# 1 The Fabric Of Life
Purpose
In 1873, Jacob Davis, a tailor began using rivets to keep
denim pant pockets from busting at the seams.
This idea was such an instant hit with Davis’ customers
that he decided to apply for a patent.
But he did not have the $68 required–so he contacted a
young man by the name of Levi Strauss who was living in San
Francisco running a dry goods business.
On May 20, 1873 these two men received their patent –
No. 139,121.
This is considered the official birthday of blue jeans.
In 1885, a pair of Levi overalls cost $1.25 brand new.
From that time onward, working men and women have purchased
jeans. Initially created for employment clothing - - today - - they
are seen as attire for relaxation - - as well as the offices of our
largest corporations.
They are found in our high schools, malls, and even our churches.
People of all ages wear blue jeans!
Today, denim-“blue jeans” have become the fabric of life.
We live life in them - - -they are sturdy, fashionable – cool – and
some can be downright dressy!
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There are all kinds of jeans: Bootcut, bellbottom, flared, ankle
jeans, carpenter jeans. Classic jeans, hip-huggers, relaxed fit,
baggy jeans, saggy jeans, straight leg, wide leg, overalls, and
even jorts (jean shorts).
Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss had no idea how blue jeans
would become the fabric of life.
A lot of life takes place in blue jeans!
Life is like a pair of jeans - - - we are in it - -
During the next 7 weeks I want to look at the fabric of
our life - - as we journey with the author of Ecclesiastes
who examines life in a frank and at times brutal fashion.
You will not find clichés - - or easy answers.
This book more than maybe any other found in our Bible speaks
to us living in a postmodern world – a world which questions the
meaning and purpose of life.
What is the fabric of life?
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What is our purpose? What is life really all about?
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How are we to deal with injustice, suffering and
pain?
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What are we to do with the most precious commodity
of our day – time?
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How are we to respond when life brings more than
its share of difficulties and problems?
Are we to conclude that everything comes from the
hands of God?
This books confronts the control freak - - so watch
out control freaks.
Even if you have not read this book you have heard
snippets of it. For example: (Have you ever heard . . . )
There is nothing new under the sun.
For with much wisdom comes much grief, the more
knowledge the more sorrow.
There is a time for everything; a season for every activity
under heaven.
A cord of three strands is not easily broken.
Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you
will find it again.
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth.
Of the making of many books there is no end, and much
study wearies the body.
It is from this book that in 1965 “ a # 1 hit “Turn, Turn, Turn . .
.” rocked America - - truly the oldest lyrics ever to make the Top
40 come from this book.
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This book seeks to answer some of the most troubling questions
we face as men and women.
Where is God when bad things happen?
What can I do with the uncertainty of my life?
What should I do if I am not sure of God’s will?
Are Christians supposed to have fun?
How can I live by faith in world that is seemingly out of
control?
What we find in Ecclesiastes is spiritual realismThe author refuses to forget those who have died,
experienced suffering, felt injustice, lived with pain and
sorrow for years.
There is little discussion of living the good life.
Yet he wants us to believe in God - - - and to connect with
Him and to be thankful for each day of life.
But he is not one who claims God’s favor pointing his finger
heavenward after scoring a touchdown, without acknowledging
the world of suffering and pain.
This book is disillusioned by human ambition and the seduction of
material things. It speaks of things most would rather deny even
existed.
As to the authorship of this book there is debate!
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The book itself – says it is the words of the Teacher –
son of David, King of Jerusalem. Traditionally it has
been assigned to Solomon one of the wisest men who
ever lived.
But others say there is no way it is Solomon –
Some have suggested it is simply a collection of wise sayings.
Some believe whoever wrote it – was an embittered cynic.
Others think the author was trying to communicate to unbelievers
challenging their view of the world.
But as I read these words - - they do seem to be those of a king,
a teacher, a pastor – someone who would gather people to talk
about life.
Some believe Solomon wrote the Song of Solomon at the
beginning of his life, Proverbs in the middle and
Ecclesiastes at the end.
There are many interesting things one can discover in this book .
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Amazingly, the covenant name for God –”Yahweh” is never
used.
So lets begin the journey – the walk through life. (Purpose)
Solomon begins in Chapter 1:1-2
“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
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Here is what we learn as we walk through life - # 2 We learn that (everything) life is short and unstable.
When the author of Ecclesiastes says meaningless, meaningless this is a superlative. He is saying this is really meaningless!
For example, the phrase holy of holies means that this place is
not just holy – or special - - it is the most holy place.
# 3 So when Solomon says: Meaningless, meaningless –
utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless. He is
saying - - this is massively meaningless!
Now the word – “meaningless” in the original language is
“hebel” – and the NIV does not do it justice - - it is a word which
means vapor, wind or breath - - It is found in this book 38 times.
Solomon is not saying life in and of itself is meaningless - what He is saying is what is echoed in James 4:14 - “You are just a vapor that appears for a little while
and then vanishes away.”
Now, remember – the author of this book is going to help us
discover the fabric of life. What holds our life togehter- He is
going to help us find purpose and meaning. And what he is
saying is that life is short - Life passes - - nothing is permanent - - it is A VAPOR Solomon is looking at life straight on - He is saying you are going to die - - you are not immortal.
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There will be a day when you die and a pastor will come
and say a few brief words - - and those who gathered will
have lunch and then have a great time together as you
lowered into the ground. They may go back to work
depending on the time of your funeral –and that night
they will go home watch a little tv-and forget all about
you.
You live, you die, and no one even remembers who you were.
Now He is not saying life is meaningless - - he is saying it is short
and unpredictable, it is not as stable as you might think.
As we walk through life - - # 4 - -We discover there is no profit to be gained by
what we do, for in the end it will be given to
someone else.
# 5 Verse 3 – “What does a man gain from all his labor at
which he toils under the sun?”
The word gain is a very interesting word. It means “profit.”
Our world screams for profit -everything is about the
bottom line -increase productivity - raise prices . you own
stocks – you are looking for a dividend. Profit is HUGE!
The phrase “under the sun” - - is used many times in Ecclesiastes
and refers to our life here on earth.
As We Walk Through Life . . .
#6
We realize the world will continue on without us
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and will grind us into dust.
In verses 4-7 Solomon states - - # 7 “Generations come and generations go, but the
earth remains forever.”
Solomon is saying - - you enter this world, you live and die but
the earth keeps right on going. In other words – no matter how
you invest your life - - you will not gain anything.
The sun rises and the sun sets, and it hurries back to
where it rises. The wind blows to the south and
turns to the north; round and round it goes, ever
returning on its course.
# 8 All streams flow into the sea, yet the sea is never
full. To the place the streams come from, there they
will return again.
(1:5-7)
The world just keeps on going - The world is not going to stop the day you die - It is not going to recognize what you have done - You see, it does not matter who you are - - nobody is
going to remember you - - I am sorry to burst your
bubble.
And no matter how great you are, or how long your list of
achievements may be, the world will consume you!
You will become dust.
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So if in the end – no matter what we do – we are going to die –
then what is the point of life? What is your purpose?
As We Walk Through Life –
We tend to think that tomorrow is an guarantee - But you can save money for retirement but for some of us we will
never ever retire? Life is short –and the world continues
marching forward and you will return to dust.
Solomon up to this point has not mentioned God – he is
looking at the world in which he lives - - he is recognizing he is a
finite being living in a huge world filled with pain, suffering and
sin.
Verse 8 -All things are wearisome more than one can say.
The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of
hearing.
We are not satisfied with what we see or hear.
We are always looking and listening for something new.
We are like a gerbil in a plastic ball in pursuit of something else in
our world and life is spinning out of control.
Solomon says – we just keep looking for meaning and
purpose - - but this thing called life is short - - - and he
says I been looking for purpose and meaning . . .
Notice the conclusion that Solomon gives us - - What has been will be again, what has been done will
be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is
there anything of which one can say, Look! There is
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something new? It was here already, long ago; it
was here before our time. That which has been done
will be done again - # 9 As We Walk Through Life - - We become keenly
aware we will be forgotten and all we have acquired will
be given away.
Listen to verse 11 – # 10
There is no remembrance of men of old, and even those
who are yet to come will not be remembered by those
who follow.
We don’t remember what other people have done and
people won’t remember what you have done!
And go ahead and accumulate stuff – you know what they
are going to do with it anyway - they are going to take
your favorite shirt and donate it to Goodwill - - and the
rest of your stuff will be in a garage sale going for 50
cents.
# 11 As we walk through life we sooner or later discover
our purpose cannot be found through work, knowledge,
pleasure, power, or our many accomplishments.
Solomon is saying I worked hard trying to figure life out - - I
have studied - - people and life and every field of wisdom I
could - - but my conclusion is that everything that is done
here on earth is like chasing wind.
He says - - Knowledge can’t bring meaning!
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Now Solomon is not talking about the wisdom of God - he is
talking about philosophy, science, sociology, math, and theology.
The best thing that even the most educated person in this room
can do - - is die an educated failure. You cannot change the
heart of any person in this room.
Knowledge is not going to win the day.
So there must be something more - - Chapter 2 - - After
having tried knowledge, Solomon moves to pleasure.
He said – I tried Comedy Central . . . laughter and fun.
But the jokes grew stale - - I had heard them all before.
He says - - - I tried wine, women and song.
But getting drunk only brought a hangover - He says my pursuit of pleasure ended in futility.
Why? Because no matter how much fun you have - - you still live
in this world – and you must face its pain, suffering, injustice - and you can’t control life.
People get cancer and waste away- often very slowly.
People get fired from their job.
Children die
Fire fighters can die fighting a fire
Evil and sin wreak havoc - -Good Christians can die a very painful death.
Christians can suffer injustice – this life is not fair.
Christians can be mistreated and live a life almost hellish in
nature and those who are sin-filled can be elevated to almost
god-like status in our world.
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People who live for the weekend
People who live for pleasure - - are seeking to deny reality People who turn to the bar or drugs– looking for something
new - are running from their present reality and pain.
Notice what Solomon says he did - - - vs. 4-11
I undertook great projects
I built houses and planted vineyards
I made gardens and parks
I bought slaves
I had herds - I had silver and gold
I even had a harem - - I became famous
Whatever I wanted I had – just like that (snap fingers) But he
says it was meaningless - - my life just flew by - - -Verse 14 - “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done,
and what I had toiled to achieve everything was
meaningless, a chasing after the wind, nothing was
gained under the sun.
So let me ask you a question. Isn’t Solomon correct?
You worked 20 years for that company and they gave you
an early retirement for a thank you!
Those plaques in your office - - that brings you meaning and
purpose – right?
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A life that is focused on one’ s self leads to depression &
despair. It is the result of living a life without God.
No wonder Americans pop so many pills to make themselves
feel better.
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As We Walk through Life – we ultimately realize whether
we are rich or poor, wise or foolish we will die and our life
will end.
# 13 & 14
All lives lead to a casket.
- - Read 2:14-16
# 15 As we walk through life we can either live in
frustration, discouragement and despair or receive life as
it was intended as a gift from God and serve Him
faithfully.
The only way you are ever going to find purpose and meaning in
your life is to go outside of that which is finite and earthly.
# 16 - - A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink
and find satisfaction in his work. This too, I see is from
the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find
enjoyment.
Solomon is saying that without God - - surely our life is
vaporous - - But with God we can enjoy the day –
We can enjoy the fact God has given us something to do.
And yes even to eat!
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But the key is not eating and drinking and doing what you want The key is God - - for it says For without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?
You want to discover your purpose in living - you are only
going to find it in God. You are only going to experience
the life He has for you - by serving Him.
# 17 To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom,
knowledge and happiness - - - but to the sinner he gives
the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it
over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless,
a chasing after the wind.
# 18
Life does not last forever - Life is simply the time God has given us – to ultimately connect
with Him and to one another.
Friends, in spite of life’s vaporous nature - - you can trust God.
You can enjoy life and should enjoy life - But your purpose comes in pleasing God.
And in pleasing God – He gives us wisdom, knowledge and
happiness.
Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, rejoicing in God’s good
gifts to you.
Wisdom, Pleasure, and Money are gifts from God and should be treated this way.
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b. Without God we cannot have lasting happiness.
c. Wisdom, knowledge, and joy is given by God to the righteous.
d. Without God all we seek after is vanity
e. We are not just living for today but the future as well.
Eugene Peterson comments, “You live in a world ruled by the God of Exodus and
Easter. He will do things in you that neither you nor your friends would have
supposed possible. He is not limited by anything you think you know about Him.”
Chuck Swindoll suggests that, “if there is nothing but nothing under the sun, our
only hope must be above it.”
Random Thoughts:
Life is like a sandcastle - - with the tide coming in.
We are control freaks. We think life is somehow under our control.
But we are limited as human beings to control life. (1:2-11)
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We really do not make things happen. Things happen to us over and
over.
Circumstances change us.
Just as we our not in control of when we will come into this world - - we
to a very large extent do not control the end of our lives.
And our sandcastles do not last forever.
Our world is like the energizer bunny it just keeps on going and going.
Now if one is wise they will believe in God (the Creator) and recognize
that they can die tomorrow and that everything that they have given
their life for - - -is like vapor.
Everything is going to be forgotten.