Maturity

Ecclesiastes | And the Power to Enjoy

In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon pulls no punches. Though he has access to more wealth, prestige, experiences–though he has more accomplishments than most humans ever will–he finds the end result of them all severely lacking. “Vanity,” he says. Meaningless. A striving after the wind.

In chapter 5, he notes there is a difference between having wealth and possessions and “power to enjoy them” (Eccl 5:19). The whole book seeks to answer the question, how do we, as finite humans who all face the certainty of death, get the power to enjoy the imperfect lives we have? 

The only answer, which we’ll trace through the major movements of the book, is to live with a perspective that is beyond the sun, rather than under the sun. To have our eyes set on the eternal, not the earthly.

To help facilitate LifeGroup discussion, we'll be posting resources for each week of the series.

Week 1: Is This It?

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 2: That Won't Fix You

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 3:

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 4:

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 5:

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 6:

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 7:

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

JAMES

To faithfully follow Jesus, our faith must be marked by action. Our belief should lead us into good works and obedience. In the book of James, we are challenged by the brother of Jesus to examine the authenticity of our faith and to ensure that it fills each area of our everyday lives.

To help facilitate LifeGroup discussion, we'll be posting resources for each week of the series.

Week 1: Consider it Joy (James 1:1-12)

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 2: When He Is Tempted (James 1:13-18)

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 3: Be Doers of the Word, and Not Hearers Only (James 1:19-2:13)

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 4: Is It Faith? (James 2:14-26)

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 5: Taming the Tongue (James 3:1-18)

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 6: What Causes Quarrels Among You? (James 4:1-12)

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 7: You Are a Mist (James 4:13-5:6)

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)

Week 8: Establish Your Hearts

(Sermon) (LifeGroup Guide) (Sermon Outline)