The End of the Matter
Sermon Recording
Sermon Outline
Speaker: Rev. Scott Strickman
Sermon Series: Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes 12:9-14 (ESV)
9 Besides being wise, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge, weighing and studying and arranging many proverbs with great care. 10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. 12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
Sermon Outline
The end of the matter (v13): what have we learned?
1. Be wary of secrets
v14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.
2. Know your limitations
v12 My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
3. Be careful who you follow
v10 The Preacher sought to find words of delight, and uprightly he wrote words of truth.
v11 The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd.
4. Don’t lose the big picture
v13Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Prayer of Confession
Our great Shepherd, we are a wandering and confused people. We keep shameful things hidden. We hide from you because of unhealthy fear. We search endlessly for what will never satisfy, but don’t welcome what you freely offer to us. We are half-hearted in goodness and service to you. Forgive us. Go before us so we may follow. Come behind us and prod us along the right path. Relieve us from our troubling fears, and by grace teach our hearts true, life giving fear. Amen.
Questions for Reflection
If you have been listening to the Ecclesiastes sermon series (or if you have simply read the whole book), what are key lessons or insights?
How does God seeing all and knowledge that every secret thing will be brought to light impact you? Does it make it more likely you will do good and put aside bad, or less likely? Does it empower you or provoke you? Why?
What is meant by the warning “much study is a weariness to the flesh”? What are we to avoid?
How do the words of Qoheleth/Ecclesiastes fit within Scripture? What do they contribute that helps us follow where God is leading us?
Why is fearing God and keeping His commandments our “whole duty”? How are these organizing principles for life?
Why is the gospel of grace important to developing a healthy and mature fear of God? What is the nature of the fear of God that grace teaches us? What kinds of fears does this grace relieve?