Sermons on Ecclesiastes 2:11-23:

The Pursuit Of Pleasure - Chasing After The Wind Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 1, 2022

This sermon focuses on the concept of pleasure and the reality that lasting pleasure cannot be found in earthly pursuits but only in the pursuit of God as our greatest good.

Good morning. I trust you all had a pleasurable 4th of July. Speaking of the word pleasure, I need somebody to define pleasure for me. What does the word pleasure mean? Enjoyment. Satisfaction. Would you be satisfied with this definition? Pleasure is the enjoyment or satisfaction derived ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:11, 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian Church

Delighting The Senses Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 5, 2022

In chapter 2, he describes his quest for fulfillment in laughter, wine, self, wealth, and people. He dove headfirst into those things and found only an empty pool.

WISE LIVING: DELIGHTING THE SENSES Ecclesiastes 2:1-26 #wiseliving2022 READ ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 2 [person from congregation] INTRODUCTION… Little Bit About Solomon As we get started this morning, I have two introductions. The first is about the author of the Book of Ecclesiastes because it is ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Four Marvelous Things We Have In The Lord

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jan 14, 2022

One thing that we all have in common is that we all want the best this life has to offer.

What we do not have in common is the way we go about pursuing the best this life has to offer. For example, many believe their hope of enjoying the best life has to offer them can be found in: - Sports. Their lives are consumed by the pursuit of sports. - Wealth. Their lives are consumed by ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

8th Sunday After Pentecost. August 3rd, 2025. Series

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jul 25, 2022

Year C, Proper 13.

Hosea 11:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, Psalm 107:43, Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23, Psalm 49:1-12, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21. A). A STIRRING IN THE HEART OF GOD. Hosea 11:1-11. Through His speaking in the first person, and in what He says, this chapter offers ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 11:1-11, Psalm 107:1-9, Psalm 107:43, Ecclesiastes 1:1-2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23, Psalm 49:1-12, Colossians 3:1-11, Luke 12:13-21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Matters Most Sermon Ii: What Matters Least Relative To What Matters Most Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 5, 2020

True meaning in life is found by mature Christians after they learn to waste no time on useless pursuits.

PLEASURE AND POSSESSIONS MATTER LEAST - RELATIVE TO WHAT MATTERS MOST Pleasure and Possessions Are Okay Per Se If Pursued Responsibly And Used Rightly Several years ago, while prepping me for a court appearance as a witness in a custody case, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

What Matters Most Sermon Iv: Making The Most Of Our Time On Earth Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 5, 2020

True meaning in life is found by mature Christians who use their time wisely to make a life as well as a living.

MAKING THE MOST OF THE TIME GOD HAS GIVEN US TO ENJOY THE GOOD LIFE ON EARTH One of my embarrassing moments while doing Church work occurred in the “setting” room of a farm house not far from the church. Our annual revival was in progress; we had been asked to visit an ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:18-23, Ecclesiastes 3:9-13

What Does It Mean To Be Successful?

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Dec 25, 2019

The dictionary has definitions of success and successful. Being successful in this life is no guarantee one will be successful in the next life!

Preface: The dictionary has a few definitions of success, mostly with the idea of accomplishing something or acquiring something (you either do something or get something you want to do). Jesus has been engaged in teaching and conversation with others (see chapter 11 and 12:1-12) but some of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 12:13-21, Job 1:21, Ecclesiastes 2:16-19

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Back On Track Pt 4. What's My Purpose

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jul 25, 2012

Our purpose is to serve and love God and each other.

What Is My Purpose GNLCC 7/22/12 Ecclesisastes 2:1-15 Ephesians 2:1-15 If I told you I could make you the richest, most famous, and wisest person in the world, would you be interested in my offer. But what if I told you, you could never use your money, your fame or your wisdom to help ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What's Your Pleasure? Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 5, 2015

Solomon looked for pleasure in his achievements, his possessions and in his entertainment and yet finds it all to be empty and meaningless. Is there something wrong with seeking pleasure, or is there another problem?

OPEN: It was a 4th of July weekend and the family had gathered for a big meal together. In the kitchen was little 4 year old Johnny… and there on the edge of the cabinet sat the one thing he loved so much. It was a big, round, sure to be juicy, watermelon. He just couldn’t stop staring ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Boredom On The Job Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 13, 2015

Boredom is a constant complaint of many workers, but Solomon points to the one thing that can turn the emptiness of the workplace into a powerful tool for our faith. What is this "one thing" that can makes such a big difference for us?

Back in 2009, a 16-year-old British girl was fired from her office job because her manager saw - on Facebook - that she had said her job was “boring”. She was called into her manager's office and given the following letter: “Following your comments made on Facebook... we feel it ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Feeling Kind Of Empty?

Contributed by Michael Bates on Dec 31, 2023

Feeling unhappy and empty inside? Trying to find ways to fill those empty voids? Material possessions and wealth brings only temporary happiness. God, though, will fill your emptiness with eternal joy, love, and pleasure.

Please open your Bibles to Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 and lets all read together: The Emptiness of Pleasure 1 I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile. 2 I said about laughter, “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, Philippians 4:19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Where Is Meaning? Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 27, 2023

Today many are re-evaluating the lifestyle of seeking pleasure. The rich and famous are coming to the same conclusion of another rich and famous person Solomon, “meaningless”.

People try all avenues to bring meaning and purpose to their life. I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 2:1) You name any field, professional sports, business, politics and if you do just a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

One Cul-De-Sac After Another Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek 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

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Search For Satisfaction Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 22, 2024

We will never find our purpose in life if we put the pursuit of our pleasures above God’s priorities.

The Search for Satisfaction Rev. Brian Bill Ecclesiastes 2:1-17 July 20-21, 2024 According to the 2024 World Happiness Report, the U.S. ranks 23rd on a global measure of happiness across 143 countries in the world. This is worse than last year, when we came in at number 15. Americans under 30 ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

You Can't Take It With You Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 29, 2024

We can’t find our worth in our work, but we can worship God by how we work.

You Can’t Take it With You Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 Rev. Brian Bill July 27-28, 2024 Billy Graham was fond of saying, “You’ll never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul.” That is, until now, because I came across a picture of one this week. As we continue to journey with Solomon in his search for ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:18-24

Denomination: Baptist