Slideshow image

Sermon Title: "The Way of the Poor Man"

Text: Ecclesiastes 9:11-18
Preacher: Alex Hogendoorn
Date: November 17, 2024

Summary Tagline:
"True wisdom, like Christ’s humility, works quietly and faithfully without seeking recognition."

Message Summary:
In Ecclesiastes 9:11-18, Solomon presents a vivid parable of a poor man who, through his wisdom, saves a small city from a powerful king’s siege. However, his deeds go unrecognized and forgotten. Alex unpacks this story, highlighting how the world often overlooks true wisdom, favoring power and loudness instead. Yet, this passage challenges believers to embrace the quiet, selfless wisdom of God, which transcends worldly accolades.

Alex draws a compelling parallel between the poor man in Ecclesiastes and Jesus Christ, who humbly entered the world as a servant and ultimately saved humanity through His sacrificial death. This "foolishness" of God, as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 1, is wiser than human wisdom. The sermon concludes with a call to walk the same path of humility, serving God and others with wisdom rooted in faith, even when it goes unseen or unacknowledged by the world.

Group Discussion Guide

Icebreaker Question: (Choose 1)

  1. What’s a quiet or unseen way someone has impacted your life? How did it affect you?
  2. If you were in charge of a small city under siege, what creative or unusual strategy might you use to save it?
  3. Who is someone you admire for their wisdom and humility? What have you learned from them?

Pray for God's leading in the discussion.

Read the passage together and discuss anything that comes up immediately.

Discussion Questions:

  1. The parable in Ecclesiastes highlights the forgotten poor man who saved a city. How does this story challenge the way we measure success and influence in the world today?
  2. Alex connected the poor man’s actions to Jesus’ humility on the cross. How does this comparison deepen your understanding of how God works through unexpected and quiet means?
  3. Solomon states, "Wisdom is better than weapons of war." How can you pursue this kind of wisdom in your life, especially in moments of conflict or difficulty?
  4. The poor man was motivated by love for his neighbors and the fear of God, not recognition. What motivates you to serve others, and how can this motivation align more closely with God’s wisdom?
  5. Reflecting on Philippians 2:5-11, how does Jesus’ example of humility inspire you to trust God when you feel unseen or unappreciated?

For Further Study:

  1. Philippians 2:5-11 – Jesus’ humility and exaltation.
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:25-31 – The wisdom and power of God through Christ’s "foolishness."
  3. Matthew 5:3-12 – The Beatitudes, especially those on humility and meekness.
  4. 2 Corinthians 8:9 – Christ became poor for our benefit
  5. Isaiah 53:2-3 – The suffering servant, despised and rejected.
  6. John 13:12-17 – Jesus washing His disciples’ feet as an act of humble service.
  7. James 3:13-18 – The contrast between earthly wisdom and wisdom from above.
  8. Romans 12:3-8 – Serving others with humility and grace.
  9. Mark 10:45 – "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve."

Gospel Connections

Let’s discuss how we can apply this message to our lives as we seek to make the following connections as we follow Jesus:

  1. Can you follow Jesus’ example as “the poor man”
and trust that God sees it?
  2. Consider your church family as the little city:
How can you serve the church to help make it strong?
  3. Is there a need in my group that I can meet
without recognition?
  4. Are there needs that you can meet sacrificially
in the city, at work, in your friend circles?
Adults
Gospel Communities