In Sermon Illustrations: "- Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23"

Let Go Of That Balloon! (07.08.05--Joy Every ...

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Jul 6, 2005

Let Go of That Balloon! (07.08.05--Joy Every Day--Ecclesiastes 11:1-6) Carpe diem! Engraved in the keystone of the old fellowship hall I passed every day on my way to the office, I had glanced at it countless times. But on this particular day, with my youngest daughter in the car, her question ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Tags: Joy

Denomination: Lutheran

The Bigger Picture  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Nov 23, 2005

Dave Bosewell tells a story about Earl Weaver, former manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Weaver had a rule that no one could steal a base unless given the steal sign. This upset one of his star players, Reggie Jackson, because he felt he knew the pitchers and catchers well enough to judge who he ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:10-11

Tags: Knowing God's Will

Denomination: Lutheran

D.l. Moody Tells The Fable Of A Pheasant Who Was ...  PRO

Contributed by Timothy Smith on Apr 15, 2006

D.L. Moody tells the fable of a pheasant who was envious of another that could fly better than he could. One day this pheasant saw a hunter with a bow & arrow and said to him, "That pheasant flying right above you would provide great food if you could shoot him down." The man said, "Well, I could ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:4

Tags: Friendship, Envy

Denomination: Christian Church

In 1971 Jane Fonda And Donald Sutherland Starred ...  PRO

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 8, 2003

In 1971 Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland starred together in a movie named “Klute”. It was about a small town detective who had come to the big city in search of a killer, who coincidentally was stalking Jane Fonda’s character. At one point in the movie Donald Sutherland’s character, Detective ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:6-14

Tags: Holiness, Wisdom

Denomination: Orthodox

Today I Am A Horse, Dear God, Did You Have To ...  PRO

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Dec 12, 2000

"Today I am a horse, Dear God, did you have to make my poor old horse lose his shoe just before the Sabbath? That wasn't nice. It's enough you pick on me, Tevye, bless me with 5 daughters, a life of poverty. What have You got against my horse? Sometimes I think when things are too quiet up there, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:19

Tags: Finding Fulfillment, Peace, Human Body

Denomination: Lutheran

You Probably Have Heard The Name Levi Strauss, ...  PRO

Contributed by Jeff Kolk on Jan 27, 2001

You probably have heard the name Levi Strauss, but do you know the name of Jacob Davis? You know of Levi Strauss because of Levi's blue jeans. Levi made the most of an opportunity given him by a man named Jacob Davis. I got the following story from the Levi's website. Levi Strauss was a dry ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Tags: Leadership General, Workplace

Denomination: Baptist

Hocus Pocus  PRO

Contributed by Doug Johnston on Mar 14, 2001

Hocus Pocus Salvation can be difficult to understand, especially when it’s not clearly explained. During the Middle Ages, the most educated people in European villages was usually the priest. He was a source of information and help, as well as the one holding the keys to heaven. The people ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1

Tags: Lord's Supper

Denomination: Baptist

We Need To Understand That Our World Is A Fast ...  PRO

Contributed by Steve Malone on Sep 25, 2001

We need to understand that our world is a fast changing world. Change is not necessary bad - if fact change is normal - Change is really a sign of life. Do you know, what the medical definition of death is? a body that does not change... During my sermon your body is going to change - ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Tags: Change, Creation, Growth In Christ, Workplace

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Writing In A Recent Issue Of Focus On The Family ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 11, 2001

Writing in a recent issue of Focus on the Family magazine author Stu Weber illustrates the need for a Christian "buddy" to help us survive the tough times. In 1967 a grizzled old noncom at Fort Benning, Ga. taught [the soul-buttressing impact of "mutual mentoring"] ... to a formation of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Passing The Torch: Lessons From Castro  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 1, 2001

PASSING THE TORCH: LESSONS FROM CASTRO In August, President Fidel Castro celebrated his 75th birthday. The Cuban dictator came to power in 1959, after overthrowing former dictator, Fulgencio Batista. On the eve of his birthday, Castro made a powerful gesture. He publicly handed a Cuban flag to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1

Tags: Devotion, Zeal, Parenting

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When Billy Graham Was Driving Through A Small ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Hensley on Apr 3, 2003

When Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his quilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:8

Tags: God's Forgiveness, God's Provision

Denomination: Baptist

The Culture Of The Corinthians Said, "Go Ahead ...  PRO

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 2, 2008

The culture of the Corinthians said, "Go ahead commit sexual immorality – God won’t mind – God is okay with it." The Corinthian city was evil because they practiced "Sexual immorality in the temple of Aphrodite." 1. It was considered normal! 2. It was considered even a way to honor other ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Tags: Immortality

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Meaningless Life

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 6, 2008

Meaningless Life Mark Twain expressed thoughts about the meaningless of life in view of man’s inevitable death. Shortly before his death, he wrote, "A myriad of men are born; they labor and sweat and struggle;...they squabble and scold and fight; they scramble for little mean advantages over each ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Tags: Death Nearness

You Already Have Happiness

Contributed by Sermon Central on Feb 16, 2009

YOU ALREADY HAVE HAPPINESS The angel asked, "You aren’t happy. How can I help you?" The poet replied, "I have everything. But I lack only one thing. Can you give it to me?" To which the angel happily said, "Sure. I can give you anything you desire." The poet stared right into the angel’s eyes, "I ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:19

Tags: Happiness

The Bridge ...

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Feb 23, 2009

THE BRIDGE BUILDER (Unknown) An old man, going down a lonely highway, Came at the evening cold and gray, To a chasm vast and wide, Through which was flowing a swollen tide, The old man crossed in the twilight dim, The swollen stream had no fear for him. But he turned when safe on the other ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:6-12

Tags: Unity

Denomination: Assembly Of God

When We Are Rightly Related To God, Life Is ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"When we are rightly related to God, life is full of spontaneous, joyful ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 11:1-6

Tags: Christmas Eve

The Real Persuaders Are Our Appetites, Our ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"The real persuaders are our appetites, our fears and above all our vanity. The skillful propagandist stirs ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:10-11

Tags: Cynicism

African Proverb

Contributed by Sermon Central on Mar 24, 2009

African proverb: If you want to travel fast, travel alone. If you want to travel far, go together. (From a sermon by Anthony ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:8-12

Tags: Church Body Of Christ

Life Eternal

Contributed by Sermon Central on Oct 18, 2009

LIFE ETERNAL Someone named, James Langdon Hill, once said, "Life Eternal! How shall I express my thought of it? It is not mere existence, however prolonged and free from annoyance. It is not the pleasures of the senses, however vivid. It is not peace. It is not happiness. It is not joy. But it is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11

Tags: Immortality

John F. Kennedy Questioned By Coal Miner About ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Nov 14, 2009

John F. Kennedy Questioned by Coal Miner About His History of Work In 1960, John Kennedy was running for the presidency, and was campaigning near a coal mine in West Virginia. One of the miners put a series of questions to Kennedy: "Is it true that your father is one of the wealthiest men in the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:18-20

Tags: Workplace, Work Ethic