How Meaningless Living Looks in Church Folks

Ecclesiastes 5 marks a transition to practical teaching and addresses a final pursuit: “church-going” religion that can still be meaningless. Solomon warns temple worshipers to guard their steps and identifies three dangers that keep spiritual people from contentedness: many words but little listening to God, much activity but little quietness (restless striving), and many promises but little follow-through (unkept vows). The antidote is God-centered living summarized as “God is the one you must fear,” understood as awe of God’s greatness and grace that draws believers to trust him. The sermon applies this by emphasizing listening to God, obeying God, and measuring growth by increased trust.