Sunday Sermon Outline: Ecclesiastes 12

The Conclusion
Ecclesiastes 12

Introduction: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. [14] For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”


I.  The Motivation vs. 1-8
     “Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, “I have no delight in them”; [2] before the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are darkened, and clouds return after the rain; [3] in the day that the watchmen of the house tremble, and mighty men stoop, the grinding ones stand idle because they are few, and those who look through windows grow dim; [4] and the doors on the street are shut as the sound of the grinding mill is low, and one will arise at the sound of the bird, and all the daughters of song will sing softly. [5] Furthermore, men are afraid of a high place and of terrors on the road; the almond tree blossoms, the grasshopper drags himself along, and the caperberry is ineffective. For man goes to his eternal home while mourners go about in the street. [6] Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; [7] then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. [8] “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!””

1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 4:16


II. The Instruction vs. 9-12
     “[9] In addition to being a wise man, the Preacher also taught the people knowledge; and he pondered, searched out and arranged many proverbs. [10] The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. [11] The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd. [12] But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.”

Ephesians 4:11-13; Titus 1:9; Hebrews 13:7-9; John 5:39-40


III. The Conclusion vs. 13-14
     “[13] The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. [14] For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

Revelation 14:6-7; 2 Corinthians 5:1-11


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Ecclesiastes 11

Sow With a View to Righteousness
Ecclesiastes 11

Introduction: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. [14] For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

 Hosea 10:12


I.   Work Wisely  vs. 1-2
     “Cast your bread on the surface of the waters, for you will find it after many days. [2] Divide your portion to seven, or even to eight, for you do not know what misfortune may occur on the earth.”

 Matthew 6:19-21


II. Work Trustingly  vs. 3-6
     “[3] If the clouds are full, they pour out rain upon the earth; and whether a tree falls toward the south or toward the north, wherever the tree falls, there it lies. [4] He who watches the wind will not sow and he who looks at the clouds will not reap. [5] Just as you do not know the path of the wind and how bones are formed in the womb of the pregnant woman, so you do not know the activity of God who makes all things. [6] Sow your seed in the morning and do not be idle in the evening, for you do not know whether morning or evening sowing will succeed, or whether both of them alike will be good.”

 Psalm 37:3-18


III. Work Joyfully  vs. 7-10
     “[7] The light is pleasant, and it is good for the eyes to see the sun. [8] Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility. [9] Rejoice, young man, during your childhood, and let your heart be pleasant during the days of young manhood. And follow the impulses of your heart and the desires of your eyes. Yet know that God will bring you to judgment for all these things. [10] So, remove grief and anger from your heart and put away pain from your body, because childhood and the prime of life are fleeting.”

Ecclesiastes 9:10; John 9:4; Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 2 Corinthians 6:16 – 7:1


Conclusion: Hosea 10:12


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Ecclesiastes 10

The Foolishness of Foolishness
Ecclesiastes 10

Introduction: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. [14] For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

1 Corinthians 1:19-25


I.   Belief does not guarantee blessing. vs. 1-4
     "Dead flies make a perfumer's oil stink, so a little foolishness is weightier than wisdom and honor. [2] A wise man's heart directs him toward the right, but the foolish man's heart directs him toward the left. [3] Even when the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking and he demonstrates to everyone that he is a fool. [4] If the ruler's temper rises against you, do not abandon your position, because composure allays great offenses.”

James 2:19; Revelation 3:15-16


II. Status does not guarantee success. vs. 5-10
     “[5] There is an evil I have seen under the sun, like an error which goes forth from the ruler— [6] folly is set in many exalted places while rich men sit in humble places. [7] I have seen slaves riding on horses and princes walking like slaves on the land. [8] He who digs a pit may fall into it, and a serpent may bite him who breaks through a wall. [9] He who quarries stones may be hurt by them, and he who splits logs may be endangered by them. [10] If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success.”

1 Peter 5:6


III. Words do not guarantee wealth. vs. 11-14 
     “[11] If the serpent bites before being charmed, there is no profit for the charmer. [12] Words from the mouth of a wise man are gracious, while the lips of a fool consume him; [13] the beginning of his talking is folly and the end of it is wicked madness. [14] Yet the fool multiplies words. No man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after him?”

Ecclesiastes 5:3; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 14:19


IV. Effort does not guarantee effectiveness. vs. 15-20
     “[15] The toil of a fool so wearies him that he does not even know how to go to a city. [16] Woe to you, O land, whose king is a lad and whose princes feast in the morning. [17] Blessed are you, O land, whose king is of nobility and whose princes eat at the appropriate time—for strength and not for drunkenness. [18] Through indolence the rafters sag, and through slackness the house leaks. [19] Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything. [20] Furthermore, in your bedchamber do not curse a king, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse a rich man, for a bird of the heavens will carry the sound and the winged creature will make the matter known.”

Proverbs 13:4; Matthew 25:29; Psalm 127:1-2


Conclusion: 1 John 5:4; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Matthew 12:34-37; 1 Timothy 5:18; Matthew 25:26, 30; Ephesians 4:12; Revelation 14:13


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Ecclesiastes 9

One Life Under God
Ecclesiastes 9

Introduction: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. [14] For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”


I.  Use your time wisely. vs. 1-6
     “For I have taken all this to my heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God. Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him. [2] It is the same for all. There is one fate for the righteous and for the wicked; for the good, for the clean and for the unclean; for the man who offers a sacrifice and for the one who does not sacrifice. As the good man is, so is the sinner; as the swearer is, so is the one who is afraid to swear. [3] This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that there is one fate for all men. Furthermore, the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead. [4] For whoever is joined with all the living, there is hope; surely a live dog is better than a dead lion. [5] For the living know they will die; but the dead do not know anything, nor have they any longer a reward, for their memory is forgotten. [6] Indeed their love, their hate and their zeal have already perished, and they will no longer have a share in all that is done under the sun.” 

Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12; 3:23; Ecclesiastes 7:2; 1 Timothy 6:17-19


II. Live your life fully. vs. 7-10
     “[7] Go then, eat your bread in happiness and drink your wine with a cheerful heart; for God has already approved your works. [8] Let your clothes be white all the time, and let not oil be lacking on your head. [9] Enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of your fleeting life which He has given to you under the sun; for this is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have labored under the sun. [10] Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.” 

 Revelation 3:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12; John 9:4


III. Prepare for your death immediately. vs. 11-12
     “[11] I again saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift and the battle is not to the warriors, and neither is bread to the wise nor wealth to the discerning nor favor to men of ability; for time and chance overtake them all. [12] Moreover, man does not know his time: like fish caught in a treacherous net and birds trapped in a snare, so the sons of men are ensnared at an evil time when it suddenly falls on them.” 

 Luke 21:34-36


IV. Examine everything carefully. vs. 13-18
     “[13] Also this I came to see as wisdom under the sun, and it impressed me. [14] There was a small city with few men in it and a great king came to it, surrounded it and constructed large siegeworks against it. [15] But there was found in it a poor wise man and he delivered the city by his wisdom. Yet no one remembered that poor man. [16] So I said, “Wisdom is better than strength.” But the wisdom of the poor man is despised and his words are not heeded. [17] The words of the wise heard in quietness are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools. [18] Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys much good.” 

1 Corinthians 3:19; Proverbs 2:6-10; James 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; 1 Corinthians 1:27-29; Jeremiah 7:27-28; 13:11; Matthew 23:37; 2 Timothy 4:3-4


Conclusion: John 12:31; 2 Timothy 3:12-17


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Sunday Sermon Outline: Ecclesiastes 8

“Life from a Divine Perspective”
Ecclesiastes 8

Introduction: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. [14] For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”


I.  The wise man will submit to the Lord. vs. 1-8
     “Who is like the wise man and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man's wisdom illumines him and causes his stern face to beam. [2] I say, “Keep the command of the king because of the oath before God. [3] Do not be in a hurry to leave him. Do not join in an evil matter, for he will do whatever he pleases.” [4] Since the word of the king is authoritative, who will say to him, “What are you doing?” [5] He who keeps a royal command experiences no trouble, for a wise heart knows the proper time and procedure. [6] For there is a proper time and procedure for every delight, though a man's trouble is heavy upon him. [7] If no one knows what will happen, who can tell him when it will happen? [8] No man has authority to restrain the wind with the wind, or authority over the day of death; and there is no discharge in the time of war, and evil will not deliver those who practice it.”

2 Kings 11:17-18; Hebrews 13:7; Luke 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 6:12


II. The wicked man will be judged by the Lord. vs. 9-13
     “[9] All this I have seen and applied my mind to every deed that has been done under the sun wherein a man has exercised authority over another man to his hurt. [10] So then, I have seen the wicked buried, those who used to go in and out from the holy place, and they are soon forgotten in the city where they did thus. This too is futility. [11] Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed quickly, therefore the hearts of the sons of men among them are given fully to do evil. [12] Although a sinner does evil a hundred times and may lengthen his life, still I know that it will be well for those who fear God, who fear Him openly. [13] But it will not be well for the evil man and he will not lengthen his days like a shadow, because he does not fear God.”

Matthew 25:41, 46


III. Every man should prepare for the Lord. vs. 14-17
     “[14] There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the wicked. On the other hand, there are evil men to whom it happens according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility. [15] So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for a man under the sun except to eat and to drink and to be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun. [16] When I gave my heart to know wisdom and to see the task which has been done on the earth (even though one should never sleep day or night), [17] and I saw every work of God, I concluded that man cannot discover the work which has been done under the sun. Even though man should seek laboriously, he will not discover; and though the wise man should say, “I know,” he cannot discover.”

Revelation 14:10-12; Hebrews 10:30; 13:5; Galatians 6:7-9


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