Sermons on Ecclesiastes 1:2-11:

Finding Meaning In Life

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Oct 3, 2002

Many are desperately searching for true meaning in this life. The answer is found in this passage of Scripture.

FINDING THE MEANING IN LIFE TEXT: ECCLESIASTES. 1:1,2 INTRO: One of the funniest catchphrases of recent years is from an old Wendy’s commercial. An elderly woman and her friends open their hamburger buns and found them virtually bare. The perceptive old lady, who was able to see beyond the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

"Vanity"

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 12, 2003

Solomon exposes the insignificance and absurdity of life IF life were nothing more than what is seen “under the sun”. He offers only two options--a life of hopelessness, or trust in God.

“Vanity” Ecclesiastes 1:2-3 & 2:1-11 Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts Ecclesiastes is perhaps the most puzzling and misunderstood book of the Bible. It’s been called “the mystery book of the Old Testament” (Ray Steadman). Few sermons are preached from ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, Ecclesiastes 1:2-3

Denomination: Congregational

An Introduction To The Series

Contributed by Paul Kraker on Dec 1, 2000

By studying the wisdom of Solomon, we will be able to understand life better and, understanding life better, live better.

Christ Church Online>Sermons>Sermon Selections>Absurd Part 1> CHRIST CHURCH THE COMMUNITY SERVICE JANUARY 9, 2000 "AN INTRODUCTION TO THE ABSURD REALITY OF LIFE" ECCLESIASTES 1:1-11 DR. DAVE COLLINGS, PASTOR Christ Church 19543 Lunn Road Strongsville, Ohio 44136 (440) 572-7610 DR. ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Do You See?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 19, 2000

Solomon dealt with the right questions, but he came up with the wrong answers at first.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX A. With the end of the Christmas season I’m sure most of you have seen the headlines reporting that most retail stores did not do as well as they had hoped. We Americans didn’t charge nearly as much as we have in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, Philippians 3:7-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why Am I Here?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 19, 2001

Have you ever asked yourself, "Why did God permit me to wake up this morning? Why is my heart still beating? Why am I here?" You see, God has a reason. What is the purpose of my continued existence?

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2019) WHY AM I HERE? GOD’S PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE TEXT: Ecclesiastes 1:1 14; Ephesians 1:4-5,10; 2 Corinthians 5:19 ILL. I had a tremendous respect & admiration for Pres. Ronald Reagan & the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-14, Romans 8:28-29, Ephesians 1:4-5, 2 Corinthians 5:19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How Ecclesiates Can Make Us Wise. Series

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jun 3, 2001

Manuscript: Is this Inspired error? Explore that and see if that’s true and then see how this helps us be wise.

How Ecclesiates Can Make us Wise. Text: Eccl. 1:1-2 “Series on Living Wisely in a Meaningless Word” By Andrew Chan, Senior Pastor, PBC, Vancouver, BC June 3, 2001 Today a new series… on Pentecost Sunday, lives of bunch of cowardly disciples were changed forever… fearful once they were, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Drifting Or Driven Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Sep 11, 2025

Ever feel like you're just going through the motions—wake, work, repeat? You're not alone. In this message, we explore what the Bible says about the search for meaning and how Jesus offers a life of real purpose.

Let me start with a question: Have you ever felt like life is just drifting by? You get up, get jobs done, come home, eat dinner, watch a bit of TV, go to bed… and then do it all again the next day. Week after week, month after month. And sometimes we stop and wonder: “Is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11, John 10:10

What Has Been Will Be Again

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Mar 26, 2006

1- Learning is wearisome, but don’t stop learning. 2- Work is tiring, but don’t stop working.

INTRO.- Sometimes life gets old. Does it not? If not, then you’re not human! What has been will be again. Doesn’t life sometimes seem to be just a revolving door of sorts? Every day it’s the same old routine. Every month. Every year. Year in, year out. ILL.- Marriage counselor to mother: ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Danger Of Drifting Spiritually

Contributed by Todd Riley on Apr 1, 2006

A reflection on what went wrong in Solomon’s spiritual life, with a particular focus on explaining how Solomon came to believe that life was meaningless.

Islington Baptist Church April 2, 2006 Sermon text: Ecclesiastes Scripture reading: I Kings 3 The danger of drifting spiritually 1. Today I want to talk to you about the danger of drifting spiritually. 2. My inspiration for today’s topic is the book of Ecclesiastes which features a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2

Denomination: Baptist

The Purpose Of Life Series

Contributed by Robb Ryerse on Feb 15, 2005

Introduction to a series through Ecclesiastes on the purpose of life.

The Purpose of Life Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 Introduction: - Teenagers have a word for it: Whatever. - College Students take classes about it, using big words to describe it: existentialism. - Adults call it a midlife crisis. All people are on a quest for the purpose in life, and many have concluded ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Search For The Meaning Of Life Series

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jan 23, 2006

Ecclesiastes was written to people who question whether there is a God, and to those who outright reject God. What do they have left in life? Nothing but despair...but there is another Way.

Overcoming Futility, a Sermon Series on Ecclesiastes Message #1, “The Search for the Meaning of Life,” chapter 1 -Pastor Bob Leroe, Cliftondale Congregational Church, Saugus, Massachusetts We’ve entered a new year, and many people looking back on 2005 feel a sense of relief. We’re glad that year ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Denomination: Congregational

40 Days 1 - What On Earth Am I Here For Series

Contributed by David Elvery on Nov 27, 2005

Adapted from welcome to the planet 40 Days of Purpose Series. Sermon #1

(Based on WELCOME TO THE PLANET: WHAT ON EARTH AM I HERE FOR? Part 1: The Challenge to Move Ahead by Doug Fields) Today we began our 40 Days of Purpose Journey. Are you looking forward to it? Well tonight we are going to starting a series called “Welcome to the Planet: What on Earth Am I Here ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2-11

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

Finding Real Meaning In Life

Contributed by Andy Grossman on Mar 17, 2007

Four things you must do to find real joy and happiness and meaning in life.

“Finding Real Meaning In Life” March 18, 2007 Years ago on a TV show, a guest appeared that was a body builder. As he entered the stage with his huge muscular body the crowd went crazy as the body builder began to flex his muscles and show his power. The first question asked of him was this: “What ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2

Denomination: Holiness

What Are You Hearing?

Contributed by Dennis Selfridge on Jan 15, 2004

life on earth is of no value without God

Eccles. 1:2 3-9 13-14 WHAT ARE YOU HEARING? It was found written on the walls of a library at a university “apathy Rules.” Apathy could mean indifference, boredom, laziness, lack of interest or concern. Do we get excited about what God is doing in this world? Are we passionate for the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-14

Denomination: Wesleyan