#1 A Road Trip Around Tonga

Notes

In this opening sermon on the book of Ecclesiastes, Phil Brown introduces one of the Bible’s most raw and realistic books. Solomon (the Preacher) confronts the "hevel" of life under the sun—its frustrating cycles, rapid passage of time, repetitive weariness, and ultimate futility when viewed apart from God. Life feels like an endless merry-go-round of generations, unfulfilled desires, and forgotten efforts. Ecclesiastes brings necessary “bad news” that heightens our appreciation for the good news of Jesus, the greater Son of David, who lifts the curse and gives meaning, purpose, and hope.

"1 The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 

2  Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, 

vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 

3  What does man gain by all the toil 

at which he toils under the sun? 

4  A generation goes, and a generation comes, 

but the earth remains forever. 

5  The sun rises, and the sun goes down, 

and hastens to the place where it rises. 

6  The wind blows to the south 

and goes around to the north; 

around and around goes the wind, 

and on its circuits the wind returns. 

7  All streams run to the sea, 

but the sea is not full; 

to the place where the streams flow, 

there they flow again. 

8  All things are full of weariness; 

a man cannot utter it; 

the eye is not satisfied with seeing, 

nor the ear filled with hearing. 

9  What has been is what will be, 

and what has been done is what will be done, 

and there is nothing new under the sun. 

10  Is there a thing of which it is said, 

“See, this is new”? 

It has been already 

in the ages before us. 

11  There is no remembrance of former things, 

nor will there be any remembrance 

of later things yet to be 

among those who come after" (Ec 1:1–11).