Ecclesiastes: Life Under the Sun

Ecclesiastes: Life Under the Sun

Walking by Faith

Ecclesiastes 11:1-8 Walk by faith by giving what you can’t keep – Ecclesiastes 11:1-2 Walk by faith by surrendering what you can’t control – Ecclesiastes 11:3-4 Walk by faith by trusting when you don’t understand – Ecclesiastes 11:5-6 Walk by faith by enjoying life in its proper place – Ecclesiastes 11:7-8

The Limitations of Human Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 9:1-10:20 Wisdom does not spare anyone from death (Ecclesiastes 9:1-10). Wisdom does not prevent unexpected events (Ecclesiastes 9:11-12). Wisdom is unappreciated (Ecclesiastes 9:13-16). A wise reputation is easily tainted (Ecclesiastes 9:17-10:20).

The Emptiness of Brokenness

Ecclesiastes 7:1-8:17 Wrong expectations lead to: despair – I can’t do this anymore anger – I can’t believe God would allow this unbelief – There isn’t any God at all.  1. The Perception: The righteous suffer, the wicked prosper Ecclesiastes 7:14-17 and 8:14-15 God’s purposes in suffering and trials: Reveals our heart Produces character Tests and strengthens our faith Shows the brokenness of the world John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have…

The Emptiness of Wealth

In Ecclesiastes 5:1-6:12 Solomon talks about how wealth is unreliable: Wealth can be lost through rash vows Wealth can be lost to a corrupt government Enough is never enough Wealth attracts parasites Wealth can be lost through bad investing Even if a person retains their wealth for a lifetime, life is brief Enjoy what God HAS given you

Time Is Not On Our Side

There are four specific frustrations related to time that we see in Ecclesiastes 3:1-22: Timing (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11a) Limited Perspectives (Ecclesiastes 3:11b-15) Injustice (Ecclesiastes 3:16-17) Death (Ecclesiastes 3:18-22)

Empty Pursuits

In this series on Ecclesiastes we try to get the right set of lenses to look at the situations that are in life. This week in Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26, we look at empty pursuits of life. The Empty Pursuit of Pleasure – Ecclesiastes 2:1-6 The Empty Pursuit of Possessions – Ecclesiastes 2:7-8 The Empty Pursuit of Position – Ecclesiastes 2:9 The Empty Pursuit of Purpose – Ecclesiastes 2:12-23

Everything is Meaningless

Ecclesiastes is one of the most needed books in our society and culture right now because of its willingness to take an honest look at the darkness in our world. Over the next few weeks we will be doing a sermon series examining this book in more depth. Today we went through the first 11 verses that Solomon wrote. In Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 Solomon’s proposition is that everything is meaningless. Earth (Ecclesiastes 1:4) Sun (Ecclesiastes 1:5) Wind (Ecclesiastes 1:6) Rivers (Ecclesiastes…