The Keys to Finding Meaning
Part of Everything Is Meaningless—The Book of Ecclesiastes
August 13, 2023

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The Keys to Finding Meaning

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” —Ecclesiastes 1:2

Big Idea: The keys to finding meaning are found in the most unlikely of places.
Big Question: What are the keys to finding meaning in life?
Main Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11

Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” 3 What do people get for all their hard work under the sun? 4 Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. 5 The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. 6 The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles. 7 Rivers run into the sea, but the sea is never full. Then the water returns again to the rivers and flows out again to the sea. 8a Everything is wearisome beyond description. —Ecclesiastes 1:2-8a


What are the keys to finding meaning in life?
1. Get over the Sun

For the LORD is high above the nations; his glory is higher than the heavens. 5 Who can be compared with the LORD our God, who is enthroned on high? 6 He stoops to look down on heaven and on earth. —Psalm 113:4-6

If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world. —C. S. Lewis

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, … —Ecclesiastes 3:11a


What are the keys to finding meaning in life?
1. Get over the Sun
2. Get into the Source

No matter how much we see, we are never satisfied. No matter how much we hear, we are not content. —Ecclesiastes 1:8b

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. —Philippians 4:11-13

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. —Colossians 1:27

History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new. 10 Sometimes people say, “Here is something new!” But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new. 11 We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now. —Ecclesiastes 1:9-11


What are the keys to finding meaning in life?
1. Get over the Sun
2. Get into the Source
3. Get on to the Scene

Stop asking God to bless what you’re doing. Find out what God’s doing. - It’s already blessed.—Bono

For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. —Isaiah 43:19

  1. Where in my life am I looking under the Sun for meaning?

  2. What in my life do I need to let go of in order to connect to You as my Source?

  3. What new thing are You doing that You want me to be a part of?

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