Background and Introduction to Ecclesiastes

Grace Community Church - Loveland, CO

Background and Introduction to Ecclesiastes

October 9, 2024 • Erik Miller • Ecclesiastes

The word Ecclesiastes means “preacher” or “philosopher.” This book reveals man’s attempts at happiness apart from God and the absurdity of that attempt. We live in a world struggling to find satisfaction that lasts and meaning behind what we experience. In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon concluded that in the inmost depths of mankind is a longing for Eternity and the peace that only God can provide. Solomon had everything this world can offer and more and so one would think he would have experienced the happiness we all crave. He realized that even the best and most beautiful things of this world pale in comparison to the Creator of this world, and relationship with Him is the only thing that can truly satisfy the longing of our hearts.

Saint Augustine of Hippo puts it this way; “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Join us as we dive into these concepts in our Midweek Teaching study of the book of Ecclesiastes.

(due to technical difficulties, only the audio is available for the first session.)

Ecclesiastes Week 5 - Time

November 20, 2024 • Jonathan Norton • Ecclesiastes 3:1–15

“to everything turn, turn, turn….” These words were made famous by Pete Segar, sung by the Byrds in the 60s. The original text is found here in Ecclesiastes; “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: … I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him” Join us as we unpack the meaning of time and the motive of growing in reverence for God.

Ecclesiastes Week 4 - Folly and Toil

November 13, 2024 • Erik Miller • Ecclesiastes 2:12–26

Despair over the fleetingness of life and insecurity over having no control of one’s legacy can be discouraging, leading us to wonder; “what is the point of trying?” David Guzik, in his commentary on Ecclesiastes, says it this way; “If death ends it all, then this life is robbed of true meaning. Even the good and great accomplishments of this world are unbelievably temporary, and therefore ultimately meaningless.” In light of this, Solomon turned his heart and ‘despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun.” But because of the resurrection of Christ, this is not the experience of a Christian! “For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain.” -1 Corinthians 15: 53-58 Prepare for this week’s teaching by reading Ecclesiastes 2:12-26 alongside 1 Corinthians 15.

Ecclesiastes Week 3 - Wisdom & Pleasure

November 6, 2024 • Ecclesiastes 1:12—2:11

The "wisdom" of Ecclesiastes is not the same as the "wisdom" in Proverbs. In Proverbs, wisdom is godly wisdom. Ecclesiastes is focusing on "Everything under the sun" and the wisdom here is man's wisdom. Remember this distinction as you prepare for this week's teaching in your reading of Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:11