Nothing New (2) Ecclesiastes 2:4-11

Vanity – emptiness, vapor or breath ALL is vanity (1-3) Vanity – emptiness, vapor or breath What profit has a man for all his labor… (1:3) - How many today pursue wealth, fame, power, pleasure, etc. – seeking true fulfillment, only to be left empty. How many in their search refuse to consider God? (12:12-14) We are all expendable

The consistency of this world (4-7) The earth abides forever – consistency in its laws – outlasts us The sun rises and sets… (1:5) The wind goes toward the south… (1:6) Rivers run into the sea… (1:7) Earth, fire, air and water IF God can sustain this world, He can sustain us & keep His word

The consistency of this world (4-11) The exasperation of man (8) Full of labor – wearisome To survive in this world, we have to work at it. Both together and individually Life becomes routine and mundane We spend most of our lives this way

The consistency of this world (4-11) Man cannot express it (8) Can we really put into words, the futility of life at times? Cf. Romans 11:33, Psalm 145:3

The consistency of this world (4-11) Man cannot express it (8) The eye is not satisfied…nor the ear filled… It is never enough. We need contentment – 1 Timothy 6:6, Philippians 4:11

The consistency of this world (4-11) Man cannot express it (8) The eye is not satisfied…nor the ear filled… But not merely about contentment. We want to see more, hear more, taste more. And our bodies need more! Have we heard enough of God’s word? Revelation 2:7, 11, etc. Matthew 11:15, 2 Peter 3:18

The consistency of this world (4-11) Man cannot express it (8) As you examine your life, are you in a rut? How about spiritually? Do we need to renew our minds? Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:23 NOTE: Because the world keeps turning, you need to keep working! Galatians 6:9

The consistency of this world (4-11) There is nothing new under the sun (9) What has been is what will be. What is done is what will be done. There is nothing new under the sun!

The consistency of this world (4-11) There is nothing new under the sun (9) The nature of man has not changed (either), nor will it ever! Man is still driven by sinful conduct, selfish, troubled, rebellious against God, rejecting His word.

The consistency of this world (4-11) There is nothing new under the sun (9) Why are the proverbs and Ecclesiastes still relevant today? HOW can the Bible still apply? Because God is constant – Hebrews 13:8, 1 Peter 1:23-25 James 1:17

The consistency of this world (4-11) Is there anything of which it may be said, “See this is new”? (10) What about modern day inventions, developments and advancements? While new in detail, they still address the needs of man since the beginning – transportation, wellness, protection, communication, etc.

The consistency of this world (4-11) Is there anything of which it may be said, “See this is new”? (10) And while we improve how we accomplish our tasks and seek to make life easier, we seem to have less time than ever before Even most philosophies are not really new! (1 Corinthians 3:19, Romans 1:18-21)

The consistency of this world (4-11) There is no remembrance of the former things, nor will there be any remembrance of things that are to come, by those who will come after (11)

The consistency of this world (4-11) There is no remembrance of the former things,… (11) “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Solomon alluded to this. Typically, when man dies he is forgotten. And we refuse to really learn form the past

The consistency of this world (4-11) There is no remembrance of the former things,… (11) We make the same mistakes over and over – cf. Matthew 24:37 BUT, it doesn’t have to be that way! We can learn from the past (of others and ourselves) – Hebrews 12:1, 1 Corinthians 10:11-12 Then vs. 13!

The consistency of this world (4-11) Solomon has observe how constant the world is. We see routine all around us. BUT, we don’t have to let routine keep us from moving forward and living with purpose Learn the REAL reason we are here – Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Why are you really here?