SUNDAY LESSON, 9/6/26
IDOLS OF THE HEART: “PLEASURE”
Ecclesiastes 2:1-10; Proverbs 4:23
This Sunday I will continue the series, IDOLS OF THE HEART, as we study the lesson that King Solomon learned when he pursued PLEASURE over God.
Is God opposed to pleasure? His design of the human body reveals that pleasure is part of His plan. Taste buds and other sensory organs are proof that God is not opposed to pleasure. Why does food taste so good? Why is the scent of roses pleasing? Why is the sound of birds chirping on a beautiful spring morning so soothing to the ears? Why is an intimate relationship enjoyable? Because God wanted it that way.
Pleasure was God’s idea. But our Heavenly Father who graciously gives us “every good and perfect gift” to enjoy (James 1:17), does not want those gifts to be loved more than the Giver. We are not to dethrone God and seat pleasure on the throne of hearts.
Come join us Sunday as we delve into the insights of King Solomon regarding his pursuit of pleasure over God and the conclusion he came to regarding his relationship with God as the Giver of all things.
ECCLESIASTES 2:1-10a
I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.” But that also proved to be meaningless. 2 “Laughter,” I said, “is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?” 3 I tried cheering myself with wine, and embracing folly—my mind still guiding me with wisdom. I wanted to see what was good for people to do under the heavens during the few days of their lives.
4 I undertook great projects: I built houses for myself and planted vineyards. 5 I made gardens and parks and planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. 6 I made reservoirs to water groves of flourishing trees. 7 I bought male and female slaves and had other slaves who were born in my house. I also owned more herds and flocks than anyone in Jerusalem before me. 8 I amassed silver and gold for myself, and the treasure of kings and provinces. I acquired male and female singers, and a harem[a] as well—the delights of a man’s heart. 9 I became greater by far than anyone in Jerusalem before me. In all this my wisdom stayed with me.
10 I denied myself nothing my eyes desired;
I refused my heart no pleasure.
PROVERBS 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.
