WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.400 Good morning, everyone. How are you guys doing? Like Ed had mentioned, Sean and I, we had traveled 00:00:08.400 --> 00:00:14.560 down to Pennsylvania this weekend to attend our regional assembly of elders, and it was really 00:00:14.560 --> 00:00:19.580 such an encouraging time to meet up with other pastors in our region, to be encouraged by them, 00:00:19.580 --> 00:00:25.320 to hear how God is working in all the churches along Sovereign Grace in the Northeast. And so 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:31.960 coming back really encouraged by that. Also really tired a little, but we'll make it through. 00:00:33.659 --> 00:00:39.560 It's my joy and pleasure to be able to bring God's word to us this morning. If you have your Bibles, 00:00:39.560 --> 00:00:47.320 if you would please turn to Ecclesiastes chapter 9, verse 13. If you don't have a Bible, please raise 00:00:47.320 --> 00:00:52.380 your hand, and one of our church members or ministry volunteers will be able to pass one over to you 00:00:52.380 --> 00:00:59.900 for you to keep as a gift. Our passage this morning, again, comes from Ecclesiastes chapter 9, 00:01:00.400 --> 00:01:03.280 verse 13, to all of chapter 10. 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:15.680 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word. 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:31.239 Heavenly Father, we are truly thankful that you give us the opportunity to gather as the body of Christ 00:01:31.239 --> 00:01:42.439 every Sunday morning. Lord, we are so grateful for your word, scripture, which aids us in encouraging 00:01:42.439 --> 00:01:52.599 one another, in rebuking one another, in teaching and admonishing us, and filling us with hope of the 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:58.500 gospel, Lord. We thank you so much for your son, Jesus, who died on the cross for our sins. And we 00:01:58.500 --> 00:02:05.159 thank you so much that you give us so much great wisdom through your word. Lord, we confess that we 00:02:05.159 --> 00:02:11.439 are people who succumb time and time again to the follies and foolishness of this world. 00:02:15.500 --> 00:02:22.240 We ask, Lord, that you fill us with wisdom that can only come from you, and help us to take hold 00:02:22.240 --> 00:02:31.219 of this wisdom that is Jesus, Lord, this morning and for evermore. We thank you so much, Lord. We love 00:02:31.219 --> 00:02:36.680 you, and we pray all this in Jesus' name. Amen. If you're willing and able, would you please stand 00:02:36.680 --> 00:02:50.979 for the reading of God's holy and authoritative word? Ecclesiastes chapter 9, verse 13 to chapter 10, 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:52.240 verse 20. 00:02:52.240 --> 00:03:01.560 I have also seen this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me. There was a little 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:07.000 city with a few men in it, and a great king came against it and besieged it, building great siege 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:13.820 works against it. But there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city. 00:03:14.860 --> 00:03:21.580 Yet no one remembered that poor man. But I say that wisdom is better than might, though the poor man's 00:03:21.580 --> 00:03:27.720 wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. The words of the wise, heard and quiet, are better 00:03:27.720 --> 00:03:34.600 than the shouting of a ruler among fools. Wisdom is better than weapons of war, but one sinner destroys 00:03:34.600 --> 00:03:42.960 much good. Dead flies makes the perfumer's ointment give off a stench, so little folly outweighs 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:48.740 wisdom and honor. A wise man's heart inclines him to the right, but a fool's heart to the left. 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:54.740 Even when the fool walks on the road, he lacks sense, and he says to everyone that he is a fool. 00:03:55.480 --> 00:04:02.080 If the anger of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your place, for calmness will lay great 00:04:02.080 --> 00:04:09.180 offenses to rest. There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, as if as it were an error proceeding 00:04:09.180 --> 00:04:16.420 from the ruler. Folly is set in many high places, and the rich sit in the low place. I have seen slaves 00:04:16.420 --> 00:04:24.740 on horses and princes walking on the ground like slaves. He who digs a pit will fall into it, and a 00:04:24.740 --> 00:04:30.480 serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall. He who quarries stones is hurt by them, and he who 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:36.700 splits logs is endangered by them. If the iron is blunt and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use 00:04:36.699 --> 00:04:44.920 more strength. But wisdom helps one to succeed. If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no 00:04:44.920 --> 00:04:52.019 advantage to the charmer. The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume 00:04:52.019 --> 00:04:57.139 him. The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil 00:04:57.139 --> 00:05:04.800 madness. A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be 00:05:04.800 --> 00:05:12.420 after him. The toil of a fool wearies him, for he does not know the way to the city. Woe to you, O land, 00:05:12.540 --> 00:05:18.460 when your king is a child and your princes feast in the morning. Happy are you, O land, when your king 00:05:18.460 --> 00:05:26.040 is the son of nobility, and your princes feast at the proper time for strength and not for drunkenness. 00:05:27.060 --> 00:05:32.259 Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks. Bread is made for laughter, 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:39.060 and wine gladdens life, and money answers everything. Even in your thoughts do not curse the king, nor in 00:05:39.060 --> 00:05:44.519 your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature 00:05:44.519 --> 00:05:49.120 tell the matter. This is God's holy and authoritative word. You may be seated. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:06:08.519 There are proverbs, wise sayings, and folk wisdoms that are used in our world, in our society, 00:06:08.720 --> 00:06:16.139 for very specific occasions and situations. What's interesting, however, is how many of these sayings 00:06:16.139 --> 00:06:22.539 tend to contradict each other when put next to one another? Let me give a few examples to this. 00:06:23.199 --> 00:06:30.500 There's the saying, the early bird gets the worm. It means that it's good to seize your opportunities 00:06:30.500 --> 00:06:38.479 as soon as you can. But then there's also the saying, haste makes waste, meaning a hurried life 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:44.800 makes for more inefficiency. There's the saying, absence makes the heart grow fonder. 00:06:45.540 --> 00:06:51.120 You pine after the things and people missing from your life. But then there's also the saying, 00:06:51.560 --> 00:06:59.860 out of sight, out of mind. There's the saying, many hands make light work. The more help that you have, 00:06:59.860 --> 00:07:06.699 the easier the job will be. But then there's also the saying, too many cooks spoil the broth. 00:07:07.080 --> 00:07:10.699 The more help that you have, the worse the end result of the job will be. 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:17.560 And there's another saying that says, when you pay attention to detail, the big picture will take 00:07:17.560 --> 00:07:23.240 care of itself. When you're focused on all the minute details that form the entire big idea, 00:07:23.240 --> 00:07:29.360 they say that eventually the big idea will form itself. But then there's also this Chinese proverb 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:37.000 that says, when the wise man points to the moon, the fool stares at the finger. It's not good to be 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:42.740 detail-oriented in this case, or else you'll lose sight of the main idea, the main point. 00:07:45.220 --> 00:07:50.240 Obviously, common sense will lead us to utilize different proverbs or different scenarios. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:54.579 And there's certainly a moderate middle ground in between some of these proverbs. 00:07:55.480 --> 00:08:01.579 It's good to seize opportunities as soon as you can, but it's also good to step back and consider 00:08:01.579 --> 00:08:07.740 whether that opportunity is worth the risk. Or there are instances where having a lot of help 00:08:07.740 --> 00:08:14.040 makes a job a lot easier, like setting up and tearing down our church equipment for Sunday service. 00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:20.000 Please join our support ministry. But there are also instances where too many 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:26.579 opinions in a single project will result in strife, division, and a haphazardly completed job, 00:08:26.980 --> 00:08:30.459 like a class poster project. We've all had one of those, right? 00:08:31.720 --> 00:08:37.980 The point of sharing all of these conflicting proverbs is to show how fickle life and life 00:08:37.980 --> 00:08:44.559 circumstances can be. At some point in someone's life, their circumstance made them come up with this 00:08:44.559 --> 00:08:50.719 life wisdom that the early bird gets the worm. But the chances are that another person is like, 00:08:50.799 --> 00:08:55.359 oh, that sounds like a good wisdom, and tries to apply it into their own life. And they realize 00:08:55.359 --> 00:09:03.459 instead that haste makes waste. The irony of these folk proverbs and wise sayings to live by in this world 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:12.680 is that they shed light all the more on how transient worldly wisdom can be. Because everything in this life 00:09:12.680 --> 00:09:21.580 is up to time and chance. It's futility, it's vanity, hevel, a striving after wind, breath, 00:09:21.740 --> 00:09:29.680 to rely fully on the wisdom of this world to sustain us, to grant us success, and to give meaning to our lives. 00:09:29.679 --> 00:09:34.899 Church, earthly wisdom is not going to save our souls. 00:09:37.279 --> 00:09:43.859 And so this is our main idea for our passage this morning. Knowing that the wisdom of this world is 00:09:43.859 --> 00:09:52.479 fleeting, trust in the God-given humble wisdom that is Jesus Christ. I'm going to touch on three points 00:09:52.480 --> 00:10:00.000 this morning. The value of wisdom, the fragility of wisdom, and Christ, our greater wisdom. 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:07.759 First, the value of wisdom. Right before our passage in Ecclesiastes chapter 9, verse 11 and 12, 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:13.759 the preacher observes the futility of life, and the futility of trying to take control of life. 00:10:13.759 --> 00:10:19.580 It's like trying to chase after wind or breath, hevel. Like fish that are caught in a fishing net, 00:10:19.740 --> 00:10:24.159 or birds that are caught in a snare, we humans, whether we're wise or we're foolish, 00:10:24.460 --> 00:10:32.620 will all succumb to time and chance. There is no set formula in this life. The fast will not always 00:10:32.620 --> 00:10:37.659 win the race. The strong won't always win the battle. The wise won't always bring bread to the table, 00:10:37.659 --> 00:10:44.740 nor will the intelligence always gain riches. Everything in this life is up to time and chance. 00:10:45.839 --> 00:10:49.360 And so it's a vanity for us to try to take control of life. 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:57.219 In chapter 9, verse 13, our passage this morning, the preacher, he brings forth another example of the 00:10:57.219 --> 00:11:04.439 uncertain circumstances of life. With the story of a little city that was besieged by a great king. 00:11:04.440 --> 00:11:12.440 The invading king built powerful siege works, forts, catapults, all sorts of weapons that can destroy 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:18.900 the walls of the city in order to capture this small city. But the king's plans are thwarted by 00:11:18.900 --> 00:11:25.520 the wisdom of a poor, wise man. The city was preserved thanks to the wisdom of this poor man. 00:11:27.020 --> 00:11:31.140 We'd expect this man to be commended and commemorated for saving the city, 00:11:31.139 --> 00:11:40.100 and yet the poor, wise man was forgotten. And he became irrelevant in his words and wisdom to others. 00:11:41.759 --> 00:11:47.939 Verse 15, yet no one remembered that poor man. He doesn't get the reward that we expect him to 00:11:47.939 --> 00:11:56.259 receive. And instead, his wisdom is despised and his words are not heard. Church, life circumstances can 00:11:56.259 --> 00:12:03.080 and will go against our expectations because everything is up to time and chance. There is no 00:12:03.080 --> 00:12:07.620 perfect formula to life. C'est la vie. That's just how it is. 00:12:09.700 --> 00:12:15.580 But this isn't to say that wisdom has no place in this life. That wisdom is pointless to pursue, 00:12:15.740 --> 00:12:21.679 that we should instead settle for a life of folly. The preacher, he makes the point to emphasize the 00:12:21.679 --> 00:12:26.759 value of wisdom, even amidst the vanity, the hevel of life. 00:12:30.439 --> 00:12:36.699 As a note, the wisdom that the preacher is referring to throughout this passage is earthly wisdom. 00:12:37.479 --> 00:12:43.459 This is the ability to make good decisions and judgments based on the knowledge that you have 00:12:43.459 --> 00:12:50.639 in order to be successful in life, in order to get through life. This differs from godly wisdom, 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:56.019 which is focused on the moral characteristics of fearing the Lord and obeying his commands, 00:12:56.199 --> 00:13:03.419 in order to give God the maximal glory. Earthly wisdom and godly wisdom can coincide. 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:09.840 Proverbs chapter 14, verse 29 says, whoever is slow to anger has great understanding. 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:13.779 This is godly wisdom, but it's also very practical wisdom in this world. 00:13:13.779 --> 00:13:21.159 If we're slow to anger, if we're able to slow down and ask more questions and not be instantly enraged 00:13:21.159 --> 00:13:26.299 at what people say or do to us, there's a lot more wisdom in doing that than immediately exploding on anyone. 00:13:27.679 --> 00:13:32.620 But the key difference between earthly wisdom and godly wisdom is our end goal. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:40.960 Is it to be more successful? Is it to be better in this life? Or is it to give God the glory and to live a life that is pleasing to him? 00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:48.279 And so the preacher in this passage is seeing the great value of exercising earthly wisdom 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:52.299 as opposed to following after earthly folly and foolishness. 00:13:53.659 --> 00:13:55.440 The preacher continues in verse 16, 00:13:55.440 --> 00:14:11.700 Even though the speaker of wisdom will be forgotten, 00:14:12.900 --> 00:14:15.620 wisdom itself will prevail over might. 00:14:16.140 --> 00:14:20.800 When wise words are spoken to those who quietly listen and heed the words, 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:27.759 it's far better than a mighty ruler who loudly and recklessly speaks into an echo chamber of fools. 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:32.219 These fools who, like parrots, will only repeat back what he says, 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:34.419 whether he's right or wrong. 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:39.959 Though wisdom is presented in this scenario in a very humble circumstance, 00:14:40.319 --> 00:14:45.159 it has great impact and value over displays of strength and might. 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:53.419 The preacher values the quiet humility of wisdom over the boisterous pride of might. 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:56.559 Even in our context today, 00:14:57.159 --> 00:15:01.019 our world still relishes wisdom over might. 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:05.779 We relish those stories of the underdog who uses their wits and their wisdom, 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:10.620 their cleverness to overcome the odds against a larger or mightier foe. 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:15.600 Let me give a modern, maybe not so modern, 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:17.899 a kind of modern example of this. 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:22.179 In the movie Star Wars Episode 5, 00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:24.720 The Empire Strikes Back. 00:15:24.840 --> 00:15:26.279 Wow, that is not modern. 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:29.440 Star Wars Episode 5, The Empire Strikes Back. 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:32.500 Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine, the Empire, 00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:38.060 they sent out these giant four-legged tanks of destruction called AT-ATs. 00:15:38.059 --> 00:15:43.000 And they called on these AT-ATs to attack and destroy the rebel base. 00:15:43.959 --> 00:15:46.919 And so to defend their base, Luke Skywalker and the rebel alliance, 00:15:47.079 --> 00:15:50.599 they flew out these ships about 20 times smaller than these AT-ATs. 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:53.559 They literally looked like little ants compared to these giant tanks. 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:57.899 And they used their wits to circle about the AT-ATs with cables 00:15:57.899 --> 00:16:02.099 in order to wrap the tank's legs and trip it. 00:16:02.579 --> 00:16:05.419 And so that it trips over, it falls over, and it explodes. 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:08.639 The rebels' clever use of their humble vehicles 00:16:08.639 --> 00:16:12.360 was enough to triumph over the Empire's behemoths of destruction, 00:16:12.699 --> 00:16:14.039 the Empire's siege works. 00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:17.519 That's an example of earthly wisdom. 00:16:18.679 --> 00:16:20.419 Another example, in Judges chapter 7, 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:22.159 Gideon, he follows God's instructions 00:16:22.159 --> 00:16:26.899 and reduced his army of 32,000 to a mere 300 men. 00:16:27.839 --> 00:16:30.699 These 300 men, they snuck onto the enemy Midianite territory 00:16:30.699 --> 00:16:31.519 in the middle of the night, 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:35.279 and they suddenly blew their trumpets and smashed their jars to alarm 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.919 and confuse the Midianites. 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:39.199 And the Midianites, they fled from their camp, 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.439 abandoning their stations. 00:16:41.399 --> 00:16:44.179 Gideon and his humble band of 300 men 00:16:44.179 --> 00:16:48.220 defeated an army of 135,000 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:50.960 because the Israelites trusted in God 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.419 and the wisdom that he gave them. 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:58.860 The wisdom of the Lord manifested in the humble 300-man army of Gideon 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:01.959 prevailed over the massive might of the Midianites. 00:17:03.179 --> 00:17:04.720 And so the preacher says, 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:07.079 Wisdom is better than might, 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:10.019 even when the words of wisdom may be despised, 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:12.240 not heard, or small. 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:15.960 Jumping ahead to chapter 10, 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:18.940 the preacher again emphasizes the value of wisdom 00:17:18.940 --> 00:17:20.399 with a series of examples. 00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:22.120 In verses 2 and 3, 00:17:22.220 --> 00:17:23.300 the preacher points out 00:17:23.300 --> 00:17:26.840 that while a wise man's heart inclines him to the right, 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:30.000 a fool's heart will go to the left, 00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:32.340 where the right stands for righteousness 00:17:32.340 --> 00:17:34.640 and the left stands for wickedness. 00:17:35.600 --> 00:17:38.280 The fool's heart will veer him to the left 00:17:38.280 --> 00:17:39.220 over and over again 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:41.460 to the point that when he walks on the road, 00:17:41.880 --> 00:17:43.460 his leftward inclination 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:46.140 is going to be a clear indication to everyone 00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:47.620 that he is a fool. 00:17:47.619 --> 00:17:51.979 Whether he's verbally communicating that himself or not, 00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:54.119 whether he's proclaiming to everyone, 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.219 I'm a fool or not, 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.519 he doesn't even have to say that. 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:59.179 The way he just keeps leaning over to the left, 00:17:59.439 --> 00:18:00.479 the path of destruction, 00:18:00.719 --> 00:18:02.139 will indicate to everyone else, 00:18:02.239 --> 00:18:04.019 oh, this guy is a fool. 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:07.059 His very action speaks for himself. 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.500 Jumping to chapter 10, verse 10, 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:13.759 the preacher concludes that wisdom would teach a man 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:15.579 to sharpen his iron blade 00:18:15.579 --> 00:18:17.720 in order to maximize efficiency 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:19.559 in cutting or chopping things. 00:18:20.099 --> 00:18:22.779 We see that wisdom would teach a snake charmer 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:26.099 to make sure that the snake is indeed charmed, 00:18:26.660 --> 00:18:28.980 else the serpent may bite the charmer. 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:33.480 A snake charmer who forgets to charm his snake 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:36.859 may want to wisely consider a career change. 00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:42.779 And finally, the preacher observes in verses 12 and 13 00:18:42.779 --> 00:18:45.240 that while the words of a wise man's mouth 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.219 gain him favor, 00:18:47.419 --> 00:18:50.899 the lips of a fool lead to his own destruction. 00:18:52.899 --> 00:18:54.500 From start to end, 00:18:55.379 --> 00:18:57.699 the words of a fool's mouth are of nonsense 00:18:57.699 --> 00:19:00.979 and evil madness, wicked delusion, 00:19:01.500 --> 00:19:04.639 and he does nothing but spout out more foolishness 00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:05.800 out of his own ignorance. 00:19:07.040 --> 00:19:09.180 A fool multiplies words, verse 14, 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:11.080 a fool multiplies words, 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:13.040 though no man knows what is to be 00:19:13.040 --> 00:19:15.259 and who can tell him what will be after him. 00:19:16.440 --> 00:19:18.960 The fool continues to blabber and yap 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:20.920 and perhaps even talks about the future, 00:19:21.020 --> 00:19:22.880 about his own grand schemes, 00:19:23.020 --> 00:19:24.280 his plans and aspirations. 00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:27.360 But here we have the preacher saying, 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:30.000 no man knows what is to be 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:32.780 and who can tell him what will be after him. 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:36.579 No one knows what's going to happen in the future. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:40.359 And so we can't say with absolute certainty 00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:42.079 what is in store for us ahead. 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:45.259 It would be considered foolish to do that. 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:52.140 We have many church members at Trinity 00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:55.259 who have big dreams and goals for their future. 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:59.420 Some aspire to become aerospace engineers. 00:20:00.960 --> 00:20:03.879 Others want to go work in the highest political sectors 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:04.819 of the United States. 00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:07.740 We have aspiring dentists, 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.019 nuclear physicists, 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:10.460 PhD candidates, 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:12.700 and many more who love to talk about 00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:14.860 what they're striving toward in the future. 00:20:16.420 --> 00:20:18.860 What sets many of our brothers and sisters apart 00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:20.700 from the fool in verse 14, however, 00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:23.299 is that they don't multiply their words. 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:27.059 They don't double down and say with certainty, 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:28.460 I know for sure, 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.640 I swear, 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:31.819 I will become that dentist. 00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:34.340 I will gain that position in this political sector. 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:36.700 I will solve all of nuclear physics. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:39.080 Or may lightning strike me down. 00:20:42.360 --> 00:20:43.759 While those with wisdom 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:45.779 will share their aspirations and their dreams, 00:20:46.080 --> 00:20:47.559 while remaining humble 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:49.440 amidst the unknowability 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:51.720 and uncertainty of life, 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:54.660 the fool will speak as if he knows for sure 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:57.460 the future outcome of his life. 00:20:58.840 --> 00:21:00.200 Church, we're really blessed 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:03.059 with intelligent and talented folks in our church. 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.759 And that's all the more reason 00:21:04.759 --> 00:21:06.099 we need to be humble 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:08.559 in the face of the unknown of the future. 00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:12.500 It's wise to speak in humility 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:15.539 even about our own hopes and dreams and goals. 00:21:16.740 --> 00:21:18.759 Proverbs chapter 21 verse 1 says, 00:21:19.180 --> 00:21:20.740 Do not boast about tomorrow, 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:23.859 for you do not know what a day may bring. 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:26.940 No one knows what the future will bring, 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.900 whether that's a year from now, 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:30.700 whether that's a week from now, 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:32.420 or even within the next 30 minutes. 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:35.779 Our church, we're like unable to figure out 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:37.940 what we're going to have for lunch after service. 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:40.360 We don't know what's going to happen in the future. 00:21:41.060 --> 00:21:42.820 It would be wiser to speak, 00:21:43.320 --> 00:21:45.980 to not speak so surely about our future plans, 00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:48.940 knowing that we don't have absolute security 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:50.940 and control of our future. 00:21:53.779 --> 00:21:56.500 Nevertheless, the fool speaks of things 00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:57.800 that he doesn't know about, 00:21:57.980 --> 00:22:00.740 the things that he doesn't even have security about. 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:04.180 And as a result, he bumbles about, 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:06.960 not even sure about how to get to his goal, 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:08.079 to his destination, 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:11.319 even to a city, 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:13.859 which is supposed to be his destination 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:16.259 that the preacher speaks of in verse 15. 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:20.539 Wisdom has value. 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:24.039 And the preacher shows that there's great merit 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:27.160 to pursuing wisdom and being wise in this life. 00:22:27.160 --> 00:22:30.620 Wisdom helps to preserve us, 00:22:31.620 --> 00:22:32.259 keep us alive. 00:22:32.820 --> 00:22:34.900 Applying wisdom helps us to succeed 00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:36.840 in our work and our toil. 00:22:38.180 --> 00:22:39.940 Wisdom helps us not to boast 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:42.540 and to speak instead out of thoughtfulness and humility. 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:45.960 And wisdom helps to gain favor from those around us 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:47.540 because they find what we say 00:22:47.540 --> 00:22:49.460 to be trustworthy and helpful. 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:53.759 God gives us the common grace, 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:57.819 the common grace gift of earthly wisdom in this life, 00:22:57.900 --> 00:22:58.940 knowing that it's a blessing 00:22:58.940 --> 00:23:01.840 that allows for humans to flourish in this world. 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:06.960 Even today, this wisdom is of good value to our own lives 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:08.720 rather than living recklessly, 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:12.860 recklessly living out our lives without prudence. 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:16.600 It's considered wise to set daily schedules 00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:17.720 and boundaries for your health, 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:19.279 that you sleep at a reasonable hour, 00:23:19.360 --> 00:23:20.500 that you eat a healthy diet, 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.880 that you exercise regularly 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:23.900 so that you overall feel good. 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:27.440 It's considered wise to set aside money 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.880 for a rainy day 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:31.980 in case accidents or hard times fall upon us. 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:35.259 It's considered wise to practice 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:37.000 a certain skill set in advance 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:38.900 so that you're comfortable with it 00:23:38.900 --> 00:23:40.299 when your next project, 00:23:40.440 --> 00:23:41.180 your next performance, 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.940 your next competition approaches. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.519 Practice makes perfect. 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:47.259 There's value in wisdom, 00:23:47.259 --> 00:23:49.819 and so there is value in pursuing wisdom 00:23:49.819 --> 00:23:51.980 in our lives in this world. 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.000 However, 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:59.559 wisdom is not the panacea 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.859 to all of life's problems. 00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:03.400 It's not going to solve everything in this life. 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:05.099 Wisdom, too, 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:07.220 will fail in this life of vanity 00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:10.140 because we live in a fallen world. 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:15.420 Wisdom in this life 00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:17.680 still has its limitations and shortcomings. 00:24:18.580 --> 00:24:20.420 While it offers great benefits 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.880 to those who seek it in life, 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:24.680 wisdom is also very fragile. 00:24:26.480 --> 00:24:28.720 The preacher first makes this observation 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:30.259 in the final verse of chapter 9, 00:24:30.580 --> 00:24:31.180 verse 18. 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:34.640 Wisdom is better than weapons of war, 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:36.400 but one sinner, 00:24:36.520 --> 00:24:37.400 one sinner, 00:24:38.080 --> 00:24:39.580 destroys much good. 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.820 Wisdom is fragile 00:24:42.820 --> 00:24:45.520 because it's easily overshadowed 00:24:45.520 --> 00:24:46.500 by folly. 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:50.259 When a sinner commits a foolish act, 00:24:50.560 --> 00:24:52.180 wisdom goes flying out the window, 00:24:52.360 --> 00:24:53.980 and what is meant for good 00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.780 becomes swiftly ruined. 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:58.359 The preacher makes a comparison 00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:59.039 of this fact 00:24:59.039 --> 00:25:00.460 at the start of chapter 10, 00:25:00.599 --> 00:25:01.079 verse 1. 00:25:01.639 --> 00:25:04.079 Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment 00:25:04.079 --> 00:25:05.180 give off a stench. 00:25:05.859 --> 00:25:07.099 So a little folly 00:25:07.099 --> 00:25:09.079 outweighs wisdom and honor. 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:11.859 When flies smell 00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:13.359 the sweet scent of perfume, 00:25:13.599 --> 00:25:14.940 they fly towards the jar, 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:16.180 they land in its oil 00:25:16.180 --> 00:25:17.779 only to get stuck and trapped, 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:19.379 and they die, 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:20.899 and they begin to rot. 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:23.799 Such a tiny thing like a fly 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:26.039 can ruin an entire jar 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.879 of that sweet, 00:25:27.200 --> 00:25:28.339 aromatic perfume 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:30.940 instead with a foul stench. 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:37.419 Folly can easily ruin wisdom. 00:25:39.359 --> 00:25:41.799 I remember when I was in second grade, 00:25:42.139 --> 00:25:43.259 our teacher promised 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:45.019 my class of 20 kids 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.779 a pizza party, 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:47.639 a pizza and movie party on Friday 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.980 if we behaved well 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.639 throughout the week. 00:25:50.460 --> 00:25:52.079 We were like saints 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:53.700 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday. 00:25:54.339 --> 00:25:55.700 Our behavior was so good 00:25:55.700 --> 00:25:56.879 that even other teachers 00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:57.680 from other classes 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.680 were complimenting us, 00:25:58.740 --> 00:25:58.980 being like, 00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:01.200 oh, these kids are so well behaved. 00:26:03.299 --> 00:26:04.159 But then, 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:06.539 during a fateful Thursday 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.859 fire drill exercise, 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:09.980 our class got a little too goofy. 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.940 We got a little too talkative 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:13.299 when we should have been 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.500 quiet and attentive, 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:16.099 and we were reprimanded. 00:26:16.680 --> 00:26:18.680 Our teacher was greatly disappointed, 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.000 and she canceled 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:21.039 our pizza party. 00:26:21.839 --> 00:26:22.700 No pizza, 00:26:23.379 --> 00:26:24.079 no movies. 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:24.759 I'm pretty sure it was 00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.399 High School Musical 00:26:25.399 --> 00:26:26.599 when it first came out. 00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:28.319 No High School Musical. 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.159 I'm not mad about that. 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:34.839 But we would have to try 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:36.980 to earn that good thing later. 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.759 In that one moment, 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:41.200 a little bit of childish tomfoolery 00:26:41.200 --> 00:26:43.099 completely overshadowed 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:44.639 all of our hard work 00:26:44.639 --> 00:26:45.879 to behave well, 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:48.340 and our chance for a fun Friday, 00:26:48.400 --> 00:26:49.140 a good thing, 00:26:49.340 --> 00:26:50.060 was ruined. 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:53.220 Wisdom is fragile 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:54.960 because a little folly 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.360 outweighs wisdom. 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.840 Just as it's quicker 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:59.100 to destroy something 00:26:59.100 --> 00:27:00.240 than it is to build it, 00:27:00.740 --> 00:27:02.240 it's easier to ruin 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.600 a good thing with folly 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:04.940 than to build it up 00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:05.980 with wisdom. 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:11.440 Wisdom is also fragile 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:13.180 because of the vanity 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:14.440 and the futility 00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:15.480 of life 00:27:15.480 --> 00:27:16.900 in this fallen world. 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:19.340 As the preacher 00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:20.259 had said earlier, 00:27:20.640 --> 00:27:21.880 there is vanity in life, 00:27:22.080 --> 00:27:22.980 and there's futility 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:24.400 in trying to take control 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:24.860 of life 00:27:24.860 --> 00:27:26.240 because everything 00:27:26.240 --> 00:27:27.700 is up to time 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:28.620 and chance. 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:31.580 Just because you plug in A 00:27:31.580 --> 00:27:32.660 doesn't mean you will 00:27:32.660 --> 00:27:34.120 always generate B 00:27:34.120 --> 00:27:34.940 as a result. 00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.720 There is no formula 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.380 that will give us 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:39.279 the exact life circumstances, 00:27:39.279 --> 00:27:40.180 and wisdom 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:42.059 is no exception to this. 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.740 There will be moments 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.639 when wisdom 00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:46.039 is sought out 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:46.980 and exercised 00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:48.460 and will still encounter 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:50.399 unexpected circumstances, 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.619 disappointments. 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.660 The preacher 00:27:54.660 --> 00:27:55.960 seems to be cognizant 00:27:55.960 --> 00:27:56.879 of this fact as well 00:27:56.879 --> 00:27:58.819 based on his observations 00:27:58.819 --> 00:28:00.579 of a wrongdoing ruler 00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:02.420 in chapter 10, verse 4. 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.359 The preacher, 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.500 he first exercises 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.639 a word of caution 00:28:06.639 --> 00:28:08.000 and wisdom 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:09.240 telling us 00:28:09.240 --> 00:28:10.240 to appease 00:28:10.240 --> 00:28:11.079 an angry ruler 00:28:11.079 --> 00:28:12.099 with calmness 00:28:12.099 --> 00:28:13.640 in order to lay 00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:14.839 offenses to rest. 00:28:17.039 --> 00:28:17.720 The preacher 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.359 sheds light 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:19.339 on why he gives 00:28:19.339 --> 00:28:20.319 this advice of wisdom 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.039 in verse 5. 00:28:21.980 --> 00:28:22.559 He's seen 00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.440 an evil 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:24.299 under the sun 00:28:24.299 --> 00:28:25.319 as it were 00:28:25.319 --> 00:28:26.099 an error 00:28:26.099 --> 00:28:26.819 proceeding 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.740 from the ruler. 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.779 The ruler 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.539 has done something 00:28:30.539 --> 00:28:30.960 wicked 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:32.440 that has resulted 00:28:32.440 --> 00:28:33.460 in error, 00:28:33.559 --> 00:28:34.339 and his offenses 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:35.279 have revealed 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.460 the waywardness 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.319 of wisdom 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.920 in a fallen society. 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:40.500 under that king's rule. 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.779 The preacher 00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.880 observes in verse 6 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.859 that folly 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:46.759 is set in high places 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.539 and the rich 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:48.700 sit in the low place. 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:50.140 The rich here 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.779 are considered 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:52.140 the wise 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.519 as they've gained wealth 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.259 through their wisdom. 00:28:54.859 --> 00:28:55.920 And so we'd expect 00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:57.380 that the wise 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:57.839 and the rich 00:28:57.839 --> 00:28:58.700 would be able to sit 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.859 in the high places 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.700 while the fools 00:29:00.700 --> 00:29:01.839 sit in the low places. 00:29:01.839 --> 00:29:03.120 But in this fallen 00:29:03.120 --> 00:29:04.259 and vain society, 00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.859 the rules are reversed 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:07.459 and what we expect 00:29:07.459 --> 00:29:08.539 is all backwards. 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:12.379 We'd expect princes 00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:13.359 to be on horses 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:14.799 while the slaves 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:16.259 walked on the ground 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.379 guiding those horses. 00:29:18.419 --> 00:29:19.500 But here again, 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.879 we have the rules reversed. 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:22.419 The princes walk 00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:23.059 on the ground 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:24.679 while the slaves 00:29:24.679 --> 00:29:25.839 ride the horses. 00:29:26.500 --> 00:29:27.539 Our traditional wisdom 00:29:27.539 --> 00:29:29.159 has gone out the window 00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:30.659 because of the vanity 00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:32.079 and futility of life 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.959 in this broken world. 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:35.120 all the more exacerbated 00:29:35.120 --> 00:29:37.319 by the ruler's evil errors. 00:29:38.340 --> 00:29:39.240 This is the reality 00:29:39.240 --> 00:29:40.500 that we live in today 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.000 as well. 00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:43.220 There are rulers, 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:44.340 there are principalities 00:29:44.340 --> 00:29:45.539 of evil in this world 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:47.700 that have turned wisdom 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.519 that is supposed 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.240 to be good 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.900 upside down, 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.240 inside out, 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.720 in a way that 00:29:53.720 --> 00:29:56.079 doesn't make sense for us. 00:29:56.079 --> 00:29:57.460 We expect wisdom 00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:58.340 to bring us good, 00:29:58.600 --> 00:30:00.019 but there are so many instances 00:30:00.019 --> 00:30:00.640 where instead 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:02.319 the folly of this world 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.099 takes over 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:04.500 and we're instead met 00:30:04.500 --> 00:30:06.839 with negative circumstances, 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:08.179 disappointments, 00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.700 hurt in our lives. 00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:13.059 The preacher gives us 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:14.059 four more instances 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:15.419 in which he has seen 00:30:15.419 --> 00:30:16.319 those circumstances 00:30:16.319 --> 00:30:17.819 not go as expected 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:19.200 as a result 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:20.259 of the unknowability 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.379 and the uncertainty 00:30:21.379 --> 00:30:22.799 of life and wisdom. 00:30:23.279 --> 00:30:24.359 Verses eight and nine, 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:25.720 we see that there are 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.539 four men 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:27.619 who are doing 00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:28.259 their regular 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.419 day-to-day jobs. 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:31.080 one man 00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:32.360 who's digging pits, 00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:35.039 presumably for hunting traps, 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:36.920 one man 00:30:36.920 --> 00:30:38.100 who breaks down walls, 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.600 probably for construction, 00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:40.960 another man 00:30:40.960 --> 00:30:42.380 who queries stones, 00:30:42.580 --> 00:30:43.420 also for building, 00:30:43.800 --> 00:30:44.539 and one man 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.640 who splits logs 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.340 for wood. 00:30:47.340 --> 00:30:48.779 What each man does 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.660 should be nothing 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.660 out of the ordinary 00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.800 as they're simply 00:30:51.800 --> 00:30:52.380 performing 00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:53.759 their usual duties 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:54.320 in life. 00:30:54.319 --> 00:30:57.119 But what we see next 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:58.679 is an ironic twist 00:30:58.679 --> 00:31:00.379 to their life circumstances 00:31:00.379 --> 00:31:01.759 where folly 00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.519 takes a hold 00:31:02.519 --> 00:31:03.419 of their wisdom, 00:31:03.619 --> 00:31:04.319 of their skill, 00:31:04.419 --> 00:31:05.059 and their jobs. 00:31:06.000 --> 00:31:07.700 The man who digs a pit 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.939 is going to fall 00:31:08.939 --> 00:31:09.879 into his own pit. 00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:11.619 The man who breaks 00:31:11.619 --> 00:31:12.379 through a wall 00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:13.399 will be bitten 00:31:13.399 --> 00:31:14.119 by a snake 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:15.220 that's hiding in the wall. 00:31:15.919 --> 00:31:17.740 The man who quarries stones 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:19.079 will injure himself 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:20.059 with his own stone, 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.799 and the man 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.960 who splits wood 00:31:21.960 --> 00:31:23.140 will be endangered 00:31:23.140 --> 00:31:24.539 by his own logs. 00:31:26.100 --> 00:31:27.059 These scenarios 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:28.100 feel very much 00:31:28.100 --> 00:31:28.819 like some sort of 00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:29.700 Looney Tunes, 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:30.519 Tom and Jerry 00:31:30.519 --> 00:31:32.120 sort of slapstick comedy. 00:31:32.860 --> 00:31:33.860 Just like dynamite 00:31:33.860 --> 00:31:34.460 blows up in 00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:35.460 Wally Coyote's face, 00:31:35.600 --> 00:31:36.460 or just like Tom 00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.240 accidentally shaving 00:31:37.240 --> 00:31:37.920 his own tail, 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.400 the schemes of man 00:31:39.400 --> 00:31:40.640 fall into circumstances 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:41.600 of folly, 00:31:42.079 --> 00:31:43.039 ridiculousness. 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.440 Not necessarily 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.140 because people 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:46.120 have done wrong, 00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:47.319 but because random 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:48.500 and uncertain things 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.480 happen in this 00:31:49.480 --> 00:31:50.140 fallen world. 00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:51.620 Life, 00:31:51.619 --> 00:31:52.299 and the control 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.739 of life 00:31:52.739 --> 00:31:53.479 is vanity 00:31:53.479 --> 00:31:54.199 and futility, 00:31:54.879 --> 00:31:55.959 and fully trusting 00:31:55.959 --> 00:31:56.559 in wisdom 00:31:56.559 --> 00:31:57.579 in this vain 00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:59.359 and futile world 00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:02.479 will lead us 00:32:02.479 --> 00:32:03.559 to destruction as well, 00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.819 for even wisdom 00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.439 will fail. 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.659 Chapter 10 00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:10.859 ends by once again 00:32:10.859 --> 00:32:12.199 reflecting on the ruler. 00:32:13.879 --> 00:32:15.259 From verse 16, 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.539 the preacher points out 00:32:16.539 --> 00:32:18.299 how valuable it is 00:32:18.299 --> 00:32:19.779 to have a mature 00:32:19.779 --> 00:32:21.279 and a wise ruler. 00:32:21.619 --> 00:32:23.739 A ruler who feasts 00:32:23.739 --> 00:32:24.379 and drinks 00:32:24.379 --> 00:32:25.979 at the appropriate time 00:32:25.979 --> 00:32:27.239 for strength 00:32:27.239 --> 00:32:28.679 and not for the sake 00:32:28.679 --> 00:32:29.739 of drunkenness. 00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:32.319 A foolhardy 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:33.119 and immature king 00:32:33.119 --> 00:32:34.019 like a child 00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:35.419 will laze around 00:32:35.419 --> 00:32:36.599 and not care 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:37.319 for his kingdom 00:32:37.319 --> 00:32:38.259 to the point 00:32:38.259 --> 00:32:39.099 that the roof 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.679 sinks in 00:32:39.679 --> 00:32:40.699 and the house leaks. 00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:42.479 To the foolish king, 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.679 bread and wine 00:32:43.679 --> 00:32:44.179 are meant 00:32:44.179 --> 00:32:45.659 solely for pleasure 00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:47.519 and not for energy 00:32:47.519 --> 00:32:48.219 to exercise 00:32:48.219 --> 00:32:49.059 great wisdom 00:32:49.059 --> 00:32:50.299 in his rule. 00:32:50.879 --> 00:32:51.480 And money 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.759 is simply a means 00:32:52.759 --> 00:32:54.019 to have more access 00:32:54.019 --> 00:32:55.279 to that pleasure. 00:32:58.879 --> 00:32:59.819 The preacher 00:32:59.819 --> 00:33:00.679 laments 00:33:00.679 --> 00:33:01.659 of the folly 00:33:01.659 --> 00:33:02.379 that this king 00:33:02.379 --> 00:33:03.179 indulges in 00:33:03.179 --> 00:33:05.259 when there's so much value 00:33:05.259 --> 00:33:06.220 and opportunity 00:33:06.220 --> 00:33:07.000 for wisdom 00:33:07.000 --> 00:33:08.539 to bring the kingdom 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:09.720 back into order. 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:11.640 And yet, 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:12.480 the preacher 00:33:12.480 --> 00:33:13.839 still advises 00:33:13.839 --> 00:33:15.600 not to criticize 00:33:15.600 --> 00:33:16.600 or curse 00:33:16.600 --> 00:33:17.299 the ruler, 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:17.940 the king, 00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:19.240 and to instead 00:33:19.240 --> 00:33:20.440 offer calm silence 00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.940 lest any criticism 00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:23.019 reach the king's ears. 00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:25.140 Once again, 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:26.440 there is vanity 00:33:26.440 --> 00:33:27.720 in valuing wisdom 00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:29.279 because bringing up 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:29.940 what is considered 00:33:29.940 --> 00:33:30.940 to be wise 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:32.400 will only enrage 00:33:32.400 --> 00:33:32.920 the king 00:33:32.920 --> 00:33:33.640 and cause 00:33:33.640 --> 00:33:34.319 even more 00:33:34.319 --> 00:33:34.960 folly 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:36.180 and strife. 00:33:36.180 --> 00:33:39.180 Church, 00:33:39.340 --> 00:33:40.019 while wisdom 00:33:40.019 --> 00:33:40.960 has great value, 00:33:41.420 --> 00:33:41.960 it's also 00:33:41.960 --> 00:33:42.880 very fragile 00:33:42.880 --> 00:33:44.360 because we live 00:33:44.360 --> 00:33:45.279 in this broken 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:46.779 and folly-filled world. 00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.420 Nothing is certain 00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:50.140 in this life 00:33:50.140 --> 00:33:51.519 and even our efforts 00:33:51.519 --> 00:33:52.279 to be wise 00:33:52.279 --> 00:33:53.640 won't always bring us 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:55.620 the positive results 00:33:55.620 --> 00:33:56.240 that we want. 00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.700 The reality 00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.279 that wisdom 00:34:01.279 --> 00:34:01.799 is fragile 00:34:01.799 --> 00:34:02.400 can be 00:34:02.400 --> 00:34:03.660 very discouraging 00:34:03.660 --> 00:34:04.440 for many of us. 00:34:06.180 --> 00:34:07.460 We live 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:08.740 in a community 00:34:08.740 --> 00:34:09.619 in East Cambridge 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:10.519 and greater Boston 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.519 where we really 00:34:11.519 --> 00:34:12.680 take pride 00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:13.340 in our wisdom, 00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.340 in our intellect, 00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:15.500 in our intelligence. 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:18.079 And so to hear 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.440 that 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:20.599 moments when we 00:34:20.599 --> 00:34:21.360 apply wisdom, 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.059 moments where we 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:23.220 apply our wits 00:34:23.220 --> 00:34:24.059 and our intelligence, 00:34:24.220 --> 00:34:25.139 it will fail us 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:26.139 can be deeply 00:34:26.139 --> 00:34:26.820 discouraging. 00:34:28.380 --> 00:34:29.740 No matter how much 00:34:29.740 --> 00:34:30.700 we try to pursue 00:34:30.700 --> 00:34:31.200 wisdom 00:34:31.200 --> 00:34:32.480 and exercise wisdom 00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.019 in our lives, 00:34:33.139 --> 00:34:34.340 we can't entirely 00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:35.280 trust in wisdom 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.900 to consistently 00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.860 come through 00:34:37.860 --> 00:34:39.000 for our benefit. 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:40.860 Wisdom 00:34:40.860 --> 00:34:42.380 will fail. 00:34:43.580 --> 00:34:44.160 And that's because 00:34:44.160 --> 00:34:45.200 there's sin in this world 00:34:45.200 --> 00:34:46.400 and sin brings forth 00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:46.860 folly, 00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:47.780 disaster, 00:34:48.140 --> 00:34:48.960 and unforeseen 00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:49.600 hardships. 00:34:50.320 --> 00:34:51.720 Whether that's a result 00:34:51.720 --> 00:34:52.620 of our own error 00:34:52.620 --> 00:34:53.180 or not, 00:34:54.120 --> 00:34:54.640 this is because 00:34:54.640 --> 00:34:55.280 we 00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:57.000 who pursue wisdom 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:58.620 are also sinful. 00:34:59.880 --> 00:35:00.680 We may think 00:35:00.680 --> 00:35:01.400 we are exercising 00:35:01.400 --> 00:35:01.960 good wisdom, 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:03.159 but the heart 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:04.220 is deceitful 00:35:04.220 --> 00:35:05.559 above all things. 00:35:05.920 --> 00:35:06.619 We are broken 00:35:06.619 --> 00:35:07.659 and sinful people 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:09.099 operating in a broken 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:10.199 and sinful world. 00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.760 And so even 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:13.099 our best of intentions 00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:14.039 can lead 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.860 to folly 00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:15.980 and destruction. 00:35:18.760 --> 00:35:19.740 There are probably 00:35:19.740 --> 00:35:20.760 many of us here 00:35:20.760 --> 00:35:22.380 who have experienced 00:35:22.380 --> 00:35:22.980 the failure 00:35:22.980 --> 00:35:23.699 of wisdom 00:35:23.699 --> 00:35:24.599 and the folly 00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:25.240 of this world 00:35:25.240 --> 00:35:26.500 in disappointing ways, 00:35:26.699 --> 00:35:28.280 deeply disappointing ways. 00:35:28.280 --> 00:35:31.580 You may have taken 00:35:31.580 --> 00:35:32.940 all the necessary measures 00:35:32.940 --> 00:35:33.960 to be qualified 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:35.080 for a job 00:35:35.080 --> 00:35:36.140 or an academic program 00:35:36.140 --> 00:35:37.420 only for your application 00:35:37.420 --> 00:35:38.040 to be 00:35:38.040 --> 00:35:39.280 utterly, 00:35:39.700 --> 00:35:40.519 brutally rejected. 00:35:42.080 --> 00:35:43.080 You've saved up 00:35:43.080 --> 00:35:43.480 your money 00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.780 for years and years 00:35:44.780 --> 00:35:45.660 wanting to save 00:35:45.660 --> 00:35:46.780 for a good thing 00:35:46.780 --> 00:35:47.460 like a home, 00:35:47.620 --> 00:35:48.100 a car, 00:35:48.740 --> 00:35:49.840 only to have to spend 00:35:49.840 --> 00:35:50.540 it all in order 00:35:50.540 --> 00:35:51.560 to make repairs 00:35:51.560 --> 00:35:52.640 for a sudden accident 00:35:52.640 --> 00:35:53.140 in life. 00:35:54.640 --> 00:35:55.300 You've spent 00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:56.000 so much time 00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:57.120 trying to make sure 00:35:57.120 --> 00:35:58.080 that you're healthy 00:35:58.079 --> 00:35:58.779 and you're well 00:35:58.779 --> 00:36:00.019 only to be diagnosed 00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:01.319 with an illness 00:36:01.319 --> 00:36:02.920 or unforeseen condition. 00:36:04.279 --> 00:36:05.000 Or you've worked 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:05.639 so hard 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:06.579 to try to build 00:36:06.579 --> 00:36:07.239 your community, 00:36:07.400 --> 00:36:07.860 your friendships, 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:08.759 and your relationships 00:36:08.759 --> 00:36:10.719 only to suddenly 00:36:10.719 --> 00:36:11.639 be relocated 00:36:11.639 --> 00:36:12.659 to another city 00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:13.840 or state 00:36:13.840 --> 00:36:15.659 or nation. 00:36:17.219 --> 00:36:18.679 There are so many 00:36:18.679 --> 00:36:19.420 unexpected 00:36:19.420 --> 00:36:20.519 and difficult 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.440 misfortunes 00:36:21.440 --> 00:36:22.340 and disappointments 00:36:22.340 --> 00:36:22.779 in life 00:36:22.779 --> 00:36:23.799 that are worth 00:36:23.799 --> 00:36:24.699 grieving over. 00:36:25.679 --> 00:36:26.639 And these things 00:36:26.639 --> 00:36:28.039 will show us 00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:29.699 that the wisdom 00:36:29.699 --> 00:36:30.480 of this world 00:36:30.480 --> 00:36:31.659 will fail us 00:36:31.659 --> 00:36:33.420 in innumerable ways. 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:36.960 But while the wisdom 00:36:36.960 --> 00:36:38.179 of this world 00:36:38.179 --> 00:36:38.759 is fleeting, 00:36:39.719 --> 00:36:40.440 the wisdom 00:36:40.440 --> 00:36:41.239 of our God 00:36:41.239 --> 00:36:41.839 is not. 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:46.460 God's wisdom 00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.699 will never fail 00:36:47.699 --> 00:36:48.839 those who trust 00:36:48.839 --> 00:36:49.139 in him. 00:36:50.879 --> 00:36:52.139 The apostle Paul 00:36:52.139 --> 00:36:52.940 writes in Romans 00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:53.420 chapter 8, 00:36:53.480 --> 00:36:54.019 verse 28, 00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:55.280 we know that 00:36:55.280 --> 00:36:55.860 for those 00:36:55.860 --> 00:36:56.860 who love God 00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:57.840 all things 00:36:57.840 --> 00:36:58.599 work together 00:36:58.599 --> 00:36:59.519 for good. 00:37:00.000 --> 00:37:00.739 For those 00:37:00.739 --> 00:37:01.259 who are called 00:37:01.259 --> 00:37:02.539 according to his purpose. 00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:05.300 God is working 00:37:05.300 --> 00:37:06.360 all things 00:37:06.360 --> 00:37:07.239 for our good. 00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:08.780 Even the things 00:37:08.780 --> 00:37:09.579 that seem like 00:37:09.579 --> 00:37:10.019 folly, 00:37:10.739 --> 00:37:11.699 foolishness to us. 00:37:12.860 --> 00:37:13.800 Though we may not 00:37:13.800 --> 00:37:14.900 understand how God 00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:16.019 is using our hardships 00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:17.199 or the foolish things 00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:17.599 of the world 00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:18.259 for our good, 00:37:18.800 --> 00:37:20.960 we're called 00:37:20.960 --> 00:37:22.139 to trust in him 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:22.960 and his word, 00:37:23.859 --> 00:37:25.219 which clearly says 00:37:25.219 --> 00:37:26.519 that he will work 00:37:26.519 --> 00:37:27.879 for our good, 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:29.019 for his purpose 00:37:29.019 --> 00:37:30.699 and his glory. 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:34.920 While we can't trust 00:37:34.920 --> 00:37:35.639 in our own wisdom 00:37:35.639 --> 00:37:36.859 to sustain us 00:37:36.859 --> 00:37:37.539 in this world, 00:37:37.739 --> 00:37:39.119 we can submit to 00:37:39.119 --> 00:37:39.879 and trust 00:37:39.879 --> 00:37:41.119 in God's word 00:37:41.119 --> 00:37:42.119 and his wisdom, 00:37:42.639 --> 00:37:43.940 which will carry us 00:37:43.940 --> 00:37:45.039 and sustain us 00:37:45.039 --> 00:37:45.659 in joy 00:37:45.659 --> 00:37:46.739 and in hope 00:37:46.739 --> 00:37:47.980 until the ends 00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:48.659 of our days. 00:37:48.659 --> 00:37:50.359 even when 00:37:50.359 --> 00:37:50.879 the folly 00:37:50.879 --> 00:37:51.460 of this world 00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:52.819 seems overwhelmingly 00:37:52.819 --> 00:37:54.159 perplexing 00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:55.039 and discouraging, 00:37:56.299 --> 00:37:57.119 godly wisdom 00:37:57.119 --> 00:37:57.899 teaches us 00:37:57.899 --> 00:37:58.619 to trust 00:37:58.619 --> 00:37:59.440 in God's 00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.379 redemptive work 00:38:00.379 --> 00:38:01.759 of a better future. 00:38:02.119 --> 00:38:03.039 Though we may not 00:38:03.039 --> 00:38:03.940 know the future 00:38:03.940 --> 00:38:04.619 of our lives, 00:38:04.920 --> 00:38:05.659 though we may not 00:38:05.659 --> 00:38:06.480 know what happens 00:38:06.480 --> 00:38:07.159 a year from now, 00:38:07.219 --> 00:38:07.699 a week from now, 00:38:07.759 --> 00:38:08.779 30 minutes from now, 00:38:09.359 --> 00:38:10.779 we continue to hope 00:38:10.779 --> 00:38:11.699 in God's 00:38:11.699 --> 00:38:12.659 redemptive work 00:38:12.659 --> 00:38:13.259 in our lives. 00:38:14.859 --> 00:38:15.920 That one day, 00:38:16.039 --> 00:38:17.019 all the folly 00:38:17.019 --> 00:38:18.079 and evil of this world 00:38:18.079 --> 00:38:18.880 will be undone 00:38:18.880 --> 00:38:20.079 and God's goodness 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:21.139 will pervade 00:38:21.139 --> 00:38:22.139 across all the world. 00:38:22.280 --> 00:38:23.579 God's wisdom 00:38:23.579 --> 00:38:24.440 will pervade 00:38:24.440 --> 00:38:25.400 across all the world 00:38:25.400 --> 00:38:26.840 and those who believe 00:38:26.840 --> 00:38:27.420 in the gospel 00:38:27.420 --> 00:38:28.099 of Jesus Christ 00:38:28.099 --> 00:38:29.259 will be in eternal 00:38:29.259 --> 00:38:29.820 fellowship 00:38:29.820 --> 00:38:30.980 with him forever. 00:38:33.380 --> 00:38:34.519 We have assurance 00:38:34.519 --> 00:38:35.579 of God's perfect wisdom 00:38:35.579 --> 00:38:36.239 and his sovereignty 00:38:36.239 --> 00:38:36.920 over us 00:38:36.920 --> 00:38:39.239 through the crucifixion, 00:38:40.059 --> 00:38:40.380 death, 00:38:40.759 --> 00:38:41.380 and resurrection 00:38:41.380 --> 00:38:42.739 of his son, 00:38:43.099 --> 00:38:43.360 Jesus. 00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:46.780 We had read this 00:38:46.780 --> 00:38:47.480 as our assurance 00:38:47.480 --> 00:38:48.420 of pardon earlier, 00:38:48.940 --> 00:38:50.140 but Paul writes 00:38:50.140 --> 00:38:51.960 in 1 Corinthians 1, 00:38:52.440 --> 00:38:53.920 verse 18 to 25, 00:38:54.920 --> 00:38:56.380 for the word 00:38:56.380 --> 00:38:57.160 of the cross 00:38:57.160 --> 00:38:58.220 is folly 00:38:58.220 --> 00:38:58.680 to those 00:38:58.680 --> 00:38:59.280 who are perishing, 00:39:00.280 --> 00:39:01.400 but to us 00:39:01.400 --> 00:39:02.380 who are being saved, 00:39:02.480 --> 00:39:03.440 it is the power 00:39:03.440 --> 00:39:04.200 of God, 00:39:04.720 --> 00:39:05.640 for it is written, 00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.940 I will destroy 00:39:06.940 --> 00:39:07.480 the wisdom 00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:08.120 of the wise 00:39:08.120 --> 00:39:09.720 and the discernment 00:39:09.720 --> 00:39:10.440 of the discerning 00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:11.539 I will thwart. 00:39:11.539 --> 00:39:13.579 Where is the one 00:39:13.579 --> 00:39:14.440 who is wise? 00:39:14.960 --> 00:39:16.179 Where is the scribe? 00:39:16.619 --> 00:39:17.559 Where is the debater 00:39:17.559 --> 00:39:18.480 of this age? 00:39:18.699 --> 00:39:19.739 Has not God 00:39:19.739 --> 00:39:20.400 made foolish 00:39:20.400 --> 00:39:21.039 the wisdom 00:39:21.039 --> 00:39:21.820 of the world? 00:39:22.840 --> 00:39:23.519 For since 00:39:23.519 --> 00:39:24.039 in the wisdom 00:39:24.039 --> 00:39:24.480 of God 00:39:24.480 --> 00:39:25.139 the world 00:39:25.139 --> 00:39:25.960 did not know 00:39:25.960 --> 00:39:26.739 God through wisdom, 00:39:27.099 --> 00:39:28.300 it pleased God 00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:29.139 through the folly 00:39:29.139 --> 00:39:30.219 of what we preach 00:39:30.219 --> 00:39:31.599 to save those 00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:32.320 who believe. 00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:34.199 For Jews 00:39:34.199 --> 00:39:35.159 demand signs 00:39:35.159 --> 00:39:35.880 and Greeks 00:39:35.880 --> 00:39:36.800 seek wisdom, 00:39:37.659 --> 00:39:38.659 but we preach 00:39:38.659 --> 00:39:40.440 Christ crucified, 00:39:40.440 --> 00:39:42.159 a stumbling block 00:39:42.159 --> 00:39:42.820 to the Jews 00:39:42.820 --> 00:39:43.440 and folly 00:39:43.440 --> 00:39:44.119 to Gentiles, 00:39:44.119 --> 00:39:45.139 but to those 00:39:45.139 --> 00:39:46.059 who are called 00:39:46.059 --> 00:39:47.260 both Jews 00:39:47.260 --> 00:39:47.800 and Greeks, 00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:49.840 Christ the power 00:39:49.840 --> 00:39:50.619 of God 00:39:50.619 --> 00:39:51.380 and Christ 00:39:51.380 --> 00:39:52.420 the wisdom 00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:53.579 of God. 00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:56.380 For the foolishness 00:39:56.380 --> 00:39:56.800 of God 00:39:56.800 --> 00:39:57.360 is wiser 00:39:57.360 --> 00:39:57.920 than men 00:39:57.920 --> 00:39:59.220 and the weakness 00:39:59.220 --> 00:39:59.920 of God 00:39:59.920 --> 00:40:00.860 is stronger 00:40:00.860 --> 00:40:01.460 than men. 00:40:04.500 --> 00:40:05.240 Christ 00:40:05.240 --> 00:40:06.800 is the power 00:40:06.800 --> 00:40:07.480 of God 00:40:07.480 --> 00:40:09.679 and Christ 00:40:09.679 --> 00:40:10.860 is the wisdom 00:40:10.860 --> 00:40:11.960 of God 00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:14.599 and Christ 00:40:14.599 --> 00:40:15.619 displays the power 00:40:15.619 --> 00:40:16.000 of God 00:40:16.000 --> 00:40:16.699 and the wisdom 00:40:16.699 --> 00:40:17.260 of God 00:40:17.260 --> 00:40:18.340 by dying 00:40:18.340 --> 00:40:19.159 on the cross 00:40:19.159 --> 00:40:20.320 for our sins. 00:40:22.039 --> 00:40:23.280 Talk about something 00:40:23.280 --> 00:40:24.800 so unfathomable, 00:40:25.440 --> 00:40:26.360 so wondrous, 00:40:26.659 --> 00:40:27.800 so unimaginable 00:40:27.800 --> 00:40:28.579 that God 00:40:28.579 --> 00:40:29.159 would send 00:40:29.159 --> 00:40:30.240 his only son 00:40:30.240 --> 00:40:31.500 to die 00:40:31.500 --> 00:40:32.039 for us. 00:40:32.039 --> 00:40:36.179 How can we 00:40:36.179 --> 00:40:36.619 fathom 00:40:36.619 --> 00:40:37.440 Jesus dying 00:40:37.440 --> 00:40:37.960 for us? 00:40:39.279 --> 00:40:39.820 We're people 00:40:39.820 --> 00:40:40.699 who can't even 00:40:40.699 --> 00:40:41.219 fathom 00:40:41.219 --> 00:40:41.739 when others 00:40:41.739 --> 00:40:42.360 do favors 00:40:42.360 --> 00:40:42.960 for us. 00:40:43.279 --> 00:40:43.779 We're people 00:40:43.779 --> 00:40:44.380 who can't even 00:40:44.380 --> 00:40:44.779 fathom 00:40:44.779 --> 00:40:45.440 when others 00:40:45.440 --> 00:40:46.059 offer to buy 00:40:46.059 --> 00:40:46.420 a meal 00:40:46.420 --> 00:40:46.800 for us. 00:40:46.880 --> 00:40:47.360 We say, 00:40:47.679 --> 00:40:47.820 oh, 00:40:47.880 --> 00:40:48.360 why are you 00:40:48.360 --> 00:40:48.820 doing this? 00:40:48.840 --> 00:40:49.219 You don't need 00:40:49.219 --> 00:40:49.759 to do this. 00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:50.619 I don't deserve 00:40:50.619 --> 00:40:51.019 this. 00:40:52.259 --> 00:40:53.440 But this Jesus, 00:40:53.619 --> 00:40:54.079 the son 00:40:54.079 --> 00:40:54.659 of the living 00:40:54.659 --> 00:40:55.179 God, 00:40:55.679 --> 00:40:56.019 willingly 00:40:56.019 --> 00:40:56.719 gave his 00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:57.659 life for our 00:40:57.659 --> 00:40:57.900 sins 00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:58.659 by dying 00:40:58.659 --> 00:40:59.139 the most 00:40:59.139 --> 00:41:00.000 humiliating 00:41:00.000 --> 00:41:00.639 death on the 00:41:00.639 --> 00:41:01.440 cross so that 00:41:01.440 --> 00:41:02.299 we sinful 00:41:02.299 --> 00:41:03.239 beings can be 00:41:03.239 --> 00:41:03.719 in right 00:41:03.719 --> 00:41:04.279 relationship 00:41:04.279 --> 00:41:04.799 with God 00:41:04.799 --> 00:41:05.500 so that we 00:41:05.500 --> 00:41:06.460 can behold 00:41:06.460 --> 00:41:07.299 his glorious 00:41:07.299 --> 00:41:08.259 power and 00:41:08.259 --> 00:41:09.219 wisdom and 00:41:09.219 --> 00:41:09.599 share an 00:41:09.599 --> 00:41:10.579 eternal life 00:41:10.579 --> 00:41:11.099 with him. 00:41:14.579 --> 00:41:15.579 To this 00:41:15.579 --> 00:41:16.659 foolish world 00:41:16.659 --> 00:41:17.519 full of folly, 00:41:17.719 --> 00:41:18.579 they see the 00:41:18.579 --> 00:41:19.719 gospel as 00:41:19.719 --> 00:41:20.139 folly. 00:41:23.659 --> 00:41:24.599 I remember 00:41:24.599 --> 00:41:25.539 when I first 00:41:25.539 --> 00:41:26.339 encountered the 00:41:26.339 --> 00:41:26.879 love of God. 00:41:30.639 --> 00:41:33.879 in high school 00:41:33.879 --> 00:41:34.719 and I just 00:41:34.719 --> 00:41:35.799 began to 00:41:35.799 --> 00:41:37.119 fathom the 00:41:37.119 --> 00:41:38.159 gravity of 00:41:38.159 --> 00:41:38.839 Jesus dying 00:41:38.839 --> 00:41:39.799 for my sins. 00:41:42.000 --> 00:41:42.739 I was a 00:41:42.739 --> 00:41:43.039 mess. 00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:44.079 Weeping at 00:41:44.079 --> 00:41:45.099 my bed, 00:41:45.219 --> 00:41:45.819 I asked God, 00:41:46.000 --> 00:41:46.319 why? 00:41:47.119 --> 00:41:47.940 Why would 00:41:47.940 --> 00:41:48.460 you die for 00:41:48.460 --> 00:41:48.659 me? 00:41:49.299 --> 00:41:50.059 It's so 00:41:50.059 --> 00:41:51.299 ridiculous that 00:41:51.299 --> 00:41:52.319 such a big 00:41:52.319 --> 00:41:53.139 God would 00:41:53.139 --> 00:41:53.839 die for such 00:41:53.839 --> 00:41:54.339 a small 00:41:54.339 --> 00:41:55.159 being like 00:41:55.159 --> 00:41:55.400 me. 00:41:56.359 --> 00:41:57.239 Why have 00:41:57.239 --> 00:41:57.879 you chosen 00:41:57.879 --> 00:41:58.279 me? 00:41:58.280 --> 00:42:00.300 I don't 00:42:00.300 --> 00:42:01.000 deserve this. 00:42:01.720 --> 00:42:02.120 You didn't 00:42:02.120 --> 00:42:02.620 have to do 00:42:02.620 --> 00:42:02.920 this. 00:42:05.480 --> 00:42:06.200 To our 00:42:06.200 --> 00:42:07.000 foolish world's 00:42:07.000 --> 00:42:07.660 understanding of 00:42:07.660 --> 00:42:07.940 wisdom, 00:42:08.780 --> 00:42:09.340 this is the 00:42:09.340 --> 00:42:10.300 most reckless, 00:42:11.320 --> 00:42:12.220 nonsensical, 00:42:12.440 --> 00:42:13.400 unwise thing 00:42:13.400 --> 00:42:14.300 that God 00:42:14.300 --> 00:42:14.880 would do for 00:42:14.880 --> 00:42:15.160 us. 00:42:17.320 --> 00:42:18.100 Paul even 00:42:18.100 --> 00:42:18.980 says so in 00:42:18.980 --> 00:42:19.500 1 Corinthians 00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:19.900 1. 00:42:20.660 --> 00:42:21.540 The word of 00:42:21.540 --> 00:42:22.060 the cross, 00:42:22.900 --> 00:42:23.620 the gospel, 00:42:24.440 --> 00:42:25.140 is folly to 00:42:25.140 --> 00:42:26.220 those who are 00:42:26.220 --> 00:42:26.680 perishing. 00:42:28.280 --> 00:42:30.540 the difference 00:42:30.540 --> 00:42:31.019 for us 00:42:31.019 --> 00:42:31.440 believers, 00:42:31.680 --> 00:42:31.940 however, 00:42:32.120 --> 00:42:32.700 is this. 00:42:33.760 --> 00:42:34.640 We recognize 00:42:34.640 --> 00:42:35.460 and accept 00:42:35.460 --> 00:42:36.480 the miraculous 00:42:36.480 --> 00:42:37.460 salvation that 00:42:37.460 --> 00:42:38.080 we've received 00:42:38.080 --> 00:42:38.720 from Jesus 00:42:38.720 --> 00:42:39.480 on the cross 00:42:39.480 --> 00:42:40.420 as a gift 00:42:40.420 --> 00:42:41.100 of grace. 00:42:43.480 --> 00:42:44.080 Yes, 00:42:44.140 --> 00:42:44.700 we don't 00:42:44.700 --> 00:42:45.360 deserve this 00:42:45.360 --> 00:42:45.800 salvation. 00:42:46.360 --> 00:42:46.620 Yes, 00:42:46.700 --> 00:42:47.280 the salvation 00:42:47.280 --> 00:42:47.680 that we 00:42:47.680 --> 00:42:48.400 receive through 00:42:48.400 --> 00:42:48.740 Jesus' 00:42:48.960 --> 00:42:49.880 sacrifice does 00:42:49.880 --> 00:42:50.680 not make 00:42:50.680 --> 00:42:51.260 sense. 00:42:52.400 --> 00:42:52.900 Why would 00:42:52.900 --> 00:42:53.560 such a holy 00:42:53.560 --> 00:42:54.019 and mighty 00:42:54.019 --> 00:42:55.060 God give 00:42:55.060 --> 00:42:55.700 his son 00:42:55.700 --> 00:42:56.620 for us? 00:42:56.780 --> 00:42:57.400 It doesn't 00:42:57.400 --> 00:42:58.240 make sense. 00:42:59.220 --> 00:42:59.900 But God, 00:42:59.980 --> 00:43:00.820 being infinitely 00:43:00.820 --> 00:43:01.700 gracious and 00:43:01.700 --> 00:43:02.200 loving toward 00:43:02.200 --> 00:43:02.440 us, 00:43:02.720 --> 00:43:03.119 gave us 00:43:03.119 --> 00:43:03.619 his only 00:43:03.619 --> 00:43:03.980 son, 00:43:04.160 --> 00:43:04.500 Jesus, 00:43:04.980 --> 00:43:05.440 as the 00:43:05.440 --> 00:43:05.900 atonement 00:43:05.900 --> 00:43:06.260 for our 00:43:06.260 --> 00:43:06.460 sins, 00:43:06.539 --> 00:43:06.920 to give 00:43:06.920 --> 00:43:07.480 us the 00:43:07.480 --> 00:43:08.200 opportunity 00:43:08.200 --> 00:43:09.440 to accept 00:43:09.440 --> 00:43:10.160 this gracious 00:43:10.160 --> 00:43:10.700 gift of 00:43:10.700 --> 00:43:11.139 salvation, 00:43:11.500 --> 00:43:12.039 to be in 00:43:12.039 --> 00:43:12.500 right and 00:43:12.500 --> 00:43:12.820 eternal 00:43:12.820 --> 00:43:13.360 relationship 00:43:13.360 --> 00:43:13.840 with him. 00:43:14.480 --> 00:43:14.820 Jesus, 00:43:15.059 --> 00:43:15.320 who is 00:43:15.320 --> 00:43:16.019 the great 00:43:16.019 --> 00:43:16.360 word, 00:43:16.440 --> 00:43:16.920 the logos 00:43:16.920 --> 00:43:17.660 of God, 00:43:17.840 --> 00:43:18.240 and the 00:43:18.240 --> 00:43:18.820 wisdom of 00:43:18.820 --> 00:43:19.099 God, 00:43:19.360 --> 00:43:20.139 became our 00:43:20.139 --> 00:43:20.760 righteousness, 00:43:21.820 --> 00:43:22.240 our 00:43:22.240 --> 00:43:23.079 sanctification, 00:43:23.420 --> 00:43:23.940 and our 00:43:23.940 --> 00:43:24.440 redemption, 00:43:24.840 --> 00:43:25.559 so that putting 00:43:25.559 --> 00:43:26.219 our faith in 00:43:26.219 --> 00:43:26.960 him will be 00:43:26.960 --> 00:43:27.579 the greatest 00:43:27.579 --> 00:43:28.619 wisdom we 00:43:28.619 --> 00:43:29.139 could ever 00:43:29.139 --> 00:43:29.820 receive. 00:43:31.579 --> 00:43:32.380 Through the 00:43:32.380 --> 00:43:32.980 cross and the 00:43:32.980 --> 00:43:33.380 resurrection, 00:43:34.099 --> 00:43:34.639 Jesus is 00:43:34.639 --> 00:43:35.599 magnified as 00:43:35.599 --> 00:43:36.679 the power and 00:43:36.679 --> 00:43:37.539 the wisdom of 00:43:37.539 --> 00:43:37.880 God. 00:43:39.059 --> 00:43:39.880 And when Jesus 00:43:39.880 --> 00:43:40.719 comes again, 00:43:40.980 --> 00:43:41.719 he'll bring to 00:43:41.719 --> 00:43:42.739 completion the 00:43:42.739 --> 00:43:43.519 good work that 00:43:43.519 --> 00:43:44.259 he began in 00:43:44.259 --> 00:43:44.599 us. 00:43:45.320 --> 00:43:46.239 And we'll be 00:43:46.239 --> 00:43:46.900 able to see 00:43:46.900 --> 00:43:47.659 clearer than 00:43:47.659 --> 00:43:48.420 ever and 00:43:48.420 --> 00:43:49.519 understand better 00:43:49.519 --> 00:43:50.739 than ever God's 00:43:50.739 --> 00:43:51.940 infinite wisdom 00:43:51.940 --> 00:43:53.360 in our lives 00:43:53.360 --> 00:43:54.920 manifested through 00:43:54.920 --> 00:43:55.380 his son, 00:43:55.639 --> 00:43:55.920 Jesus. 00:44:00.079 --> 00:44:00.599 Church, 00:44:01.900 --> 00:44:02.780 earthly wisdom 00:44:02.780 --> 00:44:04.220 will bring some 00:44:04.220 --> 00:44:04.980 level of benefit 00:44:04.980 --> 00:44:05.920 and success to 00:44:05.920 --> 00:44:07.139 our lives in 00:44:07.139 --> 00:44:07.820 this life and 00:44:07.820 --> 00:44:08.460 in this world, 00:44:09.059 --> 00:44:10.159 but it's also 00:44:10.159 --> 00:44:11.099 going to surely 00:44:11.099 --> 00:44:12.180 fail us and 00:44:12.180 --> 00:44:13.039 disappoint us 00:44:13.039 --> 00:44:13.860 sooner than 00:44:13.860 --> 00:44:14.240 later. 00:44:16.760 --> 00:44:17.659 Earthly wisdom 00:44:17.659 --> 00:44:18.480 will not be what 00:44:18.480 --> 00:44:19.180 saves us, 00:44:19.740 --> 00:44:21.079 for that's what 00:44:21.079 --> 00:44:22.079 only godly 00:44:22.079 --> 00:44:22.539 wisdom, 00:44:23.079 --> 00:44:23.519 the logos, 00:44:23.700 --> 00:44:24.139 the wisdom 00:44:24.139 --> 00:44:25.000 that is Jesus 00:44:25.000 --> 00:44:26.099 can do. 00:44:28.559 --> 00:44:29.900 And so amidst 00:44:29.900 --> 00:44:30.920 the fragility, 00:44:31.739 --> 00:44:32.739 the futility of 00:44:32.739 --> 00:44:33.559 earthly wisdom, 00:44:34.299 --> 00:44:35.559 let us trust in 00:44:35.559 --> 00:44:36.859 God and his 00:44:36.859 --> 00:44:37.699 eternal word, 00:44:38.400 --> 00:44:38.940 who is Jesus 00:44:38.940 --> 00:44:39.460 Christ, 00:44:40.259 --> 00:44:40.799 our greater 00:44:40.799 --> 00:44:41.799 and more 00:44:41.799 --> 00:44:43.019 perfect wisdom. 00:44:44.079 --> 00:44:44.980 Let's pray. 00:44:44.980 --> 00:44:45.019 Let's pray. 00:44:45.019 --> 00:44:45.039 Let's pray. 00:44:45.039 --> 00:44:45.059 Let's pray. 00:44:45.059 --> 00:44:45.099 Let's pray. 00:44:45.099 --> 00:44:47.099 Let's pray. 00:44:47.099 --> 00:44:49.099 Let's pray. 00:44:49.099 --> 00:44:50.980 Let's pray. 00:44:50.980 --> 00:44:51.099 Let's pray. 00:44:51.099 --> 00:44:53.059 Let's pray. 00:44:53.059 --> 00:44:55.539 Lord, we 00:44:55.539 --> 00:44:56.779 confess that 00:44:56.779 --> 00:44:59.539 time and time 00:44:59.539 --> 00:45:00.400 again, we're just 00:45:00.400 --> 00:45:01.699 so enamored by 00:45:01.699 --> 00:45:03.019 the wisdom of 00:45:03.019 --> 00:45:03.519 this world, 00:45:03.900 --> 00:45:05.559 which is actually 00:45:05.559 --> 00:45:06.900 foolish folly, 00:45:07.059 --> 00:45:07.179 Lord. 00:45:08.759 --> 00:45:10.239 Lord, we confess 00:45:10.239 --> 00:45:11.400 that we often 00:45:11.400 --> 00:45:13.039 try to take our 00:45:13.039 --> 00:45:13.980 life into our own 00:45:13.980 --> 00:45:14.599 hands, that we 00:45:14.599 --> 00:45:15.539 try to take control, 00:45:16.239 --> 00:45:17.059 that we try to 00:45:17.059 --> 00:45:18.539 trust fully in our 00:45:18.539 --> 00:45:19.299 own wisdom, the 00:45:19.299 --> 00:45:19.980 wisdom of this 00:45:19.980 --> 00:45:21.500 world, to make 00:45:21.500 --> 00:45:22.519 much of our own 00:45:22.519 --> 00:45:22.980 lives. 00:45:24.980 --> 00:45:25.960 Lord, we confess 00:45:25.960 --> 00:45:26.579 that that is 00:45:26.579 --> 00:45:27.380 idolatry. 00:45:30.000 --> 00:45:30.619 Because if we 00:45:30.619 --> 00:45:31.679 don't trust in 00:45:31.679 --> 00:45:32.559 you, we don't 00:45:32.559 --> 00:45:33.360 put you in the 00:45:33.360 --> 00:45:34.000 first place, 00:45:34.280 --> 00:45:34.420 Lord. 00:45:35.559 --> 00:45:36.539 Lord, help us to 00:45:36.539 --> 00:45:37.059 be a church. 00:45:37.179 --> 00:45:37.739 Help us to be a 00:45:37.739 --> 00:45:39.780 people who look 00:45:39.780 --> 00:45:41.159 to Christ as our 00:45:41.159 --> 00:45:41.860 greater wisdom. 00:45:43.619 --> 00:45:44.480 Lord, help us to 00:45:44.480 --> 00:45:45.579 be a people when 00:45:45.579 --> 00:45:46.500 we're faced with 00:45:46.500 --> 00:45:48.659 the folly, the 00:45:48.659 --> 00:45:49.480 foolishness, the 00:45:49.480 --> 00:45:50.519 hardships, and the 00:45:50.519 --> 00:45:51.420 disappointments of 00:45:51.420 --> 00:45:51.920 this life. 00:45:52.300 --> 00:45:53.219 Help us to look to 00:45:53.219 --> 00:45:56.039 you when our 00:45:56.039 --> 00:45:57.219 wisdom disappoints us 00:45:57.219 --> 00:45:58.000 and fails us, 00:45:58.260 --> 00:45:59.019 knowing that you 00:45:59.019 --> 00:45:59.800 are our greater 00:45:59.800 --> 00:46:00.900 wisdom, that you 00:46:00.900 --> 00:46:01.619 are our perfect 00:46:01.619 --> 00:46:02.960 wisdom manifest in 00:46:02.960 --> 00:46:03.800 your son, Jesus. 00:46:07.500 --> 00:46:08.639 Thank you for being 00:46:08.639 --> 00:46:09.599 our greater wisdom 00:46:09.599 --> 00:46:11.980 and filling us with 00:46:11.980 --> 00:46:13.619 hope of a greater 00:46:13.619 --> 00:46:15.340 future because you 00:46:15.340 --> 00:46:15.980 are our wisdom. 00:46:16.300 --> 00:46:16.780 You are our 00:46:16.780 --> 00:46:17.719 eternal word, 00:46:18.059 --> 00:46:18.240 Lord. 00:46:19.480 --> 00:46:21.760 We thank you, 00:46:21.820 --> 00:46:21.940 Lord. 00:46:22.099 --> 00:46:23.440 We love you, and 00:46:23.440 --> 00:46:24.480 we pray all this in 00:46:24.480 --> 00:46:25.039 Jesus' name. 00:46:25.519 --> 00:46:25.719 Amen.