WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.500 Before we begin, will you pray with me? 00:00:04.780 --> 00:00:10.740 Father in heaven, we are people in need of wisdom, always. 00:00:10.740 --> 00:00:18.980 ! We understand in times of struggle and humility that we need your wisdom. 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:24.199 ! And the times of pridefulness and hubris only proves that we need your wisdom. 00:00:24.199 --> 00:00:25.359 We need your wisdom all the time. 00:00:26.359 --> 00:00:28.740 Lord, we thank you that you are a wise God. 00:00:28.739 --> 00:00:35.039 In fact, you hold this entire world together because you are the one who created it. 00:00:35.600 --> 00:00:39.619 So you know how we ought to live and you have communicated that to us. 00:00:39.619 --> 00:00:44.780 So Lord, as we enter into this new series in this book of Ecclesiastes, Lord, 00:00:44.959 --> 00:00:50.939 please give us minds to really comprehend what you would have to speak to us about. 00:00:51.340 --> 00:00:54.179 And we'd ask that you'd make us wise. 00:00:54.179 --> 00:00:59.479 Wise to live this life in a godly way, but also wise unto salvation. 00:00:59.479 --> 00:01:03.359 We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. 00:01:03.359 --> 00:01:16.039 In the last 300 plus years since the Industrial Revolution, 00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:24.519 incredible advancements in healthcare and labor and automation, science and nutrition, 00:01:24.519 --> 00:01:31.319 we have been allowed an incredible life. 00:01:31.319 --> 00:01:42.159 A life that is so much more healthy and strong in many respects than our ancestors could have ever imagined. 00:01:42.159 --> 00:01:49.200 We live longer, produce more efficiently. 00:01:49.619 --> 00:01:51.719 We have healthier lives. 00:01:52.920 --> 00:01:57.239 All of this allows us to pursue a wide range of interests and hobbies. 00:01:58.319 --> 00:02:01.620 And really, you know, go back 500 years ago, 00:02:02.060 --> 00:02:08.479 describe even a quarter of what our world is like to people that lived back then. 00:02:08.479 --> 00:02:10.919 And it would seem inconceivable. 00:02:12.759 --> 00:02:22.979 One example of how advanced we are in the life that it has allowed us to live is the washing machine. 00:02:24.659 --> 00:02:30.459 Here's a quote from a book called Enlightenment Now by the renowned Canadian psychologist Stephen Pinker. 00:02:31.739 --> 00:02:32.859 He says this, quote, 00:02:32.860 --> 00:02:54.000 Now, whether that's the case or not, 00:02:54.000 --> 00:02:59.360 that it is one of the better inventions from the Industrial Revolution. 00:02:59.580 --> 00:03:00.960 I mean, the point is made clear. 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:09.020 We live in an incredible age that allows us to enjoy life and life to the full in many respects. 00:03:10.300 --> 00:03:16.639 So the kind of the too-long-didn't-read of that book and really this idea of progress since the Industrial Revolution, 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:25.099 is that materialism is a huge, and I truly mean huge, positive force in many ways. 00:03:26.079 --> 00:03:28.000 And to some degree, Stephen Pinker is right. 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:32.079 Who would want to go back to a life of poor nutrition? 00:03:33.239 --> 00:03:36.699 And with poor nutrition comes, like, child mortality, right? 00:03:37.099 --> 00:03:39.619 A huge, huge part of that. 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:42.719 Hard labor for little pay and shorter lifespans. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:48.099 I mean, imagine this summer without air conditioning in your car or your house, right? 00:03:48.139 --> 00:03:49.419 It was crazy hot this summer. 00:03:50.919 --> 00:03:54.479 Nobody wants to go back to pre-air-conditioned days. 00:03:55.079 --> 00:04:01.099 But one thing Stephen Pinker and other materialists and futurists and inventors and Enlightenment thinkers 00:04:01.099 --> 00:04:06.120 often overlook when discussing this post-Enlightenment world that we live in 00:04:06.120 --> 00:04:12.599 is that more stuff, more money, and the opportunities that they provide, 00:04:13.300 --> 00:04:17.459 it does not give us what we truly desire and long for. 00:04:18.259 --> 00:04:23.300 Meaning, legacy, genuine security in this life, 00:04:24.019 --> 00:04:27.959 and life in the eternal life in the life to come. 00:04:28.879 --> 00:04:30.399 It just cannot provide that. 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:34.579 So as we begin this 10-week series in Ecclesiastes, 00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:39.839 this will take us almost to Advent, I think potentially right till Advent. 00:04:40.479 --> 00:04:43.839 The central figure, the preacher or teacher or sage, 00:04:44.239 --> 00:04:46.579 tradition has him as King Solomon. 00:04:46.739 --> 00:04:49.299 That could very well be that King Solomon wrote this. 00:04:49.699 --> 00:04:51.659 I think if we focus too much on King Solomon, 00:04:52.279 --> 00:04:55.000 we might miss some wise tidbits. 00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:58.199 So I'm just going to call him the sage throughout these 10 weeks. 00:04:58.199 --> 00:05:05.199 The sage is brutally honest in his reflections on the nature of life. 00:05:06.060 --> 00:05:11.399 He searches for answers to questions that we might find too provocative to ask, 00:05:11.480 --> 00:05:16.459 or we might see a person who asks such questions as a pessimist. 00:05:17.099 --> 00:05:23.120 At times he seems to have resigned himself to believing that every aspect of life is meaningless, 00:05:23.120 --> 00:05:27.120 while at other times he appears to indulge in unchecked consumerism. 00:05:27.879 --> 00:05:29.819 Eat, drink, live, be merry. 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:36.579 But the sage, he is not a nihilist, nor is he a hedonist, 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:42.180 nor is he a fatalist, that human agency matters not. 00:05:42.180 --> 00:05:51.480 Instead, when we view the book as a whole, 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:55.300 Ecclesiastes uncovers a wisdom from above 00:05:55.300 --> 00:06:00.939 that awakens us from a narrow, worldly, centered perspective on life. 00:06:01.180 --> 00:06:06.280 What it does, it really shakes us both as individuals and collectively out of our malaise, 00:06:06.279 --> 00:06:12.279 out of our consumption and how quickly we can become automatons. 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:14.419 We can shut our minds off. 00:06:14.539 --> 00:06:15.259 We can become dull. 00:06:15.439 --> 00:06:16.519 It rattles us. 00:06:16.599 --> 00:06:17.219 It shakes us. 00:06:18.319 --> 00:06:20.959 So in this opening section that Margaret read, 00:06:22.159 --> 00:06:26.979 we'll find that the sage addresses something we cherish very much. 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:31.600 I mentioned this just, you know, a couple minutes ago. 00:06:32.200 --> 00:06:34.280 What is the thing that we cherish very much? 00:06:34.840 --> 00:06:36.420 Wealth and what it promises. 00:06:38.280 --> 00:06:39.620 And what does it promise? 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:43.700 It promises meaning, legacy, and eternal life. 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:46.680 The very things it can't deliver. 00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:55.780 And he argues that such a pursuit of achieving these ultimate things with wealth and work is pointless. 00:06:55.779 --> 00:07:00.819 But for many in Ottawa and perhaps many of us here this morning, 00:07:00.879 --> 00:07:06.779 if we're honest, right, we want to be honest and sober people as we come to God's word. 00:07:09.339 --> 00:07:13.339 What kind of life is there really apart from the modern way of living? 00:07:14.939 --> 00:07:16.799 Is work truly a waste of time? 00:07:17.539 --> 00:07:19.719 Will the sage provide a better way to live? 00:07:20.379 --> 00:07:21.939 Is there a better way to live? 00:07:21.939 --> 00:07:26.740 So before we look to answer some of these questions, 00:07:27.040 --> 00:07:31.000 we need to look at verse 2 and ask the question, 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:33.920 what does the sage mean when he talks about vanity? 00:07:34.660 --> 00:07:35.600 Let me read verse 2. 00:07:37.439 --> 00:07:39.459 Vanity of vanities, says the preacher. 00:07:40.040 --> 00:07:41.060 Vanity of vanities. 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:43.000 All is vanity. 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:45.600 So repeatedly in this one verse, 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:49.040 the sage uses the Hebrew word for habel, 00:07:49.259 --> 00:07:51.240 or it can also be pronounced havel. 00:07:51.899 --> 00:07:53.160 This word in Hebrew, 00:07:53.420 --> 00:07:56.920 it conveys the image of a breath or a mist or a vapor, 00:07:57.100 --> 00:07:59.819 something so fleeting that you see it, 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:01.639 but you can't grasp it. 00:08:01.759 --> 00:08:03.959 And it's here for a moment and then it disappears. 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:07.860 I don't want to, you know, trigger anybody here, 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:13.220 but what your breath looks like on a cold, frigid January morning. 00:08:13.620 --> 00:08:14.819 Think of that, okay? 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:16.160 We're far away from that. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:18.160 We're still enjoying summer vibes, hopefully. 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:21.340 But that's the image, if that helps you. 00:08:21.780 --> 00:08:25.240 A freezing cold day, you breathe out mist, vapor. 00:08:25.560 --> 00:08:26.660 You see it disappear. 00:08:26.780 --> 00:08:28.300 You can't grab it, but you see it. 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:31.740 It's here for a moment and then it is gone. 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:35.460 But what does this mean in Ecclesiastes? 00:08:37.019 --> 00:08:39.120 Why is it translated as vanity? 00:08:40.180 --> 00:08:41.960 There are several ways to interpret this 00:08:41.960 --> 00:08:45.620 and it seems that the sage throughout Ecclesiastes 00:08:45.620 --> 00:08:49.120 really explores the full nuance of the word. 00:08:49.799 --> 00:08:51.299 And that's an important thing to think about. 00:08:51.379 --> 00:08:53.919 We're not going to examine every last nuance. 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:58.600 But we'll look at just a few right now. 00:08:58.600 --> 00:09:00.340 It could signify meaninglessness 00:09:00.340 --> 00:09:02.759 as something without substance. 00:09:03.040 --> 00:09:05.879 So like literally the vapor or the mist 00:09:05.879 --> 00:09:08.620 that we breathe out in a cold Ottawa morning. 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:12.259 It might also describe the temporary nature of a thing. 00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:13.940 Here today, gone tomorrow. 00:09:14.560 --> 00:09:16.120 Like the grass in the field. 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:20.759 Over half of the other instances in the Old Testament 00:09:20.759 --> 00:09:24.540 of this word relate to idol worship and idolatry. 00:09:24.539 --> 00:09:28.959 And then the Greek translation of this word 00:09:28.959 --> 00:09:30.399 in the Septuagint. 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:32.779 So the Septuagint is the Greek translation 00:09:32.779 --> 00:09:33.959 of the Old Testament. 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:38.620 The Greek translation of the word havel or habel 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:41.559 is the same term used by the Apostle Paul 00:09:41.559 --> 00:09:45.439 in Romans 1 and 8 to describe a futile way of thinking 00:09:45.439 --> 00:09:48.679 or things that are subjected to futility. 00:09:48.679 --> 00:09:52.419 For our section, I think the best translation 00:09:52.419 --> 00:09:53.959 appears to be related to the idea 00:09:53.959 --> 00:09:56.159 of pursuing something in vain. 00:09:57.159 --> 00:09:59.159 In this context, it's the fruitlessness 00:09:59.159 --> 00:10:01.099 that results from our fixation 00:10:01.739 --> 00:10:04.679 on exploiting all of life for our benefit, 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:07.439 especially our work and labor. 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:10.660 We misuse our God-given abilities 00:10:10.660 --> 00:10:13.740 to exploit God's good creation, 00:10:13.880 --> 00:10:16.400 believing that we can achieve a God-like permanence 00:10:16.400 --> 00:10:19.100 and satisfaction in this mortal life. 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:23.120 So, I mean, again, that's a lot. 00:10:23.180 --> 00:10:26.400 There's a lot of different potential meanings. 00:10:26.600 --> 00:10:27.940 It's a very pregnant word. 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:31.140 Funny enough, a commentator that I read said, 00:10:31.240 --> 00:10:32.360 if you're really trying to explore 00:10:32.360 --> 00:10:34.600 the full breadth of meaning of this word, 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:38.879 of vanities, it is a vain pursuit in and of itself. 00:10:39.960 --> 00:10:41.440 But for us this morning, 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.820 Romans 1 seems to make a great deal of sense. 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:49.420 The Apostle Paul puts it this way 00:10:49.420 --> 00:10:52.420 in Romans chapter 1, starting in verse 21. 00:10:53.600 --> 00:10:55.600 For although they knew God, 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:58.180 he's talking about those people 00:10:58.180 --> 00:10:59.820 that are living unrighteously. 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:01.759 For although they knew God, 00:11:01.820 --> 00:11:03.259 they did not honor him as God 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:04.340 or give thanks to him, 00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:06.259 but they became futile, 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:07.100 that's that word, 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:08.200 in their thinking, 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:10.200 and their foolish hearts were darkened. 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:12.019 Claiming to be wise, 00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.580 they became fools 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:14.779 and exchanged the glory 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:16.360 of the immortal God 00:11:16.360 --> 00:11:18.679 for images resembling mortal man 00:11:18.679 --> 00:11:19.679 and birds and animals 00:11:19.679 --> 00:11:20.279 and creeping things. 00:11:20.500 --> 00:11:21.439 There's a connection here 00:11:21.439 --> 00:11:22.799 to that idolatry bit. 00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:24.539 Verse 24. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:26.799 Therefore God gave them up 00:11:26.799 --> 00:11:28.259 in the lusts of their hearts 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:28.939 to impurity, 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:31.059 to the dishonoring of their bodies 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:31.819 among themselves. 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:33.020 Verse 25. 00:11:33.020 --> 00:11:35.420 Because they exchanged the truth 00:11:35.420 --> 00:11:36.940 about God for a lie 00:11:36.940 --> 00:11:38.980 and worshipped and served 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:39.840 the creature 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:41.080 rather than the creator 00:11:41.080 --> 00:11:42.920 who is blessed forever. 00:11:43.220 --> 00:11:43.600 Amen. 00:11:43.960 --> 00:11:46.420 That's what that feudal thinking is. 00:11:46.820 --> 00:11:48.860 That vain thinking is. 00:11:49.520 --> 00:11:51.220 So, going back to Ecclesiastes. 00:11:51.660 --> 00:11:52.900 When the sage says 00:11:52.900 --> 00:11:54.700 that all is vanity, 00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:57.620 he cannot be then referring 00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:58.860 to all of creation 00:11:58.860 --> 00:11:59.759 and the good gifts 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:00.899 that are God-given, 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:03.399 these things are not described 00:12:03.399 --> 00:12:04.120 as futile, 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:05.120 even though he says 00:12:05.120 --> 00:12:06.200 all is vanity. 00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:08.820 How could he then affirm 00:12:08.820 --> 00:12:10.659 that everything is a vapor, 00:12:11.860 --> 00:12:13.000 which would have to include 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.759 truth itself, 00:12:13.820 --> 00:12:15.259 if the very truth he claims 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:15.840 is vapor? 00:12:16.060 --> 00:12:18.399 So, clearly he is not saying 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:21.720 all in a completely blanket sense. 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:23.040 Rather, 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:27.440 the only thing 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:28.360 that he is referring to, 00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:29.279 which covers still 00:12:29.279 --> 00:12:30.120 a great deal, 00:12:30.920 --> 00:12:31.639 is anything 00:12:31.639 --> 00:12:32.899 that is done 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:33.920 or achieved 00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:35.399 or viewed 00:12:35.399 --> 00:12:36.460 that is disconnected 00:12:36.460 --> 00:12:37.540 from the creator. 00:12:38.920 --> 00:12:40.259 Put another way, 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:42.139 only the triune God 00:12:42.139 --> 00:12:43.420 can give real meaning 00:12:43.420 --> 00:12:44.800 and substance to life, 00:12:45.000 --> 00:12:46.220 for he is the author 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:47.080 and sustainer 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:47.540 of all life. 00:12:47.539 --> 00:12:48.480 You remember 00:12:48.480 --> 00:12:50.339 Colossians chapter 1, 00:12:50.539 --> 00:12:51.179 the Apostle Paul 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:52.299 is talking about Jesus, 00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:54.799 the pre-incarnate Christ, 00:12:55.500 --> 00:12:56.500 which can be extended 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.620 to the entire Godhead 00:12:57.620 --> 00:12:58.759 and he says of this 00:12:58.759 --> 00:12:59.459 in verse 16, 00:12:59.919 --> 00:13:00.659 for by him 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.719 all things were created 00:13:01.719 --> 00:13:02.759 in heaven and on earth, 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.480 visible and invisible, 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:06.059 whether thrones 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:06.860 or dominions 00:13:06.860 --> 00:13:07.439 or rulers 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.259 or authorities, 00:13:08.939 --> 00:13:10.319 all things were created 00:13:10.319 --> 00:13:11.360 through him 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:13.459 and for him, 00:13:14.219 --> 00:13:15.039 and he is before 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:15.679 all things 00:13:15.679 --> 00:13:16.379 and in him 00:13:16.379 --> 00:13:17.120 all things 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.019 hold together. 00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:18.379 I mean, 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:19.359 that is a really 00:13:19.359 --> 00:13:20.419 intense, 00:13:20.959 --> 00:13:23.019 thick few verses, 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:24.419 but what I wanted 00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:25.620 you to understand 00:13:25.620 --> 00:13:26.539 and what it is 00:13:26.539 --> 00:13:28.179 that the sage 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:28.839 is conveying 00:13:28.839 --> 00:13:29.859 is that 00:13:29.859 --> 00:13:31.039 to pursue 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:32.199 God's creation 00:13:32.199 --> 00:13:34.219 apart from God 00:13:34.219 --> 00:13:36.939 is the definition 00:13:36.939 --> 00:13:37.679 of vanity, 00:13:37.899 --> 00:13:38.599 is the definition 00:13:38.599 --> 00:13:39.359 of trying to grab 00:13:39.359 --> 00:13:39.859 something 00:13:39.859 --> 00:13:41.439 for you to 00:13:41.439 --> 00:13:43.299 find that it is 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:44.000 slipping right 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:44.779 out of your fingers. 00:13:45.679 --> 00:13:49.679 What is vanity 00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:50.899 in this context? 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:51.899 It is the pursuit 00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:52.679 and effort 00:13:52.679 --> 00:13:54.139 of our work 00:13:54.139 --> 00:13:55.139 of achieving 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:56.239 material wealth 00:13:56.239 --> 00:13:57.039 and everything 00:13:57.039 --> 00:13:57.979 that's associated 00:13:57.979 --> 00:13:58.579 with it 00:13:58.579 --> 00:13:59.859 completely, 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:01.519 completely disconnected 00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:02.279 from the one 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:03.379 true triune God. 00:14:03.819 --> 00:14:04.599 If we are trying 00:14:04.599 --> 00:14:05.439 to build a legacy, 00:14:06.339 --> 00:14:07.159 find purpose, 00:14:07.739 --> 00:14:08.579 seek meaning 00:14:08.579 --> 00:14:09.399 and enjoyment 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:11.159 that satisfies 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:12.240 our longings 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:12.899 and desires 00:14:12.899 --> 00:14:13.919 outside of God, 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:15.679 the sage is saying 00:14:15.679 --> 00:14:17.240 it is a vain pursuit. 00:14:17.439 --> 00:14:18.399 It is vanity. 00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:19.839 It is vapor. 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:20.740 It is mist. 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.639 It is pointless. 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:24.879 The sage 00:14:24.879 --> 00:14:26.559 in verse 3 to 11 00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:27.759 now turns to toil 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.279 and labor 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:28.759 and work 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.439 to help us see 00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.240 how our efforts 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.500 are ultimately 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.579 in vain 00:14:32.579 --> 00:14:33.120 when they are 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:34.059 self-serving. 00:14:35.919 --> 00:14:37.399 Let me read verse 3. 00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:38.620 I'll make a few comments 00:14:38.620 --> 00:14:38.939 on it 00:14:38.939 --> 00:14:39.819 and then we'll continue 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:40.860 on with the rest 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:41.259 of the section. 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:41.740 In verse 3, 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:44.740 what does man gain 00:14:44.740 --> 00:14:45.799 by all the toil 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:47.279 at which he toils 00:14:47.279 --> 00:14:48.659 under the sun? 00:14:51.080 --> 00:14:52.240 The sage asks 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.220 a rhetorical question 00:14:53.220 --> 00:14:54.159 about earthly toil. 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.580 What follows 00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:57.580 in 4 to 11 00:14:57.580 --> 00:14:58.360 really is him 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.220 unpacking 00:14:59.220 --> 00:15:01.019 and explaining 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.340 verse 3. 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:05.440 but before we go on 00:15:05.440 --> 00:15:06.620 if you can 00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.740 either in the margin 00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:09.940 or maybe even 00:15:09.940 --> 00:15:11.600 on the actual 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.700 page 00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:13.220 in your scripture 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:13.560 journals 00:15:13.560 --> 00:15:14.920 mark under the sun. 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:15.740 Okay? 00:15:15.800 --> 00:15:16.680 Because that's a term 00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:17.759 that we'll be coming back 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:19.160 to throughout Ecclesiastes. 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:20.899 We're not going to do 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:22.100 a deep dive into it now 00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:22.660 but really 00:15:22.660 --> 00:15:23.940 for us this morning 00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:25.399 it is 00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.540 a term 00:15:26.540 --> 00:15:28.200 that really describes 00:15:28.200 --> 00:15:29.820 both the created world 00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:31.400 and the lifespan 00:15:31.400 --> 00:15:32.660 we have here on earth. 00:15:33.540 --> 00:15:34.620 It also kind of 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.420 contrasts with 00:15:35.420 --> 00:15:36.420 this under heaven 00:15:36.420 --> 00:15:38.720 which refers 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:39.240 to a place 00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:39.980 where God dwells 00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.580 in eternity. 00:15:41.400 --> 00:15:41.840 Again, 00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:42.660 we'll explore more 00:15:42.660 --> 00:15:43.620 of this in the coming weeks 00:15:43.620 --> 00:15:44.280 but for now 00:15:44.280 --> 00:15:45.320 it describes 00:15:45.320 --> 00:15:46.740 this mortal life 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.980 under heaven. 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.280 So we ask the question 00:15:50.280 --> 00:15:51.680 what does man 00:15:51.680 --> 00:15:52.680 gain by all the toil 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:53.560 at which he toils 00:15:53.560 --> 00:15:54.200 under the sun? 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:56.220 The answer rhetorically 00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.100 is nothing. 00:15:57.100 --> 00:15:59.480 But again, 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.500 can the answer 00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:01.659 truly be just nothing? 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:02.460 Okay? 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.580 Again, 00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:04.720 he's not 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:05.680 a nihilist. 00:16:06.200 --> 00:16:07.659 He's not a fatalist. 00:16:10.300 --> 00:16:11.200 It's hard to 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.379 kind of grasp this now 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.019 but he's not even 00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.800 a pessimist. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.399 So what is he talking about? 00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:17.399 Can the answer 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.220 truly be nothing? 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:19.840 Does the work 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.460 of teachers, 00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.480 designers, 00:16:21.680 --> 00:16:22.560 system managers, 00:16:23.519 --> 00:16:24.100 armed forces, 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:24.639 personnel, 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:25.320 trades, 00:16:25.580 --> 00:16:25.940 people, 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:27.280 public servants, 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:27.760 nurses, 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.360 engineers, 00:16:28.560 --> 00:16:29.040 entrepreneurs, 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.580 if I've missed 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:31.320 a category, 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.160 let me know. 00:16:32.420 --> 00:16:33.320 It still applies 00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:34.600 to you. 00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:35.860 Does this work 00:16:35.860 --> 00:16:37.140 amount to nothing? 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.120 So as we saw 00:16:39.120 --> 00:16:39.600 with vanity, 00:16:39.760 --> 00:16:40.260 the answer 00:16:40.260 --> 00:16:41.820 isn't a simple 00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:43.260 nothing. 00:16:43.960 --> 00:16:44.420 But again, 00:16:44.540 --> 00:16:45.280 it's linked 00:16:45.280 --> 00:16:45.860 to verse 2 00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.980 considering the vain 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:48.040 pursuit of work 00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:48.820 and toil, 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.840 divorced from the 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:50.400 knowledge and love 00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:50.840 of God. 00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:54.180 Working for God's 00:16:54.180 --> 00:16:54.480 glory. 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:54.980 Again, 00:16:55.060 --> 00:16:55.539 it means that 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.399 work and toil 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.740 become vain 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.500 when they are 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.620 viewed solely 00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.580 on a horizontal 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:01.659 level without 00:17:01.659 --> 00:17:03.000 any consideration 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.860 for the vertical 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:05.460 perspective. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:08.099 But surely, 00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.220 surely, 00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:11.799 even people 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.599 who do not know 00:17:12.599 --> 00:17:13.519 the triune God 00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:15.140 can produce work 00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:15.900 that matters for 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.259 something. 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.000 I mean, 00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:19.360 I go to the 00:17:19.360 --> 00:17:19.799 hospital. 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:22.099 I don't go to 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:22.519 the hospital, 00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:23.119 but if I go to 00:17:23.119 --> 00:17:23.460 the hospital, 00:17:23.460 --> 00:17:26.079 I don't care 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:26.980 if my doctor is 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.659 Hindu or an 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:29.019 atheist. 00:17:29.419 --> 00:17:30.180 I don't care. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.799 He's doing good 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.099 work. 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:31.779 I am benefiting 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.319 from it. 00:17:34.099 --> 00:17:35.000 The person that 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.659 comes to do a 00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:37.359 repair on my 00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:38.559 home, I don't 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.819 before I let him 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.960 in say, 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:41.759 listen, 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.639 can you recite 00:17:43.639 --> 00:17:44.759 the creed and 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:46.259 check mark before 00:17:46.259 --> 00:17:46.700 you come in? 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.240 No, no, no. 00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:48.000 He's going to 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:48.299 come in. 00:17:48.340 --> 00:17:48.720 He's going to 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.299 benefit. 00:17:49.880 --> 00:17:50.580 I'm going to 00:17:50.580 --> 00:17:51.700 reap the benefits 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:51.980 of it. 00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:53.160 So surely, 00:17:53.360 --> 00:17:54.480 even people who 00:17:54.480 --> 00:17:54.940 do not know 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.600 the triune God 00:17:55.600 --> 00:17:56.279 can produce work 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:56.940 that matters for 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.279 something. 00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:58.960 How can the 00:17:58.960 --> 00:18:00.319 sage paint 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:02.259 all of creation, 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:02.980 all of the 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.480 world with 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.200 such a broad 00:18:04.200 --> 00:18:04.960 brush? 00:18:08.299 --> 00:18:09.100 He'll explain 00:18:09.100 --> 00:18:10.319 in verses 4 to 00:18:10.319 --> 00:18:10.620 7. 00:18:11.600 --> 00:18:12.519 A generation 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:13.460 goes and a 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:14.519 generation comes, 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:15.819 but the earth 00:18:15.819 --> 00:18:16.519 remains forever. 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.960 The sun rises 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.539 and the sun 00:18:18.539 --> 00:18:20.019 goes down and 00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.759 hastens to the 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.580 place where it 00:18:21.580 --> 00:18:22.000 rises. 00:18:22.799 --> 00:18:23.580 The wind, it 00:18:23.580 --> 00:18:24.620 blows to the 00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:26.220 south and goes 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.920 around to the 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.279 north. 00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:28.319 Around and 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:29.100 around it goes, 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.400 the wind, and 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:31.220 on its circuits, 00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:32.640 the wind returns. 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.580 All streams run 00:18:33.580 --> 00:18:35.100 to the sea, but 00:18:35.100 --> 00:18:35.840 the sea is not 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:36.720 full to the place 00:18:36.720 --> 00:18:37.360 where the streams 00:18:37.360 --> 00:18:37.720 flow. 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.380 There they 00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:40.480 flow again. 00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.140 Sages are 00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:43.920 reminding us of 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:45.259 the transient nature 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.059 of human life. 00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:46.700 So our 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:48.179 existence in 00:18:48.179 --> 00:18:48.859 comparison with 00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.299 the earth is 00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:50.980 almost incomprehensible. 00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:53.839 Incomprehensible. 00:18:56.119 --> 00:18:56.980 You might 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.519 remember your 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:57.919 grandparents. 00:18:58.480 --> 00:18:59.200 You might even 00:18:59.200 --> 00:18:59.779 remember your 00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.619 great-grandparents. 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.839 I would be 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.899 surprised if half 00:19:02.899 --> 00:19:03.700 of us know our 00:19:03.700 --> 00:19:04.559 great-grandparents' 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:06.460 names, let alone 00:19:06.460 --> 00:19:07.759 our great-great-grandparents. 00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:10.099 generations that 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:11.720 seem like in the 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:13.160 distant, distant, 00:19:13.319 --> 00:19:15.180 distant past, they 00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:15.740 are forgotten. 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.879 And really, their 00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:18.079 lifespan was just a 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:19.000 blip in the 00:19:19.000 --> 00:19:20.680 entirety of human 00:19:20.680 --> 00:19:21.440 history. 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:25.379 The notion that we 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:26.420 possess a piece of 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:27.460 land or various 00:19:27.460 --> 00:19:28.839 possessions in an 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.740 ultimate sense is 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:30.700 also a fallacy. 00:19:31.099 --> 00:19:32.140 For such materials 00:19:32.140 --> 00:19:33.339 existed long before 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.680 we were born and 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.940 will exist long 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.759 after we're gone. 00:19:37.680 --> 00:19:38.640 We cannot control 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:39.259 the seasons, 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.500 weather, or the 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:42.500 natural flow of the 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:42.840 seas. 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:44.680 We think we've 00:19:44.680 --> 00:19:45.580 mastered the world. 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:45.639 world. 00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:49.220 Our entire economy 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.759 really is predicated 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:52.000 on ocean travel 00:19:52.000 --> 00:19:53.439 and giant 00:19:53.439 --> 00:19:54.279 container ships 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:56.000 bringing things 00:19:56.000 --> 00:19:57.399 from the east to 00:19:57.399 --> 00:19:58.059 the west and 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:58.679 back again. 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:01.299 But the oceans are 00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:01.980 untamable. 00:20:02.480 --> 00:20:03.259 We are along for 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:03.539 the ride. 00:20:03.639 --> 00:20:04.839 We build bigger 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:06.419 and greater and 00:20:06.419 --> 00:20:08.119 stronger vessels, 00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:10.059 but we don't 00:20:10.059 --> 00:20:11.359 stop the ocean's 00:20:11.359 --> 00:20:12.059 tides from 00:20:12.059 --> 00:20:13.299 crashing upon 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:13.740 us. 00:20:13.740 --> 00:20:17.019 the sage is 00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:18.519 saying that we 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.059 are finite. 00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:21.059 We are here for a 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.380 moment. 00:20:22.339 --> 00:20:23.440 In many respects, 00:20:23.579 --> 00:20:24.259 we are along for 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.599 the ride. 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:28.259 The earth does 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:29.279 not belong to us. 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:30.960 It belongs to the 00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.160 Lord. 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:32.120 We make money, we 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:33.059 purchase land and 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:34.559 the things that come 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:35.180 with it, but the 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:36.000 value of earthly 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:37.259 ownership, it must 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.299 always remain 00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:42.059 relative to the 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:42.919 acknowledgement that 00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:43.879 all of it belongs 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.359 to God. 00:20:44.679 --> 00:20:45.240 And therefore, we 00:20:45.240 --> 00:20:45.879 do not have an 00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.500 ultimate claim. 00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:48.899 So this section 00:20:48.899 --> 00:20:50.599 here, it really 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:52.659 deconstructs human 00:20:52.659 --> 00:20:53.159 pride. 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.960 It deconstructs 00:20:54.960 --> 00:20:55.559 human pride. 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:57.559 It deconstructs 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.440 the human desire 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.279 for a permanent 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.720 profit, a 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:01.940 permanent spot 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:03.659 achieved through 00:21:03.659 --> 00:21:04.720 earthly means. 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.799 The pharaohs no 00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.919 longer own Egypt. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.579 Like, just, it's 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.179 unbelievable. 00:21:10.180 --> 00:21:12.060 There is no Roman 00:21:12.060 --> 00:21:14.160 emperor anymore who 00:21:14.160 --> 00:21:16.180 rules and owns the 00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:18.380 conceivable world. 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.820 Even the greatest 00:21:20.820 --> 00:21:22.060 among us, even King 00:21:22.060 --> 00:21:23.580 Solomon, if he truly 00:21:23.580 --> 00:21:24.180 wrote Ecclesiastes, 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:28.600 Israel's most richest 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:31.180 and wisest king, he 00:21:32.019 --> 00:21:32.600 is gone. 00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.140 And what did he 00:21:33.140 --> 00:21:33.600 leave? 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:36.240 He left a kingdom 00:21:36.240 --> 00:21:38.519 that was just ready 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:40.019 and rife to be 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:41.519 split and destroyed 00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:42.759 and to be torn 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.139 apart. 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:47.000 This section helps 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.639 us to understand 00:21:47.639 --> 00:21:49.599 this, that we are 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:49.980 finite. 00:21:51.079 --> 00:21:52.220 And how we cannot 00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:53.740 alter the nature of 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:54.879 this world one bit, 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:57.819 we simply inhabit it 00:21:57.819 --> 00:21:59.379 and we are subject 00:21:59.379 --> 00:22:00.279 to its cycles. 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:04.019 again, going back to 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.799 verse 3, we live 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:08.019 an under the sun 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.160 type of existence. 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:11.059 And it's not a very 00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:11.879 long one at that. 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.720 From a very 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:17.879 materialistic 00:22:17.879 --> 00:22:18.899 perspective, this is a 00:22:18.899 --> 00:22:20.420 difficult thing to 00:22:20.420 --> 00:22:20.920 accept. 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:22.319 Because if it's true, 00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:23.440 it suggests that life 00:22:23.440 --> 00:22:25.399 really, truly is 00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:26.440 without ultimate 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.160 meaning or 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:28.200 satisfaction beyond 00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:31.100 self, beyond 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:32.680 just a fleeting 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.559 self-fulfillment. 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:35.660 We can enjoy the 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.420 things for a 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.180 moment, but they 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:38.440 will not be enjoyed 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:39.200 for eternity. 00:22:41.700 --> 00:22:42.980 The sage, he is 00:22:42.980 --> 00:22:43.940 shooting a shot 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:45.819 across the bow of 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:47.180 our post-secular, 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.200 post- 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:52.460 our post-modern 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.259 secular age. 00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.299 sage. 00:22:54.359 --> 00:22:55.480 So, if the gifts 00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:57.079 you are pursuing 00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:58.039 are elevated above 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.619 the gift giver, 00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:01.000 the sage is really 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:02.519 telling us that we 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.400 will not experience 00:23:03.400 --> 00:23:04.559 God-given joy, 00:23:05.200 --> 00:23:06.299 but rather we will 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.579 experience a God-given 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.200 disappointment. 00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:09.859 Because we are using 00:23:09.859 --> 00:23:11.640 his creation in a 00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:12.519 way that was never 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:14.220 intended for it to 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:14.680 be used. 00:23:15.660 --> 00:23:17.079 Again, we are 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:19.599 separating the gift 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.640 from the giver, 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:21.879 and to confuse the 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:23.040 gift from the giver 00:23:23.040 --> 00:23:23.840 will result in 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:25.340 constant disappointment 00:23:25.340 --> 00:23:26.260 and fruitless toil. 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.280 Look with me at 00:23:27.280 --> 00:23:29.240 verses 8 to 11. 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:34.160 All things are 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:34.900 full of weariness. 00:23:35.780 --> 00:23:36.520 A man cannot 00:23:36.520 --> 00:23:37.080 utter it. 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:39.080 The eye is not 00:23:39.080 --> 00:23:40.120 satisfied with 00:23:40.120 --> 00:23:41.860 seeing, nor the 00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:42.700 ear filled with 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.000 hearing. 00:23:44.040 --> 00:23:45.280 What has been is 00:23:45.280 --> 00:23:47.400 what will be, and 00:23:47.400 --> 00:23:48.320 what has been done 00:23:48.320 --> 00:23:49.200 is what will be 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.500 done. 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.940 And there is 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.660 nothing new under 00:23:51.660 --> 00:23:52.099 the sun. 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.940 Is there a thing 00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:56.180 of which it is 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.460 said, see, this is 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:57.680 new? 00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.819 It has been already 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:01.019 in the ages before 00:24:01.019 --> 00:24:01.359 us. 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.799 There is no 00:24:02.799 --> 00:24:03.539 remembrance of 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:05.140 former things, nor 00:24:05.140 --> 00:24:06.180 will there be any 00:24:06.180 --> 00:24:06.940 remembrance of 00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:08.880 latter things, yet 00:24:08.880 --> 00:24:10.599 to be among those 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.519 who come after. 00:24:11.519 --> 00:24:11.579 other. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:18.059 I'm telling you, if 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:19.099 you're honest, if 00:24:19.099 --> 00:24:19.400 you're kind of 00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:20.259 sitting in the 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.480 heaviness of these 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:23.440 verses, if you're 00:24:23.440 --> 00:24:24.079 not quick to push 00:24:24.079 --> 00:24:25.660 them away, or to 00:24:25.660 --> 00:24:26.359 fill your mind with 00:24:26.359 --> 00:24:27.099 something else, a 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:28.759 distraction, the 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:29.240 things you need to 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.039 do when you go home 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:32.900 after this, do you 00:24:32.900 --> 00:24:34.740 not want freedom 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:37.680 from this empty 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.839 pursuit, this 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:40.059 vapor, this 00:24:40.059 --> 00:24:42.439 vanity, to 00:24:42.439 --> 00:24:44.179 avoid working 00:24:44.179 --> 00:24:45.059 in vain, to 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.980 stop constantly 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:47.319 consuming without 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:47.919 ever being 00:24:47.919 --> 00:24:50.500 satisfied, to 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:54.679 enjoy life without 00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:55.699 constantly looking 00:24:55.699 --> 00:24:56.919 for the next 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:58.139 hit, the next 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:59.740 trip, the next 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.559 experience, the 00:25:00.559 --> 00:25:02.539 next toy, to 00:25:02.539 --> 00:25:03.139 find fulfillment 00:25:03.139 --> 00:25:04.839 and purpose in 00:25:04.839 --> 00:25:05.779 our work and in 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:07.459 our life during 00:25:07.459 --> 00:25:08.179 our time under 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:08.580 the sun. 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.039 This takes us to 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:13.160 our final section 00:25:13.160 --> 00:25:17.019 and I'll just say 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:17.580 this before we get 00:25:17.580 --> 00:25:18.039 into this final 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.360 section. 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.640 It would take you 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.519 about 45 minutes 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.400 or so to read 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.420 this out loud, 00:25:22.519 --> 00:25:23.600 maybe a lot 00:25:23.600 --> 00:25:24.160 shorter if you're 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:24.740 a speed reader. 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:26.539 It's meant to be 00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.400 read kind of 00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:27.860 continually. 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:29.900 So we're reading 00:25:29.900 --> 00:25:30.840 verses, chapter 00:25:30.840 --> 00:25:31.740 1, verses 1 to 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:35.900 11, and without 00:25:35.900 --> 00:25:36.940 reading the entirety 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:38.360 of Ecclesiastes, 00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:39.559 this can just be 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.799 heavy and really 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:41.320 depressing. 00:25:41.840 --> 00:25:42.600 There is hope 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:44.539 that the sage 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:45.779 will bring to 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.039 us. 00:25:47.240 --> 00:25:47.960 And I don't want 00:25:47.960 --> 00:25:48.580 to be too quick 00:25:48.580 --> 00:25:49.080 to go there. 00:25:49.160 --> 00:25:49.519 He's building 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:51.340 tension in the 00:25:51.340 --> 00:25:51.600 book. 00:25:52.500 --> 00:25:53.460 He's not saying 00:25:53.460 --> 00:25:54.279 this is a problem, 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:54.920 here's a solution. 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:57.799 He's saying I'm 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.059 going to 00:25:58.059 --> 00:25:59.500 deconstruct your 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.559 faulty thinking. 00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:02.460 So there is hope, 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.340 it's a bit later on. 00:26:03.339 --> 00:26:05.159 Read ahead, please, 00:26:05.240 --> 00:26:05.839 by all means. 00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.480 But I'll just say 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.240 this when it comes 00:26:08.240 --> 00:26:09.559 to vain work. 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:12.399 Christ affirms 00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:13.159 the work of the 00:26:13.159 --> 00:26:13.419 sage. 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.859 Christ discusses 00:26:15.859 --> 00:26:16.919 money and wealth 00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.980 and material things 00:26:17.980 --> 00:26:18.859 quite frequently in 00:26:18.859 --> 00:26:19.459 the Gospels. 00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:21.079 However, like the 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:22.039 sage, he does not 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.779 condemn them 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.199 outright. 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.819 Instead, he focuses 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:27.419 on the issues of 00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:28.899 the heart, the 00:26:28.899 --> 00:26:30.139 motivations behind 00:26:30.139 --> 00:26:31.539 our labors and 00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:31.980 toil. 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:33.860 Let me read a few 00:26:33.860 --> 00:26:34.779 passages from the 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.779 Gospels to illustrate 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.200 my point. 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:37.220 And again, these are 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:38.460 just a couple 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.880 examples, actually 00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:40.539 three examples. 00:26:40.700 --> 00:26:41.339 Jesus has much 00:26:41.339 --> 00:26:42.620 more in the Gospels 00:26:42.620 --> 00:26:43.180 where he's talking 00:26:43.180 --> 00:26:44.539 about money and 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.559 work and motivation. 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.039 The first one, 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:48.160 Matthew chapter 6 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:49.720 in verse 19. 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.440 Do not lay up for 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.180 yourselves treasures 00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:54.319 on earth where moth 00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.460 and rust destroy and 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.400 where thieves break in 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:56.819 and steal. 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.920 But lay up for 00:26:58.920 --> 00:27:00.460 yourselves treasures 00:27:00.460 --> 00:27:01.079 in heaven. 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:03.339 where neither moth 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:04.460 nor rust destroys 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.759 and where thieves 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.440 do not break in 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:06.880 and steal. 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.360 For where your 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:09.920 treasure is, there 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.960 your heart will be 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:11.480 also. 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.920 No one can serve 00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:15.720 two masters, for 00:27:15.720 --> 00:27:16.440 either he will hate 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:17.039 the one and love 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:18.240 the other, or he 00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.279 will be devoted to 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.460 the one and despise 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:20.759 the other. 00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:21.559 You cannot serve 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:22.900 God and money. 00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:26.299 Matthew chapter 16, 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.500 starting in verse 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:28.000 24. 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:30.579 Then Jesus told 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.240 his disciples, 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:32.259 quote, 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.799 If anyone would 00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.839 come after me, 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.960 let him deny 00:27:35.960 --> 00:27:37.039 himself and take 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.779 up his cross and 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.220 follow me. 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.839 For whoever would 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:41.079 save his life will 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.519 lose it. 00:27:42.500 --> 00:27:43.799 But whoever loses 00:27:43.799 --> 00:27:44.700 his life for my 00:27:44.700 --> 00:27:46.299 sake will find it. 00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:48.420 For what will it 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.839 profit a man if he 00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.960 gains the whole 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:52.599 world and forfeits 00:27:52.599 --> 00:27:53.059 his soul? 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:54.660 Or what shall a man 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.579 give in return for 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:55.960 his soul? 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:59.019 And Luke chapter 00:27:59.019 --> 00:28:00.740 12, starting in the 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:01.880 16th verse, and for 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.779 whatever reason, this 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:05.079 hit hard in my 00:28:05.079 --> 00:28:05.500 studies. 00:28:07.840 --> 00:28:08.759 Verse 16, 00:28:09.620 --> 00:28:10.559 And Jesus told them 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:11.539 a parable, saying, 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.900 The land of a rich 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:14.759 man produced 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.460 plentifully. 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:17.140 And he thought to 00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:18.259 himself, What shall I 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.460 do? 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:20.140 For I have nowhere to 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:21.079 store my crops. 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:23.120 And he said, I will 00:28:23.120 --> 00:28:23.480 do this. 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:24.860 I will tear down my 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:25.819 barns and build 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.740 larger ones. 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.299 And there I will 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.279 store all my grain 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:30.479 and my goods. 00:28:30.919 --> 00:28:32.199 And I will say to 00:28:32.199 --> 00:28:34.779 my soul, Soul, you 00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:35.959 have ample goods 00:28:35.959 --> 00:28:36.979 laid up for many 00:28:36.979 --> 00:28:37.299 years. 00:28:37.419 --> 00:28:38.719 Relax, eat, drink, 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:39.199 be merry. 00:28:39.919 --> 00:28:41.000 Verse 20, But God 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:42.039 said to him, God 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.799 said to him, Fool, 00:28:44.719 --> 00:28:46.139 this night your soul 00:28:46.139 --> 00:28:47.119 is required of you. 00:28:47.659 --> 00:28:48.379 And the things you 00:28:48.379 --> 00:28:50.179 have prepared, whose 00:28:50.179 --> 00:28:50.759 will they be? 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:53.819 What do we notice 00:28:53.819 --> 00:28:54.539 about these teachings 00:28:54.539 --> 00:28:55.019 of Jesus? 00:28:56.099 --> 00:28:57.259 They highlight that 00:28:57.259 --> 00:28:58.279 work and treasures 00:28:58.279 --> 00:29:00.279 on earth lack 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.599 lasting or eternal 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.799 value when they are 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:03.599 self-serving. 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.940 However, when we are 00:29:05.940 --> 00:29:07.079 united with Christ, 00:29:07.559 --> 00:29:08.799 we are connected to 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.819 the one who is not 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:11.220 bound by the earth's 00:29:11.220 --> 00:29:13.440 cycles because he 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.460 created the earth 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:15.619 from nothing with 00:29:15.619 --> 00:29:16.140 his word. 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:19.279 He is not beholden 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.139 to the powers of 00:29:20.139 --> 00:29:20.519 the seas. 00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:20.940 Why? 00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.420 Because he spoke to 00:29:22.420 --> 00:29:22.759 the seas. 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.420 What did he say? 00:29:23.980 --> 00:29:24.579 Be still. 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:27.200 And the seas obeyed 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:27.440 him. 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.059 The wind and the 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:30.039 waves ceased. 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:31.980 He is not limited 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:33.399 by mortal life, for 00:29:33.399 --> 00:29:34.339 although he became 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.660 fully man and lived 00:29:35.660 --> 00:29:37.680 and died, Jesus did 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:40.019 not stay dead, only 00:29:40.019 --> 00:29:41.019 to be forgotten, but 00:29:41.019 --> 00:29:42.339 he rose again to new 00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:43.740 life and still reigns 00:29:43.740 --> 00:29:44.139 on high. 00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.839 Everything he did 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:49.959 was completely not 00:29:49.959 --> 00:29:50.439 in vain. 00:29:51.939 --> 00:29:53.899 And by faith, when 00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:54.879 we are united to 00:29:54.879 --> 00:29:56.279 Christ, we are 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:57.379 united to the only 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:58.480 one who has not 00:29:58.480 --> 00:30:00.299 experienced vanity, 00:30:00.459 --> 00:30:01.299 vanity, all his 00:30:01.299 --> 00:30:01.740 vanities. 00:30:04.119 --> 00:30:05.039 This has huge 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.019 implications for us. 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.299 When we are united 00:30:07.299 --> 00:30:09.500 to him, our ultimate 00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.919 meaning and value are 00:30:10.919 --> 00:30:12.099 found in him. 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:14.039 We don't need to 00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:15.039 chase after the 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:17.500 gain, verse 3, that 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.659 the world promises or 00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:19.859 we think we will get. 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:22.859 As we work in vain, 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:24.319 day in and day out, 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.639 instead we rest in 00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:26.740 Christ's finished work 00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:29.079 and eternal work on 00:30:29.079 --> 00:30:29.619 the cross. 00:30:30.259 --> 00:30:31.539 And we join in him, 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:33.180 in his ongoing work 00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.980 of building the 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:35.119 eternal kingdom here 00:30:35.119 --> 00:30:35.500 on earth. 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:36.460 And this is one of 00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.720 the beautiful things 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:39.779 of the New Testament. 00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.960 It says that 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:43.420 everybody can live a 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.560 life, including their 00:30:44.560 --> 00:30:45.259 work, that brings 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:46.019 glory to God. 00:30:46.800 --> 00:30:47.680 You do not have to 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:49.420 be a minister standing 00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.360 in front of a 00:30:50.360 --> 00:30:51.340 congregation preaching 00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:54.220 to have work worthy 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:55.480 of the Lord. 00:30:55.960 --> 00:30:58.240 It's like as if my job 00:30:58.240 --> 00:30:59.279 is good but you guys 00:30:59.279 --> 00:31:00.100 are all engaged in 00:31:00.100 --> 00:31:00.400 vanity. 00:31:00.580 --> 00:31:01.300 No, no, no, no, no. 00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:04.740 But a life that is 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:06.880 turned towards God and 00:31:06.880 --> 00:31:07.820 about his kingdom, 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:10.620 using our resources to 00:31:10.620 --> 00:31:12.779 obey him, taking care of 00:31:12.779 --> 00:31:14.139 our family, proclaiming 00:31:14.139 --> 00:31:15.299 the good news, living 00:31:15.299 --> 00:31:18.539 holy lives, relying upon 00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:20.899 him for our bread. 00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.779 Even though we can 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:23.220 certainly go by it at 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.420 any time, but he is the 00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.700 one truly is giving us 00:31:25.700 --> 00:31:27.359 what we have. 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.819 This transforms our 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:31.000 work so that it is no 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:32.920 longer vain, but it is 00:31:32.920 --> 00:31:33.339 eternal. 00:31:34.119 --> 00:31:35.559 No longer is it a vapor, 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.480 but something that is 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.639 tangible, that will last 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:39.440 from this life into the 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:39.799 next. 00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:39.879 Christ. 00:31:41.480 --> 00:31:43.259 So you see that Christ 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:45.480 completely transforms our 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:48.099 labor, our work, our 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:48.460 toil. 00:31:49.139 --> 00:31:50.619 He infuses it with eternal 00:31:50.619 --> 00:31:51.819 significance, something that 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.639 we could never do. 00:31:53.359 --> 00:31:54.559 For when done to the glory 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:56.440 and praise of God, what we 00:31:56.440 --> 00:31:57.720 do will endure forever. 00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.960 I'll close with this. 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:03.579 John chapter 6, verse 27. 00:32:03.579 --> 00:32:04.419 Again, the words of 00:32:04.419 --> 00:32:04.740 Christ. 00:32:05.939 --> 00:32:07.699 Do not work for the food 00:32:07.699 --> 00:32:10.220 that perishes, but for the 00:32:10.220 --> 00:32:11.980 food that endures to 00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:14.000 eternal life, which the Son 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:15.139 of Man will give to you. 00:32:15.679 --> 00:32:17.659 For on him, God the Father 00:32:17.659 --> 00:32:19.439 has set his seal. 00:32:19.919 --> 00:32:22.000 And that seal is upon us if 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.720 we have our faith in 00:32:22.720 --> 00:32:23.000 Christ. 00:32:23.439 --> 00:32:24.000 Let us pray. 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.379 Father in heaven, we thank 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:30.179 you that you love us enough 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:32.140 to show us the futility of 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:32.600 our ways. 00:32:34.360 --> 00:32:37.060 That you love us enough to 00:32:37.060 --> 00:32:38.900 shake us out of our 00:32:38.900 --> 00:32:41.120 slumber and to deconstruct 00:32:41.120 --> 00:32:41.799 bad thinking. 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:44.560 To open our eyes to the 00:32:44.560 --> 00:32:47.279 futility of a life that we 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.440 think will give us ultimate 00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:50.019 meaning that is so self- 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:51.000 centered and about us. 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.820 Lord, help us to be people 00:32:52.820 --> 00:32:55.700 that look to the only one who 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:57.320 did not live a vain life. 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:59.299 Not even 1% of his life was 00:32:59.299 --> 00:32:59.839 in vain. 00:33:01.159 --> 00:33:03.619 Not one of it was devoted 00:33:03.619 --> 00:33:06.779 to self, but for your 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.139 glory. 00:33:08.919 --> 00:33:10.440 Lord, we pray for these 00:33:10.440 --> 00:33:11.200 next few weeks in 00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:12.279 Ecclesiastes that you would 00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:13.019 make us wise. 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:15.180 Wise with how we work. 00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:16.379 Wise with how we live. 00:33:16.579 --> 00:33:17.700 Wise with how we spend our 00:33:17.700 --> 00:33:17.960 money. 00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:19.619 Wise with how we spend our 00:33:19.619 --> 00:33:20.299 leisure time. 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:22.240 Wise with our families, our 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:23.700 friends, every part of our 00:33:23.700 --> 00:33:24.200 life, Lord. 00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:26.579 We pray that the wisdom 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:28.240 that you give us, we will 00:33:28.240 --> 00:33:29.839 by your spirit put it to 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:32.019 good work and that we will 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.779 continually live for the 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:35.039 kingdom that is to come. 00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:37.019 Not just for this life under 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.380 the sun. 00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:39.220 We pray all this in Jesus' 00:33:39.380 --> 00:33:39.519 name. 00:33:39.859 --> 00:33:40.079 Amen. 00:33:40.079 --> 00:34:10.059 Thank you.