Sermon Discussion

Message: Ecclesiastes – Pleasure

Text: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Introduction

The misconception about God is that He doesn’t want us to have fun and take pleasure in our lives. We think God’s laws and expectations as hindrance to our personal enjoyment of life. However, the truth is that God wants us to enjoy the blessings and pleasures of our lives. However, this enjoyment can only be found and experienced fully in God. Our lives become empty, meaningless, and “chasing after the wind” when we become engrossed in the material gifts and not the Gift-Giver. We chase after worldly pleasures but find that they only temporarily with happiness. But true and everlasting joy comes from seeking after God.

Discussion Questions

1. Finish this sentence: “I’ll be happy when….”
2. Solomon was seeking happiness and meaning in life. But what does that mean? How would you define these terms: happiness and meaning?
3. Between happiness and meaning, which is more important? Why? How can you tell when you are beginning to desire the lesser of the two about the one that is more important?
4. Does seeking your own happiness sound self-centered? Aren't Christians supposed to seek God, not their own pleasure? ( Hint: We value most what we delight in most. Pleasure is not God's competitor, idols are. Pleasure is simply a gauge that measures how valuable someone or something is to us. Pleasure is the measure of our treasure.)

Moving Forward

Hedonism is the belief that pleasure is the sole good. Pleasure and the pursuit of it will make you happy. Solomon becomes a hedonist who pursues these things with unparalleled gusto. Similarly, we all want to be happy and so we live solely for the pursuit of pleasure. However, our problem is not that we are hedonists, but rather that we are too easily pleased. And because we have settled for these “simple pleasures,” we live lives in meaningless and “chasing after the wind.” However, God invites us to experience true pleasure in Him.

Meditate

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.       - Psalm 16:11