Introduction: Will you _____________ me in ten years?

Who is on your popularity list?

As we come to our text today, author Warren W. Wiersbe writes that this section of Scripture teaches two lessons: First, the instability of ________ power. Second, the fickleness of _______________.

Why does popularity pass away?

I. Refusal to be ______________ – v. 13

Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.

A real key in this verse are the words:

Who doesn’t like the story of a poor person rising in ________, and who ________ the ladder of success?

There is not a person present that doesn’t desire to be _______, or to be noticed, or to have the __________ of others. We all would like to believe that we are important to someone.

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How do we achieve recognition?

What are you using to gain your ___________?

Here in our text we have two people: First, we are introduced to a _______ young youth, but we are told that he was a ______ youth (we can use a lot more of them today).

The second person we are introduced to is a _________ king. The word, “foolish” doesn’t necessarily mean, stupid, but unwilling to do what one knows is _________.

I believe that there are two words that can sum up what we have in this verse. The two words are:

1. _________ – as is seen in the wise youth.2. _________ – as is seen in the foolish King.

“God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6)

There is a second reason why popularity passes away.

II. Forgetting that one is not ________________ – v. 14

For he comes out of prison to be king, Although he was born poor in his kingdom.

_____________ will pass away when someone believes that they are indispensable.

Please hear this: ______ one is indispensable – No one.

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Are you aware that we are all but ______ person away from being set aside?

In our text, we have…

Can I tell you what I see in verse 14?

There is a third reason why popularity passes away.

III. There will always be another ________ – v. 15

I saw all the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place.

Los Angeles Rams fan Vs. Dallas Cowboy fan.

Get this down: There will always be another _______.

Listen carefully to verse 15, “I saw the living who walk under the sun; They were with the second youth who stands in his place.”

Here is a truth: The living will always _______ on.

Illustration of Keith Potts -

There is a fourth reason why popularity is passing away.

IV. You will not always remain __________ – v. 16

There was no end of all the people over whom he was made king; Yet those who come afterward will not rejoice in him. Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.

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The poor wise young man in our text today was extremely _______ among the people of his day.

Here is a truth: People are _______, and others are being born.

I am a part of the Baby Boomer Generation (1946-1964). There are…

The point is that generations ______ and _____, and the same is true with popularity. Here today and gone tomorrow.

Our text says, “Yet those who come afterwards will not rejoice in him.”

Popularity is ________ away. And look at where that brings Solomon in conclusion. He writes, “Surely this also is vanity and grasping for the wind.”

Here is the point:

Conclusion: So, what are some life-truths from this section of Ecclesiastes? How about these:

1. Instead of seeking to be popular, seek to be _________.2. Walk in _________ and allow God to promote you through life.3. Since we are all dispensable, be engaged in training your

________________. 4. Help promote tomorrows _________. Pour into their lives today. 5. Leave a _________ for the next generation. God help us to leave a

better world.

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