Vanity and Vexation

11. Next he tried his hand at …
Ranching
Eccl. 2:7
Oxen
Horses
Sheep
Camels
Goats
Vanity and Vexation

12. This was Also Vanity And Vexation He felt sure the answer was …
Fine Arts
Eccl. 2:8 …
Art Collecting
Music
Singing
Instruments
This was
Also
Vanity
And
Vexation

13. Solomon was a man of great …
Wealth
Eccl. 2:9-10
Riches
1 Kings 10:27 – silver as stones
Filthy Rich
“He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity.” Eccl. 5:10

14. Men today believe that …
Wealth
Is the goal in life
He who has the most gold wins
Matt. 16:26
1 Tim. 6:7-8
Solomon learned that accumulating wealth was only vanity and vexation of the spirit!

15. Solomon had a great Reputation Eccl. 2:16
“For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, Since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool!”

16. Many today have a great Reputation But it does not last very long
1st man to walk on the moon?
Infamous ruler of Iraq?
Man behind the 9/11 attacks?

17. Why is all this Vanity ? 37 Times Useless – waste of time
Not the purpose of life
He tried everything
But it was all Empty
“What profit has a man from all his labor In which he toils under the sun?” Eccl. 1:3

18. Life under the Sun Life on this earth
Solomon concluded that life on this earth is not worthwhile.
It is only temporary.
Life here is a pilgrimage !

19. What is the Reason for life?
“Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;” Eccl. 12:1
13. “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.” Eccl. 12:13-14

20. The Conclusion Fear God Keep His Commandments Reverence and respect
Laws of God give meaning

21. Why ? There will be a day of judgment God will reveal everything
He will reveal the good and bad
Feared God and kept His Commandments

22. The Reason for Life Keep His Fear God Commandments Not life on earth
This is vanity and vexation
Fear God
Keep His
Commandments

23. The Reason for Life
“...behold, a greater than Solomon is here.” Matt. 12:42
Jesus is the solution to the reason for life.

25. Nelson Chapel Church of Christ
5039 Six Mile Road
Maryville, Tn
May 27, 2018
Sermon by Arthur Pigman
2705 Druid Hill Dr.
Maryville, Tn
CCL