June 26th & 30th
If you are looking for the meaning of life in life, then you will never get it!
25 For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him? 26 God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy [meaning and satisfaction] to those who please him.
—Ecclesiastes 2:25,26 NLT
1. The FELT IT Chase
I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless.
—Ecclesiastes 2:1 NLT
The FELT IT Chase: the attempt to find meaning and satisfaction in physical or sensual gratification.
So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?”
—Ecclesiastes 2:2 NLT
After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
—Ecclesiastes 2:3 NLT
8 I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire! 10 Anything I wanted, I would take. I denied myself no pleasure.
—Ecclesiastes 2:8b, 10b NLT
So I decided there is nothing better than to enjoy food and drink and to find satisfaction in work. Then I realized that these pleasures are from the hand of God.
—Ecclesiastes 2:24 NLT
2. The DID IT Chase
I also tried to find meaning by building huge homes for myself and by
planting beautiful vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks, filling them with all kinds of fruit trees. 6 I built reservoirs to collect the water to irrigate my many flourishing groves. 7 I bought slaves, both men and women, and others were born into my household. I also owned large herds and flocks, more than any of the kings who had lived in Jerusalem before me.
—Ecclesiastes 2:4-7 NLT
The DID IT Chase: the attempt to find meaning and satisfaction by measuring our accomplishment and success.
But as I looked at everything I had worked so hard to accomplish, it was all so meaningless—like chasing the wind. There was nothing really worthwhile anywhere.
—Ecclesiastes 2:11 NLT
3. The GOT IT Chase
I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces.
—Ecclesiastes 2:8 NLT
The GOT IT Chase: the attempt to find meaning and satisfaction in possessions and what I have.
10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness! 11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth—except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!
—Ecclesiastes 5:10, 11 NLT
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
—Luke 12:15 NIV
For who can eat or enjoy anything apart from him?
—Ecclesiastes 2:25 NLT
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed [happy] is the one who takes refuge in him.
—Psalm 34:8 NIV
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Next Steps:
1. Today, I make a decision to follow Jesus for the first time.
2. I will intentionally laugh more this week and make others laugh.
3. I will read Ecclesiastes 3 this week.
4. I will give out 5 Block Party invites this week.