WEBVTT 00:00:00.260 --> 00:00:07.160 Well, it's wonderful to see you this morning, folks. Let me encourage you to turn back to that book of Ecclesiastes. 00:00:07.379 --> 00:00:15.120 Don't feel embarrassed to use the contents page of your Bible, conscious that this is a book that maybe you've never opened a Bible before 00:00:15.120 --> 00:00:20.920 and you think, what on earth were we reading there? Or maybe this is a book of the Bible where you thought, I've never actually been there before. 00:00:21.080 --> 00:00:25.740 So do whatever you can to get Ecclesiastes chapter 1 open in front of you. 00:00:25.739 --> 00:00:31.459 I'm going to do two things by way of introducing what we're going to be doing over the next little while. 00:00:31.559 --> 00:00:38.920 The first one is to light this candle, which is very hard to do when everyone's watching, really. 00:00:39.219 --> 00:00:44.519 But let me give that a shot, okay? And all will become clear in time. 00:00:44.619 --> 00:00:48.679 And as my daughter says, it will begin to smell like birthdays in here, light this candle. 00:00:49.119 --> 00:00:54.159 And the second one is to put a man's face on the screen. 00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:55.420 Now, who recognizes this man? 00:00:55.740 --> 00:00:58.100 Spock. 00:00:58.300 --> 00:00:59.640 It's Spock. That's right. 00:00:59.740 --> 00:01:02.280 The answer I was looking for was Leonard Nimoy. 00:01:03.120 --> 00:01:06.519 But he's an iconic figure to all Star Trek fans. 00:01:06.620 --> 00:01:08.439 I don't know if we have any Trekkies here. 00:01:08.540 --> 00:01:09.540 I think that's what... 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:09.900 Yeah, okay. 00:01:11.079 --> 00:01:11.900 Here we go. 00:01:13.260 --> 00:01:14.020 Here we go. 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:14.719 Right, okay. 00:01:14.799 --> 00:01:19.140 I'm not a Trekkie, but as I understand it, 00:01:19.140 --> 00:01:23.200 Spock is the guy who's aboard the Starship Enterprise. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:29.260 And he is the kind of philosopher, science guru that's aboard the spaceship. 00:01:29.599 --> 00:01:34.200 And I don't really watch Star Trek, but even I've heard of the line that he's famous for. 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:35.840 And I wonder if you've heard it. 00:01:35.840 --> 00:01:37.240 And I've also used it as well. 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:38.960 His line is, 00:01:39.079 --> 00:01:42.280 It's life, Jim, but not as we know it. 00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:43.180 Right? 00:01:43.299 --> 00:01:45.620 It's life, Jim, but not as we know it. 00:01:46.340 --> 00:01:52.340 And that's a really useful line to have in your head as we jump into this book in our Bibles called Ecclesiastes. 00:01:52.340 --> 00:02:02.740 Because the strap line of this book, the one that's going to help us as we step into it to kind of make sense of it and get our bearings is Spock's line. 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:03.180 Right? 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:07.800 It's life, Jim, but not as we know it. 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:12.640 Except what I want to do is I want to take Spock's line. 00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:14.800 I want to change it ever so slightly. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:21.520 Because the book of Ecclesiastes, this is life, Jim, and it's just as we know it. 00:02:23.300 --> 00:02:28.819 Now, this book of Ecclesiastes is part of what we call the wisdom section of our Bibles. 00:02:29.800 --> 00:02:37.240 These books that God has graciously given us to help us understand life as his created being. 00:02:37.460 --> 00:02:39.520 So think about it like this. 00:02:39.680 --> 00:02:41.240 We've got the book of Psalms. 00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:43.099 We love Psalms. 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:45.319 It's been the hymn book of the church for generations. 00:02:46.580 --> 00:02:52.000 Full of words that describe to us the highs and the lows of human emotions. 00:02:52.000 --> 00:02:54.159 Full of physical language. 00:02:55.280 --> 00:02:59.639 And they reveal to us exactly who our God is. 00:02:59.740 --> 00:03:02.180 Our unchanging and holy and good God. 00:03:02.259 --> 00:03:04.719 Despite our ups and downs of our lives, he is unchanging. 00:03:06.319 --> 00:03:07.680 And we've got the book of Proverbs. 00:03:07.860 --> 00:03:12.020 This book that's full of practical wisdom from a father to a son. 00:03:12.139 --> 00:03:15.539 Telling them, pleading with him how he should live his life. 00:03:15.539 --> 00:03:18.759 And it's kind of sealed with that strapline. 00:03:18.919 --> 00:03:22.439 That the fear of the Lord is the beginning of understanding. 00:03:22.560 --> 00:03:25.560 The fear of the Lord, acknowledging him and living your life in relation to him. 00:03:25.659 --> 00:03:27.599 That is the beginning of wisdom. 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:30.500 And then we get the book of Job. 00:03:30.500 --> 00:03:35.319 This book where we see this man who suffered terribly. 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:38.500 And this book is his kind of journey. 00:03:38.800 --> 00:03:43.340 As he kind of comes to grips with what's going on in his life. 00:03:44.020 --> 00:03:46.360 And we get words that are spoken by his friends. 00:03:46.639 --> 00:03:49.500 Full of maybe some truths, but bad words. 00:03:50.139 --> 00:03:53.599 And we find out how Job makes sense of what is going on in his life. 00:03:53.680 --> 00:03:55.840 As he suffers terribly. 00:03:55.840 --> 00:03:58.599 And then at the end as he acknowledges who God is. 00:03:59.860 --> 00:04:00.840 This good God. 00:04:01.860 --> 00:04:03.200 And then we've got the Song of Songs. 00:04:03.439 --> 00:04:06.860 If I ever get the courage, I'll preach a series on the Song of Songs. 00:04:07.060 --> 00:04:09.080 This book, this wonderful book. 00:04:09.159 --> 00:04:13.980 As we see this man and this woman who are head over heels in love with one another. 00:04:14.860 --> 00:04:18.199 And they're enjoying God's good gift of sex. 00:04:18.579 --> 00:04:22.259 As they enjoy it within the contours of their marriage. 00:04:23.019 --> 00:04:24.600 So as we bring those things together. 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:29.640 How kind of God to give us these books, these words. 00:04:30.200 --> 00:04:33.040 By which we can understand our lives. 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:35.300 And what goes on in our lives and in our world. 00:04:35.400 --> 00:04:37.780 And understand that these things will only make sense. 00:04:38.720 --> 00:04:39.960 When we live it in relation to him. 00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:42.180 Acknowledging who he is. 00:04:43.180 --> 00:04:45.360 And so here is the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:04:45.720 --> 00:04:47.939 And as one writer I read this week put it. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:51.560 This book where God offers every single one of us. 00:04:52.520 --> 00:04:53.620 A dose of realism. 00:04:53.620 --> 00:04:53.740 Realism. 00:04:54.500 --> 00:04:54.699 Okay. 00:04:55.280 --> 00:04:55.660 Realism. 00:04:55.720 --> 00:04:56.660 Not pessimism. 00:04:57.399 --> 00:04:58.319 But realism. 00:04:59.560 --> 00:05:04.819 As we see that the pains and the tears and the questions. 00:05:05.540 --> 00:05:07.220 And the head scratchings. 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:10.040 And the inevitabilities that go on in life. 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:11.040 And as we see it. 00:05:11.100 --> 00:05:13.560 It's as if God is holding up to each one of us a mirror. 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:16.259 And he holds it up to us. 00:05:16.280 --> 00:05:18.560 And he says would you have a right good look at life. 00:05:19.339 --> 00:05:19.519 Right. 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:22.060 Have a right good look at life. 00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:22.660 Do you see it. 00:05:22.939 --> 00:05:23.519 Do you see it. 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:25.220 Do you recognize it. 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:26.060 Recognize it. 00:05:26.800 --> 00:05:27.160 Great. 00:05:28.740 --> 00:05:30.259 Because that is what life is like. 00:05:31.220 --> 00:05:32.759 And particularly that is what life is like. 00:05:32.759 --> 00:05:33.920 When you try and live it. 00:05:33.920 --> 00:05:36.100 According to your own understanding. 00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:37.500 And don't live it in relation to me. 00:05:39.199 --> 00:05:40.360 And so this is a book. 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:45.420 That is going to make each and every one of us here today think. 00:05:45.420 --> 00:05:48.040 About what. 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:50.340 Why and what we are doing. 00:05:50.640 --> 00:05:51.699 With our lives. 00:05:53.780 --> 00:05:54.800 And let's be honest. 00:05:54.960 --> 00:05:57.160 We are not natural. 00:05:58.080 --> 00:05:59.060 Stoppers and thinkers. 00:05:59.240 --> 00:05:59.560 Are we. 00:06:00.819 --> 00:06:02.160 Not natural stoppers and thinkers. 00:06:02.360 --> 00:06:03.540 And we live in our world. 00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:05.980 That doesn't encourage us to stop. 00:06:06.840 --> 00:06:07.939 And to think. 00:06:08.980 --> 00:06:09.379 Okay. 00:06:09.420 --> 00:06:10.360 I grew up in school. 00:06:10.860 --> 00:06:12.120 In the 90s. 00:06:13.439 --> 00:06:13.819 Do you know what this. 00:06:13.900 --> 00:06:14.680 The soundtrack. 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:15.959 The one song. 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:17.259 That was kind of the soundtrack. 00:06:17.259 --> 00:06:18.500 Of our generation. 00:06:18.740 --> 00:06:18.879 Okay. 00:06:18.920 --> 00:06:19.740 It went like this. 00:06:20.220 --> 00:06:21.000 Mmm bop. 00:06:23.040 --> 00:06:23.400 Right. 00:06:23.900 --> 00:06:24.860 Mmm bop. 00:06:24.920 --> 00:06:26.819 And I typed it into Google lyrics this week. 00:06:26.860 --> 00:06:28.340 To see if I could find out the rest of it. 00:06:28.360 --> 00:06:29.639 And I didn't even know what to give me. 00:06:29.960 --> 00:06:30.139 It went. 00:06:30.280 --> 00:06:30.980 Mmm bop. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:32.160 Daily ad up. 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:33.100 Mmm bop. 00:06:33.840 --> 00:06:35.139 This was the soundtrack. 00:06:35.139 --> 00:06:36.639 To my childhood. 00:06:36.920 --> 00:06:37.100 Right. 00:06:37.220 --> 00:06:37.420 This. 00:06:37.519 --> 00:06:38.360 This song you know. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:40.079 That encourages us to ask the existential. 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:41.600 Deep questions of life. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:44.040 This is what it. 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:44.960 What we were singing. 00:06:45.060 --> 00:06:47.120 Everyone's running around the playground singing this song. 00:06:47.220 --> 00:06:47.640 And tell you what. 00:06:47.700 --> 00:06:49.500 Not once does somebody stop and say. 00:06:49.640 --> 00:06:50.260 Hang on a minute. 00:06:50.420 --> 00:06:51.300 Let's have a time out. 00:06:52.140 --> 00:06:53.660 What is that mmm bop? 00:06:55.700 --> 00:06:57.280 Doesn't encourage us to think. 00:06:57.360 --> 00:06:58.840 We fast forward another generation. 00:06:58.960 --> 00:07:01.000 You start having reality TV shows. 00:07:01.400 --> 00:07:01.800 Don't you? 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:04.939 Watching celebrities doing things in the jungle. 00:07:05.080 --> 00:07:09.200 We have programs that take us inside the houses of the rich and the famous. 00:07:09.200 --> 00:07:10.920 So we can see how they live their lives. 00:07:10.920 --> 00:07:12.140 And then we get programs. 00:07:12.980 --> 00:07:14.259 The reality TV ones. 00:07:14.319 --> 00:07:16.500 Like that one that's on TV right now. 00:07:16.620 --> 00:07:19.100 That goes after a bunch of people in London. 00:07:19.220 --> 00:07:21.860 And it's named after a premiership football team that play in blue. 00:07:21.920 --> 00:07:23.040 You know the one I'm talking about. 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:24.580 And if you don't. 00:07:24.920 --> 00:07:26.140 Just stay in that place. 00:07:26.259 --> 00:07:26.420 Okay. 00:07:28.800 --> 00:07:30.600 But what is it we call that friends? 00:07:30.980 --> 00:07:32.160 What is it we call that? 00:07:33.360 --> 00:07:33.759 Escapism. 00:07:35.560 --> 00:07:35.720 Unashamed. 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:37.960 We call it escapism. 00:07:38.980 --> 00:07:40.980 And then you fast forward another generation. 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:41.820 What do we have? 00:07:41.860 --> 00:07:42.900 We have social media. 00:07:43.020 --> 00:07:44.900 Which is the most ironic name ever isn't it? 00:07:44.900 --> 00:07:46.340 Because we are more disconnected. 00:07:46.860 --> 00:07:49.200 And more shallow in our relationships than we have ever been. 00:07:49.720 --> 00:07:50.320 As a people. 00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:52.140 And what do we have? 00:07:52.260 --> 00:07:52.600 Image. 00:07:52.760 --> 00:07:53.060 Image. 00:07:53.240 --> 00:07:53.540 Image. 00:07:53.720 --> 00:07:53.960 Image. 00:07:54.080 --> 00:07:54.400 Advert. 00:07:54.520 --> 00:07:54.800 Advert. 00:07:54.940 --> 00:07:55.220 Advert. 00:07:55.340 --> 00:07:55.600 Advert. 00:07:55.700 --> 00:07:56.080 Opinion. 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:56.440 Opinion. 00:07:56.440 --> 00:07:56.840 Opinion. 00:07:56.940 --> 00:07:57.300 Opinion. 00:07:57.560 --> 00:07:57.940 Words. 00:07:58.100 --> 00:07:58.340 Words. 00:07:58.500 --> 00:07:58.740 Words. 00:07:58.880 --> 00:07:59.100 Words. 00:07:59.320 --> 00:08:02.240 And if you could keep them to 140 characters that would be great. 00:08:02.480 --> 00:08:03.140 Thank you very much. 00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:07.180 She doesn't encourage us to stop and to think. 00:08:08.919 --> 00:08:11.099 Our world doesn't encourage us to do that. 00:08:11.479 --> 00:08:16.959 And here is a book where God says stop and think. 00:08:18.360 --> 00:08:20.060 About what life is all about. 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:27.339 And about what you do with the hours that God has graciously given you in the day. 00:08:27.740 --> 00:08:28.860 To stop and to think. 00:08:28.860 --> 00:08:33.300 This is a book that is probably easiest to understand. 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:34.620 Is written by Solomon. 00:08:34.800 --> 00:08:36.580 The king of Israel. 00:08:36.779 --> 00:08:40.620 It's important because this is the guy who is the wisest man around. 00:08:41.060 --> 00:08:42.419 God has been so kind to him. 00:08:42.460 --> 00:08:43.659 He asked for one thing from God. 00:08:43.980 --> 00:08:46.019 And he said can you make me a wise ruler. 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:47.300 God was pleased with that. 00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:48.000 Granted him that. 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:50.360 Here is the wisest man around at the time. 00:08:50.800 --> 00:08:52.560 And here is a man who we will see in this book. 00:08:52.960 --> 00:08:54.779 Who was never short of things. 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:56.620 Whatever his heart desired. 00:08:56.720 --> 00:08:58.360 Whatever his eyes fancied. 00:08:58.360 --> 00:08:59.220 He got it. 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:02.879 This is Solomon. 00:09:04.620 --> 00:09:05.779 And this word ecclesia. 00:09:06.560 --> 00:09:08.019 Just means gathered ones. 00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:08.539 That's what it means. 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:09.519 Just gathered ones. 00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:11.919 So the picture is of people coming to Solomon. 00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:14.860 And Solomon says would you have a seat. 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:16.659 At the end of his life. 00:09:16.940 --> 00:09:17.620 Most likely. 00:09:18.180 --> 00:09:19.860 And saying here is what I have learned in life. 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:21.840 Here is what I have learned in life. 00:09:21.840 --> 00:09:24.780 And the key word in this book. 00:09:24.860 --> 00:09:25.860 You will see it in verse 2. 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:29.500 You have God's word open in front of you there. 00:09:31.220 --> 00:09:33.620 The key word in this book is the word meaningless. 00:09:33.620 --> 00:09:38.019 Or some of your translations will say vanity. 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:40.039 Or vapor. 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:42.340 It's this phrase. 00:09:42.600 --> 00:09:44.139 The Hebrew word hevel. 00:09:45.279 --> 00:09:46.840 Uses it 38 times. 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:49.740 38 times in this book. 00:09:49.980 --> 00:09:51.519 Probably best translated. 00:09:51.779 --> 00:09:52.299 Vanity. 00:09:52.299 --> 00:09:54.159 So here is what he is saying. 00:09:54.319 --> 00:09:54.819 Vanity. 00:09:55.039 --> 00:09:55.519 Vanity. 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:57.559 All is vanity. 00:09:59.019 --> 00:10:00.019 And fittingly. 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:02.299 It's a word that is kind of hard to define. 00:10:02.419 --> 00:10:04.139 But it means that life is fleeting. 00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:05.459 Life is here today. 00:10:05.959 --> 00:10:06.959 And gone tomorrow. 00:10:07.159 --> 00:10:08.839 Life is gone before you know it. 00:10:08.879 --> 00:10:10.439 Just when you think you have sussed it. 00:10:10.639 --> 00:10:12.159 When you think you have grasped it. 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:13.699 When you think you have understood it. 00:10:13.740 --> 00:10:15.720 What happens is you try and grasp it. 00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:17.400 And it evades you. 00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.420 It evades you. 00:10:19.800 --> 00:10:21.660 And this is where my candle comes in. 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:22.500 You were thinking to yourself. 00:10:22.580 --> 00:10:23.840 When is that candle coming in? 00:10:23.920 --> 00:10:24.940 Here is when it's coming in. 00:10:24.960 --> 00:10:26.420 Because this is probably easiest. 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:27.680 As well as described. 00:10:28.060 --> 00:10:31.280 As well as it's easiest to be understood when it's seen. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:35.840 So this word is like the smoke that comes out of a candle. 00:10:35.840 --> 00:10:36.780 When you blow it out. 00:10:36.780 --> 00:10:37.520 Just watch. 00:10:37.660 --> 00:10:37.800 Right? 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:45.099 It is here one minute. 00:10:45.359 --> 00:10:46.539 And it's gone the next. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:48.019 You try and grasp that. 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:49.240 You try and get that. 00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:50.559 And put it in your back pocket. 00:10:50.639 --> 00:10:51.339 And what happens? 00:10:51.439 --> 00:10:52.219 It evades you. 00:10:52.599 --> 00:10:53.539 And before you know it. 00:10:53.579 --> 00:10:54.599 Five seconds later. 00:10:54.839 --> 00:10:55.519 It's gone. 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:57.319 This is what he means. 00:10:57.439 --> 00:10:59.479 Life is vanity. 00:10:59.719 --> 00:11:01.259 Life is vapor. 00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:02.539 And Solomon says. 00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:05.939 And God says through his word. 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:09.240 As we see life. 00:11:09.339 --> 00:11:09.979 As we know it. 00:11:10.479 --> 00:11:11.079 He says friends. 00:11:11.819 --> 00:11:13.240 What is your life all about? 00:11:15.079 --> 00:11:16.259 Now very quickly. 00:11:16.459 --> 00:11:19.339 If you come with me to the text. 00:11:19.439 --> 00:11:20.339 In the time we have remaining. 00:11:20.419 --> 00:11:21.319 Verses 2 to 11. 00:11:21.539 --> 00:11:24.079 Let me just give you a few thoughts of what we see here. 00:11:24.959 --> 00:11:27.839 Because Solomon is going to make some remarks about life. 00:11:29.079 --> 00:11:30.179 And what he says. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:33.259 If he had to give a soundtrack to this section. 00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:34.259 Solomon it would be. 00:11:34.259 --> 00:11:35.899 There is a circle of life. 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:39.039 And it rules us all. 00:11:40.199 --> 00:11:40.579 Right? 00:11:40.679 --> 00:11:42.439 But the thing about Solomon's circle. 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:43.879 Is that it's not like. 00:11:44.659 --> 00:11:45.379 Disney's circle. 00:11:45.679 --> 00:11:46.519 Disney's circle. 00:11:47.919 --> 00:11:48.879 Circle of life. 00:11:48.980 --> 00:11:49.559 That wants us. 00:11:49.759 --> 00:11:51.519 Wants to make us get out the hankies. 00:11:51.620 --> 00:11:52.259 And say to ourselves. 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:53.240 Isn't that pretty? 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:53.519 And go. 00:11:53.699 --> 00:11:54.000 Oh. 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:56.480 Solomon says. 00:11:56.579 --> 00:11:57.639 There is a circle of life. 00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:58.899 But the one I'm telling you about. 00:11:58.959 --> 00:12:00.120 Wants to pull out your hair. 00:12:00.199 --> 00:12:00.340 And go. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:00.860 Ah. 00:12:02.480 --> 00:12:03.759 This is the circle. 00:12:04.259 --> 00:12:04.960 Of life. 00:12:04.960 --> 00:12:05.600 Look what he's saying. 00:12:05.680 --> 00:12:06.639 Verses 3 and 4. 00:12:06.740 --> 00:12:08.620 Here is the circle of work. 00:12:10.200 --> 00:12:12.139 Here's the question for us all to think about. 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:14.440 In our vapor, vapor lives. 00:12:14.540 --> 00:12:15.759 What do you get from all your toil? 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:16.700 You see where I'm asking that. 00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:17.920 What do you get from all your toil? 00:12:20.180 --> 00:12:21.000 Here's his question. 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:21.860 You're busting a gut. 00:12:21.940 --> 00:12:22.920 As my dad would say. 00:12:23.040 --> 00:12:23.820 Busting a gut. 00:12:24.519 --> 00:12:25.740 Good West Coast phrase that one. 00:12:25.820 --> 00:12:25.960 Isn't it? 00:12:26.019 --> 00:12:26.620 Busting a gut. 00:12:26.740 --> 00:12:27.460 Day after day. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:28.300 Day after day. 00:12:28.420 --> 00:12:29.200 Hour after hour. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:30.600 Toil. 00:12:30.720 --> 00:12:31.040 Toil. 00:12:31.040 --> 00:12:31.080 Toil. 00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:32.500 Do you see he mentions it twice there. 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:34.019 He means physical and mental work. 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:34.519 Toil. 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:34.960 Toil. 00:12:35.019 --> 00:12:35.899 Where do you get the end of it? 00:12:37.819 --> 00:12:39.039 You come back to him and you say. 00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:40.139 Solomon I got a paycheck. 00:12:40.379 --> 00:12:40.539 Great. 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:41.439 But you'll spend it again. 00:12:42.419 --> 00:12:43.240 You get a paycheck. 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:43.919 You spend it. 00:12:43.980 --> 00:12:44.480 You go again. 00:12:44.600 --> 00:12:45.179 You get a paycheck. 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:45.879 You spend it. 00:12:45.919 --> 00:12:46.439 You go again. 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:47.139 You get your paycheck. 00:12:47.319 --> 00:12:47.759 You spend it. 00:12:47.799 --> 00:12:48.379 You go again. 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.340 And you try and save enough of it. 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:54.320 So that after 40 years of going through this cycle. 00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:55.580 You have enough to get by. 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.580 And make your life a little bit easier. 00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:59.600 When you're no longer able to physically work. 00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.540 And the thing is friends. 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:04.040 We know it's not as simple as that. 00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:05.160 Right. 00:13:05.180 --> 00:13:06.000 I'll give you an example. 00:13:06.180 --> 00:13:08.360 This is my geography teacher at school. 00:13:08.440 --> 00:13:09.680 I sat under him for three years. 00:13:09.780 --> 00:13:11.300 He was an absolute legend. 00:13:11.660 --> 00:13:11.820 Right. 00:13:11.879 --> 00:13:12.480 Mr. King. 00:13:13.320 --> 00:13:16.200 He gave the best bits of his career to our school as a teacher. 00:13:16.200 --> 00:13:19.180 And when he retired we all celebrated. 00:13:19.320 --> 00:13:20.280 We had a big service. 00:13:20.420 --> 00:13:21.060 We did it all. 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:24.940 And weeks later we heard he was around Scotland sailing in his boat. 00:13:26.040 --> 00:13:29.240 And before we knew it we heard the report that he was found dead in his boat. 00:13:29.320 --> 00:13:29.900 Just drop dead. 00:13:31.400 --> 00:13:31.660 Right. 00:13:31.920 --> 00:13:32.560 Just drop dead. 00:13:33.220 --> 00:13:34.620 And it's an absolute tragedy. 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:37.759 And we all know those things in our lives don't we? 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:39.520 Just tragedies. 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:44.879 And Solomon is saying what do you get from all your toil? 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:48.640 Isn't it interesting that gap years. 00:13:49.680 --> 00:13:49.900 Right. 00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:51.300 Try not to say it in that funny voice. 00:13:51.420 --> 00:13:51.940 Gap years. 00:13:52.900 --> 00:13:54.820 It's the done thing now. 00:13:54.920 --> 00:13:57.379 See if I was to suggest that at school I would have got a laugh down. 00:13:57.960 --> 00:14:00.680 But gap years is now what people do before they hit work. 00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.780 Have you ever asked yourself why? 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:06.340 Why do people go around the world finding themselves for a year? 00:14:07.560 --> 00:14:08.660 Well it's one of the reasons. 00:14:08.780 --> 00:14:12.879 Not because you know that you're about to step on the treadmill in 40 years of treadmill, 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.600 treadmill, treadmill, treadmill if you're lucky. 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:18.759 And you think to yourself well I'm going to have some fun before I do it. 00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:22.040 Isn't it funny that you've heard of the things called a midlife crisis. 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:23.480 That this is a real thing. 00:14:23.540 --> 00:14:24.399 And it is painful. 00:14:25.139 --> 00:14:26.860 I experienced a bit of this myself. 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:29.220 That there is no such thing as a quarter life crisis. 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.759 Generally it would not have been funny. 00:14:31.840 --> 00:14:33.320 There is a thing called a quarter life crisis. 00:14:34.259 --> 00:14:37.139 I found that I left university and I hit the workplace. 00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.639 And I hit man alive. 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.340 What is this? 00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:41.940 Is this me for the next 40 years? 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:42.480 Is this it? 00:14:44.879 --> 00:14:46.240 Friends we know these questions. 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:48.399 We know these pains. 00:14:48.600 --> 00:14:50.280 We know these struggles. 00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:51.300 Toil, toil. 00:14:51.420 --> 00:14:52.460 And there's one song put it. 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.580 Eat, sleep, work, repeat. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.840 Eat, sleep, work, repeat. 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:56.379 And round and round it goes. 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:58.500 I remember my first job as a lawyer. 00:14:59.320 --> 00:15:00.720 I was there for two years. 00:15:01.139 --> 00:15:03.000 I remember on the last day, the last Friday night. 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:04.080 Clearing out my desk. 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:05.320 Very emotional time. 00:15:05.320 --> 00:15:07.340 You got to know these people for two years in your life. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:09.920 Going for drinks afterwards. 00:15:10.020 --> 00:15:10.600 Having drinks. 00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:11.060 Tell you what. 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:12.320 See when I cleared that desk. 00:15:12.400 --> 00:15:13.160 Because I was about to leave. 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:14.440 As I shaked hands and said goodbye. 00:15:14.780 --> 00:15:17.420 I was so conscious that they were preparing that desk. 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:19.320 For the person who was coming in on the Monday morning. 00:15:20.100 --> 00:15:20.320 Right? 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:23.280 There was no plaque that said Graham Shanks used to work here. 00:15:23.620 --> 00:15:23.900 Right? 00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:25.860 They were not retiring that desk. 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:29.280 Saying we just can't handle the thought of somebody else sitting there. 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:32.820 This is what he means. 00:15:32.900 --> 00:15:33.840 Do you see what he says? 00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:35.360 Verse 4. 00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:38.000 A generation comes and a generation goes. 00:15:38.440 --> 00:15:40.700 Person, person, person, person. 00:15:41.160 --> 00:15:41.980 Revolving door. 00:15:42.180 --> 00:15:43.080 Person, person. 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.160 Generation, generation. 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:45.780 And yet, do you see the punchline? 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:48.220 The world stays the same. 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:51.019 It stays the same. 00:15:53.180 --> 00:15:54.259 And so Solomon says, 00:15:54.399 --> 00:15:57.040 What do you get from all your toil under the sun? 00:15:57.100 --> 00:16:01.280 And then we see Jesus making the exact same question to his disciples. 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:03.199 In Matthew chapter 16. 00:16:03.199 --> 00:16:04.639 The disciples are wondering, 00:16:04.759 --> 00:16:06.259 What does it mean to follow him? 00:16:08.339 --> 00:16:09.639 As Jesus lays out for him, 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:11.120 It means you taking up your cross, 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:12.620 Denying self and following me. 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:13.319 He says, 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:17.059 What will it benefit somebody if they gain the world? 00:16:18.579 --> 00:16:21.120 And yet forfeit their soul? 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:24.919 Friends, it's the circle of work. 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:28.139 And then he talks about the circle of nature. 00:16:28.399 --> 00:16:28.820 Do you see? 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:29.919 Five to seven. 00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.580 Because he's saying, 00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.460 I'm in this game. 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:31.899 But do you know what? 00:16:31.919 --> 00:16:32.440 When I look up, 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:34.379 I see nature in this game as well. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:35.220 The sun. 00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:37.820 And I don't need to give any illustrations here, 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.860 because this is so good. 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:39.580 Do you see what he says? 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.200 The sun, 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:41.980 It rises in the east, 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:43.400 And then it sets in the west. 00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.420 And I love his image. 00:16:45.480 --> 00:16:46.460 Do you see the word he uses here? 00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:47.640 Hastens. 00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:49.879 So it rises in the east, 00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:50.920 It sets in the west, 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:51.960 And the image is, 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:53.800 It legs it back to the east, 00:16:53.860 --> 00:16:54.800 And it starts again, 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:56.040 And it goes round to the west, 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:58.060 And then it legs it back to the east again. 00:16:58.800 --> 00:16:59.379 And he says, 00:16:59.420 --> 00:17:00.300 I'm just like the sun. 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.580 The sun's doing this as well. 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.700 And then he says, 00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:05.360 Even the wind is doing this. 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.380 Verse six, 00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.259 Key phrase, 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:09.079 Even it, 00:17:09.360 --> 00:17:11.900 Around and around and around it goes. 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.400 And the streams, 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.120 Or the rivers, 00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:15.000 Verse seven, 00:17:16.340 --> 00:17:18.500 They're continually pouring themselves into the sea, 00:17:20.220 --> 00:17:21.819 And yet the sea's never full. 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.640 You ever wondered that? 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:23.700 When you go to run a bath, 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.940 You turn it on, 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:27.120 You go away and do something else, 00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:27.819 You're minding something else, 00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:29.519 And you're completely forgetting your leg it back, 00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:30.579 Because I've left the bath on. 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:31.380 And what happens to the bath? 00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.080 It's overflowing. 00:17:32.560 --> 00:17:34.740 I remember wondering this when I was a child. 00:17:35.240 --> 00:17:36.780 Why doesn't the sea do that? 00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:38.440 Right? 00:17:39.120 --> 00:17:40.920 Constantly pouring in rivers into the sea. 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.700 Why is the river, 00:17:42.140 --> 00:17:42.300 Sorry, 00:17:42.380 --> 00:17:44.040 Why is the sea not overflowing? 00:17:45.820 --> 00:17:47.700 Well the answer is because water goes in, 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.680 Water goes up, 00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.540 Vaporation, 00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.400 Water comes down. 00:17:53.480 --> 00:17:54.260 And water goes in, 00:17:55.100 --> 00:17:55.760 Water goes up, 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:57.200 And water goes down. 00:17:57.840 --> 00:17:59.880 And the thing about the sun, 00:18:00.080 --> 00:18:00.840 The wind and the sea, 00:18:00.839 --> 00:18:01.799 Do you see how he says, 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:02.939 They have been doing this, 00:18:03.319 --> 00:18:04.980 Ever since the creation of the world. 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.859 It's the cycle of nature, 00:18:08.980 --> 00:18:10.679 And then he goes to the cycle of history, 00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.039 To close, 00:18:12.139 --> 00:18:13.199 That's verse 8 to 11. 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:16.240 Because what is living in this world like? 00:18:16.299 --> 00:18:18.059 Do you see him use the word at verse 8? 00:18:18.100 --> 00:18:19.620 And this is so key we see this. 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:22.400 He uses the word weediness. 00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:24.980 Okay? 00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:25.740 Just, 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.240 It's tiring. 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:32.339 Many of us will know that the pain of that right now. 00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:32.759 You know, 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.700 It came to Friday night, 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.400 Alex night, 00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:36.720 And we were sleeping at 10 o'clock, 00:18:36.799 --> 00:18:38.319 Could have easily been half past 8. 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.519 Just shattered. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.859 It's just tiring, 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:42.220 Isn't it? 00:18:42.220 --> 00:18:43.000 Living in this world. 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:44.980 How often when people ask you how you are doing, 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.240 They reply one of three things. 00:18:46.339 --> 00:18:46.640 Fine, 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.319 Busy, 00:18:47.380 --> 00:18:48.220 And what's the third one? 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.839 I'm tired. 00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.900 And they're not lying. 00:18:51.240 --> 00:18:52.019 They're tired. 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:54.660 It's just tiring living in this world, 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.859 Running from thing to thing. 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:59.160 I'd used two phrases to describe my week this week, 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:00.079 My days. 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:02.079 I described one as chasing my tail, 00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:04.519 And I described one as running around like a headless chicken. 00:19:06.819 --> 00:19:08.420 But we know the pain of this. 00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:12.059 And we know that this is what life is like under the sun. 00:19:13.579 --> 00:19:14.619 And then the kicker, 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:17.900 Is despite all our running around and busyness, 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:20.519 Solomon is saying as human beings, 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:22.859 We're really not making any progress. 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:26.180 And that's what he means when he says, 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:27.539 There's nothing new under the sun. 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.660 There's nothing new under the sun. 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:30.500 I think he's, 00:19:30.900 --> 00:19:31.079 You know, 00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:32.019 If he was alive today, 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.139 And he could see our world, 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:34.000 And he could see, 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:35.160 You know, 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:35.960 The iPhone 8, 00:19:36.019 --> 00:19:37.299 Or he could see the x-ray machines, 00:19:37.400 --> 00:19:39.319 Or he could see contactless payments, 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:39.720 He would say, 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.079 Do you know what? 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:41.740 Can I take it back? 00:19:41.940 --> 00:19:44.660 Can I have the original manuscript back in the Hebrew, 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.579 And I'll change it, 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:45.839 Okay? 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:47.200 Because there is something new under the sun. 00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.039 He wouldn't say that, 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:49.759 Because he's not talking about technology. 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:52.180 What he's talking about, 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.920 I think, 00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:56.619 Is the matter of the heart, 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.980 The human heart. 00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:02.639 And why is it that some of our greatest inventions, 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:05.440 As human beings, 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:05.759 Right? 00:20:05.819 --> 00:20:06.740 Made to be creative, 00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:07.579 Made in God's image, 00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:09.799 Why is it some of our greatest inventions, 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:13.599 Are also the means of the greatest evil in our world? 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.619 Have you thought about it? 00:20:14.619 --> 00:20:17.839 Let's take the internet, 00:20:18.059 --> 00:20:18.699 For example, 00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:20.839 This invention, 00:20:21.119 --> 00:20:21.339 Right? 00:20:21.679 --> 00:20:22.439 Still remember, 00:20:22.659 --> 00:20:24.539 The first time dad came home with a computer, 00:20:25.279 --> 00:20:25.500 Right? 00:20:25.539 --> 00:20:26.059 And we did that, 00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:26.939 The modem thing, 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:28.479 You know the one? 00:20:29.199 --> 00:20:30.579 Wonderful invention of the internet, 00:20:30.699 --> 00:20:32.479 Opened up possibilities, 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:34.639 Opened up channels of communication, 00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.779 That you could speak to people, 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.919 The other side of the world, 00:20:36.979 --> 00:20:37.879 And they will speak back, 00:20:38.099 --> 00:20:39.019 Pretty much instantly. 00:20:40.779 --> 00:20:41.139 Opportunities, 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.919 Information, 00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:43.160 What a wonderful invention, 00:20:43.300 --> 00:20:44.160 But why is it, 00:20:45.640 --> 00:20:46.220 That the great, 00:20:46.300 --> 00:20:47.539 One of the greatest inventions, 00:20:47.860 --> 00:20:49.039 Certainly in my lifetime, 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:52.080 Has also seen the rapid rise, 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:53.200 Of online pornography, 00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.740 Enslaving people, 00:20:57.060 --> 00:20:59.140 A platform where people get addicted to gambling, 00:21:00.560 --> 00:21:02.060 Indecent images of children, 00:21:02.840 --> 00:21:03.660 Cyber bullying, 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.300 Financial fraud, 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.880 And people trafficking, 00:21:07.019 --> 00:21:07.700 Just to name a few, 00:21:07.779 --> 00:21:08.940 You know I heard a stat the other day, 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:11.100 That said there are more slaves alive today, 00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:12.279 Than there were, 00:21:12.279 --> 00:21:14.059 In William Wilberforce's day, 00:21:14.939 --> 00:21:16.119 And have you ever asked yourself, 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.539 Why? 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:19.399 Why does that happen? 00:21:19.439 --> 00:21:20.799 And we hear phrases in our world, 00:21:20.879 --> 00:21:23.199 Like I can't believe this still happens in 2019, 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.659 And we know what they're saying, 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:24.980 Okay? 00:21:25.399 --> 00:21:26.419 But behind that, 00:21:26.899 --> 00:21:28.659 Is an idea that as a society, 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.459 And as human beings, 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:30.339 We are progressing, 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:33.439 And C.S. Lewis would call that, 00:21:33.659 --> 00:21:34.559 He uses the phrase, 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:36.119 Chronological snobbery, 00:21:36.219 --> 00:21:37.980 That just because we live in the west, 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.719 In 2019, 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:40.660 That we think we're the most civilised, 00:21:40.900 --> 00:21:42.100 People who have ever existed, 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:46.039 And yet why is it the stats are telling us different? 00:21:48.620 --> 00:21:49.279 Solomon's saying, 00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:51.640 That it is because there is nothing new under the sun, 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:53.220 That technology may be advancing, 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:54.279 But the human heart, 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:56.000 It isn't. 00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:58.839 That the wrapping may be different, 00:21:58.960 --> 00:22:01.400 But the problems are fundamentally the same, 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.539 And then he says, 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:04.180 And years from now, 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:05.819 No one will remember you. 00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.259 Right? 00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:10.359 Isn't that strange in a world that says, 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:12.879 And I've been to enough funerals in my time, 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:14.859 To have heard it at the occasional one, 00:22:14.920 --> 00:22:16.240 That we are like a snowflake, 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:18.980 That we will never be forgotten, 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:20.599 Because our names will be in the stars, 00:22:20.899 --> 00:22:23.200 And we'll be history makers, 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:25.120 And yet, 00:22:25.360 --> 00:22:26.940 I suspect few of us here today, 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.480 Would know the names of our great, 00:22:28.600 --> 00:22:28.799 Great, 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.700 Great grandparents, 00:22:30.840 --> 00:22:32.580 Unless they've done something spectacular, 00:22:33.039 --> 00:22:33.660 In history. 00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.319 And friends, 00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:36.259 What does that tell me? 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.600 It tells me that, 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:39.980 Chloe and Grace, 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.680 My little girls, 00:22:40.779 --> 00:22:42.460 Give it a few generations after them, 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:44.180 No one's going to remember me, 00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:46.400 No one's going to remember me, 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.920 And so Solomon says, 00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:50.400 Stop, 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.840 And just think about life, 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:55.180 What is it you're doing, 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.019 With your time? 00:22:57.840 --> 00:22:59.059 God holds up to us in the mirror, 00:22:59.140 --> 00:22:59.539 And he says, 00:22:59.620 --> 00:23:00.660 There's life as you know it. 00:23:02.080 --> 00:23:02.420 Vanity, 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:02.819 Vanity, 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.360 Says the preacher. 00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.039 And the thing is, 00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:04.240 Friends, 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.840 Painfully, 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.120 Right, 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:06.920 We all know the reality, 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.840 What he's talking about. 00:23:09.620 --> 00:23:10.080 You know, 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:12.180 Leonard Nimoy died back in 2015, 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.240 At the age of 83, 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.420 And he tweeted, 00:23:15.580 --> 00:23:16.940 In the final few days of his life, 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:19.480 The guy with millions of fans, 00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:20.400 The guy who I'm sure, 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.279 Has lived every, 00:23:21.279 --> 00:23:23.779 Every actor's dream, 00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:25.460 To be in something as successful as that, 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.720 The guy with plenty of money, 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.359 And contacts, 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:28.859 The final tweet that he sent, 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.920 Days before he died, 00:23:30.240 --> 00:23:31.000 Went like this, 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:31.619 It went, 00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:33.859 A life is like a garden, 00:23:34.700 --> 00:23:36.940 Perfect moments can be had, 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.619 But not preserved, 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:40.039 Except in memory, 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:42.940 Now cryptic as that is, 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:45.339 It seems to me that, 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:46.819 This guy is saying, 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.460 That do you know what, 00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:48.319 At the end of it all, 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:49.839 Life is vapor, 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:52.059 I can't preserve it, 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.379 I can't grasp it, 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.139 And put it in my pockets, 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.819 I can't take it with me, 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:57.180 It's here today, 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.599 And gone tomorrow, 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:58.960 It's, 00:23:59.339 --> 00:24:00.339 It's something when you think, 00:24:00.399 --> 00:24:01.139 You've got it grasped, 00:24:01.159 --> 00:24:01.859 When you've got it figured, 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:02.379 It eludes you, 00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:03.480 You can't catch it, 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.720 And what he is saying, 00:24:04.799 --> 00:24:06.440 Is what Solomon is saying here, 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.660 That there is a circle of life, 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:11.140 And it rules us all, 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:14.140 And God says, 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:15.160 Would you stop and think, 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:16.579 Now you say to yourself friends, 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:18.799 Where is the hope in this? 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:23.039 I came to church to be cheered up this morning, 00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:25.019 Where is the hope in this? 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.400 But the truth is, 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:30.279 We need to just sit in this for a minute, 00:24:31.880 --> 00:24:32.180 Because, 00:24:32.180 --> 00:24:34.880 And I'm doing this preaching right now, 00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:36.259 I just want to run out that door, 00:24:36.360 --> 00:24:37.980 And just talk about the football tomorrow, 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.600 Yesterday, 00:24:38.820 --> 00:24:39.000 Okay? 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:40.580 I just want to forget this, 00:24:40.660 --> 00:24:40.820 But, 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.060 He is saying, 00:24:42.140 --> 00:24:42.880 Would you stop, 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:44.400 Would you think about life? 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.539 What are you doing with your hours? 00:24:48.560 --> 00:24:49.299 But the thing is, 00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:50.720 There is hope in this passage, 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:54.759 There is hope, 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:58.279 Because when Solomon says, 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.500 That this is what life is like, 00:24:59.560 --> 00:25:00.140 And you'll see it, 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.640 And use this phrase twice here, 00:25:01.640 --> 00:25:02.240 In these verses, 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.480 That this is what life is like, 00:25:03.520 --> 00:25:04.259 Under the sun, 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:06.560 Under the sun, 00:25:06.860 --> 00:25:08.640 It's implicit, 00:25:09.340 --> 00:25:10.600 That he's urging us, 00:25:10.700 --> 00:25:11.120 To look, 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.480 Above the sun, 00:25:13.780 --> 00:25:15.140 This is what the book's all about, 00:25:15.840 --> 00:25:17.240 You live your life without God, 00:25:17.300 --> 00:25:18.120 Here's what it's like, 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.960 And being a Christian, 00:25:21.020 --> 00:25:22.240 Doesn't take us out of this, 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:23.680 But I tell you what, 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.780 It tells us about a saviour, 00:25:24.820 --> 00:25:25.720 Who came into this, 00:25:25.720 --> 00:25:28.259 And here is what this tells us, 00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:30.059 That the answer to our, 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.500 Hevel, 00:25:30.600 --> 00:25:30.940 Hevel, 00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:31.720 Our vanity, 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.120 Vanity, 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.000 Is to be found, 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.640 In looking to our creator, 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.519 Right, 00:25:35.579 --> 00:25:36.440 This is what the kids talk, 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:37.079 Was about earlier, 00:25:37.140 --> 00:25:37.440 Wasn't it? 00:25:37.440 --> 00:25:38.240 The one who's given us, 00:25:38.319 --> 00:25:39.460 The instructions, 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.500 The one who's said, 00:25:40.600 --> 00:25:40.740 I, 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:42.460 I love you, 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:44.200 The one who's crafted the sun, 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:46.000 The one who controls the seas, 00:25:46.120 --> 00:25:46.740 The one who, 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:48.720 Carved the wind, 00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:49.700 And makes it function, 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:51.400 The one who made us in his image, 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:52.539 And the thing is, 00:25:52.579 --> 00:25:53.779 The one above the sun, 00:25:54.620 --> 00:25:55.259 Our creator, 00:25:55.380 --> 00:25:56.339 Doesn't sit there, 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:58.059 And look on and mock us, 00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.720 He doesn't laugh at us, 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.079 Thinking, 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:01.680 What on earth are they doing? 00:26:04.759 --> 00:26:05.819 The story is, 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:07.960 That God the sun, 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:10.319 Stepped into our, 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:11.939 Under the sun existence, 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:14.079 He stepped down, 00:26:14.559 --> 00:26:15.639 He humbled himself, 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.619 In the person of, 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:18.059 Of Jesus, 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.439 And what does Jesus say, 00:26:19.559 --> 00:26:20.359 Of himself, 00:26:20.480 --> 00:26:22.000 As we read them in the gospels, 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:22.519 That one, 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:23.460 Greater, 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.759 Than Solomon, 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.980 Is here, 00:26:27.740 --> 00:26:28.480 As if to say, 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.579 There is a greater, 00:26:30.179 --> 00:26:31.279 Wisdom here, 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:32.859 And it's found, 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.500 In me, 00:26:34.879 --> 00:26:35.939 And we see him, 00:26:35.939 --> 00:26:36.839 And I think this is my, 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:39.119 My favourite appeal of Jesus, 00:26:39.299 --> 00:26:40.240 As we read about him, 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.279 In the gospels, 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:43.000 The one that he makes, 00:26:43.200 --> 00:26:43.940 And you can't, 00:26:43.980 --> 00:26:45.120 But picture him here, 00:26:45.279 --> 00:26:46.180 Doing anything else, 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:47.099 But holding his hands, 00:26:47.180 --> 00:26:48.059 Wide open, 00:26:48.839 --> 00:26:49.660 To a vanity, 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.519 Vanity world, 00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:51.819 Of people running around, 00:26:52.000 --> 00:26:53.220 Wondering what it's all about, 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.259 Who are burdened, 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.339 Who are weary, 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.200 And who are tired, 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.980 He says this, 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:58.279 In Matthew chapter 11, 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.039 And here, 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:01.160 Hear the appeal, 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.559 He says, 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.599 Come to me, 00:27:03.220 --> 00:27:05.179 All who labour, 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:06.339 Right, 00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:06.799 Work, 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.359 Toil, 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.299 All who labour, 00:27:08.440 --> 00:27:09.379 And are heavy laden, 00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:12.659 And I will give you rest, 00:27:13.159 --> 00:27:16.039 You see him go on, 00:27:16.099 --> 00:27:18.119 Take my yoke upon me, 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:21.220 And learn from me, 00:27:21.339 --> 00:27:22.099 It's one of the, 00:27:22.099 --> 00:27:23.419 Most wonderful pictures, 00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:23.959 Of what it means, 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:25.019 To be a disciple, 00:27:25.019 --> 00:27:25.939 Of Jesus, 00:27:26.939 --> 00:27:28.459 It's to be a Christ, 00:27:28.719 --> 00:27:29.419 Learner, 00:27:30.159 --> 00:27:32.259 To come to him, 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:33.139 And to say, 00:27:33.219 --> 00:27:33.480 Lord, 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:35.339 I do not have the answers, 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:37.939 I am a sinful being, 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:39.199 I feel the weight, 00:27:39.480 --> 00:27:40.219 And the pain, 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:42.000 Of living in this broken world, 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.819 And Jesus, 00:27:43.679 --> 00:27:44.379 Approaches, 00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:45.519 Full of love, 00:27:45.619 --> 00:27:46.339 And grace, 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.159 And says, 00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:47.740 Child, 00:27:47.900 --> 00:27:48.880 Would you trust me, 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:51.160 And would you let me, 00:27:51.480 --> 00:27:52.099 Teach you, 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:54.599 Teach you about you, 00:27:55.359 --> 00:27:56.859 And teach you about, 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.720 Me, 00:27:58.839 --> 00:28:00.559 Teach you about the world, 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.980 In which you live, 00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:03.359 And let me, 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.299 Tell you, 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:07.039 About your purpose in life, 00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:10.000 And the promise from Jesus, 00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:10.680 Do you see, 00:28:10.799 --> 00:28:11.779 As he ends it here, 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:13.279 For I am gentle, 00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:14.680 And lowly in heart, 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:16.579 And what is the promise, 00:28:16.680 --> 00:28:17.559 And this is a promise, 00:28:17.559 --> 00:28:18.079 Isn't it, 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:19.839 And you will find rest, 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:21.339 For your souls, 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.839 For my yoke is easy, 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:27.079 And my burden is light, 00:28:27.139 --> 00:28:28.200 There is the appeal, 00:28:28.659 --> 00:28:29.419 From heaven, 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:30.839 From above the sun, 00:28:31.419 --> 00:28:31.859 This morning, 00:28:31.919 --> 00:28:32.259 And of course, 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.659 Jesus makes this appeal, 00:28:34.679 --> 00:28:35.859 As one who rules, 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.419 And reigns above the sun, 00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:39.179 Who is at God's right hand, 00:28:39.179 --> 00:28:39.700 In heaven, 00:28:39.799 --> 00:28:40.519 Having dealt, 00:28:41.139 --> 00:28:42.240 With the full weight, 00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:43.220 Of our sin, 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.519 On the cross, 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.720 Making a way, 00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:47.079 For us to have access, 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:48.460 To our holy, 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:49.039 Holy, 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.019 Holy God, 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:51.079 And call him what, 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.299 Call him father, 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.900 And I'll just call him that, 00:28:56.440 --> 00:28:58.519 But know him as father, 00:28:59.180 --> 00:29:00.519 And to find our identity, 00:29:00.519 --> 00:29:01.339 In him, 00:29:01.339 --> 00:29:04.939 And one of my favourite hymns, 00:29:04.980 --> 00:29:06.059 And we'll close with this, 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:06.259 Okay, 00:29:06.259 --> 00:29:07.159 One of my favourite hymns, 00:29:07.199 --> 00:29:08.099 I remember growing up singing, 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.659 Was the, 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:10.659 The one written by, 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:12.159 Horatius Bonar, 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:13.639 And, 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:15.000 It went like this, 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:17.099 And let's just close with these words, 00:29:17.159 --> 00:29:18.019 And I haven't got them on the screen, 00:29:18.119 --> 00:29:19.119 So just listen to them, 00:29:19.119 --> 00:29:23.099 And I think he's writing from his own experience here, 00:29:23.139 --> 00:29:25.559 About what he felt when he came to Jesus, 00:29:25.699 --> 00:29:26.279 He wrote this, 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:29.259 I heard the voice of Jesus say, 00:29:29.739 --> 00:29:32.019 Come unto me and rest, 00:29:32.939 --> 00:29:35.019 Lay down thou weary one, 00:29:35.159 --> 00:29:38.099 Lay down thy head upon my breast, 00:29:38.879 --> 00:29:41.459 I came to Jesus as I was, 00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:43.799 Weary and worn and sad, 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:47.159 And I found in him a resting place, 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:49.900 And he has made me glad, 00:29:51.900 --> 00:29:52.080 Friends, 00:29:52.120 --> 00:29:52.720 Why don't we pray, 00:29:53.860 --> 00:29:55.960 And just before I do that, 00:29:55.980 --> 00:29:56.840 I just want to give you maybe, 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:58.820 A minute or so, 00:29:59.240 --> 00:30:00.660 Maybe just to gather your thoughts, 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:04.420 And maybe to invite you to bring your own prayers, 00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.540 To God this morning, 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:11.779 And so Lord, 00:30:11.820 --> 00:30:12.960 We want to acknowledge, 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:15.920 Father, 00:30:15.920 --> 00:30:18.759 Just the weight of your word this morning, 00:30:19.460 --> 00:30:21.259 And we want to ask, 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:21.600 Father, 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.680 That you would help us, 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:24.600 In all the busyness of life, 00:30:25.420 --> 00:30:27.460 To stop and to think, 00:30:28.039 --> 00:30:28.740 Thank you, 00:30:28.840 --> 00:30:28.980 Father, 00:30:29.060 --> 00:30:30.200 That you love us enough, 00:30:30.820 --> 00:30:32.140 To speak to us, 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.240 Thank you, 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.200 That you are not a God, 00:30:34.300 --> 00:30:35.340 Who stays far away, 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.060 But you are a God, 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:37.019 Who has come near, 00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:38.320 And revealed yourself, 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:40.200 In the Bible as we have it, 00:30:40.300 --> 00:30:42.100 And perfectly in your son, 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:42.480 Jesus, 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:44.440 And thank you, 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:45.420 That in him, 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:46.839 We see one, 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.400 Who said, 00:30:47.559 --> 00:30:48.259 Come to me, 00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:49.339 All you who are weary, 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.440 And heavy burdened, 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:51.880 And Lord, 00:30:51.900 --> 00:30:52.360 We acknowledge, 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.319 That many of us here, 00:30:53.380 --> 00:30:53.839 This morning, 00:30:53.940 --> 00:30:54.440 Are burdened, 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.839 And weary, 00:30:56.960 --> 00:30:57.920 And feeling the weight, 00:30:57.960 --> 00:30:58.579 Of living, 00:30:59.259 --> 00:30:59.519 Lord, 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.720 In this broken world, 00:31:00.860 --> 00:31:01.440 And so Lord, 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.460 It's our prayer, 00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:03.360 Knowing the, 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:05.359 Proneness of our own hearts, 00:31:05.419 --> 00:31:06.219 To wander, 00:31:07.759 --> 00:31:09.039 And to get distracted, 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:09.479 Father, 00:31:09.539 --> 00:31:10.199 It's our prayer, 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:11.059 That you would help us, 00:31:11.139 --> 00:31:12.039 By your spirit, 00:31:13.079 --> 00:31:14.899 To fix our eyes, 00:31:15.479 --> 00:31:17.740 And find our identity, 00:31:17.740 --> 00:31:19.619 In your son, 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.099 Jesus, 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.979 And so Lord, 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:22.839 We make this prayer, 00:31:23.019 --> 00:31:23.799 In his precious, 00:31:23.979 --> 00:31:24.740 And worthy name, 00:31:25.479 --> 00:31:25.979 Amen.