This Is the End of the Matter
Book of Ecclesiastes • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Service Notes:
He is Risen - still true today.
Tonight is a Night of Prayer
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30 minutes with men and women in seperate rooms. Small groups.
Summary Statement: A proper reverence for God leads us to let His Word shape our lives.
Ecclesiastes 12:9–14 (KJV)
9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.
12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.
13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
Introduction:
Introduction:
Want to introduce you to a man named King Nebuchadnezzar, ruler of the Babylonian Empire.
At the height of his power, he stood on the roof of his palace and declared: Daniel 4:30 “30 The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?”
He lived as if he were accountable to no one—completely autonomous, the center of his own universe.
Today, we don’t need a crown to feel like kings—just a world that lets us believe we rule ourselves.
We hear it and say it different today.
We hear it and say it different today.
I’ll do what makes me happy.
The mantra of self-rule.
It elevates personal desire above God’s commands and wisdom from others.
My truth is my truth.
Moral relativism in disguise.
It denies absolute truth and allows each person to be their own authority.
I’m self-made.
A declaration of independence from God’s providence, ignoring the unseen grace behind success.
Your talented and capable and you know it.
I want spirituality without structure.
I desire spirituality without the constraints of structure.
It masquerades as freedom, but in reality, it often leads to isolation and disconnection.
I define who I am.
I am the one who defines myself.
When we shape our identity apart from our Creator, we assert the right to craft our own story—separate from His design.
Before the words of Nebuchadnezzar finished rolling off his tongue, God humbled him. He lost his mind, lived like a wild animal, and ate grass like an ox. Only when he lifted his eyes to heaven and acknowledged God's rule did his sanity return. Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way: autonomy is an illusion—every ruler, every person, is accountable to the King of Heaven.
Are we tempted to live this way? Israel often did, forgetting their Savior and abandoning His commands. Like them, we stand at a cultural crossroads and must hear again this ancient but urgent wisdom: Fear God and keep His commandments because He alone is worthy of determining how our lives should be lived.
God’s Word can be trusted.
God’s Word is enough.
God’s Word deserves our reverence and obedience.
I. God’s Word can be trusted.
I. God’s Word can be trusted.
God’s Word is wise and trustworthy, given for our guidance and stability.
A. The Teacher studied carefully and shared wisdom clearly.
A. The Teacher studied carefully and shared wisdom clearly.
Ecclesiastes 12:9 “9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.”
The Preacher did not offer impulsive opinions but gave careful attention to his teaching—he “weighed” and “arranged” truth deliberately.
Wisdom literature is not random inspiration but intentional instruction meant to shape our character and choices.
B. He used words that were true and helpful, not just nice-sounding.
B. He used words that were true and helpful, not just nice-sounding.
Ecclesiastes 12:10 “10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.”
God’s truth is both artful and accurate—it wins hearts and instructs minds.
The Preacher sought “acceptable words” but never at the expense of uprightness.
His goal wasn’t entertainment, but edification.
The Bible speaks with poetic beauty yet never flatters—it lovingly confronts and calls us to real change.
C. His words were meant to move us and steady us.
C. His words were meant to move us and steady us.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 “11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.”
God's Word comforts and corrects—pressing us forward and pinning us down in truth.
Goads are painful but necessary, stirring us from complacency, while nails give structure and permanence.
The Bible both both wounds and heals—the Bible exposes our sin, but it also anchors us in grace and gospel hope.
"The words of the wise are not only to be heard, but to be taken to heart, shaping our lives. The Bible, like a goad, prods us out of complacency, and like a nail, it secures our hearts to the firm foundation of God's truth." – Derek Kidner
Story from the life of Solomon’s father, David.
Story from the life of Solomon’s father, David.
Nathan’s words to David (2 Samuel 12) serve as a reminder of this truth:
Nathan used a parable to confront David, carefully revealing his sin.
When David recognized himself in the story, Nathan boldly said, "Thou art the man!"
The rebuke was direct and sharp, highlighting the gravity of David's sin.
Nathan's words led to David’s repentance, as he acknowledged his sin against God.
Are you receiving God’s Word as trustworthy enough to allow it to shape your life? Pop Quiz
Are you receiving God’s Word as trustworthy enough to allow it to shape your life? Pop Quiz
Life’s pursuits are empty without God, urging us to find true meaning through Jesus, who offers new life and eternal hope. Have you found your purpose in Him?
Solomon shows the futility of life’s pursuits without God, encouraging us to find contentment in His gifts. Have you embraced contentment in His provision?
God set the times forever so that people will stand in awe before Him. Does this awe shape how you live?
Solomon urges us not to slave away in ruthless competition, but to enjoy our work and its fruit with quietness. Are you at peace with your work?
Isolation leads to emptiness, while community offers support, warmth, and strength. Are you living in meaningful community?
Worship with sincerity and reverence; beware of meaningless, mechanical worship. Are your acts of worship sincere?
Joy comes from trusting God, who fills us with fulfillment, peace, and purpose. Do you trust God to fill your heart with joy?
Navigate life's seasons with trust in God, embracing joy in good times and wisdom in hard times. Are you trusting Him in every season?
Godly wisdom recognizes our limitations and humbles us in unjust moments. Does wisdom guide your responses to injustice?
Enjoy the days God gives you, remembering the certainty of death and the unpredictability of life. Are you living with an eternal perspective?
Wisdom is powerful but easily undermined by folly; we must respond, work, and speak wisely. Are you practicing wisdom in your words and actions?
God wills our uncertainty about life’s outcome, so wisdom tells us that risk is necessary. Are you embracing necessary risks with faith?
Rejoice in each new day, remove sin and anxiety, and acknowledge the blessings in your season. Are you thankful for your current blessings?
Don't get lost in the study and beauty of the different genres of Scripture and forget that these words demand action.
Transition: After affirming the value of God’s Word, the Teacher warns us not to chase endless human ideas. True wisdom is already given—don’t let lesser voices drown it out.
Transition: After affirming the value of God’s Word, the Teacher warns us not to chase endless human ideas. True wisdom is already given—don’t let lesser voices drown it out.
II. God’s Word is enough.
II. God’s Word is enough.
God's Word is sufficient and should not be overshadowed by endless human ideas.
A. We should be careful with teachings that go beyond God’s Word, because not all wisdom comes from the Shepherd.
A. We should be careful with teachings that go beyond God’s Word, because not all wisdom comes from the Shepherd.
Ecclesiastes 12:11 “11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fastened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one shepherd.”
Not all books are shepherded by the Shepherd.
the Bible is not one voice among many—it is the voice of God.
The authority of Scripture must outweigh the appeal of novelty.
Wise discernment is needed to test what is taught.
A “Berean spirit” is essential—we must measure all teaching against the Word, because spiritual-sounding messages are not always spiritual truth.
The sufficiency of Scripture should steer us away from the dangerous hunger for the ‘latest revelation.’
B. Studying without obeying God leads to frustration.
B. Studying without obeying God leads to frustration.
Ecclesiastes 12:12 “12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished: of making many books there is no end; and much study is a weariness of the flesh.”
Learning is not the goal—loving God is.
“The devil is a great theologian,” reminding us that knowledge alone, without worship, can lead to pride and burnout.
It is possible to master Bible content and miss the Master Himself.
Exhaustion from study comes when we seek knowledge apart from obedience.
A restless mind often signals a resistant heart.
Endless study without submission reveals a heart searching for something it already has in Christ.
C. The truths in Scripture are enough to guide our lives—we don’t need more than what God has already given.
C. The truths in Scripture are enough to guide our lives—we don’t need more than what God has already given.
Scripture is a closed canon because it contains all we need.
The Bible is not exhaustive, but it is sufficient.
Everything essential for faith and life is already here.
True maturity rests in trusting what God has said, not demanding more.
The test of our faith is not how much we’ve read, but how much we trust and obey what’s written.
Adding to Scripture undermines its authority.
"When we seek to know God, we must do so in the way He has revealed Himself in His Word, not through our own speculations." - RC Sproul
Story from the life of the king before David, Saul.
Story from the life of the king before David, Saul.
A story that illustrates the sufficiency of God’s Word and the dangers of seeking knowledge beyond it is the story of King Saul and the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28:7 “7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.”
We should be careful with teachings that go beyond God’s Word:
Saul, in his desperation after God had stopped speaking to him, sought out the witch of Endor to summon the spirit of the prophet Samuel.
This act was in direct violation of God’s commands and showed Saul’s failure to trust in God’s Word.
He was seeking wisdom from a source not shepherded by the true Shepherd.
Samuel response when people try to do the same to us. 1 Samuel 28:16 “16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?”
Transition: If God's Word is enough, then our response must go beyond knowing—it must lead to living. The Teacher moves from the sufficiency of Scripture to the heart of its message: to fear God and obey Him.
Transition: If God's Word is enough, then our response must go beyond knowing—it must lead to living. The Teacher moves from the sufficiency of Scripture to the heart of its message: to fear God and obey Him.
III. God’s Word deserves our reverence and obedience.
III. God’s Word deserves our reverence and obedience.
Fearing God and keeping His commandments is our created purpose and our grateful response.
A. To fear God means to honor Him as our Creator and King.
A. To fear God means to honor Him as our Creator and King.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
The fear of God is not terror but trembling joy in His majesty.
The fear of God is not a cowering fear but a trembling trust.
It is a fear that draws us in, not drives us away.
True fear begins with recognizing God’s right to rule our lives.
To fear God is to take Him seriously.
It’s not superstition—it’s submission to His lordship in every area.
This reverent awe is the foundation of wisdom and worship.
Where God is not feared, He is not truly known.
Reverence is the beginning of all rightly ordered living.
B. Keeping His commandments flows from fearing Him—it is how reverence becomes action.
B. Keeping His commandments flows from fearing Him—it is how reverence becomes action.
Obedience is not legalism—it’s the overflow of reverence.
Commandment-keeping without fear becomes drudgery.
Obedience rooted in fear of God is a delight, not a duty.
Fearing God leads to a life aligned with His design.
When we fear God rightly, we stop asking “How far can I go?” and start asking “How can I honor Him fully?”
Have you let your Bible prod you lately?
The commands of God are not burdens—they are blessings.
As Psalm 19 reminds us, God’s laws revive the soul.
The commands of God are cords of kindness, not chains of cruelty.”
C. We don’t obey out of fear, but out of thankfulness—our Judge is also our Savior.
C. We don’t obey out of fear, but out of thankfulness—our Judge is also our Savior.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 “14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
Judgment reminds us that life is serious, but grace reminds us it’s not hopeless.
The final message of Ecclesiastes is not that nothing matters but that everything does.
The coming judgment means every thing in life matters—but the cross means there’s hope for every sinner.
Gratitude replaces fear when we remember we are judged in Christ, not apart from Him.
The fear of condemnation is gone for those in Christ.
We don’t obey to earn His love—we obey because we already have it.
The Gospel transforms judgment from a threat into a promise of justice and reward.
Christians don’t fear the judgment seat as criminals fear a courtroom.
We long for it, because our Savior is also our Judge.
The story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3 illustrates the reverence and obedience that come from fearing God.
Transition: So what is “the whole duty of man”? The Preacher doesn’t leave us guessing. It’s not complicated, but it is comprehensive: it means hearing God’s Word, fearing Him rightly, and following Him daily. That’s not just good advice—it’s our God-given purpose.
Transition: So what is “the whole duty of man”? The Preacher doesn’t leave us guessing. It’s not complicated, but it is comprehensive: it means hearing God’s Word, fearing Him rightly, and following Him daily. That’s not just good advice—it’s our God-given purpose.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Every one of us—whether we wear a crown like Nebuchadnezzar or carry a smartphone in our pocket—is accountable to the King of Heaven. The illusion of autonomy is just that—an illusion. We were made not to rule ourselves but to revere the One who rules all.
So we say with the Preacher:
Ecclesiastes 12:13 “13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”
Question: The conclusion of the matter is this: Do you fear God enough to let His Word shape your life.
Next week: “If you don’t know your next step, don’t assume you have arrived - assume you have stopped listening.”
For those who believe:
For those who believe:
Let this be a call to renewed reverence.
Fear God—not with dread, but with gratitude.
Obey Him—not out of obligation, but because you know the heart of the Judge is also the heart of your Savior.
As you hear His Word, let it both goad and ground you. Don't just nod in agreement—respond with your life.
In a world shouting for self-rule, may your quiet obedience declare: Jesus is Lord.
For those who do not yet believe:
For those who do not yet believe:
Let Nebuchadnezzar’s story warn you—but also invite you.
God is not just a judge waiting to condemn. He is a Father ready to forgive.
The One who will bring every secret work into judgment is the same One who sent His Son to bear the judgment you deserve.
You don’t need to keep pretending to be the king of your life.
Look up. A better King is calling.
The gospel is not “Try harder”—it’s Trust Jesus. You were made to live under His rule—and to flourish in His grace.
