The Chase: A Study of Ecclesiastes
June 29th, 2025 – Chasing After Pleasure
Ecclesiastes 2
Dave Rhoades – Ministry Assistant
New Day Christian Church – Sarasota, FL
Welcome to the Sermon Outline!
Follow along with the Sermon and take notes.
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Introduction:
Welcome – Ecclesiastes Ch. 2
Background info about King Solomon
Solomon’s Big Questions?
– Many of us have wrestled with these questions at some point during our lives.
- How can we find true happiness?
- What purpose do we truly have?
The King’s Test:
Test to find out what is good
[Ecclesiastes 2:1-2 NIV] “I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?”
- Can worldly pleasures provide justification for human existence?
Wine and Folly (laughter)
[Ecclesiastes 2:3 NIV] “I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.”
- Can we party our way to true happiness?
Projects and Works
[Ecclesiastes 2:4-6 NIV] “I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees.”
- How do I attempt to justify my life thorough my accomplishments?
Just Buy It
[Ecclesiastes 2:7-8 NIV] “I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem as well—the delights of a man’s heart.”
- How have I tried to buy my happiness?
- Where did it get me?
Review the Results
The Overview
[Ecclesiastes 2:9-10 NIV] “I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me. 10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my labor, and this was the reward for all my toil.”
- Where is my heart at?
The Results
[Ecclesiastes 2:11 NIV] “Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”
- What pleasures in this life am I chasing?
APPLICATION
1. EVALUATE YOUR PURSUITS
- Are my pursuits aligned with God’s purpose for my life?
- Am I getting caught up in chasing pleasure?
[1Timothy 6:9-10 NIV] 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
2. EMBRACE GOD’S GIFTS
- Where do I see moments of joy in my life?
[Philippians 4:11-13 NIV] 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
3. LIVE LIFE WITH AN ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
- How am I storing up temporary treasures on earth?
- How can I focus on eternal treasures?
[Matthew 6:19-21 NIV] 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
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