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The Introduction of Vanity

Sermon Title: The Introduction of Vanity
Sermon Text: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

Sermon Purpose: To call the hearer to avoid the fatal trap of the slippery slope of an empty life.

Sermon Proposition: There are 4 keys to avoiding a life of emptiness.

 
I.          The family history of the preacher. V.1a
            A.        The birth and name of the preacher.

2 Samuel 12:24 Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the LORD loved him, 25 and He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the LORD.

            B.        The childhood and training of the preacher.

            C.        The inauguration and reign of the preacher.

1 Chronicles 29:23 Then Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed him. 24 All the leaders and the mighty men, and also all the sons of King David, submitted themselves to King Solomon. 25 So the LORD exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel.

II.        The favorable request of the preacher. V.1b
            A.        The favorable presence of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 1:1 Now Solomon the son of David was strengthened in his kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him and exalted him exceedingly.

            B.        The favorable preparation of the Lord.
                        1.         Wisdom and knowledge (2 Chronicles 1:2-3, 6-13)
                        2.         Discernment and strength (1 Kings 4:29-34)
                        3.         Riches and fame (1 Kings 4:20-27)
                        4.         Vision and skill

1 Kings 10:23 So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 24 Now all the earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. 25 Each man brought his present: articles of silver and gold, garments, armor, spices, horses, and mules, at a set rate year by year.

III.       The futile perspective of the preacher. V.2
            A.        The danger of a flawless image.

            B.        The danger of subtle traps. (Eccl. Chp. 2 selected scriptures)

                        1.         The subtle trap of extravagance.
                        2.         The subtle trap of boredom.
                        3.         The subtle trap of disillusionment. V.20-22
IV.       The fatal flaw of the preacher. V.3

            A.        The fatal flaw of tangible success. (selected scripture)

            B.        The fatal flaw of personal deterioration. (selected scripture)

            C.        The fatal flaw of final failure. (1 Kings 11:1-9)

            D.        The fatal flaw of stubborn defiance. (1 Kings 11:9-28, 40)

            E.         The fatal flaw of continual defiance.
                        1.         “I want my own way.”
                        2.         “I won’t quit until I get it.”
                        3.         “I don’t care who it hurts.”
                        4.         “I refuse to listen to counsel.”

                        5.         “I am not concerned about the consequences.”