Sermon Central
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Ecclesiastes: Adjusting To The Realities Of Life
Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 6, 2017 (message contributor)
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1. Disappointed With Life
Contributed on Nov 6, 2017
The let down of life will get to us sometime, somewhere.
Disappointed With Life (Ecclesiastes 1:1-18) Note: This is a revision of my 2003 sermon on the same text. Quite a few secondary changes and refinements. 1. A 5-year-old boy who came to his mother & asked, "Where did I come from?" The mother took a deep breath because she had dreaded the ...read more
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2. One Cul-De-Sac After Another
Contributed on Nov 13, 2017
If you had everything you wanted, your life would be meaningless. The answer is found in surrender to God and freedom to enjoy life’s simple pleasures.
One Cul-de-sac After Another (Ecclesiastes 2:1-26) 1. Human beings are different from animals in many ways. Animals don’t worry about purpose in life, leaving a permanent mark on society. The quest for meaning should lead us to God, but, unfortunately, we try to find meaning somewhere ...read more
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3. Accepting Life’s Seasons
Contributed on Nov 20, 2017
We need to embrace life and the human experience with God at our side.
Accepting Life’s Seasons (Ecclesiastes 3:1-15) 1. She’s only in her 40s, but my friend Mary has bounced back from cancer, heart problems, even a stroke. Through it all, she and her husband, Mark, have kept their sense of humor. One day she said, “You know what kills me … ?” Smiling, Mark ...read more
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4. It’s Dark Without The Light!
Contributed on Dec 4, 2017
It is painful to take an honest and complete look at life. We were meant for something better.
It’s Dark Without the Light! (Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:8, 12:1, 7, 13-14) 1. A boy just attended his first wedding, and his friend asked him how many times a person can get married. “Sixteen times,” said the boy. “I heard it with my own ears: 4 better, 4 worse, 4 richer, and 4 poorer. ...read more
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5. The Gift Of Wealth Or Enjoyment? Which Is Best?
Contributed on Feb 12, 2018
A rich life doesn’t come from riches, but from your ability to enjoy God’s blessings.
The Gift of Wealth or Enjoyment? Which is Best? (Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:9) 1. Sam goes to the doctor for his yearly checkup. “Everything is fine”, said the doctor, “You’re doing OK for your age.” “For my age?” questioned Sam, “I’m only 75, do you think I’ll make it to 80? “Well” said the doctor, ...read more
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6. The Upside Of Feeling Down
Contributed on Feb 19, 2018
In some ways, when we are down, we are more teachable; down times can deepen us.
The Upside of Feeling Down (Ecclesiastes 7:1-22) 1. At a party: 'Are you a psychologist?' 'Why do you ask it?' 'Oh yes, you are a psychologist.' 2. Most of us struggle with depression now and then. For many, time, prayer, and talking to friends helps. 3. But for some people, the depression ...read more
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7. Approaching Life With An Ecclesiastes Philosophy
Contributed on Feb 26, 2018
By taking heed to God’s Word here in Ecclesiastes, we can approach life with a godly, practical philosophy at hand.
Approaching Life With An Ecclesiastes Philosophy (Ecclesiastes 7:20, 29, 8:11, 9:7-18) 1. All of us have principles we live by, a personal philosophy of life. 2. Here are some comical ones: ? If you look like your passport picture, you probably need the trip. ? If you’re not part of the ...read more
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8. Practical Advice With A Cynical Flavor
Contributed on Mar 5, 2018
This life is nothing like a fairy tale where we live happily ever after. Life is a constant challenge, and we fare better at it if we embrace some realistic realizations, some of which seem slightly cynical and ironic.
Practical Advice with A Cynical Flavor (Ecclesiastes 10:1-20) 1. The dictionary defines a cynic as, “a person who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest rather than acting for honorable or unselfish reasons.” 2. One definition of the word “irony” is “a state of affairs ...read more
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9. The Take Home
Contributed on Mar 12, 2018
Solomon leaves us with three substantial directives that are life changers.
The Take Home Ecclesiastes 11-12 1. A new pastor asked his board to evaluate his first sermon. The pastor did not even have an introduction, but dove right into the text. He preached on and on and on. At their meeting, the pastor asked the chairman to evaluate his sermon. “I know,” said the ...read more