Help QuickNav Adv. Options
KJV

KJV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Prior Book Prior Section Back to Commentaries Author Bio & Contents Next Section Next Book
Cite Print
The Blue Letter Bible
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources

Chuck Smith :: Sermon Notes for Ecclesiastes 1:1-3

Choose a new font size and typeface
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
"FRUSTRATION, IT'S CAUSE AND CURE"
I. FRUSTRATION - THWARTED DESIRES.
A. Three types:
1. Environmental.
2. Personal.
3. Conflict.
a. Approach - approach.
b. Avoidance - avoidance.
c. Approach - avoidance.
B. Our reactions to them can take two forms:
1. Aggressive.
2. Withdraw, hide.
II. THE CAUSES OF FRUSTRATIONS.
A. Trying to find fulfillment in things physical.
1. Some seek to deny or ignore the spiritual dimension of man's nature.
2. The real you is spirit.
3. The body is not really you, only house.
a. Thus to live for body and to seek only to satisfy its appetites will lead to emptiness.
4. Physical life moves in monotonous cycles, vs. 4-12.
a. "Nothing new under sun."
5. Physical joys not lasting, vs. 2:1-3.
6. Physical work and possession are also empty, vs. 2:4-11.
7. Even intellectual pursuit of purely physical things is empty and frustrating, vs. 2:12-23.
B. Why is the physical realm frustrating?
1. It is so short lived.
a. My strength fails.
b. Beauty fades.
c. The grave waits for what's left.
2. You give your life for a project.
a. After you are gone those who follow may destroy all you built up.
III. THE CURE.
A. Place the spiritual dimension of your life first. Give it top priority.
1. "Seek ye first the kingdom..."
2. This is the supernatural way to live.
a. From natural birth, body appetites ruled. "Ye must be born again."
b. From spiritual birth now rules.
B. So gratifying to know my labor is not just wasted on my appetite.
1. "Your labor for the Lord is not in vain."
2. That my treasure cannot be lost to:
a. Decaying processes.
b. Thieves.
c. Inflation.
C. It all begins when you invite Jesus Christ to become Lord of your life.
Sermon Notes for Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 ← Prior Section
Sermon Notes for Ecclesiastes 1:13-18, 2:1-17 Next Section →
Sermon Notes for Proverbs 1:7 ← Prior Book
Sermon Notes for Song of Solomon 1 Next Book →
← Back to Chuck Smith's Bio & Resources
← Back to all Commentaries
BLB Searches
Search the Bible
KJV
  [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
KJV
Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan

CONTENT DISCLAIMER:

The Blue Letter Bible ministry and the BLB Institute hold to the historical, conservative Christian faith, which includes a firm belief in the inerrancy of Scripture. Since the text and audio content provided by BLB represent a range of evangelical traditions, all of the ideas and principles conveyed in the resource materials are not necessarily affirmed, in total, by this ministry.