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Ecclesiastes

Ecclesiastes examines life under the sun, exposes the limits of earthly striving, and calls us to fear God and receive his gifts.

24 sermons · 11 devotions

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Sermons from Ecclesiastes

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Pride and Position

Bryan Schneider

December 12, 2025

Ecclesiastes 10:4-7

We like to think that we're totally free here in America. But even here, we are still under more authority than we realize at times. And sometimes those authorities are wise, sometimes they are not, and sometimes they are even angry. The Bible gives us many examples of how wise people reacted to an angry king or ruler: David and Saul, Daniel's three friends and Nebuchadnezzar, Nehemiah and Artaxerxes, and even Christ Himself before Pilate. Conciliation pacifies great offenses. It's not uncommon for fools to be promoted to high places, while those who are honorable are treated like dirt. And when this happens, the people suffer for it. The world has been turned upside down, and we know it shouldn't be this way. But the King of glory Himself came to earth as a man, and suffered humiliation and even death, so that the world would be flipped over again. In this world, we need to maintain a Christian posture. Don't be surprised when people look down on us, even though we are sons and daughters of the King. And we will despair if we place our confidence in finally having all the right people in government offices, or even in the church. So we must not put our hope there. The anchor of our soul is in Jesus alone, and not in any earthly authority system. Our hope must be grounded in Christ. Rulers will mess things up under the sun. But in heaven, King Jesus still reigns perfectly, and we can look forward to the day when He will return and make all things right.

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On Wisdom and Folly

Bryan Schneider

December 5, 2025

Ecclesiastes 10:1-3

Folly makes things foul. It destroys the reputation of those who are in high esteem, but then engage in foolish acts. Folly is connected with sinful ways of thinking that influence our lives. There is only one Man Whose life was never stained with sin or folly: Jesus Christ. He is the embodiment of purity and wisdom. As we increase in wisdom, we increase in the ability to live life skillfully for God's Kingdom. We can only become truly wise by seeking the Lord in His Word and knowing Him. As we do so, our affections are stirred up and we long to have our clumsy, foolish lives changed and made holy. Fools manifest their folly by calling everything foolish that's outside of "their own ways." Refusing to follow practical advice when it doesn't contradict Scripture is folly itself. This pride will also keep us from the wisdom of God in Christ. We can live our lives with Christ-filled skill; but it starts with God humbling our heart, leading us to Jesus, and causing us to abide in Him and bring forth much fruit for His glory.

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Wisdom is Not Respected

Bryan Schneider

November 28, 2025

Ecclesiastes 9:13-18

A quiet wise man can save a city, but a loud fool can ruin it. What are you listening to and being discipled by in life: the still small voice of God's Word, or the bombastic clamor of the world? The hero in Solomon's story is not who we would expect it to be: a poor wise man without rank or riches. Similarly, our salvation comes from an unlikely source. Jesus was the wise Man Who was poor and despised in this world, but He delivered us from the strong man of sin and death. Sadly, however, just like with Jesus, the unfortunate reality is that the world doesn't always honor those who who save and care for them. They prefer to give attention and preference to those who are loud and noisy, even if their words are worthless. Let's honor those who are Biblically wise, not those in the spotlight who tell us what we want to hear through a microphone. Many families, friendships, churches, and businesses are destroyed because of one loud fool. Who is guiding your soul and your life? The Good Shepherd, or the noisy commentators of the world? Tune your ears to the quiet voice of God's Word. And if the world thinks you're a fool, so be it, and give God the glory. They esteemed Christ as a fool too.

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Carpe Diem - Seize the Day

Bryan Schneider

November 21, 2025

Ecclesiastes 9:1-12

Seize the day that God has given you, and use it for the glory of His Kingdom! Death is certain to come to us all; but in the meantime, life is a gift from the Lord. He has given us good gifts, and He wants us to take them with an open hand. We can live joyfully with our spouse, and we can enjoy the work that God has given us to do. And even when disastrous things happen to us, we know that these things are not accidents. Our life is in the Lord's hands, and we can trust Him. Seize the day for Jesus Christ, and live with the full knowledge and assurance that you can trust Him with your life.

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Politics, Justice, and Frustration

Bryan Schneider

October 24, 2025

Ecclesiastes 8

Solomon presents us with heavy thoughts here, but the rest of the Scriptures provide us with the joy, peace, and hope that the Lord offers and Solomon wanted to know. We are called to obey lawful authorities over us; and even though there are times when tyrants rule unjustly, we don't ever have to worry about the King of kings ruling unrighteously. This world is unjust and corrupt, but there is a day of justice to come -- it's not the end of the story, and we do have a Righteous Judge. Our King will return and give each one his due, but we don't need to fear this final judgment if we are in Christ. There are things in life that we can't control. We can either spend all our time in anxiety over them, or we can enjoy the good blessings in life that the Lord has given us. We do not have to be shackled by anxiety and lack of control over things we can't change. We can rest in the assurance that our Redeemer lives, and that all injustice will be set right one day. Rest in Christ and His love!

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Coffee & Devotions in Ecclesiastes

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 11

Ecclesiastes 11:1–12:14

Is Life Useless?

Because people cannot know every work of God or control the future, they should act with principled wisdom rather than paralysis, receive both joy and...

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 11

Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14

Ecclesiastes 11:1-12:14

The Preacher closes by urging joyful, responsible living, remembrance of the Creator before age and death, careful reception of wise truth, and readin...

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 9

Ecclesiastes 9:1-10:20

Ecclesiastes 9:1-10:20

Death and unpredictable events come to righteous and wicked alike, so receive present life, marriage, work, and joy from God. Quiet wisdom is better t...

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 7

Ecclesiastes 7:1–8:17

You'll Never Understand It All

Ecclesiastes 7–8 teaches sober wisdom for a world whose providence people cannot unravel: receive wise rebuke, reject quick anger, legalism, sexual fo...

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 7

Ecclesiastes 7:1-8:17

Ecclesiastes 7:1-8:17

Ecclesiastes commends sober wisdom, reverent fear, obedience, humility, and contentment under God's inscrutable sovereignty, since people cannot strai...

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 4

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6:12

Ecclesiastes 4:4-6:12

Envious toil, isolation, unteachable leadership, rash religious vows, oppression, greed, and riches cannot satisfy or endure. Wisdom commends quiet co...

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 3

Ecclesiastes 3:9-4:3

Ecclesiastes 3:9-4:3

God makes everything beautiful in its time and establishes his works beyond human comprehension, so people should fear him and gratefully enjoy daily ...

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 2

Ecclesiastes 2:12-3:8

Ecclesiastes 2:12-3:8

Wisdom is better than folly, yet both wise and foolish people die and are forgotten. Labor cannot give permanent meaning because another person inheri...

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 2

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Vanity vs. Contentment

The preacher tested pleasure, wealth, impressive works, servants, music, and every desire while retaining wisdom. Although he enjoyed his labor, revie...

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 2

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11

The Preacher tests pleasure, possessions, projects, wealth, entertainment, work, and every desire, only to find that none gives lasting profit or sati...

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Ecclesiastes

Chapter 1

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

Ecclesiastes 1:1-18

The Preacher observes life's frustrating cycles: generations pass, creation repeats its courses, people labor without lasting satisfaction, history is...

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