INTRO: Concerning the ways of man, Solomon spoke with authority
1 Ki 10:23-24 So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.
1. Solomon had the power and position to try every thing his heart desired.
2. Satan’s lie is that if you could only have this one more possession or this one more pleasure or this one more bit of worldly wisdom, you would be happy.
But listen to the King who exceeded all the kings of the earth for wisdom! - "all is vanity."
The Hebrew word Vanity used here is ’???????? which means "emptiness or vanity; figuratively something transitory and unsatisfactory;"- Strong’s Hebrew dictionary
I/ LIFE WITHOUT GOD IS EMPTY BECAUSE LIFE IS TRANSITORY
Eccl 1:4 One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.
Psa 90:10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
If you are now 35 - you have only 12,000 days left - But that is a snap of the finger compared to eternity. James 4:14b For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
Often when death comes, it comes suddenly. It does not warn us. But to some it is a gradual process. We know that our dear sister went through a gradual process of physical/health deterioration that eventually led her to death. It does not matter whatever process or ways we may encounter death – but death is certain for all of us.
What is our preparation on this earth for the eternity, after all death is certain and life on this earth is just a transitory. We will surely move on from here. It is only possible for us to inherit the Kingdom of God which is permanent in nature is by putting our trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He is the ONLY way to heaven. Life on earth is transitory and Heaven should be our destiny. SO what is the point having all this world has to offer, and do not find God through Christ, your life is "empty and unsatisfactory".
II/ LIFE WITHOUT GOD IS EMPTY BECAUSE KNOWLEDGE BRINGS NO PEACE (Eccle. 12:12)
Eccl 1:16-17
Knowledge that does not recognize God brings "chasing of the wind". Earthly wisdom and knowledge is a mere waste because it is just like chasing of a wind that we will be never be satisfied because we will never be able to catch up what we are chasing for.
1 Cor 1:20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1 Cor 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
1 Cor 1:22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
1 Cor 1:23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1 Cor 1:24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
III/ LIFE WITHOUT GOD IS EMPTY BECAUSE PLEASURE, WEALTH, & WORKS BRING NO LASTING SATISFACTION
A. PLEASURE:
Eccl 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 had 700 wives, and 300 concubines, a Palace, and was the richest man in the world.
Remember, vanity means transitory, unsatisfactory. The bible tells us in Hebrews 11:25 that Moses chose"rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season"
At the end of life, those things we thought so important at the time, seem empty because they brought no lasting satisfaction.
Let us take a careful look at 1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
How much of our lives are spent pursuing the things in verse 16, but verse 17 tells us it is all passing away.
B. WEALTH AND WORKS
Eccl 2:4-11, 5:10, and 5:15 Read and expound.
CONCLUSION:
Bring God into your life and obey Him - Because your life is being recorded and will be revealed. Do not wait until you are old, and like Solomon, look back on an empty life. Let Christ’s fullness fill our empty lives.
