Ecclesiastes 1:14
The Bible teaches that life on the material plane is empty and unfulfilling, and that people are living without purpose or direction.
Chuck Smith explores the theme of 'Life Under the Sun' in Ecclesiastes, emphasizing the futility of human endeavors and the emptiness that accompanies a life focused solely on material gain. He highlights the monotony and oppression of life, pointing out that despite our efforts to find fulfillment through pleasure, wealth, and wisdom, we ultimately face an inner void and dissatisfaction. Smith concludes that without a higher purpose or divine plan, life can feel like a meaningless cycle of labor and despair, leaving humanity in a state of fatalism.
Text
"LIFE UNDER THE SUN"
This is life on the material plane.
I. LIFE UNDER THE SUN.
A. Observations made:
1. Labor is vain profit in it vs. 1:2.
a. You labor all your life, sacrifice and deny yourself to a mass a
fortune then you die and leave your goods to you know not what.
2. Life becomes a monotonous grind 1:9.
3. Life filled with oppressions and tears 4:1.
a. No real comforter.
4. No certain future 6:12.
B. Results of life under the Sun.
1. Emptiness 1:14.
a. Try as you may there is no filling of that inner void.
1. 2:1 gave self to pleasure.
2. 2:3 turned to drink.
3. 2:4 building monuments.
4. Amassed wealth 7-9.
5. Indulged self vs. 10.
6. Gave self to wisdom vs. 12.
7. Sought answer in sex.
2. Hating life vs. 2:17.
a. This may not be your experience yet.
1. You still feel that when you achieve you goals you are
going to be happy.
b. Note the hardness and callousness of the ages sinners.
C. Conclusionof life under the sun.
1. Man is a beast 3:18.
a. Live like a hog and die like a dog.
b. Man is doing his best to link himself to the animal kingdom.
2. Fatalism 9:11 Time and chance.
a. No plan or purpose for life.
Is there no answer for man under the sun? The pattern of living and dying is that all? Is
there not somewhere a ran of light?
Sermon Outline
- Life Under the Sun points: - Observations Made - Labor is Vain Profit - You labor all your life, sacrifice and deny yourself to a mass of fortune then you die and leave your goods to you know not what.
- Emptiness points: - Results of Life Under the Sun - Try as you may there is no filling of that inner void.
- Man is a Beast points: - Conclusion of Life Under the Sun - Live like a hog and die like a dog.
Key Quotes
“You labor all your life, sacrifice and deny yourself to a mass of fortune then you die and leave your goods to you know not what.” — Chuck Smith
“Try as you may there is no filling of that inner void.” — Chuck Smith
“Live like a hog and die like a dog.” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should not put our hope in material things, but in God and His purpose for our lives.
- We should live with purpose and direction, not just going through the motions like an animal.
- We should seek to understand God's plan and purpose for our lives, and live in accordance with it.