Looking for Satisfaction
[Editor's Note: Though the author prepared this for a Southern Baptist Convention January Bible Study aide, there are great points here that can be used at any time for a sermon or Bible study.]
Introduction
The following is an outline to be used for the January Bible Study, 2012
“I can’t get no satisfaction. I can’t get no satisfaction. ‘Cause I try, and I try, and I try, and I try. I can’t get no….satisfaction.” The Rolling Stones
Many in the world today would agree to the song lyrics of “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”. The them, the world is just a place of existence, without any peace or hope. The writer of Ecclesiastes, Solomon, begins by agreeing that life is an endless cycle of hopelessness, but he eventually moves the reader to see that God can change a meaningless life into a fulfilled life.
Chapter 1
Everything is Meaningless (vs. 2-3)
Most of the world sees life as meaningless. They say, “eat, drink, and be merry because soon you will die”.
Some versions of this verse say “vanity of vanities”. This is the same word that we get our word “vapor” from.
As a child, I remember standing at the bus stop on cold days and blowing smoke, or vapor, from my mouth. Solomon is saying that life is like that - a vapor; here just a brief moment and then disappearing into nothingness.
“From the human point of view (“under the sun”) life does appear futile and it is easy for us to become pessimistic”, Warren Wiersbe.
In verse 3, “under the sun” equals worldly living. To live life apart from God is truly meaningless. In Star Trek – The Next Generation, The Borg, which is the arch enemy of the Federation, would only communicate by saying, “Resistance is futile!.” In the same way, it is futile to attempt to live a meaningful life without a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Chapter 2
I. The Futility of Pleasure (v.1)
A. Wine (v.3)
B. Houses (v. 4a)
C. Wealth (v8a)
D. “I had everything a man could desire!” (v.8c)
In verse 11, we read, “…all so meaningless – like chasing the wind”.
A friend’s dog likes to chase a laser pointer, and one day, that dog followed the laser into a fence. Apart from God, we are like that dog; chasing after something that we will never catch.
“Today’s world is pleasure-mad. Millions of people will pay almost any amount of money to ‘buy experiences’ and temporarily escape the burdens of life. While there is nothing wrong with innocent fun, the person who builds his or her life only on seeking pleasure is bound to be disappointed in the end.” Warren Wiersbe
II. Enjoy Life! (vs. 24-26)
A. What we are to Enjoy
Solomon states clearly that, not only were his pleasures from God, but even the enjoyment of those pleasures was God’s gift to him. God wants us to enjoy life – not the prosperity gospel you hear on TV.
B. How we are Supposed to Enjoy
Merely possessing “things” is not enough; we must also possess the kind of character that enables us to use those “things” wisely and enjoy them properly. Godly character must be at our core so that we not lose focus on what is most important.
C. What We are not to Be
If we rejoice in the gifts, but forget the Giver, then we are ungrateful idolaters.
Conclusion
I like to watch Sci-Fi movies. Most of them are dark and gloomy with little expectation for a joyful life. My wife gave me the answer as to why most Sci-Fi movies are like this; God is absent! Life without God is like a Sci-Fi movie. When God is not present, life is dark a gloomy with no hope!