WEBVTT 00:00:00.260 --> 00:00:04.320 The scripture for today comes from Ecclesiastes chapter 1. 00:00:06.820 --> 00:00:08.500 Starting from verse 1. 00:00:09.800 --> 00:00:14.919 The words of the preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. 00:00:17.080 --> 00:00:19.879 Vanity of vanities, says the preacher. 00:00:21.000 --> 00:00:24.359 Vanity of vanities. All is vanity. 00:00:24.359 --> 00:00:30.059 What does a man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? 00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:34.259 A generation goes and a generation comes. 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:37.019 But the earth remains forever. 00:00:38.359 --> 00:00:43.679 The sun rises and the sun goes down and hastens to the place where it rises. 00:00:45.179 --> 00:00:49.140 The wind blows the south and goes around to the north. 00:00:50.519 --> 00:00:53.239 Around and around goes the wind. 00:00:53.240 --> 00:00:56.600 And on its circuits the wind returns. 00:00:58.060 --> 00:01:02.120 All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full. 00:01:02.900 --> 00:01:07.760 To the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. 00:01:09.280 --> 00:01:11.040 All things are full of weariness. 00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:14.099 A man cannot utter it. 00:01:15.099 --> 00:01:19.400 The eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 00:01:19.400 --> 00:01:23.380 What has been is what will be. 00:01:24.219 --> 00:01:27.100 And what has been done is what will be done. 00:01:27.740 --> 00:01:30.120 And there is nothing new under the sun. 00:01:31.060 --> 00:01:34.600 Is there a thing of which it is said, see, this is new? 00:01:34.599 --> 00:01:40.419 It has been already in the ages before us. 00:01:41.419 --> 00:01:44.060 There is no remembrance of former things. 00:01:44.659 --> 00:01:50.500 Nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after. 00:01:50.500 --> 00:01:52.319 This is the word of God. 00:01:52.319 --> 00:01:53.599 Can you speak to God? 00:01:59.700 --> 00:02:00.140 Great. 00:02:01.840 --> 00:02:02.920 Can everyone hear me? 00:02:03.340 --> 00:02:03.540 Yeah? 00:02:04.180 --> 00:02:05.859 I can't hear myself, but... 00:02:05.859 --> 00:02:09.139 Ah, yes. 00:02:09.139 --> 00:02:12.179 I don't know why it wasn't mute. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:12.599 Apologies. 00:02:13.699 --> 00:02:14.939 I haven't preached here in a while. 00:02:15.119 --> 00:02:18.500 But it's great to be with you, and it's a privilege to bring you God's word. 00:02:19.399 --> 00:02:21.539 But, of course, you don't want to hear from me. 00:02:21.599 --> 00:02:22.579 We want to hear from God. 00:02:22.699 --> 00:02:23.779 We want to hear from the Spirit. 00:02:24.219 --> 00:02:25.839 So why don't we pray together? 00:02:29.919 --> 00:02:34.119 Our Father, that is our desire to hear from you, to encounter you. 00:02:34.119 --> 00:02:37.719 Please speak to us through your word, by your Spirit. 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:39.159 That you know our hearts. 00:02:39.419 --> 00:02:46.900 Pray that you would speak to each one of us the things that we need to hear today to get through this week to live for you. 00:02:47.419 --> 00:02:50.699 Father, we know that you're the only one who can change hearts. 00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:51.719 So would you do that today? 00:02:52.520 --> 00:02:57.800 Don't, yeah, please, if my words are not the right words, change them. 00:02:58.099 --> 00:03:00.259 Would we hear your words in our hearts today? 00:03:00.379 --> 00:03:01.300 In Jesus' name. 00:03:01.599 --> 00:03:01.879 Amen. 00:03:03.680 --> 00:03:04.039 Great. 00:03:04.039 --> 00:03:08.459 Well, so I'm a Dutchman, in case you didn't know. 00:03:09.879 --> 00:03:11.680 Dutch people, they have certain characteristics. 00:03:11.900 --> 00:03:14.139 One thing we're famous for is that we're very direct. 00:03:14.719 --> 00:03:14.939 Right? 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:20.539 We tend to tell the truth, and we don't really try to soften it or be gentle about it. 00:03:21.299 --> 00:03:23.799 Trying not to hurt people's feelings and those kind of things. 00:03:23.859 --> 00:03:24.840 That doesn't help, right? 00:03:24.859 --> 00:03:26.299 It's just better to just tell the truth. 00:03:26.939 --> 00:03:28.019 I don't know what you think about it. 00:03:28.039 --> 00:03:30.439 It's very different here in Asia, so I need to hold back. 00:03:30.439 --> 00:03:35.159 But, you know, when I see this passage, I mean, this guy does not hold back, right? 00:03:35.879 --> 00:03:36.900 I don't know what you thought. 00:03:37.219 --> 00:03:39.479 Here is a new book, Ecclesiastes. 00:03:39.639 --> 00:03:42.139 We're going to study that over the next seven weeks. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:44.359 And here is the preacher. 00:03:44.639 --> 00:03:47.620 And he says, vanity of vanities, says the preacher. 00:03:47.960 --> 00:03:48.819 Vanity of vanities. 00:03:48.939 --> 00:03:50.020 All is vanity. 00:03:50.599 --> 00:03:52.759 Now, I don't know what you think the word vanity means. 00:03:53.400 --> 00:03:56.780 Usually we use it for someone who only cares about their appearance, right? 00:03:57.139 --> 00:03:57.879 That's vanity. 00:03:57.879 --> 00:04:01.840 I think, you know, the words that it's related to, vain. 00:04:02.280 --> 00:04:03.719 Everything is in vain. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:05.240 That's what he's saying. 00:04:05.479 --> 00:04:06.340 Everything is in vain. 00:04:06.439 --> 00:04:06.699 I don't know. 00:04:06.759 --> 00:04:08.060 Look at a few other translations. 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:09.500 Maybe this will help. 00:04:10.120 --> 00:04:11.359 Absolutely pointless. 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:12.699 Everything is pointless. 00:04:13.340 --> 00:04:14.319 Utterly meaningless. 00:04:15.079 --> 00:04:16.560 Everything is meaningless. 00:04:17.300 --> 00:04:18.500 Absolutely futile. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:19.639 Everything is futile. 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:21.259 Life is useless. 00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:22.319 All useless. 00:04:23.319 --> 00:04:26.439 That's a really nice message to hear this Sunday morning, right? 00:04:26.439 --> 00:04:27.659 Everything is useless. 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:30.920 What is he really saying? 00:04:31.719 --> 00:04:32.779 Totally vapor. 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:35.600 Everything is just vapor that vanishes. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:37.379 And that's the real word here. 00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:38.659 It's vapor. 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:42.659 It's this kind of, you know, you go to a cold country and you breathe. 00:04:43.339 --> 00:04:45.560 And, yeah, you get this little puff of air. 00:04:45.560 --> 00:04:49.740 I know some of you, you haven't left Hong Kong and so you don't really know what it is. 00:04:50.160 --> 00:04:51.300 It's not very cold here. 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:55.160 Although, the office air con in a community center, it comes very close. 00:04:56.759 --> 00:04:57.840 But, you know, vapor. 00:04:58.579 --> 00:05:00.199 It's there and it's gone. 00:05:01.079 --> 00:05:02.980 And you can't get hold of it. 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:05.519 It's just here for a little while and then it's gone. 00:05:06.479 --> 00:05:08.279 And so, it's pretty meaningless. 00:05:08.759 --> 00:05:09.620 Pretty pointless. 00:05:10.019 --> 00:05:10.919 That's what he's saying. 00:05:11.079 --> 00:05:12.180 And that is his conclusion. 00:05:12.359 --> 00:05:14.859 That's why he's, everything is meaningless. 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:17.819 Here is someone at the end of a lot of work. 00:05:18.120 --> 00:05:19.500 He is depressed and discouraged. 00:05:19.759 --> 00:05:21.180 Everything is just pointless. 00:05:21.979 --> 00:05:23.159 And that's how he starts, right? 00:05:23.199 --> 00:05:24.120 Everything is pointless. 00:05:24.299 --> 00:05:26.159 It's how he finishes the book in chapter 12. 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:27.539 He gives a summary. 00:05:27.540 --> 00:05:29.760 Okay, everything is meaningless. 00:05:30.020 --> 00:05:32.960 And in between, about 20 times, this is meaningless. 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:34.220 This is meaningless. 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:35.020 This is pointless. 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:40.780 Work, pleasure, money, wisdom. 00:05:41.280 --> 00:05:42.540 It's all meaningless. 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:45.800 So, you're here and maybe tomorrow you're starting a new job. 00:05:46.379 --> 00:05:47.660 And the preacher says, it's pointless. 00:05:48.560 --> 00:05:49.900 You got engaged. 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:50.660 Congratulations. 00:05:51.200 --> 00:05:52.560 But, it's useless. 00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:55.680 Everything is useless. 00:05:55.680 --> 00:05:56.520 That's what he says. 00:05:57.540 --> 00:06:02.100 I don't know what you feel about that. 00:06:02.220 --> 00:06:04.020 And maybe some of you, you're having a hard week. 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:05.040 You've just had a hard week. 00:06:05.100 --> 00:06:05.860 You come here on Sunday. 00:06:06.920 --> 00:06:11.540 And then to hear this message that actually, you know, your whole week that you've just been working is pointless. 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:12.600 It's quite a message, right? 00:06:13.640 --> 00:06:15.960 And the others of us, actually, we think we had a good week. 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:17.040 And we're working well. 00:06:17.640 --> 00:06:18.920 And we're doing a lot of good stuff. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:20.740 And then this guy says, it's all useless. 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:23.000 Well, we're having seven weeks, right? 00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:25.460 I'm not saying that today I'm going to convince you. 00:06:25.560 --> 00:06:26.840 It's just the introduction. 00:06:26.839 --> 00:06:28.039 But I hope we will listen. 00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:32.659 Now, why does he think this is all useless? 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:36.579 Well, the big thing he says, there's no gain. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:38.079 No gain. 00:06:38.879 --> 00:06:39.679 Verse 3. 00:06:40.179 --> 00:06:41.439 What does man gain? 00:06:41.579 --> 00:06:44.139 By all the toil at which he toils under the sun. 00:06:44.679 --> 00:06:45.759 There's no gain. 00:06:45.759 --> 00:06:47.899 Gain is like profit. 00:06:49.099 --> 00:06:50.920 I want to make a cake. 00:06:51.240 --> 00:06:52.699 And I sell that cake for $100. 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:54.039 That's great. 00:06:54.740 --> 00:06:57.519 Except I count up what I spent on the ingredients. 00:06:57.959 --> 00:06:59.399 And on transport of getting them. 00:06:59.480 --> 00:07:00.459 And on transport on delivery. 00:07:00.599 --> 00:07:01.779 And that's $100 as well. 00:07:01.779 --> 00:07:03.639 And I've earned nothing. 00:07:03.799 --> 00:07:04.659 That's the idea, right? 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:06.819 And he says, well, you earn nothing. 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:10.139 All the things we do, there's nothing at the end of it. 00:07:10.639 --> 00:07:11.919 There's no result. 00:07:12.059 --> 00:07:14.799 There's nothing left over in the long term. 00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:17.059 No profit. 00:07:17.179 --> 00:07:18.500 That's the thing about vapor, right? 00:07:18.519 --> 00:07:19.179 It's gone. 00:07:19.340 --> 00:07:21.060 You don't have anything left. 00:07:21.199 --> 00:07:23.360 That puff of smoke is just gone. 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:27.300 It's deceptive, empty, and futile. 00:07:28.340 --> 00:07:29.639 What is... 00:07:29.639 --> 00:07:30.920 Why do you get no gain? 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:33.139 Or how? 00:07:33.460 --> 00:07:36.860 Well, by all the toil at which he toils under the sun. 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:38.519 What is toil? 00:07:38.939 --> 00:07:41.040 I mean, certainly we can think of our jobs, right? 00:07:41.199 --> 00:07:42.759 Many of us here are working. 00:07:43.579 --> 00:07:45.560 And that work, toil, right? 00:07:45.560 --> 00:07:47.800 That describes it as frustrating, hard work. 00:07:47.800 --> 00:07:50.900 And you have nothing ultimately at the end of it. 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:52.439 But it's not just that. 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:55.840 I think if you're a student and you're studying for your exams, that's toil. 00:07:56.560 --> 00:07:58.920 Maybe you're a stay-at-home mom or dad. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:05.480 And, you know, every day the nappies and, you know, bringing the kids to school and the homework and everything. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:06.920 That's toil. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:08.720 It's just kind of our life here in this world. 00:08:11.460 --> 00:08:12.560 Is that really true? 00:08:12.560 --> 00:08:18.399 Well, there's this phrase at the end that we need to understand if we want to get this book. 00:08:19.180 --> 00:08:23.319 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? 00:08:24.459 --> 00:08:25.340 Under the sun. 00:08:25.879 --> 00:08:29.680 Now, partly that sounds just sweaty, right? 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:35.220 Here in Hong Kong, imagine working outside in the sun in the summer the whole day under the sun. 00:08:35.320 --> 00:08:36.039 It is not great. 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:40.099 But what he means with under the sun is here in this world. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:46.699 All the toil here in this world, in life now, that is the thing that is pointless. 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:54.039 And the preacher is a bit unusual because he doesn't think about the big picture. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:08:55.179 He just looks at life now. 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:56.299 It's like he's got blinkers on. 00:08:57.099 --> 00:08:57.279 Right? 00:08:57.339 --> 00:08:59.740 I'm only going to look at life now, what I can see here. 00:08:59.740 --> 00:09:03.799 So he doesn't really consider the future or eternity. 00:09:05.320 --> 00:09:06.360 He doesn't look at that. 00:09:06.580 --> 00:09:07.399 He just looks at now. 00:09:08.799 --> 00:09:10.940 And he doesn't even think much about God. 00:09:11.060 --> 00:09:16.620 I mean, he mentions God, but only what we can see about God right here in life now. 00:09:17.340 --> 00:09:19.500 Not what he's told us about himself in the Bible. 00:09:20.240 --> 00:09:22.379 Not what he will do in the future or anything like that. 00:09:22.419 --> 00:09:23.759 It's just life now. 00:09:23.860 --> 00:09:29.360 He looks at life now, the life here in this world, and he says, well, that's pointless. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:31.340 That's all meaningless. 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:38.240 It's important to see that because otherwise maybe we want to make sure we read this book rightly. 00:09:39.019 --> 00:09:41.159 I mean, it's a rather unusual perspective, right? 00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:45.180 We know from the rest of the Bible that there is a God and he has revealed himself. 00:09:46.299 --> 00:09:49.519 And we know that, you know, that there's a future and those kind of things. 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:52.080 What are we supposed to do with this book? 00:09:52.080 --> 00:09:53.659 I mean, who even wrote it? 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:55.360 In a way, we don't know. 00:09:55.440 --> 00:09:59.360 Many people, they read verse 1, the words of the preacher. 00:09:59.740 --> 00:10:02.139 The son of David, king in Jerusalem. 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:05.899 They think, oh, that must be Solomon because he wrote so much wisdom. 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:07.700 It's probably not Solomon. 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:10.799 I mean, he says a few things that's really weird if you're Solomon. 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:12.940 Like 1 verse 16. 00:10:13.600 --> 00:10:14.879 This is one thing he says. 00:10:15.879 --> 00:10:16.659 Next slide. 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:23.259 I said in my heart, I have acquired great wisdom surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me. 00:10:24.319 --> 00:10:27.179 Well, if he was Solomon, there was only one guy before him, David. 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:30.679 Why doesn't he just say, I've got more wisdom than my father? 00:10:31.059 --> 00:10:34.059 This doesn't sound as if it was really Solomon. 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:37.839 It's just someone pretending to be Solomon. 00:10:37.840 --> 00:10:39.180 What if Solomon said this? 00:10:40.080 --> 00:10:44.740 Now, it's probably just some, it's a wisdom book from hundreds of years later. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:50.420 But why doesn't he consider the rest? 00:10:50.660 --> 00:10:55.220 Why do we have this book that almost contradicts some of the rest of the Bible? 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:59.500 Well, wisdom literature is sometimes worse that way. 00:10:59.639 --> 00:11:01.879 It gives us a different point of view. 00:11:02.519 --> 00:11:04.519 And it tells us to engage with it. 00:11:05.420 --> 00:11:08.680 If you've read the book of Job, you probably know Job's friends. 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:10.440 They give all these great speeches. 00:11:11.440 --> 00:11:13.540 And then at the end of the book, it says, well, they were all wrong. 00:11:14.680 --> 00:11:16.000 Which is really annoying, right? 00:11:16.019 --> 00:11:18.560 If you didn't know that and you've tried to apply this to your life. 00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:22.200 No, sometimes it tells you, is this really right? 00:11:22.200 --> 00:11:24.820 And here we have a preacher. 00:11:25.120 --> 00:11:27.879 It's like this guy gets invited. 00:11:28.259 --> 00:11:29.759 I mean, it feels a bit distant, right? 00:11:29.920 --> 00:11:34.640 You know, the words of the preacher, vanity of vanities, says the preacher. 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:37.120 It's like the writer is distancing himself. 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:38.460 This is what the preacher is saying. 00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:40.560 But is that really true? 00:11:41.200 --> 00:11:42.640 And that's what he makes us think. 00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:45.300 Looking at life in this world, is that really? 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:47.120 Well, what do you think of life in this world? 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:50.360 And at the end of the book, he will say, well, in a way, 00:11:50.360 --> 00:11:52.519 well, that's not quite right, right? 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:54.300 Fear God, keep his commandments. 00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:56.500 So that's how we need to read this. 00:11:56.580 --> 00:11:58.659 But why do we have such a book then? 00:11:58.740 --> 00:12:01.279 Why this book that actually, in some ways, 00:12:02.060 --> 00:12:05.120 we should not take fully seriously? 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:07.300 Or we need to understand it? 00:12:07.539 --> 00:12:10.139 Well, I think what God is doing with this, 00:12:10.220 --> 00:12:11.860 it's like a dead-end street. 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.180 If that makes sense. 00:12:14.159 --> 00:12:15.620 You know this sign, if you're driving, 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:18.440 you want to find your way home. 00:12:18.440 --> 00:12:20.900 And you don't really know the way. 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:22.420 And then you come to this sign. 00:12:22.880 --> 00:12:23.820 What do you need to do? 00:12:24.880 --> 00:12:26.020 Turn around, right? 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:27.840 That is not the way. 00:12:28.600 --> 00:12:30.300 Whatever you're going, this is not the way. 00:12:31.400 --> 00:12:32.760 And it's helpful to know sometimes, right? 00:12:32.900 --> 00:12:34.660 This is not the right way. 00:12:34.760 --> 00:12:35.680 This is a dead-end street. 00:12:37.420 --> 00:12:39.660 I think what this book is doing is telling us 00:12:39.660 --> 00:12:41.100 that if you only look at life now, 00:12:41.640 --> 00:12:42.940 if you live for this world, 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:45.020 if you're trying to find meaning here in this world, 00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:46.620 that's a dead-end street. 00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:50.659 So this book, it is pointing to Jesus, 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:51.740 but kind of indirectly. 00:12:51.899 --> 00:12:53.700 It's pointing to Jesus by telling you, 00:12:54.080 --> 00:12:54.759 well, don't go there. 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:55.860 Go the other way. 00:12:56.019 --> 00:12:56.639 Run to Jesus. 00:12:57.980 --> 00:12:59.440 I think that's very helpful. 00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:01.759 Maybe if you're a visitor today, right? 00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.560 Maybe you feel that. 00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:04.360 That's why you're here. 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:07.600 Because you feel like your life lacks meaning. 00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:10.580 And you think maybe Jesus has the answer. 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:13.100 Maybe it's helpful to hear that actually, 00:13:13.200 --> 00:13:14.200 yeah, the Bible would say, 00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:16.159 yeah, that life without Jesus is meaningless. 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:19.120 But also for us, right? 00:13:19.539 --> 00:13:20.579 Of course, we were Christians. 00:13:20.740 --> 00:13:21.559 We know the answer. 00:13:22.719 --> 00:13:25.179 And yet, we live here in this world, right? 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:30.059 95% of our time, we are doing, well, work 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:32.139 and taking care of children and studying 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:33.899 and all those things of life 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:35.519 and sleeping and showering 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:37.539 and shopping and admin, right? 00:13:37.699 --> 00:13:39.579 So much of our life is just life here. 00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:44.280 Apart from maybe your quiet time, Sunday mornings, CG. 00:13:44.940 --> 00:13:46.379 That's how it often feels like. 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:51.320 And it's very easy for that 95% of your life to dominate. 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:54.940 And you want to find your meaning and happiness in that. 00:13:55.160 --> 00:13:57.540 And the Bible says, no, don't do that. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:14:00.120 Lift up your eyes to Jesus 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:01.800 because this is a dead-end street. 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:05.259 That's where we're going to go over the next few weeks. 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:07.720 So I hope you will hear both. 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:11.000 I hope we will see that this is pretty depressing life here. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:13.419 But I hope, then again, we turn to Jesus and, 00:14:13.679 --> 00:14:17.240 like a Coke after a hike, just, 00:14:17.439 --> 00:14:20.159 all right, that's where we're going to go. 00:14:21.120 --> 00:14:23.539 But we've only hardly started. 00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:26.259 Why does the preacher today in this poem 00:14:26.819 --> 00:14:30.259 think that there is really no gain? 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.819 Well, there's no change. 00:14:32.899 --> 00:14:35.980 You live here in the world and there's just no change. 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:38.039 We get this lovely poem about the world, 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:40.379 but in some ways it's pretty depressing. 00:14:41.179 --> 00:14:42.139 And here's his point. 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:42.759 Verse 4, 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:46.019 A generation goes and a generation comes, 00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:48.080 but the earth remains forever. 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.419 The earth just remains the same. 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:53.439 Everything that's happening is not doing anything. 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:55.200 The earth just stays the same. 00:14:56.019 --> 00:14:56.899 I mean, look at nature. 00:14:56.899 --> 00:14:59.939 The sun rises and the sun goes down 00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:02.019 and hastens to the place where it rises. 00:15:02.899 --> 00:15:06.159 The wind blows to the south and goes round to the north. 00:15:06.539 --> 00:15:08.019 Round and round goes the wind. 00:15:08.100 --> 00:15:09.559 And on the circus the wind returns. 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.360 Well, you can hear it. 00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:13.399 Here's the sun and it rises and it sets 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:15.899 and it goes round and it rises and it sets. 00:15:16.419 --> 00:15:17.299 That's life, right? 00:15:17.340 --> 00:15:18.439 Every day the same thing. 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.259 And nothing changes. 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:25.220 The winds, they blow this way and they blow that way. 00:15:26.860 --> 00:15:28.179 And the world just keeps going. 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:32.500 The rivers, you know, all streams run to the sea, 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:33.559 but the sea is not full. 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:35.779 To the place where the streams flow, 00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:37.000 there they flow again. 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:40.059 The water cycle, same thing. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.600 It's just maintenance, right? 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:44.659 It just, these things just go round and round. 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:49.100 Now, he's looking at nature, but isn't that our lives? 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.559 You know, what is your average day, right? 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:52.899 You get up and you have a shower 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:54.639 and you have breakfast 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.919 and you get into the MTR 00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:57.199 and you go to work 00:15:57.199 --> 00:15:58.120 and you work 00:15:58.120 --> 00:16:00.079 and you have the same meetings that you have weekly 00:16:00.079 --> 00:16:03.259 and at the end you go in the MTR back home 00:16:03.259 --> 00:16:04.679 and you eat 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.860 and here you go to bed 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.219 and the next day the same thing, right? 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:09.539 Every day exactly the same thing. 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:11.860 What's the profit? 00:16:11.959 --> 00:16:12.559 What's the gain? 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:14.419 Just every day exactly the same thing. 00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.819 I know what you're going to say. 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.159 I'm earning money, right? 00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:19.159 So I can eat 00:16:19.159 --> 00:16:21.179 and I can pay my rent, right? 00:16:21.219 --> 00:16:21.959 I need to sleep. 00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:22.620 True. 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.639 Be honest. 00:16:24.699 --> 00:16:25.459 Why do you sleep? 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.740 I mean, if I go to bed, 00:16:28.799 --> 00:16:30.039 I think I should get enough sleep 00:16:30.039 --> 00:16:31.379 so I can work again tomorrow. 00:16:32.519 --> 00:16:34.240 I sleep in order to work 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.980 and then I work 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:36.719 so that I can have a place to sleep. 00:16:38.699 --> 00:16:39.740 And that's my life. 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:42.779 I mean, many of us are going on holiday. 00:16:42.779 --> 00:16:43.899 I'm going on holiday. 00:16:44.659 --> 00:16:46.939 What's the point of the holiday? 00:16:47.059 --> 00:16:47.679 Many of us, yeah, 00:16:47.699 --> 00:16:48.539 I need to recharge 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:50.039 so that I can work again 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:50.699 when I come back. 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.480 What's the point, right? 00:16:55.519 --> 00:16:56.980 What's the point of working 00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.279 if the only thing, right? 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.379 Earning money from... 00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.860 I hope you get the point, right? 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:02.000 Isn't that life? 00:17:03.059 --> 00:17:04.859 It's just this endless cycle. 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.039 Students, I guess, 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:08.339 you're studying for your exams. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:09.700 Every time there's a new exam. 00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.500 I mean, you have an end point at least. 00:17:11.579 --> 00:17:13.319 But then, after that comes work. 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.220 And as you just heard, 00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.160 that's very exciting. 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:17.920 Or maybe you're just stay at home. 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.839 Mom, you've left work. 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:19.839 But, you know, 00:17:20.059 --> 00:17:21.140 isn't that routines, right? 00:17:21.140 --> 00:17:22.140 Getting the kids... 00:17:22.140 --> 00:17:23.259 Okay, getting them up, 00:17:23.540 --> 00:17:24.860 uniform, breakfast, 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:25.900 off to school, 00:17:26.080 --> 00:17:27.100 and pick up from school, 00:17:27.300 --> 00:17:27.980 and homework, 00:17:28.300 --> 00:17:28.800 and violin, 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:30.140 and feeding them, 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.600 and shower, 00:17:30.780 --> 00:17:31.700 and bringing them to bed. 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.300 And the next day, 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:33.320 exactly the same thing. 00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.420 Every day, 00:17:34.540 --> 00:17:35.259 exactly the same. 00:17:35.800 --> 00:17:36.500 That's life. 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:40.099 Isn't that just depressing? 00:17:41.319 --> 00:17:42.420 There's no progress. 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.640 Nothing's really happening. 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:46.359 Now, of course, 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.319 that's just one day at a time. 00:17:48.400 --> 00:17:49.420 You need to zoom out. 00:17:49.920 --> 00:17:51.180 Look at the big picture, right? 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:52.460 Look at human history. 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:54.920 Look at all the progress we've made. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:57.500 Well, that's what the teacher says, right? 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.059 Verse 9, 00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.859 What has been is what will be. 00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.960 What has been done is what will be done. 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.559 There's nothing new under the sun. 00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:05.859 Is there a thing of which it is said? 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:06.699 See, this is new. 00:18:07.439 --> 00:18:09.519 It has been already in the ages before us. 00:18:10.419 --> 00:18:13.399 He says that nothing really changes. 00:18:13.699 --> 00:18:15.399 Everything just actually stays the same. 00:18:16.259 --> 00:18:17.719 Now, of course, 00:18:17.859 --> 00:18:20.159 hey, look at all the medical progress we've made. 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:22.000 Look at all the technology, right? 00:18:22.159 --> 00:18:23.419 We didn't have smartphones, 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.799 like, 20 years ago. 00:18:25.819 --> 00:18:27.419 If you're my age, 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:29.619 I got my first phone at 25. 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:30.399 Like, wow. 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:33.159 But actually, 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:35.819 have things really progressed much? 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:39.500 How long do human beings live? 00:18:40.459 --> 00:18:41.659 80, 90 years? 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:44.159 Well, back in Moses' day, 00:18:44.919 --> 00:18:45.639 Psalm 90, 00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.019 it was 70 to 80. 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:49.679 So in 3,500 years, 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.899 we only live 10 years longer. 00:18:51.559 --> 00:18:52.539 And those 10 years 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.740 is mainly spent in hospital, 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:54.359 to be honest. 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.419 It's not like we're now living 00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:57.159 hundreds of years 00:18:57.159 --> 00:18:58.159 or thousands of years, right? 00:18:58.799 --> 00:18:59.979 We haven't made much progress. 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:02.319 And even technology, 00:19:02.439 --> 00:19:03.719 yes, technology is different, 00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:05.559 but so many things still the same. 00:19:06.860 --> 00:19:08.819 Maybe 100 years earlier, 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:10.039 I would write my sermon. 00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:11.900 I would have a quill, 00:19:12.140 --> 00:19:12.539 an ink, 00:19:12.620 --> 00:19:13.559 and I would write it, right? 00:19:14.120 --> 00:19:14.819 Something like that. 00:19:16.180 --> 00:19:17.440 Okay, now I've got a laptop. 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:19.460 But I'm still writing. 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:22.299 I'm still spending hours every day 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.019 writing things. 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:25.019 And 100 years ago from now, 00:19:25.359 --> 00:19:26.200 just at the wrong time, 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:27.099 my ink runs out. 00:19:28.500 --> 00:19:29.200 Or now, 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.559 just at the wrong time, 00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.539 my battery runs out. 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:32.660 Right? 00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:33.940 What's the difference? 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.279 Have we really made much progress? 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:36.920 You know, 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:39.099 people used to work 60 hours a week. 00:19:39.980 --> 00:19:41.480 Now we work 60 hours a week. 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.579 Any progress? 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:44.659 To be honest, 00:19:44.799 --> 00:19:46.099 things haven't really changed, right? 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.039 You know, 00:19:47.079 --> 00:19:48.659 I was so excited to get this phone 00:19:48.659 --> 00:19:50.099 that would make life so much better. 00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:51.659 Well, 00:19:51.699 --> 00:19:52.740 but I was just as excited 00:19:52.740 --> 00:19:53.579 four years earlier 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.779 when I got my previous phone. 00:19:55.419 --> 00:19:56.899 That didn't make my life any better. 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.939 Let's be honest. 00:19:59.139 --> 00:19:59.299 You know, 00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:01.359 things don't really change, right? 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.559 We have the same long hours 00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.939 and the same frustrations 00:20:03.939 --> 00:20:05.319 as long ago. 00:20:05.939 --> 00:20:06.619 And ultimately, 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.799 we're all going to die. 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.619 That will come in the coming weeks, 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:09.859 but, 00:20:10.419 --> 00:20:10.659 yeah. 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:12.419 So, 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:13.299 this is life, right? 00:20:13.439 --> 00:20:14.259 Endless cycles, 00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:15.299 no real progress, 00:20:15.879 --> 00:20:17.119 no real gain, 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.739 nothing really gets better. 00:20:20.859 --> 00:20:21.559 And so, 00:20:21.719 --> 00:20:22.679 the preacher asks, 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:23.379 well, 00:20:23.419 --> 00:20:24.019 it's pointless, right? 00:20:24.059 --> 00:20:25.000 There's no point. 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.979 If it's not going anywhere, 00:20:27.159 --> 00:20:28.659 if it's not making any difference, 00:20:29.179 --> 00:20:29.959 there's no point. 00:20:31.739 --> 00:20:32.579 Some of you maybe 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.559 are really feeling this 00:20:33.559 --> 00:20:34.079 at the moment. 00:20:34.199 --> 00:20:35.159 You feel like 00:20:35.159 --> 00:20:36.199 you're stuck in this job 00:20:36.199 --> 00:20:37.399 and it's always the same 00:20:37.399 --> 00:20:39.599 and you're not going anywhere. 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:40.879 I hope you feel 00:20:40.879 --> 00:20:42.879 at least God understands you. 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:44.500 He knows what you're going through. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:45.419 He knows what it's like 00:20:45.419 --> 00:20:45.979 in this world 00:20:45.979 --> 00:20:47.439 and He's telling you, 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:47.879 I know. 00:20:48.899 --> 00:20:49.919 And as we'll hear in a moment, 00:20:50.019 --> 00:20:51.179 I've got an answer for you. 00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.179 But at the same time, 00:20:53.219 --> 00:20:54.859 many of us are not like that, right? 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:56.000 We live in this world, 00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:56.919 but we really think 00:20:56.919 --> 00:20:58.359 we can make it. 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:58.939 You know, 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.459 we can get things under control. 00:21:01.299 --> 00:21:02.299 I know life isn't great, 00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:03.419 but if I work harder 00:21:03.419 --> 00:21:05.059 and if I plan better, 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.500 then, 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:06.319 you know, 00:21:06.419 --> 00:21:07.859 my life will get better. 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:09.339 Things will be good. 00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:12.399 Somebody said this morning, 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:12.759 Kevin, 00:21:12.919 --> 00:21:14.000 everyone's hustling 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.859 around Hong Kong, right? 00:21:14.899 --> 00:21:16.019 Everyone is trying 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.679 to make it work. 00:21:16.939 --> 00:21:17.119 And, 00:21:17.759 --> 00:21:18.459 well, 00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.179 this guy says, 00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:19.659 well, 00:21:19.699 --> 00:21:20.079 give up. 00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:22.259 That's not going to work. 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.799 You're not going to have any gain. 00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:24.899 Everyone before you 00:21:24.899 --> 00:21:25.359 has tried. 00:21:26.359 --> 00:21:27.639 They haven't changed the world. 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:28.539 You know, 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:29.740 they haven't changed their life. 00:21:30.240 --> 00:21:30.740 Do you think 00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.519 you can make it? 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:33.559 And sometimes 00:21:33.559 --> 00:21:34.660 it's not even hard work. 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:35.440 Sometimes we think, 00:21:35.639 --> 00:21:36.579 just change. 00:21:37.359 --> 00:21:38.900 I know I'm stuck in this job, 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.039 but I'm going to get a new job 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:41.139 and then everything 00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:41.940 will be great, right? 00:21:42.379 --> 00:21:43.879 Then my life will be good. 00:21:45.139 --> 00:21:46.500 Or once I get married, 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.579 then things will be better. 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.879 Once I get kids, 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.799 then things will be better. 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:52.339 Once the kids leave, 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:53.319 then things will be better. 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:54.920 Right? 00:21:56.299 --> 00:21:57.000 It doesn't. 00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.700 It does not at all. 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.539 How about the last time 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.279 you changed jobs? 00:22:01.340 --> 00:22:01.980 Did that work out? 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:03.400 No. 00:22:04.140 --> 00:22:04.900 That's the thing. 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.500 I'm not saying 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.539 you can't change jobs. 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.220 Of course, 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.420 some jobs are worse 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.180 than others, right? 00:22:10.200 --> 00:22:10.860 If you have a really 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.660 terrible boss, 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.140 he's abusing you, 00:22:13.220 --> 00:22:14.180 giving you too much work. 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:14.960 Hey, 00:22:15.140 --> 00:22:16.160 try to find a new job. 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.340 It's a good thing to do. 00:22:18.640 --> 00:22:19.620 But don't expect 00:22:19.620 --> 00:22:20.500 things to be perfect. 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:23.080 I had a friend of mine. 00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.960 He wasn't a Christian. 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:25.039 I would meet him 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:26.100 about twice a year. 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:27.400 Every time I met him, 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:28.160 he had a new job. 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:29.940 Because, 00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.220 yeah, 00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.720 the projects 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.779 weren't challenging enough. 00:22:32.900 --> 00:22:33.080 So, 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.140 it was too boring. 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.720 And the next time 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.240 I'd meet him, 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.460 my colleagues 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.360 weren't very friendly. 00:22:39.059 --> 00:22:40.059 And the next time 00:22:40.059 --> 00:22:40.539 I'd meet him, 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:40.779 oh, 00:22:40.860 --> 00:22:40.980 yeah, 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:41.740 change jobs again. 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:42.400 Yeah. 00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.819 Too much travel. 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:44.779 Right? 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:45.740 It's always, 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.279 it never worked. 00:22:48.400 --> 00:22:48.600 Right? 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.019 So, 00:22:49.080 --> 00:22:49.180 yeah, 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.340 please change your job 00:22:50.340 --> 00:22:50.740 if you can, 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.819 but don't expect 00:22:51.819 --> 00:22:52.759 things to be perfect. 00:22:53.900 --> 00:22:54.180 Or, 00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:54.940 yeah, 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.620 countries, 00:22:55.960 --> 00:22:56.240 you know. 00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:57.960 I often say that 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.360 to people. 00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:59.559 Sometimes your country 00:22:59.559 --> 00:23:00.139 is terrible. 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:00.959 Please leave. 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.299 Those people 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:03.519 who are fleeing Ukraine, 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.299 I can fully understand that. 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.559 But, 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:08.479 no other place 00:23:08.479 --> 00:23:08.979 is paradise. 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.659 Lots of Hong Kongers, 00:23:10.719 --> 00:23:11.599 they've moved to the UK. 00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:13.339 So much depression. 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.839 Because the UK 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.699 is just not paradise. 00:23:16.119 --> 00:23:16.659 It's not, 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:18.419 I've lived there. 00:23:19.879 --> 00:23:20.339 No, 00:23:20.379 --> 00:23:20.479 no, 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.500 it's a nice place. 00:23:21.599 --> 00:23:22.039 It's lovely. 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:23.039 We're going back. 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.980 We have great friends. 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.579 But it's not paradise. 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:27.059 And many people 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:27.960 are finding that out. 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.119 They've put all their hope. 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.680 I'm going to go to the UK, 00:23:30.859 --> 00:23:32.039 then I'll be perfectly happy. 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:32.839 No. 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.839 There's no game. 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.339 I mean, 00:23:36.779 --> 00:23:38.759 where does this all come from? 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.220 Well, 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:40.759 the Bible, 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.420 the New Testament tells us. 00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:42.639 I mean, 00:23:42.659 --> 00:23:43.240 it's clear 00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:44.859 if you read between the lines. 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:45.720 The New Testament 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:46.680 is pretty explicit. 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.960 In Romans 8, 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:49.740 what does Paul say 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:51.340 about this whole creation? 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:52.120 Well, 00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:52.920 for the creation 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:54.680 was subjected to futility. 00:23:55.200 --> 00:23:56.060 Not willingly, 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.019 but because of him 00:23:57.019 --> 00:23:57.779 who subjected it. 00:23:57.840 --> 00:23:59.240 The world has been subjected 00:23:59.240 --> 00:24:00.140 to futility. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.380 The word futility, 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:02.539 the Greek word, 00:24:02.620 --> 00:24:03.620 is what they also use 00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:04.740 in the Greek translation 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.980 of Ecclesiastes. 00:24:06.120 --> 00:24:06.620 So basically, 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:07.720 this vanity, 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:08.960 this meaninglessness, 00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:09.799 this pointlessness, 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:11.980 that is what's come 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.680 over the world. 00:24:12.740 --> 00:24:13.980 And what is he talking about? 00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.820 He's talking about 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.500 the fall. 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:18.799 We had God. 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:20.460 We had a perfect world. 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:22.200 But Adam and Eve, 00:24:22.299 --> 00:24:23.060 they turned away. 00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.420 And we left the God 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:25.460 of life and love 00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.140 and tried to do it 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:26.680 our own way. 00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:29.299 This is what you get. 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.680 A world that's cursed 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.820 with vanity. 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.560 A world that's cursed 00:24:34.560 --> 00:24:35.420 with futility 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.460 so that things 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.299 just don't work 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.299 and we don't get anywhere. 00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.240 That is why life 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.200 is like it is now. 00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:42.740 And so, 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:44.400 you want to change it? 00:24:45.320 --> 00:24:45.539 Well, 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.639 you need to get out 00:24:46.639 --> 00:24:47.379 of this creation, 00:24:47.500 --> 00:24:48.079 basically, right? 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.859 As long as you're here 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.379 in this world, 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.599 there will be a curse 00:24:51.599 --> 00:24:52.859 and you'll be stuck. 00:24:54.059 --> 00:24:55.119 That is what he's saying. 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:59.500 I don't know if you feel that. 00:24:59.579 --> 00:24:59.899 I don't know. 00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:01.299 Again, 00:25:01.439 --> 00:25:02.859 this is a hard message. 00:25:04.419 --> 00:25:05.399 Maybe on some of the ways 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:06.179 you spend your time 00:25:06.179 --> 00:25:07.319 and you just feel, 00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:08.479 this is really all a waste. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:10.120 Well, 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.279 again, 00:25:11.319 --> 00:25:12.339 I can't leave us here, 00:25:12.380 --> 00:25:12.579 right? 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.860 I'm a gospel preacher. 00:25:15.839 --> 00:25:16.079 No. 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.059 Ecclesiastes said, 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.200 yeah, 00:25:18.299 --> 00:25:18.559 look, 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:19.160 the preacher says, 00:25:19.319 --> 00:25:20.480 the world never changes, 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:20.759 right? 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:22.500 It's always the same cycles. 00:25:23.140 --> 00:25:24.380 The human cycle, 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.299 dust to dust, 00:25:25.860 --> 00:25:26.680 ashes to ashes. 00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:28.079 We live, 00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:29.240 we were born, 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:29.620 we live, 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:30.019 we die. 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:30.400 We're born, 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:30.680 we live, 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.099 we die. 00:25:33.819 --> 00:25:34.519 Except there was 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.059 this one man, 00:25:35.120 --> 00:25:35.259 right? 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.559 We know. 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:36.940 He was born, 00:25:36.940 --> 00:25:37.360 he lived, 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:37.799 he died, 00:25:38.539 --> 00:25:39.340 and he rose again. 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:43.259 Jesus broke out of this. 00:25:43.660 --> 00:25:45.259 Jesus came here, 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:46.720 lived a frustrating life, 00:25:47.340 --> 00:25:49.259 and yet then he rose from the dead. 00:25:49.340 --> 00:25:50.759 He broke out of this. 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:52.680 The world changed. 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:55.620 There was a new creation, 00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:59.960 a body that has no more futility 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:01.000 and no more decay, 00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:01.940 right? 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.080 Actually, 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.600 Jesus came out of this creation 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:07.079 to the new creation. 00:26:07.719 --> 00:26:08.899 And that's not just him. 00:26:09.279 --> 00:26:10.419 He ascended to heaven 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:12.259 and he's pouring out his spirit. 00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.719 Today's Pentecost, 00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.899 many churches celebrate that, 00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:16.179 but yeah, 00:26:16.240 --> 00:26:17.519 the spirit was poured out. 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:19.339 And the spirit is bringing that 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:20.919 resurrection life 00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:22.159 around the world. 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.219 Now, 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.740 we by ourselves, 00:26:25.859 --> 00:26:26.659 nothing changes. 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:26.980 And yet, 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.579 but Jesus, 00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.199 he broke through that 00:26:29.199 --> 00:26:31.279 and he poured out the spirit 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:32.480 and he's changing the world. 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:34.579 And that is something 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.339 that will last, 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:35.579 right? 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.860 The thing was always, 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.819 there's nothing left over 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.319 in the end. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.339 And actually, 00:26:40.400 --> 00:26:41.880 he says the earth remains forever. 00:26:42.740 --> 00:26:42.920 Well, 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.319 as we know, 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:44.420 the earth will not remain forever, 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:44.740 right? 00:26:44.860 --> 00:26:46.220 Heaven and earth will pass away, 00:26:46.319 --> 00:26:46.839 Jesus said, 00:26:47.480 --> 00:26:48.539 which makes ultimately 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.500 everything meaningless, 00:26:49.599 --> 00:26:49.779 right? 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.819 If the earth passes away. 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:52.759 But, 00:26:52.880 --> 00:26:54.799 Jesus' words will not pass away. 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.759 The gospel that he preached, 00:26:56.860 --> 00:26:57.299 the gospel, 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:58.460 the power of salvation, 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:00.680 will not pass away. 00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.759 That is eternal. 00:27:01.920 --> 00:27:02.600 And if that gospel 00:27:02.600 --> 00:27:03.539 is at work in you, 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.000 you will, 00:27:05.080 --> 00:27:06.519 you will survive 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.759 the destruction of heaven and earth. 00:27:07.860 --> 00:27:09.160 You will be there at the end. 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.880 And suddenly, 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.740 that changes things, 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:11.960 right? 00:27:12.180 --> 00:27:12.660 Now, 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:14.220 you last forever. 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.340 And that means 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:16.759 everything we do is different. 00:27:17.660 --> 00:27:17.960 I mean, 00:27:18.019 --> 00:27:18.860 our work, 00:27:19.820 --> 00:27:21.340 now that we live forever, 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:22.779 it changes. 00:27:23.080 --> 00:27:23.400 And so, 00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.039 Colossians, 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.600 whatever you do, 00:27:26.019 --> 00:27:27.259 work heartily. 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:29.200 As for the Lord 00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.019 and not for men, 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:32.180 knowing that it is from the Lord 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:33.060 that you will receive 00:27:33.060 --> 00:27:34.400 the inheritance as a reward. 00:27:35.820 --> 00:27:37.420 What you now do for Jesus 00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:39.580 is not meaningless. 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:40.940 Because one day, 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.680 you're going to meet him. 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:44.080 And he's going to reward you 00:27:44.080 --> 00:27:44.980 for all the things 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.799 you've done for him. 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.900 All the ways you've loved people. 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:50.560 All the ways you've lived 00:27:50.560 --> 00:27:51.720 and witnessed for him. 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:55.019 It's what Jesus refers to 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:56.080 as a treasure in heaven, 00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.440 right? 00:27:56.900 --> 00:27:58.100 Don't work for this world. 00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.500 Do not store up for yourselves 00:27:59.500 --> 00:28:00.919 treasures on earth 00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:02.299 where moth and rust destroy, 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:03.379 thieves break in and steal. 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.519 Store up for yourselves 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.299 treasures in heaven, 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:06.799 which will last. 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.339 Here is something 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:09.480 that will last forever. 00:28:09.659 --> 00:28:11.219 If you love people, 00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:13.359 that love will last forever 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:15.659 because Jesus is going to reward you. 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:19.839 And it's not just for yourselves. 00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:23.240 Because the gospel brings eternal life 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:23.919 to others. 00:28:25.439 --> 00:28:26.419 And so what happens 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:28.119 if you explain the gospel to someone 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:30.919 and they repent 00:28:30.919 --> 00:28:32.179 and they come to Jesus? 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:36.419 Well, their eternal destiny changes, right? 00:28:36.839 --> 00:28:38.619 No longer the lake of fire, 00:28:39.919 --> 00:28:41.759 but a new creation. 00:28:43.220 --> 00:28:44.779 An eternal difference 00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:46.559 that you can make 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:48.720 by spreading the life 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:50.000 and love of Jesus 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:52.039 through his gospel words. 00:28:53.159 --> 00:28:54.059 Doesn't that make 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:55.919 suddenly things meaningful? 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:57.019 Here is something 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.940 that you will do 00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:59.059 that will never last. 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.419 That a thousand years from now 00:29:00.419 --> 00:29:01.799 you can see the difference 00:29:01.799 --> 00:29:02.879 because there will be people 00:29:02.879 --> 00:29:04.779 celebrating in God's presence 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:06.559 because of what you've done. 00:29:07.399 --> 00:29:08.579 What God has done through you. 00:29:08.679 --> 00:29:09.299 Isn't that amazing? 00:29:09.379 --> 00:29:10.039 I mean, that's something 00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:11.440 that motivated me. 00:29:11.579 --> 00:29:12.419 People often ask me, 00:29:12.539 --> 00:29:14.740 why did you go into ministry? 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.460 I used to work 00:29:15.460 --> 00:29:16.360 for London Underground, 00:29:17.240 --> 00:29:20.299 making the trains run faster 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:20.799 and stuff, 00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:22.519 technical job behind the scenes. 00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:24.100 I mean, it was nice. 00:29:24.140 --> 00:29:24.880 It was a good job. 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.819 I wasn't just making 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:26.799 shareholders richer. 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.640 I was really helping people 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:30.380 getting to work a bit faster, 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.559 right, and better. 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.360 And that's great. 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:36.240 But a hundred years from now, 00:29:36.340 --> 00:29:37.220 do people really care? 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.460 Do people really care 00:29:39.460 --> 00:29:40.259 a hundred years from now 00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.319 how fast they get to work? 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.000 No, they don't. 00:29:42.940 --> 00:29:43.960 But whether they are 00:29:43.960 --> 00:29:45.079 in heaven or in hell, 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.640 they will care about. 00:29:47.960 --> 00:29:49.579 And so, yeah, for me, 00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.200 for me that meant 00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:52.019 full-time ministry, 00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:55.100 but why not do 00:29:55.100 --> 00:29:55.940 something lasting? 00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:56.819 Something that makes 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.519 an eternal, 00:29:58.420 --> 00:29:59.759 everlasting difference. 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:03.140 That's what Paul says. 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:04.420 He encourages us 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:04.920 to do that 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:06.579 at the end of 1 Corinthians 15, 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:07.880 a great verse. 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:09.680 Therefore, my beloved brothers, 00:30:09.800 --> 00:30:10.720 be steadfast, 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.740 immovable, 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.240 always abounding 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.740 in the work of the Lord, 00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.820 in the work of the gospel, 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:18.540 knowing that in the Lord 00:30:18.540 --> 00:30:19.800 your labor is not in vain. 00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:21.240 Not in vain. 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.520 Everything's vanity, 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:24.800 but what you do for Jesus 00:30:24.800 --> 00:30:26.000 is not in vain. 00:30:27.780 --> 00:30:29.600 Doesn't that give you hope 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.500 and meaning? 00:30:31.540 --> 00:30:31.640 Right? 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:33.800 Actually, yeah, 00:30:34.320 --> 00:30:35.700 life here can be hard, 00:30:35.700 --> 00:30:36.640 and it can be frustrating. 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.940 But here's the difference. 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:40.220 Tomorrow you go to work. 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:41.460 Why are you going to work? 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.620 Partly, yeah, 00:30:43.620 --> 00:30:44.500 you need to stay alive. 00:30:44.580 --> 00:30:45.880 You need to earn money. 00:30:46.660 --> 00:30:47.860 But can you go to your job 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:48.980 for Jesus 00:30:48.980 --> 00:30:51.440 and live for Him 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:52.779 and try to live there 00:30:52.779 --> 00:30:54.100 with love 00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:55.400 and with integrity 00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:56.440 and with justice 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.240 and compassion 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:59.100 and try to share 00:30:59.100 --> 00:30:59.779 the good news? 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:01.900 And suddenly, 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.660 what you're doing 00:31:02.660 --> 00:31:05.400 has eternal value. 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.120 It has meaning. 00:31:07.380 --> 00:31:08.740 Or maybe you're a parent. 00:31:09.860 --> 00:31:10.800 Because most of what you do 00:31:10.800 --> 00:31:11.240 as a parent 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:12.279 is pretty meaningless, right? 00:31:12.900 --> 00:31:13.140 You know, 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:13.900 the nappies 00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:14.960 and the food 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:16.060 and, you know, 00:31:16.120 --> 00:31:16.920 the education 00:31:16.920 --> 00:31:18.519 and the instruments. 00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:20.019 A hundred years from now, 00:31:20.220 --> 00:31:21.080 it doesn't really matter 00:31:21.080 --> 00:31:22.180 whether they can play the violin. 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:25.759 But if you're discipling your kids, 00:31:25.940 --> 00:31:28.160 you're making a difference. 00:31:29.040 --> 00:31:29.180 Right? 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.340 A hundred years from now, 00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:31.060 your kids will, 00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:32.980 if they know Jesus 00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:34.500 rather than have walked away from Him. 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.720 Isn't that the greatest difference 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.839 you can make for your child? 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:39.919 Isn't, 00:31:40.200 --> 00:31:41.379 shouldn't that be our priority? 00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:41.720 Yeah, 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.000 of course, 00:31:42.039 --> 00:31:43.139 all those other things are good. 00:31:43.919 --> 00:31:45.440 It's nice if you can do those things. 00:31:45.440 --> 00:31:46.079 And yet, 00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:47.460 the most important thing 00:31:47.460 --> 00:31:48.099 for our kids, 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.159 if we're parents, 00:31:49.619 --> 00:31:51.000 that they just know Jesus 00:31:51.000 --> 00:31:52.079 and grow in Him. 00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:53.480 Right? 00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:55.960 I hope you get the message. 00:31:56.639 --> 00:31:56.779 Right? 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.779 Life can have meaning. 00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.359 Without Jesus, 00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:02.399 if we just try to focus on here, 00:32:02.899 --> 00:32:03.059 no, 00:32:03.179 --> 00:32:03.319 yeah, 00:32:03.439 --> 00:32:04.879 that's meaningless, 00:32:05.159 --> 00:32:05.479 pointless. 00:32:06.339 --> 00:32:07.339 But this is different. 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:08.859 And that's great, 00:32:08.939 --> 00:32:09.079 right? 00:32:09.679 --> 00:32:10.000 I mean, 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:10.979 I see Chris and Fiona 00:32:10.979 --> 00:32:11.419 at the back, 00:32:11.459 --> 00:32:12.259 we're going to say goodbye. 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:12.979 I mean, 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:14.219 they've been here for 11 years. 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:15.139 They've done so much. 00:32:16.519 --> 00:32:17.439 Will Hong Kong notice? 00:32:17.719 --> 00:32:18.419 That's the question, 00:32:18.519 --> 00:32:18.659 right? 00:32:18.699 --> 00:32:20.099 Will the authorities have noticed? 00:32:21.759 --> 00:32:23.259 Will it go down 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.059 in the history books? 00:32:24.759 --> 00:32:25.759 If you look at this world, 00:32:25.819 --> 00:32:26.279 maybe not. 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:28.160 And yet, 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:29.680 think about the spiritual impact 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:30.339 they have had. 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:32.680 People here who've come to faith 00:32:32.680 --> 00:32:33.319 through them. 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:35.440 People who are, 00:32:35.559 --> 00:32:36.480 have grown so much 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:37.019 as a Christian 00:32:37.019 --> 00:32:38.279 because they've been discipled 00:32:38.279 --> 00:32:39.099 by them 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:41.299 and are now living 00:32:41.299 --> 00:32:42.279 for Jesus here 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:44.180 and making a difference 00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:45.059 here 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:47.139 by preaching the gospel, 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:48.279 by living for Jesus, 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:49.440 doing good. 00:32:50.539 --> 00:32:51.399 Isn't that amazing? 00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:53.280 We're not seeing that now, 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.640 but we will see it one day. 00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:57.000 And 00:32:57.000 --> 00:32:59.019 isn't that worth it? 00:32:59.220 --> 00:33:00.340 That doesn't mean it's easy. 00:33:00.519 --> 00:33:01.519 It's still a fallen world. 00:33:02.220 --> 00:33:02.900 Discipleship can be 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:03.680 very frustrating, 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:05.120 especially with children, 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:05.480 right? 00:33:05.480 --> 00:33:06.259 If they don't listen, 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:06.620 whatever. 00:33:09.120 --> 00:33:09.519 But 00:33:09.519 --> 00:33:11.500 it matters 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.460 eternally. 00:33:12.720 --> 00:33:13.160 Isn't that 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:14.460 something we all want? 00:33:14.620 --> 00:33:15.500 And isn't that 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:16.200 why we want to send 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.160 Chris and Fiona out? 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:19.580 Why don't we pray together? 00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:30.920 Our Father, 00:33:31.040 --> 00:33:31.160 we 00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:33.420 thank you so much 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:33.880 for Jesus. 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:36.320 We see life without Him 00:33:36.320 --> 00:33:37.660 and it's such a dark abyss 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:40.060 of things that don't matter, 00:33:40.519 --> 00:33:41.680 things that make no difference. 00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:43.220 And yet the things 00:33:43.220 --> 00:33:44.140 that take up so much 00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:44.700 of our time. 00:33:45.300 --> 00:33:45.940 Thank you that you 00:33:45.940 --> 00:33:46.680 changed the world. 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:48.660 Thank you that you 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.200 changed us. 00:33:49.320 --> 00:33:49.440 We 00:33:49.440 --> 00:33:50.940 didn't deserve 00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:51.660 that we are sinners. 00:33:52.900 --> 00:33:53.980 We didn't deserve 00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:54.759 anything more than 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:56.200 this pointless life 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.559 here. 00:33:57.580 --> 00:33:58.500 And yet you gave us 00:33:58.500 --> 00:33:59.100 your spirit. 00:33:59.299 --> 00:34:00.360 You gave us 00:34:00.360 --> 00:34:00.920 your love 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:01.980 as you 00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:03.039 sent forth 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:03.580 your Son 00:34:03.580 --> 00:34:04.340 on the cross. 00:34:04.900 --> 00:34:05.240 Father, 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:05.620 please, 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:06.400 would we have 00:34:06.400 --> 00:34:06.980 this vision? 00:34:07.660 --> 00:34:08.280 Would we lift 00:34:08.280 --> 00:34:09.139 our eyes to Jesus 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:10.400 and live for Him 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:11.820 and do the things 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:12.900 that will matter 00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:13.639 eternally 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:15.759 as we live 00:34:15.759 --> 00:34:16.759 good lives 00:34:16.759 --> 00:34:17.739 among the pagans, 00:34:17.779 --> 00:34:18.879 as we share 00:34:18.879 --> 00:34:19.779 Jesus? 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.039 And would you 00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:21.819 work through that? 00:34:22.000 --> 00:34:22.159 Lord, 00:34:22.239 --> 00:34:22.719 thank you that you 00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:23.659 are changed in the world. 00:34:24.199 --> 00:34:25.000 Would you use us 00:34:25.000 --> 00:34:25.759 to change the world 00:34:25.759 --> 00:34:27.339 as we fix our eyes 00:34:27.339 --> 00:34:27.819 on Jesus 00:34:27.819 --> 00:34:28.739 and He's our vision? 00:34:29.279 --> 00:34:30.279 In Jesus' name. 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.259 Amen. 00:34:31.260 --> 00:34:31.720 Amen. 00:34:31.720 --> 00:34:34.380 Amen. 00:34:34.740 --> 00:34:34.860 Amen. 00:34:35.020 --> 00:34:35.940 Amen. 00:34:36.140 --> 00:34:40.100 Amen.