Week 17: July 6, 2025
Review this week's message
Pastor: Brandon Levering
Series: God in the Vapor
Sermon Title: Living with Eyes Wide Open
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:8-20
Series: God in the Vapor
Sermon Title: Living with Eyes Wide Open
Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:8-20
Main Point: Godly wisdom opens our eyes to walk faithfully with God on the often uneven path of life
The Danger of Greed (v. 8)
Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. (Ps. 7:14-16)
Greediness reflects a very small view of God
The Danger of Carelessness (vv. 9-11, 15)
The wise person will approach a task with the careful thought necessary to accomplish it
The Danger of Foolish Speech (vv. 12-14, 20)
“The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. . . . For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:6-8)
Words always flow from the heart...Wise words flow from a heart that has been transformed by Jesus
The Danger of Selfish Indulgence (vv. 16-19)
We were meant for so much more than simply being entertained or searching endlessly for fun. God did not create you and give you life in vain
The Danger of Greed (v. 8)
Behold, the wicked man conceives evil and is pregnant with mischief and gives birth to lies. He makes a pit, digging it out, and falls into the hole that he has made. His mischief returns upon his own head, and on his own skull his violence descends. (Ps. 7:14-16)
Greediness reflects a very small view of God
The Danger of Carelessness (vv. 9-11, 15)
The wise person will approach a task with the careful thought necessary to accomplish it
The Danger of Foolish Speech (vv. 12-14, 20)
“The tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. . . . For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:6-8)
Words always flow from the heart...Wise words flow from a heart that has been transformed by Jesus
The Danger of Selfish Indulgence (vv. 16-19)
We were meant for so much more than simply being entertained or searching endlessly for fun. God did not create you and give you life in vain
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?