Contents:

PREFACE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABBREVIATIONS
TRANSLITERATIONS

1. Preaching Ecclesiastes
The Value of Preaching Ecclesiastes
Difficulties in Interpreting Ecclesiastes
The Nature of Wisdom Literature
The Relation of Wisdom to Redemptive History
Contradictions
The Historical Setting of Ecclesiastes
The Author(s)
The Original Recipients
The Date of Composition
The Place of Composition
The Purpose of Ecclesiastes
The Genre and Forms of Ecclesiastes
Reflection
Proverb
Instruction
Autobiographical
Narrative
Anecdote
Metaphor
Allegory
The Structure of Ecclesiastes
Literary Patterns
Juxtapositions
The Overall Structure
The Overall Message of Ecclesiastes
Difficulties in Preaching Ecclesiastes
Selecting a Proper Preaching Text
Formulating a Single Theme
Preaching Christ from Ecclesiastes
Redemptive-Historical Progression
Promise-Fulfillment
Typology Analogy
Longitudinal Themes
New Testament References
Contrast
2. No Gain from All Our Toil Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
3. The Teacher's Search for Meaning Ecclesiastes 1:12-2:26
4. God Set the Times Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
5. Working in a Wicked World Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:6
6. Working Together Ecclesiastes 4:7-16
7. Worshiping in God's House Ecclesiastes 5:1-7
8. The Love of Money Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:9
9. How to Handle Adversity Ecclesiastes 6:10-734
10. How to Act in a Paradoxical World Ecclesiastes 7:15-29
11. Use Wisdom but Know Its Limitations Ecclesiastes 83-17
12. Enjoy Life! Ecclesiastes 9:1-12
13. Because of the Harm Inflicted by Folly, Use Wisdom! Ecclesiastes 9:13-10:20
14. Take Risks Boldly but Wisely! Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
15. Remember Your Creator! Ecclesiastes 1E7-12:8
16. Fear God, and Keep His Commandments! Ecclesiastes 12:9-14
Appendixes
1. Ten Steps from Text to Sermon
2. An Expository Sermon Model
3. A Meditation on Ecclesiastes 3:1-15
4. A Sermon on Ecclesiastes 9:1-12
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
SCRIPTURE INDEX
SUBJECT INDEX
TARGETS FOR SERMONS
TOPICS FOR SERMONS