The Big Deal of Life: Pt 2 – Why Am I Here?

Sermon Overview

• Core Theme: This teaching explores the futility and absurdity of life “under the sun” as depicted in Ecclesiastes, challenging existential questions about meaning, justice, and purpose. It critiques secular philosophies (e.g., existentialism, nihilism) that attempt to find meaning apart from God, arguing that true purpose lies in glorifying God, enjoying Him eternally, and living in faith amid a fallen world. The preacher contrasts human striving with divine sovereignty, emphasizing that life’s paradoxes (beauty mixed with tragedy) point to the need for God-centered wisdom rather than self-realization.
• Key Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 (focus on vanity/hebel); additional references include Romans 8:28-30, Psalm 16:11, Revelation 4:11, Philippians 2:13, Isaiah 6:3, Psalm 72:19, Acts 17:25.
• Structure: Begins with the etymology of “Ecclesiastes,” defines “vanity” (hebel), reviews existential dilemmas, critiques philosophies, contrasts with biblical wisdom, analyzes time/death, and concludes with humanity’s chief end (glorify and enjoy God).

Etymology and Introduction to the Text (Eccl. 1:1)

• Preacher (Qoheleth): Hebrew “Qoheleth” means teacher or assembler (from “qahal” – assembly). In the Greek Septuagint, it’s “Ecclesiastes” (from “ekklesia” – church or assembly), not “kerygma” (proclaimer/herald as in NT Greek). Refers to Solomon, son of David, king in Jerusalem, who assembles wisdom for reflection.
• Purpose of the Book: To confront life’s apparent meaninglessness and guide toward God-fearing wisdom. The preacher examines human toil and existence “under the sun” (earthly perspective without eternal view).

The Concept of Vanity (Eccl. 1:2)

• Vanity of Vanities: Hebrew “hebel” – wisp of smoke, vapor, emptiness, futility. Life appears solid but is ungraspable, like chasing wind (Eccl. 1:14 – “All works under the sun are vanity, a striving after wind”).
• Paradoxical Nature of Life: Beauty and goodness exist, but tragedy strikes unexpectedly (e.g., bad things happen to good people). Life is unstable, unpredictable – a mix of joy and sorrow that “blows away.” Examples: Strong sense of justice undermined by injustice; enjoyment interrupted by loss.

Review: Existential Questions from Absurdity and Futility

• Absurdity (hebel) prompts hard questions assuming no God:
  • Why do good if no justice?
  • Why care if efforts make little difference?
  • Why strive if all leads to death?
  • Why care for others if no one cares for you?
  • Why be responsible/sacrifice in a broken, corrupt system?
• These questions fuel philosophies like existentialism, humanism, nihilism, materialism, hedonism, and capitalism, all seeking meaning without God.

Critique of Secular Answers: Can Meaning Exist Apart from God?

• False Foundation: Modern life influenced by Enlightenment/Renaissance existentialism – self-actualization/realization as the “why.” Examples: Get good grades, college, career, house, family, toys, retirement – build your kingdom. But bad news (e.g., doctor’s diagnosis) reveals vanity; death erases it all.
• Albert Camus (1942): Uses the Sisyphus myth – condemned to push a boulder uphill eternally, only for it to roll down. Life is absurd; “One must imagine Sisyphus happy” – accept fate, change attitude, enjoy the struggle. Critiqued as more futile/absurd.
• Friedrich Nietzsche (1897): Purpose through self-overcoming; create values as “Übermensch” (superman) – transcend limitations, forge path. Leads to nihilism: Life lacks inherent meaning/value; rejects objective truth/morality (from Latin “nihil” – nothing). Forms: Existential (life meaningless), moral (no right/wrong), cosmic (universe indifferent). Morals lose meaning without absolutes, heading to relativism.
• Soren Kierkegaard (1855): “The struggle itself is not enough to fill a man’s heart.” Futility from the absence of faith; no hope apart from Christ. Life without Jesus is a “Sisyphean loop” – repetitive, exhausting. True meaning: Serve God, keep commandments, hope in salvation/eternal life – breaks worldly cycle.

Sovereignty of God vs. Fallen World and Free Will

• God’s Control Tower: God sovereignly directs all (Rom. 8:28 – works all for good, not that all is good). Christians err by expecting to understand His plan fully, negating faith/trust.
• Response to Trials: Many frenzy over “why?” – stop trusting when no answer. Biblical wisdom focuses on “who” (God), not “why.”
• Driving Analogy for Wisdom: Life is like driving – see reality clearly, respond appropriately (starts with eye test). Ruthlessly realistic view: Discern via Word (rules of the road) and Spirit (navigate hazards). Keep lights on (Word as lamp – Ps. 119:105); move forward by faith/obedience. Avoid control tower mindset; focus on response.

Analysis of Time and Cycles (Eccl. 1:3-11)

• Human Toil’s Gain?: What profit from labor under the sun? Generations cycle; earth endures (v. 4).
• Natural Cycles: Sun rises/sets (v. 5); wind circuits (v. 6); streams flow to sea yet unfilled (v. 7). All wearisome – eye/ear never satisfied (v. 8).
• Nothing New: What was will be; no true novelty (v. 9-10). No remembrance of past/future (v. 11).
• Teacher’s Insight: Energy/emotion poured into transient things; time erases all (e.g., mountain/ocean/sun outlast humans). No lasting change from effort.

The Role of Death: The Great Equalizer

• Death devours all – wise/fool, rich/poor, good/evil. Renders activities meaningless; inescapable.
• Examines false hopes: Wealth (stress, heirs squander); pleasure (temporary, Monday returns). All hebel – vapor, fleeting.

The Teacher’s Conclusion (Eccl. 12:13-14, Implied in Text)

• Not hedonism/relativism: “Fear God, keep commandments – whole duty of man.” God judges every deed, hidden or not.
• Clears hebel: Brings justice; fuels integrity, care, hard work, goodness. Hope in God’s judgment renews meaning.

Humanity’s Chief End: Glorify God and Enjoy Him Forever

• Design (Purpose/Teleology): Teleological argument – order in creation implies purpose (e.g., beavers build dams instinctively, creating habitats without existential crisis). Humans question due to free will/fallenness; animals fulfill without doubt. Purpose not materialistic/self-centered but God-oriented (Rom. 8:28-30 – predestined to Christ’s image).
• Pre-Creation Logic: God’s purpose is internal (self-existent); creation manifests attributes. Chief end: Glorify God (reflect His essence).
• Glory (Doxa): Intrinsic (eternal in God, unchangeable); extrinsic (outward in creation, variable). God “seeks” glory via manifestation (Acts 17:25 – needs nothing). Commands glorify refer to reflection.
• Enjoyment (Makarios): Ps. 16:11 – Fullness of joy in God’s presence; eternal pleasures. Joy ≠ , happiness (happenstance-based feeling). True joy: Lord Himself (unlosable). Creation for God’s pleasure (Rev. 4:11); God works in us to please Him (Phil. 2:13).
• Contrast with American Ideal: “Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness” (Declaration of Independence, Locke-inspired) – unalienable rights from Creator. But pursuit often vain; true fulfillment in glorifying/enjoying God eternally.

Application and Final Challenge

• Embrace hebel’s challenge: Reject false hopes; live wisely by fearing God amid uncertainty.
• Break the cycle: Relationship with Christ/eternal purpose ends futility (Kierkegaard).
• Live intentionally: Glorify God in all; find joy in Him, not circumstances. Hope in eschaton – earth filled with glory (Isa. 6:3; Ps. 72:19).