The Last Word (Sermon Outline)

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 (New Living Translation) ¹³ That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. ¹⁴ God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

Introduction: Ecclesiastes explains the meaning of life and how it should be lived. The title of the book is interpreted to mean 'The Gatherer' or 'The Teacher'.

Transition: With godly wisdom, this book gives to us the "The Last Word" for how we should close 2015 and even how we should begin and live out 2016.

Exposition: Let's explore this last word in three movements...

1) Highly Reverence God (fear God)
This involves priority and humility
Reference...Isaiah 6:1-3 (attending him/covered their faces)

2) Positively Respond to God (and obey his commands)
This involves will and work
Reference...Genesis 12:1-6 (so Abram departed/he took...)

3) Individually be Responsible to God (for this is everyone's duty)
This involves discipline and determination
Reference...Genesis 6:9-22 (verse 22 "So Noah did everything exactly as God had commanded him.")

Conclusion: verse 14 admonishes us by saying that "God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad." Let's live like God is watching. There is an authority to answer to for all of our actions!