A Study in Ecclesiastes: January 8-April 2

Chaos. That is a word that seems to capture the zeitgeist of our age. Instability, wars, pandemics, and institutional breakdown have led people to wonder: is anyone in control? Do meaning and purpose exist?  Indeed, with endless choices and uncertain times people today are less secure and more jaded than ever before. Doubts about everything are the new normal. We are living through an era that feels a bit … mad.

 

So… how do we live by faith in a world of madness? That is what the book of Ecclesiastes is about. It assumes doubts and offers answers not addressed anywhere else. It explores issues that haunt us at the end of life. In short, this ancient book offers meaning in the madness by directing us to the purpose giver: God himself.

 

Over the 12 weeks, we are going to explore all the important issues in life: Meaning, purpose, happiness, work, wealth, fame, power, suffering, justice, and death. The world’s answers are incoherent and incomplete. The teacher of Ecclesiastes shows us that order is possible in chaos, meaning is birthed despite the madness, and true beauty is revealed at the feet of our Creator King. Join us as we discover meaning in the madness.

Recommended companion reading:

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1/8 – Book and Series Introduction
1/15 –  Meaning in the Madness
1/22 – Purposeful Use of Time
1/29 – CONTEND CONFERENCE
2/5 – Meaningful Work
2/12 – False Meaning: Worship and Money
2/19 – Meaning in the Midst of Pain
2/26 – Wisdom and Meaning
3/5 – Meaningful Joy 
3/12 – The Danger of Folly
3/19 – Meaningful Risk
3/26 – The Creator of Meaning
4/2 – Meaningful Death 

Previous Sermons in this Series

The Reversal of the Madness – Pastor Bob Erbig and Pastor Dave Hentschel – 4-9-23
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April 9, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel and Pastor Bob Erbig preach to us this Easter Sunday with their sermon entitled: "The Reversal of the Madness" based on selections from Ecclesiastes and Philippians.
Archived Sermon Series, Bob Erbig, Dave Hentschel, madness 2023

The End of the Matter – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 4-2-23
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April 2, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled: "The End of the Matter" based on Ecclesiastes 12.9-14.
Archived Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel, madness 2023

The End of the Matter – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 4-2-23
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April 2, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled: "The End of the Matter" based on Ecclesiastes 12.9-14.
Archived Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel, madness 2023

Meaning and Eternity – Pastor Bob Erbig – Meaning in the Madness – 3-26-23
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March 26, 2023
Pastor Bob Erbig continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled: "Meaning and Eternity" based on Ecclesiastes 11:7-12:8.
Archived Sermon Series, Bob Erbig, madness 2023

A Biblical Perspective on Risk – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 3-19-23
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March 19, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled: "A Biblical Perspective on Risk."
Archived Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel, madness 2023

The Fight Against Folly – Pastor Bob Erbig – Meaning in the Madness – 3-12-23
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March 12, 2023
Pastor Bob Erbig continues our series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled: "The Fight Against Folly."
Archived Sermon Series, Bob Erbig, madness 2023

Meaning in the midst of Uncertainty – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 3-5-23
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March 5, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "Meaning in the midst of Uncertainty" based on Ecclesiastes 9:1-18.
Archived Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel, madness 2023

Wisdom in the Maze of Life – Pastor Bob Erbig – Meaning in the Madness – 2-26-23
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February 26, 2023
Pastor Bob Erbig continues our series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled: "Wisdom in the Maze of Life," based on Ecclesiastes 8:1-17.
Archived Sermon Series, Bob Erbig, madness 2023

Why do Good People Suffer? – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 2-19-23
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February 19, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "Why do Good People Suffer?" based on Ecclesiastes 6:1-7:29.
Archived Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel, madness 2023

The Struggle for Meaning at Work – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 2-5-23
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February 5, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "The Struggle for Meaning at Work," based on Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:16.
Archived Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel, madness 2023

Meaning and Time – Pastor Dave Hentschel – Meaning in the Madness – 1-22-23
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January 22, 2023
Pastor Dave Hentschel continues our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled "Meaning and Time" based on Ecclesiastes 3:1-15.
Archived Sermon Series, Dave Hentschel, madness 2023

Life Past the Exit Sign – Pastor Bob Erbig – Meaning in the Madness – 1-8-23
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January 8, 2023
Pastor Bob Erbig kicks off our sermon series, Meaning in the Madness, with his sermon entitled, "Life Past the Exit Sign."
Archived Sermon Series, Bob Erbig, madness 2023