Ecclesiastes 12:1–14
Chapter 23: Gray Hairs, Fewer Teeth, Yet a Big Smile (12:1–8)
Chapter 24: Wrapping Up a Ragged–Edge Journey (12:9–14)

As young people – how do we live right now in anticipation that old age will come sooner than we think?

As older people – how do we graciously accept the challenges of the aging process?

How do we live right now in such a way that our life has meaning – that we are not caught up in the futility of life under the sun?

BIG IDEA:
THIS LIFE HAS MEANING WHEN WE RISE ABOVE THE FUTILITY OF MAN’S WISDOM TO EMBRACE GOD’S WISDOM = FEAR GOD AND OBEY HIM BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE BECAUSE WE ALL WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE

I. (:1-7) THE URGENCY OF EMBRACING GOD’S WISDOM: FIGURE LIFE OUT SOONER . . . RATHER THAN LATER . . . OLD AGE IS FAST APPROACHING

1. (:1a) It is Never Too Soon to Submit to the Lordship of Your Creator
   1. Remember God by Submitting to His Lordship
   2. Respond to God as your Creator
   3. Recognize the Brevity of Life – Youth = Opportunity
2. (:1b-7) Graphical Description of the Decay Involved in the Aging Process
   1. General Description of Old Age – Trouble / Distress / Darkness and Gloominess
   2. Specific Signs of Deterioration and Decay
      1. Loss of Strength
      2. Loss of Essential Functions of the Body
      3. Loss of Virility – Increasing Fears
   3. (:5b-7) Ultimate Pictures of Departure and Devastation and Death
      1. Departure from This Life
      2. Two Pictures of Devastation of the Physical Body
      3. Death = Separation of Body and Spirit

II. (:8) THE NEED FOR GOD’S WISDOM = THE FUTILITY OF LIFE UNDER THE SUN: APART FROM GOD . . . ALL IS VANITY

"’Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher, ‘all is vanity!’"

II. (:9-14) THE COMMUNICATION OF GOD’S WISDOM: THE PREACHER FAITHFULLY DRIVES HOME THE MESSAGE OF TRUTH

1. (:9-10) The Expository Role of the Preacher: Communicating God’s Truth Accurately and Effectively
   1. Prerequisite: Preacher Must be a Wise, Godly Man
   2. Goal of Edification – Systematic, Thorough Teaching
   3. Dedication to His Craft – can be a tedious process involving much discipline
   4. Choice of the Best Possible Words – for Accuracy and Effectiveness
2. (:11-12) The Productive Impact of the Preacher: Applying God’s Wisdom to Stir People to Action and to Drive Home God’s Truth
   1. 2 Illustrations: Goads / Stakes
   2. Unity and Authority of God’s Wisdom — Sourced from One Shepherd
   3. Contrasted with Weariness of Book Learning – Accumulating Man’s Wisdom
3. (:13-14) The Main Message of the Preacher: Fear God and Obey His Commandments Since You Will Be Held Accountable
   1. Summary Lesson – The Point of it All
   2. Simple Secrets to Purposeful Living – Fear God / Obey God
   3. Scope of Solomon’s Counsel
   4. Supreme and Total Accountability

Related posts:

1. Week 1: Introduction to the Cycle of Futility “under the sun”
2. Week 3: The Futility of Pursuing Wisdom or Work “under the sun”
3. Week 10: Life just doesn’t add up… but we can still resolve to live it up
4. Week 7: The Futility Of Chasing The Good Life
5. Week 2: The Futility of Pleasure, Possessions and Pride (Popularity)