In this concluding sermon on the study of Ecclesiastes, Pastor Dave Capoccia briefly reviews the answers to the book’s fundamental questions before reading the entire book from start to finish. The three questions Pastor Dave considers are: 1. What is the main message of Ecclesiastes? 2. How is the message of Ecclesiastes developed? 3. How…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia examines the epilogue section of Ecclesiastes. Pastor Dave explains how, in these last verses, Solomon provides five final clarifications so that you will not miss the message of Ecclesiastes but instead put God’s wisdom into practice: 1. These Words Were Carefully Prepared by a Discerning Teacher (v. 9) 2.…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia examines Solomon’s final charge to seize the day in Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8. Solomon provides five prodding reminders for why you must fear God and make the most of the best days God has given you. 1. Dark Days Are Coming (11:7-8) 2. God’s Assessment Is Coming (11:9) 3. Your Youth…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia examines Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 and Solomon’s teaching there about making the most of life amid risk. As Pastor Dave explains, Solomon gives three fundamental exhortations toward bold action so that you will not miss out on God’s good in life: 1. Take Wise Risks (vv. 1-2) 2. Beware Over Analysis…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia finishes looking at Solomon’s instruction regarding foolishness in Ecclesiastes 10:1-20. In part 2, Pastor Dave examines Solomon’s final two of four self-destructive characteristics of foolishness, especially in government, so that you will guard against folly and pursue wisdom instead. Pastor Dave also considers Solomon’s brief concluding bit of practical…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia begins looking at Solomon’s instruction regarding foolishness in Ecclesiastes 10:1-20. In part 1, Pastor Dave examines Solomon’s introduction and the first two of four self-destructive characteristics of foolishness, especially in government, so that you will guard against folly and pursue wisdom instead. Introduction: Wisdom Delivers, Folly Destroys (vv. 1-4)…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia looks at Solomon’s teaching in Ecclesiastes 9:11-18 regarding the need for wisdom in light of life’s uncertainty. Specifically, Solomon provides four poignant observations about life so that you will seek the limited but real power of wisdom. 1. No Outcome Is Guaranteed (v. 11) 2. Disaster Falls Down Suddenly…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia looks at a surprising, carpe diem style exhortation from Solomon in Ecclesiastes 8:16-9:10. Solomon gives two simple reasons why you should stop waiting and start making the most of your vaporous life from God: 1. Life Is Uncertain (8:16-9:1) 2. Death Is Certain (9:2-6) 3. Conclusion: Make the Most…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia again looks at Solomon’s wisdom for how to regard authorities, but this time from Eccl 8:10-15. Solomon’s counsel is that, despite injustice, you should fear God and enjoy life. Solomon presents this counsel by drawing attention to two difficult realities and two wise responses to those realities: 1. Reality:…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia, looks at the wisdom from Solomon about how one should regard authorities in Ecclesiastes 8:1-9. Solomon teaches that, If you want to be wise and avoid trouble, you should obey the authorities God has set up in your life. Solomon also gives four wise reasons why should obey even…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia completes examination of Solomon’s surprising teaching in Ecclesiastes 7:23-29. Solomon warns against vainly pursuing deep knowledge and instead urges you to understand and apply three basic life truths. In part 2, Pastor Dave explains the second and third basic truths from Solomon. Introduction: You cannot know the fundamental scheme…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia begins examining Solomon’s surprising teaching in Ecclesiastes 7:23-29. Solomon warns against vainly pursuing deep knowledge and instead urges you to understand and apply three basic life truths. In part 1, Pastor Dave examines the introduction and first basic truth. Introduction: You cannot know the fundamental scheme of the world…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia begins examining Solomon’s teaching as to how exactly God’s wisdom works with both great power and sobering limitation in life. In Ecclesiastes 7:15-22, Solomon gives two humbling exhortations to help you keep calm and carry on well in a fallen world. 1. Avoid Proud Extremes (15-18) 2. Remember Common…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia looks at the introductory poem to the second half of Ecclesiastes articulating true wisdom’s narrow way. In Ecclesiastes 7:1-14, Solomon provides five poignant comparisons to show how wisdom, while not ultimate, makes life better. 1. Facing Death Is Better Than Chasing Fun (vv. 1-4) 2. Rebuke Is Better Than…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia examines Solomon’s teaching in Ecclesiastes 6:1-12, a passage that functions as a kind of mirror to Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 and as a summary of the main points of the first half of the book. In Ecclesiastes 6:1-12, Solomon teaches that life without grateful enjoyment of God’s good gifts is miserable.…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia finishes looking at Solomon’s teaching on wealth in Ecclesiastes 5:8-20. Specifically, Pastor Dave explores in verses 13-20 Solomon’s second main reason to beware vainly seeking after wealth and instead rejoice gratefully in your portion from God: wealth ultimately won’t protect you. Full Transcript: Like last time I preached to…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia begins looking at Solomon’s teaching on the vanity of wealth in Ecclesiastes 5:8-20. Solomon gives two main reasons to beware vainly seeking after wealth and to gratefully rejoice instead in your portion from God. In part 1, Pastor Dave covers Solomon’s introduction in verses 8-9 about government corruption and…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia examines Solomon’s teaching in Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 about pious words. Pastor Dave explains how Solomon gives two sobering admonitions about words and worship so that you will wisely fear God instead of ruin yourself with religious folly. 1. Slow Down in Worship (vv. 1-3) 2. Be Careful in Promises (vv.…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia concludes his look at Solomon’s teaching on companionship in Ecclesiastes 4. After a brief review, Pastor Dave explains the final two crucial lessons from Solomon in Ecclesiastes 4:9-16 as to why this difficult and vaporous life is lived better together. In total, the five lessons from Solomon in this…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia begins examining Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 and Solomon’s teaching on companionship. Solomon presents five crucial lessons on companionship so that you will realize that this difficult and vaporous life is lived better together. In part one, Pastor Dave explains the first three more negative lessons on companionship in Ecclesiastes 4:1-8: 1.…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia continues to investigate Solomon’s teaching on how to respond wisely to life’s great frustrations. In Ecclesiastes 3:16-22, Solomon considers the frustration of life’s unresolvable injustice and gives three wise ways to respond: 1. Rest in God’s Justice (v. 17) 2. Remember Your Humble Position (vv. 18-21) 3. Rejoice in…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia examines Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 and Solomon’s teaching about the different times or seasons of life. Pastor Dave explains that, rather than romantically musing about life’s different times, Solomon shows how people ultimately have no control over their times. Solomon then presents how to respond wisely to the frustratingly uncontrollable times…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia finishes looking at the foundational teaching of Solomon in the beginning of Ecclesiastes. In Ecclesiastes 2:12-26, Solomon gives his final reflections on his personal experiments with wisdom and joy. More specifically, Solomon presents three truths about our coming deaths that should cause us to stop living for vapor and…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia continues looking at Solomon’s epic experiments with wisdom and joy in Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26. In Part 2, Pastor Dave looks specifically at Solomon’s experiment with joy in 2:1-11, explaining how Solomon shares his failure in his epic experiment with joy so that we will not vainly pursue the passing treasures…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia begins looking at Solomon’s epic experiments with wisdom and joy in Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26. In part 1, Pastor Dave looks specifically at Solomon’s experiment with wisdom in Ecclesiastes 1:12-18 and explains that Solomon’s failures in his epic quest for wisdom show the vanity of pursuing knowledge as a means of…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia examines Solomon’s first section of teaching in Ecclesiastes (1:3-11). Solomon provides four startling observations on the vapor-like nature of life so that you will not be deceived into living for this world. 1. The earth toils in an unsatisfying circle 2. Man toils in an unsatisfying circle 3. Man…
In this sermon, Pastor Dave Capoccia introduces the book of Ecclesiastes and explains its main message: life is a vapor, but embrace it is a gift and not as gain. Full Transcript: Something I’ve been wanting to do since graduating from seminary is to go through a book of the Bible with you verse by…