Living Purposefully: Embracing Life's Fleeting Nature
Summary
Today, we delved into the profound wisdom of Ecclesiastes, a book that has deeply impacted my own spiritual journey. Ecclesiastes is traditionally attributed to Solomon, who, as an old man, writes to a young son, though the lessons are applicable to anyone who considers themselves young at heart. The book is a quest to understand the meaning of life, systematically exploring whether anything in this world can provide ultimate meaning and satisfaction.
We began by acknowledging the straightforward and logical approach of Ecclesiastes, which resonated with me as someone from Philadelphia, where communication is direct and to the point. The teacher in Ecclesiastes embarks on a journey to test all that the world offers—education, pleasure, work, popularity, and wealth—to see if any of these can provide a solid foundation for life. Ultimately, he finds that none of these pursuits offer lasting satisfaction; they are all fleeting, like a mist.
The main point of our discussion was that our lives are fleeting, and we will all be forgotten. What truly matters is that one day we will face our Creator. Therefore, we should live before Him every day. This led us to three key reasons to live for God daily: because we are young, because we will die, and because we will give an account.
First, we should live before God because we are young. Ecclesiastes encourages us to enjoy life and the good gifts God has given us. It’s a reminder that our youth is a gift from God, meant to be used in service to Him and others. The Bible consistently teaches that God is not a killjoy but a generous giver of good gifts. We should see our abilities, interests, and opportunities as gifts from God to be used for His glory.
Second, we should live before God because we will die. Life is short and unpredictable, and death is certain. The teacher uses vivid imagery to describe the finality of death, emphasizing that life will inevitably slow down and end. This reality should put things in perspective for us, urging us to live with a sense of urgency and purpose. Death entered the world through sin, and it is a reminder of our need for a Savior. If you are living apart from God, you are believing Satan’s lies. Repent and believe in Jesus, who lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose from the dead.
Third, we should live before God because we will give an account. Ecclesiastes concludes by pointing us to the only substantial thing in the universe: God. We are called to fear God and keep His commands, which means living in reverent awe of Him and obeying His Word. This starts with trusting in Jesus and continues with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. On the last day, God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil.
Living with this perspective means recognizing that we are always in the presence of God. This awareness should motivate us to use our time, talents, and treasures for His glory. Practically, we can take an inventory of all the key responsibilities and callings in our lives and ask how we are living faithfully in each area. Are we making much of God, or are we focused on ourselves?
In conclusion, Ecclesiastes teaches us to live life backward, taking the certainty of our death and working backward into all the details and decisions of our lives. This perspective helps us make the right choices and live purposefully. Live before God because you are young, because you will die, and because you will give an account.
### Key Takeaways
1. Live Before God Because You Are Young: Our youth is a gift from God, meant to be enjoyed and used in service to Him. Ecclesiastes encourages us to find joy in the good gifts God has given us, reminding us that God is not a killjoy but a generous giver. Reflect on how you are using your abilities, interests, and opportunities to glorify God. [05:39]
2. Live Before God Because You Will Die: Life is short and unpredictable, and death is certain. This reality should put things in perspective, urging us to live with a sense of urgency and purpose. Death entered the world through sin, and it is a reminder of our need for a Savior. Repent and believe in Jesus, who lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose from the dead. [16:36]
3. Live Before God Because You Will Give an Account: Ecclesiastes concludes by pointing us to the only substantial thing in the universe: God. We are called to fear God and keep His commands, which means living in reverent awe of Him and obeying His Word. This starts with trusting in Jesus and continues with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. [23:18]
4. Living Quorum Deo: Recognize that we are always in the presence of God. This awareness should motivate us to use our time, talents, and treasures for His glory. Take an inventory of all the key responsibilities and callings in your life and ask how you are living faithfully in each area. Are you making much of God, or are you focused on yourself? [10:09]
5. Live Life Backward: Ecclesiastes teaches us to take the certainty of our death and work backward into all the details and decisions of our lives. This perspective helps us make the right choices and live purposefully. Live before God because you are young, because you will die, and because you will give an account. [22:27]
### Youtube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:58] - Introduction to Ecclesiastes
[01:43] - The Quest for Meaning
[02:39] - The Conclusion of the Quest
[03:30] - Main Point: Live Before God
[04:13] - Reason 1: Because You Are Young
[05:01] - Enjoying Life's Gifts
[06:29] - God's Generosity
[07:28] - Using Your Youth for God
[10:09] - Living Quorum Deo
[12:35] - Transparency and Discipleship
[13:41] - Reason 2: Because You Will Die
[14:28] - Life's Urgency
[15:27] - The Finality of Death
[16:36] - The Reality of Sin and Death
[17:36] - The Universality of Death
[18:22] - The Origin of Death
[19:03] - Satan's Lies
[19:40] - Repent and Believe
[20:19] - Press On in Faith
[21:11] - Imparting Wisdom
[21:45] - Setting an Example
[22:27] - Living Life Backward
[23:18] - Reason 3: Because You Will Give an Account
[23:50] - The Point of It All
[24:11] - Life is a Mist
[24:37] - The Ephemeral Nature of Life
[25:42] - The Teacher's Conclusion
[27:01] - The Futility of Wealth
[28:45] - The Algorithm of Life
[29:51] - The "What's Next" Test
[31:22] - Fearing God and Keeping His Commands
[32:47] - Paul's Secret to Contentment
[34:18] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:14
### Observation Questions
1. What are the three reasons given in Ecclesiastes for why we should live before God every day? ([03:30])
2. How does the teacher in Ecclesiastes describe the finality of death? ([15:27])
3. What does the phrase "quorum deo" mean, and how is it relevant to our daily lives? ([08:26])
4. According to the sermon, what is the main point of Ecclesiastes? ([03:30])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the teacher in Ecclesiastes emphasize the importance of enjoying life while we are young? How does this align with the overall message of the book? ([05:01])
2. How does the certainty of death influence the way we should live our lives according to Ecclesiastes? ([14:28])
3. What does it mean to live "quorum deo," and how can this perspective change our daily actions and decisions? ([08:26])
4. How does the idea of giving an account to God shape our understanding of purpose and responsibility in life? ([23:18])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current stage of life. How are you using your abilities, interests, and opportunities to glorify God? Are there areas where you could be more intentional? ([05:39])
2. Life is short and unpredictable. What are some practical steps you can take to live with a sense of urgency and purpose? ([14:28])
3. The sermon mentioned taking an inventory of your key responsibilities and callings. What are some areas in your life where you feel you are living faithfully? Where do you see room for growth? ([10:55])
4. How can you cultivate a mindset of living "quorum deo" in your daily routine? What specific changes can you make to remind yourself of God's constant presence? ([08:26])
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of transparency and discipleship. Who in your life can you invite into a deeper conversation about living faithfully before God? ([12:35])
6. Considering the finality of death, how can you prepare yourself spiritually and practically for the end of life? What legacy do you want to leave behind? ([15:27])
7. How does the idea of giving an account to God influence your daily decisions and actions? Are there specific areas where you need to align more closely with God's commands? ([23:18])
Devotional
Day 1: Embrace Your Youth as a Gift from God
Our youth is a precious gift from God, meant to be enjoyed and used in service to Him. Ecclesiastes encourages us to find joy in the good gifts God has given us, reminding us that God is not a killjoy but a generous giver. Reflect on how you are using your abilities, interests, and opportunities to glorify God. Are you making the most of your youth by serving others and living in a way that honors Him? Remember, your youth is not just for your own pleasure but for God's glory. [05:39]
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 (ESV): "Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment. Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity."
Reflection: How can you use your current abilities and opportunities to serve God and others more effectively today?
Day 2: Live with the Urgency of Life's Shortness
Life is short and unpredictable, and death is certain. This reality should put things in perspective, urging us to live with a sense of urgency and purpose. Death entered the world through sin, and it is a reminder of our need for a Savior. If you are living apart from God, you are believing Satan’s lies. Repent and believe in Jesus, who lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose from the dead. [16:36]
James 4:14 (ESV): "Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes."
Reflection: What is one thing you can do today to live with more urgency and purpose, knowing that life is short?
Day 3: Prepare to Give an Account to God
Ecclesiastes concludes by pointing us to the only substantial thing in the universe: God. We are called to fear God and keep His commands, which means living in reverent awe of Him and obeying His Word. This starts with trusting in Jesus and continues with the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. On the last day, God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether good or evil. [23:18]
2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV): "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil."
Reflection: How can you live today in a way that prepares you to give a good account to God?
Day 4: Live Quorum Deo—In the Presence of God
Recognize that we are always in the presence of God. This awareness should motivate us to use our time, talents, and treasures for His glory. Take an inventory of all the key responsibilities and callings in your life and ask how you are living faithfully in each area. Are you making much of God, or are you focused on yourself? [10:09]
Psalm 139:7-10 (ESV): "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there! If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there your hand shall lead me, and your right hand shall hold me."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to be more aware of God's presence and live more faithfully?
Day 5: Live Life Backward—From Death to Daily Decisions
Ecclesiastes teaches us to take the certainty of our death and work backward into all the details and decisions of our lives. This perspective helps us make the right choices and live purposefully. Live before God because you are young, because you will die, and because you will give an account. [22:27]
Psalm 90:12 (ESV): "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Reflection: How can the certainty of your death influence the decisions you make today to live more purposefully?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Live before God because you will give an account. So while building Apple, Steve Jobs famously described his culture, right? He said, people are putting in 18 hour days. We attract a different type of person, someone who really wants to make a dent in the universe. Otherwise, why even be here? Why even be here, right? Why even be here in this world? If our lives aren't going to make a dent in the universe. So what's the point of it all? This is really how Ecclesiastes concludes. It's asking, what is the point of it all? And in one of the most famous passages in Ecclesiastes, it's repeated 38 times effectively throughout the book. Verse eight, it repeats meaningless, meaningless. Everything is meaningless." [23:50]
2. "You know, when I was young, I kind of always thought I'm going to get to God one day. You know, I want to, I kind of want to live for myself for a while. Eventually I'll grow up just like I'll get a house one day or do this or that one day. But for now, I just kind of want to live for myself. If you're here and you're thinking that, I would just encourage you, don't wait until you're older to grow in your relationship with God. Start doing it today. Live before God because you are young. And that brings us to our next point. Live before God because you'll die." [13:41]
3. "Friends, if you're living apart from God right now, that means you are believing Satan's lies, right? If you're here today and you're not a Christian, we are thrilled that you are here. We'd like you to be nowhere else on a Sunday morning, but in God's name. But there's nothing I can say more strongly than to encourage you to repent of your sin and to believe in Jesus. Now, repenting is kind of a Christian word. It just means turning from. It means agreeing that you've sinned against God and believing means turning to God, believing in God, effectively admitting that you haven't ordered your life around your creator. You've ordered it around yourself or something else. Repent of that." [19:40]
4. "Believe in Jesus that he is the one who lived a perfect life, died a death, you deserved and rose from the dead, proving that sin and death had no claim on him. He gave his life for all of those who would trust in him. Again, don't delay young or old. If you can hear my voice this morning, then you have not yet returned to dust." [20:19]
5. "Our loving God gives us the whole world to enjoy. But he reminds us, very importantly in verse 9, for all these things, God will bring you into judgment. That means that one day God will judge you for all that you've done. It includes the ways you've sinned against him. But it also includes the ways you've served him and how you've been satisfied in him. This is reflected in Paul's letter in 1 Corinthians. So whatever you eat or drink, whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. In Ephesians, it says, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received." [08:26]
### Quotes for Members
1. "He says, life's like a puff. It's like chasing after the wind. You can't grasp it. Have you ever been on a plane and seen all those big fluffy clouds in the sky, right? A spoiler alert for young kids who haven't flown yet. Uh, but you know, those fluffy clouds that you see in the sky, you can't, you can't grab them, right? They, you fly straight through them. They're, they vanish. They're just a mist. Life is described like these. It's, it's kind of like an amazing vacation. It's great at the time, but it's hard to hold onto and capture forever. One day it comes to an end. James repeats this theme in his letter. He says in chapter four, what is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." [24:37]
2. "I can't get no satisfaction. I try. And I try and I try and I try. And he came to this conclusion by systematically trying to build a weighty life on a rock. He tried everything the world has to offer, right? He tried, if you read the whole book, he tried education, but found that it leads to sorrow and grief. He tried pleasure, but found it fleeting and unfulfilling. He tried work, but found that it's temporary and you kind of leave it to someone else one day. He tried popularity, but found it's transient. He even tried justice, but found it's unsatisfying, right? Because there's all this injustice out there and the wicked seem to prosper just as much as the righteous. What he realized and what he's trying to get across to his son here is that none of these things, again, will make a weighty, substantial, lasting purpose other than a wisp of smoke." [25:42]
3. "So, our first point, again, found in 11, 7 through 12, 1, is live before God because you're young. Live before God because you're young. Again, this entire book is written to a son. And it doesn't, again, say how old he is. So, all of this is written to a son. So, all of us, I think, can appreciate the point that he's making. He's saying, you know, some things in this book that we can all agree with if we're young. Like, I love this one line. We read it in our passage, that much study wearies the body. You guys all experienced that if you just finished school. You know some of these truths that he's talking about, about life. But he also says some things that I think might surprise you, especially if you're kind of coming to Christianity and you're not exactly sure what it all means. Let's kind of unpack a few of the things he says. They're surprising." [05:01]
4. "Well, today we have the joy of looking at a passage from one of my favorite books, Ecclesiastes. I love this book because it's what God really used in my life, in my heart, to draw me to himself when I was a 19-year-old working one summer on a golf course. Connected with me, I think primarily because it is just so straightforward. You see, I'm from Philadelphia, and in Philly, you communicate in a very simple, straightforward, succinct, you might even say superior manner. So, for example, if you're at a game, you don't say, excuse me, sir, but please, would it trouble you to get me a hot dog? No, you say, give me a dog. And if someone asks you if you'd like to eat out, you don't say, ah, that restaurant is my favorite, but I'm happy to go if everyone else wants to. You say, no way, that place stinks. And I can tell you, I never heard the phrase, bless your heart, growing up. It was more like, you gotta be kidding me." [00:58]
5. "So, Ecclesiastes 12, make this your wake up call. Let it put things in perspective for you live before God because you are going to die. And that brings us to our third point, And three, because you'll give an account. That's in 12, 8 through 14. You'll be helped to follow along in your Bible or the service guide has the text on it. As I read this, I'll be referencing some of the passages. So, let's dive in and look at this." [23:18]
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