WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.160 Genesis chapter 3, verses 1 to 13 is a story I think many of you are probably familiar with, 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:10.259 but we will take a look at this again from a bit of a different perspective tonight. 00:00:10.900 --> 00:00:19.280 Think about God's knowledge, what God knows, and what we know, and what perhaps we should or should not know. 00:00:20.980 --> 00:00:25.740 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. 00:00:25.739 --> 00:00:31.019 He said to the woman, Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden? 00:00:31.799 --> 00:00:35.979 The woman said to the serpent, We may eat from the trees in the garden, 00:00:36.099 --> 00:00:39.719 but God did say you must not eat from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, 00:00:39.939 --> 00:00:41.640 and you must not touch it or you will die. 00:00:42.859 --> 00:00:45.179 You will not surely die, the serpent said to the woman, 00:00:45.679 --> 00:00:50.399 for God knows that when you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. 00:00:50.399 --> 00:00:57.920 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye and also desirable for gaining wisdom, 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:00.939 she took some and ate. 00:01:01.679 --> 00:01:05.959 She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:11.039 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized that they were naked. 00:01:11.599 --> 00:01:15.500 So they sewed thick leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:21.260 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day. 00:01:22.040 --> 00:01:24.560 And they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 00:01:25.319 --> 00:01:28.359 But the Lord God called to the man, Where are you? 00:01:29.239 --> 00:01:34.280 He answered, I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid. 00:01:35.460 --> 00:01:38.460 And he said, Who told you that you were naked? 00:01:38.920 --> 00:01:42.340 Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat? 00:01:42.340 --> 00:01:48.640 The man said, The woman you put here with me, she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate. 00:01:49.140 --> 00:01:52.740 Then the Lord God said to the woman, What is this you have done? 00:01:53.240 --> 00:01:57.020 The woman said, The serpent deceived me, and I ate. 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:04.060 We're going to be thinking tonight about God's omniscience. 00:02:04.600 --> 00:02:09.360 The fact that God is all-knowing, that God knows all things. 00:02:09.360 --> 00:02:17.660 And contrasting God's all-knowingness with the limitedness of our own knowing. 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:19.120 Because we all have limits. 00:02:19.260 --> 00:02:23.200 We have limits on what we can know, and what we should know, and what we do know. 00:02:23.600 --> 00:02:25.580 But God doesn't have such limits. 00:02:26.160 --> 00:02:33.020 To help us think about the limits of our own knowledge, and then segue into what God knows, 00:02:33.460 --> 00:02:35.980 I want to ask you a question, or maybe some questions. 00:02:35.979 --> 00:02:40.659 If you could know anything in the world that you don't know already, what would it be? 00:02:41.639 --> 00:02:43.239 Would it be something about the future? 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:44.839 What school to go to? 00:02:44.899 --> 00:02:45.639 What job to take? 00:02:45.799 --> 00:02:46.379 Who you marry? 00:02:46.500 --> 00:02:47.519 How your kids will turn out? 00:02:48.039 --> 00:02:48.859 When you'll die? 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:51.659 Would you want to know a winning lottery number? 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:53.379 Answers to a test. 00:02:53.799 --> 00:02:57.560 What direction a certain stock will go, so you can know whether to buy or sell and make a profit? 00:02:57.560 --> 00:03:01.939 Lots of people want to know about the future. 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:06.240 That's why people read horoscopes, look at tarot cards, go to palm readers. 00:03:07.080 --> 00:03:17.860 Or for those of us who are perhaps not into occult or New Age practices, we read business news, or sports assistants, relationship columns. 00:03:17.860 --> 00:03:29.880 For academics, there's the never-ending drive to increase knowledge, to keep up in their field, or to have at least as much knowledge, if not more, than their peers, and the desire to get ahead. 00:03:30.660 --> 00:03:31.880 Why do we want knowledge? 00:03:32.600 --> 00:03:33.860 Why do we want to know things? 00:03:35.240 --> 00:03:36.860 It's been said, knowledge is power. 00:03:37.860 --> 00:03:43.020 Knowledge holds out the promise of security, control, safety. 00:03:43.020 --> 00:03:46.400 These are all things that are good, aren't they? 00:03:47.620 --> 00:03:49.160 Security, control, safety. 00:03:49.780 --> 00:03:51.300 But can knowledge deliver on these promises? 00:03:52.060 --> 00:03:57.020 Is knowing more the key to gaining security, control, safety, these things that we want? 00:03:58.340 --> 00:04:02.560 Sometimes we think, if we can just get a little bit more knowledge, then everything will be okay. 00:04:05.520 --> 00:04:07.580 Sometimes it's a good thing to get a little bit more knowledge. 00:04:07.660 --> 00:04:09.240 That's just what we need. 00:04:09.240 --> 00:04:12.960 But no matter how much we know, our knowledge is always limited. 00:04:13.439 --> 00:04:15.180 There's always something that we don't know. 00:04:15.719 --> 00:04:16.120 Always. 00:04:16.540 --> 00:04:17.699 Our knowledge is always partial. 00:04:19.340 --> 00:04:26.139 And what we might not know could be a threat to our security, our safety, our control, our status. 00:04:28.340 --> 00:04:31.180 We feel like we lack knowledge, so we want to gain more. 00:04:31.280 --> 00:04:33.340 We feel like we need to know more about something. 00:04:33.339 --> 00:04:36.359 We might even fight for it. 00:04:36.359 --> 00:04:37.060 We might get angry. 00:04:37.060 --> 00:04:49.639 We might get frustrated at those who oppose us in our search for the knowledge of that thing that will bring security or safety or perhaps hope to our lives. 00:04:49.639 --> 00:04:59.620 So, given the fact that we are in a world of knowledge, and especially now in the information age when there's so much at our fingertips via phone or computer, 00:05:00.159 --> 00:05:03.659 how do we decide what knowledge we'll seek out and what we won't? 00:05:04.139 --> 00:05:05.180 Because we can't know everything. 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:07.360 We have limited time, limited capacity. 00:05:07.360 --> 00:05:11.560 Why do we seek to know the things we know? 00:05:11.980 --> 00:05:18.020 Is our pursuit of knowledge driven by an inordinate desire for power, safety, control, or status? 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:20.859 Do we seek out more knowledge just because we're afraid? 00:05:24.120 --> 00:05:27.419 What is appropriate knowledge to seek for and what is not? 00:05:27.519 --> 00:05:34.639 Because some things we don't know, we probably don't want to know, and it would actually be harmful if we do know. 00:05:37.000 --> 00:05:44.939 In order to answer some of these questions, I want us to think about our search for knowledge compared to God's. 00:05:45.740 --> 00:05:47.159 Does God seek for knowledge? 00:05:48.019 --> 00:05:48.939 He doesn't. 00:05:49.039 --> 00:05:50.120 He has it all already. 00:05:51.379 --> 00:05:53.240 God is omniscient. 00:05:53.659 --> 00:05:58.699 So, for our younger members here, or for those who enjoy etymology and Latin, 00:05:59.180 --> 00:06:06.139 the word omniscience is just two Latin words, omni meaning all, and science or scientia meaning knowledge. 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:08.620 So, God is simply all-knowing. 00:06:11.839 --> 00:06:17.120 We may know people who act like know-it-all, but God does actually know it all. 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:20.160 Our knowledge is limited, but God's is unlimited. 00:06:20.639 --> 00:06:21.660 God never learns. 00:06:22.439 --> 00:06:26.120 Now, if we said that about a person, that would be a really bad character trait, wasn't it? 00:06:26.360 --> 00:06:27.620 You know, so-and-so, they never learn. 00:06:28.120 --> 00:06:30.420 That means they don't know their limits. 00:06:30.500 --> 00:06:34.579 They don't know that they need to continue to be learning in order to improve themselves. 00:06:34.579 --> 00:06:40.560 But God is generally the only being who never needs to learn because he has all knowledge already. 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:52.780 Now, the fact that God knows everything could be either comforting or scary depending upon where we sit and what we know about our own lives. 00:06:52.779 --> 00:07:00.659 In the face of difficulty, suffering, hardship, uncertainty, the fact that God knows everything can be very comforting. 00:07:01.179 --> 00:07:03.759 The Bible says in Matthew 10, 29-31, 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:23.579 It's comforting to know that God knows the most intimate details of all our lives. 00:07:23.579 --> 00:07:25.740 So, he knows what we're going through. 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:27.819 And he knows what's ahead. 00:07:28.060 --> 00:07:29.240 And he knows how to help us. 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:39.740 But God, the fact that God knows everything can be very scary as well if we've done something wrong or a lot of things wrong. 00:07:40.180 --> 00:07:42.740 God doesn't take lightly our sinful rebellion. 00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:45.379 He didn't take Adam and Eve's rebellion lightly. 00:07:46.299 --> 00:07:49.639 And many others throughout history can testify to this fact as well. 00:07:49.639 --> 00:07:56.339 Now, I want us to think about the difference between our limited knowledge and God's unlimited knowledge. 00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:06.899 And what knowledge we should seek and what we shouldn't seek in order to honor God and to find what's best for our lives according to God's word. 00:08:07.419 --> 00:08:13.180 And to do that, I want to come back to Adam and Eve from the passage that we read just a moment ago. 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:16.779 There's some things that God wanted Adam and Eve to know. 00:08:16.779 --> 00:08:20.919 And there's some things that God did not want Adam and Eve to know. 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:23.519 So, what are those things? 00:08:24.219 --> 00:08:26.759 What did God want Adam and Eve to know? 00:08:27.079 --> 00:08:28.959 He wanted them to know him. 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:31.859 God wanted to have a relationship with Adam and Eve. 00:08:31.959 --> 00:08:33.659 In the garden, he talked with them. 00:08:34.279 --> 00:08:35.100 And he knew them. 00:08:35.579 --> 00:08:36.740 And they knew him. 00:08:36.819 --> 00:08:39.699 And there was a relationship of intimacy there. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:42.240 Of communion between God and man. 00:08:42.839 --> 00:08:46.059 God wanted Adam and Eve to know his provision. 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:47.939 God put them in a garden. 00:08:48.719 --> 00:08:49.659 There was fruit. 00:08:49.779 --> 00:08:50.679 There was things to eat. 00:08:51.039 --> 00:08:52.559 There was a temperate climate. 00:08:52.759 --> 00:08:56.139 All their needs in life were provided for. 00:08:56.419 --> 00:08:58.079 He wanted them to know. 00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:01.299 He wants us to know that he provides for us. 00:09:01.599 --> 00:09:04.399 And that he expresses his goodness and kindness to us in his provision. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:09.459 God wanted Adam and Eve to know the benefits of work. 00:09:09.740 --> 00:09:12.840 Some people think about paradise as a place where we'll never work. 00:09:13.179 --> 00:09:19.039 But if we actually look at the account in the beginning of Genesis, in the garden of Eden, there was work. 00:09:19.419 --> 00:09:20.840 But it wasn't poilsome work. 00:09:20.939 --> 00:09:22.059 It wasn't work. 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:23.620 It wasn't back-breaking work. 00:09:23.620 --> 00:09:26.560 It was work that they enjoyed. 00:09:26.700 --> 00:09:27.240 They got into. 00:09:27.320 --> 00:09:28.419 They saw the fruit of their labor. 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:30.960 And it wasn't burdensome to them. 00:09:31.620 --> 00:09:34.799 They saw the fruit of what they did with their own hands. 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:37.299 God wants us to have and enjoy that. 00:09:38.019 --> 00:09:40.620 God wanted Adam and Eve to have the joy of human companionship. 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:47.460 Right at the beginning, before Eve was created, God said it's not good for man to be alone. 00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:53.720 Even though dog may be man's best friend, dog is still not good enough. 00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:55.399 Not nearly as good as woman. 00:09:56.659 --> 00:09:58.960 God wants us to be in relationship with other people. 00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:00.279 To have friends. 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:05.039 For many people, that includes getting married and perhaps having children. 00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:08.980 He wants us to have relationships with his people. 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:13.940 God wants us to know creativity. 00:10:14.659 --> 00:10:16.600 God gave to Adam to name the animals. 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:21.139 There was a creative process that God was engaged in. 00:10:21.220 --> 00:10:23.120 He wanted people to know that as well. 00:10:23.700 --> 00:10:30.180 God wanted Adam and Eve to know the experience of exercising authority and wise management. 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:33.159 In Genesis 1.28, the Bible says, 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:34.940 God blessed them and said to them, 00:10:35.060 --> 00:10:36.519 Be fruitful and increase in number. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:37.860 Fill the earth and subdue it. 00:10:37.860 --> 00:10:43.580 Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground. 00:10:44.120 --> 00:10:51.159 Now, in the history of mankind, we haven't done very well in exercising dominion over the earth and caring for the earth and managing resources. 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:53.980 And those God has put into our care very well. 00:10:53.980 --> 00:11:04.580 God wants us to exercise authority and stewardship and management rightly and properly for his honor and for the benefit of other people. 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:08.300 And God also wants us to know. 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:09.440 He wanted Adam and Eve to know. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:12.060 And this is where Adam and Eve slipped up. 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:15.680 He wants us to know self-discipline and trust. 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:22.419 Right in the middle of this garden of abundant food and everything that they needed, 00:11:22.659 --> 00:11:25.399 there was a tree of knowledge of good and evil. 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:28.139 And that was the only thing that God said, 00:11:28.359 --> 00:11:29.799 Don't touch this. 00:11:30.779 --> 00:11:32.039 This is not for you. 00:11:33.739 --> 00:11:35.559 And Adam and Eve had not sinned yet, 00:11:35.559 --> 00:11:49.019 but there was still a test to bring them further on in their perfection in order to be the people that God wanted them to grow into. 00:11:49.519 --> 00:11:51.679 So they needed to exercise self-discipline. 00:11:51.759 --> 00:11:52.639 He wanted them to know this. 00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:55.359 And he wanted them to know what it was like to trust. 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:57.580 Because when God said no, 00:11:58.360 --> 00:12:01.560 they needed to learn how to trust God. 00:12:01.980 --> 00:12:02.779 That when God said, 00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:04.080 You don't need to know this. 00:12:04.139 --> 00:12:07.039 You don't need to know what comes from this tree. 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:09.440 Adam and Eve needed to be okay with that. 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.560 When God put that tree there and said, 00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:13.060 Trust me, 00:12:13.340 --> 00:12:16.440 it was in effect that God was saying, 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:18.080 There are some things I want you to know, 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:19.539 and some I don't want you to know. 00:12:20.200 --> 00:12:21.100 And that's okay. 00:12:21.639 --> 00:12:22.440 Not to know something. 00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:24.920 I need you to trust me when I say to you, 00:12:25.360 --> 00:12:26.740 You don't need to know some things. 00:12:26.960 --> 00:12:28.620 Don't be afraid at not knowing. 00:12:29.220 --> 00:12:29.940 Don't be afraid. 00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:31.320 I'm taking care of you. 00:12:31.419 --> 00:12:31.960 Trust me, 00:12:32.360 --> 00:12:35.279 and be content with the knowledge of the things that I've given you. 00:12:35.919 --> 00:12:36.379 God's saying, 00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:37.740 The things I've given you to know, 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:39.200 this should be enough for you. 00:12:39.680 --> 00:12:42.460 Don't look for more than I've given you. 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:45.379 But Adam and Eve sought forbidden knowledge. 00:12:46.060 --> 00:12:48.500 Because they thought the limits God had put in them 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:51.940 constituted a denial of something good. 00:12:52.639 --> 00:12:53.100 They thought, 00:12:53.620 --> 00:12:54.560 There's something good out there. 00:12:54.559 --> 00:12:56.259 There's something more that we could know 00:12:56.259 --> 00:12:57.719 that will improve our lives 00:12:57.719 --> 00:13:00.319 that God is keeping from us. 00:13:01.819 --> 00:13:02.439 They wanted, 00:13:03.000 --> 00:13:04.139 like many of us, 00:13:04.339 --> 00:13:07.159 they wanted more power and control, 00:13:07.359 --> 00:13:09.759 and God was willing to give them at that time. 00:13:12.739 --> 00:13:14.059 Like Adam and Eve, 00:13:14.199 --> 00:13:17.500 we too experience the temptation of forbidden knowledge. 00:13:18.099 --> 00:13:19.279 In our own wisdom, 00:13:19.279 --> 00:13:20.199 in our own wisdom, 00:13:20.500 --> 00:13:22.240 we come up with reasons why we should, 00:13:22.679 --> 00:13:24.279 why we need to have certain knowledge. 00:13:24.799 --> 00:13:25.919 Maybe it's gossip. 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:29.459 Maybe it's a certain intimate or thrilling experience 00:13:29.459 --> 00:13:30.519 that God's word is forbidden. 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:33.720 Maybe it's some sort of insider business information, 00:13:33.959 --> 00:13:36.919 or maybe it's just some trivia on the internet 00:13:36.919 --> 00:13:41.439 that has no practical and perhaps some harming effects upon us. 00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:43.320 There's all sorts of things that we could know, 00:13:43.700 --> 00:13:46.660 but it's really no benefit to us to know, 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:48.160 and that we shouldn't seek out. 00:13:49.780 --> 00:13:52.700 But sometimes the temptation is not in the knowledge itself, 00:13:52.700 --> 00:13:55.100 but in what the knowledge can do for us. 00:13:55.480 --> 00:13:57.240 Why do we seek the knowledge we do? 00:13:57.600 --> 00:13:59.360 Is it to be masters of our own destiny? 00:13:59.640 --> 00:14:01.600 Is it because we don't trust God to take care of us? 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:05.440 Because if we have enough knowledge, 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:07.700 you don't really need to depend on God, do we? 00:14:08.220 --> 00:14:09.560 We can control our own lives. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:14.759 In our seeking after the knowledge that we do, 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:15.659 are we saying to God, 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:19.120 God, I am not content with the limits you have set for me, 00:14:19.560 --> 00:14:21.360 so I'm going to seek this knowledge 00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.779 and make a good life for myself, 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:25.480 because I know how to make a good life for myself 00:14:25.480 --> 00:14:26.720 better than you know. 00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:30.660 But why did God set limits on us? 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:32.100 Nobody likes limits. 00:14:32.199 --> 00:14:33.379 We want to have as much as possible. 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:35.100 It's a sinful nature in us. 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:35.600 We're greedy. 00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:37.059 We want to, we're selfish. 00:14:37.259 --> 00:14:38.199 We want everything. 00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:39.659 We want to be in control of everything 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:42.000 and have nothing that we don't know. 00:14:42.319 --> 00:14:44.419 We're not comfortable with being limited. 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:48.139 We value freedom and independence or liberty, 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:50.879 and we're not content with being 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:53.079 in the place that God has for us. 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:56.459 There's some things that God doesn't want us to know, 00:14:56.699 --> 00:14:58.000 didn't want Adam and Eve to know. 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:00.579 What was it that God did not want Adam and Eve to know? 00:15:00.659 --> 00:15:01.620 What was he keeping from them? 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:05.759 He didn't want them to know shame, distrust, 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:10.399 embarrassment, conflict, revenge, suffering, 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:12.179 and the death that came from sin. 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:16.059 Those are all things that they learned about 00:15:16.059 --> 00:15:19.199 after they took the fruit from that tree. 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:21.759 They knew nakedness. 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:25.320 Not physically being naked. 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.220 They had that. 00:15:26.400 --> 00:15:28.420 They knew what it was like to be physically naked 00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:30.060 before they eat that fruit. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:34.080 But the nakedness that they experienced afterwards 00:15:34.080 --> 00:15:37.840 was that sense of being exposed and vulnerable to harm. 00:15:37.840 --> 00:15:42.280 They knew that. 00:15:42.580 --> 00:15:43.420 We know that now. 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:46.200 We may go around fully clothed, 00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:50.120 but sometimes we have that feeling of being exposed, 00:15:50.340 --> 00:15:51.360 being vulnerable to harm. 00:15:51.360 --> 00:15:55.899 God did not want them to know the burden of feeling 00:15:55.899 --> 00:16:03.139 that seeking a good life 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:04.740 and figuring out how to have a good life 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:06.560 entirely rested on their shoulders. 00:16:07.320 --> 00:16:10.180 Because if it's up to us to figure out 00:16:10.180 --> 00:16:11.899 by our own knowledge and our own cleverness 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:13.279 how to have a good life, 00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:15.460 we'll always be in a desperate search 00:16:15.460 --> 00:16:16.740 for that one more thing, 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:17.600 that one more thing 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:20.080 that will help us improve our lives. 00:16:20.299 --> 00:16:22.639 If you go to many bookstores, 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:25.159 there's a huge self-help 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.680 and self-improvement section. 00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.919 People are looking for that one more thing 00:16:28.919 --> 00:16:30.620 that will give them that little edge 00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.539 to have a better life. 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:38.279 God didn't want Adam to know evil and wickedness. 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:39.759 Pain follows sin. 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:41.500 Sin always has consequences. 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:47.779 That's why the location of the forbidden fruit 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:49.940 was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:52.019 God didn't want them to know evil. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:54.059 Adam and Eve knew good already, 00:16:54.519 --> 00:16:58.500 but they weren't ready for evil. 00:17:00.860 --> 00:17:02.620 It's as if they were saying to God, 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:06.420 we're not content with you making the buying choices here. 00:17:06.500 --> 00:17:07.519 We want to go to the store 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:09.180 and see all the options before us 00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:12.519 and then choose what's the best for us. 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.299 But God is saying, 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:17.720 I've brought you what's good already. 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.600 Be content in that fact. 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:24.759 In a world that loves to have options, 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:26.900 are we content to let God make the choices? 00:17:28.600 --> 00:17:31.420 It's a really good thing that God knows everything 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:32.380 and that we don't. 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:34.440 It's a good thing that God knows everything 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:36.519 because he can choose what's best for us 00:17:36.519 --> 00:17:38.539 and he can steer us away from what's harmful. 00:17:39.180 --> 00:17:42.400 He is knowledgeable and powerful to do this. 00:17:43.080 --> 00:17:45.019 And it's a good thing that we don't know everything 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:47.860 because there's a lot of knowledge that we don't need. 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:49.560 It's too much for us. 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:51.100 It's too painful for us. 00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:52.320 It's too overwhelming. 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.120 It's too confusing. 00:17:53.680 --> 00:17:55.259 It's utterly unhelpful. 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.400 Now, at this point, 00:17:57.420 --> 00:17:59.820 I want to stop for a moment and answer an objection 00:17:59.820 --> 00:18:03.200 because to modern sensibilities, 00:18:03.740 --> 00:18:06.380 it sounds very strange and even scary 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:08.760 to be told there's some things you don't need to know. 00:18:09.760 --> 00:18:12.120 It sounds like a business or a government 00:18:12.120 --> 00:18:14.600 that wants to oppress us and take advantage of us. 00:18:14.760 --> 00:18:16.580 There's too many authorities in this world 00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:18.980 that have abused people 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:21.140 who have withheld information, 00:18:21.320 --> 00:18:22.380 they've withheld education, 00:18:23.020 --> 00:18:25.080 they've withheld certain knowledge from people 00:18:25.080 --> 00:18:27.140 in order to profit from them, 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:28.040 in order to oppress them, 00:18:28.080 --> 00:18:29.240 in order to take advantage of them. 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:33.240 But God's not an authoritarian dictator 00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:35.579 denying information in order to deny us good. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:36.940 That's not God. 00:18:37.660 --> 00:18:38.720 God is a loving Father. 00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:40.180 He's looking out for us as children. 00:18:40.759 --> 00:18:42.779 And He's sharing with us only the information 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:44.079 that we need to know, 00:18:44.180 --> 00:18:45.259 what's helpful for us. 00:18:46.599 --> 00:18:48.279 And He's asking us to trust Him 00:18:48.279 --> 00:18:49.599 in the matters that He hasn't revealed. 00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:54.839 And there's actually a lot of things 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:58.099 that we shouldn't concern ourselves with. 00:18:58.099 --> 00:18:59.379 If we look in Scripture, 00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.259 there's a number of things 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:02.259 that just are really not profitable 00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:04.579 for us to inquire into. 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:08.299 Why am I experiencing more suffering 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.139 than my neighbor is? 00:19:10.879 --> 00:19:12.500 Do we compare ourselves to other people? 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:13.579 Do we ask the why question? 00:19:13.679 --> 00:19:16.199 Why is this happening to me and not them? 00:19:16.219 --> 00:19:17.179 Why am I going through this? 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:20.619 Or the other side of that coin, 00:19:20.899 --> 00:19:23.059 why did that person have that good thing, 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:24.599 that ability, that opportunity, 00:19:25.179 --> 00:19:25.939 and I don't? 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:29.639 When we start playing the comparison game, 00:19:29.699 --> 00:19:33.419 we try to delve into and scrutinize God's will, 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:35.279 why He gives something to one person 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.480 or why He withholds something. 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:39.179 We're going to enter into jealousy 00:19:39.179 --> 00:19:40.559 and we're going to enter into bitterness 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.439 and a lot of things 00:19:41.439 --> 00:19:42.639 that God doesn't want us to know. 00:19:42.939 --> 00:19:44.119 When will Jesus return? 00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:46.559 Many people have gone down that road. 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:49.259 They tried to figure out the time and the season, 00:19:49.939 --> 00:19:51.939 the exact day that Jesus will return. 00:19:52.939 --> 00:19:54.779 And nothing good has come to that. 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.960 Jesus said in His Word, 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.559 it's not for you to know. 00:19:58.759 --> 00:20:01.460 Is a particular natural disaster or calamity 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.700 God's judgment upon us? 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:05.099 In the United States, 00:20:05.160 --> 00:20:07.099 it seems like every time some disaster happens, 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:08.859 there's a preacher who gets on TV 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.000 and says it's God's judgment. 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:12.359 Maybe, maybe not. 00:20:12.460 --> 00:20:13.099 Do we know this? 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:17.319 Jesus, in Luke chapter 13, 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:18.579 actually spoke very specifically 00:20:18.579 --> 00:20:20.220 to how we are to respond 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:21.500 to these kinds of questions 00:20:21.500 --> 00:20:23.079 in the face of tragedy. 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:25.059 Luke chapter 13, verses 1 to 5. 00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:27.160 Now there was some present at that time 00:20:27.160 --> 00:20:29.039 who told Jesus about the Galileans 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:31.319 whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.920 Jesus answered, 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:34.839 Do you think that these Galileans 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:36.880 were worse sinners than all the other Galileans 00:20:36.880 --> 00:20:38.140 because they suffered in this way? 00:20:39.099 --> 00:20:39.779 I tell you no. 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.519 But unless you repent, 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:43.160 you too will all perish. 00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:44.799 For those 18 who died 00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:46.299 when the tower in Siloam fell on them, 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:48.059 do you think they were more guilty 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:49.400 than all the others living in Jerusalem? 00:20:49.400 --> 00:20:50.960 I tell you no. 00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:52.420 But unless you repent, 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:55.000 you too will all perish. 00:20:55.600 --> 00:20:56.840 When there's a great disaster, 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:59.800 we shouldn't try to figure out 00:20:59.800 --> 00:21:01.740 why did this disaster happen. 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.759 But Jesus says 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:05.120 what we should realize 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:07.259 is that unless we repent, 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:08.440 unless we're right with God, 00:21:09.140 --> 00:21:11.040 that kind of disaster 00:21:11.040 --> 00:21:11.860 or something works, 00:21:12.019 --> 00:21:13.440 God's judgment will fall upon us. 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:13.980 That's the lesson 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:15.880 we're supposed to get out of disasters. 00:21:16.060 --> 00:21:17.259 It's supposed to remind us 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:19.019 and humble us 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:21.680 before God's face 00:21:21.680 --> 00:21:22.879 and remind us to repent 00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:26.279 and turn away from our sin. 00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:28.000 Not stand in judgment 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:29.140 over what people 00:21:29.140 --> 00:21:30.259 who were caught up in disaster 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:31.579 may have done or not do. 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:33.160 When there's a disaster, 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.359 it's time to show compassion. 00:21:34.359 --> 00:21:40.539 One of the fascinating verses, 00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:42.259 I love this verse 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.439 because it really reminds us 00:21:43.439 --> 00:21:44.740 of the limits of our knowledge 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:47.479 and God's wisdom and revelation. 00:21:47.899 --> 00:21:49.519 It's in Deuteronomy 29.29. 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:51.479 It's nice that it's 29.29, 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.419 but it's easy to remember. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:55.839 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, 00:21:56.199 --> 00:21:58.299 but the things revealed belong to us 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.539 and to our children forever, 00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:02.159 that we may follow all the words of this law. 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:04.160 Now, there's some things 00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:06.259 that God has not revealed, 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.940 but there's a lot of things 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.740 that God has revealed. 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.840 He's given us a whole book 00:22:09.840 --> 00:22:11.400 of things that he's revealed to us 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.820 and he wants us to know 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:15.660 and he wants us to respond to. 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:18.259 There's many people who agonize over, 00:22:18.380 --> 00:22:18.500 you know, 00:22:18.540 --> 00:22:19.840 what is God's will for my life? 00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:20.620 What should I do? 00:22:21.340 --> 00:22:23.759 But they hardly opened the Bible. 00:22:24.300 --> 00:22:25.380 God's already given us 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:27.420 a lot that he wants us to know. 00:22:27.800 --> 00:22:28.720 As we read this, 00:22:29.140 --> 00:22:30.080 it builds our wisdom 00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:31.099 and builds our understanding 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:31.779 of ourselves, 00:22:31.939 --> 00:22:32.339 of God, 00:22:32.399 --> 00:22:33.339 of the world around us. 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:35.439 And God builds us 00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:36.720 in wisdom and understanding 00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:37.939 as we study his word. 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:41.079 We need to be content 00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:42.839 with what God has kept secret 00:22:42.839 --> 00:22:43.759 and be content 00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:45.199 and study diligently 00:22:45.199 --> 00:22:46.460 and seek to know more 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.659 of what he has revealed to us. 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.819 Sometimes our hearts 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.879 will tell us to do something. 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:52.339 Sometimes the world around us 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:53.259 will tell us to do something. 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:55.640 But we need to be content 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:57.440 with the knowledge 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.379 that God has given us 00:22:58.379 --> 00:23:00.039 and walk in that way 00:23:00.039 --> 00:23:00.740 even though 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:03.879 other so-called knowledge 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:05.220 which conflicts with God's word 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.799 is saying to go 00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.579 in a different direction. 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.579 Proverbs 3, 5-6 says, 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.240 Trust in the Lord 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:11.019 with all your heart 00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:12.140 and lean not 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:13.259 on your own understanding. 00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.180 In all your ways 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.839 submit to him 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.460 and he will make 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.220 your path straight. 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.200 We need to seek 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:19.039 appropriate knowledge 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:20.000 for the glory of God 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.680 and with trust in him 00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.740 we need to try to make 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.880 wise decisions 00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:25.140 about what we'll try 00:23:25.140 --> 00:23:25.720 to find out, 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:26.660 what we'll try to know 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.519 and what we won't know. 00:23:31.859 --> 00:23:32.579 Some people 00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.740 might hear this 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.059 and say, 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:34.339 Well, 00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.380 there's things 00:23:35.380 --> 00:23:36.400 we're not supposed to know. 00:23:36.940 --> 00:23:38.839 Does the Bible 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.700 want us to be 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:40.460 Luddites 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.700 and Ignoramuses? 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:42.680 Is the Bible 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:43.460 against progress? 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.019 Should we 00:23:44.019 --> 00:23:45.640 lock ourselves down 00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:46.400 at a certain point 00:23:46.400 --> 00:23:46.920 in history 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:47.619 and just refuse 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:49.140 to know anything more? 00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.180 No, 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:50.940 that's not what 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.579 the Bible is saying. 00:23:52.440 --> 00:23:53.819 Proverbs 25, 2 says, 00:23:53.900 --> 00:23:54.740 It is the glory of God 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.599 to conceal a matter. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:57.119 To search out a matter 00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:59.240 is the glory of kings. 00:23:59.599 --> 00:24:00.440 We should learn. 00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:01.759 We should do science. 00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:02.980 We should seek to work, 00:24:03.079 --> 00:24:03.480 make the world 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.160 a better place. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.980 The Bible is not 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.740 against progress. 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:08.859 It's not against knowledge 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.819 or acquiring knowledge. 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:12.279 But we should 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.259 know the limits 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:13.880 of our knowledge 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:15.759 and be wise 00:24:15.759 --> 00:24:16.599 in what knowledge 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:17.079 we gain 00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:17.799 because there's a lot 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.619 out there we could know. 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.819 We should spend 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:21.359 more time 00:24:21.359 --> 00:24:22.339 looking at scripture 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:23.359 and seeking out 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.119 useful knowledge. 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:24.960 Maybe gaining 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.579 a new skill 00:24:25.579 --> 00:24:26.500 or studying a language 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:29.079 or investing time 00:24:29.079 --> 00:24:29.559 in becoming 00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:30.160 more knowledgeable 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:32.119 in our professional field. 00:24:33.160 --> 00:24:34.339 Maybe spend more time 00:24:34.339 --> 00:24:35.119 on things like that 00:24:35.119 --> 00:24:36.079 and less time 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:37.380 clicking on those articles 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:38.720 about five amazing 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:40.460 bathing costume fails 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.559 or a quiz on 00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.140 which haughty 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:43.019 Harry Potter character 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.440 we are. 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.519 Are those things 00:24:44.519 --> 00:24:45.059 we need to know? 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:47.200 Maybe we spend 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.779 less time 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.159 on reading 00:24:49.159 --> 00:24:50.460 about politics 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:52.419 and following 00:24:52.419 --> 00:24:53.279 celebrity news 00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.779 or movies 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.319 TVs 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.519 video games 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:57.200 and more time 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:58.259 in the Bible 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:58.899 and prayer 00:24:58.899 --> 00:25:00.240 in building relationships 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.940 with the people 00:25:01.940 --> 00:25:02.599 around us. 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:03.599 Instead of trying 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.159 to gain more 00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:04.940 and more connections 00:25:04.940 --> 00:25:05.599 with followers 00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:07.480 maybe just spend 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:07.960 more time 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:08.480 with the people 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:09.279 that God has put 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:11.039 across the street 00:25:11.039 --> 00:25:11.960 in our own church 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.379 community. 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:17.080 Because we're 00:25:17.080 --> 00:25:18.160 in such 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:19.200 an information 00:25:19.200 --> 00:25:20.040 rich age 00:25:20.040 --> 00:25:20.940 and there's so much 00:25:20.940 --> 00:25:21.320 out there 00:25:21.320 --> 00:25:22.000 we could know 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:23.480 and so many of us 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.620 spend time 00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:25.520 on the computer 00:25:25.520 --> 00:25:26.660 on the internet 00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.640 increasingly 00:25:27.640 --> 00:25:29.440 with smartphones 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:32.980 we need to be 00:25:32.980 --> 00:25:33.800 ever more discerning 00:25:33.800 --> 00:25:34.380 about the knowledge 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:34.800 we've taken. 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.480 It's very easy 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.560 to quickly 00:25:36.560 --> 00:25:38.120 just do a quick check 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.020 of email 00:25:39.020 --> 00:25:39.940 or Facebook 00:25:39.940 --> 00:25:40.660 or Instagram 00:25:40.660 --> 00:25:41.500 or whatever 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:44.079 whatever internet 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:45.140 or social media site 00:25:45.140 --> 00:25:46.160 that you like 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:47.400 just do a quick check 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:48.299 I'll take five minutes 00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:49.559 behold 00:25:49.559 --> 00:25:50.940 an hour and a half later 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:54.500 what have we done? 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.579 We've lost 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:57.220 half our day already 00:25:57.220 --> 00:25:58.240 it's as if 00:25:58.240 --> 00:25:59.180 we've overeaten 00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.779 and we push back 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.299 from the table 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.660 and think 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.819 what have I done? 00:26:02.059 --> 00:26:02.980 I've just wasted 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.779 so much time 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:06.319 I'm not against 00:26:06.319 --> 00:26:07.240 social media 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:07.940 or entertainment 00:26:07.940 --> 00:26:08.420 per se 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.819 but there's so much 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.659 there's such a thing 00:26:10.659 --> 00:26:11.259 as too much 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:11.859 of a good thing 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:13.379 food is good 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:14.000 and necessary 00:26:14.000 --> 00:26:16.259 but there is junk food 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.059 there is poison food 00:26:17.059 --> 00:26:17.720 there is such a thing 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:18.799 as overeating 00:26:18.799 --> 00:26:19.579 and that's called 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.859 greed and gluttony 00:26:20.859 --> 00:26:22.099 we can be greedy 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.859 for knowledge 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:23.659 and knowledge 00:26:23.659 --> 00:26:24.220 that really doesn't 00:26:24.220 --> 00:26:24.779 benefit us 00:26:24.779 --> 00:26:25.679 in any way 00:26:25.679 --> 00:26:30.379 if we spend time 00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:31.939 gaining useless knowledge 00:26:31.939 --> 00:26:35.099 or even harmful knowledge 00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:37.099 our minds are cluttered 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:38.259 our hearts are cluttered 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:39.039 with these things 00:26:39.039 --> 00:26:40.200 and the stress 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:40.900 and distraction 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:42.420 that it brings 00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.559 and so 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:46.379 the internet 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:46.759 especially 00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.519 can be a massive 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.599 time suck 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.359 and consume 00:26:49.359 --> 00:26:50.700 our hearts and minds 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.559 in gaining knowledge 00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.119 that we think 00:26:52.119 --> 00:26:53.059 might be useful 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.519 or helpful 00:26:53.519 --> 00:26:54.700 now if it's clicking 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.720 on a link 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.579 about which Harry Potter 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.500 character we are 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.180 that's sort of 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:58.799 an easy target 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.180 it's like okay 00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:00.259 well that's kind of useless 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.759 but what if it's 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.539 an article 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.799 vaguely related 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.539 to our field 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:05.220 or what if it's 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.000 about parenting 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.720 or what if it's 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:07.640 about health 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:08.759 we can easily justify 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.640 well this is a good 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.420 use of my time 00:27:10.420 --> 00:27:11.759 is it 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.600 maybe it is 00:27:12.600 --> 00:27:13.200 maybe it isn't 00:27:13.200 --> 00:27:13.759 we need to 00:27:13.759 --> 00:27:14.620 think carefully 00:27:14.620 --> 00:27:15.440 about these things 00:27:15.440 --> 00:27:17.840 because everything 00:27:17.840 --> 00:27:18.860 we choose to spend 00:27:18.860 --> 00:27:19.560 our time on 00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:20.800 learning and knowing 00:27:20.800 --> 00:27:21.660 it's less time 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:22.940 we can think 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:24.380 about other things 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:26.840 if our hearts 00:27:26.840 --> 00:27:27.240 and minds 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:27.740 are consumed 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.140 with something 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:28.620 going on 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.200 out there 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:29.800 another part 00:27:29.800 --> 00:27:30.120 of the world 00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:30.620 something that 00:27:30.620 --> 00:27:31.240 we really can't 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:32.160 affect change in 00:27:32.160 --> 00:27:34.380 then we don't 00:27:34.380 --> 00:27:35.100 have the time 00:27:35.100 --> 00:27:36.019 or the capacity 00:27:36.019 --> 00:27:37.700 to learn about 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.480 what we should 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.259 be doing in life 00:27:39.259 --> 00:27:40.360 to think about 00:27:40.360 --> 00:27:40.960 goals 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.960 to think about 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.300 the other people 00:27:43.300 --> 00:27:43.759 around us 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.560 do we know 00:27:44.560 --> 00:27:45.060 our neighbors 00:27:45.060 --> 00:27:45.540 do we know 00:27:45.540 --> 00:27:46.180 the other people 00:27:46.180 --> 00:27:46.980 in our workplaces 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.620 or our schools 00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.560 have we thought 00:27:48.560 --> 00:27:49.740 about whether 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.320 we should spend 00:27:50.320 --> 00:27:51.100 time trying to 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:52.320 get to know 00:27:52.320 --> 00:27:52.600 them 00:27:52.600 --> 00:27:53.940 that might be 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:54.580 useful knowledge 00:27:54.580 --> 00:27:55.080 so that we 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:56.060 could bless them 00:27:56.060 --> 00:27:56.560 we could speak 00:27:56.560 --> 00:27:58.420 to them about 00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:58.840 Christ 00:27:58.839 --> 00:27:59.539 this is 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:03.220 and we also 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.059 need down time 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:05.419 to think 00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:06.299 creatively 00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:07.159 and to reflect 00:28:07.159 --> 00:28:08.419 if we're 00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:09.639 on a phone 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.220 consuming 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:10.699 consuming 00:28:10.699 --> 00:28:11.159 consuming 00:28:11.159 --> 00:28:11.699 taking an 00:28:11.699 --> 00:28:12.419 infotainment 00:28:12.419 --> 00:28:13.639 all the time 00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:15.019 we don't have 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.939 that time 00:28:15.939 --> 00:28:16.399 to stop 00:28:16.399 --> 00:28:16.839 and think 00:28:16.839 --> 00:28:17.740 well what 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.339 should I be 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:18.779 what knowledge 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.259 should I be 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:19.559 seeking 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:22.159 what should I 00:28:22.159 --> 00:28:22.639 really be 00:28:22.639 --> 00:28:22.959 seeking 00:28:22.959 --> 00:28:23.699 we're just 00:28:23.699 --> 00:28:24.459 go go go 00:28:24.459 --> 00:28:25.139 and don't think 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.679 what should I 00:28:25.679 --> 00:28:25.919 know 00:28:25.919 --> 00:28:26.839 we just know 00:28:26.839 --> 00:28:27.299 what we know 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:27.720 and just 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:28.500 flit on to 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.079 the next thing 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.799 trying to fill 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.240 every moment 00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:30.700 of boredom 00:28:30.700 --> 00:28:33.259 but when we 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.259 let ourselves 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:34.759 be consumed 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.279 by useless 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.779 knowledge 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:36.680 the world 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.100 the flesh 00:28:37.100 --> 00:28:37.460 and the devil 00:28:37.460 --> 00:28:38.039 gain the upper 00:28:38.039 --> 00:28:38.380 hand 00:28:38.380 --> 00:28:39.079 as we feast 00:28:39.079 --> 00:28:39.460 on bread 00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.420 and circuses 00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:43.299 what then 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:43.660 should be 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.100 our approach 00:28:44.100 --> 00:28:44.559 to knowledge 00:28:44.559 --> 00:28:46.339 we should 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:46.860 read God's 00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:47.100 word 00:28:47.100 --> 00:28:47.579 we should 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.019 seek his 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:48.440 priorities 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:48.960 what are 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:50.519 what priorities 00:28:50.519 --> 00:28:50.940 does God 00:28:50.940 --> 00:28:51.380 have in this 00:28:51.380 --> 00:28:51.600 world 00:28:51.600 --> 00:28:52.160 what is God 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:52.620 trying to 00:28:52.620 --> 00:28:52.980 accomplish 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.400 in this 00:28:53.400 --> 00:28:53.700 world 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.440 and we 00:28:54.440 --> 00:28:54.839 should seek 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.220 to know 00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.519 those priorities 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:56.940 and seek 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.220 to bring 00:28:57.220 --> 00:28:57.839 our priorities 00:28:57.839 --> 00:28:58.579 into line 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.680 with his 00:28:59.680 --> 00:29:01.579 and then 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.299 we'll have 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:02.579 a better 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:02.920 gauge 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.180 to know 00:29:03.180 --> 00:29:03.779 what knowledge 00:29:03.779 --> 00:29:04.120 we should 00:29:04.120 --> 00:29:04.480 pursue 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.039 we only 00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.480 have limited 00:29:05.480 --> 00:29:05.960 time 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.400 we have 00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:07.079 limited ability 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.940 to learn 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.500 and grow 00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.279 and to know 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.640 things 00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:11.600 so let's 00:29:11.600 --> 00:29:12.700 rest in 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:14.000 what rest 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.360 in the fact 00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:14.759 that God 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.279 knows us 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:15.660 and God 00:29:15.660 --> 00:29:16.220 cares for us 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:16.579 who knows 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:16.819 that we 00:29:16.819 --> 00:29:17.240 can't know 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:17.680 everything 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.640 he couldn't 00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:19.460 possibly require 00:29:19.460 --> 00:29:20.539 us to do 00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:21.039 more than we 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:21.680 possibly could 00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.039 in order to 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.660 gain safety 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.300 security 00:29:23.300 --> 00:29:27.100 in this 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:27.460 world 00:29:27.460 --> 00:29:28.259 so we 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.540 need to 00:29:28.540 --> 00:29:29.940 learn what 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:30.360 we can 00:29:30.360 --> 00:29:31.779 according to 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.060 God's 00:29:32.060 --> 00:29:32.320 wisdom 00:29:32.320 --> 00:29:33.340 and for 00:29:33.340 --> 00:29:33.759 the rest 00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:35.300 we need 00:29:35.300 --> 00:29:36.540 to simply 00:29:36.540 --> 00:29:37.019 abide 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:37.620 and rest 00:29:37.620 --> 00:29:38.000 in the 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.259 knowledge 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.200 that God 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.700 knows us 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.220 and God 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.519 knows how 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:40.800 to take 00:29:40.800 --> 00:29:41.080 care of 00:29:41.080 --> 00:29:41.279 us 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.060 even if 00:29:42.060 --> 00:29:42.460 we don't 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:42.860 know 00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.180 everything 00:29:43.180 --> 00:29:44.240 about health 00:29:44.240 --> 00:29:45.080 or safety 00:29:45.080 --> 00:29:45.759 or everything 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.340 we possibly 00:29:46.340 --> 00:29:47.380 can in 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:47.880 our field 00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:50.060 we need 00:29:50.060 --> 00:29:50.440 to accept 00:29:50.440 --> 00:29:50.980 our knowledge 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.440 is limited 00:29:51.440 --> 00:29:52.640 and the 00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.000 fact that 00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.340 our knowledge 00:29:53.340 --> 00:29:53.740 is limited 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.880 forces us 00:29:54.880 --> 00:29:56.000 to call 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.240 out to 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:56.540 God 00:29:56.540 --> 00:29:56.860 and to 00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.200 trust 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:57.900 in God 00:29:57.900 --> 00:29:58.740 and this 00:29:58.740 --> 00:29:59.560 is where 00:29:59.560 --> 00:30:00.880 knowing that 00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:01.180 God is 00:30:01.180 --> 00:30:01.700 omniscient 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:02.740 all knowing 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.100 is really 00:30:03.100 --> 00:30:03.540 practical 00:30:03.540 --> 00:30:04.160 because we 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.580 can't know 00:30:04.580 --> 00:30:04.900 everything 00:30:04.900 --> 00:30:05.660 and we 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:05.880 need to 00:30:05.880 --> 00:30:06.340 trust in 00:30:06.340 --> 00:30:06.580 the one 00:30:06.580 --> 00:30:06.940 who does 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.100 know 00:30:07.100 --> 00:30:07.380 everything 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:08.260 to be 00:30:08.260 --> 00:30:08.780 able to 00:30:08.780 --> 00:30:09.780 take care 00:30:09.780 --> 00:30:10.200 of us 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:11.280 God has 00:30:11.280 --> 00:30:11.820 put certain 00:30:11.820 --> 00:30:12.420 processes 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.880 in place 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:14.140 in this 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:14.420 world 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:15.080 in creation 00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:16.100 the Westminster 00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:16.460 Shorter 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:16.940 Catechism 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.200 and I'm 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:17.520 going to 00:30:17.520 --> 00:30:17.780 end on 00:30:17.780 --> 00:30:17.860 this 00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.980 the Westminster 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:19.600 Shorter 00:30:19.600 --> 00:30:20.160 Catechism 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:21.340 says that 00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:22.060 God rules 00:30:22.060 --> 00:30:22.500 the world 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.240 through acts 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.280 of creation 00:30:24.280 --> 00:30:25.500 and providence 00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.120 he's put 00:30:26.120 --> 00:30:26.700 certain orders 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.440 and prophecies 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.280 in place 00:30:28.280 --> 00:30:28.720 in the natural 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.060 world 00:30:29.060 --> 00:30:29.760 so that we'll 00:30:29.760 --> 00:30:30.220 be provided 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:30.600 for 00:30:30.600 --> 00:30:31.500 but he also 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.080 rules through 00:30:32.080 --> 00:30:32.520 his acts 00:30:32.520 --> 00:30:33.100 of providence 00:30:33.100 --> 00:30:33.840 what are those 00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:34.500 those are those 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.220 that's his 00:30:35.220 --> 00:30:35.820 supernatural 00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:37.200 guiding 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.840 and ordering 00:30:38.840 --> 00:30:39.360 the world 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:40.640 the catechism 00:30:40.640 --> 00:30:41.300 question 11 00:30:41.300 --> 00:30:41.760 asks 00:30:41.760 --> 00:30:43.200 what are God's 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:43.640 works of 00:30:43.640 --> 00:30:44.140 providence 00:30:44.140 --> 00:30:44.820 and the answer 00:30:44.820 --> 00:30:45.300 is this 00:30:45.300 --> 00:30:46.220 God's works 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:46.840 of providence 00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:47.300 are 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.240 is most 00:30:48.240 --> 00:30:48.680 holy 00:30:48.680 --> 00:30:49.319 wise 00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:49.960 and powerful 00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.619 preserving 00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.379 and governing 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:51.960 all his 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.379 creatures 00:30:52.379 --> 00:30:52.839 and all 00:30:52.839 --> 00:30:53.460 their actions 00:30:53.460 --> 00:30:55.180 God didn't 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:55.980 create the 00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:56.240 world 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:56.899 and wind 00:30:56.899 --> 00:30:57.200 it up 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:57.619 like a 00:30:57.619 --> 00:30:58.039 like a 00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:58.379 like a 00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:58.759 clock 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.139 and 00:30:59.139 --> 00:31:00.819 for the 00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:00.980 younger 00:31:00.980 --> 00:31:01.299 people 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.639 clocks 00:31:01.639 --> 00:31:02.019 he used 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.180 to be 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.460 to wind 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:02.819 them up 00:31:02.819 --> 00:31:04.460 and wind 00:31:04.460 --> 00:31:05.319 up a clock 00:31:05.319 --> 00:31:05.659 and set 00:31:05.659 --> 00:31:06.139 it to go 00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:06.599 and say 00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:07.039 okay you're 00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:07.480 off on your 00:31:07.480 --> 00:31:07.680 own 00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.099 take care 00:31:08.099 --> 00:31:08.619 of yourselves 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.479 no 00:31:09.479 --> 00:31:11.199 God's hand 00:31:11.199 --> 00:31:12.039 is actively 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:12.779 intervening 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:13.419 in our 00:31:13.419 --> 00:31:13.859 affairs 00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:14.739 in our 00:31:14.739 --> 00:31:15.179 lives 00:31:15.179 --> 00:31:15.919 and he is 00:31:15.919 --> 00:31:16.299 preserving 00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:17.159 helping us 00:31:17.159 --> 00:31:18.139 and caring 00:31:18.139 --> 00:31:18.679 for us 00:31:18.679 --> 00:31:20.699 and he knows 00:31:20.699 --> 00:31:21.059 what he's 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.319 doing 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:51.059 you be