Ecclesiastes 11:1 12:7
Control. Everybody wants it, but the 'under the sun' reality is nobody has it. Qohelet offers three key pieces of wisdom for living without control. Remembering is most important.
Wisdom for Living - The Advantages of Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 10:1-15
Often when we look at "life under the sun," it seems Qohelet's words ring true: "Folly is set in many high places," and wisdom ends up at the bottom of the heap. But the way things seem is not the full picture. There are advantages to wisdom.
Sermon Outline Document
Wisdom for Living - Wisdom and Justice
Ecclesiastes 9:1-18
For many people today, the injustice in this world is a serious concern. What hope is there for navigating the injustice people face? Qohelet offers two clues for where hope can be found. Lift your eyes above "life under the sun," and you'll see the way.
Wisdom for Living - Wisdom and the World
Ecclesiastes 8:1-16
We often struggle in making sense of today’s world. We try and gain understanding (wisdom) through our experiences, but there are many things we don’t understand. In the end, it’s God who provides the wisdom we need, because without it we won’t be able to make sense of today’s world, despite our best (human) efforts.
Wisdom for Living - The Search for Wisdom
Ecclesiastes 7:15-29
Wisdom for living....something worth searching for, but not always easy to find. What if our search is part of the problem? What if there's more than just finding, there's also motivation? What's your motivation for finding wisdom?
Wisdom for Living - Wisdom for the Ages
Ecclesiastes 7:1-14
Do you ever feel like your life is teetering on the edge? The view may be great, but the stress will do you in! With the start of the new year we return to Ecclesiastes to gain some wisdom for living. This is some timely wisdom!
With Our Own Eyes - With the Father's Eyes
Hebrews 1
Throughout December, we have been looking at the birth of Jesus as described by key participants (“with their eyes”) in the biblical account. The series concludes by looking at the birth of Jesus from the viewpoint of God the Father, as suggested by Hebrews 1.
With Our Own Eyes - With Caesar's Eyes
Luke 2:1-10
At Christmas we celebrate the reality that God came to us in the person of Jesus. Don't miss that! Caesar did, even though Jesus came while Caesar ruled the Roman world. Don't get so caught up in your own world that you miss this amazing reality!
With Our Own Eyes - With a Magi's Eyes
Matthew 2:1-12
It is popular to say: “All roads lead to God. All faiths are equally true. Believe what you want, you've already found it.” This Sunday we hear from one who searched for more and found far more than he could imagine. Not all ways are equal. There is a journey that leads to truth and when we find it, it demands our all.
With Our Own Eyes - With a Shepherd's Eyes
Luke 2:8-20
Can you imagine what the shepherds must have experienced that night when the angels appeared? How could that NOT change your life? Well, what if the change isn't immediate? What if the Good News takes years to sink in? God works that way sometimes. His grace is patient. And always amazing.
With Our Own Eyes - With an Angel's Eyes
Luke 1:26-38
The angel Gabriel comes to Mary, giving her extraordinarily good news about "the Son of the Most High." A host of angels declare to shepherds, "Glory to God in the highest" because of this Son. Angels are messengers of glory, but glory isn't always what we expect. Sometimes angels aren't what we expect either.
With Our Own Eyes - With Joseph's Eyes
Matthew 1:18-25
The Advent and Christmas season is a time to reflect on Immanuel, God with Us. What if we looked at the birth of Jesus through the eyes of Joseph? What did he see? How did Jesus' birth impact his life?
Our Purposeful Praise
Romans 12:1-2
As we seek to grow in our Trinity Way of Life, this Sunday we'll build on "Our Priority of Presence" by exploring "Our Purposeful Praise." What does a life of purposeful praise look like? More importantly, how do we get there? Thankfully, God equips us for the process.
What Are You REALLY Living For? - So What's the Right Answer?
Ecclesiastes 6:1-12
As we come to the middle of Ecclesiastes, Qohelet sums up his questioning about what's really worth living for: What's good? Where's life headed? 'Under the sun' there are lots of answers. His answer, though, beats them all.
What Are You REALLY Living For? - Is Money the Answer?
Ecclesiastes 5:10-20
In the pursuit of what's really worth living for, Qohelet considers money. Does money satisfy? We sure pursue it with the hopes that it will but even this, Qohelet says, is a chasing after wind. How can you tell if you're chasing money?
What Are You REALLY Living For? - How to Approach an Omnipotent God
Ecclesiastes 5:1-9
Do we often forget that gap that exists between us and God; that gap that Jesus ultimately bridged for us through his death and resurrection? If so, what can I do different in the future to change that when I approach Him?
What Are You REALLY Living For? - What About When Work's Hard?
Ecclesiastes 4:4-16
This week Qohelet gives us a glimpse at our workplaces. What drives our work efforts 'under the sun'? His answer is accurate but not encouraging. Fortunately the remedy he offers is very encouraging and very life-giving!
What Are You REALLY Living For? - What About When Life's Hard?
Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3
Issues of "justice" and "social justice" are repeatedly in the news and hashtags these days. Life "under the sun" can be hard and unjust. Qohelet points to a larger biblical perspective that we as the church would do well to follow.
What Are You REALLY Living For? - What's Your Life Rhythm?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
Our culture encourages us to "march to the beat of your own drum" and set our own rhythm. Qohelet asks if that's really the answer. There's a higher rhythm to life that can't be ignored. What's your life rhythm? Who sets your drumbeat?
What Are You REALLY Living For? - Is Achievement an Answer?
Ecclesiastes 2:12-26
Dream it. Believe it. Achieve it. That's life under the sun. But Qohelet reminds us that the "it" we dream and believe and achieve will get left to someone else. Death is the great equalizer for all our achieving under the sun.