WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.060 How many of you have ever been to a macaroni grill? 00:00:05.419 --> 00:00:06.940 We got an amen on that one. 00:00:07.839 --> 00:00:10.620 We haven't gotten one amen during the whole service to this point. 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:11.240 ! I'm just kidding. 00:00:11.439 --> 00:00:12.060 No, you have. 00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:15.140 Listen, macaroni grill is not bad. 00:00:15.460 --> 00:00:16.699 It's solid, right? 00:00:16.859 --> 00:00:20.100 If you give me an option between Olive Garden and macaroni grill, 00:00:20.240 --> 00:00:22.539 I'm going macaroni grill every time. 00:00:22.960 --> 00:00:23.140 Okay. 00:00:23.379 --> 00:00:25.260 And that's nothing necessarily against Olive Garden. 00:00:26.019 --> 00:00:28.740 You know who's not choosing macaroni grill? 00:00:28.739 --> 00:00:31.839 Well, my lovely wife sitting right down here. 00:00:33.799 --> 00:00:36.179 She doesn't do macaroni grill. 00:00:36.799 --> 00:00:38.579 She had, correct me if I'm wrong, 00:00:38.920 --> 00:00:42.420 she had one bad experience there when she was younger, 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:44.659 and that place is dead to her forever. 00:00:46.280 --> 00:00:48.899 Which is interesting because I read this week 00:00:48.899 --> 00:00:52.039 that macaroni grill has gone from over 200 locations 00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:54.939 down to about 10 that are still open. 00:00:55.379 --> 00:00:57.799 So apparently Holly's not alone, all right? 00:00:58.740 --> 00:00:59.940 But we do that. 00:01:00.039 --> 00:01:01.579 We form opinions quickly. 00:01:02.560 --> 00:01:05.540 Now, would you look down at yourself for a second? 00:01:05.740 --> 00:01:07.420 Where are you sitting right now? 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:11.020 Why are you sitting there? 00:01:12.520 --> 00:01:14.219 Did you walk in the first Sunday 00:01:14.219 --> 00:01:16.700 and there was like a holy light around that seat 00:01:16.700 --> 00:01:18.620 and you're just drawn to it 00:01:18.620 --> 00:01:20.400 and you didn't dare move? 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:21.100 I don't know. 00:01:21.240 --> 00:01:23.080 But we form opinions quickly. 00:01:24.540 --> 00:01:27.120 We form habits slowly. 00:01:29.520 --> 00:01:32.820 And we don't even always realize that it's happening. 00:01:33.420 --> 00:01:34.560 Because the truth is, 00:01:35.200 --> 00:01:38.760 if we tried to move you out of your spot, 00:01:39.460 --> 00:01:42.800 some of you might say, 00:01:42.860 --> 00:01:44.360 preacher, you move me out of this seat. 00:01:44.439 --> 00:01:46.719 You might as well move me right on out of this church. 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:49.539 Or maybe you move right on out of this church. 00:01:50.019 --> 00:01:51.620 Look, we do form habits 00:01:51.620 --> 00:01:55.079 and they just creep up on us sometimes. 00:01:55.319 --> 00:01:56.799 How many of you have strong opinions 00:01:56.799 --> 00:01:57.900 about something now 00:01:57.900 --> 00:01:59.840 that you didn't care about 10 years ago? 00:02:01.019 --> 00:02:02.200 Yeah, that's right. 00:02:02.299 --> 00:02:02.700 Thank you. 00:02:03.539 --> 00:02:04.960 That was more of a rhetorical question, 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:06.460 but I appreciate y'all participating. 00:02:07.780 --> 00:02:08.840 I do too. 00:02:08.840 --> 00:02:13.039 Yeah, awesome. 00:02:14.719 --> 00:02:16.740 You're a vocal crowd this morning. 00:02:16.819 --> 00:02:17.199 I love it. 00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:17.759 This is good. 00:02:18.500 --> 00:02:20.120 Before we had kids, 00:02:20.199 --> 00:02:21.900 I didn't care about car seats. 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:23.719 I didn't care about strollers. 00:02:24.740 --> 00:02:26.500 And then Austin came along 00:02:26.500 --> 00:02:29.460 and that was quite a while ago now, 00:02:29.879 --> 00:02:30.759 11 years ago. 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:33.920 And suddenly, 00:02:34.180 --> 00:02:35.900 I had strong opinions 00:02:35.900 --> 00:02:38.099 about car seats and strollers. 00:02:38.099 --> 00:02:41.219 Whereas I could not give a rip before. 00:02:41.479 --> 00:02:42.479 And then all of a sudden, 00:02:42.639 --> 00:02:44.599 it mattered to me greatly. 00:02:44.960 --> 00:02:46.900 And I wanted to get the absolute best one 00:02:46.900 --> 00:02:47.959 that I could possibly afford. 00:02:49.479 --> 00:02:51.180 Which wasn't that great, 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:53.699 but it was still as good as I could do, you know? 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:55.680 And so I researched 00:02:55.680 --> 00:02:58.060 and I did the comparisons and all this. 00:02:58.060 --> 00:02:58.819 And now, 00:02:59.819 --> 00:03:03.400 I once again don't care about car seats or strollers. 00:03:03.919 --> 00:03:05.539 They outgrew that stuff, man. 00:03:05.539 --> 00:03:07.699 And they have a whole lot better technology now 00:03:07.699 --> 00:03:09.340 than they had 11 years ago. 00:03:09.840 --> 00:03:10.699 But it just, 00:03:10.840 --> 00:03:12.219 it doesn't resonate with me. 00:03:12.340 --> 00:03:14.340 I've moved on from that stage of life. 00:03:15.239 --> 00:03:15.759 We are, 00:03:15.959 --> 00:03:18.199 we all go through stages like that. 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:20.579 And sometimes your political leanings 00:03:20.579 --> 00:03:21.899 or your sports teams 00:03:21.899 --> 00:03:24.579 or whatever you happen to have strong opinions about 00:03:24.579 --> 00:03:27.719 can morph over time. 00:03:27.719 --> 00:03:29.199 Truth is, 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:32.080 we form opinions in seconds. 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:35.340 We form habits without noticing. 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:38.240 We'll form political opinions 00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:39.479 after reading one headline. 00:03:40.919 --> 00:03:43.939 Have you noticed on social media sometimes, 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:46.620 you see an article pop up 00:03:46.620 --> 00:03:48.060 and you go to comment on it 00:03:48.060 --> 00:03:50.819 and something pops up that says, 00:03:51.180 --> 00:03:53.020 do you want to read the article first? 00:03:53.840 --> 00:03:54.979 That happened to me. 00:03:54.979 --> 00:03:57.799 I was going to comment on something. 00:03:57.859 --> 00:03:59.699 It was actually something I already knew about 00:03:59.699 --> 00:04:01.120 and I went to comment on it 00:04:01.120 --> 00:04:03.239 and it wasn't some crazy comment. 00:04:03.339 --> 00:04:03.839 Don't worry. 00:04:04.799 --> 00:04:07.639 But a little notification popped up. 00:04:07.719 --> 00:04:09.159 Would you like to click on the link 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:10.039 and read the article 00:04:10.039 --> 00:04:11.560 before you go and comment on it? 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:12.199 But you know, 00:04:12.319 --> 00:04:13.079 we do that. 00:04:13.659 --> 00:04:15.079 We form food preferences 00:04:15.079 --> 00:04:16.680 after one bad experience. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:18.500 Nobody has to teach us 00:04:18.500 --> 00:04:20.199 how to form reactions. 00:04:20.459 --> 00:04:21.399 They just happen. 00:04:23.099 --> 00:04:23.920 Here's the truth. 00:04:24.980 --> 00:04:27.800 You never have to try 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:30.439 to form your soul 00:04:30.439 --> 00:04:33.060 because it's already happening 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:35.500 and it's been happening. 00:04:35.800 --> 00:04:37.360 I want to share a quote with you 00:04:37.360 --> 00:04:39.080 from Dallas Willard, 00:04:39.520 --> 00:04:42.700 which is one of my favorite authors 00:04:42.700 --> 00:04:45.960 on the topic of spiritual formation. 00:04:46.840 --> 00:04:48.319 And that's what we're going to talk about today 00:04:48.319 --> 00:04:50.960 is spiritual formation. 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:54.079 How is your spirit being formed? 00:04:56.079 --> 00:04:58.419 We know how our opinions are being formed. 00:04:58.539 --> 00:05:00.339 We know how our feelings are being formed. 00:05:01.039 --> 00:05:04.399 We know how our preferences are being formed. 00:05:04.899 --> 00:05:08.579 But how is your spirit or your soul being formed? 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:09.819 We're going to talk about that. 00:05:10.519 --> 00:05:11.939 So Dallas Willard says this, 00:05:12.359 --> 00:05:15.740 everyone gets a spiritual formation. 00:05:16.539 --> 00:05:17.719 It's like education. 00:05:18.019 --> 00:05:19.120 Everybody gets an education. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:21.340 It's just a matter of which one you get. 00:05:21.920 --> 00:05:24.220 What kind of an education do you get? 00:05:25.040 --> 00:05:25.660 Do you get, 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:28.540 I think it was my grandfather 00:05:28.540 --> 00:05:30.360 who had a second grade education, 00:05:30.560 --> 00:05:33.860 but he went on to be a very, very successful businessman. 00:05:33.860 --> 00:05:39.220 Life provided the education that his schooling days missed. 00:05:40.420 --> 00:05:41.120 He had a, 00:05:41.180 --> 00:05:42.560 he grew up in a really, 00:05:43.319 --> 00:05:45.420 around the turn of the 20th century, 00:05:45.540 --> 00:05:46.780 the early 1900s, 00:05:46.840 --> 00:05:51.020 and went through a tough time in the Depression and all this. 00:05:51.340 --> 00:05:53.080 So he had to drop out of school. 00:05:53.180 --> 00:05:53.860 He had to go work. 00:05:53.939 --> 00:05:54.540 He had to provide, 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:56.040 help provide for his family. 00:05:56.160 --> 00:05:58.900 And so some of you have situations like that 00:05:58.900 --> 00:06:01.560 or you have situations in your family history like that. 00:06:01.560 --> 00:06:06.480 And life doesn't always provide you the school education 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:07.680 that you would want it to. 00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:09.519 Maybe you wanted to go on to college and you didn't. 00:06:09.680 --> 00:06:12.240 Maybe you wanted to go on and get a master's degree and you didn't. 00:06:12.699 --> 00:06:14.879 I'm getting ready to start my doctoral degree. 00:06:15.259 --> 00:06:18.420 So y'all pray for Holly during this time. 00:06:19.220 --> 00:06:21.000 Pray for me too if you think about it, 00:06:21.079 --> 00:06:22.639 but that's going to be fun. 00:06:22.959 --> 00:06:23.279 All right. 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:27.199 So this is a quote I wanted to get across to you. 00:06:27.519 --> 00:06:29.800 Everyone gets spiritual formation. 00:06:29.800 --> 00:06:31.480 It doesn't mean it's good. 00:06:32.480 --> 00:06:34.180 It doesn't mean it's correct. 00:06:34.639 --> 00:06:36.240 But you're all getting one. 00:06:36.360 --> 00:06:38.040 Your spirit is being formed. 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:40.060 Your soul is being formed. 00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:41.960 And this leads us to the next quote. 00:06:46.160 --> 00:06:47.120 John Ortberg, 00:06:47.420 --> 00:06:49.139 another great writer on spiritual formation, 00:06:49.319 --> 00:06:49.519 said, 00:06:49.759 --> 00:06:51.699 Very often God's will for you will be, 00:06:51.960 --> 00:06:53.620 I want you to decide. 00:06:54.800 --> 00:06:56.460 Isn't that frustrating when God does that? 00:06:56.819 --> 00:06:57.439 Isn't that irritating? 00:06:57.439 --> 00:06:58.339 It's like, 00:06:58.379 --> 00:06:58.540 God, 00:06:58.600 --> 00:07:00.019 just tell me what to do and I'll do it. 00:07:00.860 --> 00:07:01.100 He says, 00:07:01.160 --> 00:07:01.360 Nope. 00:07:02.259 --> 00:07:04.459 That's the whole point of spiritual formation. 00:07:05.420 --> 00:07:12.300 Is my spirit is forming your spirit on how to make choices according to my will. 00:07:12.300 --> 00:07:14.180 So he says, 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:15.160 I want you to decide. 00:07:15.400 --> 00:07:18.060 Because decision making is an indispensable part. 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:19.220 You can't do away with it. 00:07:19.819 --> 00:07:21.180 Of character formation. 00:07:21.379 --> 00:07:22.280 God is primarily, 00:07:22.579 --> 00:07:23.000 watch this, 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:24.840 in the character forming business, 00:07:24.980 --> 00:07:27.500 not the circumstance shaping business. 00:07:27.860 --> 00:07:32.819 We would much rather God be in the circumstance shaping business, 00:07:32.939 --> 00:07:33.379 wouldn't we? 00:07:33.379 --> 00:07:35.360 We love that. 00:07:35.360 --> 00:07:39.420 When he just steps in and just fixes everything. 00:07:40.459 --> 00:07:49.279 Often he doesn't because he's far more interested in forming our character rather than just shaping our circumstances. 00:07:50.579 --> 00:07:54.079 So this reframes our thinking. 00:07:54.439 --> 00:07:55.899 It reframes our view of God. 00:07:56.019 --> 00:07:58.040 It reframes our view of reality, 00:07:58.040 --> 00:08:00.580 of the life that we're living, 00:08:00.680 --> 00:08:01.400 of our decisions. 00:08:01.840 --> 00:08:05.439 We spend most of our time asking God to change our circumstances, 00:08:05.439 --> 00:08:08.700 but he's more interested in shaping our character. 00:08:09.420 --> 00:08:10.580 How does he do that? 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:12.560 Through decision making. 00:08:13.640 --> 00:08:14.720 Through tension. 00:08:15.800 --> 00:08:17.680 Through putting limits on things. 00:08:18.040 --> 00:08:20.439 Through moments that we didn't necessarily choose, 00:08:21.480 --> 00:08:23.700 but he's allowing us to go through it, 00:08:23.759 --> 00:08:24.740 to walk through it, 00:08:25.060 --> 00:08:26.700 to shape our character. 00:08:26.699 --> 00:08:30.459 So we need wisdom for these decisions, 00:08:30.599 --> 00:08:30.860 don't we? 00:08:32.639 --> 00:08:33.159 Thankfully, 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:35.679 we have books of wisdom in the Bible, 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:37.960 and we've been working through one in Ecclesiastes. 00:08:38.220 --> 00:08:39.200 So take your Bibles out. 00:08:39.259 --> 00:08:40.460 Let's go back to Ecclesiastes. 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:44.220 The writer of Ecclesiastes was called Koheleth, 00:08:44.299 --> 00:08:45.000 or the teacher. 00:08:46.159 --> 00:08:47.200 He's called the teacher. 00:08:47.860 --> 00:08:50.200 We've identified him as King Solomon. 00:08:52.939 --> 00:08:53.500 Historically, 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:55.460 the wisest man who ever lived, 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:57.320 gained his wisdom from God. 00:08:57.400 --> 00:08:59.620 This is godly wisdom that Solomon had. 00:08:59.680 --> 00:09:00.900 We're going to go to chapter 7. 00:09:02.320 --> 00:09:03.720 Ecclesiastes chapter 7, 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:06.480 beginning in verse 1. 00:09:07.820 --> 00:09:10.720 We've been working through Ecclesiastes. 00:09:10.940 --> 00:09:13.280 We've got a couple of weeks left is all. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:17.319 And we're ramping up now. 00:09:17.439 --> 00:09:19.819 We're hitting the homestretch and getting toward chapter 12. 00:09:19.899 --> 00:09:22.019 If you've ever read Ecclesiastes chapter 12, 00:09:22.299 --> 00:09:22.839 by the way, 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:24.839 you can sneak ahead and read ahead. 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:25.319 It's okay. 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:26.519 It's all right to do that. 00:09:27.079 --> 00:09:28.879 You don't have to wait until we get there. 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:30.279 You can read ahead if you'd like. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:32.179 If you know what happens in chapter 12, 00:09:32.279 --> 00:09:34.139 he hears the conclusion of the whole matter. 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:37.259 He gets to the summary of it all. 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:42.659 There's been some wild concepts that we've dealt with in Ecclesiastes. 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:44.019 It's a very unique book. 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:46.220 And now we're up here in chapter 7. 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:50.340 So, beginning in verse 1. 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:55.100 A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. 00:09:56.779 --> 00:10:00.139 The day you die is better than the day you are born. 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:03.939 Has anybody ever noticed the graveyard? 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:08.960 And I think Tim Tebow and other public speakers out there 00:10:08.960 --> 00:10:10.539 have given this illustration before. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:12.000 I know I heard it from somebody. 00:10:12.319 --> 00:10:14.919 But I want to draw attention to it now because of what Solomon says. 00:10:15.259 --> 00:10:17.679 The day you die is better than the day you were born. 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:18.059 Why? 00:10:19.419 --> 00:10:23.120 Have you ever noticed the two dates on a gravestone out in the cemetery? 00:10:23.620 --> 00:10:26.500 You've got the day you were born, the day that you died. 00:10:26.500 --> 00:10:30.120 Well, to me, those are the two most inconsequential dates. 00:10:30.960 --> 00:10:34.240 On the day you were born, nothing had happened yet. 00:10:34.519 --> 00:10:35.639 It's the beginning of it all. 00:10:36.299 --> 00:10:38.899 And then the day you die, it's all over. 00:10:39.320 --> 00:10:41.139 And you can't do anything left. 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:44.500 What matters is the little dash in between, right? 00:10:46.679 --> 00:10:48.820 1985 is when I was born. 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:50.019 And then the dash. 00:10:50.600 --> 00:10:53.320 And then I don't want to know what the next date's going to be. 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:54.759 We'll leave that up to God. 00:10:54.759 --> 00:10:59.019 But he says the day you die is better than the day you were born. 00:10:59.120 --> 00:11:01.980 Because like we said, the day you were born, nothing had happened. 00:11:02.100 --> 00:11:03.279 You had no reputation. 00:11:04.179 --> 00:11:09.600 Any reputation you had was strictly handed to you from your parents or those who came before you. 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:12.620 And so you have to build it all yourself. 00:11:12.720 --> 00:11:15.799 And on the day you die, that's what you have. 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:17.419 That's what you've accomplished. 00:11:18.340 --> 00:11:19.620 It's what you've earned. 00:11:19.939 --> 00:11:21.759 It's what you've merited on this earth. 00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:23.980 So it's more important. 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:29.480 Then he says, verse 2, better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. 00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:33.139 That's what you wanted to hear when you woke up this morning, right? 00:11:34.819 --> 00:11:37.080 I'd rather be at a funeral than a party. 00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:40.919 And somebody looks at you, oh, wow, you must be in a great mood. 00:11:40.919 --> 00:11:43.839 And we've got to kind of take this in context. 00:11:43.979 --> 00:11:46.099 Solomon had been to all the parties. 00:11:46.299 --> 00:11:47.319 He'd thrown all the parties. 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.159 He'd hosted them. 00:11:48.939 --> 00:11:50.079 He had all the wealth. 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:51.860 He had everything that there was to achieve. 00:11:51.979 --> 00:11:53.120 He'd had all the good times. 00:11:53.299 --> 00:11:55.099 He'd been through all the success. 00:11:55.919 --> 00:11:58.240 And he says, you know what matters more? 00:11:58.579 --> 00:12:00.079 You know what's more consequential? 00:12:00.080 --> 00:12:08.020 Looking back at someone's real legacy rather than celebrating the triviality of the moment. 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:12.379 He says, after all, everybody dies. 00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:14.960 So the living should take this to heart. 00:12:15.400 --> 00:12:16.860 Sorrow is better than laughter. 00:12:17.720 --> 00:12:22.400 For sadness has a refining influence on us. 00:12:22.480 --> 00:12:24.200 Do you see what he's talking about here? 00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:26.460 Spiritual formation. 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:30.340 Character over circumstances. 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:34.639 He says, sadness has a refining influence on us. 00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:37.840 Verse 4, a wise person thinks a lot about death. 00:12:38.920 --> 00:12:41.820 While a fool thinks only about having a good time. 00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:44.080 I like to have a good time. 00:12:45.160 --> 00:12:49.280 For me, a good time is standing up here and talking about God's word. 00:12:49.960 --> 00:12:51.139 And about God himself. 00:12:51.480 --> 00:12:52.620 That's a good time for me. 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:54.580 But I also like to watch football. 00:12:54.580 --> 00:13:00.540 And I like to watch Bearcat basketball win like 14 million playoff games. 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.080 It's great. 00:13:01.540 --> 00:13:02.639 So much fun. 00:13:04.879 --> 00:13:07.400 A wise person thinks a lot about death. 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:10.600 But a fool is only thinking about having a good time. 00:13:12.460 --> 00:13:17.060 Verse 5, better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool. 00:13:18.540 --> 00:13:20.640 It's fun being praised by a fool. 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:25.220 And I think subconsciously we realize it. 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:29.659 When somebody gives us a compliment that we know we didn't really deserve. 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:32.600 But we lie to ourselves and we convince us. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.740 Yeah, man, totally. 00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:38.699 Somebody that we should know better than to take the word of says, 00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:40.139 Man, you're doing great. 00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:42.039 You are just killing it. 00:13:42.279 --> 00:13:45.100 And you know inside, no, I'm really not. 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:46.720 I'm not at all. 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.360 I'm mailing it in. 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:49.500 I'm not doing well. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:53.399 But somebody's like, Oh, yeah, man, no, nothing's wrong. 00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:54.080 You're doing awesome. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:14:00.759 And we value that more than somebody who we know we should be listening to. 00:14:01.440 --> 00:14:07.560 And they come to us gently but kindly and say, Look, I love you. 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:09.779 But you got to work on this. 00:14:09.779 --> 00:14:12.620 I can see you're struggling and I want to help you. 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:23.779 Better to be criticized by a wise person that there's legitimacy to the criticism rather than just to accept empty praise from a fool. 00:14:24.819 --> 00:14:26.980 Verse 6, a fool's laughter is quickly gone. 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:33.019 That moment where they're patting you on the back and everything's great and the party's going strong. 00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:35.259 It's over fast. 00:14:36.259 --> 00:14:38.679 Like thorns crackling in a fire. 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:40.679 Throw it in and they're gone. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:43.019 This is also meaningless. 00:14:44.319 --> 00:14:50.340 Verse 7, extortion turns wise people into fools and bribes corrupt the heart. 00:14:51.240 --> 00:14:51.860 Do you see this? 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:53.019 Dishonest dealing. 00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:56.879 It can turn someone wise into acting like a fool. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:15:02.019 You can be bribed and your heart is corrupted. 00:15:03.379 --> 00:15:05.659 Your character can be bribed. 00:15:07.480 --> 00:15:15.039 You can be talked into compromising the character that God is interested in shaping and forming in your heart. 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:18.679 Verse 8, finishing is better than starting. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.679 Patience is better than pride. 00:15:20.879 --> 00:15:23.240 We're getting real Proverbs-y in here, aren't we? 00:15:23.240 --> 00:15:28.820 He finally kind of goes back, reverts back to what he wrote in the book of Proverbs. 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:31.080 And he starts dispensing this wisdom. 00:15:31.240 --> 00:15:35.440 But man, this is so valuable because this comes toward the end of his life. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:37.360 And after his long reign of success. 00:15:37.560 --> 00:15:39.899 And it says, finishing is better than starting. 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:42.480 Patience is better than pride. 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:44.500 Solomon was living this. 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:47.060 He was wanting to finish well. 00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:49.600 He's realizing everything I did to this point. 00:15:50.039 --> 00:15:51.419 What does it matter? 00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:55.219 What good does it really do if I don't finish well? 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:59.539 If I don't really understand the lessons that wisdom was trying to teach me? 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:02.139 Patience is better than pride. 00:16:03.019 --> 00:16:07.059 I don't necessarily think of those things as opposites. 00:16:09.439 --> 00:16:12.559 Opposite of patience would be impatience, right? 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:16.919 Opposite of pride would be humility, right? 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:19.919 Well, he's tying patience and humility together. 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:23.439 And he's tying pride and impatience together. 00:16:25.959 --> 00:16:27.019 Control your temper. 00:16:28.039 --> 00:16:30.039 For anger labels you a fool. 00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:34.639 Fool is not a nice thing to call somebody. 00:16:36.099 --> 00:16:39.639 You're not going to make any friends by sincerely calling them a fool. 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:46.240 And we don't like it when somebody else says we're being foolish. 00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:51.000 But when we don't control our temper. 00:16:52.399 --> 00:16:54.340 Whether it's face to face with someone. 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:56.120 Or behind their back. 00:16:57.259 --> 00:16:58.259 Or online. 00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:00.240 Or are you ready? 00:17:00.240 --> 00:17:02.240 In our own heart. 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:07.400 What if we are just angry in our own heart? 00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:10.559 We are indulging foolishness. 00:17:10.559 --> 00:17:15.339 Do you know what else the fool has said in his heart? 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.400 There is no God. 00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:21.200 Scripture teaches us that. 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:24.559 It says the fool has said in his heart, 00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.920 there is no God. 00:17:26.920 --> 00:17:32.240 And when we indulge in anger in our hearts, 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:36.580 we are acting as though there is no God. 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:42.240 In that moment, we are placing ourselves as God. 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:46.640 Or above the real, true God. 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:49.519 So control your temper. 00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:51.560 Well, good luck with that. 00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.039 How do you do that? 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:56.680 Through the Holy Spirit of God. 00:17:56.920 --> 00:18:01.460 When we submit our anger from the heart to God, 00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:04.279 then he takes over and he controls it. 00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:06.900 And then it's a posture of, 00:18:07.060 --> 00:18:08.460 God, you are in control. 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:11.140 I'm submitting this where I feel angry 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:12.500 because I was wronged. 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.680 Or I saw injustice. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.759 Or something set me off. 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:17.160 Something triggered me. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:21.320 But I'm surrendering that to you. 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:24.180 I'm not going to place myself in your seat. 00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:27.680 With your position of power. 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.380 I'm going to say no. 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.340 Anger, 00:18:32.340 --> 00:18:32.860 vengeance, 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:35.640 belongs to God. 00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:36.660 Not to me. 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:39.539 So I'm releasing that to him. 00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.120 Control your temper. 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:44.779 For anger labels you a fool. 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:45.440 Verse 10. 00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:47.160 Don't long for the good old days. 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.779 This is not wise. 00:18:49.259 --> 00:18:49.920 I love that. 00:18:50.640 --> 00:18:51.720 He just throws that in there. 00:18:52.080 --> 00:18:53.240 Because that's what we want to do. 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:55.320 We experience something good. 00:18:55.860 --> 00:18:56.880 And we love it. 00:18:56.920 --> 00:18:57.759 We want to go back to it. 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:59.800 We experience something bad like macaroni grill. 00:18:59.880 --> 00:19:00.880 And we never want to go back there. 00:19:02.140 --> 00:19:02.800 But look. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:05.340 You experience something positive. 00:19:05.340 --> 00:19:06.779 And you want it again. 00:19:07.620 --> 00:19:10.360 You experience something positive many times in a row. 00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:12.779 And we call that the good old days. 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:15.359 This was the season of life I loved. 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:18.659 I long for the good old days of the Dallas Cowboys. 00:19:18.699 --> 00:19:20.279 Because that's how I remember them. 00:19:20.539 --> 00:19:21.819 I want to go back to that. 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.000 The truth is. 00:19:23.479 --> 00:19:24.319 Troy Aikman. 00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:25.139 And Emmitt Smith. 00:19:25.619 --> 00:19:27.179 And you know. 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.979 Michael Irvin. 00:19:28.479 --> 00:19:29.579 And Jay Novacek. 00:19:29.659 --> 00:19:30.299 And Daryl Johnson. 00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:30.879 We should stop. 00:19:30.979 --> 00:19:31.199 Anyway. 00:19:31.619 --> 00:19:32.759 They aren't coming back. 00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:35.019 The good old days are not coming back. 00:19:35.219 --> 00:19:38.319 If the Cowboys are ever going to get back to winning again. 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:40.200 Then it's going to have to be with different guys. 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.480 Those guys aren't coming back. 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:43.299 Jimmy Johnson's not coming back. 00:19:43.639 --> 00:19:44.000 Anyway. 00:19:45.439 --> 00:19:48.519 We can long all we want for the good old days. 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.240 You can long. 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:51.039 Let's bring it home to First Baptist Henrietta. 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:54.139 There have been good old days in the history of this church. 00:19:54.259 --> 00:19:55.599 It's been around a long time. 00:19:55.639 --> 00:19:56.119 Hasn't it? 00:19:56.559 --> 00:19:59.319 We're about to celebrate our 150th anniversary. 00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:02.299 How many churches survive 150 years? 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:03.659 It's a pretty short list. 00:20:04.599 --> 00:20:05.460 So great job. 00:20:05.659 --> 00:20:06.139 That's awesome. 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:08.280 Truth is. 00:20:08.320 --> 00:20:10.120 It wasn't you back then. 00:20:10.860 --> 00:20:13.680 It was some of your parents or grandparents or great grandparents. 00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:17.400 But the good old days are gone. 00:20:18.759 --> 00:20:21.120 God's saying don't long for the good old days. 00:20:21.240 --> 00:20:22.740 Be grateful that they happened. 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:24.020 Then ask God. 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:24.920 Bring new. 00:20:25.120 --> 00:20:26.340 Good new days. 00:20:27.100 --> 00:20:28.220 Not good old days. 00:20:29.620 --> 00:20:32.740 Do something now for us. 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:38.980 I love the way that Henrietta and Clay County celebrates their history. 00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:42.400 We've been through a few pioneer reunions now. 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:44.599 It's awesome to watch. 00:20:45.380 --> 00:20:48.200 You need to celebrate what God did. 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:55.480 You need to appreciate and understand and recognize the people on whose shoulders you stand. 00:20:57.319 --> 00:21:00.059 But you don't go back and try to recreate all that. 00:21:00.940 --> 00:21:02.840 You say, God, do something new now. 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:06.420 And that's what God is continually telling us. 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:09.840 He says, I will pour new water out. 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.980 Streams in the desert will run. 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:14.440 I will do a new thing. 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:17.420 He says, behold, I am doing a new thing. 00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:18.840 Do you not see it? 00:21:19.740 --> 00:21:21.080 That's what God wants to do. 00:21:21.860 --> 00:21:26.700 So when you walk into church and you see more new faces than faces you recognize, 00:21:27.620 --> 00:21:30.580 don't say, man, I just don't know what's happening to this church. 00:21:31.360 --> 00:21:35.480 Say, God, thank you for sending us new people, new faces. 00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:38.000 Help me to go get to know them. 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:39.600 So then they become familiar. 00:21:39.920 --> 00:21:43.799 And then together we continue to see you do a new thing. 00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:47.139 So that's a very practical application for our church. 00:21:47.240 --> 00:21:48.899 But don't long for the good old days. 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.019 This is not wise. 00:21:50.139 --> 00:21:52.940 By the way, just as a little caveat, let me throw this in here. 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:55.240 The good old days are never as good as you think they were. 00:21:58.159 --> 00:21:59.919 Hindsight is never 2020. 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.039 Okay. 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:04.440 We never see the past completely clearly. 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:09.279 The only one who truly sees the past completely clearly is God. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:13.639 He's the only one who has a completely accurate view of the past. 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:16.120 We tend to gloss over the past. 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:21.040 So be thankful for what God did. 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:23.020 Learn from it. 00:22:24.560 --> 00:22:26.320 And then ask him to do something new. 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.740 Wisdom is even better when you have money. 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:31.240 Verse 11. 00:22:31.880 --> 00:22:35.160 Wisdom is even better when you have money. 00:22:36.600 --> 00:22:37.600 Solomon lived that. 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.720 He had plenty of money to go along with his wisdom. 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:41.759 He had all the wealth with the wisdom. 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:45.599 And he said, both are a benefit as you go through life. 00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.059 Yes. 00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.920 So Solomon's being realistic. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:51.140 He's not trying to... 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:54.519 Do you understand what I mean when I say Jesus juke? 00:22:55.059 --> 00:22:55.379 Everybody. 00:22:55.819 --> 00:23:00.660 He's not trying to get unrealistically spiritual on us and say, all you need is wisdom. 00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.879 You don't need any wealth. 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.440 He says, yeah. 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:04.559 Now, realistically in this life, you need both. 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.240 You need wisdom and wealth. 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:08.420 He says, wisdom's better when you have money. 00:23:08.580 --> 00:23:10.200 Both are a benefit as you go through life. 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.820 Verse, what does he say? 00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.279 12. 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:15.120 Wisdom and money can get you anything. 00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:15.799 Almost. 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:18.700 Put a little caveat in there. 00:23:19.240 --> 00:23:22.360 Wisdom and money can get you almost anything. 00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:24.899 But what does he say next? 00:23:25.899 --> 00:23:28.079 But only wisdom can save your life. 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:33.000 I would put it this way. 00:23:35.359 --> 00:23:38.879 Only Jesus can save your soul. 00:23:40.219 --> 00:23:44.539 And only wisdom from God can save your life on this earth. 00:23:45.899 --> 00:23:50.319 Wisdom is the principal thing. 00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:52.579 Proverbs chapter 4. 00:23:53.179 --> 00:23:54.559 Therefore, get wisdom. 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.740 And with all your getting, get understanding. 00:24:00.059 --> 00:24:03.879 Wisdom can save you far more than money can. 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:06.279 Money can be incredibly helpful. 00:24:07.899 --> 00:24:10.859 It's the most helpful tool that we have on this earth. 00:24:11.139 --> 00:24:12.500 But it is a tool. 00:24:13.159 --> 00:24:14.839 Money is not the root of all evil, right? 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:17.799 But the love of money is the root of all evil. 00:24:18.299 --> 00:24:19.220 The scriptures teach us. 00:24:19.220 --> 00:24:24.640 So when we have an inappropriate relationship with money or an inappropriate view of money, 00:24:24.640 --> 00:24:29.480 then it becomes a tool that works against us, not for us. 00:24:30.519 --> 00:24:32.860 So only wisdom can save your life. 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:38.500 Because wisdom will help you know how to look at, how to treat, and how to handle your money. 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:40.799 Verse 13. 00:24:41.019 --> 00:24:43.460 We're almost to the end of our little passage here this morning. 00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:45.860 Accept the way God does things. 00:24:45.940 --> 00:24:46.880 Can we just say that again? 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:49.540 Accept the way God does things. 00:24:49.580 --> 00:24:50.280 Let's say it together. 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:50.560 Ready? 00:24:51.100 --> 00:24:53.420 Accept the way God does things. 00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:54.260 Now, will you? 00:24:54.800 --> 00:24:55.540 Will I? 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.660 That's hard to do. 00:24:58.340 --> 00:25:00.620 Accept the way God does things. 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:03.960 What we want to do instead is complain about it. 00:25:05.140 --> 00:25:06.500 Us and the children of Israel. 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:10.660 You read through the Old Testament about God's people wandering through the desert. 00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:12.600 And what did they do continually? 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.560 Complain. 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:16.460 Man, you go to the disciples who walked with Jesus. 00:25:16.600 --> 00:25:18.220 What do you frequently see happening? 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.240 Complaining. 00:25:19.720 --> 00:25:20.180 Arguing. 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:22.560 That's what we do. 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.180 It's human nature. 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:30.380 So Solomon says, something I've learned in my life is you just might as well accept the way God does things. 00:25:30.880 --> 00:25:33.380 Because it's pointless to fight against it. 00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:36.900 He says, for who can straighten what he has made crooked? 00:25:37.120 --> 00:25:38.200 We're going to get into this. 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:44.759 We got two truths that we're going to get into here, which I hope can give us some really strong takeaways from this passage. 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:48.380 But he says, you can't straighten what God has made crooked. 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:51.259 God might have a reason for making that crooked. 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:54.759 And we're over here fighting tooth and nail to try to straighten it out. 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:56.460 And God's like, nope, ain't happening. 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:57.920 I made it crooked. 00:25:58.140 --> 00:25:59.319 You're not going to be able to straighten it. 00:26:00.140 --> 00:26:01.720 Enjoy prosperity while you can. 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:06.740 But when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:13.460 And then he finishes this little section by saying, remember that nothing is certain in this life. 00:26:14.319 --> 00:26:16.819 So with that in mind, let's go to truth number one. 00:26:17.720 --> 00:26:20.400 Wisdom values formation over feelings. 00:26:20.700 --> 00:26:24.140 There are a couple truths I want to take away from these 14 verses. 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:26.519 We just read 14 verses. 00:26:26.819 --> 00:26:27.259 Good job. 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:33.299 The teacher stacks these better thans together. 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.940 Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. 00:26:36.160 --> 00:26:37.559 Sorrow is better than laughter. 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:39.660 Sadness has a refining influence on us. 00:26:39.879 --> 00:26:41.160 He's not anti-joy. 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:43.660 He's not anti-anything that's superficial. 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:45.440 And he's only into the deep thinking. 00:26:45.559 --> 00:26:46.819 That's not what he's saying here. 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:51.619 But funerals can clarify far more than parties can. 00:26:51.619 --> 00:26:56.479 Sorrow can refine us far better than laughter can. 00:26:57.319 --> 00:27:02.979 Hard moments slow us down long enough for us to see and accept the truth. 00:27:03.659 --> 00:27:05.199 Then he presses further. 00:27:05.939 --> 00:27:09.479 Verse 5, better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fuel. 00:27:09.939 --> 00:27:11.679 Correction can shape you. 00:27:12.979 --> 00:27:14.679 Flattery softens you. 00:27:15.459 --> 00:27:16.539 Not in a good way. 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:22.200 Correction can strengthen you. 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.799 Can sharpen you. 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.879 Can make you better. 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:28.200 Flattery does the opposite. 00:27:28.819 --> 00:27:32.339 Verse 6, a fool's laughter is quickly gone like thorns crackling in a fire. 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.460 Think of this. 00:27:33.579 --> 00:27:34.940 What is he evoking here? 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.680 Quick noise. 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:38.339 Bright raging fire. 00:27:38.559 --> 00:27:39.399 Bright flash. 00:27:39.500 --> 00:27:40.639 There's no substance there. 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:42.019 It's just it's there and then it's gone. 00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:45.720 Then he warns in verses 7 through 9. 00:27:45.720 --> 00:27:47.519 Oppression can twist wisdom. 00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:49.960 Anger lodges in the heart of fools. 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:51.519 Patience is better than pride. 00:27:51.900 --> 00:27:52.740 What is he saying? 00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:55.319 Formation requires restraint. 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:58.539 Formation requires restraint. 00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:00.579 Remember formation is happening in you. 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:01.779 It's happening to you. 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:03.200 It's happening in you right now. 00:28:03.400 --> 00:28:04.740 It's been happening in you. 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:07.220 Since you were very young. 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:13.620 Your soul, your spirit, your body is being formed. 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:16.419 It's all being formed continually. 00:28:17.079 --> 00:28:19.039 So formation is already happening. 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:21.419 So how is God trying to form us? 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.919 Through restraint. 00:28:23.539 --> 00:28:25.699 Then in verse 10, this is the diagnostic. 00:28:25.899 --> 00:28:27.159 Don't long for the good old days. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.139 It's not wise. 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:34.619 Nostalgia can unfortunately produce spiritual avoidance. 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.219 Avoidance. 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:41.439 Because we're refusing to engage with the Holy Spirit for right now. 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:44.199 And instead we're leaning on what happened in the past. 00:28:44.959 --> 00:28:46.339 So that is a pitfall. 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.259 It's a trap. 00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:49.939 Don't fall into that trap. 00:28:50.479 --> 00:28:52.339 Nostalgia is not always wrong. 00:28:52.639 --> 00:28:56.899 But recognize for what it is and recognize the dangers to it. 00:28:57.459 --> 00:28:59.199 And don't let it go too far. 00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:00.679 Don't let it ensnare you. 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:02.159 Don't let it trap you. 00:29:02.160 --> 00:29:08.220 When we romanticize the past, we resist the present work of God. 00:29:08.960 --> 00:29:12.120 So the teacher is telling us, stop wishing you were somewhere else. 00:29:12.720 --> 00:29:14.560 Stop wishing you were someone else. 00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:18.460 Stop wishing for something else. 00:29:19.320 --> 00:29:22.340 Let this moment shape you now. 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.480 James chapter 1. 00:29:23.880 --> 00:29:25.580 Just a couple of verses in James. 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:29.540 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way. 00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:32.200 By the way, this guy understood what troubles were like. 00:29:32.259 --> 00:29:33.440 He was the half-brother of Jesus. 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.980 He lived through a lot. 00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:40.639 So when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:48.159 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 00:29:48.659 --> 00:29:49.220 Verse 4. 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.700 So let it grow. 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:55.460 It has a chance to grow through endurance. 00:29:55.600 --> 00:29:56.420 So let it grow. 00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:59.759 For when your endurance is fully developed. 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:01.019 What kind of language is this? 00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:01.960 Formation. 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.480 Spiritual formation. 00:30:04.319 --> 00:30:09.559 When it's fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:16.119 Usually when you see this word perfect in the New Testament, or it might be the verb form of it, perfect. 00:30:16.460 --> 00:30:18.659 It usually means being made complete. 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.919 Being complete. 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:21.859 Because none of us are ever going to be sinless. 00:30:22.200 --> 00:30:24.179 That's where our mind goes when we think perfect. 00:30:24.579 --> 00:30:29.139 We think something is 100% without sin, without wrong, without error of any kind. 00:30:29.379 --> 00:30:33.599 That's not usually what Paul or James or whoever's writing about this means. 00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:37.220 It usually means reaching completeness in Christ. 00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:40.779 That's what spiritual formation is all about. 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:43.700 God is changing us to look more like him. 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:47.700 He's changing how we talk to look more like how Jesus would speak. 00:30:48.660 --> 00:30:53.180 He's changing where our feet would take us to where Jesus' feet would take him. 00:30:53.680 --> 00:30:58.360 We try to get there without going through the process of spiritual formation. 00:30:58.740 --> 00:31:00.180 It starts on the inside. 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.460 You can't skip ahead. 00:31:03.240 --> 00:31:05.940 Spiritual formation is slow work. 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:08.860 It goes on for decades. 00:31:09.600 --> 00:31:11.440 It goes on for lifetimes. 00:31:12.440 --> 00:31:13.440 It's a journey. 00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:16.400 It's a marathon, not a sprint. 00:31:17.120 --> 00:31:22.880 So let it grow with endurance so it can fully develop. 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:26.160 And then 2 Corinthians 3 and verse 18. 00:31:26.279 --> 00:31:27.200 Paul's writing this time. 00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:34.620 He says, the Lord, by the way, who is the Spirit, just reminding us, this is the part of God, the Trinity that we're talking about here. 00:31:34.700 --> 00:31:42.580 The Holy Spirit makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:44.519 How many of you love change? 00:31:46.000 --> 00:31:48.119 I didn't think we'd get any hands raised. 00:31:49.939 --> 00:31:51.799 I like some kinds of change. 00:31:51.939 --> 00:31:53.559 I like to change my clothes. 00:31:53.759 --> 00:31:58.480 It gets smelly if I wear the same outfit every single day. 00:31:58.480 --> 00:32:01.680 I like to change my food. 00:32:02.039 --> 00:32:07.160 I would get real bored if it was the same meal every single meal every single day. 00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:09.460 We change some things just fine. 00:32:09.660 --> 00:32:12.480 Other things we have a whole lot harder time changing. 00:32:13.819 --> 00:32:15.160 Because we're good with it. 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:16.480 Guess what? 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:18.599 God's all about change. 00:32:18.700 --> 00:32:19.660 And he's changing you. 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.980 And he's changing me. 00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:23.279 The Spirit's doing it. 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:25.259 He's all about change. 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:28.420 So if you don't like change, take it up with God. 00:32:28.779 --> 00:32:30.660 He's the one changing things, all right? 00:32:31.380 --> 00:32:35.620 The Lord, who is the Spirit, makes us more and more like him. 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.880 That's what his goal is. 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:39.039 The change is for the better. 00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:43.539 The change is from being like us into being like Jesus. 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:47.139 So this is the formation that God's doing. 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.759 What does this leave us with? 00:32:48.839 --> 00:32:49.440 This truth. 00:32:49.899 --> 00:32:53.279 Comfort feels good, but formation is good. 00:32:55.139 --> 00:33:01.659 There's an alternative to positive, Holy Spirit-driven spiritual formation in your life. 00:33:02.759 --> 00:33:04.779 And that alternative is comfortable. 00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:08.059 The alternative is just to ignore it. 00:33:09.019 --> 00:33:12.319 It's to allow other things, easier things, to form you. 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.779 Things that are more familiar. 00:33:15.299 --> 00:33:16.460 Things that are less challenging. 00:33:17.019 --> 00:33:18.200 Things that are less demanding. 00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:23.159 But that's not good for you. 00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.559 It's easy. 00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:25.359 It's comfortable. 00:33:26.279 --> 00:33:32.859 But spiritual formation by God himself, by the Holy Spirit, that's what's helpful for you. 00:33:33.159 --> 00:33:34.139 That's what's good for you. 00:33:34.440 --> 00:33:35.139 Truth number two. 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.740 And we'll be done with this one. 00:33:37.399 --> 00:33:39.779 Wisdom refuses the illusion of control. 00:33:39.899 --> 00:33:41.779 This is kind of what he's talking about in the next part. 00:33:41.779 --> 00:33:45.220 Look down at verse 11 of Ecclesiastes chapter 7. 00:33:46.339 --> 00:33:48.240 Wisdom is even better when you have money. 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:48.619 Yep. 00:33:49.119 --> 00:33:49.859 We get that. 00:33:50.099 --> 00:33:50.859 Both are a benefit. 00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:52.740 Wisdom can get you almost anything. 00:33:52.879 --> 00:33:54.599 Only wisdom can save your life. 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.940 Resources help. 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:57.379 There's no denying that. 00:33:57.819 --> 00:34:02.079 The more resources you have, theoretically, the more good you can do. 00:34:02.220 --> 00:34:03.480 Doesn't always work out that way. 00:34:03.480 --> 00:34:08.039 But in theory, resources can be very helpful. 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:11.840 So we're grateful for the resources that God allows us to have. 00:34:11.880 --> 00:34:16.000 And we don't get jealous over the resources that God hasn't allowed us to have. 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:19.920 But wisdom is far more important than the resources. 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:21.320 Both are helpful. 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:22.139 Both are good. 00:34:22.300 --> 00:34:23.920 But wisdom preserves. 00:34:25.219 --> 00:34:26.300 Then comes this. 00:34:26.360 --> 00:34:27.679 See it as the hinge here. 00:34:27.679 --> 00:34:30.539 Accept the way that God does things. 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:31.279 Verse 13. 00:34:31.779 --> 00:34:35.279 For who can straighten what he has made crooked. 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:39.299 This is the center of gravity for the children of God. 00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:44.159 Accept. 00:34:44.879 --> 00:34:45.799 Not fix. 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:47.779 We ask this of our children, don't we? 00:34:47.780 --> 00:34:55.300 When they want to argue, when they want to fight, and we know that we're doing the right thing, we just want them to accept it. 00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:57.060 Look, you don't have to understand it all. 00:34:57.120 --> 00:34:58.400 You don't have to even like it. 00:34:58.480 --> 00:35:00.400 But you just have to go along with it. 00:35:00.720 --> 00:35:03.460 Because I'm the dad or I'm the mom and I'm in charge, okay? 00:35:04.120 --> 00:35:05.380 Just accept that. 00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:10.180 And as they get to be teenagers, they want to accept less and less. 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:15.240 We can't always fix it right in the moment. 00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:18.659 They can't always control things. 00:35:19.519 --> 00:35:24.879 Let's stop talking about human kids and talk about all of us as God's kids. 00:35:26.039 --> 00:35:30.619 I'm not assuming every person in here has embraced Jesus as their Savior. 00:35:31.299 --> 00:35:36.459 I'm not assuming every person in here has made the choice to be a follower of Jesus. 00:35:37.119 --> 00:35:39.819 If you haven't, I urge you to do that today. 00:35:40.239 --> 00:35:40.759 Don't wait. 00:35:40.899 --> 00:35:42.299 Don't put it off any longer. 00:35:42.779 --> 00:35:44.019 God is calling you. 00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:46.880 He's opened the invitation up for you. 00:35:46.980 --> 00:35:49.280 For anyone, don't resist Him any longer. 00:35:49.380 --> 00:35:50.139 Just say yes. 00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:51.619 Say yes to Jesus. 00:35:53.539 --> 00:35:54.800 Look at who He is. 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:56.320 Open up the Bible. 00:35:56.440 --> 00:35:58.159 Look at Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 00:35:58.920 --> 00:36:00.460 You'll see who Jesus was. 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:04.860 If that draws you, you say, I want Him in my life. 00:36:04.900 --> 00:36:05.880 I want to follow Him. 00:36:06.719 --> 00:36:07.699 Then say yes to it. 00:36:08.039 --> 00:36:09.079 Don't put it off any longer. 00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:18.880 But for those of us who have said yes to Jesus, as imperfect followers as we are, this is the center of our universe. 00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:22.900 Acceptance for what the Holy Spirit wants to do. 00:36:22.900 --> 00:36:24.900 Not forcing it. 00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:25.920 Accepting it. 00:36:26.480 --> 00:36:27.599 Matthew chapter 16. 00:36:28.160 --> 00:36:29.760 Would you go over to Matthew chapter 16? 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:31.800 We've got it up on the screen here. 00:36:31.860 --> 00:36:33.760 Verse 21 down through 23. 00:36:34.559 --> 00:36:37.900 Jesus, for sake of time, I'm going to go ahead and read while you look. 00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:39.300 But Matthew 16, 21. 00:36:39.300 --> 00:36:43.960 Jesus began to tell His disciples plainly that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem. 00:36:44.300 --> 00:36:49.019 He would suffer many terrible things at the hand of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. 00:36:49.100 --> 00:36:50.640 Yeah, we know exactly what He suffered. 00:36:51.460 --> 00:36:56.039 Easter Sunday is coming up, and we're going to talk all about, leading up to that, how He suffered. 00:36:58.060 --> 00:37:00.000 But then He triumphed over it, didn't He? 00:37:00.680 --> 00:37:04.640 It says He would be killed, but on the third day, He would be raised from the dead. 00:37:04.680 --> 00:37:05.960 That's how we can have faith in Him. 00:37:06.440 --> 00:37:07.340 He's not dead. 00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.519 He came back to life. 00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:10.480 He won the victory over death. 00:37:11.280 --> 00:37:11.840 Verse 22. 00:37:12.000 --> 00:37:12.920 Peter took Him aside. 00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:14.340 You ready for this? 00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:24.300 Peter took Jesus, God Himself, aside and began to reprimand Jesus for saying such things. 00:37:25.659 --> 00:37:28.219 He started lecturing Jesus, y'all. 00:37:28.800 --> 00:37:31.139 Heaven forbid, Lord, he said. 00:37:31.340 --> 00:37:33.280 This will never happen to you. 00:37:33.280 --> 00:37:42.040 He thinks he's having Jesus' back and saying, Jesus, you might be having a bad day, but listen, this stuff is never going to happen to you. 00:37:42.740 --> 00:37:45.000 Jesus turned to Peter and said, get away from me, Satan. 00:37:46.100 --> 00:37:46.500 Ouch. 00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:47.880 You are a dangerous trap to me. 00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:49.960 You are a dangerous trap to me. 00:37:49.960 --> 00:37:54.739 You're seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God. 00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:57.460 Peter didn't want to accept it. 00:37:58.820 --> 00:38:00.960 Said, no, I won't hear that. 00:38:01.559 --> 00:38:02.460 I love you. 00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:04.059 I've committed my life to follow you. 00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:06.659 I see that you are the Son of God. 00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:09.480 We're not going to let that happen to you. 00:38:09.759 --> 00:38:10.380 Come on, Jesus. 00:38:10.500 --> 00:38:11.259 We got your back. 00:38:11.320 --> 00:38:12.460 Don't say that kind of stuff. 00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:18.099 He would not accept what God Himself was teaching him. 00:38:19.279 --> 00:38:22.980 So keep that perspective as we go back to Ecclesiastes 7, verse 14. 00:38:22.980 --> 00:38:25.079 Enjoy prosperity while you can. 00:38:25.440 --> 00:38:29.059 But when hard times strike, realize both come from God. 00:38:30.179 --> 00:38:34.579 Even when Jesus is saying he's going to die, that comes from God. 00:38:34.659 --> 00:38:38.440 So anything that happens in your life, don't let it pull you off course. 00:38:39.500 --> 00:38:43.440 Learn from Peter's mistake and learn to accept. 00:38:45.219 --> 00:38:51.340 So, you ever heard the old line from a country song? 00:38:51.340 --> 00:38:54.640 It says, this much I know is true. 00:38:54.780 --> 00:38:56.980 God bless the broken road that led me straight to you. 00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:58.120 Anybody ever heard that song? 00:38:59.820 --> 00:39:05.200 There's more theology in that lyric than most people probably realize when they sing through it. 00:39:05.240 --> 00:39:07.620 I think I've sung it at weddings before for people. 00:39:07.920 --> 00:39:13.440 But usually they romanticize and they skip over it. 00:39:13.680 --> 00:39:14.820 But there's a lot of truth there. 00:39:15.680 --> 00:39:18.220 Even the curviest, most crooked paths, 00:39:18.219 --> 00:39:21.759 the ones we would never knowingly choose, 00:39:22.239 --> 00:39:25.699 God can use to lead us straight to what we need. 00:39:26.099 --> 00:39:28.980 Along the way we learn to trust Him. 00:39:29.839 --> 00:39:33.279 Along those broken roads, along those curving paths, 00:39:34.039 --> 00:39:35.579 filled with trouble, 00:39:36.219 --> 00:39:37.819 we learn to trust Him. 00:39:38.519 --> 00:39:39.579 Because somehow, 00:39:40.399 --> 00:39:42.919 they get us straight to Him. 00:39:43.639 --> 00:39:45.699 They get us straight to what He wanted. 00:39:45.699 --> 00:39:47.859 And that's what Solomon learned. 00:39:48.219 --> 00:39:49.919 And that's what he's teaching us in Ecclesiastes. 00:39:50.039 --> 00:39:51.119 Not just in Ecclesiastes, 00:39:51.299 --> 00:39:52.199 also in Proverbs. 00:39:52.460 --> 00:39:53.719 Proverbs 3, 5, and 6. 00:39:53.859 --> 00:39:54.799 If you grew up in church, 00:39:54.839 --> 00:39:56.239 you probably heard this verse a time or two. 00:39:56.579 --> 00:39:58.159 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. 00:39:58.460 --> 00:40:00.079 Don't rely on your own understanding. 00:40:00.399 --> 00:40:01.699 In all your ways, 00:40:01.799 --> 00:40:02.619 know Him. 00:40:03.639 --> 00:40:04.879 Your Bible might say acknowledge. 00:40:05.019 --> 00:40:06.639 I like that it even goes a little deeper 00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:08.199 than just acknowledging God. 00:40:08.279 --> 00:40:09.059 Yeah, God, I see you. 00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:09.460 You're up there. 00:40:09.460 --> 00:40:13.380 But knowing Him in all of your ways, 00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:16.420 and then He will make your paths straight. 00:40:19.420 --> 00:40:20.980 This is the secret. 00:40:22.159 --> 00:40:24.039 So this leaves us with this truth. 00:40:24.800 --> 00:40:26.619 Surrender is not being weak. 00:40:26.860 --> 00:40:27.880 It's being wise. 00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:30.300 Surrender is not wisdom, 00:40:30.699 --> 00:40:31.500 is not weakness. 00:40:31.840 --> 00:40:32.519 It's wisdom. 00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:35.199 So accept it. 00:40:35.860 --> 00:40:36.559 Surrender it. 00:40:37.059 --> 00:40:39.820 Refuse the illusion that you're in control. 00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:42.039 Recognize what Solomon did, 00:40:42.139 --> 00:40:44.219 and be wise. 00:40:44.940 --> 00:40:48.579 Well, surrendering to this spiritual formation 00:40:48.579 --> 00:40:52.480 from the Holy Spirit leads us in a direction, 00:40:52.880 --> 00:40:54.460 not to perfection. 00:40:55.860 --> 00:40:57.920 This is the year of what, church? 00:41:00.300 --> 00:41:01.320 Yes, it is. 00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:02.860 It is the year of 2026. 00:41:03.220 --> 00:41:04.460 And in our church, 00:41:04.640 --> 00:41:07.080 we're saying this is the year of, 00:41:07.420 --> 00:41:08.180 it's on the screen. 00:41:09.039 --> 00:41:09.980 One more time together. 00:41:10.100 --> 00:41:10.280 Ready? 00:41:10.380 --> 00:41:11.260 It's the year of? 00:41:12.300 --> 00:41:14.420 Direction, not perfection. 00:41:14.680 --> 00:41:16.380 Y'all, if you want this to be a perfect year, 00:41:16.440 --> 00:41:17.019 it's not gonna happen. 00:41:17.120 --> 00:41:18.580 If you want this to be a perfect church, 00:41:18.660 --> 00:41:19.460 it's not gonna happen. 00:41:19.700 --> 00:41:21.140 If you want me to be a perfect pastor, 00:41:22.080 --> 00:41:23.140 you hit the gold mine, man. 00:41:24.460 --> 00:41:25.760 Just seeing if you were paying attention. 00:41:26.220 --> 00:41:27.720 It's never gonna happen. 00:41:27.820 --> 00:41:28.260 Trust me. 00:41:29.539 --> 00:41:30.260 And by the way, 00:41:30.260 --> 00:41:32.040 you're not gonna be the perfect people either, 00:41:32.100 --> 00:41:33.060 all right, in the church. 00:41:33.940 --> 00:41:36.500 None of us are ever going to achieve perfection, 00:41:36.500 --> 00:41:38.840 but we can continue to be formed, 00:41:39.120 --> 00:41:41.040 and that is directional language. 00:41:41.040 --> 00:41:43.080 We can be formed by the Holy Spirit. 00:41:43.260 --> 00:41:44.500 It's always forming, 00:41:44.680 --> 00:41:46.480 not always fixing. 00:41:47.160 --> 00:41:47.540 So, 00:41:48.100 --> 00:41:49.600 how do we do this? 00:41:49.800 --> 00:41:50.260 Practically, 00:41:50.360 --> 00:41:51.240 what does this look like? 00:41:51.460 --> 00:41:52.740 If you wanna write things down, 00:41:52.860 --> 00:41:54.080 write these four things down. 00:41:54.680 --> 00:41:55.340 Take them home, 00:41:55.460 --> 00:41:56.040 pray over them, 00:41:56.039 --> 00:41:57.940 let the Holy Spirit apply them or not, 00:41:58.179 --> 00:41:59.300 into your life. 00:41:59.940 --> 00:42:00.460 Number one, 00:42:00.599 --> 00:42:01.579 name what you can't control. 00:42:02.619 --> 00:42:04.539 Name what you cannot control. 00:42:04.739 --> 00:42:06.059 Say it plainly in prayer. 00:42:06.199 --> 00:42:06.440 God, 00:42:06.619 --> 00:42:08.360 I can't straighten this. 00:42:09.320 --> 00:42:10.860 You've allowed it to be crooked. 00:42:11.059 --> 00:42:12.219 I can't straighten it. 00:42:12.579 --> 00:42:14.300 Be specific about what it is. 00:42:14.440 --> 00:42:15.480 Name what you can't control. 00:42:15.619 --> 00:42:16.059 Number two, 00:42:16.219 --> 00:42:17.900 recognize nostalgia. 00:42:18.599 --> 00:42:20.400 When it creeps up in your mind, 00:42:20.480 --> 00:42:21.539 when it creeps up in your heart, 00:42:21.639 --> 00:42:22.460 in your conversation, 00:42:22.720 --> 00:42:23.400 in your thoughts, 00:42:23.720 --> 00:42:24.500 recognize it. 00:42:24.519 --> 00:42:26.320 When you catch yourself saying things like, 00:42:26.599 --> 00:42:28.340 I just wish things were like they used to be. 00:42:28.680 --> 00:42:30.940 I wish we could just go back to how it used to be. 00:42:31.480 --> 00:42:32.320 Pause and ask, 00:42:32.460 --> 00:42:34.180 what is God forming in me now? 00:42:34.579 --> 00:42:36.800 Not what was he forming in me then? 00:42:38.220 --> 00:42:39.700 I might have preferred that season, 00:42:40.240 --> 00:42:44.639 but what does he want me to take away from this season right now? 00:42:44.700 --> 00:42:44.880 So, 00:42:45.000 --> 00:42:46.900 recognize nostalgia for what it is. 00:42:46.900 --> 00:42:47.880 And then three, 00:42:48.059 --> 00:42:49.119 welcome hard truth. 00:42:50.200 --> 00:42:51.380 Ask someone you trust, 00:42:51.780 --> 00:42:55.260 is there something I need to hear that I'm not aware of right now? 00:42:56.160 --> 00:42:58.340 That's verses five and six from Ecclesiastes. 00:42:58.700 --> 00:42:59.099 Seven, 00:42:59.400 --> 00:43:00.139 lived out. 00:43:00.639 --> 00:43:01.880 Welcome hard truth. 00:43:02.700 --> 00:43:02.920 Now, 00:43:02.980 --> 00:43:04.660 if you're the one dispensing the hard truth, 00:43:04.760 --> 00:43:05.680 be gentle about it. 00:43:05.960 --> 00:43:06.559 Be kind. 00:43:06.800 --> 00:43:07.220 Be loving. 00:43:07.360 --> 00:43:08.360 Do it how Jesus would, 00:43:08.619 --> 00:43:10.200 not how your flesh wants to do it. 00:43:10.820 --> 00:43:13.740 But accept and welcome hard truth. 00:43:13.820 --> 00:43:14.480 And then number four, 00:43:14.660 --> 00:43:15.940 slow your reactions. 00:43:15.940 --> 00:43:17.340 Verse nine talks about this. 00:43:17.420 --> 00:43:18.500 Control your temper. 00:43:19.559 --> 00:43:22.119 Pause five seconds longer than you would have before. 00:43:23.159 --> 00:43:24.639 When responding this time. 00:43:25.659 --> 00:43:28.539 Formation lives in that pause. 00:43:28.539 --> 00:43:30.800 It lives in that moment. 00:43:32.460 --> 00:43:37.980 Ecclesiastes chapter seven pulls the mask off the illusion of control. 00:43:39.559 --> 00:43:40.960 We were never in control. 00:43:41.079 --> 00:43:41.559 We never were. 00:43:41.559 --> 00:43:46.920 The goal was never meant for us to fix everything in our life. 00:43:47.299 --> 00:43:50.219 It was for God to form us in this life. 00:43:51.039 --> 00:43:52.759 He's readying us for his kingdom. 00:43:53.039 --> 00:43:54.699 He's readying us for eternity. 00:43:55.259 --> 00:43:56.920 He's readying us for the future. 00:43:58.219 --> 00:44:01.659 We get the promise of a beautiful eternity with God. 00:44:02.119 --> 00:44:04.619 He's getting us ready for that right now. 00:44:04.619 --> 00:44:08.079 Let him do the formation work in you. 00:44:08.839 --> 00:44:11.199 God calls you this morning to surrender, 00:44:11.539 --> 00:44:12.179 to accept, 00:44:12.460 --> 00:44:14.699 to surrender everything under the sun 00:44:14.699 --> 00:44:17.079 to the one who lives above the sun. 00:44:17.119 --> 00:44:18.039 And that's what we've been asking 00:44:18.039 --> 00:44:21.500 every Sunday during this study of Ecclesiastes. 00:44:21.859 --> 00:44:23.279 Let's do it one more time, okay? 00:44:23.400 --> 00:44:24.839 How do we live under the sun? 00:44:25.119 --> 00:44:26.859 We look above the sun. 00:44:27.099 --> 00:44:27.539 Let's pray. 00:44:27.859 --> 00:44:30.179 God, I pray for grace for us. 00:44:30.659 --> 00:44:32.239 I pray for wisdom for us. 00:44:33.440 --> 00:44:35.819 I pray for acceptance of what you have allowed 00:44:35.819 --> 00:44:36.859 to enter our lives. 00:44:38.799 --> 00:44:40.159 I pray that we would surrender. 00:44:42.599 --> 00:44:44.119 That we would look above the sun 00:44:44.119 --> 00:44:46.039 and remind our hearts, 00:44:46.799 --> 00:44:48.219 which are so easily deceived, 00:44:48.339 --> 00:44:49.379 so easily led astray, 00:44:49.839 --> 00:44:51.239 that you are in control. 00:44:53.179 --> 00:44:54.739 What feels crooked to us 00:44:54.739 --> 00:44:56.819 might be the very tool that God is using 00:44:56.819 --> 00:44:58.139 to straighten us out. 00:45:00.179 --> 00:45:03.519 We're constantly trying to fix things. 00:45:04.980 --> 00:45:06.239 We often forget 00:45:06.239 --> 00:45:10.699 that God might be using what seems broken 00:45:10.699 --> 00:45:13.919 to form us. 00:45:16.159 --> 00:45:17.719 I pray for every heart in here. 00:45:17.799 --> 00:45:19.239 I pray for every trouble in here. 00:45:23.599 --> 00:45:24.500 Every fear, 00:45:25.699 --> 00:45:27.139 every hurt, 00:45:27.139 --> 00:45:30.059 you care about those things. 00:45:32.019 --> 00:45:33.699 Because you care so deeply, 00:45:34.019 --> 00:45:36.619 you came down and experienced it all yourself. 00:45:38.139 --> 00:45:39.379 You lived among us. 00:45:40.159 --> 00:45:41.299 You endured the loss, 00:45:41.420 --> 00:45:41.759 the hurt, 00:45:41.879 --> 00:45:42.299 the pain, 00:45:42.619 --> 00:45:43.179 the rejection, 00:45:43.379 --> 00:45:43.839 the betrayal. 00:45:44.359 --> 00:45:45.420 You endured it all. 00:45:48.879 --> 00:45:50.279 Help us to turn to you, 00:45:50.379 --> 00:45:51.480 the suffering servant, 00:45:51.659 --> 00:45:52.619 the suffering son, 00:45:52.619 --> 00:45:56.319 and remember that you were victorious 00:45:56.319 --> 00:45:57.159 over all of it. 00:45:58.159 --> 00:45:59.819 You promised us victory. 00:46:01.039 --> 00:46:02.400 But the road to victory 00:46:02.400 --> 00:46:03.440 is not always smooth. 00:46:04.659 --> 00:46:05.900 Sometimes there are seasons 00:46:05.900 --> 00:46:07.079 of parties and joy 00:46:07.079 --> 00:46:08.119 and happiness and laughter. 00:46:08.279 --> 00:46:09.279 Sometimes there are seasons 00:46:09.279 --> 00:46:10.039 of struggle. 00:46:13.159 --> 00:46:14.659 Speak to our hearts individually 00:46:14.659 --> 00:46:15.179 this morning. 00:46:15.839 --> 00:46:16.539 Be specific. 00:46:16.819 --> 00:46:17.559 Help us to name 00:46:17.559 --> 00:46:18.440 what we can't control. 00:46:18.759 --> 00:46:19.659 Recognize nostalgia 00:46:19.659 --> 00:46:20.480 when it pops up. 00:46:20.480 --> 00:46:21.780 Welcome the hard truth. 00:46:22.219 --> 00:46:23.119 Slow our reactions 00:46:23.119 --> 00:46:24.599 to be controlled by your spirit, 00:46:24.980 --> 00:46:26.039 not our flesh. 00:46:26.980 --> 00:46:28.199 It's in Jesus' name we ask it.