Sermon Recording Sermon OutlineSpeaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8 (ESV) 7 Light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.

8 So if a person lives many years, let him rejoice in them all; but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many. All that comes is vanity.

9 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

10 Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body, for youth and the dawn of life are vanity.

12:1 Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, “I have no pleasure in them”;2 before the sun and the light and the moon and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain,3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed,4 and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low—5 they are afraid also of what is high, and terrors are in the way; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags itself along, and desire fails, because man is going to his eternal home, and the mourners go about the streets—6 before the silver cord is snapped, or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher is shattered at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern,7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.8 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher; all is vanity.

Sermon OutlineLife is fleeting so live wisely during it.

1. Rejoice

2. 11:9 “rejoice… let your heart cheer you…”

3. 11:8 “remember that the days of darkness will be many” (v7 light)
4. 11:9 “in your youth”

5. 11:8 “if a person lives many years… rejoice in them all”

6. Remove

7. 11:10 “Remove vexation from your heart, and put away pain from your body”

8. 11:9 “Walk in the ways of your heart.... But know that… God will bring you into judgment.”

9. Remember

10. 12:1 “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come”

11. 12:2-7“before… the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”

Prayer of ConfessionOur Father, remove from us all that is displeasing to you. Take away all that weighs us down. Life is hard, and we confess we often lose our way. Forgive us for every wrong we have done, for whatever reason we have done it. Forgive us for not holding to what is good. Forgive our failure to remember you. We acknowledge you as our Creator, and long for the life you give through Jesus Christ. In his name, grant us mercy and favor. Amen.

Questions for Reflection

1. What hinders you from experiencing joy?
2. What can you do to recognize, appreciate and enjoy whatever good comes into your life?
3. Does the fleeting nature of life encourage you to make the most of it, or is your response different? Why?
4. What reasons are there to remove “evil” from your life (evil desires/inclinations and actions)?
5. How can you remember your Creator? What does it look like (think of various moments in a typical day)?
6. How does Jesus (who he is and what he did) help us remember our Creator in ways that foster joy? How does this kind of remembering help us seek good and put away evil?