Saved From the World’s Expectations

Our topic tonight is Saved from the World’s Expectations. This lesson comes from the book of Ecclesiastes—a book I keep in regular rotation in my Bible reading because of the valuable and practical wisdom it contains. It makes us pay attention to how Solomon words things and builds his argument all the way to chapter 12, where he commands us to fear God and keep His commandments.

Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon addresses themes like our hearts, the world’s perspective versus God’s, money, work, and how we use our limited time on earth. He reminds us that life here is like a vapor, but eternity lasts forever—and that what we do now impacts the life to come.

Illustration: Captain Scott’s Baggage

In the early 1900s, British Navy Captain Robert Falcon Scott led expeditions to Antarctica. On his second attempt to reach the South Pole, Scott chose ponies instead of dog sleds—an odd choice for the icy terrain. When the ponies failed, his team resorted to hauling their own heavy supplies. They carried so much unnecessary baggage that their progress slowed, and when storms hit, they were trapped. Just 11 miles from their next supply point, Scott and his remaining team perished.

The primary reason for their failure? Too much baggage.

Spiritually, the same can happen to us. We can carry unnecessary burdens—expectations from others and from ourselves—that slow us down and keep us from reaching our destination. If a storm comes, we may feel like giving up entirely.

The World Expects Success—God Calls for Faithfulness

The world defines success through achievements, possessions, and status. We feel pressure from employers, parents, friends, and even ourselves to measure up. But God’s standard is different: He calls us to be faithful.

Solomon knew success by the world’s standards:

"I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made gardens and parks and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees. I bought male and female slaves… I had great possessions of herds and flocks… I gathered silver and gold… I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem… And behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind." (Ecclesiastes 2:4–11)

Solomon had it all—work accomplishments, possessions, personal greatness—but concluded it was meaningless apart from God.

When the world demands success, God asks for faithfulness. And here’s the twist: being faithful to God is true success.

The World Breeds Discontent—God Calls Us to See Our Blessings

Our culture constantly tells us to want more: a better phone, a bigger vacation, the next upgrade. Social media fuels comparison and dissatisfaction.

Solomon writes:

"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money… This also is vanity. Sweet is the sleep of a laborer… but the full stomach of the rich will not let him sleep." (Ecclesiastes 5:10–12)

Contentment doesn’t come from how much we have, but from recognizing God’s blessings. We can even find joy in our work:

"Everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man." (Ecclesiastes 3:13)

Work is not a curse. Adam and Eve had work before sin entered the world. God designed us to find purpose and satisfaction in what He’s given us to do.

The World Says “Follow Your Heart”—God Says “Follow My Way”

“Follow your heart” is the world’s mantra for decisions about relationships, worship, and morality. But Scripture warns that our hearts can lead us into dangerous places. God calls us to surrender to His will.

Jesus modeled this in Gethsemane. In His humanity, He desired another way, yet submitted to the Father’s plan (Luke 22:42).

Solomon reminds us in Ecclesiastes 9 that life is short, death comes to all, and what matters most is walking with God. A “living dog is better than a dead lion”—it’s better to be alive with opportunity to serve God than to have had worldly greatness without Him.

When we follow our hearts, we risk destruction. When we follow God’s way, we find abundant life—now and forever (John 10:10).

Conclusion: Lighten the Load

The world’s expectations—success, discontentment, self-direction—are heavy baggage. Solomon’s wisdom shows us how to let go:

• When the world calls for success, choose faithfulness.

• When the world breeds discontent, see God’s blessings in your life.

• When the world says “follow your heart,” follow God’s way.

If we drop the unnecessary weight and walk with God, we will be ready when the storms of life come.