Week 2: March 9, 2025
Review this week's message
Pastor: Brandon Levering
Series: God in the Vapor
Sermon Title: Life Under the Microscope
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
Series: God in the Vapor
Sermon Title: Life Under the Microscope
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18
Main Point: It’s good to wrestle honestly with life’s big questions, but don’t think that human wisdom alone can supply the answers
The Goodness of Asking Hard Questions
1 Kings 4 says, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt” (4:29-30)
The Limitations of Human Wisdom
The Necessity of Godly Wisdom
The Goodness of Asking Hard Questions
1 Kings 4 says, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt” (4:29-30)
The Limitations of Human Wisdom
The Necessity of Godly Wisdom
- Wrestle seriously with Scripture
- Wrestle in the context of the believing community
- Wrestle with reverence for God
- Wrestle with hope in Christ
It’s good to wrestle honestly with life’s big questions, but don’t think that human wisdom alone can supply the answers. We need godly wisdom, which is found ultimately in Christ
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?