Pastor David kicks off our new series through the book of Ecclesiastes. Join us in-person or online beginning at 10:30 am!
Service Video
Sermon Audio
Notes
Click HERE to download this week’s sermon notes
THE AUTHOR OF ECCLESIASTES
1. Solomon is an ________________ (Ecc. 1:1,12-17)
Since a dull ax requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.” (Ecclesiastes 10:10) (NLT)
2. Solomon checks things ______ before he checks them _______.
3. Solomon “pushes the _____________________” (Ecc. 3:18-21)
I collected great sums of silver and gold, the treasure of many kings and provinces. I hired wonderful singers, both men and women, and had many beautiful concubines. I had everything a man could desire! Anything I wanted, I took. I did not restrain myself from any joy… (Ecc. 2:8,10a)
THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES
1. This book is ______________, not pessimistic. (Ecc. 1:2-24; 2:11-22)
“under the sun” =
2. This book is like reading a ___________________
3. This book is a __________________ of God.
C________________ (Ecc. 11:5)
S___________________ (Ecc.3:14; 6:1-2,10)
U________________________ (Ecc. 3:11)
Then I saw all that God has done. No one can comprehend what goes on under the sun. Despite all his efforts to search it out, man cannot discover its meaning. Even if a wise man claims he knows, he cannot really comprehend it. (Ecc. 8:17)
THE MESSAGE OF ECCLESIASTES
- ________________ matters. (Ecc. 1:2, 4-9)
You have made my days a mere handbreath; the span of my years is as nothing before You. Each man’s life is but a breath [hebel]. (Psalm 39:5)
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting [hebel], but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Prov. 31:30)
- ______________________ matters. (Ecc. 12:13-14)
- The __________makes the difference. (Ecc. 2:24-25)
Digging Deeper
Q1: What is the most challenging course you have ever studied? What made it so thought-provoking or, perhaps, frustrating?
Q2: What is your favourite book in the bible? Why?
Q3: Have your read the book of Ecclesiastes before? If yes, what are the main things that you remember standing out to you? If not, is there a reason you have hesitated to read it? (And…will you give it a try?)
Q4: How does the fact that the author of this book appears to be more of an explorer rather than an “expert” impact how you approach the book?
Q5: At the end of his life the great physicist and mathematician, Isaac Newton, said, “I have been paddling in the shallows of a great ocean of knowledge.” How important is humility and teach-ability when it comes to learning? Why?
Q6: Read Proverbs 26:4-5. Does the bible contradict itself? What do you think is the point of these opposite proverbs? Can you think of other situations in life that seem to be contradictory? What do you do with these “messes”?
Q7: What do you think of the following quote by French philosopher, Voltaire…
“God has made thee to love Him, and not to understand Him.”
Q7: Read Ecclesiastes 5:1-5. How would you write these verses in your own words?