Sermons on Ecclesiastes 1:15-21:

I Can't Get No Satisfaction Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jan 25, 2009

4th in a series from Ecclesiastes. Joy in life comes from the journey, not the destination.

On June 5, 1965, the Rolling Stones released their single “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” which went on to be their first number one hit in the U.S. The song was a response to the rampant commercialism that the band had observed in America. But the idea behind the song was certainly nothing new. When ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Fleeting Nature Of Life Series

Contributed by Dan Neary on May 21, 2007

Second in an eight part series in the Book of Ecclesiastes... this sermon tackles the claim that everything is meaningless.

You have to be glad that you came to church this morning. If you’ve ever wondered what makes different versions of the Bible different, you can turn to Ecclesiastes 1. • NIV: Meaningless • KJV: Vanity • Holman: Futility • Contemporary: Nonsense • Message: Smoke 1These are the words of the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

One Is The Loneliest Number Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Mar 10, 2009

9th in a series from Ecclesiastes. God created man to live in community with God and with others.

In April 1969, the group Three Dog Night had their first top ten hit with a song titled “One”. That song included these lyrics: One is the loneliest number that you’ll ever do Two can be as bad as one It’s the loneliest number since the number one No is the saddest experience you’ll ever know Yes, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Lent4b—rejoice Sunday

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Feb 2, 2018

The theology of enjoyment in the Book of Ecclesiastes is repeated over and over: find enjoyment and satisfaction in your work.

It’s optional— when the Church’s sacred ministers wear “pink” on Laetare Sunday —the Fourth Sunday of Lent. The word is from the Latin word for the command “rejoice!” To illustrate this theme: A famous preacher was trying to teach his students to make their facial expressions harmonize with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-6, Ephesians 2:4-10

Denomination: Catholic

Made For So Much More

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Aug 28, 2024

The first several verses of Ecclesiastes capture this reality well and sum it up in one word: Futility.

Have you ever been disappointed with your life? Has there ever been a time in your life where you found yourself saying, “What’s the use?” Life can do that to us. We work hard—at our job, at our ministry, at school, on our relationships. And then comes that time when you stop, and look it all ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

The Swan Song

Contributed by Brad Sorensen on May 11, 2001

non-linear, neo-interactive, multi-conclusatory, ad-hoc, pre-undetermined ecclesiastical experience

This morning I’m going to do something a little different. What will be different this morning is what I will be expecting from you. I’m a little nervous because it seems to me that what I want to share with you is a little bit over the top. I coined a term, at least I think I did, for what this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:21-24, Romans 8:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Do You Want To Go Away As Well?

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jun 2, 2015

When adherents and members leave the fellowship of a congregation, how should we respond? We find guidance for our response in the actions of the Master.

JOHN 6:60-71 DO YOU WANT TO GO AWAY AS WELL? “When many of his disciples heard [Jesus’ describing Himself as ‘the Bread of Life’], they said, ‘This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?’ But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about ...read more

Scripture: John 6:60-71

Denomination: Baptist

Says The Teacher Everything Is Meaningless

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 13, 2014

A sermon introducing a series on Ecclesiastes (Outline and material adapted from Eugene Peterson's book, Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work, chapter 4 The Pastoral Work of Nay-Saying)

HoHum: There’s a guy who's looking for the meaning of life, and he goes to India to finds a guru, and he climbs the mountain, and there on the top in his cave, sitting cross-legged, is the guru, and the man says, "I've come from America to ask you the meaning of life." The guru says, "Ah yes, ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's Easier To Make A Stink Than To Create Sweetness Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jun 22, 2009

18th in a series from Ecclesiastes. It often only takes something small to ruin something great.

When we were in Hawaii a couple of weeks ago, we watched as a couple of kids worked diligently to build a sand castle on the beach. They meticulously used their buckets and shovels to craft quite a castle, complete with sticks around the perimeter to protect it from intruders. Unfortunately for ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Making "Little Christs" Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jul 13, 2009

20th and final message from a series on Ecclesiastes. Like Jesus, Qoheleth was committed to making disicples.

When we began our journey through Ecclesiastes back on January 4, I introduced our study with a quote from the “Author’s Note” in the book Blue Like Jazz, written by Donald Miller: I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn’t resolve. But I was outside the Bagdad Theater in Portland one ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Few Life Lessons Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Jul 6, 2009

19th in a series from Ecclesiastes. A few life lessons for us to apply in the face of the certainty of death.

Over the past two weeks, it seems like we’ve been barraged with a multitude of celebrity deaths – Farrah Fawcett, Karl Malden, Billy Mays, and, of course, Michael Jackson. In a sense, I’m really tired of all the coverage that has been given to the deaths of these people, just because they are well ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift Of Now PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 27, 2023

This sermon explores the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, emphasizing the importance of understanding life's seasons and trusting in God's perfect timing.

Good morning, beloved family of God. It is indeed a joy to gather here in the house of the Lord, united in faith, love, and hope. We stand on the threshold of a new day, a new week, a new opportunity to experience the unfathomable richness of God's grace. And in this sacred space, we are invited to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Topics: Living For God

Seasons Series

Contributed by Ken Ritz on Mar 1, 2016

Part one of a 3 part series leading up to Christmas. Ecclesiastes talks about the seasons of our lives.

Times And Seasons part 1 One of the questions I get most often is, Why can’t I understand what God is doing in my life? It seemed like God was blessing me before, but now he isn't. It seems like my prayers were being answered before, now they aren't. Things used to be easy, now its ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Making Sense When Life Makes No Sense PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 2, 2024

Explores the wisdom of Ecclesiastes, encouraging us to perceive life's purpose, acknowledge God's power, and pursue His glory.

Welcome, beloved family in Christ. Gathered here today, we stand on the precipice of a grand revelation, a divine truth that has the power to transform our lives. We are here to gather wisdom from the sacred words of Ecclesiastes, words that have weathered the test of time and have been a beacon of ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:8-14

Topics: Purpose

An "Under The Sun” View Of Church Series

Contributed by John Hubert on Mar 23, 2007

Using the criticisms of the disillusioned church goer in Ecclesiastes, this message presents how Christians can grow as individuals and as a church.

Ecc 5:1-7 (ESV) Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. (2) Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God