The Search For Life's Meaning
by Dr. J.C. House
10/02/2023
Ecclesiastes 1:2 - “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”
Solomon came to a time in his life when nothing made sense. Many are just like that today and nothing seems to make sense to them, so they spend their life seeking the meaning of life, trying everything but the One thing that makes life meaningful. Solomon, who should have known better, tried it all.
HE TRIED LEARNING
Ecclesiastes 1:17-18 - “And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”
Education is great, but it will not necessarily make you happy. You can have a full head and an empty heart and that equates to SPLENDID IGNORANCE.
HE TRIED LAUGHTER
Ecclesiastes 2:1 - “I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.”
Solomon must have thought, “Well, I have been too serious, I need to get out and have a good time. Eat, drink, and be merry for life is just a bowl of cherries. I will have no serious thoughts at all.
Ben Raleigh wrote a song in 1946 and the lyrics went thusly, “I’m laughing on the outside and crying on the inside.” The world today is filled with people just like that. During World War 1, a popular song written by Felix Powell was entitled, “Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile.” Felix Powell died from a suicide. The answer to life’s meaning is not laughter.
HE TRIED LIQUOR
Ecclesiastes 2:3 - “I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men,”
Today He would have snorted heroin, dropped acid, smoked grass, and listened to the commercials tell us that if you drink a certain liquor, “it is a sign of distinction.” Shakespeare said, “What fools men are to put that into their mouth, which steals their brain away.” Solomon tried it all, going to get stoned, but the meaning of life was not found.
HE TRIED LUXURY
Ecclesiastes 2:4 - “I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:”
He decided he could buy happiness and satisfaction. How many today have said, “If I just had X number of dollars all my problems would be over, and I could be happy.” Dead wrong. Many today are lost in their search for riches. Their god is gold, and their creed is greed. Money will buy you anything but happiness and take you anywhere but to Heaven.
HE FOUND THE ANSWER
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
HE TRIED THE LORD
If you want the best, the real meaning of life is to be found in loving and serving God. Read verses 13-14 again carefully. “For this is the conclusion of the whole matter.”
10/02/2023
Ecclesiastes 1:2 - “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.”
Solomon came to a time in his life when nothing made sense. Many are just like that today and nothing seems to make sense to them, so they spend their life seeking the meaning of life, trying everything but the One thing that makes life meaningful. Solomon, who should have known better, tried it all.
HE TRIED LEARNING
Ecclesiastes 1:17-18 - “And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.”
Education is great, but it will not necessarily make you happy. You can have a full head and an empty heart and that equates to SPLENDID IGNORANCE.
HE TRIED LAUGHTER
Ecclesiastes 2:1 - “I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.”
Solomon must have thought, “Well, I have been too serious, I need to get out and have a good time. Eat, drink, and be merry for life is just a bowl of cherries. I will have no serious thoughts at all.
Ben Raleigh wrote a song in 1946 and the lyrics went thusly, “I’m laughing on the outside and crying on the inside.” The world today is filled with people just like that. During World War 1, a popular song written by Felix Powell was entitled, “Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile.” Felix Powell died from a suicide. The answer to life’s meaning is not laughter.
HE TRIED LIQUOR
Ecclesiastes 2:3 - “I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men,”
Today He would have snorted heroin, dropped acid, smoked grass, and listened to the commercials tell us that if you drink a certain liquor, “it is a sign of distinction.” Shakespeare said, “What fools men are to put that into their mouth, which steals their brain away.” Solomon tried it all, going to get stoned, but the meaning of life was not found.
HE TRIED LUXURY
Ecclesiastes 2:4 - “I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:”
He decided he could buy happiness and satisfaction. How many today have said, “If I just had X number of dollars all my problems would be over, and I could be happy.” Dead wrong. Many today are lost in their search for riches. Their god is gold, and their creed is greed. Money will buy you anything but happiness and take you anywhere but to Heaven.
HE FOUND THE ANSWER
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 - “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
HE TRIED THE LORD
If you want the best, the real meaning of life is to be found in loving and serving God. Read verses 13-14 again carefully. “For this is the conclusion of the whole matter.”
Posted in Living for God
Posted in Ecclesiastes 1, Solomon, life, meaning, learning, laughter, liquor, luxury, commandments, service
Posted in Ecclesiastes 1, Solomon, life, meaning, learning, laughter, liquor, luxury, commandments, service
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