It’s Complicated

Ecclesiastes 7:15-29

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • March 22, 2026

--

For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

To give, click here.

--

1. It’s complicated; life doesn’t always make sense.

For I was envious of the arrogant As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Psalm 73:3 (NASB95)

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.”

Matthew 6:33

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Proverbs 9:10 (CSB)

2. It’s complicated; so be self-aware.

as it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one.

Romans 3:10 (CSB)

The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;

Romans 3:22–23 (CSB)

3. It’s complicated; so we need God’s wisdom.

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will set aside the intelligence of the intelligent. Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish?

1 Corinthians 1:18–20 (CSB)

The Search for Satisfaction

Ecclesiastes 6:1–12

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • March 8, 2026

--

For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

To give, click here.

--

1. THE SEARCH FOR SATISFACTION IS FRUSTRATING

Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the LORD.

Proverbs 23:17 (CSB)

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward.

Psalm 127:3 (NASB95)

2. THE SATISFACTION SOLUTION

• Be Thankful.

in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB95)

• Be Content.

I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself. I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:11–13 (CSB)

Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up in him for eternal life.”

John 4:13–14 (CSB)

The Money Mirage

Ecclesiastes 5

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • March 1, 2026

--

For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

To give, click here.

--

1. THE ROOT PROBLEM: MISORDERED WORSHIP

“Do not come closer,” he said. “Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”

Exodus 3:5 (CSB)

2. MONEY MYTHS

a. MORE MONEY WILL SATISFY ME

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

1 Timothy 6:10 (CSB)

“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:24 (CSB)

He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 12:15 (CSB)

REALITY CHECK: Money will never satisfy my deepest needs.

b. MORE MONEY WILL SOLVE MY PROBLEMS

The poor is hated even by his neighbor, But those who love the rich are many.

Proverbs 14:20 (NASB95)

REALITY CHECK: Money usually complicates matters.

c. MORE MONEY WILL GIVE ME PEACE OF MIND

“Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?

Matthew 6:25 (CSB)

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:33–34 (CSB)

REALITY CHECK: More money means more to worry about.

d. MORE MONEY WILL SECURE ME

And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!” “But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

Luke 12:19–20 (NLT)

REALITY CHECK: My only real security is God.

3. THE TURN: MONEY IS A GIFT, NOT GOD

Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.

1 Timothy 6:17 (CSB)

Better Together Under The Sun

Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • February 22, 2026

--

For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

To give, click here.

--

1. The Danger of Isolation

• Oppression leads to loneliness.

• Rivalry leads to envy.

For what does it benefit someone to gain the whole world and yet lose his life?

Mark 8:36 (CSB)

• Applause is empty.

2. The Blessing of Community

• Two are Better than One.

in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.

Romans 12:5 (CSB)

• When you fall, who picks you up?

Be Faithful

Genesis 39

Wil Moore, Guest Pastor • February 15, 2026

--

For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

To give, click here.

--

Be Faithful

Genesis 39

God’s purpose for your future begins with your present faithfulness

“Are you really going to reign over us?” his brothers asked him. “Are you really going to rule us?” So they hated him even more because of his dream and what he had said.

GENESIS 37:8

They saw him in the distance, and before he had reached them, they plotted to kill him. They said to one another, “Oh, look, here comes that dream expert! So now, come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal ate him. Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”

GENESIS 37:18-20

YOUR PRESENT FAITHFULNESS SHOULD REVEAL GOD’S GLORY TO OTHERS

YOUR PRESENT FAITHFULNESS SHOULD INFLUENCE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND

YOUR PRESENT FAITHFULNESS WILL REVEAL GOD’S PURPOSE

Can we find anyone like this, a man who has God’s spirit in him?

Genesis 41:38

you planned evil against me; God planned it for good to bring about the PRESENT result - the survival of many people

Genesis 50:20

The Problem of Life with God

Ecclesiastes 3:1–14

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • February 1, 2026

--

For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

To give, click here.

--

1. God’s plan is wise, so even bad things have a purpose..

God Is Sovereign — But God Is Not the Author of Sin

“No one undergoing a trial should say, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ since God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone.”

James 1:13, CSB

“Your eyes are too pure to look on evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing.”

Habakkuk 1:13

“God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him.”

1 John 1:5

2. God’s plan is mysterious, so you won’t figure it all out.

Why is my pain unending and my wound grievous and incurable? Will you be to me like a deceptive brook, like a spring that fails?

Jeremiah 15:18 (NIV)

Then Gideon said to him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about?

Judges 6:13 (NASB)

3. God’s plan is perfect, so don’t let worry ruin your life.

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34 (NASB)

4. God’s plan will happen, so rest in His sovereignty.

This Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. “But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power.

Acts 2:23–24 (NASB95)

The Search for Meaning

Ecclesiastes 2:1-26

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • February 1, 2026

--

For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

To give, click here.

--

1. Amusement cannot fill the emptiness of our souls.

Listen to counsel and receive instruction so that you may be wise later in life.

Proverbs 19:20 (CSB)

“Hedonism”

The belief that the highest good in life is personal pleasure and the avoidance of pain.

and chose to suffer with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasure of sin.

Hebrews 11:25 (CSB)

Even in laughter a heart may be sad, and joy may end in grief.

Proverbs 14:13 (CSB)

2. Achievement cannot fill the emptiness of our souls.

“Materialism”

The belief that significance, security, and satisfaction are found in what you build, own, accumulate, or accomplish.

He then told them, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

Luke 12:15 (CSB)

3. First Conclusion: Disappointment and Direction

• Disappointment in “under the sun” living.

• Direction that there must be more.

When Having It All, Still Leaves You Empty

Ecclesiastes 1:1–11

Dr. Bob McCartney, Senior Pastor • January 18, 2026

--

For more information about First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, visit our website at fbcwf.org.

To give, click here.

--

1. Life is pointless when we leave God out.

For the idols speak falsehood, and the diviners see illusions; they relate empty dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they suffer affliction because there is no shepherd.

Zechariah 10:2 (CSB)

Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

James 4:14 (CSB)

For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope

Romans 8:20 (CSB)

2. Life is repetitious when we leave God out.

3. Life is disappointing when we leave God out.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

John 10:10 (NASB 95)