Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Sermon Notes:
1) The Dead End: Meaninglessness and Vanity under the Sun, Eccl 1-12
2) Man’s Chief End: Finding Meaning and Purpose BEYOND the sun, 12:8-14
3) Man’s Chief End: Fearing and Glorifying God, 12:13
What does it mean to Glorify God? (These lists are based on some Biblical word studies done by one of our elders.)
A) Fearing God in our hearts. Fear = awe leading to obedience and reliance on God (Paraphrased from Eerdman’s Concise Bible Handbook)
B) Praising and Thanking God in prayer and praise
Praising Him for who he is
Thanking Him for what he does
Such as: His attributes, benefits (including Salvation for us and others!), miracles, providence, and promises.
C) Honoring God in our actions
Stewardship
Sabbath rest and worship
Building and keeping a beautiful place of worship
Maintaining our physical fitness and chastity (because our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit)
Obedience (including the fruit of the Spirit, good works including evangelism)
Suffering for His name’s sake.
4) Man’s Chief End: Keeping His Commandments (to Make Disciples), 12:13
What is a disciple?
A) A follower and imitator of Christ
B) A man/woman of priorities and practices. (He/she believes that they MUST:)
Worship and serve God
Serve God in a local church
Grow in Godly character
Know and use their gifts (including every gift, like picking up chairs).
Trust God’s promises
Pray regularly
Study the Word
Develop a Biblical world view
Testify of God’s goodness to him/her in the gospel
Finish well
C) A future-focused disciple-MAKER
Able to evangelize and follow-up until the new disciple becomes a disciple-maker.