...death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.

Ecclesiastes 7:2b (NIV) page 464 Daniel 8:7 (NLT)

Confusing and Clarifying Ecclesiastes 3:19–21; 9:2, 8; 4:11; 7;28

Setting the Table Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 (NIV) page 461 Ø Writer-King Solomon

1 Kings 1-11; 2 Chronicles 1-9 Ø Meaningless - everything is a mist, a vapor, a puff of wind, a bit of smoke

Principles verses Promises Proverbs 3:10, 6:6; 22:6 Ø Under the Sun-from a human perspective and not necessarily from heaven’s point of view

Ø Gain-what is left over Ø Labor

What’s there to show for a lifetime of work, a lifetime of working your fingers to the bone? Ecclesiastes 1:3 (Msg)

Three Ways This Plays Out Ø The smoke of chasing pleasure & power

Ecclesiastes 2:1, 10-11 Ø The smoke of chasing wisdom

Ecclesiastes 1:16; 10:8-9; 3:11; 12:12 Ø The smoke of chasing fairness

Ecclesiastes 8:14

Living in Light of the End

...Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 (NLT) ... It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.

Ecclesiastes 5:18 (NLT) So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God. 25For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?

Ecclesiastes 2:24–26 (NLT)

Bottom Line: To live well under the sun we need to live well in light of the Son

[Jesus said] I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10 (Msg) ... don’t hold back. Throw yourselves into the work of the Master, confident that nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort.

1 Corinthians 15:58 (Msg)

Resources for this message include: Living Life Backward by David Gibson; Be Wise by Warren Wiersbe; messages from Summit Church-Durham, NC;

Berean Bible Church-Green NY; and various other sources

Think It Over helps you turn what God is saying to you into action steps. The points, questions, and Scriptures are designed to help make it real in your life.

Ø What are some of the ways kids love to play “let’s pretend”? Read Ecclesiastes 7:2b from Message Listening Guide. How do adults play “let’s pretend’? What positive or negative things happen when adults begin to take Ecclesiastes 7:2b seriously?

Ø Ecclesiastes can be confusing and clarifying. How does a Christ follower sort through the confusing to get to the clarifying?

Ø Review the “Setting the Table” section. What stands out? What are your impressions of Ecclesiastes? What are some of your take-aways?

Ø Can you think of instances when you felt you had “gained,” only to find that in time you were dissatisfied again?

Ø When we don’t “Live in Light of the End” life plays out in at least three ways. Which of the ways do you see people chasing after? What does the chasing do to life?

Ø As you read through each of the verses in the “Living in the Light of the End” section, what thoughts jump out at you? What is the key to living well under the sun?

Making It Real: John 10:10 and 1 Corinthians 15:58 reflect what it is like to live well in light of the Son. As you read those verses, what thoughts or rhythms of life would you like to own personally? What steps do you need to begin taking to move more in the direction of Jesus and Paul’s words? What is holding you back?

Changing Your Mind: ...Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 (NLT)

Living in Light of the End

Message Series on Ecclesiastes

Part 1