In light of this message this morning, let me begin by asking 3 simple questions. Are you happy? What will it take to make you happy? When you get it will you finally be happy? Solomon, the wisest and richest man in the world, is searching for meaning and satisfaction in life. In chapter 1 he determined that in much wisdom is much grief, and that those who are serious are apt to be sad. So he began to look elsewhere. Vs. 1 of chapter 2 says, “I said in my heart" (to my heart), "’Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth;’ I will try that to see if it will give thee satisfaction." "Mirth," or glee, is from a word that is translated “merry making.” He is experimenting to see what it (mirth) and the pleasures of wit would do, whether he would be happy if he constantly entertained himself and others with happy stories and jokes. He is going to look at things other than wisdom to see if they will bring meaning and happiness to his life. He goes:

I. IN THE PURSUIT OF PLEASURE – VV. 1-3.

II. IN THE PURSUIT OF PROJECTS – VV. 4-7.

III. IN THE PURSUIT OF POSSESSIONS – VS. 8.

IV. IN THE PURSUIT OF PROMINENCE – VV. 9-11.