Sermon Notes
Sermon Series: Ecclesiastes - Striving After Wind
Sermon Title: The Illusion of Wisdom
Passage: Ecclesiastes 8:16-9:12
Preacher: Ashley Herr
First Illusion: Thinking you can figure God out (8:16-17)
1. God’s ways are beyond your ability to fully comprehend. But that’s ok, because God is not beyond your ability to intimately know.
Second Illusion: Thinking you can control your life (9:1,11)
2. Life is beyond your ability to control. But that’s ok, because there is absolutely nothing outside of God’s sovereign control
You won’t always win the race, no matter how fast you are. But you can choose how you run the race, faithfully following the words and way of Jesus with every step.
You won’t always win the battle, no matter how strong you are. But you can choose to stand up for what is right.
You won’t always have enough money, no matter how smart you are. But you can do your best at whatever you do, doing it to the glory of God and for the good of others.
You won’t always be enough for others, no matter how much you do for others. But you can choose to accept this reality.
Third Illusion: Thinking you can prevent your death (9:2-6,12)
3. Death is beyond your ability to prevent. But that’s ok, because Jesus defeated death.
Reflecting on Wisdom (9:7-10)
Choose to enjoy:
the good gifts God has blessed you with
the relationships God has blessed you with
the time God has blessed you with
the work God has blessed you with
Reflection
1. What have you been trying to control, that deep down you know is beyond your ability to control?
2. What underlying anxiety within you is driving your need for certainty?
