Introduction: When was the last time you just did some people watching?

What is it that we are hearing in the news about people. Well, it’s pretty _________. Here is a quick sample:

In this chapter, we are going to take a look at the __________ that we see in our world today, and how we are to navigate through life.

I. What I ______ – v. 16

Moreover I saw under the sun: In the place of judgment, Wickedness was there; And in the place of righteousness, Iniquity was there.

This is the perspective of someone without a ______ with God. This is what life is like watching people without God in your life. It is important that we remember this.

A. In the place of judgment, _________ was there.

The word, “judgment” can also be translated, “____________”.

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B. In the place of righteousness, ___________ was there.

II. What I _________ – v. 17

I said in my heart, "God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, For there is a time there for every purpose and for every work."

Solomon was confident that every person, righteous and wicked will stand before the __________ of the universe.

III. What I ____________ – v. 18-21

I believe that what we are looking at here in these verses are some self-______. Solomon is saying, “I thought about all this in my own heart.” What was he thinking?

A. God is __________ man – v. 18

I said in my heart, "Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals."

The word for “testing” can also mean, to _______, or to winnow.

Here are some examples of man acting like animals:

B. Man is going to ________ – v. 19

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For what happens to the sons of men also happens to animals; one thing befalls them: as one dies, so dies the other. Surely, they all have one breath; man has no advantage over animals, for all is vanity.

Take a look at the words, “one breath”. Our ________ is what keeps us alive. Take away our breath and we die physically.

________ is the great leveler of all people.

C. All will go to the _________ – v. 20

All go to one place: all are from the dust, and all return to dust.

We shall return to the _____ from which we were created. This goes for both _______ and mankind.

D.Where does our ________ go? – v. 21

Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth? Spirit has been defined as:

IV. What I ______________ – v. 22

So I perceived that nothing is better than that a man should rejoice in his own works, for that is his heritage. For who can bring him to see what will happen after him?

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The word “perceived” means, to become ______ of, _______, or understand.

However, in light of the truth that man is wicked, what is Solomon’s advice for each one of us? We should _________ the ordinary pleasure of everyday life. We saw this back in verse 12, and in verse 24. Here is what Solomon teaches:

A. ____________ in your own work

B. ________ out your heritage

Some translations use the word, ______. Others use the word, part. And the NKJV uses the word, heritage.

C. Place your _________ in God

Only God can provide us with the _____ PICTURE of what will follow us. So, we place our trust in the LORD. If we are doing something we don’t like – we trust the LORD. If we absolutely love our work - we trust the LORD.

I really wonder if we live life as if our lives matter in the sequence and scope of God’s program and plan. Do we see that we play a role in the drama of God’s everlasting plan for humanity?

I am going to enjoy my ________. I am going to live out my _______. I am going to place my _________ in the LORD.

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Wrap-Up

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