110324...Nothing To Be Gained...Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

The Universal Question?
Is there anything in the created world that can bring ultimate satisfaction to the human heart?

Ecclesiastes 1:1-2...“The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun?”

Ecclesiastes 2:11...“Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

2 Peter 1:21...“For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.”

2 Timothy 3:16...“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14...“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether
good or evil.” (NKJV)

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11...“I said in my heart, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy yourself.’ But behold, this also was vanity. I said of laughter, ‘It is mad,’ and of pleasure, ‘What use is it?’ I searched with my heart how to cheer my body with wine— my heart still guiding me with wisdom— and how to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was good for the children of man to do under heaven during the few days of their life. I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man. So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun”

Hedonism...“The philosophical belief that the pursuit of pleasure and avoidance of pain are the primary or most important goals of human life.”

Sermon In A Sentence: In vain will you search for anything in the created world that will satisfy your heart.

Solomon Tested Himself With:
-Pleasure & it failed to satisfy v.1
-Laughter & it failed to satisfy v.2

Proverbs 14:13...“Even in laughter the heart may ache.”

Solomon Tested Himself With:
-Pleasure & it failed to satisfy v.1
-Laughter & it failed to satisfy v.2
-Wine & it failed to satisfy v.3
-Folly & it failed to satisfy v.3
-Artistic endeavors & it failed to satisfy v.4
-Nature & it failed to satisfy v.5-6
-Possessions & it failed to satisfy v.7-8
-Music & it failed to satisfy v.8
-Sex & it failed to satisfy v.8

1 Kings 11:4...“When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father”

Solomon Tested Himself With:
-Pleasure & it failed to satisfy v.1
-Laughter & it failed to satisfy v.2
-Wine & it failed to satisfy v.3
-Folly & it failed to satisfy v.3
-Artistic endeavors & it failed to satisfy v.4
-Nature & it failed to satisfy v.5-6
-Possessions & it failed to satisfy v.7-8
-Music & it failed to satisfy v.8
-Sex & it failed to satisfy v.8
-The approval of others & it failed to satisfy v.9
-Work & it failed to satisfy v.11

The Universal Question?
Is there anything in the created world that can bring ultimate satisfaction to the human heart?

Sermon In A Sentence: In vain will you search for anything in the created world that will satisfy your heart.