WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.359 Well, in Consale, we have been working our way through the book of Ecclesiastes, and so you're getting some of that today. 00:00:10.019 --> 00:00:17.359 Okay, so as we look at this, we're going to be looking in the third chapter of Ecclesiastes, 00:00:18.080 --> 00:00:27.400 and if you've ever read through the book, you'll know it is maybe not one of the more straightforward books. 00:00:27.399 --> 00:00:37.719 First time when Craig said that we were going to be working our way through that, I got a hold of my son that has a... 00:00:37.719 --> 00:00:40.979 I had to ask him a couple of questions and told him I was going to be speaking on this. 00:00:40.979 --> 00:00:47.179 He has a master's degree in theology from this, and he told me, he said, well, way to go. 00:00:47.280 --> 00:00:49.519 It's probably the toughest book in the whole Bible. 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:56.960 So anyway, we'll just work our way through and see what the Lord has for us. 00:00:56.960 --> 00:00:59.939 But by way of introduction, I'm just going to play a video for you. 00:01:00.020 --> 00:01:07.439 Maybe you've heard this, and to give us a little bit of intro as to what this chapter is about. 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:09.400 Again, it's Ecclesiastes chapter 3. 00:01:09.400 --> 00:01:14.359 What's the day in turn, turn, turn, turn? 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:19.240 There is a season turn, turn, turn, turn. 00:01:19.940 --> 00:01:25.180 And there's time to every purpose unto heaven. 00:01:26.460 --> 00:01:38.420 A time to be born, a time to die, a time to plan, a time to reap, a time to kill, a time to heal, 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:48.420 a time to nerve, a time to have, a time to leave, a time to love, a time to ever dön. 00:01:48.420 --> 00:01:49.599 And then a time to love your purpose unto heaven. 00:01:49.599 --> 00:02:19.579 Thank you. 00:02:19.599 --> 00:02:49.579 Thank you. 00:02:49.599 --> 00:02:59.139 One time you may embrace, one time you may embrace, God has been praising. 00:02:59.139 --> 00:03:14.339 So many of you have probably heard that before. 00:03:14.339 --> 00:03:21.719 Whatever the mainstream media mix-up on something philosophical like this, 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:25.219 and quite an interesting term, 00:03:25.560 --> 00:03:28.599 this is done by the birds along the back of the hill. 00:03:29.139 --> 00:03:33.299 Almost right from Ecclesiastes chapter 3. 00:03:34.019 --> 00:03:35.359 This is a camera. 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:39.199 You're probably wondering what that does to do with anything. 00:03:40.199 --> 00:03:43.979 But if I were to take a photo of this camera right now, what would I get? 00:03:45.419 --> 00:03:46.219 Any idea? 00:03:47.879 --> 00:03:48.439 Nothing. 00:03:48.799 --> 00:03:50.879 Exactly right, because there's no wind on it. 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:55.099 Okay, so I could take something like this 00:03:55.099 --> 00:03:58.639 and put that on here. 00:03:59.139 --> 00:04:01.059 And then what would I get? 00:04:01.059 --> 00:04:01.519 Any idea? 00:04:01.519 --> 00:04:03.859 What kind of lens is this? 00:04:03.859 --> 00:04:06.019 This is a good side of the day. 00:04:06.019 --> 00:04:06.599 Okay. 00:04:06.599 --> 00:04:10.059 This is a cell phone lens. 00:04:10.059 --> 00:04:13.939 And so if I were to put this lens on and make it a camera, 00:04:13.939 --> 00:04:18.019 from this, this is a Disney movie for my life. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:20.479 Okay, there's not much else. 00:04:20.479 --> 00:04:21.479 Okay. 00:04:21.479 --> 00:04:22.479 There's not much else. 00:04:22.479 --> 00:04:23.479 All right. 00:04:23.479 --> 00:04:24.479 And so this moves in. 00:04:24.479 --> 00:04:27.399 So with this kind of lens on the camera, 00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:28.399 it is very close. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:30.399 So as you're trying to stick in each other. 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:36.859 If I were to take a photo of this one and put it on, 00:04:37.599 --> 00:04:40.459 and take all the way down to what it's capable of doing, 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:43.879 I have to put more stuff in and I can even put them on all of them. 00:04:45.079 --> 00:04:45.399 Okay? 00:04:45.479 --> 00:04:46.219 That's a wide angle. 00:04:46.220 --> 00:04:49.140 It takes a big picture. 00:04:49.140 --> 00:04:53.980 It gives you a big idea of what it's looking at. 00:04:53.980 --> 00:04:54.400 All right? 00:04:54.400 --> 00:04:56.780 And so all of those require light. 00:04:57.680 --> 00:05:00.380 If you're all sitting here just like you are now, 00:05:00.540 --> 00:05:01.560 and I'm going to turn the light out, 00:05:02.100 --> 00:05:03.520 and it's totally dark in here, 00:05:03.640 --> 00:05:04.720 it doesn't matter what it's going to be. 00:05:05.380 --> 00:05:05.820 Okay? 00:05:05.900 --> 00:05:06.900 You're not going to get anything. 00:05:07.520 --> 00:05:07.820 Okay? 00:05:07.900 --> 00:05:09.000 So it requires light. 00:05:09.000 --> 00:05:10.699 Now all of these lenses, 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:14.720 they have a ring on the other one that focuses. 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:15.819 All right? 00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:17.680 So I can still put this at wide angle 00:05:17.680 --> 00:05:19.019 and get everyone in here. 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:26.339 But if I don't turn this until the glass sections are the right distance apart, 00:05:26.959 --> 00:05:28.259 you will be out of focus. 00:05:28.439 --> 00:05:30.399 You may not be visible at all. 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:31.519 All right? 00:05:31.639 --> 00:05:34.040 And so by turning the ring directly, 00:05:34.040 --> 00:05:36.740 we bring it into focus so that we can see 00:05:36.740 --> 00:05:39.300 what we're trying to see. 00:05:39.980 --> 00:05:40.420 All right? 00:05:40.420 --> 00:05:46.079 And so all of that is just an illustration, if you would, 00:05:46.259 --> 00:05:49.019 of Ecclesiastes chapter 3. 00:05:49.160 --> 00:05:53.040 It is a wide angle view of life. 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:57.199 It is a type of what's called pessimistic literature. 00:05:57.340 --> 00:05:59.420 It's the only example of that in all of Scripture. 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:01.240 There's loads of it in the world. 00:06:02.259 --> 00:06:05.780 Most of it ends up very, very poorly. 00:06:05.779 --> 00:06:10.939 Either in some type of suicide or that type of situation. 00:06:11.099 --> 00:06:14.859 But Ecclesiastes is much more of a wide angle. 00:06:15.899 --> 00:06:18.799 And there are parts of it that give us the focus ring. 00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:21.679 That turn things so that we can see it. 00:06:22.819 --> 00:06:25.399 Chapter 3 in the book of Ecclesiastes 00:06:25.399 --> 00:06:28.979 appears to me to be this focus. 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:32.480 There is a contrast between man's view of time 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:35.300 and God's view of time. 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:38.040 Between man's view of life 00:06:38.040 --> 00:06:40.319 and God's view of life. 00:06:40.700 --> 00:06:42.960 And there is significant difference. 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:47.459 So if we look at the first verse 00:06:47.459 --> 00:06:51.139 in Ecclesiastes chapter 3, it says this, 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:52.479 There is a time for everything 00:06:52.479 --> 00:06:56.879 and a season for every activity under the heavens, 00:06:57.039 --> 00:06:59.240 a time to be born and a time to die. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:01.859 There is a time for everything. 00:07:02.579 --> 00:07:03.459 A season. 00:07:03.459 --> 00:07:07.139 It isn't always time to plant, is it? 00:07:07.599 --> 00:07:09.639 If you're a gardener or if you're a farmer, 00:07:10.060 --> 00:07:12.399 it is not always the right time 00:07:12.399 --> 00:07:14.239 to put the seed in the earth, is it? 00:07:15.319 --> 00:07:17.839 And so there is a season to plant 00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:20.959 and there's a different season to harvest. 00:07:21.919 --> 00:07:25.419 There is a different time, if you would, to harvest. 00:07:26.060 --> 00:07:28.919 So this passage starts at the beginning. 00:07:29.099 --> 00:07:30.039 A time to be born. 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:34.460 All of us understand that we have no control 00:07:34.460 --> 00:07:35.920 over our birth. 00:07:37.080 --> 00:07:37.600 Alright? 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:41.040 I didn't somehow have a cosmic experience 00:07:41.580 --> 00:07:43.800 that said, I didn't exist. 00:07:44.220 --> 00:07:46.420 God brought that into an existence. 00:07:47.360 --> 00:07:50.840 So He has the power to bring us 00:07:50.840 --> 00:07:52.759 into existence by birth. 00:07:53.320 --> 00:07:55.280 But there's also a time to die. 00:07:55.500 --> 00:07:56.900 And God controls that as well. 00:07:56.899 --> 00:08:00.399 And understanding this big picture 00:08:00.399 --> 00:08:02.979 of who God is and His power 00:08:02.979 --> 00:08:04.759 is important. 00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:09.500 Sometimes we think the way that we live, 00:08:09.639 --> 00:08:12.359 we forget that the first four words 00:08:12.359 --> 00:08:14.399 of God's owner's manual, 00:08:15.239 --> 00:08:18.120 when we get in the middle of all of these things 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:19.099 that go on in life, 00:08:19.679 --> 00:08:22.479 we forget how God's word started. 00:08:22.639 --> 00:08:23.620 The first four words. 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:26.359 In the beginning, God. 00:08:26.899 --> 00:08:28.560 Okay? 00:08:28.699 --> 00:08:30.060 It wasn't in the beginning me, 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:32.259 or in the beginning you. 00:08:33.139 --> 00:08:35.159 It was in the beginning God. 00:08:36.039 --> 00:08:38.600 Starting with life and death, 00:08:38.779 --> 00:08:40.319 God controls both birth 00:08:40.319 --> 00:08:43.419 and our last breath. 00:08:44.199 --> 00:08:45.779 And everything in between. 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:49.340 We can rest in that knowledge, however, 00:08:49.539 --> 00:08:52.259 regardless of life's ever-changing circumstances, 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:55.759 because our circumstances do change constantly. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:09:00.860 God is never surprised by those changes. 00:09:01.220 --> 00:09:03.100 God is never caught off guard 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:04.840 by those circumstances. 00:09:05.939 --> 00:09:07.340 And so we can rest in that. 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:08.460 Seasons change. 00:09:09.460 --> 00:09:09.700 Right? 00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:11.259 Seasons change all the time. 00:09:11.899 --> 00:09:12.679 They move on, 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:14.620 though we think maybe they never will. 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:17.659 Summer will give way to autumn. 00:09:19.279 --> 00:09:20.740 Autumn will give way to winter, 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:22.460 and winter to spring. 00:09:23.560 --> 00:09:24.980 Sometimes here it's eventually, 00:09:25.279 --> 00:09:27.560 but it will eventually come. 00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:30.460 And so when we turn, 00:09:31.240 --> 00:09:33.159 it will then return to summer. 00:09:33.159 --> 00:09:33.199 Summer. 00:09:34.279 --> 00:09:36.179 Some seasons we think are better than others. 00:09:36.339 --> 00:09:37.980 Some summers are better than others. 00:09:39.159 --> 00:09:39.339 Right? 00:09:39.500 --> 00:09:39.959 Some spring, 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:41.559 this has been a pretty good summer, I think. 00:09:41.620 --> 00:09:42.419 The last couple of weeks 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:43.360 during our summer team 00:09:43.360 --> 00:09:45.159 was 21, 22 degrees. 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:46.539 I don't think I saw that at all 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:47.219 the summer before. 00:09:48.799 --> 00:09:50.759 So some are better than others. 00:09:50.860 --> 00:09:51.399 Some are hot. 00:09:52.799 --> 00:09:53.639 Some are cool. 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:55.439 Some are wet. 00:09:57.720 --> 00:09:58.159 Maybe now. 00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:58.740 Maybe now. 00:09:59.439 --> 00:09:59.620 Right? 00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:02.240 So when we read through 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:04.259 these seasons of life, 00:10:04.360 --> 00:10:06.700 which are not meant to be inclusive, 00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:08.159 when we look at this passage, 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:09.600 this is representative, 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:11.799 think about time. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:14.340 Think about the times 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:15.659 that you have experienced 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:16.580 in your lifetime. 00:10:18.000 --> 00:10:19.320 Think about how the seasons 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:22.159 of your life have come and gone. 00:10:23.060 --> 00:10:24.320 And may come again. 00:10:24.659 --> 00:10:26.460 So as we read this together, 00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:29.039 think through 00:10:29.039 --> 00:10:30.879 where you have been. 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:32.459 And it starts, 00:10:32.599 --> 00:10:34.000 there is a time for everything. 00:10:34.279 --> 00:10:36.059 A season for every activity 00:10:36.059 --> 00:10:36.939 under the heavens. 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:38.799 A time to be born. 00:10:39.219 --> 00:10:40.279 A time to die. 00:10:41.039 --> 00:10:42.099 A time to plant. 00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:44.599 And a time to uproot. 00:10:45.339 --> 00:10:46.579 A time to kill. 00:10:47.459 --> 00:10:49.019 And a time to heal. 00:10:49.779 --> 00:10:51.379 A time to tear down. 00:10:52.319 --> 00:10:53.779 And a time to build. 00:10:54.779 --> 00:10:55.879 A time to weep. 00:10:56.919 --> 00:10:58.319 And a time to laugh. 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:00.740 A time to mourn. 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:02.940 And a time to dance. 00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:05.620 A time to scatter stones. 00:11:05.800 --> 00:11:07.440 And a time to gather them together. 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:10.020 A time to embrace. 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:12.200 And a time to refrain from embracing. 00:11:13.280 --> 00:11:14.700 A time to search. 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:16.860 And a time to give up. 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:19.660 A time to keep. 00:11:20.160 --> 00:11:21.720 And a time to throw away. 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:23.960 A time to tear. 00:11:24.600 --> 00:11:26.100 And a time to mend. 00:11:27.100 --> 00:11:28.700 A time to be silent. 00:11:29.360 --> 00:11:31.060 And a time to speak. 00:11:31.899 --> 00:11:33.259 A time to love. 00:11:33.940 --> 00:11:35.320 And a time to hate. 00:11:35.980 --> 00:11:37.320 A time for war. 00:11:38.080 --> 00:11:39.740 And a time for peace. 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:42.399 So as we think through. 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:48.299 How do we bring this wide angle view of time. 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:49.220 Or times. 00:11:49.399 --> 00:11:50.039 Or seasons. 00:11:50.440 --> 00:11:51.360 Into focus. 00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:54.000 How do we do that? 00:11:54.680 --> 00:11:56.120 How do we understand what's going on? 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:57.679 If we look at verse 9. 00:11:57.759 --> 00:11:58.399 It says this. 00:11:58.820 --> 00:12:00.740 What do workers gain from their toil? 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:02.820 And the expectation there. 00:12:02.899 --> 00:12:04.700 Is that there should be some kind of profit. 00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:06.060 From work. 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:07.720 But what is it? 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:08.960 It says. 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:09.460 All. 00:12:09.580 --> 00:12:10.399 All is meaningless. 00:12:10.740 --> 00:12:11.060 Chapter. 00:12:11.259 --> 00:12:11.899 Or verse 10. 00:12:11.899 --> 00:12:15.500 I have seen the burden God has placed on us all. 00:12:17.139 --> 00:12:18.279 The burden we make. 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:20.919 The burden to make sense of life. 00:12:21.419 --> 00:12:23.039 To find meaning. 00:12:24.459 --> 00:12:29.959 In direct contrast to other pessimistic literature that is found in the world. 00:12:30.079 --> 00:12:34.340 That concludes that suicide is the only logical conclusion. 00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:40.500 That's how most other pessimistic literature ends. 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:44.500 Whereas Ecclesiastes is in stark contrast. 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:49.120 Let's look at verse 11. 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:50.379 The first part of it. 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:51.879 It says this. 00:12:52.120 --> 00:12:55.980 He has made everything beautiful in its time. 00:12:57.500 --> 00:13:01.579 This time for everything is not the same time for everything. 00:13:01.799 --> 00:13:03.919 Just as seasons change. 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:06.259 So times change. 00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:11.059 Again, farmers cannot always harvest. 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:13.179 Nor can they always be planting. 00:13:14.619 --> 00:13:16.699 They must do it in the right time. 00:13:16.839 --> 00:13:18.679 There is a right time to plant. 00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:21.579 There is a right time to harvest. 00:13:22.439 --> 00:13:24.399 If you plant a crop in autumn. 00:13:24.739 --> 00:13:26.819 It will not ripen before winter. 00:13:28.419 --> 00:13:30.000 And you will have nothing. 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:31.319 Time. 00:13:31.439 --> 00:13:32.099 His time. 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:33.699 His time. 00:13:33.700 --> 00:13:34.960 Often means waiting. 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:38.960 Any experience of that? 00:13:39.860 --> 00:13:41.920 If you think through the times of your life. 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:44.240 Times that you have had to wait. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:47.240 His time. 00:13:47.660 --> 00:13:49.580 Is very often different. 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.460 Than our time. 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:55.300 We often believe we need things now. 00:13:56.240 --> 00:13:57.600 I need it now. 00:13:58.420 --> 00:13:59.639 Just like our kids. 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:01.240 Those of you with young children. 00:14:02.019 --> 00:14:02.200 Right? 00:14:02.400 --> 00:14:03.580 What's their patience level? 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:07.280 What is our own patience level? 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:09.000 We often have little. 00:14:09.199 --> 00:14:13.539 And stress out if answers are delayed and are unclear. 00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:19.779 Other times things happen faster than we want. 00:14:20.639 --> 00:14:23.059 Or faster than we think they should. 00:14:23.059 --> 00:14:26.379 We have four children. 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:29.879 It was yesterday that they were toddlers. 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:33.479 In March we married off our youngest. 00:14:35.319 --> 00:14:40.119 We now have eight grandchildren and a ninth on the way. 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:45.059 Things go really fast. 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:47.719 And the older I get. 00:14:47.959 --> 00:14:50.319 It seems the faster they go. 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:53.760 So there are times where you think. 00:14:54.300 --> 00:14:56.460 Is this never going to pass? 00:14:56.780 --> 00:14:58.660 Is this never going to end? 00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:01.020 And there are times. 00:15:01.320 --> 00:15:03.240 When you want to slow it down. 00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:03.960 Right? 00:15:05.300 --> 00:15:06.700 Harvests are like that. 00:15:07.780 --> 00:15:09.480 Seasons are like that. 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:11.820 I just cut the grass yesterday. 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:14.340 How in the world could it need it again today? 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:15.580 Right? 00:15:15.760 --> 00:15:17.140 I sprayed those weeds. 00:15:17.320 --> 00:15:18.640 How can they come back? 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:20.699 How does that happen? 00:15:21.439 --> 00:15:23.639 When did I get old? 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:27.259 I was a kid a couple days ago. 00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:30.199 I don't know what happened. 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:33.399 How can that electric bill be due again? 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:36.120 I just paid it. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:39.460 So these seasons that we go through. 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:42.439 And Solomon as he writes this. 00:15:42.559 --> 00:15:43.980 And he's thinking through life. 00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:46.620 And he's thinking philosophically. 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:51.860 Holding on to the fact that God's time is better than our time. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:56.740 And to him it is already done. 00:15:57.159 --> 00:15:59.279 He has made, past tense, 00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:03.720 he has made everything beautiful in its time. 00:16:05.000 --> 00:16:06.840 We look at the second part of this. 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:10.639 He has set eternity in the human heart. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:13.259 Eternity. 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:17.480 What is time to God compared to what it is again? 00:16:18.379 --> 00:16:21.399 Once again we see here that God is in control. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:26.059 He has set eternity in our heart. 00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:28.399 God's human creation, 00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:31.299 we innately know that there is more 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:33.799 than this this time on earth. 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:36.799 We may deny it. 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:39.339 We may try to fight it. 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.839 We may try not to think about it. 00:16:43.339 --> 00:16:44.899 Yet our natural self thinks 00:16:44.899 --> 00:16:48.339 as if this time of unearthly life 00:16:48.339 --> 00:16:49.799 is all there is. 00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:52.939 But somewhere in our subconscious 00:16:52.939 --> 00:16:55.740 we know that that's not the case. 00:16:56.859 --> 00:16:58.740 A couple of interesting facts. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:00.639 Irishman. 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:01.659 Okay? 00:17:01.879 --> 00:17:02.719 You're an Irishman. 00:17:02.720 --> 00:17:05.720 You have a life expectancy of 78 years. 00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.100 Right? 00:17:07.600 --> 00:17:09.240 That means I don't have a lot left. 00:17:09.400 --> 00:17:10.920 So I'm thinking about that. 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:13.319 An average Irish woman, however, 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:15.720 has another five years. 00:17:15.860 --> 00:17:18.480 Your life expectancy is 83 years. 00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:20.140 So if you're 84, 00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:22.120 you're doing good. 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:23.799 Okay? 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:25.740 So on average, 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:30.600 an Irishman has about 28,470 days. 00:17:30.599 --> 00:17:36.619 28,470 days from birth to death. 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:38.759 If you're 25 years old, 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:42.359 you've already used up 9,125 of them. 00:17:43.819 --> 00:17:44.159 Okay? 00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:48.419 At 40, you've lived 14,600 days. 00:17:48.619 --> 00:17:49.759 And if you're my age, 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:52.039 you might have about 6,000 days left. 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.819 All right? 00:17:53.960 --> 00:17:57.339 A woman has about 30,295 days 00:17:57.339 --> 00:18:00.379 or 1,009 months. 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:02.220 Okay? 00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:03.539 That's what you've got. 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:06.019 If you're a 25-year-old woman, 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:07.700 you've lived 304 months. 00:18:07.779 --> 00:18:09.319 At 45, you have an average, 00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.659 on average, 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:13.059 about 462 months left. 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:15.379 Okay? 00:18:16.559 --> 00:18:17.399 Eternity, however, 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.339 is a lot longer. 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.539 Have you ever thought about that? 00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:22.159 If we just take, 00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.659 I don't know, 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.319 an introduction, 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:26.399 maybe 15,000 years or so. 00:18:26.799 --> 00:18:27.000 Okay? 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:31.119 That's 5,475,000 days to say hello. 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.399 And by the way, 00:18:33.480 --> 00:18:34.079 my name's Tim. 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:34.899 Okay? 00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.639 15,000 years. 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:39.559 That's 182,500 months. 00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:41.779 Okay? 00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:43.460 So when we get confused 00:18:43.460 --> 00:18:46.000 between life that we know on earth 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.740 and we start looking at eternity, 00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:48.799 there's a big difference. 00:18:48.799 --> 00:18:50.899 So this begs the question, 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:52.879 how should we then live? 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:56.220 What should our priorities look like 00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:59.419 when we think about time? 00:19:00.519 --> 00:19:01.960 And try to think about time 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:04.200 a little bit more like God thinks about time. 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:05.200 Colossians 3, 1, 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:06.720 one of my favorite chapters, 00:19:06.839 --> 00:19:07.419 says this, 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:10.359 Since then you have been raised up with Christ. 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:13.919 Set your hearts on things above 00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:15.240 where Christ is, 00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:17.759 seated at the right hand of God. 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.700 Set your mind on things above, 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:22.019 not on earthly things. 00:19:22.720 --> 00:19:23.779 For you died, 00:19:23.879 --> 00:19:24.660 past tense, 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:26.460 for you died, 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:29.319 and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:31.480 When Christ, who is your life, 00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:31.940 appears, 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:34.819 then you also will appear with Him 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:36.259 in glory. 00:19:37.299 --> 00:19:38.400 Put to death, therefore, 00:19:38.559 --> 00:19:40.440 whatever belongs to your earthly nature, 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:42.019 sexual immorality, 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:42.700 impurity, 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:43.240 lust, 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:44.539 evil desires, 00:19:44.660 --> 00:19:45.180 and greed, 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:47.420 which is idolatry. 00:19:47.620 --> 00:19:49.740 Anything above God. 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:51.200 Anything that we think of 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:53.620 higher than we think of God. 00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.980 So in the second part, 00:19:55.120 --> 00:19:58.019 the last part of this verse 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.799 in Ecclesiastes chapter 3, 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:02.580 He has made everything beautiful in His time. 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.580 He has also said, 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.740 Eternity in the human heart. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:06.839 Yet no one can fathom 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:07.839 what He, God, 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.579 has done 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:10.799 from beginning to end. 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.720 None of us see the whole picture 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:15.359 from beginning to end. 00:20:15.559 --> 00:20:17.180 None of us have this concept 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:18.400 that God has. 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:21.200 This perspective that He has. 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:23.900 Ecclesiastes is focusing 00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:26.200 the focus ring on our lens 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:28.099 on our limitations. 00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:31.500 It contrasts our limited knowledge 00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.839 and understanding 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:36.219 with God's unlimited knowledge, 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.240 visibility, 00:20:37.779 --> 00:20:38.699 and understanding. 00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:42.159 Notice also that God, 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.359 that through God, 00:20:43.439 --> 00:20:44.859 though God has put a desire 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.539 for eternity 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:47.519 and a desire for beauty 00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.339 in our hearts, 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:51.319 our lives contain many mysteries 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:53.500 that we can't understand. 00:20:54.399 --> 00:20:55.980 We see it every day 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.839 in the headlines, 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.359 don't we? 00:20:58.099 --> 00:21:00.000 Why did a shooter 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.500 go into Orlando, Florida 00:21:01.500 --> 00:21:02.699 and kill 49 people? 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.679 Why do babies die 00:21:05.679 --> 00:21:07.319 in their cribs on occasion? 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:10.799 We are not in control 00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.719 of those things. 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:13.079 We do not know 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:15.199 how God thinks 00:21:15.199 --> 00:21:16.619 in every circumstance. 00:21:17.679 --> 00:21:20.099 We don't know the end 00:21:20.099 --> 00:21:21.379 from the beginning 00:21:21.379 --> 00:21:22.500 as God does. 00:21:22.740 --> 00:21:24.379 We are not part of that 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:26.240 ultimate, infinite timeline 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:27.719 that He is. 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:32.519 God has not shared 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:34.379 everything with us. 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:35.859 And it's time 00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.959 we understand that. 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.219 That God, 00:21:39.339 --> 00:21:40.619 just like you don't share 00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:42.279 everything you know 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:43.879 with your two-year-old, 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:46.819 God does not share 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:48.719 every single thing with us. 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:49.679 We would like Him to, 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.619 or so we think. 00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:53.119 But there are times 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:54.579 that that's just not the case. 00:21:55.719 --> 00:21:57.500 Life is often like a puzzle. 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.279 If you could imagine 00:21:59.279 --> 00:22:00.159 puzzle pieces 00:22:00.159 --> 00:22:02.119 that go on for miles, 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:06.359 and we are on one of those 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.139 puzzle pieces. 00:22:07.140 --> 00:22:11.000 If we had a puzzle 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:12.320 that lined this whole wall 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:12.960 and you could see 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.840 the entire thing, 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.880 you could see 00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:16.180 where your puzzle piece 00:22:16.180 --> 00:22:16.759 fits in 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.740 and makes a difference 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.840 in that wall mural 00:22:18.840 --> 00:22:19.880 or that wall puzzle. 00:22:21.060 --> 00:22:22.960 That's kind of how God is. 00:22:23.520 --> 00:22:24.759 Is that God can see 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.880 the entire puzzle 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:27.580 from beginning to end 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:28.560 and every aspect. 00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.740 all that has been 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:31.419 and all that will be. 00:22:32.059 --> 00:22:33.399 And He knows 00:22:33.399 --> 00:22:34.960 why our peace 00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.839 is important. 00:22:37.119 --> 00:22:38.779 Why what He has done 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:40.019 or allowed to have done 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.960 is worked in 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:43.319 to this mural 00:22:43.319 --> 00:22:45.339 that makes sense. 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:48.000 We know that God 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.779 does all things 00:22:48.779 --> 00:22:49.539 for His glory 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.779 as anything else 00:22:50.779 --> 00:22:52.099 would be idolatrous. 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:54.079 If God were to do 00:22:54.079 --> 00:22:55.079 anything else 00:22:55.079 --> 00:22:56.559 that would be something 00:22:56.559 --> 00:22:57.819 other than for His glory, 00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:59.139 it would be idolatrous 00:22:59.139 --> 00:23:00.799 just as it is for us 00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:02.819 to put anything before Him. 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.179 But we can also rest 00:23:05.179 --> 00:23:05.859 in what the preacher 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:07.059 as it's termed 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:08.019 in this book's 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.500 encouragement 00:23:08.500 --> 00:23:09.460 to enjoy 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.839 what we have 00:23:10.839 --> 00:23:11.819 in life now. 00:23:13.000 --> 00:23:14.899 So if we look at this verse 00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:16.319 in verse 12 to 13, 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:17.000 I know 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:18.359 that there is nothing 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:19.200 better for people 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.119 than to be happy 00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:21.240 and to do good 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:22.159 while they live. 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.599 That each of them 00:23:23.599 --> 00:23:25.339 may eat. 00:23:26.179 --> 00:23:27.439 Let me get the rest of this. 00:23:27.819 --> 00:23:30.019 And drink 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:31.299 and find satisfaction 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.960 in all their toil. 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:34.000 This is the gift 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.759 from God. 00:23:36.439 --> 00:23:37.799 Ecclesiastes 3.22 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:38.639 So I saw 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.200 that there is 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.980 nothing better 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.759 for a person 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:42.059 than to enjoy 00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.700 their work 00:23:42.700 --> 00:23:43.839 because that 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.679 is their lot. 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.200 For who can bring them 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:46.839 to see 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:48.339 what will happen 00:23:48.339 --> 00:23:49.659 after them? 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:54.700 If we move to this 16, 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.080 why don't you take a look 00:23:56.080 --> 00:23:56.620 at this one? 00:23:58.340 --> 00:23:59.540 When we talk about 00:23:59.540 --> 00:24:00.300 these things, 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:02.640 about why their things 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.540 happen the way 00:24:03.540 --> 00:24:04.140 that they do, 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.320 why do we have 00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:07.200 injustice? 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.900 Look at this verse. 00:24:09.300 --> 00:24:10.740 This is an incredibly 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.960 powerful verse 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:13.279 to use with 00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:14.980 those that are 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.620 considering 00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:17.519 who God is 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.579 and why these things 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:19.779 happen in the world. 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:21.759 Look what this observation is. 00:24:21.979 --> 00:24:23.099 And I saw something else 00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:23.679 under the sun. 00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:25.159 In the place of judgment, 00:24:25.339 --> 00:24:26.299 wickedness was there. 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:28.079 In the place of justice, 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.199 wickedness 00:24:29.199 --> 00:24:30.159 was there. 00:24:31.399 --> 00:24:32.939 Solomon could understand 00:24:32.939 --> 00:24:33.899 that where there 00:24:33.899 --> 00:24:35.000 should be judgment 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.179 and where there 00:24:36.179 --> 00:24:37.159 should be justice 00:24:37.159 --> 00:24:38.279 in this world, 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:40.239 there dwells wickedness. 00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:42.139 Do we not see that? 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:45.160 time and time again. 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:47.400 Why do these things 00:24:47.400 --> 00:24:47.860 happen? 00:24:49.020 --> 00:24:50.980 Why do we see 00:24:50.980 --> 00:24:51.880 courts 00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:53.280 legislating 00:24:53.280 --> 00:24:54.000 immorality? 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:55.360 Why do we see 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:58.259 judges on benches 00:24:58.259 --> 00:24:59.840 around the world 00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:00.960 making rulings 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:02.020 that make no sense 00:25:02.020 --> 00:25:04.440 from a 00:25:04.440 --> 00:25:06.440 purity standpoint? 00:25:06.840 --> 00:25:07.660 The writer notes 00:25:07.660 --> 00:25:09.220 that even in his kingdom, 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.800 and I'm presuming 00:25:11.799 --> 00:25:12.899 this is written by Solomon, 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.619 there's not, 00:25:14.480 --> 00:25:16.119 that may not be 100%, 00:25:16.119 --> 00:25:16.940 but I think so. 00:25:17.779 --> 00:25:18.460 The writer notes 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.519 that even in his kingdom, 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:20.859 there is not an honest 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:22.000 and fair court system. 00:25:22.480 --> 00:25:23.740 In the place of judgment, 00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.740 wickedness is there. 00:25:26.899 --> 00:25:28.359 The justice system 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:30.379 is also wicked. 00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:31.519 Handing out sentences 00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.460 to innocents 00:25:32.460 --> 00:25:34.039 and letting the guilty 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.559 go free, 00:25:34.639 --> 00:25:35.000 no doubt. 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:37.059 Not in every case, 00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:39.000 but in many. 00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.740 Corruption was 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:41.539 clearly visible. 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.359 Yet then, 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:43.440 as now, 00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.259 it continues. 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.940 There is no 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.879 political savior, 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.599 even in a kingdom 00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:51.379 led by a king 00:25:51.379 --> 00:25:52.399 of great wisdom 00:25:52.399 --> 00:25:53.359 such as Solomon. 00:25:54.200 --> 00:25:55.000 No Taoiseach 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:56.339 will put a perfect end 00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:58.240 to Irish injustice. 00:25:58.740 --> 00:26:00.019 No U.S. president 00:26:00.019 --> 00:26:00.779 or Brexit 00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:02.220 is going to fix 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.159 the world's issues 00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:05.659 and lead us 00:26:05.659 --> 00:26:06.700 into some type 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.440 of utopian 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.819 state of perfection. 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:08.939 corruption. 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.899 There is sickness 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:12.939 at every turn. 00:26:14.059 --> 00:26:14.519 Only God 00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.259 can bring an end 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:16.240 to government corruption, 00:26:16.919 --> 00:26:17.599 unfairness, 00:26:18.059 --> 00:26:18.919 and ever-changing 00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:21.379 legislated immorality. 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.679 Only God. 00:26:22.680 --> 00:26:25.259 So when we're focusing 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:26.279 our focus ring, 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.860 it's a good idea 00:26:27.860 --> 00:26:28.220 to know 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.860 what we're focusing on. 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:34.560 Verse 17, 00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:35.759 I said to myself, 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:43.200 notice also that 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.740 though God 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.839 has put a desire 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:45.599 for eternity 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:46.819 and a desire 00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.500 for beauty 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:48.940 in our heart. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:49.299 Wait a minute, 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.019 I got myself 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.660 mixed up here. 00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:51.740 God will bring 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:52.379 into judgment 00:26:52.379 --> 00:26:53.119 both the righteous 00:26:53.119 --> 00:26:53.799 and the wicked 00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.559 for there will be 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.099 a time 00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:56.200 for every activity, 00:26:56.640 --> 00:26:57.720 a time to judge 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:59.039 every deed. 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:02.119 a time to judge 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.579 every deed. 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.319 So when we think 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:04.559 about getting lost 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:06.159 in this world 00:27:06.159 --> 00:27:07.960 of these injustices, 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.259 think about this. 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.659 God will bring 00:27:10.659 --> 00:27:11.440 into judgment 00:27:11.440 --> 00:27:12.240 both the righteous 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.960 and the wicked. 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.899 It doesn't just say 00:27:15.899 --> 00:27:16.319 the wicked. 00:27:19.139 --> 00:27:20.200 Both the righteous 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.319 and the wicked 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.099 for there will be 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:22.559 a time 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:24.359 for every activity, 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.559 a time to judge 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.920 every deed. 00:27:26.920 --> 00:27:28.560 And once again, 00:27:28.640 --> 00:27:29.140 we will see 00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:30.660 that in God's time, 00:27:31.820 --> 00:27:32.480 He will judge 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.860 every deed at last. 00:27:34.800 --> 00:27:35.820 Perfect judgment. 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.920 Perfect justice. 00:27:39.340 --> 00:27:40.180 Perfect fairness. 00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.720 Perfect administration. 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:43.660 And no corruption. 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.480 Is that not what 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:48.080 all the world cries for? 00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:50.900 Can we not have justice? 00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:54.440 What an incredible passage 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.259 to share 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:56.799 with those 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.559 that are seeking. 00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.079 So, 00:27:59.180 --> 00:28:00.000 what do we conclude? 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.920 At least this. 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:04.960 God's blessing 00:28:04.960 --> 00:28:06.700 is to be acknowledged 00:28:06.700 --> 00:28:08.140 and enjoyed. 00:28:09.519 --> 00:28:10.619 God's blessing 00:28:10.619 --> 00:28:11.640 to be acknowledged 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:13.740 and enjoyed. 00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:15.119 And God's judgment 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:17.279 to be prepared for. 00:28:17.700 --> 00:28:18.640 Are you ready? 00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:19.879 Am I ready? 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.980 Romans 8.1 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.440 says this, 00:28:23.440 --> 00:28:23.840 Therefore, 00:28:24.080 --> 00:28:24.820 there is now 00:28:24.820 --> 00:28:26.120 no condemnation 00:28:26.120 --> 00:28:27.340 for those 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:28.779 in Christ Jesus. 00:28:30.080 --> 00:28:30.600 Boy, 00:28:30.720 --> 00:28:31.900 is that not good news. 00:28:33.340 --> 00:28:34.500 There is therefore 00:28:34.500 --> 00:28:36.240 now no condemnation 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:38.539 for those 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.680 in Christ Jesus. 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.440 This implies 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.080 that there is 00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:41.880 condemnation 00:28:41.880 --> 00:28:43.140 for those 00:28:43.140 --> 00:28:43.660 who are not. 00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:46.380 No mention 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:47.019 of Protestant 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.759 or Catholic, 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:48.580 Jew or Muslim, 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:48.980 white, 00:28:49.120 --> 00:28:49.340 black, 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:49.860 or brown, 00:28:50.340 --> 00:28:51.759 only in Christ. 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:54.779 There is no 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.460 condemnation 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:55.980 for those 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.079 who are in Christ Jesus. 00:28:58.200 --> 00:28:59.319 Are you in Christ? 00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:03.299 Have you trusted Him? 00:29:04.740 --> 00:29:05.980 Ephesians 2.8 and 9, 00:29:06.140 --> 00:29:06.680 one of my 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:08.579 all-time favorite verses, 00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:10.200 For it is by grace 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:11.940 you have been saved 00:29:11.940 --> 00:29:12.559 through faith, 00:29:12.879 --> 00:29:14.039 and this is not 00:29:14.039 --> 00:29:14.720 from yourselves, 00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.680 it is the gift 00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.379 of God, 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.359 not by works 00:29:18.359 --> 00:29:20.140 that anyone 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.860 should boast. 00:29:22.580 --> 00:29:23.640 If you are trusting 00:29:23.640 --> 00:29:24.580 in your works, 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:27.680 then you are not 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.280 in Christ. 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:30.640 If you are trusting 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:31.480 in His, 00:29:32.520 --> 00:29:33.300 then you are. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:35.960 Let's pray. 00:29:36.800 --> 00:29:37.320 Father, 00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:38.240 we praise you 00:29:38.240 --> 00:29:39.420 and we thank you 00:29:39.420 --> 00:29:40.420 for who you are. 00:29:41.480 --> 00:29:42.840 We thank you 00:29:42.839 --> 00:30:00.279 if you are trusting 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.079 and quick on 00:30:01.079 --> 00:30:01.980 on the earth... 00:30:02.359 --> 00:30:06.740 Can you guess 00:30:07.379 --> 00:30:07.839 please?