Eccl. 12:1-8                 THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES

Intro:  Ill. Soap Operas.  After the theme music has played for a moment, one has an announcer who says, “Like sands through the hour glass, so are the days of our lives.”  Now, I am not sure of all the philosophical aspects of that statement, but a couple of profound truths are clearly implied.  First, life is short.  Second, life is filled with many changes. 

      Both of those statements is true.  Life is short.  This is the testimony of Scripture, James 4:14; Job 7:6-7; 14:1-2; Psalm 39:5; 89:47. And, Life is also very eventful.  Some of the happenings of life are good and others are not so good.  Also, what happens to me might not happen to you. 

      But, it is safe to say that there are some things that will happen to each and every person in the world!  In this passage, Solomon mentions three events that will take place in the life of every person in this room.  Since life is so short and since this is material we all need to hear, I want to point out these three common events today.  I want to preach for a few minutes on The Days Of Our Lives. 

  I. v.1a                   THERE WILL BE CHOOSING DAYS

A. Life is full of choices. (Ill. Some)  Many make no difference at all.  Other, however, can have enormous impact on our lives.

B. The greatest time for choices is in youth.  (Ill. The burdens and pressures of young people.)  (The greatest choice any young person can make is to give their heart to the Lord - It will save them many unnecessary burdens.)  (Ill. 88% of all conversions occur before age 19.  68% between 9 and 14.  80% of his school students who graduates without Jesus will never be saved.)  (Ill. Children ages 5-13 have a 32% probability of being saved. 14-18 have a 4% probability.  18+ have a 6% probability.  The longer you go without Jesus, the less your chances become!)  (Ill. 93 year old man saved in nursing home!) (Ill. Serve God while you still have plenty of time and energy!)  Don’t burn your candle for the devil and blow the smoke of a wasted life in the face of God!

C. Make your choice for Jesus while there is time, Isa. 55:6. There may be some here today who have never been saved.  If so, then you need to know that this is a choosing day for you, 1 Cor. 6:2! Do not fail in the most important choice of all! 

  II. v.1a-6              THERE WILL BE CHANGING DAYS

A. Sadly, youth does not last forever.  Life marches on with its demands of work, family, bills, etc. And, when youth begins to be replaced by age, it is a sure sign that the body wearing out.  (Ill. The image is that of a house falling down. The body is compared to a house - Job 4:19; 2 Cor. 5:1-2; 2 Pet.1:3.)

B.  In these verses, Solomon paints a vivid picture of growing old.

              1. Keeper of the house - Arms and hands tremble

              3. Grinders - Teeth fall out

              4. Windows - Vision turns bad

              5. Doors – Closed off, shut in, nothing in common with others.

              6. Grinding - Can't chew food because of teeth

              7. Rise up - Awake early because can't sleep

              8. Music – Hard of hearing

              9. Afraid - Terrified of falling

            10. Almond tree- Hair turns white like an almond blossom

                  (Ill. Sometimes it just turns loose instead.)

11. Grasshopper - Drag self about like grasshopper at the end of summer.

12. Desire - Loss of appetite for all things, even life itself.

            13. Long home - Death, the eternal home.

      All of these things are signs that the end is near.  A wise man sees trouble coming and prepares for it! (Ill. The ant versus the grasshopper, Pro. 6:6-11.  How well are you prepared for Eternity? (Ill. Floridians and hurricanes.)

C. v.6 Describes death coming to people - The fragile cord breaks and the golden pitcher breaks.  The clay jar is dropped at the well and is broken. The windlass breaks and the bucket is lost in the well.  The end of life comes as well!  Death is coming - Heb. 9:27!  (Note: Some people don’t live long enough to see old age, Pro. 27:1; Ill. Rich Fool – Luke 12:13-20.) 

III. v.7-8                THERE WILL BE CONCLUDING DAYS

A. The body will return to the ground - It is all that will sleep in the grave! (Gen. 3:19; Eccl. 3:20; 2 Cor. 5:8)

B. The soul returns to the Lord (Eccl. 3:21) for Him to deal with it as need be (2 Cor. 5:1-8) – The soul lives on - either in Heaven, Phil. 1:23 or Hell, Eze. 18:4; Rom. 6:23; Psa. 9:17; 2 Thes. 1:8-9. (Ill. Lazarus and the rich man – Luke 16:19-31)!  Where will you spend eternity?  It all depends on what you do with Jesus. (1 John 5:12)  You will bear the responsibility of you decision concerning Jesus - Gal. 6:7, Pro. 9:12.  (Ill. You will not be able to avoid God in the after life!)

C. v. 8 calls all of this vanity - Life is empty if Jesus is left out, yet it is full of glory and hope if He is let in.

Conc: These are the days of our lives!  What kind of day is this for you?  Is this a choosing day?  Choose life, choose Jesus.  Is this a changing day?  Let Him help you through the changes.  Could this be a concluding day? Be ready!  Whether you are saved or lost, if there is a need in your life; that need can and will be met if you will seek the Lord for it right now!