Sermons on Ecclesiastes 2:17-26:

Depression & Meaninglessness: Where Is God In The Depths Of Despair?

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on Jun 1, 2021

There is a part of me that aches with meaninglessness. I cannot describe fully, how terrible it is. Who can manage it? Solomon the writer of Ecclesiastes describes the pain of wisdom. He described the meaninglessness of the daily life.

Ecclesiastes 2:17-23 (NIV) So I hated life, because the work that is done under the sun was grievous to me. All of it is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. 18 I hated all the things I had toiled for under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me. 19 And who knows whether ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:17-23, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Salvation Army

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

A Journey Back To Faith.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on May 16, 2022

The futility of contemplating a life without God.

A JOURNEY BACK TO FAITH. Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23. The harder we try to understand the book of Ecclesiastes, the greater the temptation to chime in with the author’s refrain: “all is vanity!” Yet, somewhere along the way, we might realise that it is going ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:2, Ecclesiastes 1:12-14, Ecclesiastes 2:18-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Thinking People Want To Know Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 25, 2017

Sermon examines 3 mysteries in life that are significant for all humans, and are springboards for evangelism. This message came in answer to the question: How do you evangelize someone who does not believe the Bible.

Ecclesiastes 1:1-14 12/18/16 Intro Last week we used a simple, little tool called The 4 Spiritual Laws to talk about evangelism. In that booklet were scriptures that we can share with non-Christians to help them understand the way of salvation. At the end of that message, Diana asked an astute ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-14, Hebrews 2:14-15, Ecclesiastes 2:1-26, 1 Corinthians 15:32, Ecclesiastes 4:1-3, Ecclesiastes 12:1-14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

An Age Of Nonsense: "The Futility Of Labor" [part Three]

Contributed by Reverend Cooper Mcwhirter on Sep 29, 2016

Passing the baton. Establishing proper motives

Sermon Preached at Grace Community Church (EPC) Sun City Grand, Surprise, AZ Sunday, August 19, 2001 by the Reverend Cooper McWhirter An Age of Nonsense: “The Futility of Labor” Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 Many competitive sports are designed for the individual athlete [e.g., snow skiing, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

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

Solomon's Trophy Case

Contributed by Larry Turner on Aug 12, 2016

Many NFL players achieved great success but never achieved the greatest, winning the Super Bowl. The aged Solomon reflects on the fact that he had huge success but was lacking the greatest.

Are you ready for some Carolina Panther’s football? Our first preseason game was Thursday night. A lot of sports analysts are predicting Carolina to once again be the NFC Champs and go to the Super Bowl, this time to win. We have the MVP and number one rated player in the NLF on our team in ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:3-19

Denomination: Foursquare

"I Hate Life" Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Mar 10, 2016

Searching for the answer to the age old question, "Is life worth living?"

A Study of the Book of Ecclesiastes: Finding Satisfaction In Life ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:12-26

Denomination: Baptist

Essential Equipment, Purpose

Contributed by David Radcliff on Nov 30, 2017

Do you know what your purpose is? What is it that drives you, what motivates you?

ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT, PURPOSE Ecclesiastes 2:1 – 26 & Philippians 3:7-14 Do you know what your purpose is? What is it that drives you, what motivates you? Last week while Sara was at the quartet convention Jonathan was feeling sympathetic toward me and decided we’d get take out from either Wendy’s ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-26, Philippians 3:7-14

Denomination: Baptist

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

Accumulation Of Wealth Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on May 1, 2023

The man who wrote these words was by many accounts considered the wealthiest man in all of history. He not only held the most wealth, but he was faced with passing on more wealth than any person that ever lived. He gives his words of wisdom on accumulating wealth.

Accumulation of Wealth Ecclesiastes 2:18-26 So far in Ecclesiastes Solomon has let us know that meaning is not in pleasures. Meaning is not found in worldly wisdom. So not we are going to look at if meaning is found in accumulation of massive wealth. There are some things money can do and some ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:18-26

Denomination: Baptist

The Search For Meaning Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 23, 2023

In your pursuit of meaning in life, look beyond your own hands; look beyond your own head; and look beyond your own heart. Look beyond the sun to the Lord, who died for you and rose again.

Since its founding in 1995, people have used eBay to sell billions of items. They include some odd products and occasionally something priceless. For example… In 1954, the great physicist Albert Einstein penned a personal letter to philosopher Erik Gutkind in which he defended his views on ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, Ecclesiastes 2:1-17, John 10:10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Enjoy Your Ice Cream Cone - Ecclesiastes 1:1-3, 2:24-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 11, 2025

No matter how wisely you live, you can’t control outcomes. The world calls it bad luck. Christians call it hard providence. Whatever you call it, this sermon will help you learn how to enjoy whatever moment of God’s perfect plan you are currently in.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 "Absolute futility," says the Preacher. "Absolute futility. Everything is futile." 3 What does a man gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? 2:24 There is nothing better for man ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3, Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

Liking Life For The Love Of God - Ecclesiastes 2:24-26 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 13, 2025

Is there any Biblical reason why we should ever watch a movie or a ball game? Or go on vacation or play a game or have some dessert? Or take $2000 that could feed a third world family for a year and spend it on a kitchen remodel? What's the right way to enjoy earthly pleasures?

Ecclesiastes 2:24 There is nothing better for man than to eat, drink, and enjoy his work. I have seen that even this is from God’s hand, 25 because who can eat and who can enjoy life apart from Him? 26 For to the man who is pleasing in His sight, He gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy, but to ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:24-26