Right Priorities = Life Fulfillment Series

Sermon #2 - The Foundation of Fulfillment: Start With God

Last week, we found in our study that fulfillment doesn’t come with anything that the world has to offer. Even the people that have reached the level that they were reaching for, have found that it doesn’t fulfill. For instance,

Roman emperor Septimius, said, "I have been everything, and it is worth nothing.”

There’s a guy who was one of the most powerful men and wealthy men on the planet, and it didn’t satisfy. But it’s not just men from 2,000 or 3,000 years ago.

Patricia Bosworth, in her biography of actor Marlon Brando, recalls this quote from Brando: "I’m a balding, middle-aged failure. I’ve tried everything. . . .(sleeping around), drinking, working. None of them mean anything."

I know that’s not the way you want your life to turn out. Everyone wants to have significance. Everyone wants to matter, and wants to make a difference with their life.

The CEO of Apple Computers looked at the guy who was President of Coca Cola, and said, “Do you want to spend the rest of your life selling sugared water, or do you want a chance to change the world?”

The guy from Coca-Cola signed up to change the world.

The question is this: What foundation can you build upon to ensure that your life is significant? What’s the foundation for finding a fulfilling life that makes a difference?

Solomon spends the first 11 chapters of the book exploring and rejecting everything that most people try to find fulfillment in today:

- Sex

- Money

- Pleasure

- Power

- Fame

- Job

Then, when we arrive at the 12th chapter, we find the conclusion of Solomon’s search. After he’s done all of these things, trying to find fulfillment, what is his conclusion?

What does he want to say to you?

Ec 12:1 ¶ Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, Before the difficult days come, And the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them":

2 While the sun and the light, The moon and the stars, Are not darkened, And the clouds do not return after the rain;

3 In the day when the keepers of the house tremble, And the strong men bow down; When the grinders cease because they are few, And those that look through the windows grow dim;

4 When the doors are shut in the streets, And the sound of grinding is low; When one rises up at the sound of a bird, And all the daughters of music are brought low;

5 Also they are afraid of height, And of terrors in the way; When the almond tree blossoms, The grasshopper is a burden, And desire fails. For man goes to his eternal home, And the mourners go about the streets.

6 Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed, Or the golden bowl is broken, Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, Or the wheel broken at the well.

7 Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

What’s he saying? If you want to find fulfillment:You need to make God your PRIORITY! You need to let God run your life starting NOW!

Now, you might say, “No, Pastor. . . he just said that you need to “Remember your Creator!” That’s what I do. . . I believe in God, and I think about Him pretty regularly. I even came to church today.”

Well, I’m glad that you did. . . but this verse means much more than thinking about God while you’re young. In fact, just a few verses later, Solomon clarifies what he means by “remember”. . .

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

14 For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.”

Here, Solomon tells us what he means by “remember your creator”. Two things:

1. Fear God.

What does it mean to fear God? It’s not like being afraid of snakes and spiders. . . instead, the Bible tells us what it is: “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.” (Proverbs 8:13) In another place, we read this: “by the fear of the Lord men depart from evil.” (Prov. 16:6)

2. Keep His commandments.

The question is, will you remember the one who created you for a reason? Will you make HIM the PRIORITY in your life?

Let me ask you – what are YOUR priorities? You know how to measure your priorities? Here’s a simple test:

Ask yourself:

1. If I had only one month to live, how would my life change?