WEBVTT

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 All right. Thanks, Ronnie. I don't even know why I'm up here. I could just close in prayer. Amen, brother.

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! Thanks, Josh W. and Davidson Community Bible Church for having us here. As has been mentioned

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! My name is Josh and I'm glad to serve you this morning through the word. I'm going to stand here if that's okay. Feels a little far.

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 We can do that. Do I have permission to do that? Okay. Sounds great. Let's pray before we get in the word.

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 Father in heaven, we just thank you that your mercies are new for us this morning as we're singing about

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 and what we're hearing about from your word here. So, God, help us to listen. Would you give us

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 soft hearts to receive this word from you here and let it take root and bear fruit in our hearts and our lives

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 as we go on? Not just in this week, but our lives in general. And be glorified in this time as we dive in.

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 In your name. Amen.

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 Yeah, so I usually, I have come here. I've gotten to meet and know some of you.

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 My wife is in the back there. Emily, you want to just give a wave? There you go. She's walking up, I guess.

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 And we have three kids here. You might have seen them running around. That's our Filipino Mennonite hybrid kids

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 there. And so, if you're wondering what makes them kind of brown, kind of white, that's what it is.

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 But, yeah, it's great to be here. Serve on staff still at Nippon Bible College, as Brendan mentioned.

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 And I oversee our touring teams here. And so, the last time I was here was with the band about two years ago.

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 And actually, it was Ronnie that was leading the team as well. And I think Lauren was on that team as well.

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 And so, yeah, glad to be back.

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 And at this time, I want to turn your attention to the Word of God in Psalm 127. We just read it.

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 And so, let me start off with a question for us this morning.

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 And maybe this is something that's been on your mind even this week.

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 But have you ever just woken up and felt like the last day was just nothing?

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 You worked and finished a job and felt like it was meaningless, useless, right?

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 Maybe it was a job that you were working. Maybe it was house chores.

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 Maybe you have kids and you don't know what to do with yourself at the end of the day.

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 These are things that we genuinely wrestle with.

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 And this text here brings us to that and wants us to think about the things that we labor in and what the results are.

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 And so, Psalm 127, right?

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 If you look at the introduction there or, quote, musical direction, so to speak, that's how the Psalms usually start.

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 It says a song or songs of ascent, right?

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 And it's attributed to Solomon.

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 These are songs that Israel, right, as they worked their regular days, as they went up to the temple to sacrifice, right?

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 That would have been a long pilgrimage.

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 That would have been a long journey for them.

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 These are the songs, specifically Psalm 120, Psalms from Psalm 120 to 134.

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 These group of Psalms are a collection of psalms and hymns that they would have sung, specifically on the way up to Jerusalem as they ascended the hill, right?

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 That's why they're called the Ascent Psalms.

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 And these are things that they would have reflected on, the things that they've just labored in.

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 What was it all for?

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 What's the result?

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 What is this going to get us?

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 And here, a psalm attributed to Solomon addresses this very question.

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 And that's for us this morning.

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 So keep that question in mind as we go through.

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 But the first few points that we see here are illustrations, actually.

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 Likely from the time that Israel would have labored in, right?

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 So first we see the illustration of building a house.

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 Look at verse 1.

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 Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.

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 First points of observation we need to make here are the two characters in action, right?

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 The obvious one, first, is the Lord, right?

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 And the Lord is building.

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 The Lord's a builder here.

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 And then the second character are those who build.

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 That's not the Lord.

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 Humans, right?

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 So it's the Lord and humans.

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 But what's the difference?

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 They're both doing the same thing.

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 But what's the difference?

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 Well, if the Lord is not actively building,

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 those humans who build part from the Lord labor in vain, right?

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 The question is, how do you know if your labor is not in vain?

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 If we think of the first time we see this in the scriptures, Genesis 4.

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 Some of you might remember a man named Enoch.

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 Not the Enoch who walked with God, but Cain's son, right?

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 The bad Enoch.

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 Bad guy Enoch.

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 And that verse, Genesis 4, 16,

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 talks about how this guy, Enoch,

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 went away from the presence of the Lord

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 and settled east of Eden, right?

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 And this guy built stuff, right?

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 Yet he built stuff away from the presence of the Lord.

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 That's what Genesis 4 is trying to say, right?

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 Enoch, as the first builder, right, in scripture,

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 he built the first building, the first city, right?

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 He labored and built in vain, okay?

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 That's the first example in scripture of building in vain.

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 Another example of vain labor, this one's more popular.

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 Genesis 11, what's that about?

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 The Tower of Babel, right?

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 When people start to build a city, that's what it is.

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 A tower, a city, to make their name great, right?

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 Think of our cities today and towns and whatever

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 that's named after someone, right?

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 To remember someone.

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 That originates from Babel.

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 Genesis 11 says, the Lord didn't let them finish, right?

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 The Lord dispersed them from over the face of the earth

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 and they left off from building the city, right?

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 They started building apart from the Lord

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 and the Lord comes and disperses them.

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 They labored and built in vain, okay?

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 Easy examples in Genesis 4 and 11, right?

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 But even a finished building,

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 think of someone who builds a building in a city, right?

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 Even after that, that can still be built in vain, right?

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 Think about Jesus' teaching regarding the foolish man

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 who built his house on what?

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 Instead of rock?

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 Sand, yeah.

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 So think about that.

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 The house was finished.

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 It even stood for a while.

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 It doesn't tell us, right?

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 Think of Matthew 7, right?

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 That's when Jesus talked about this.

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 It stood for a while.

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 That could have stood for however many years, right?

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 Think of the houses here in town

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 and how long ago they've been built

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 and they're still standing.

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 But the illustration Jesus gives in Matthew 7

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 is that it stood for a while until the rain fell,

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 the floods came, the winds blew and beat against that house

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 and it fell and great was the fall of it, right?

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 So buildings can be built and finished

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 and stand for a really long time

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 and still be done in vain.

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 Ecclesiastes, right?

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 We hear about the preacher of Ecclesiastes

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 talking about how he toiled and built cities

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 and built homes and built everything,

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 yet it's meaningless, right?

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 And Solomon here in Psalm 127 says,

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 as a summary,

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 unless the Lord builds,

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 you labor in vain, right?

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 It's kind of getting depressing here.

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 Hang with me.

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 He's got a point.

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 The point is,

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 unless the Lord builds a house

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 both physically and truly,

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 those who build labor in vain

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 in a sense that

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 unless the builder of a house or a city

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 looks to the heavens and says,

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 this is nothing apart from you, God,

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 it's in vain, right?

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 Unless you give credit to the Lord

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 who created all of the earth

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 and the fullness thereof

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 because it's his.

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 Unless you do that,

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 you are building in vain, okay?

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 Building shelter not founded on the Lord

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 is meaningless.

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 It's a point.

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 And the second illustration here

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 is applied to security,

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 not just shelter,

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 not just building a city,

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 but also someone who watches over a city, okay?

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 Look at verse two

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 or at least halfway through verse one.

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 Unless the Lord watches over the city,

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 the watchman stays awake in vain.

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 Now this,

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 the building a house stuff,

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 that's easier for us to imagine, okay?

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 That still applies to us in our modern day.

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 But none of us really watch over a city, right?

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 So no one's really,

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 none of us are watching over Saskatoon

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 or Regina or whatever, right?

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 But in the ancient Near East,

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 most if not all cities were walled up, right?

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 You would have seen images of that.

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 They were walled up to protect

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 against enemy invasion.

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 We see that throughout the Old Testament, right?

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 And who were standing up high

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 watching over the cities, right?

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 Watchmen, right?

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 And they sound the horn, right?

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 We see examples of that in scripture

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 when they see enemy troops

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 or just anyone coming

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 who doesn't look familiar,

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 whether they're horses or they're chariots

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 or even their robes and their clothing, right?

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 And here Solomon is saying,

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 the watchmen who stand up high

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 and keep watch over the city, right?

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 They stay awake overnight, right?

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 Those who do that also labor in vain

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 unless the Lord is watching over that city, right?

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 We see this again throughout the Old Testament

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 when kings relied on horses

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 and chariots to protect them.

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 But Psalm 27 says,

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 No, no.

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 It's the name of the Lord, our God.

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 It's the Lord that protects us, right?

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 The Lord is sovereign over the security of people

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 whether it's during the day

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 or through the night.

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 Unless the watchman looks downward

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 to protect the city, right?

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 Unless that person looks upwards as well, right?

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 As we were doing here,

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 as we were singing, right?

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 Unless we humbly rely on the Lord, right?

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 Who never sleeps, Psalm 121, right?

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 Who watches over the city 24-7 to protect it,

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 your security is in vain, right?

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 Think of that today in our modern age.

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 What cities are we watching over, right?

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 What do we make efforts

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 and great efforts to stay secure,

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 to keep secure in our lives,

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 whether that's our money, our houses, our families,

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 whatever it is,

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 Solomon says these two types of vain labor, right?

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 Building a house,

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 watching over city for its security, right?

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 These are nothing.

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 These are meaningless.

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 These are in vain.

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 Unless, unless the Lord is a part of it.

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 Unless you attribute these to the Lord.

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 And that's why he says,

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 in these vain labors,

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 think about someone building a house.

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 Carpenters today, right?

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 Rise up early, right?

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 And watchmen in the ancient Near East

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 would stay awake overnight.

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 And that's why I look at verse 2,

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 in Psalm 127,

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 says,

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 It is in vain that you rise up early,

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 like the builder of the house.

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 It is in vain that you stay awake,

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 and go late to rest,

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 like the watchmen.

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 It is in vain that you do all that,

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 as you eat the bread of anxious toil.

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 So, here's his next point,

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 after his two illustrations.

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 Now, when we think about rising up early,

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 right, that's actually encouraged

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 throughout scripture, right?

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 If you want to get important work done,

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 think of Exodus 8.20 or Job 1.5,

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 if you're curious about those references, right?

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 Rising up early is encouraged.

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 Nor is going late to rest from a day's work

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 necessarily wrong,

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 or explicitly condemned in scripture.

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 Although, resting too much is,

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 if you read the Proverbs.

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 But going late to rest from a day's work,

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 that's not wrong.

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 It's not condemned in scripture.

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 So, the natural implication of the progression here

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 is that rising up early,

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 or going late to rest,

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 due to hard work,

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 whether it's building a city,

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 or watching over a city, right?

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 That leads to the reward of eating bread.

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 Okay?

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 Think of a modern day today.

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 We go to work, right?

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 At the end of the month,

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 or two weeks,

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 however the frequency of your pay, right?

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 You get income

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 to put bread on the table,

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 so to speak.

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 So, that's what the progression is here.

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 Work equals money,

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 equals food on the table.

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 That's how they were thinking

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 in the ancient Near East here.

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 And that's how Solomon here is thinking, right?

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 And think about 2 Thessalonians 3,

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 when Paul,

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 the Apostle Paul later says,

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 if anyone's not willing to work,

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 don't let him what?

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 Eat.

00:13:59.219 --> 00:13:59.379
 Yeah?

00:13:59.699 --> 00:14:01.179
 So, they know that.

00:14:01.219 --> 00:14:02.339
 That was assumed here.

00:14:02.479 --> 00:14:04.199
 So, Solomon is not condemning

00:14:04.199 --> 00:14:05.240
 any of these things,

00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:06.039
 individually,

00:14:06.279 --> 00:14:07.319
 that he's talking about here.

00:14:07.719 --> 00:14:07.899
 Right?

00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:08.659
 But rather,

00:14:08.839 --> 00:14:09.839
 he is warning against

00:14:09.839 --> 00:14:10.939
 the habitual pattern

00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:12.299
 of rising up early,

00:14:13.439 --> 00:14:14.399
 and going late

00:14:14.419 --> 00:14:15.039
 to rest,

00:14:15.639 --> 00:14:17.099
 in order to

00:14:17.099 --> 00:14:18.539
 reap the reward,

00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:20.639
 and eat the bread of it.

00:14:21.099 --> 00:14:21.779
 Whatever that

00:14:21.779 --> 00:14:23.539
 labor was.

00:14:24.079 --> 00:14:25.099
 And Solomon describes

00:14:25.099 --> 00:14:26.019
 that kind of labor,

00:14:26.339 --> 00:14:27.379
 not only as vain,

00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.599
 apart from the Lord,

00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:30.179
 but anxious toil.

00:14:30.699 --> 00:14:30.819
 Okay?

00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:31.860
 This phrase,

00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:32.719
 anxious toil,

00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:33.039
 is,

00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:34.939
 if anyone has

00:14:34.939 --> 00:14:36.879
 a New American Standard

00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.579
 translation,

00:14:37.919 --> 00:14:38.779
 it's quoted,

00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:39.839
 translated as

00:14:39.839 --> 00:14:41.099
 painful labors.

00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:42.079
 Right?

00:14:42.219 --> 00:14:43.159
 Painful labors.

00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:44.279
 Anxious toil.

00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:46.159
 And that language,

00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:47.459
 I love that translation,

00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:48.779
 because it roots it back

00:14:48.779 --> 00:14:50.519
 to the first painful labor.

00:14:50.939 --> 00:14:52.099
 The first anxious toil.

00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:52.959
 Where is that found?

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.279
 Genesis 3.

00:14:54.979 --> 00:14:55.159
 Right?

00:14:55.740 --> 00:14:57.579
 When God says to Adam,

00:14:57.699 --> 00:14:58.479
 curse is the ground

00:14:58.479 --> 00:14:59.299
 because of you,

00:14:59.699 --> 00:15:00.360
 because you've rebelled

00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:00.860
 against me,

00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:01.419
 because you've sinned.

00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:03.899
 In pain,

00:15:03.979 --> 00:15:04.439
 there it is,

00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:05.059
 in pain,

00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:05.919
 you shall eat of it

00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:07.019
 all the days of your life.

00:15:07.219 --> 00:15:08.459
 By the sweat of your face,

00:15:08.539 --> 00:15:09.779
 you shall eat bread.

00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:10.879
 Right?

00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:11.100
 So,

00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:12.759
 Solomon here understands

00:15:12.759 --> 00:15:13.839
 that anxious toil,

00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:14.620
 right,

00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.959
 or vain labor,

00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:16.779
 painful labor,

00:15:17.139 --> 00:15:18.500
 that's results

00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:19.539
 of the fall,

00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:21.000
 when man fell

00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.939
 into sin

00:15:21.939 --> 00:15:22.559
 and in death.

00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:24.419
 And hard work

00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:24.939
 and diligence

00:15:24.939 --> 00:15:27.259
 is the means

00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.019
 by which

00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:28.579
 fallen man

00:15:28.579 --> 00:15:29.199
 is to put bread

00:15:29.199 --> 00:15:29.679
 on the table.

00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.699
 It's not easy anymore.

00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:31.620
 It's not just,

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.059
 hey,

00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.360
 in Genesis 1 and 2,

00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:34.360
 you could eat of the fruit

00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:34.759
 of the tree.

00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:35.860
 Any tree.

00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.459
 Except for the one

00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:36.860
 in the middle,

00:15:37.019 --> 00:15:37.639
 don't eat of that

00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.200
 because you'll die.

00:15:39.120 --> 00:15:39.360
 But,

00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:41.560
 it's easy.

00:15:41.700 --> 00:15:42.139
 It's good.

00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:43.259
 Now,

00:15:43.420 --> 00:15:44.240
 on this side,

00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:45.420
 right,

00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.000
 of sin,

00:15:47.180 --> 00:15:47.940
 it's sweat

00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:48.680
 and toil

00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:49.280
 and labor.

00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:50.259
 Right?

00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:51.040
 Think of even

00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:52.360
 our hot day today,

00:15:52.500 --> 00:15:52.720
 right?

00:15:53.139 --> 00:15:53.759
 You looking forward

00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.259
 to getting back

00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:54.960
 to work tomorrow?

00:15:55.940 --> 00:15:56.240
 Right?

00:15:56.780 --> 00:15:57.519
 In this weather?

00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.019
 This is,

00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:59.040
 this is what Solomon

00:15:59.040 --> 00:15:59.900
 is getting at

00:15:59.900 --> 00:16:01.300
 as he writes

00:16:01.300 --> 00:16:02.320
 to ancient Israel.

00:16:03.620 --> 00:16:04.139
 But,

00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:05.480
 the anxious toil

00:16:05.480 --> 00:16:06.120
 that Solomon

00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:07.279
 is warning against

00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:08.000
 here

00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:09.480
 is man's

00:16:09.480 --> 00:16:11.220
 self-reliant labor

00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:13.000
 that produces

00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.860
 self-gratifying reward.

00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:15.759
 Right?

00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.840
 That's what he's getting at

00:16:16.840 --> 00:16:17.740
 with eating the bread

00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:19.580
 of anxious toil.

00:16:20.700 --> 00:16:21.580
 Your anxious toil

00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:22.700
 and trying to make ends meet

00:16:22.700 --> 00:16:23.379
 on your own.

00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.159
 Your anxious toil

00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:25.840
 and trying to make

00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:26.620
 your bank account

00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:28.159
 explode on your own.

00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:30.379
 Or your savings account

00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:31.980
 as fat as it can be

00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:33.420
 for your own good,

00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:34.800
 for your own enjoyment.

00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:37.019
 I mean,

00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:37.560
 think about it.

00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.159
 Have you met anyone

00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:38.620
 like this?

00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.340
 Maybe this sounds

00:16:41.340 --> 00:16:41.960
 like someone you know.

00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:42.879
 Maybe it sounds like

00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:44.600
 something you can relate

00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.200
 with yourself.

00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:45.759
 I mean,

00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:47.060
 I have family and friends,

00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:47.860
 unbelievers.

00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:48.519
 Sometimes,

00:16:48.800 --> 00:16:49.100
 actually,

00:16:49.180 --> 00:16:49.700
 unfortunately,

00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.720
 they are believers.

00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:51.580
 But,

00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.539
 mainly unbelievers

00:16:52.539 --> 00:16:53.840
 who do exactly this.

00:16:54.360 --> 00:16:54.879
 Restlessly

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.159
 and anxiously

00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.759
 working,

00:16:56.940 --> 00:16:57.279
 toiling,

00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.300
 day and night,

00:16:58.360 --> 00:16:59.539
 working 12 to 16

00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:01.100
 hour days

00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.920
 on regular,

00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.879
 missing family time,

00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:04.920
 missing sleep,

00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:05.839
 and worst of all,

00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:06.799
 time with the Lord

00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.740
 on their own,

00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.400
 and time with the Lord's people,

00:17:09.839 --> 00:17:10.099
 right,

00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:10.759
 when we're commanded

00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.380
 to gather regularly,

00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.440
 as we're doing here.

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:15.660
 Just,

00:17:15.859 --> 00:17:16.839
 for what purpose?

00:17:17.099 --> 00:17:18.400
 Just to bear the fruit

00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.440
 and reap the reward

00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:20.180
 of their own labors,

00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.240
 right?

00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.619
 We're such a work-minded,

00:17:23.759 --> 00:17:25.039
 work-focused culture,

00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:26.059
 especially here,

00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.240
 in our culture here,

00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.140
 in the north,

00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.380
 right,

00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.400
 in the west.

00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:30.400
 And so,

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:32.340
 these people,

00:17:32.820 --> 00:17:33.000
 right,

00:17:33.040 --> 00:17:34.000
 if you're thinking about them,

00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:35.519
 they are like the builders

00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:37.920
 that Solomon speaks of,

00:17:38.580 --> 00:17:38.860
 right?

00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.860
 They rise up early

00:17:39.860 --> 00:17:40.620
 to get to work,

00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:42.120
 and they're like the watchmen

00:17:42.120 --> 00:17:43.280
 that stay up all night,

00:17:43.820 --> 00:17:44.420
 right,

00:17:44.800 --> 00:17:45.900
 who in their sleepless

00:17:45.900 --> 00:17:46.400
 and restless,

00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.080
 toiling,

00:17:47.360 --> 00:17:49.259
 with their own two hands alone,

00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.780
 fail to recognize

00:17:51.780 --> 00:17:53.480
 that their shelter

00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.820
 and their security

00:17:54.820 --> 00:17:57.019
 and their sustenance

00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:57.940
 from eating bread

00:17:57.940 --> 00:17:59.799
 are all in vain

00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:01.220
 without the Lord.

00:18:02.320 --> 00:18:03.259
 That's what Solomon's getting at.

00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.779
 But what does eating the bread

00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:07.160
 of anxious toil

00:18:07.160 --> 00:18:08.160
 actually mean

00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:10.299
 for us today?

00:18:10.840 --> 00:18:11.120
 Well,

00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:11.740
 a pastor,

00:18:12.340 --> 00:18:13.120
 I heard,

00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.380
 explained this really well,

00:18:14.500 --> 00:18:14.799
 said,

00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:15.940
 eating the bread

00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.820
 of anxious toil

00:18:16.820 --> 00:18:18.120
 means to place

00:18:18.120 --> 00:18:18.820
 the fruit

00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:20.080
 or reward

00:18:20.080 --> 00:18:22.200
 of your own labors

00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.480
 into your own hands

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:25.900
 and carry the weight

00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:27.360
 of either its success

00:18:27.359 --> 00:18:28.279
 or its failure

00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:32.000
 instead of placing them

00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.819
 into God's hands,

00:18:33.619 --> 00:18:33.839
 right?

00:18:34.000 --> 00:18:34.779
 Or as this pastor

00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.299
 words it,

00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.579
 letting God

00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:37.339
 take the burden

00:18:37.339 --> 00:18:38.719
 of final responsibility.

00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:40.299
 So,

00:18:40.479 --> 00:18:41.559
 if you work your job

00:18:41.559 --> 00:18:42.579
 and you do a really good job

00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.399
 at the end of the day,

00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:45.839
 it's in your own hands,

00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:46.339
 right?

00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:47.759
 Unless you attribute it

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.199
 to the Lord.

00:18:48.419 --> 00:18:48.819
 Or,

00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:50.299
 if you do a terrible job

00:18:50.299 --> 00:18:51.259
 and feel terrible

00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:52.339
 about how bad

00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:53.279
 of a job you did,

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:55.220
 the pressure

00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.160
 is still on you,

00:18:56.319 --> 00:18:56.599
 right?

00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.539
 And so,

00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:00.180
 unless you attribute

00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.039
 this to the Lord,

00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:01.960
 in my weakness,

00:19:02.279 --> 00:19:02.539
 Lord,

00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.379
 make something

00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:03.980
 out of nothing.

00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:04.940
 And,

00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:06.180
 in my success,

00:19:07.119 --> 00:19:08.139
 it's all because of you.

00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:08.839
 What do I have

00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.599
 that I didn't receive?

00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:10.180
 Right?

00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.700
 That's what Solomon

00:19:11.700 --> 00:19:13.420
 is trying to distinguish here.

00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.059
 Eating the bread

00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.819
 of anxious toil

00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:16.160
 is any labor,

00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.099
 right,

00:19:17.160 --> 00:19:18.519
 or enjoying any reward

00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.420
 from your labor

00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:20.799
 that you have done

00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.159
 with your own two hands

00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:23.059
 without the Lord.

00:19:23.680 --> 00:19:23.899
 Right?

00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:25.379
 And so,

00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.180
 Solomon here

00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:28.480
 says,

00:19:28.639 --> 00:19:28.859
 look,

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:31.819
 don't anxiously toil

00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:32.159
 like that.

00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:33.240
 Don't eat the bread

00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.440
 of your anxious toil.

00:19:34.919 --> 00:19:35.799
 And how do you do that?

00:19:36.639 --> 00:19:37.119
 Right?

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.180
 We're going to look at that

00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:39.019
 as we end

00:19:39.019 --> 00:19:40.539
 this morning

00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:41.740
 with some ways

00:19:41.740 --> 00:19:42.519
 we can apply this.

00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:42.960
 But,

00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:43.960
 Solomon gives

00:19:43.960 --> 00:19:45.200
 two reasons.

00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:46.480
 Two reasons

00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.500
 why we shouldn't

00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:48.759
 eat the bread

00:19:48.759 --> 00:19:50.039
 of our anxious toil.

00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:52.240
 The first reason

00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:52.859
 is,

00:19:53.159 --> 00:19:53.680
 look at

00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.680
 end of chapter,

00:19:54.980 --> 00:19:55.799
 end of verse two.

00:19:56.539 --> 00:19:56.720
 Right?

00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.159
 Eating the bread

00:19:58.159 --> 00:19:58.879
 of anxious toil.

00:19:59.139 --> 00:19:59.579
 Why?

00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.359
 For,

00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.299
 because

00:20:01.299 --> 00:20:02.279
 he gives

00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:03.000
 to his beloved

00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:03.639
 sleep.

00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:05.559
 Okay?

00:20:05.720 --> 00:20:06.059
 Again,

00:20:06.200 --> 00:20:06.899
 Solomon's already

00:20:06.899 --> 00:20:07.879
 just been saying,

00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.159
 look,

00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.980
 you rise up early

00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.039
 and you go late

00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:10.539
 to rest.

00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.119
 What are they eliminating

00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:12.980
 from their pattern?

00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:13.920
 Sleep,

00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.339
 likely.

00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:14.960
 Right?

00:20:15.399 --> 00:20:16.200
 I can relate to that.

00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:16.740
 Anyone else?

00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:17.200
 Right?

00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:18.799
 But,

00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:20.019
 think about this.

00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:20.680
 Why does God

00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.359
 choose to give

00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:21.960
 his beloved

00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.940
 sleep?

00:20:24.779 --> 00:20:25.259
 God

00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.460
 graciously gives

00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:27.940
 to his children

00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:28.399
 sleep

00:20:28.399 --> 00:20:29.000
 in light of

00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:29.920
 verses one and two.

00:20:30.399 --> 00:20:30.779
 Right?

00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:32.279
 So that

00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.740
 their labors

00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.599
 would not be in vain.

00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:35.759
 That's what

00:20:35.759 --> 00:20:36.920
 Solomon's connection is.

00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.399
 Right?

00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.299
 God loves his people

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.799
 so much

00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.339
 that he wants

00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:39.839
 their labors

00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:41.139
 to be truly fruitful

00:20:41.139 --> 00:20:42.579
 and truly rewarding,

00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.819
 which means

00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:44.460
 that they need

00:20:44.460 --> 00:20:45.839
 his gift of sleep

00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:47.579
 to avoid

00:20:47.579 --> 00:20:48.200
 eating the bread

00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:49.100
 of anxious toil.

00:20:49.840 --> 00:20:50.500
 There's some

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.460
 major implications

00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.240
 for us here.

00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.180
 But Solomon

00:20:54.180 --> 00:20:55.240
 is getting

00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.240
 at the

00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:58.080
 main point

00:20:58.080 --> 00:20:58.460
 of

00:20:58.460 --> 00:20:59.299
 to reap

00:20:59.299 --> 00:20:59.799
 the fruit

00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.220
 and reward

00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:01.000
 of your own labors.

00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:01.640
 Right?

00:21:01.700 --> 00:21:02.259
 By eating the bread

00:21:02.259 --> 00:21:03.039
 of your anxious toil.

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.380
 From early mornings

00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.319
 to late nights.

00:21:06.080 --> 00:21:07.180
 To do that,

00:21:08.180 --> 00:21:08.880
 verses one and two,

00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.480
 is to refuse

00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.240
 this gift

00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.740
 of sleep

00:21:11.740 --> 00:21:12.220
 that God

00:21:12.220 --> 00:21:12.660
 is giving you.

00:21:12.660 --> 00:21:13.860
 That's what

00:21:13.860 --> 00:21:14.240
 he's saying.

00:21:15.060 --> 00:21:15.240
 Right?

00:21:15.580 --> 00:21:16.320
 In other words,

00:21:16.380 --> 00:21:16.860
 it's like saying,

00:21:16.900 --> 00:21:17.100
 God,

00:21:17.180 --> 00:21:18.460
 I'm more powerful

00:21:18.460 --> 00:21:19.820
 than you've designed

00:21:19.820 --> 00:21:20.300
 me to be.

00:21:20.360 --> 00:21:20.779
 I don't need

00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.440
 your gift of sleep.

00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:23.120
 I think I've had

00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.759
 that belief

00:21:23.759 --> 00:21:26.920
 when I was

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.580
 in high school

00:21:27.580 --> 00:21:28.759
 and college years.

00:21:29.840 --> 00:21:30.680
 That's what I believe.

00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.820
 Sleep is for the weak

00:21:31.820 --> 00:21:32.519
 is what I thought.

00:21:34.380 --> 00:21:35.220
 But to be clear,

00:21:35.300 --> 00:21:35.720
 the context

00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.380
 of this passage

00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:37.060
 speaks against

00:21:37.060 --> 00:21:38.240
 those who refuse

00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:38.800
 God's gift

00:21:38.800 --> 00:21:39.380
 of sleep

00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:40.880
 due to human

00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:41.480
 arrogance.

00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.120
 Right?

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.680
 Because I can work.

00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.680
 I don't need to sleep.

00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.319
 I'm going to work

00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:45.819
 long days

00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.839
 and long nights.

00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:48.019
 I don't need sleep.

00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:48.640
 Right?

00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.420
 That's rebuking

00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.039
 those people

00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.900
 rather than those

00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:52.620
 who struggle

00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:53.400
 to receive

00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.559
 God's good gift

00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.039
 of sleep

00:21:55.039 --> 00:21:56.299
 due to human

00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:56.920
 limitations

00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.839
 or diagnoses.

00:21:59.120 --> 00:21:59.220
 Right?

00:21:59.279 --> 00:21:59.960
 Think of those

00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:00.740
 who have sleep apnea

00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.660
 or other conditions.

00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:01.900
 Okay?

00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.660
 I don't think

00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:03.220
 this passage

00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:03.920
 is rebuking

00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:04.539
 those people.

00:22:04.980 --> 00:22:06.059
 But those

00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:06.740
 who work

00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:08.660
 in light

00:22:08.660 --> 00:22:09.519
 of human arrogance

00:22:09.519 --> 00:22:10.860
 refusing God's

00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.279
 good gift

00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.699
 of sleep.

00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:12.500
 The builders

00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.319
 who rise up early.

00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:14.179
 The watchmen

00:22:14.179 --> 00:22:14.959
 who stay awake

00:22:14.959 --> 00:22:15.519
 through the night.

00:22:16.039 --> 00:22:17.119
 Anxious toilers

00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.579
 enjoying the fruit

00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.359
 of their own labors.

00:22:20.059 --> 00:22:20.939
 And don't be so quick

00:22:20.939 --> 00:22:21.339
 to think,

00:22:21.479 --> 00:22:21.679
 Josh,

00:22:21.719 --> 00:22:22.339
 I think you're talking

00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:22.979
 about unbelievers.

00:22:23.079 --> 00:22:23.719
 I think Solomon's

00:22:23.719 --> 00:22:24.259
 talking about

00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.579
 my unbelieving friends.

00:22:26.839 --> 00:22:27.759
 Let's be careful.

00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:28.500
 Let's be slow

00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.979
 to not just

00:22:29.979 --> 00:22:30.959
 exclude

00:22:30.959 --> 00:22:32.039
 us Christians

00:22:32.039 --> 00:22:33.259
 from this conversation.

00:22:33.259 --> 00:22:36.480
 Now at the same time

00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.200
 in understanding

00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.680
 this

00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:39.000
 that we should not

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.059
 refuse this gift

00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:41.079
 of sleep

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:42.279
 we also

00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.220
 need to understand

00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.319
 that we should not

00:22:44.319 --> 00:22:45.160
 overuse

00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:46.960
 this gift.

00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:47.420
 Right?

00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:48.180
 Solomon warns

00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:48.819
 against sleeping

00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.519
 too much

00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.799
 through the whole

00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.440
 book of Proverbs.

00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.259
 Proverbs 20

00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:53.140
 verse 13

00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.940
 you can look that up.

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.980
 That's one reference

00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:56.379
 to the sluggard

00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:57.519
 sin in sleeping.

00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:59.220
 And I'm not

00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.940
 suggesting a limit

00:22:59.940 --> 00:23:00.680
 or number of hours

00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.240
 to sleep here.

00:23:01.319 --> 00:23:02.039
 Please don't hear that.

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.139
 That varies

00:23:03.139 --> 00:23:04.079
 depending on each person.

00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.920
 But all I'll say

00:23:04.920 --> 00:23:05.420
 is this.

00:23:05.700 --> 00:23:06.879
 Only babies

00:23:06.879 --> 00:23:08.059
 and little kids

00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.619
 sleep for long

00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.399
 and extended hours

00:23:09.399 --> 00:23:09.940
 through the night.

00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:10.440
 Right?

00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.379
 So adults should not

00:23:11.379 --> 00:23:12.339
 be sleeping like babies

00:23:12.339 --> 00:23:13.639
 outside of a sleepless

00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.180
 work week

00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.700
 or sleepless nights

00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.839
 due to early parenthood.

00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:17.200
 Yeah.

00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.960
 You can connect

00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.539
 the dots here.

00:23:19.339 --> 00:23:19.500
 Right?

00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.519
 So just needed

00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.539
 to address the other

00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:22.379
 side really quickly.

00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.519
 But the emphasis

00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.720
 of Psalm 127

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:26.619
 is receiving

00:23:26.619 --> 00:23:27.639
 the gift of sleep.

00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.720
 You know what

00:23:29.720 --> 00:23:30.339
 the application

00:23:30.339 --> 00:23:31.319
 from this sermon is?

00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:31.980
 Sleep.

00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.879
 I'm not kidding.

00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.039
 Solomon's not kidding.

00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:35.879
 Right?

00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:37.119
 Sleep but not too much.

00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.639
 Don't refuse it

00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:40.099
 but don't overuse it either

00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:41.539
 in a skillful balance.

00:23:42.180 --> 00:23:43.159
 But receiving it

00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:44.599
 so we can restfully labor

00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:46.659
 in dependence on God

00:23:46.659 --> 00:23:48.159
 to avoid laboring

00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:48.759
 in vain.

00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.960
 And when we do that

00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:53.299
 with a good balance

00:23:53.299 --> 00:23:54.319
 this becomes

00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:55.680
 not the sluggard's sin

00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.259
 but the believer's blessing.

00:23:57.899 --> 00:23:58.019
 Right?

00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.279
 As a young father

00:23:59.279 --> 00:24:00.240
 I wish I could go back

00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.059
 and preach this

00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:02.160
 to my unmarried self

00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:03.599
 and childless self

00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.259
 years ago.

00:24:04.620 --> 00:24:04.720
 Right?

00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:07.559
 And now I think

00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:08.259
 as I've

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.900
 as I've understood

00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:10.579
 more of

00:24:10.579 --> 00:24:11.700
 how to labor

00:24:11.700 --> 00:24:12.400
 in the Lord

00:24:12.400 --> 00:24:13.779
 I've had to prioritize

00:24:13.779 --> 00:24:14.880
 sleep patterns

00:24:14.880 --> 00:24:15.819
 healthy sleep patterns

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:17.000
 and I find that

00:24:17.000 --> 00:24:17.900
 when I sleep better

00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.779
 I actually can fight

00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.339
 sin better

00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:19.960
 the next day.

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.480
 There's a tight connection.

00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.859
 The spiritual life

00:24:23.859 --> 00:24:24.299
 is not

00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:25.779
 so far from the physical.

00:24:25.940 --> 00:24:26.380
 We need to

00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:27.140
 we need to

00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:27.900
 recognize

00:24:27.900 --> 00:24:28.820
 the tight connection

00:24:28.820 --> 00:24:29.920
 between those two things.

00:24:30.540 --> 00:24:30.640
 Right?

00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.940
 We can't do everything

00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.740
 as human beings

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:34.420
 because we're weak beings.

00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:34.720
 Right?

00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:36.080
 Look at what Paul says

00:24:36.080 --> 00:24:37.120
 in 2 Corinthians 12

00:24:37.120 --> 00:24:38.360
 My grace is sufficient

00:24:38.360 --> 00:24:38.840
 for you.

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.560
 Why?

00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:40.580
 For my power

00:24:40.580 --> 00:24:41.380
 is made perfect

00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:41.840
 in

00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:43.720
 God's power

00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.240
 rather

00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.019
 is made perfect

00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:46.160
 in our weakness.

00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:46.820
 Right?

00:24:47.380 --> 00:24:48.400
 And so Paul boasts

00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:49.140
 of his weaknesses

00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.259
 that the power of Christ

00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:51.460
 rests upon him.

00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:53.000
 So when we sleep

00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.940
 it's as if we say

00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.280
 God

00:24:54.280 --> 00:24:55.160
 I'm finite

00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.040
 and you're not.

00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:57.500
 Right?

00:24:58.759 --> 00:24:59.819
 I am weak

00:24:59.819 --> 00:25:01.039
 but you are strong.

00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:03.759
 So as I helplessly sleep

00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:05.119
 in my weakness

00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:06.339
 would you powerfully work

00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.740
 as you watch over me?

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.599
 Keep me safe

00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:09.920
 until tomorrow comes.

00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:10.960
 Right?

00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:12.779
 God never sleeps

00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.859
 so he's always working.

00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:14.700
 Right?

00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:15.960
 And so

00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.139
 this is what Solomon

00:25:17.139 --> 00:25:18.240
 is trying to encourage

00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:19.159
 his readers.

00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.339
 Don't work so much

00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:22.920
 that you actually forget

00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.819
 who you are

00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:25.940
 and who God is.

00:25:26.659 --> 00:25:26.779
 Right?

00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:27.680
 Don't labor

00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.460
 in vain.

00:25:29.099 --> 00:25:29.420
 Why?

00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.059
 Because God

00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:31.019
 gives his beloved sleep.

00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.180
 Second reason

00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:33.279
 after sleep

00:25:33.279 --> 00:25:34.599
 not only does God

00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.399
 the Lord

00:25:35.399 --> 00:25:36.759
 give his beloved sleep

00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.399
 right?

00:25:37.920 --> 00:25:38.859
 But he also

00:25:38.859 --> 00:25:39.639
 gives them

00:25:39.639 --> 00:25:40.779
 sons.

00:25:41.319 --> 00:25:41.539
 Right?

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.279
 If you're wondering

00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.899
 what's the connection

00:25:42.899 --> 00:25:43.299
 between

00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:44.480
 1 and 2

00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.200
 verses 1 and 2

00:25:45.200 --> 00:25:46.159
 and verses 3 to 5

00:25:46.159 --> 00:25:47.740
 look at verse 3

00:25:47.740 --> 00:25:48.579
 and onwards.

00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.039
 Behold

00:25:49.039 --> 00:25:49.779
 children

00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:50.980
 are a heritage

00:25:50.980 --> 00:25:51.559
 from the Lord

00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.480
 a gift from the Lord.

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.799
 He gives them to you.

00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.859
 The fruit

00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.379
 of the womb

00:25:55.379 --> 00:25:56.779
 a reward

00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.539
 from the Lord.

00:25:58.159 --> 00:25:58.359
 Right?

00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:00.019
 This is the second reason.

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:01.419
 The Lord

00:26:01.419 --> 00:26:02.319
 gives to his beloved

00:26:02.319 --> 00:26:02.919
 sleep

00:26:02.919 --> 00:26:04.039
 and

00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:04.919
 literally

00:26:04.919 --> 00:26:05.819
 the translation

00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:07.519
 in the NASB

00:26:07.519 --> 00:26:08.359
 is sons

00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.000
 children.

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.099
 Right?

00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:12.079
 The first observation

00:26:12.079 --> 00:26:12.639
 we need to make

00:26:12.639 --> 00:26:13.259
 in this section

00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:15.399
 is one that would be

00:26:15.399 --> 00:26:17.000
 less obvious for us.

00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.219
 Right?

00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:18.519
 That sons language

00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.879
 because contextually

00:26:19.879 --> 00:26:22.359
 this is a war passage.

00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.559
 This is warfare imagery

00:26:23.559 --> 00:26:24.219
 we're getting.

00:26:24.459 --> 00:26:26.319
 So the sons

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:28.139
 of the fathers

00:26:28.139 --> 00:26:29.019
 who are reading this.

00:26:29.079 --> 00:26:29.240
 Right?

00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.059
 The sons

00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:31.500
 in ancient Israel

00:26:31.500 --> 00:26:33.000
 they would grow up

00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:34.319
 and speak with their enemies

00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:35.019
 at the gate.

00:26:35.159 --> 00:26:35.299
 Right?

00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:36.039
 They would negotiate

00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.679
 at the gate.

00:26:36.899 --> 00:26:37.799
 That's where deals

00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.419
 would have been made

00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:39.320
 in the ancient Near East

00:26:39.320 --> 00:26:40.140
 at the city gate.

00:26:41.140 --> 00:26:42.060
 But not only that

00:26:42.060 --> 00:26:43.460
 not only are they

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:45.100
 growing up

00:26:45.100 --> 00:26:47.039
 for war purposes.

00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:47.460
 Right?

00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:48.779
 For warfare

00:26:48.779 --> 00:26:50.480
 reasonings.

00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:50.800
 But

00:26:50.800 --> 00:26:52.420
 sons also received

00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.420
 the primary inheritance.

00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:54.420
 Right?

00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:56.180
 In the ancient Near East.

00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:56.620
 Right?

00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.320
 So

00:26:57.320 --> 00:26:58.140
 the

00:26:58.140 --> 00:26:59.740
 fact that

00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.240
 the Lord

00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.300
 gives children

00:27:01.300 --> 00:27:02.720
 rewards children

00:27:02.720 --> 00:27:03.320
 to people

00:27:03.320 --> 00:27:03.720
 here

00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:05.380
 is

00:27:05.380 --> 00:27:06.079
 because

00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:07.200
 the sons

00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:08.420
 would have received

00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:09.039
 the greatest

00:27:09.039 --> 00:27:09.920
 inheritance.

00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.319
 Right?

00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.180
 And now we know

00:27:11.180 --> 00:27:11.819
 in the New Covenant

00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:12.519
 that's applied

00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.519
 to

00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.940
 all of us

00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:15.579
 who are children

00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.140
 of God

00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.860
 through Abraham.

00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:17.860
 But

00:27:17.860 --> 00:27:18.740
 what he's saying

00:27:18.740 --> 00:27:19.819
 is much like sleep

00:27:19.819 --> 00:27:20.960
 sons

00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.400
 children

00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:22.339
 are a good gift

00:27:22.339 --> 00:27:23.100
 that our good God

00:27:23.100 --> 00:27:23.660
 graciously

00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:25.380
 gives to his beloved.

00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:26.299
 Right?

00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.140
 This is why we cheer

00:27:27.140 --> 00:27:27.640
 and rejoice

00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.620
 when there's a pregnancy

00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.160
 announcement.

00:27:29.400 --> 00:27:30.180
 It is good and fitting

00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.339
 to do that.

00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:31.839
 Right?

00:27:31.839 --> 00:27:32.419
 As we should

00:27:32.419 --> 00:27:33.059
 because they all

00:27:33.059 --> 00:27:34.279
 come from the Lord.

00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.619
 And so

00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.639
 we want to celebrate

00:27:36.639 --> 00:27:37.119
 that.

00:27:37.699 --> 00:27:38.220
 But there's an

00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.099
 important implication

00:27:39.099 --> 00:27:39.439
 here.

00:27:40.119 --> 00:27:40.319
 Right?

00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.399
 Is that

00:27:41.399 --> 00:27:42.359
 when we celebrate

00:27:42.359 --> 00:27:42.839
 that

00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:44.240
 we don't celebrate

00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.159
 the labors

00:27:45.159 --> 00:27:45.919
 of those

00:27:45.919 --> 00:27:47.559
 who just

00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.039
 made that

00:27:48.039 --> 00:27:48.480
 announcement.

00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.019
 No.

00:27:50.179 --> 00:27:50.980
 It's God

00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.439
 who gives them.

00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:53.240
 God gives sleep

00:27:53.240 --> 00:27:54.399
 and God gives

00:27:54.399 --> 00:27:54.759
 children.

00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:56.459
 Right?

00:27:57.099 --> 00:27:58.019
 Think of the times

00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.319
 when

00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:59.259
 in Scripture

00:27:59.259 --> 00:27:59.879
 when the Lord

00:27:59.879 --> 00:28:00.399
 withheld

00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:01.019
 children.

00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.879
 from his people.

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.199
 Right?

00:28:03.359 --> 00:28:03.939
 Think of Jacob

00:28:03.939 --> 00:28:05.059
 and

00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:06.279
 was it

00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:06.679
 Rachel?

00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:07.220
 Yeah.

00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.119
 It was Rachel

00:28:08.119 --> 00:28:09.480
 that bore

00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.519
 Jacob no children.

00:28:11.259 --> 00:28:11.699
 And Jacob

00:28:11.699 --> 00:28:13.099
 says to Rachel

00:28:13.099 --> 00:28:13.939
 right?

00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:14.500
 When Rachel

00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.119
 says give me

00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:15.939
 children or else

00:28:15.939 --> 00:28:16.419
 I die.

00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:16.740
 Right?

00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.079
 Kind of wife

00:28:18.079 --> 00:28:18.519
 you don't want

00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:18.759
 to be.

00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.480
 Right?

00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.720
 Jacob's anger

00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.359
 burned and he

00:28:21.359 --> 00:28:22.039
 said am I in the

00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:22.679
 place of God

00:28:22.679 --> 00:28:23.319
 who has withheld

00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:23.859
 from you the

00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.259
 fruit of the

00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:24.419
 womb?

00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.199
 Right?

00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.639
 God is sovereign

00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:27.319
 over this.

00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.059
 Right?

00:28:28.919 --> 00:28:29.439
 And so

00:28:29.439 --> 00:28:30.259
 whether he gives

00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.000
 or takes away

00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:32.059
 we want to

00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.599
 recognize

00:28:32.599 --> 00:28:33.839
 God is good

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.299
 regardless

00:28:34.299 --> 00:28:35.019
 in this.

00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:35.759
 But

00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:37.259
 when God

00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.759
 does give

00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.140
 children

00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:39.359
 we need

00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:40.019
 to make

00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:40.660
 that connection

00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.619
 that it is

00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.240
 from him.

00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.599
 It is a reward

00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.079
 from him

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.680
 as verse 3

00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:44.960
 says

00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:46.180
 his heritage.

00:28:46.539 --> 00:28:46.640
 Right?

00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:48.079
 So here

00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.319
 we can

00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:50.420
 connect the dots

00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.119
 with what Solomon

00:28:51.119 --> 00:28:51.660
 is saying.

00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.099
 Like even

00:28:52.099 --> 00:28:52.839
 when verse 1

00:28:52.839 --> 00:28:53.299
 there's no

00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:53.720
 coincidence

00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.279
 when he says

00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:55.099
 unless the Lord

00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:56.119
 builds the house.

00:28:56.900 --> 00:28:57.000
 Okay?

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.759
 Is he talking

00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.359
 about the city

00:28:58.359 --> 00:28:58.619
 there?

00:28:58.740 --> 00:28:59.059
 Is he talking

00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.619
 about the temple

00:28:59.619 --> 00:28:59.899
 there?

00:29:00.559 --> 00:29:01.339
 Well it's no

00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:02.119
 coincidence if he

00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:02.779
 was also talking

00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:03.839
 about the house

00:29:03.839 --> 00:29:04.319
 as in the

00:29:04.319 --> 00:29:04.740
 offspring.

00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:05.619
 Right?

00:29:06.219 --> 00:29:07.599
 Where the

00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:08.399
 promised seed

00:29:08.399 --> 00:29:09.199
 would come from

00:29:09.199 --> 00:29:09.799
 as well in

00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.479
 Genesis 3.

00:29:10.979 --> 00:29:11.240
 Right?

00:29:11.459 --> 00:29:12.659
 So it wouldn't

00:29:12.659 --> 00:29:13.559
 be a surprise

00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.740
 if Solomon was

00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:15.939
 referring to a

00:29:15.939 --> 00:29:16.719
 physical offspring

00:29:16.719 --> 00:29:17.099
 here.

00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:18.699
 Unless the Lord

00:29:18.699 --> 00:29:19.959
 gives you that

00:29:19.959 --> 00:29:20.339
 offspring,

00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:20.959
 builds the

00:29:20.959 --> 00:29:21.279
 house,

00:29:22.199 --> 00:29:22.719
 you labor

00:29:22.719 --> 00:29:23.379
 in vain.

00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.019
 Right?

00:29:24.959 --> 00:29:25.379
 And so

00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.119
 here

00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:27.519
 eating the

00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:27.819
 bread of

00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:28.599
 anxious toil

00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:29.559
 as parents.

00:29:30.279 --> 00:29:30.919
 This is one

00:29:30.919 --> 00:29:31.279
 meaningful

00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.419
 implication for

00:29:32.419 --> 00:29:32.659
 us.

00:29:33.459 --> 00:29:33.859
 Eating the

00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.079
 bread of

00:29:34.079 --> 00:29:34.679
 anxious toil

00:29:34.679 --> 00:29:35.279
 as those

00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.699
 who have

00:29:35.699 --> 00:29:36.139
 children.

00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:36.859
 If you have

00:29:36.859 --> 00:29:37.339
 children here

00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:37.679
 maybe you

00:29:37.679 --> 00:29:38.039
 aspire to

00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.459
 have children.

00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:39.839
 This means

00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.879
 is that when

00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.939
 you feel the

00:29:41.939 --> 00:29:42.359
 sense of

00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.259
 identity or

00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:44.139
 security or

00:29:44.139 --> 00:29:45.000
 maybe superiority

00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:47.039
 complex after

00:29:47.039 --> 00:29:47.679
 you have built

00:29:47.679 --> 00:29:48.259
 the house,

00:29:48.879 --> 00:29:49.239
 i.e.

00:29:49.239 --> 00:29:49.919
 after you

00:29:49.919 --> 00:29:51.039
 have had

00:29:51.039 --> 00:29:51.479
 children,

00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:52.919
 simply because

00:29:52.919 --> 00:29:53.619
 you have a

00:29:53.619 --> 00:29:53.959
 baby,

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:55.779
 simply because

00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.400
 you gave a

00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:56.720
 pregnancy

00:29:56.720 --> 00:29:57.840
 announcement or

00:29:57.840 --> 00:29:59.000
 have children

00:29:59.000 --> 00:29:59.680
 or grandchildren.

00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:00.420
 Right?

00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:00.880
 I point to

00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:01.600
 myself here the

00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:01.740
 most.

00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.440
 I felt this

00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:02.960
 when our

00:30:02.960 --> 00:30:03.519
 firstborn,

00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:03.900
 Luca,

00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.299
 came to

00:30:05.299 --> 00:30:05.779
 this world.

00:30:06.480 --> 00:30:07.100
 There was a

00:30:07.100 --> 00:30:07.759
 sneaky temptation

00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.259
 in our mind

00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:08.559
 to think,

00:30:08.660 --> 00:30:08.819
 oh,

00:30:09.620 --> 00:30:10.160
 now we've

00:30:10.160 --> 00:30:10.559
 achieved it.

00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:10.759
 Right?

00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.400
 Now we've

00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:12.539
 stepped up in

00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.000
 the game of

00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.079
 life because

00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:15.700
 we have

00:30:15.700 --> 00:30:16.360
 kids now.

00:30:16.680 --> 00:30:17.059
 Veteran

00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:17.539
 parents in

00:30:17.539 --> 00:30:17.799
 the room,

00:30:17.880 --> 00:30:18.299
 you know what

00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.180
 this temptation

00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:19.700
 is like,

00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:19.920
 right?

00:30:20.059 --> 00:30:20.680
 This applies to

00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.340
 grandparents as

00:30:21.340 --> 00:30:21.559
 well.

00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.299
 And we need

00:30:22.299 --> 00:30:22.880
 to beware.

00:30:22.880 --> 00:30:23.660
 This is what

00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.180
 Solomon is

00:30:24.180 --> 00:30:24.900
 guarding against.

00:30:25.300 --> 00:30:25.780
 Unless the

00:30:25.780 --> 00:30:26.420
 Lord builds

00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:26.760
 a house,

00:30:27.080 --> 00:30:28.020
 unless the

00:30:28.020 --> 00:30:28.580
 Lord gets

00:30:28.580 --> 00:30:29.160
 credit for

00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:29.720
 the children

00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.240
 whom he

00:30:30.240 --> 00:30:30.720
 has blessed

00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:31.260
 you with,

00:30:32.060 --> 00:30:32.800
 you are

00:30:32.800 --> 00:30:33.400
 laboring in

00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:33.680
 vain.

00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:34.760
 It's a

00:30:34.760 --> 00:30:35.260
 caution for

00:30:35.260 --> 00:30:35.820
 us parents

00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:36.280
 in the room

00:30:36.280 --> 00:30:37.220
 and aspiring

00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:37.820
 parents in

00:30:37.820 --> 00:30:38.100
 the room.

00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.100
 Right?

00:30:39.820 --> 00:30:40.300
 We can't

00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:40.940
 treat children

00:30:40.940 --> 00:30:41.180
 like,

00:30:41.520 --> 00:30:42.180
 and grandchildren

00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:43.580
 like they're

00:30:43.580 --> 00:30:43.920
 the greatest

00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.700
 accomplishment in

00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:45.340
 our lives.

00:30:45.740 --> 00:30:46.320
 And you know

00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:46.560
 what?

00:30:46.780 --> 00:30:47.480
 Usually when

00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.280
 children are

00:30:48.280 --> 00:30:48.480
 there,

00:30:48.560 --> 00:30:48.740
 right,

00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:49.600
 we kind

00:30:49.600 --> 00:30:50.060
 of think

00:30:50.060 --> 00:30:50.480
 like mother

00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:51.160
 hens and

00:30:51.160 --> 00:30:51.960
 like to

00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.500
 flock our

00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.740
 families in

00:30:53.740 --> 00:30:54.079
 a little

00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.460
 circle.

00:30:55.039 --> 00:30:55.140
 Right?

00:30:55.220 --> 00:30:55.680
 That's what

00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.539
 Solomon is

00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:56.720
 guarding

00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:57.160
 against.

00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.000
 Right?

00:30:58.900 --> 00:30:59.759
 Of course we

00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.259
 can rejoice

00:31:00.259 --> 00:31:00.660
 that our

00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:02.720
 children have

00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:03.380
 our names,

00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:05.000
 our last

00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.480
 names rather,

00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.640
 and that

00:31:06.640 --> 00:31:07.259
 sometimes they

00:31:07.259 --> 00:31:07.740
 might look

00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:08.579
 like us.

00:31:08.859 --> 00:31:09.019
 Right?

00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.119
 Emily and I

00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:10.559
 are still

00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.400
 thinking about

00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:11.660
 that.

00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.259
 Do they look

00:31:12.259 --> 00:31:12.859
 more Filipino

00:31:12.859 --> 00:31:13.660
 or Mennonite?

00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:14.259
 We don't

00:31:14.259 --> 00:31:14.519
 know.

00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:16.140
 But our

00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.099
 job is to

00:31:17.099 --> 00:31:17.559
 make them

00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:18.279
 look less

00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:19.059
 like us

00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:20.059
 and more

00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.599
 like Jesus.

00:31:20.599 --> 00:31:22.079
 that's our

00:31:22.079 --> 00:31:22.859
 job as

00:31:22.859 --> 00:31:23.659
 parents or

00:31:23.659 --> 00:31:24.339
 anyone who

00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:24.839
 works with

00:31:24.839 --> 00:31:25.139
 children.

00:31:25.619 --> 00:31:25.679
 Right?

00:31:26.099 --> 00:31:26.939
 So God

00:31:26.939 --> 00:31:27.759
 not only gives

00:31:27.759 --> 00:31:28.339
 sleep to

00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:28.879
 his children

00:31:28.879 --> 00:31:29.639
 but he

00:31:29.639 --> 00:31:30.439
 gives children

00:31:30.439 --> 00:31:31.359
 to his

00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:31.959
 children so

00:31:31.959 --> 00:31:32.339
 to speak.

00:31:32.559 --> 00:31:32.699
 Right?

00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.919
 And this is

00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:34.740
 verse 4.

00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:35.159
 What is the

00:31:35.159 --> 00:31:35.579
 purpose of

00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:35.799
 that?

00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:36.579
 Like arrows

00:31:36.579 --> 00:31:37.279
 in the hand

00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:38.079
 of a warrior

00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:38.399
 are the

00:31:38.399 --> 00:31:38.839
 children of

00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.379
 one's youth.

00:31:39.799 --> 00:31:40.359
 Blessed is

00:31:40.359 --> 00:31:40.679
 the man

00:31:40.679 --> 00:31:41.219
 who fills

00:31:41.219 --> 00:31:41.599
 his quiver

00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:41.959
 with them.

00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:42.719
 He shall

00:31:42.719 --> 00:31:43.259
 not be put

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:43.699
 to shame

00:31:43.699 --> 00:31:44.019
 when he

00:31:44.019 --> 00:31:44.459
 speaks with

00:31:44.459 --> 00:31:45.480
 enemies in

00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:45.859
 the gate.

00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:46.959
 Again,

00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:47.959
 warfare imagery

00:31:47.959 --> 00:31:48.339
 here.

00:31:48.699 --> 00:31:49.159
 But think of

00:31:49.159 --> 00:31:49.779
 arrows and what

00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.159
 they're used

00:31:50.159 --> 00:31:50.379
 for.

00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.279
 They're used

00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:51.659
 to send

00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:51.919
 out.

00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:52.919
 Right?

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:53.599
 They're used

00:31:53.599 --> 00:31:54.379
 to shoot

00:31:54.379 --> 00:31:54.980
 at their

00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:55.359
 enemies.

00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:55.719
 Right?

00:31:55.939 --> 00:31:56.359
 And so

00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:57.359
 Solomon is

00:31:57.359 --> 00:31:57.759
 guarding

00:31:57.759 --> 00:32:00.099
 from people

00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:00.919
 building their

00:32:00.919 --> 00:32:01.819
 own cities.

00:32:02.459 --> 00:32:03.059
 Think of

00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.339
 Babel.

00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.079
 They were

00:32:04.079 --> 00:32:04.459
 called to

00:32:04.459 --> 00:32:04.759
 fill the

00:32:04.759 --> 00:32:05.579
 earth but

00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:06.039
 they stayed

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.359
 vertical.

00:32:06.839 --> 00:32:07.179
 That's what

00:32:07.179 --> 00:32:07.619
 Solomon is

00:32:07.619 --> 00:32:07.839
 guarding

00:32:07.839 --> 00:32:08.219
 against.

00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.379
 Don't

00:32:09.379 --> 00:32:10.899
 labor in

00:32:10.899 --> 00:32:11.379
 this way.

00:32:11.980 --> 00:32:12.119
 Right?

00:32:12.219 --> 00:32:12.859
 Don't labor

00:32:12.859 --> 00:32:13.699
 trying to

00:32:13.699 --> 00:32:14.699
 make your

00:32:14.699 --> 00:32:15.139
 own kingdom,

00:32:15.319 --> 00:32:15.599
 make your

00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.059
 own city.

00:32:16.439 --> 00:32:17.099
 Don't build

00:32:17.099 --> 00:32:17.419
 your own

00:32:17.419 --> 00:32:17.740
 kingdom.

00:32:18.179 --> 00:32:18.839
 Build God's

00:32:18.839 --> 00:32:20.240
 kingdom with

00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:20.940
 him because

00:32:20.940 --> 00:32:21.460
 he's given

00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.420
 you that

00:32:22.420 --> 00:32:22.920
 opportunity

00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.339
 already.

00:32:23.640 --> 00:32:23.740
 Right?

00:32:24.120 --> 00:32:24.599
 In a full

00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:25.000
 quiver,

00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:25.980
 right, means

00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.259
 that you

00:32:26.259 --> 00:32:26.859
 unnumber your

00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:27.259
 enemies.

00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.240
 Right?

00:32:28.339 --> 00:32:29.359
 I know some

00:32:29.359 --> 00:32:30.120
 Christians and

00:32:30.120 --> 00:32:30.640
 maybe some of

00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:31.759
 our Mennonite

00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:31.980
 friends.

00:32:32.039 --> 00:32:32.400
 I gotta stop

00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:32.980
 making Mennonite

00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.140
 jokes.

00:32:33.220 --> 00:32:33.559
 My wife's

00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:33.859
 Mennonite,

00:32:33.920 --> 00:32:34.200
 that's why.

00:32:34.339 --> 00:32:35.839
 So, but,

00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:36.500
 you know,

00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:37.079
 this doesn't

00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:37.839
 mean we need

00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.980
 to have kids

00:32:38.980 --> 00:32:39.640
 in abundance

00:32:39.640 --> 00:32:41.319
 and, you

00:32:41.319 --> 00:32:41.660
 know, cheaper

00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.339
 by the dozen

00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:43.180
 stuff.

00:32:43.400 --> 00:32:43.819
 Under the

00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.400
 old covenant,

00:32:44.579 --> 00:32:45.220
 obedience was

00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:45.599
 tied to

00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.259
 blessings which

00:32:46.259 --> 00:32:47.180
 included children.

00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:48.180
 That is very

00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:49.340
 true and yet

00:32:49.340 --> 00:32:49.779
 in the new

00:32:49.779 --> 00:32:50.400
 covenant in

00:32:50.400 --> 00:32:51.360
 Christ, being

00:32:51.360 --> 00:32:52.019
 fruitful and

00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:52.759
 multiplying has

00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:53.460
 a much bigger

00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.400
 scope than

00:32:54.400 --> 00:32:55.240
 just physical

00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.259
 children because

00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:57.160
 the blessing is

00:32:57.160 --> 00:32:59.060
 Christ and in

00:32:59.060 --> 00:32:59.799
 Christ there are

00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.980
 spiritual children.

00:33:01.360 --> 00:33:02.160
 That's a much

00:33:02.160 --> 00:33:03.759
 bigger quiver than

00:33:03.759 --> 00:33:04.759
 just physical

00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.600
 children.

00:33:06.080 --> 00:33:06.120
 Right?

00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:06.759
 Charles Spurgeon

00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:07.820
 once said, a

00:33:07.820 --> 00:33:08.820
 quiver could be

00:33:08.820 --> 00:33:09.900
 small yet full.

00:33:10.560 --> 00:33:10.720
 Right?

00:33:11.120 --> 00:33:12.100
 So, this isn't

00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:13.539
 talking about having

00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.460
 lots and lots and

00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.000
 lots and lots of

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:15.299
 children.

00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.019
 It's talking

00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:17.139
 about filling

00:33:17.139 --> 00:33:18.339
 the earth with

00:33:18.339 --> 00:33:19.159
 God's blessing

00:33:19.159 --> 00:33:20.859
 and glory and

00:33:20.859 --> 00:33:22.019
 we have much

00:33:22.019 --> 00:33:22.599
 more than a

00:33:22.599 --> 00:33:23.440
 physical scope to

00:33:23.440 --> 00:33:24.000
 that today.

00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:24.599
 Right?

00:33:24.680 --> 00:33:25.139
 Think of the

00:33:25.139 --> 00:33:26.240
 Apostle Paul when

00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:28.200
 he talks to his

00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:30.359
 Christian churches

00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:31.159
 that he's planted.

00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:31.819
 Right?

00:33:31.899 --> 00:33:32.599
 Like a nursing

00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.339
 mother, I take

00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:33.859
 care of you.

00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:36.740
 Like a father who

00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:39.599
 becomes a father to

00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:40.139
 his child,

00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:40.940
 Onesimus.

00:33:41.039 --> 00:33:41.139
 Right?

00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:43.779
 So, this is much

00:33:43.779 --> 00:33:44.299
 like sleep.

00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:45.399
 This is not giving

00:33:45.399 --> 00:33:47.019
 us an advocation

00:33:47.019 --> 00:33:48.139
 for a number.

00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:48.659
 Right?

00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.559
 Number of hours of

00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:50.240
 sleep or number of

00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.500
 children.

00:33:50.819 --> 00:33:51.039
 No.

00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:52.359
 He's just saying,

00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.960
 look, do not labor

00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:55.639
 in vain and do not

00:33:55.639 --> 00:33:56.579
 take the gifts of the

00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:58.259
 Lord and forget about

00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:58.639
 the giver.

00:33:58.960 --> 00:33:59.240
 That's what he's

00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.419
 saying.

00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.119
 Right?

00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:02.059
 Make sure that the

00:34:02.059 --> 00:34:03.319
 Lord is a part of

00:34:03.319 --> 00:34:04.500
 this because he was

00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:05.960
 the one who gave it

00:34:05.960 --> 00:34:06.500
 to you in the first

00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:09.139
 place and use it for

00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:10.579
 him and pressures off

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:10.800
 you.

00:34:11.279 --> 00:34:12.059
 Don't eat the bread

00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:12.759
 of anxious toil.

00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:14.060
 That's what Solomon's

00:34:14.060 --> 00:34:14.700
 been saying here.

00:34:15.580 --> 00:34:16.560
 And we know, and

00:34:16.560 --> 00:34:17.420
 Ronnie already took us

00:34:17.420 --> 00:34:18.360
 to this, we know

00:34:18.360 --> 00:34:20.160
 where Psalm 27 ends

00:34:20.160 --> 00:34:21.020
 is not the end.

00:34:21.580 --> 00:34:21.840
 Right?

00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:23.020
 Because throughout the

00:34:23.020 --> 00:34:23.940
 scriptures we know

00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:25.740
 where God's work,

00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:27.500
 specifically in his

00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:27.960
 son.

00:34:28.600 --> 00:34:28.880
 Right?

00:34:29.540 --> 00:34:30.620
 Jesus Christ.

00:34:31.460 --> 00:34:31.680
 Right?

00:34:31.740 --> 00:34:33.040
 The son of God who

00:34:33.040 --> 00:34:34.560
 came down, lived a

00:34:34.560 --> 00:34:35.420
 perfect and sinless

00:34:35.420 --> 00:34:35.920
 life.

00:34:36.360 --> 00:34:36.660
 Right?

00:34:36.780 --> 00:34:38.860
 And died in the

00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:40.340
 place of sinners and

00:34:40.340 --> 00:34:41.460
 rose from the dead,

00:34:41.660 --> 00:34:42.740
 ascended, and won't be

00:34:42.739 --> 00:34:43.719
 one day will return.

00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:45.500
 This was not in vain.

00:34:45.659 --> 00:34:46.599
 Think of 1 Corinthians

00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.659
 15.

00:34:48.179 --> 00:34:48.399
 Right?

00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:49.839
 If Christ has not been

00:34:49.839 --> 00:34:51.579
 raised, then your faith

00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.379
 is in vain.

00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:55.179
 But he was raised from

00:34:55.179 --> 00:34:55.599
 the dead.

00:34:56.099 --> 00:34:56.279
 Right?

00:34:56.339 --> 00:34:57.219
 And so that's why at the

00:34:57.219 --> 00:34:58.359
 end of that chapter he

00:34:58.359 --> 00:34:59.459
 says, be steadfast,

00:34:59.839 --> 00:35:00.399
 immovable.

00:35:01.399 --> 00:35:01.679
 Right?

00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:03.259
 Abounding in the work

00:35:03.259 --> 00:35:04.219
 of the Lord.

00:35:04.979 --> 00:35:05.439
 Right?

00:35:05.899 --> 00:35:07.239
 Knowing that your labor

00:35:07.239 --> 00:35:08.299
 is not in what?

00:35:09.339 --> 00:35:09.779
 Vain.

00:35:10.399 --> 00:35:10.639
 Right?

00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:12.920
 When we do the work

00:35:12.920 --> 00:35:14.279
 of the Lord in Christ,

00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:15.339
 and the work of the

00:35:15.339 --> 00:35:16.500
 Lord includes,

00:35:16.679 --> 00:35:17.400
 Psalm 127,

00:35:18.019 --> 00:35:18.739
 would include

00:35:18.739 --> 00:35:20.059
 receiving the gift

00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:20.639
 of sleep

00:35:20.639 --> 00:35:22.460
 and receiving the gift

00:35:22.460 --> 00:35:23.400
 of children,

00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:24.319
 should the Lord bless

00:35:24.319 --> 00:35:24.859
 you with that.

00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:27.679
 And working in such a

00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:29.779
 way that credits the

00:35:29.779 --> 00:35:30.960
 Lord for those very

00:35:30.960 --> 00:35:31.420
 gifts.

00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:33.659
 These works of the

00:35:33.659 --> 00:35:35.059
 Lord will not be in

00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:35.299
 vain.

00:35:35.920 --> 00:35:36.199
 Right?

00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.759
 We think of the work

00:35:37.759 --> 00:35:38.480
 of the Lord as stuff

00:35:38.480 --> 00:35:39.119
 we do on Sunday

00:35:39.119 --> 00:35:40.359
 mornings or stuff we

00:35:40.359 --> 00:35:41.719
 do with believers and

00:35:41.719 --> 00:35:42.619
 church and all that.

00:35:42.899 --> 00:35:44.199
 But no, this is any

00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:45.679
 work that we do that

00:35:45.679 --> 00:35:47.119
 is not in vain because

00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:48.519
 God's work in Christ

00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:50.119
 was not in vain.

00:35:50.519 --> 00:35:51.819
 He was raised from the

00:35:51.819 --> 00:35:52.059
 dead.

00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:55.139
 So now, we can live

00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:56.980
 and labor freely.

00:35:57.519 --> 00:35:57.659
 Right?

00:35:57.719 --> 00:35:59.339
 And this is important

00:35:59.339 --> 00:36:00.519
 for us Christians.

00:36:00.739 --> 00:36:01.759
 But maybe you haven't

00:36:01.759 --> 00:36:02.559
 received Christ this

00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:02.739
 morning.

00:36:02.799 --> 00:36:03.359
 I'm not going to assume

00:36:03.359 --> 00:36:04.139
 everyone's a believer

00:36:04.139 --> 00:36:04.420
 here.

00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:06.779
 So, unbeliever, this

00:36:06.779 --> 00:36:07.859
 passage calls you to

00:36:07.859 --> 00:36:08.679
 stop living and

00:36:08.679 --> 00:36:10.460
 laboring in vain apart

00:36:10.460 --> 00:36:11.079
 from Christ.

00:36:11.839 --> 00:36:12.099
 Right?

00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:13.819
 And believe on Him who

00:36:13.819 --> 00:36:14.239
 labored.

00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:16.019
 Believe on Christ who

00:36:16.019 --> 00:36:17.980
 labored on the cross

00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:19.079
 for you so that you

00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:19.920
 might be raised up to

00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:20.779
 life with Him.

00:36:21.379 --> 00:36:21.539
 Right?

00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.379
 But maybe you have

00:36:23.379 --> 00:36:23.759
 believed.

00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:24.819
 Maybe you're straying

00:36:24.819 --> 00:36:25.779
 like sheep.

00:36:26.859 --> 00:36:28.279
 Remember what the

00:36:28.279 --> 00:36:29.139
 passage calls you to

00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:29.299
 do.

00:36:29.379 --> 00:36:30.500
 Stop eating the bread

00:36:30.500 --> 00:36:31.440
 of your anxious toil.

00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:32.259
 Right?

00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:33.599
 Return to the Father

00:36:33.599 --> 00:36:34.639
 wants to bring you

00:36:34.639 --> 00:36:35.440
 back to Himself.

00:36:36.239 --> 00:36:36.440
 Right?

00:36:36.599 --> 00:36:37.480
 And protect you.

00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:39.339
 And watch over you.

00:36:39.779 --> 00:36:40.759
 As Psalm 127.

00:36:41.039 --> 00:36:42.360
 Jesus fulfills

00:36:42.360 --> 00:36:43.119
 Psalm 127.

00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:43.980
 This is where this

00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:44.319
 is going.

00:36:44.759 --> 00:36:45.380
 You can't just preach

00:36:45.380 --> 00:36:45.839
 an Old Testament

00:36:45.839 --> 00:36:46.719
 passage and stop

00:36:46.719 --> 00:36:46.880
 there.

00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:48.279
 This is preaching

00:36:48.279 --> 00:36:48.940
 Christ.

00:36:49.059 --> 00:36:50.400
 This is looking to

00:36:50.400 --> 00:36:50.819
 Christ.

00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:52.139
 So this is what it

00:36:52.139 --> 00:36:52.940
 means for us today.

00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:54.400
 Wherever you are,

00:36:54.839 --> 00:36:55.579
 whoever you are,

00:36:55.980 --> 00:36:56.599
 whether believer

00:36:56.599 --> 00:36:57.239
 or unbeliever,

00:36:57.239 --> 00:36:58.400
 we need to stop

00:36:58.400 --> 00:36:59.119
 eating the bread

00:36:59.119 --> 00:37:00.659
 of anxious toil.

00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:02.199
 Whether it's our

00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:02.980
 physical work,

00:37:03.339 --> 00:37:04.339
 maybe you're

00:37:04.339 --> 00:37:05.619
 working on

00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:06.500
 education.

00:37:07.239 --> 00:37:07.420
 Right?

00:37:07.980 --> 00:37:09.059
 Whatever it is,

00:37:09.159 --> 00:37:09.699
 I could give many

00:37:09.699 --> 00:37:10.400
 more examples.

00:37:11.139 --> 00:37:12.299
 Stop eating the bread

00:37:12.299 --> 00:37:13.359
 of your anxious toil

00:37:13.359 --> 00:37:14.339
 and instead depend

00:37:14.339 --> 00:37:14.940
 on Christ

00:37:14.940 --> 00:37:16.920
 for the success

00:37:16.920 --> 00:37:18.699
 or the failure

00:37:18.699 --> 00:37:19.819
 of your labor.

00:37:20.319 --> 00:37:21.119
 The pressure is not

00:37:21.119 --> 00:37:21.779
 on us anymore.

00:37:22.259 --> 00:37:22.440
 Right?

00:37:22.440 --> 00:37:23.099
 I tell the band

00:37:23.099 --> 00:37:23.859
 this actually.

00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:25.400
 Part of my journey

00:37:25.400 --> 00:37:26.219
 with the band members

00:37:26.219 --> 00:37:27.859
 here is there's so much

00:37:27.860 --> 00:37:28.920
 pressure with doing music

00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:29.900
 and to do it well.

00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:31.380
 And even this

00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:32.860
 can be an avenue

00:37:32.860 --> 00:37:34.480
 of not eating

00:37:34.480 --> 00:37:35.099
 the bread of our

00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:35.760
 anxious toil

00:37:35.760 --> 00:37:37.360
 is that when I make

00:37:37.360 --> 00:37:37.860
 mistakes,

00:37:38.079 --> 00:37:38.880
 I'm free because

00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.340
 I'm human.

00:37:39.780 --> 00:37:40.039
 Right?

00:37:40.160 --> 00:37:40.960
 And when I do really

00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:42.260
 well, you know what?

00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:43.220
 I can't do this

00:37:43.220 --> 00:37:43.880
 apart from the Lord.

00:37:44.120 --> 00:37:45.019
 That's the best spot

00:37:45.019 --> 00:37:45.300
 to be.

00:37:46.120 --> 00:37:46.840
 That's the spot

00:37:46.840 --> 00:37:47.559
 where we want to be.

00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.660
 We cannot carry

00:37:48.660 --> 00:37:49.840
 the weight of our

00:37:49.840 --> 00:37:50.660
 labor, success,

00:37:50.660 --> 00:37:51.340
 or failure.

00:37:52.160 --> 00:37:53.079
 Stop eating the bread

00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:53.980
 of your anxious toil.

00:37:54.420 --> 00:37:55.640
 Instead, restfully

00:37:55.640 --> 00:37:57.360
 labor in the Lord.

00:37:57.860 --> 00:37:58.780
 As you sleep here,

00:37:58.920 --> 00:37:59.840
 even maybe this

00:37:59.840 --> 00:38:00.260
 afternoon,

00:38:00.599 --> 00:38:01.240
 if you take Sunday

00:38:01.240 --> 00:38:02.039
 afternoon naps,

00:38:02.620 --> 00:38:04.519
 maybe tonight as you

00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:05.519
 sleep, remember

00:38:05.519 --> 00:38:06.599
 that your labor

00:38:06.599 --> 00:38:07.340
 in the Lord

00:38:07.340 --> 00:38:08.660
 this day

00:38:08.660 --> 00:38:10.019
 and the day forward

00:38:10.019 --> 00:38:11.079
 will not be in vain

00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:13.000
 in Jesus Christ.

00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:13.960
 Let's pray.

00:38:15.059 --> 00:38:15.940
 Dan, you can come on up.

00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:18.680
 Father in heaven,

00:38:18.680 --> 00:38:20.620
 help us to rest

00:38:20.620 --> 00:38:21.599
 in your labor.

00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:25.019
 that is your work

00:38:25.019 --> 00:38:25.839
 on the cross

00:38:25.839 --> 00:38:26.519
 in Jesus,

00:38:26.880 --> 00:38:27.539
 our Savior,

00:38:28.259 --> 00:38:29.900
 who not only

00:38:29.900 --> 00:38:32.199
 gives us

00:38:32.199 --> 00:38:33.960
 everything we need,

00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:37.279
 but who is

00:38:37.279 --> 00:38:38.679
 everything we deeply

00:38:38.679 --> 00:38:39.819
 desire as well.

00:38:40.679 --> 00:38:41.259
 And so, Lord,

00:38:41.339 --> 00:38:42.799
 help us to apply

00:38:42.799 --> 00:38:43.440
 this well.

00:38:43.539 --> 00:38:44.360
 Even this summer,

00:38:44.980 --> 00:38:45.599
 some of us

00:38:45.599 --> 00:38:46.480
 continually work,

00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:48.239
 some of our schedules

00:38:48.239 --> 00:38:49.619
 dramatically increase

00:38:49.619 --> 00:38:50.639
 from a work perspective.

00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:52.239
 Help us not to work

00:38:52.239 --> 00:38:54.079
 like unbelievers do

00:38:54.079 --> 00:38:56.199
 who labor

00:38:56.199 --> 00:38:57.000
 apart from you.

00:38:57.900 --> 00:38:58.339
 Help us

00:38:58.339 --> 00:38:59.420
 not to work

00:38:59.420 --> 00:38:59.900
 in that way,

00:38:59.980 --> 00:39:00.539
 but help us

00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:01.539
 not to work

00:39:01.539 --> 00:39:02.380
 on our own,

00:39:02.539 --> 00:39:03.179
 even when we

00:39:03.179 --> 00:39:04.219
 as professing Christians

00:39:04.219 --> 00:39:04.900
 tend to do

00:39:04.900 --> 00:39:05.500
 and are tempted

00:39:05.500 --> 00:39:05.900
 to do.

00:39:06.400 --> 00:39:06.679
 Lord,

00:39:06.679 --> 00:39:07.259
 help us

00:39:07.259 --> 00:39:08.859
 to acknowledge you

00:39:08.859 --> 00:39:09.839
 that unless you

00:39:09.839 --> 00:39:10.299
 are there,

00:39:10.799 --> 00:39:11.739
 unless you are the one

00:39:11.739 --> 00:39:12.779
 we are working for

00:39:12.779 --> 00:39:14.380
 and working to,

00:39:15.119 --> 00:39:15.799
 it's in vain.

00:39:16.139 --> 00:39:16.659
 And yet we know

00:39:16.659 --> 00:39:17.179
 it's not

00:39:17.179 --> 00:39:18.599
 if it's the work

00:39:18.599 --> 00:39:19.139
 of the Lord

00:39:19.139 --> 00:39:19.819
 in Christ.

00:39:20.259 --> 00:39:20.779
 So help us

00:39:20.779 --> 00:39:21.399
 to do our jobs

00:39:21.399 --> 00:39:21.719
 well,

00:39:22.099 --> 00:39:23.119
 whatever that may be,

00:39:23.299 --> 00:39:23.819
 in the home,

00:39:24.399 --> 00:39:25.000
 in the church,

00:39:25.399 --> 00:39:26.299
 in our workplaces,

00:39:26.879 --> 00:39:28.159
 and help us

00:39:28.159 --> 00:39:28.940
 to not eat

00:39:28.940 --> 00:39:29.199
 the bread

00:39:29.199 --> 00:39:29.980
 of anxious toil.

00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:30.920
 Help us

00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:31.399
 to receive

00:39:31.399 --> 00:39:31.819
 your gift

00:39:31.819 --> 00:39:32.299
 of sleep

00:39:32.299 --> 00:39:33.399
 and your gift

00:39:33.399 --> 00:39:34.879
 of sons,

00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:35.839
 especially

00:39:35.839 --> 00:39:36.739
 to receive

00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:37.119
 the gift

00:39:37.119 --> 00:39:37.879
 of your son,

00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:38.299
 Jesus,

00:39:38.980 --> 00:39:39.559
 and help us

00:39:39.559 --> 00:39:40.039
 to turn

00:39:40.039 --> 00:39:41.619
 from our sins

00:39:41.619 --> 00:39:43.019
 and turn to him

00:39:43.019 --> 00:39:44.119
 every single day.

00:39:44.239 --> 00:39:44.839
 In Jesus' name,

00:39:45.179 --> 00:39:45.379
 Amen.

00:39:45.380 --> 00:39:46.980
 This last song

00:39:46.980 --> 00:39:47.480
 we're going to sing

00:39:47.480 --> 00:39:48.599
 celebrates this reality.

00:39:48.780 --> 00:39:49.920
 So let's stand together

00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:51.519
 and sing.