Wisdom and Pleasure
Pelham Campus Pastor
Key Points
God is not the enemy of pleasure; He’s the author of it. God designed us to desire and enjoy pleasure.
Pleasure promises escape from life's hardships but does not deliver. The more we chase pleasure as an escape, the less pleasure we will find.
Pleasure promises: "If I had ______, then I would be happy." What do each of us put in the blank?
If we pursue pleasure as far as we can but don’t have God, in the end we are left with nothing. (2:11)
There’s nothing better than enjoying God and receiving whatever gifts He gives us. (2:24-25)
Delight ultimately comes from God. It comes from denying ourselves pleasures at times to make room for enjoying God. It comes when we lament to God and work through our pain rather than escape it. It arises from enjoying what God provides with gratitude.
Main Passage Excerpt:
I said to myself, “Come on, let’s try pleasure. Let’s look for the ‘good things’ in life.” But I found that this, too, was meaningless. So I said, “Laughter is silly. What good does it do to seek pleasure?” After much thought, I decided to cheer myself with wine. And while still seeking wisdom, I clutched at foolishness. In this way, I tried to experience the only happiness most people find during their brief life in this world.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-11All Scripture Readings:
Look What God Has Done | Corey Voss & Madison Street Worship
Psalms 77 | Psalm 126:2-3 | Philippians 2:9-11
Worthy of it All | CeCe Winans
Revelation 4 | Revelation 5:8
What a Worthy Name | Passion & Chidima
Philippians 2:6-11 | Colossians 1:17-18 | Revelation 22:13
Better Is One Day | Matt Redman
Psalm 84:10 | Psalm 42:1
Good Plans | Red Rocks Worship
Psalm 23 | Romans 8:31-39
Great Are You Lord | All Sons & Daughters
Psalm 104 • Psalm 98:4-9 • John 1:4-5