EXPLORE GOD

“What On Earth Am I Here For?”
Pastor Doug Heisel – September 24, 2023

Solomon’s Pursuit of Answers and Meaning

Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s journal on life – when one seeks meaning in places that can never produce or sustain it.

KNOWLEGE.

Ecclesiastes 1:16,18 — …I am better educated than any of the kings before me…(but) the more my wisdom, the more my grief…

PLEASURE.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-3, 11 — I tested pleasure...and laughter...I tried cheering myself with wine, and having a good time...I acquired a harem...I denied myself nothing my eyes desired...But it proved to be meaningless...

ACHIEVEMENT.

Ecclesiastes 2:4-5, 20 — Then I tried to find fulfillment by inaugurating a great public works program; homes, gardens, parks...reservoirs...But I turned in despair from hard work as the answer to my search for satisfaction.

POSSESSIONS.

Ecclesiastes 2:7-8, 18 — I owned more livestock than anyone else...I piled up silver and gold…Yet I hated all (this)…because I must leave it all to someone who comes after me.

FAME.

Ecclesiastes 2:9, 11 — I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me...Yet when I surveyed all I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless...under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 12:8 — “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Everything is meaningless!”

What Jesus Said Instead

John 14:6 — “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Matthew 11:28-30 — “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

1. What if Jesus is the answer for what is MISSING or MESSED UP on the inside?
   
   Ephesians 1:4-5 — Long ago, even before He made the world, God chose us to be His very own through what Christ would do for us...His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into His own family by sending Jesus Christ to die for us…
   
   Ephesians 2:4-5 — But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
   

2. What if Jesus is the answer behind my MISSION — the reason why I am here?
   
   Ephesians 2:9-10 — For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
   
   Revelation 3:20 — Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.