Chasing The Wind - Work? Series

Opening Illustration: From Blue Fish TV – “Wake”

Series: Chasing the Wind – Ecclesiastes

Transition read before song: Solomon states in Ecc. 1:2-4; 8; 14: “Meaningless! MEANINGLESS!” SAYS THE TEACHER. “UTTERLY MEANINGLESS!” Everything Is meaningless.” What does man gain from his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever… all things are wearisome … I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind!”

Summary of Series: Chasing

Illustration Kites – Kites set up in sanctuary– We need to catch the wind if we want to sail into the spiritual realm and to find meaning and purpose for our lives. Just like kites need to catch the wind to sail.

Thesis of series: Catching the wind of the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of God) is crucial to finding purpose and fulfillment in life – you can chase the wind of life all you want but it won’t make you fly - just like chasing the wind will not make a kite fly – you have to catch the wind to sail – to soar - too fly high in the both the natural and spiritual realm of life.

Back to Solomon words in Ecc. 1:2-4; 8; 14: “Meaningless! MEANINGLESS!” SAYS THE TEACHER. “UTTERLY MEANINGLESS!” Everything Is meaningless.” What does man gain from his labor at which he toils under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever… all things are wearisome … I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind!

Wow Solomon sounds like Mr. Doom and Gloom! He could be saying it this way, “We suffer through life and then we just die!” “Life has no purpose no satisfaction!” “It's pointless!” Wow I don't know about you but this guy sounds deeply depressed about his life! Solomon the king starts out this book with bad news – with a hopeless view of life. I thought he was suppose to be the wise one? He is he is really painting a picture for you of a life that counts for something and a life that is meaningless – he uses his own life as the spiritual example.

You have to hang with Solomon through the journey because in the end he adds this thought!

Note: Here is a book which should be started in the last chapter so you read and understand the reason behind this book and the meaning in life - Here are his final thoughts on life and its true meaning and purpose after his spiritual experiment – he says, “I was wise and I sought knowledge and fulfillment in everything you could imagine in life – I was highlighted as one, who is a whose who, of the rich and famous! - I had the resources to try everything so I did! – I mean everything! - and it was all meaningless – a chasing after the wind – empty - void of fulfillment! I tried work, riches, pleasure, possessions and did it without God and found it all meaningless!

Solomon concludes with these penetrating words after his spiritual journey of life with and without God by his side:

Ecc. 12:13-14: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: 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.”

Solomon after trying everything and anything the world could offer says none of it brought fulfillment and meaning to life – it was all meaningless -senseless – it’s like chasing after the wind! Remember? You can never catch the wind of life and soar without the wind – God is the wind – without a healthy fear of Him and respect for Him – without a connection to the Holy Spirit’s in life it’s all pointless - it’s His wind that makes you soar! It's the wind beneath your wings as the old song would say that makes life worth living.

Sermon#3 - Chasing the wind - “Is Working Meaningless?”

Thesis: Is work meaningless? Is it like chasing after the wind? According to Solomon it is if you are working for the wrong reason and for the wrong person. We need to work for God not men or money and we need to keep it proper balance and be on the side were the wind of the Holy Spirit carries us to new heights.

Scripture Text: Ecc. 4:1-16:

1Again I looked and saw all the oppression that was taking place under the sun:

I saw the tears of the oppressed—

and they have no comforter;