Week 11: May 25, 2025
Review this week's message
Pastor: Brandon Levering
Series: God in the Vapor
Sermon Title: Lessons from the Funeral Parlor
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-13
Series: God in the Vapor
Sermon Title: Lessons from the Funeral Parlor
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-13
Main Point: Let death’s certainty teach you how to truly live
An Unexpected Teacher (7:1-4)
An Unexpected Teacher (7:1-4)
“It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for this is the end of all mankind, and the living will lay it to heart” (7:2)
Three Lessons to Live By (7:5-13)
- Take Life Seriously (5-7)
- Respond to Life Patiently (8-10)
- Live Life Wisely (11-13)
The problem is when amusement or entertainment supply the lenses through which we see and interpret the world
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” (1 Pet. 1:13-16)
The only way back to the garden is forward through the cross and resurrection
“God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21:3-4)
Talk It Over
Use the content in our Discussion Guide below to help you dig deeper into the lessons covered in the sermons
CONTEXT: “How does this passage fit within the history behind it and verses around it?”
Place the passage within its literary surroundings or historical background as well as consider the circumstances in which it was written (see above for more context questions).
Use the content in our Discussion Guide below to help you dig deeper into the lessons covered in the sermons
CONTEXT: “How does this passage fit within the history behind it and verses around it?”
Place the passage within its literary surroundings or historical background as well as consider the circumstances in which it was written (see above for more context questions).
- Are there any clues about the circumstances in which the passage was written?
OBSERVATION: “What do I see in this passage?”
Examine the passage by making notes, asking questions, and considering the structure, tone, and wording of the passage (see above for more observation questions).
Examine the passage by making notes, asking questions, and considering the structure, tone, and wording of the passage (see above for more observation questions).
- Are there repetitions or multiple instances of similar ideas? Do these repetitions make a particular point, or point to the structure of the passage?
- What images or metaphors does the author use? What do they indicate about God or the other people in the text?
- What is the tone of the passage? What emotions is the author drawing out?
- What is the main point or points?
MEANING: “What does this passage mean?”
Consider the main point or idea that the original human author wanted his original audience to understand in a particular text from our study of context and observation thus far (see above for more meaning questions).
Consider the main point or idea that the original human author wanted his original audience to understand in a particular text from our study of context and observation thus far (see above for more meaning questions).
- Are there specific instructions/commands given to the reader? Does this passage mention any consequence for not following God's commands?
- What does the passage teach us about God, his people, and life in this world?
- How does the passage point forward to Jesus?
APPLICATION: “How should this passage affect me today?”
Define shared principles between the original audience and us today and make a plan to put those principles into practice (see above for more application questions).
Define shared principles between the original audience and us today and make a plan to put those principles into practice (see above for more application questions).
- How does this passage challenge or confirm your understanding?
- Is there some attitude you need to change?
- How does this passage call on you to change the way you live?