Why Do I Feel Empty?

Lesson Passages: Ecclesiastes 3: 1,10-14; 4: 9-12; 5: 1-7

?????????????

Background Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:1 – 5:7

Outline of EcclesiastesPart One: The Thesis That “All Is Vanity” (1:1 – 11) I. Introduction of Vanity 1: 1 – 3 II. Illustrations of Vanity 1: 4 – 11

Part Two: The Proof That “All Is Vanity” (1:12–6:12) I. Proof of “All Is Vanity”, from Experience 1: 12 – 2: 26 A. Vanity of Striving After Wisdom 1: 12 – 18 B. Vanity of Striving After Pleasure 2: 1 – 3 C. Vanity of Great Accomplishments 2: 4 – 17 D. Vanity of Hard Labor 2: 18 – 23 E. Conclusion: Be Content 2: 24 – 26

II. Proof of “All Is Vanity” from Observation 3: 1 – 6: 12A. Immutability of God’s Program 3:1–22B. Inequalities of Life 4:1–16C. Insufficiencies of Human Religion 5:1–7D. Insufficiencies of Wealth 5:8–20E. Inescapable Vanity of Life 6:1–12

– Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1996). Nelson’s complete book of Bible maps & charts: Old and New Testaments (Rev. and updated ed.). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.

1 To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven: . . [born/die, plant/reap, kill/heal,build/demolish…]10 I have seen the painful labor and exertion and miserable business which God has given to the sons of men with which to exercise and busy themselves. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. 12 I know that there is nothing better for them than to be glad and to get and do good as long as they live; 13 And also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor—it is the gift of God. 14 I know that whatever God does, it endures forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it. And God does it so that men will [reverently] fear Him [revere and worship Him, knowing that He is].

God has established these seasons of life. That there will be seasons becomes predictable to us.

Not that we can predict it all! There is His More, coming. But meanwhile, there is God’s grace to accept what we can, and recognize God is overall, OVER ALL!

The seasonality, up/down, build/destroy… We are just using toy building blocks of what God has made that’s beyond, unchangeable, “immutable” (___). God will be shown as the master who is Eternal, whose word, works, character and love (person) stand forever GOOD – no beyond that: PERFECT! Good we see now is just a SHADOW.

We see the lasting good in the pleasure God gives (Grace) despite the transitoriness.

God wants us to know He has something better (Heb. 11:13, Jam. 1:17; Rev. 22:5!, 2 Cor. 4:16-18 (our lights, now). See notes below.

1. Time is a Threat (Eccl. 3:1,10-14) [AMP]

1.’s verse references , cont’d [HCSB]

9 Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor; 10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken.

2. True Friends Can Help (Eccl. 4:9-12) [AMP]

2. Cont’d (Eccl. 1:12-14; 2:1-3)

In v. 4-11, Solomon described his great accomplishments, plus “lifestyle try-outs”. 1 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Better to draw near in obedience than to offer the sacrifice as fools do, for they ignorantly do wrong. 2 Do not be hasty to speak, and do not be impulsive to make a speech before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. 3 For dreams result from much work and a fool’s voice from many words. 4 When you make a vow to God, don’t delay fulfilling it, because He does not delight in fools. Fulfill what you vow. 5 Better that you do not vow than that you vow and not fulfill it. 6 Do not let your mouth bring guilt on you, and do not say in the presence of the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For many dreams bring futility, so do many words. Therefore, fear God.

God can forgive.. But you will confuse your life and witness. WHy do that? … [More needed].

Jesus said vows are presumptuous.

Live before God constantly, quit pretending to judge the weighty matters?

Don’t turn back from the plow. Better to repent seriously, counting all cost! than pay the cost of someone really ruined (the 7 returning demons). God is not to be trifled with. LIVES are at stake!

In a mulititude of words, you’re trying to please men, not God. Think of Jephthah, who lost his daughter.

What happens to your character when you abandon a vow (not to mention the destructiveness to others’ lives)? WHy then are vows important? Because LIFE (from God) – the call to eternity, to avoid judgment -- is!!!

3. God Alone Is Worthy (Eccl. 5:1-7)[HCSB]

(Backups)