Ending Ecclesiastes

October 18, 2023



We could all agree Ecclesiastes has been one of the more challenging books we’ve tackled as a church body. And that’s not because it was presented in a muddled or even highly emotional way—our elders have been remarkably blameless and compassionate in their preparation, delivery, and post-sermon follow ups. It’s been hard because of the tension it has created between vapor and substance; the now and what’s to come; how to handle life’s beginning as well as its ending. And when the saints you stand and worship with weekly are faced with real substance in one of these areas, you find yourself weeping or rejoicing with them in a new way. Here are 3 faithful members who have graciously recorded their final takeaway from our study together. 



Wrestling to reconcile his experience with his theology, the Teacher repeatedly offers two conclusions: (1) Man-centered wisdom cannot find life’s meaning—it’s fleeting, (2) In the face of life’s unanswered questions, we should keep God’s commands and enjoy His good gifts. The Teacher’s first point rings true to life, so I have been meditating on the second idea. At times, I am so focused on understanding God’s Word and obeying His commands that I neglect to enjoy the Giver and His good gifts. But just as my obedience demonstrates my love for God, so does my enjoyment of Him. And if I am not enjoying Him, what does that say about the closeness of our relationship?


—Brian Gault




The phrase, “Everything is meaningless.”, doesn’t sit well with most people. It makes us uncomfortable. As we walked through the book of Ecclesiastes, it was easy to get discouraged or become fatalistic. Yet, at the end of every message there was the reminder of Christ and His sacrifice. As I took the Supper each week, there was a deep sense of hope. The Gospel reminds me that there is hope in the futility of daily living. This world isn’t the end. Through Christ, there is hope in what’s to come.

 

I found comfort in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also put eternity in [our] hearts.” The moment that this painful life is over, it will be put away in favor of what is eternal and beautiful. When we “fear God and keep His commandments,” we are banking on what’s to come. We believe that God is a promise keeper. We are holding our good Father to keep His Word. And He will.

 

C.S. Lewis said, “If I find in myself desires which nothing in this world can satisfy, the only logical explanation is that I was made for another world.” (Mere Christianity) The deep longing for meaning, the hope for purpose is seated deep within us because God created us that way. He wants us to seek Him and find Him, and find purpose only in Him. Everything else is meaningless.


—Stan Britton




Ecclesiastes is God’s gift of divine perspective to His people. Rather than a sigh of resignation to the meaninglessness of life, it is a proclamation of freedom from fruitless and vain pursuits, to focus on what is of eternal importance. For those in Christ, it is the assurance of God’s sovereignty and justice. It is the ability to enjoy the simple gifts he has given to all people. We are free from the tyranny of our own conceit. Regardless of our accomplishments, wealth, position or lack thereof, we all live in a moment of time and then are forgotten. But God gives us the perspective and blessing of being part of His plan for eternity. There is no greater purpose or encouragement in life than that.


—Steve Hay

Arm Yourselves

June 11, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, June 8, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 4:1-6 Prepare to suffer Is. 50:6-8a I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting. 7 But the Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame. 8 He who vindicates me is near. The martial language indicates that discipline and grit are needed to live the Christian life, particularly in view of the suffering believers encounter. -Thomas R. Schreiner Some people won’t like you if you follow Jesus When a culture abandons biblical standards, when extramarital sex, cohabitation, and birth outside of marriage become normal, people attack the church for its moral snobbery and judgmentalism. Peter warns us that if we do take a stand, we need to expect slander, not applause. -Daniel M. Dorian This is one of the hardest things a new Christian has to face. Your friends liked you because you shared in “the same flood of debauchery.” It seemed great fun at times, but then you came to embrace Christ… But your friends have not… They will be surprised when you say “No.” -Juan Sanchez. Keep an eternal perspective Our outcome is glorious Suffering is good for us Let’s remember that suffering accomplishes God’s purposes. It exposes what or whom we are trusting (1 Peter 1:6–7). - Juan Sanchez Ecc. 7:2 It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart. Discipleship Questions: Verse 1 tell us to arm ourselves by thinking as Christ did about suffering. How did Christ arm himself for and against sufferings? What does it look like for us to do that? Have you ever lost friendships (or had them change) because you were following Jesus? Do you fear that we (or our kids) will experience greater persecution in the future? If yes, how should we handle that fear?

I Believe That We Will Win

June 3, 2025
Notes from Lance Shumake's sermon on Sunday, June 1, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 3:18-22 Jesus suffered and died in order to bring us to God Jesus conquered death by his resurrection “A wonderful text is this, and a more obscure passage perhaps than any other in the New Testament, so that I do not know for a certainty just what Peter means.” —Martin Luther Problem #1 - he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison —Jesus preached through Noah to those who lived at that time (1 Peter 1:10–12) —Jesus proclaimed His victory to evil angels (see Genesis 6:1-4) Problem #2 - baptism now saves you —Scripture is clear - we are saved by grace not works —baptism pictures our salvation from God’s judgment through the resurrection of Christ “The waters of baptism, like the waters of the flood, demonstrate that destruction is at hand, but believers are rescued from these waters in that they are baptized with Christ, who has also emerged from the waters of death through his resurrection. Just as Noah was delivered through the stormy waters of the flood, believers have been saved through the stormy waters of baptism by virtue of Christ’s triumph over death.” —Thomas R. Schreiner, 1, 2 Peter, Jude —in baptism we are appealing to God for a good conscience "This appeal is an act of the heart looking away from itself and from all human instruments and calling on God, appealing to God, for grace to save.” —John Piper —in baptism we are pledging to God to live in a manner worthy of the gospel Jesus ascended to heaven and now reigns over everything “We can face suffering as Christians with confidence rather than panic, and hope rather than despair, because the road marked with Christian suffering is, no matter what its twists and turns are, the road to vindication and glory. The God who vindicated Jesus will vindicate you, and he will sustain your faith until that day.” –Juan R. Sanchez, 1 Peter For You Discipleship Questions: How does Jesus’ death and resurrection encourage us when we suffer? Why did we need Jesus to suffer and die to bring us to God? How does Jesus’ victory over death give us eternal hope? What are your thoughts regarding some of the problems in this passage? How does what Peter says about baptism elevate the importance of baptism? When were you baptized and how does this passage inform your understanding of baptism? How does knowing our victory is secured help us with all the things this life throws at us?

Who Can Be Against Us?

May 27, 2025
Notes from Ky Martin's sermon on Sunday, May 25, 2025. Sermon text: 1 Peter 3:13-17 Nobody can (truly) hurt Christians Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Rom. 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? The train of thought is as follows: “No one will be able to harm believers on the future day if they are zealous for good” (v. 13). Indeed, even present suffering is not a sign of punishment but of blessing both now and especially in the future, on the day when God rewards his people with eternal life. -Thomas R. Schreiner Honoring Christ Erases Fear Share your faith with strength and gentleness Embrace balance Be prepared to share The truth of the gospel is a public truth that can be defended in the public arena. This does not mean, of course, that every Christian is to be a highly skilled apologist for the faith. It does mean that every believer should grasp the essentials of the faith and should have the ability to explain to others why they think the Christian faith is true. -Thomas R. Schreiner Be prepared to suffer “I’ve spent a number of years in India and Africa where I found much righteous endeavor undertaken by Christians of all denominations; but I never, as it happens, came across a hospital or orphanage run by the Fabian Society [a British socialist organization], or a humanist leper colony.” -Malcolm Muggeridge Be bold! We will likely suffer as Christians in this world, but that suffering is slight and temporary compared to the eternal inheritance that awaits us. The worst thing that can happen to us is that we die and receive our promised inheritance. Can you imagine how emboldened Christians would be if we only believed what Peter is saying? -Juan R. Sanchez Discipleship Questions: Does the fact that nobody can (truly) harm us comfort you? What would change if we lived like we really believe that? Are you a more confident person as someone who knows Christ? Does your security in Christ embolden you to take some risks in life, knowing that the worst that could happen is death? How equipped / prepared are you to give a reason for the hope that you have? What would grow your confidence and competence in that? Have you considered joining Michael Clark one day for evangelism at the harbor? Well….you should….
Show More