Sermon at the Haynes Street church of Christ on June 1, 2014. Topic: "The Meaning of Life" Preacher: Steven Matthews

1. TIMES OF SERVICES
SUNDAY:
9:30 A.M. BIBLE CLASS
10:30 A.M. WORSHIP
WEDNESDAY:
7 P.M. BIBLE CLASS
Welcome to the Haynes
Street church of Christ

2. The Meaning of Life
 Do you ever feel like your life is going around
and around in circles and is a pointless trip?
 Isn’t it nice to take a break and gather to
worship God?
 Solomon, 3,000 years ago, tried to break free
from life’s meaninglessness.
 He documented his experiment in
Ecclesiastes so we can learn how to break free.

3. The Meaning of Life
 Life is an endless, unbroken, pitiful cycle
 Life is quickly passing, then you die (1:1-2; 2:16).
 1:5-11: Three points about life—constant repetition;
every generation thinks they have the answer to
break free; and nothing we do provides satisfaction
to stop the meaningless repetition.
 Attempts to break free to have meaning
 Solomon tried various avenues to break free and
provide meaning (1:16-17; 2:1-11, 14-20).
 We live in a time that clearly demonstrates the vanity
of everything.

4. The Meaning of Life
 A seemingly fulfilled life
 Wisdom does give some benefit (7:11-12).
 But there are things wisdom will not do (7:20; 12:1-
5; 2:15-16, 18-19; 9:11-12, 14-15; 11:9).
 What, then, is the point of life?
 God is testing us (3:18-20).
 7:1-4: It is good for man to know he is going to die.
 After this life is over, we are going to face God in
judgment (11:9-10; 12:13-14).
 We can enjoy life (9:7-10)!

5. God’s Plan of Salvation
Hear (Romans 1:16; 10:14, 17)
Believe (John 8:24; Mark 16:16; Hebrews
11:6)
Repent (Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30)
Confess (Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 10:32-33)
Be baptized (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16)
Live faithfully (Revelation 2:10; Matthew
6:33; Romans 12:1-2; I Corinthians 15:58)