Embracing Life's Purpose: Remembering Our Creator
Summary
In our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes, we've reached the final chapter, where Solomon, the ancient sage, brings us to the heart of his reflections. Over the past 12 weeks, we've explored the complexities and paradoxes of life as Solomon experienced them. He has shared his wisdom, born from a life of both triumph and disappointment, urging us to consider what truly matters. Today, we delve into Ecclesiastes 12, where Solomon uses vivid imagery to remind us of the inevitability of aging and the fleeting nature of life. He calls us to "remember our Creator" in our youth, emphasizing that this remembrance is not merely a mental exercise but a call to action that should permeate every aspect of our lives.
Solomon's conclusion is profound in its simplicity: "Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." This is not a new revelation but a reminder of what we often forget. To fear God is to stand in awe of Him, to recognize His majesty and love, and to live in a way that reflects His divine order and purpose. Our lives, when aligned with His will, transcend the meaningless pursuits of this world and find true fulfillment in Him.
Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon has challenged us to examine our priorities and the motivations behind our actions. He warns against the futility of chasing after wealth, pleasure, and knowledge for their own sake, labeling them as "hevel"—a vapor, fleeting and insubstantial. Instead, he points us toward a life lived under the sovereignty of God, where every action is an act of worship, imbued with meaning and purpose.
As we prepare for next week's baptism celebration, let us reflect on the transformative power of remembering our Creator. Let us live lives that impress upon others the beauty and truth of God's love, not through force but through the compelling witness of our own lives. In doing so, we fulfill our duty to fear God and keep His commandments, finding joy and purpose in His eternal presence.
Key Takeaways:
- Remembering Our Creator: The call to "remember your Creator" is more than a mental exercise; it is a call to action that should influence every aspect of our lives. This remembrance should move from our heads to our hearts and hands, affecting how we live and make decisions. [04:11]
- The Futility of Chasing the Wind: Solomon's reflections remind us of the futility of pursuing wealth, pleasure, and knowledge for their own sake. These pursuits, when detached from God's purpose, are like chasing the wind—fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. [18:41]
- Living Under Divine Order: Aligning our lives with God's divine order brings true fulfillment. This means prioritizing God's will over our desires and recognizing that our lives are acts of worship, filled with meaning and purpose. [12:26]
- The Power of Awe: To fear God is to stand in awe of His majesty and love. This reverence should lead us to live lives that reflect His divine order, recognizing His sovereignty and the profound impact of His commandments. [30:27]
- Impressing God's Truth on Others: Our lives should be lived in such a way that they impress upon others the truth and beauty of God's love. This is not about force but about living authentically and compellingly, pointing others to the One who is truly impressive. [34:46]
Youtube Chapters:
- [0:00] - Welcome
- [04:11] - Solomon's Final Words
- [05:31] - Imagery of Aging
- [06:30] - The Meaninglessness of Life
- [07:59] - Conclusion of the Matter
- [09:42] - Reflections from The Greatest Showman
- [10:54] - Solomon's Pitfalls
- [12:26] - Divine Order and Purpose
- [14:39] - The Hebrew Concept of Remembering
- [16:18] - The Cyclical Nature of Ecclesiastes
- [18:41] - Chasing the Wind
- [19:44] - Soul Cravings
- [21:56] - Story of the Dog on Water
- [23:03] - Missing the Miraculous
- [25:05] - The Words of the Wise
- [27:22] - The Good Shepherd
- [29:23] - The Conclusion of Ecclesiastes
- [30:27] - Fear God and Keep His Commandments
- [32:16] - The Great Commandment
- [33:45] - Impressing Truth on Others
- [34:46] - Living an Impressive Life
- [35:36] - The Radiance of God's Commands
- [36:56] - The Purity of the Fear of the Lord
- [38:11] - Trusting in God
- [38:52] - Communion and Remembrance
- [41:29] - Worship and Surrender
- [43:03] - Invitation to Prayer
- [44:11] - Here I Am to Worship
- [44:56] - Conclusion and Benediction
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ecclesiastes 12:1-14
- Deuteronomy 6:4-7
- Psalm 19:8-9
---
Observation Questions:
1. What imagery does Solomon use in Ecclesiastes 12 to describe the process of aging? How does this imagery contribute to his overall message? [05:31]
2. According to the sermon, what does the Hebrew word "zakar" mean, and how does it differ from our typical understanding of "remember"? [14:39]
3. In Ecclesiastes 12:13, Solomon concludes with a specific command. What is it, and why is it significant in the context of the entire book? [07:59]
4. How does the sermon describe the concept of "hevel" and its relevance to the pursuits of wealth, pleasure, and knowledge? [18:41]
---
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the call to "remember your Creator" in Ecclesiastes 12:1 challenge the way individuals typically view their youth and priorities? [04:11]
2. What does it mean to "fear God and keep His commandments" in today's context, and how might this look different from Solomon's time? [30:27]
3. How does the sermon suggest that living under God's divine order can transform seemingly mundane actions into acts of worship? [12:26]
4. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, and knowledge can become "hevel" if detached from God's purpose? [18:41]
---
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current stage of life. How can you actively "remember your Creator" in your daily decisions and actions? [04:11]
2. Consider the areas of your life where you might be "chasing the wind." What steps can you take to align these pursuits with God's purpose? [18:41]
3. How can you cultivate a sense of awe and reverence for God in your daily routine? What practices might help you stand in awe of His majesty and love? [30:27]
4. Identify one area in your life where you feel out of divine order. What practical steps can you take to realign this area with God's will? [12:26]
5. Think of a person in your life who might be impressed by the way you live out your faith. How can you intentionally live in a way that points them to the truth and beauty of God's love? [34:46]
6. Reflect on a recent decision you made. How did your remembrance of God influence that decision, and how might you improve this process in the future? [14:39]
7. As you prepare for the upcoming baptism celebration, how can you use this time to reflect on your own spiritual journey and the transformative power of remembering your Creator? [04:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Remembering Our Creator in Action
The call to "remember your Creator" is not just a mental exercise but a transformative action that should influence every aspect of our lives. This remembrance is meant to move from our heads to our hearts and hands, affecting how we live and make decisions. Solomon emphasizes the importance of this in our youth, suggesting that the earlier we align our lives with God's purpose, the more meaningful our journey will be. This call to action is a reminder that our lives are not our own; they are a gift from God, and we are to live them in a way that honors Him. [04:11]
Ecclesiastes 12:1 (ESV): "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them.'"
Reflection: What is one specific way you can actively remember your Creator today, allowing this remembrance to influence a decision or action you take?
Day 2: The Futility of Chasing the Wind
Solomon's reflections in Ecclesiastes remind us of the futility of pursuing wealth, pleasure, and knowledge for their own sake. These pursuits, when detached from God's purpose, are like chasing the wind—fleeting and ultimately unsatisfying. Solomon, having experienced both triumph and disappointment, warns us against the emptiness of these pursuits. Instead, he encourages us to seek a life that is aligned with God's will, where our actions are imbued with meaning and purpose. This perspective challenges us to examine our priorities and motivations, ensuring they are rooted in something eternal rather than temporary. [18:41]
Ecclesiastes 1:14 (ESV): "I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind."
Reflection: Identify one pursuit in your life that feels like "chasing the wind." How can you realign this pursuit with God's purpose today?
Day 3: Living Under Divine Order
Aligning our lives with God's divine order brings true fulfillment. This means prioritizing God's will over our desires and recognizing that our lives are acts of worship, filled with meaning and purpose. Solomon's wisdom calls us to live in a way that reflects God's divine order, transcending the meaningless pursuits of this world. By doing so, we find true fulfillment and joy in His eternal presence. This alignment requires a conscious effort to prioritize God's will in our daily lives, allowing His purpose to guide our actions and decisions. [12:26]
Proverbs 19:21 (ESV): "Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to prioritize God's will over your own desires? How can you take a step towards aligning this area with His divine order today?
Day 4: The Power of Awe
To fear God is to stand in awe of His majesty and love. This reverence should lead us to live lives that reflect His divine order, recognizing His sovereignty and the profound impact of His commandments. Solomon's conclusion in Ecclesiastes is a reminder of the simplicity and profundity of fearing God and keeping His commandments. This awe is not about fear in the traditional sense but a deep respect and recognition of God's greatness and love. It calls us to live in a way that honors Him, acknowledging His authority and the beauty of His divine order. [30:27]
Psalm 33:8 (ESV): "Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!"
Reflection: How can you cultivate a sense of awe and reverence for God in your daily life? What is one practical way you can express this awe today?
Day 5: Impressing God's Truth on Others
Our lives should be lived in such a way that they impress upon others the truth and beauty of God's love. This is not about force but about living authentically and compellingly, pointing others to the One who is truly impressive. Solomon's wisdom encourages us to be a living testimony of God's love, allowing our actions and words to reflect His truth. By doing so, we fulfill our duty to fear God and keep His commandments, finding joy and purpose in His eternal presence. This call to live an impressive life is a reminder that our witness is powerful and can draw others to God. [34:46]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Think of one person in your life who needs to see the truth and beauty of God's love. How can you be a compelling witness to them through your actions and words today?
Quotes
1. "Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, I find no pleasure in them, before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars grow dark and the clouds return after the rain. When the keepers of the house tremble. He's talking about his feeble limbs now. And the strong men stoop. When the grinders cease because they are few and those looking through the windows grow dim. That's his eyesight." [05:31] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Fear God and keep his commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. For the last time, I'll leave it to you. the seat. Wow. Wow. I said to you last week, in preparation for this series months ago and then every week in preparation, I've had this song come into my brain. Like every week. It's without fail at some point, it's come into my brain." [07:59] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "When your life is out of divine order, you know it, and you feel it. You've placed other things in priority. You've placed other things in priority over what the Lord would want for you. There's an imbalance. There's an issue. You just think, I need to surrender and have my life in divine order. I don't want to live my life under the sun, S -U -N, as Ecclesiastes says, but I want to live it under the S -O -N. I want to live it under the king. That's having a life in divine order." [12:26] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The words of the wise are like goads. What's a goad? It's basically a stick to poke you with. It's a prompter. It's a, come on, nudge along. So the words of the wise are to make us go, oh, oh, yeah. It's to remind us, sometimes wake us up, sometimes help us. It's to help us to see, come on now. The words of the wise are like goads. They're collected sayings like firmly embedded nails given by one shepherd." [25:05] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Fear God and keep his commandments. You see what this is. Solomon pointed to it in chapter 3, pointed to it in chapter 8, and boldly declared it in chapter 5, verse 7. This word, fear God, that week, week 5, literally means this. It's, therefore, stand in awe of God. Therefore, stand in awe of God. Literal translation, rather reverently fear God and worship him with awe -filled respect, knowing who he is. Stand in awe of God. Listen to him. Hear him. Then respond." [30:27] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "Live your life in such a way that it's not a impress? It's just this is who we are. This is how we live. Come follow him. Are we living in such a way that it points to others to say, yes. Yes. Impress them on your children. That's why it's so key. This is why worship is so key, friends. This is why prayer is so key. There's so many things that are like, just model it. Be an example." [35:36] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Live your life in such a way that to fear the Lord, it is pure and enduring forever. Live your life in such a way that his commands are radiant, that give light to your eyes. Impress them upon your children. And so we're going to have communion. And this is what we're going to do. Team, you can just come and start distributing the elements. Keep hold of them. If you're a follower of Jesus, this is for you. Open table." [38:11] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?