15
Apr '20
Now is the Time
15
Apr '20
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. Ecclesiastes 1:1-5
Not an encouraging outlook on life, but one that does echo in many hearts. Ecclesiastes is a textbook on the true philosophy of existence. The Preacher speaks like a philosopher. He uses the observable facts of this life “under the sun” to reveal the truth that lasting happiness and genuine satisfaction cannot be found in what this world has to offer alone. Pursue happiness and satisfaction under the sun only and you will find what Mick Jagger discovered. “I can’t get no satisfaction.”
The Preacher had tried. He thoroughly explored three different avenues of life. He tried the streets of…
Intellectualism
He sought to expand his mind and learn all that was humanly possible. He succeeded. There has not been one wiser than Solomon, but he learned that information alone cannot fill the needs of the heart or satisfy the soul. Our minds matter, but our own intellect and scientific rationalism cannot provide the ultimate answers to life. Education is a good thing but turn it into your god and it will leave you in despair.
Hedonism
Since knowledge and information were unable to satisfy the soul, the Preacher indulged himself in every pleasure. He didn’t hold back. No one drank more, had more sex, enjoyed more art, or laughed at more comedians than the Preacher, but all of that just proved to be another dead-end street. Pleasure is a good thing, but because of the Fall, it is not a trustworthy life guide. Turned into a god, pleasure becomes slavery.
Workaholism
The Preacher was a master builder. His projects were magnificent and to be envied. While hard work is a virtue, workaholism is as ultimately satisfying as plowing water. Industriousness is a great characteristic, but a miserable god.
The Preacher explored all these avenues of living and found each of them to unhappy dead-end streets. He ultimately discovered that all his intelligence, indulgences, and industriousness were meaningless under the sun.
That’s the first eleven chapters, and in chapter twelve, the last of the book, he brings his talk to a conclusion by driving home four foundational truths. That will be out focus tonight for the livestream. Here are your viewing options:
- Follow this link to view the livestream directly from our Vimeo page. If you search for our feed on Vimeo use “bbc church.”
- Click the “Watch Video” button on the church’s Facebook page.
- Watch us on Facebook Live
- Watch us on YouTube If you search for us on YouTube use “Bible Baptist Church, Mt. Vernon.”
All of these options are available because we want to make it easy for you to follow along. Please set aside the time to tune in at 7 pm. Have your Bibles open.
