Man's Search for Happiness #1 - Where Happiness is Not Found

Text: Ecc. 2: 1-11

Thesis: To prove that “true” happiness is not found in the things of this world.

Introduction:

1.      Think about the things that you own.

a. One is blessed to live in the USA.

b. Many continue to seek more and more despite their abundance of things.

c. Many fell that they must attain some desired item in order to feel happy.

(1)    The item may be money, cars, electronics, women, etc.

(2)    When they attain that item, the feeling of void occurs once again producing a cycle.

2.      Solomon sought happiness in “all the wrong places.”

3.      Where can happiness be found?

4.      We will examine where happiness is not found:

Body:

I.                   Happiness is not found in worldly pleasure (Ecc. 2: 1-3).

A.    Solomon sought happiness, and he was willing to try anything to find happiness.

B.     He sought happiness in the pleasures of this world, but that did not produce happiness for him.

C.     It is said of Moses that he chose to suffer affliction with the children of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Heb. 11: 25).

(1)    Sin does appeal to one’s eyes for happiness appeal, because the world makes it look so good.

(2)    Whatever pleasure it might have will be only for a season, that is temporal.

D.    He gave himself to indulgence of whatever was under the sun.

E.     Notice that he was not content; therefore, he began to obtain possessions.

II.                Happiness is not found in worldly possessions.

A.    Solomon obtained many worldly possession in order to continue his search for happiness.

B.     Notice the emphasis on the words “I” and “me.”

(1)    He tried to make happiness happen for him.

(2)    He was not going to the right source.

(3)    It is a sin to leave God out of your plans (Jam. 4: 13-17).

C.     He had great possessions, but they did not bring happiness for him.

D.    Many of us often feel that we would be happy if we were rich and had some certain thing.

(1)                We place our trust in the wrong things.

(2)                Paul learned to be content in whatever state he was (Phil. 4: 11).

(3)                We must be content in Christ (Heb. 13: 5).

E.     Solomon’s search for happiness in worldly possessions did not bring the happiness that he sought; therefore, he continued his search.

III.             Happiness is not found in worldly prestige (Ecc. 2: 9-10).

A.            Solomon sought happiness in the prestige of men.

B.            Man held him in high regard, and he was considered wise to them.

C.            Many people seek happiness in being accepted by men.

1.              They become pleasers of men.

2.              They would do whatever it took to be accepted by men.

D.            This did not bring happiness for Solomon.

E.             Do we seek to please God or men (Gal. 1: 10)?

Conclusion:

1.              Solomon’s search for happiness in worldly things did not bring anything but a feeling of incompleteness and unhappiness for him.

2.              Man must not lay his trust in worldly things (Mat. 6: 19).

3.              Solomon came to the conclusion that his search had ended in vanity (Ecc. 2: 11).

4.              The happiness for which man seeks will not be found in this world but by only turning to God.

5.              Will you come to God and obey His will to be truly happy?