Green Street Baptist Church: Audio Podcast

The book of Ecclesiastes is so important because it shows us that ultimate meaning and lasting satisfaction cannot be found ‘under the sun.’ That phrase is used some 30 times throughout the book and it describes a view of life that is strictly earth bound. Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes, uses this phrase to make his argument that life under the sun is ‘vanity,’ or a wisp of smoke. Our lives cannot be understood if our gaze goes no further than the sun. By his own admission, Solomon had set out on a quest to find meaning in things such as wisdom and knowledge, pleasure and thrill seeking, work and career, wealth and possessions. He tells us in chapter 2 that no matter how hard he tried, he could not think his way into life, he could not feel his way into life, he could not work his way into life, and he could not collect his way into life. He comes to the conclusion that apart from God, no one can have true and lasting enjoyment. Only God infuses life with meaning and ultimate purpose. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at what Solomon goes on to say next here in chapter 3.

Over the past couple of Wednesday nights, I have been teaching in a series that I have given the title, “Discipleship In a Digital Age.” We’ve been taking a serious look at how our faith should impact our online habits and our use of technology. With the rise of the digital age, church leaders must be careful to disciple people on how their faith intersects with technology use. The gospel impacts every area of our lives. It isn’t simply limited to our eternity; there is an application to tech use. Digital devices are neutral—neither good nor bad. They can be used for good and helpful purposes that glorify God. Yet we know that they can also be used for sinful purposes. Technology isn’t intrinsically good, nor is it inherently evil; it can and must be used in ways that honor and glorify God.

All of us desire meaning in life, and that’s true no matter who you are. Our search for it often leads us down winding paths filled with short-lived bursts of satisfaction that shine bright for a brief time but eventually wane. When we attempt to find ultimate meaning in the pursuit of pleasure, or through a successful career, or in our educational pursuits, we will eventually find all of these roads to be a dead end. For a season in his life, King Solomon tried to find ultimate meaning in things such as knowledge, pleasure, work, and wealth. As he reflected back on all of his pursuits under the sun, he described them as chasing after the wind. The things that he thought would satisfy him only ended up disappointing him in the end. Apart from God, it was all an empty pursuit. And in retrospect, he says to us here in this passage, “I learned my lesson!” We would do well to learn from his experience. What lessons did Solomon learn, and what application do they have for our lives today?

Last week, I began a four part series that I’ve given the title, “Discipleship in the Digital Age.” Technology is a wonderful tool when kept in its proper place and when seen in its true light. However, it can also become a weapon that the enemy uses to war against our soul when too much is made of it. How should our faith impact our online habits and use of technology? That is the subject we’re considering. With the rise of the digital age, the church must disciple people on how their faith intersects with technology use. Christian parents ought to be discerning in this area. The gospel impacts every area of our lives. It isn’t simply limited to our eternity.

The words trivial and trivia can be traced back to a Latin noun meaning “a place where three roads meet.” In time, it also came to mean “of little worth or importance.” This is the main meaning of the word today. By this definition, the expression ‘trivial pursuit’ obviously refers to more than a board game. It is a way of referring to those matters in life which are supposedly inconsequential, a waste of time and energy. At first glance, it may seem that the author of Ecclesiastes is writing to us about trivial pursuits in life. But as we have already seen, he is writing from an ‘under the sun’ kind of perspective which he refers to as being ‘vanity.’ Some read the book and come to the conclusion that it is about the meaningless of life. And while it may appear this way strictly on the surface, Ecclesiastes is really about the meaninglessness of life apart from God.

I am so glad that you all are joining me tonight for this four part series that I have given the title, “Discipleship In a Digital Age.” Over the next few weeks, I want us to take a serious look at how our faith should impact our online habits and use of technology. With the rise of the digital age, the church has not done a great job discipling people on how their faith intersects with technology use. The gospel impacts every area of our lives. It isn’t simply limited to our eternity. There is an application to tech use. Digital devices are neutral—neither good nor bad. They can be used for good and helpful purposes. They can also be used for sinful purposes. Digital technology is neither intrinsically good, nor is it inherently evil. It can and must be used in ways that honor and glorify God and serve those who are made in His image…

No matter where a person looks, no matter what direction he or she turns, there is no lasting satisfaction to be found—at least not in the temporal things of life. The reason is that we’ve been made for eternity. That is why only the eternal glory of God can fulfill the eternal void in the human soul. That is something that King Solomon knew a lot about. He had arrived at the pinnacle of life. For 40 years, Solomon had lived on the top of the mountain of success. His kingdom was a sight to behold. He had wealth, luxury, and plenty of wisdom to go with it. And despite being the wisest man who had ever lived, he allowed stuff to get between his relationship with God. Solomon had made it to the top, and he tells us in Ecclesiastes that it was a desolate place.

Last week, I began a series of messages on contentment and the search for happiness that is found in the heart of every human being. No matter who you are, no matter how old you are, I can guarantee that you have a desire on the inside of you to be happy. Where does it come from? I made the argument from Scripture that we have been hardwired for happiness and contentment. It is evidence that we’ve been made in God’s image. The creature’s longing for happiness is evidence of the Creator’s design. It is evidence that we have been made for eternity.