Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost

 Sermon Text: Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:18-26

 Other Readings: James 5:1-11 and Luke 12:13-21

 

  1. The narrator in our sermon text is called “the Teacher.” In our Gospel reading, Jesus is called “Teacher.” What did both the Teacher of Ecclesiastes and our Savior agree on?

 

  1. The phrase “under the sun” is common in Ecclesiastes and shows up twice in our text. What do you think that phrase is emphasizing?

 

  1. Evaluate this quote: “The pious truly possess the whole world because they enjoy it with happiness and tranquility. But the impious do not possess it even when they have it. This is the vanity which the impious possess” (Martin Luther).

 

  1. Review the things in your life that stress you out the most right now. What things might be stressing you out because they are simply “a chasing after the wind” (2:17, 26)? Use the sermon text to help you assess.

 

  1. Think back over the last seven days and review all the work (at your job, at school, at home, etc.) that you did. List at least two things you worked at in which you found satisfaction.

 

 

 

 

  1. Both Solomon (who is most likely the author of Ecclesiastes) and Jesus agree that at the end of the day, earthly wealth is meaningless if a person is not rich toward God.

 

  1. The phrase basically says, “What I’m saying here is generally true if people live their life with purely earthly values and principles.”

 

  1. It’s accurate and biblical! The unbeliever acts like he has nothing and is constantly worried about either protecting what he has, getting more of it, or getting his hands on something else. The believer (the truly pious person through faith) gladly takes what God gives her because she already has forgiveness through Jesus. So the believer possess a rainy Monday as a gift from God because it will make things grow and is an opportunity to use her abilities in service to God and neighbor. Luther’s quote reminds us of Matthew 6:33, “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

 

  1. Answers will vary based on personal perspective. Ecclesiastes teaches us to honestly reflect on our lives.

 

  1. Answers will vary based on personal perspective, but God wants you to take satisfaction in your hard work and to find happiness in the little things because even the most “everyday” things are gifts he made sure to give you directly.