WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.339 And we're going to go now to God's words. 00:00:03.320 --> 00:00:05.580 We're going to listen to the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:00:06.339 --> 00:00:07.719 I don't know what you think. 00:00:08.599 --> 00:00:11.200 Actually, for preachers, maybe it's a hard book. 00:00:11.259 --> 00:00:15.140 But actually, for you in a congregation, Ecclesiastes is great, right? 00:00:15.200 --> 00:00:21.320 Sometimes you read a book about prophets and kings and, you know, what does this have to do with me? 00:00:21.440 --> 00:00:26.480 But now here's a book that says, you know, life is frustrating and actually that relates to us. 00:00:26.480 --> 00:00:30.940 So what we're going to do in a moment, Anastasia is going to read. 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:37.000 The preacher is going to go on a quest for the meaning of life. 00:00:37.539 --> 00:00:39.659 I think that's what we all want, right? 00:00:39.840 --> 00:00:42.100 Everyone is looking for meaning. 00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:44.039 Where can I find happiness? 00:00:44.640 --> 00:00:46.120 Where can I find meaning? 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:48.280 Where can I find gain? 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:55.280 That's after I've done all this stuff, you know, here's something lasting, something, yeah, that's worth living for. 00:00:55.280 --> 00:00:59.520 So many books, movies, that's what they're all exploring. 00:01:00.380 --> 00:01:01.700 I mean, why are there so many books? 00:01:01.760 --> 00:01:02.620 It's not easy, right? 00:01:02.800 --> 00:01:03.900 Where can we find it? 00:01:04.460 --> 00:01:06.200 Well, we're going to listen to God's words. 00:01:06.500 --> 00:01:10.420 I'm going to pray and then Anastasia will read from Ecclesiastes. 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:13.500 And let's see where the preacher can find meaning. 00:01:14.180 --> 00:01:15.000 But let's pray. 00:01:15.319 --> 00:01:17.780 Father, yeah, we come before you. 00:01:18.799 --> 00:01:20.980 Thank you that you are speaking, God. 00:01:21.680 --> 00:01:23.340 We pray that you would speak to us now. 00:01:23.439 --> 00:01:24.660 We need to hear from you. 00:01:25.219 --> 00:01:26.340 We need your help. 00:01:26.800 --> 00:01:29.079 We are not worthy to hear from you, of course. 00:01:29.460 --> 00:01:30.219 I'm not worthy. 00:01:30.340 --> 00:01:33.300 But you, in your grace, want to speak to our hearts. 00:01:33.380 --> 00:01:34.200 So please do that. 00:01:34.780 --> 00:01:36.939 Honor your son, Jesus, as we look to him. 00:01:37.280 --> 00:01:38.240 In Jesus' name. 00:01:38.580 --> 00:01:38.859 Amen. 00:01:38.859 --> 00:01:38.980 Amen. 00:01:38.980 --> 00:01:51.320 The scripture reading today comes from the book of Ecclesiastes, chapters 1 and 2. 00:01:51.880 --> 00:01:56.260 Please follow along on the bulletin, on the screen, or on your own Bible. 00:01:57.700 --> 00:02:00.620 Starting in chapter 1, verse 12, we read, 00:02:00.620 --> 00:02:30.400 What is crooked? 00:02:30.400 --> 00:02:31.620 What is crooked cannot be made straight. 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:34.719 And what is lacking cannot be counted. 00:02:35.800 --> 00:02:37.159 I said in my heart, 00:02:37.580 --> 00:02:43.080 I have acquired great wisdom, surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me. 00:02:43.620 --> 00:02:47.080 And my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. 00:02:48.219 --> 00:02:52.719 And I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. 00:02:53.680 --> 00:02:57.860 I perceived that this also is but a striving after win. 00:02:57.860 --> 00:03:01.800 For in much wisdom is much fixation. 00:03:02.720 --> 00:03:05.820 And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. 00:03:06.780 --> 00:03:08.360 I said in my heart, 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:11.780 Come now, I will test you with pleasure. 00:03:12.580 --> 00:03:13.440 Enjoy yourself. 00:03:14.420 --> 00:03:18.240 But behold, this also was vanity. 00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:20.860 I said of laughter, 00:03:20.860 --> 00:03:22.120 It is man. 00:03:22.920 --> 00:03:23.800 And of pleasure, 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:25.580 What use is it? 00:03:26.719 --> 00:03:28.360 I searched with my heart 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:30.860 How to cheer my body with wine. 00:03:31.460 --> 00:03:33.760 My heart still guiding me with wisdom 00:03:33.760 --> 00:03:36.060 And how to lay hold on folly 00:03:36.060 --> 00:03:39.320 Till I might see what was good for the children of man 00:03:39.320 --> 00:03:42.939 To do under heaven during the few days of their lives. 00:03:42.939 --> 00:03:45.300 I made great works. 00:03:45.579 --> 00:03:48.199 I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:50.740 I made myself gardens and parks 00:03:50.740 --> 00:03:53.439 And planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:55.400 I made myself poobles 00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:58.280 From which walked to water the forests of growing trees. 00:03:59.039 --> 00:04:00.840 I bought male and female slaves 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:03.120 And had slaves who were born in my house. 00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:07.379 I had also great possessions of herds and flocks 00:04:07.379 --> 00:04:10.539 More than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. 00:04:10.539 --> 00:04:14.199 I also gathered for myself silver and gold 00:04:14.199 --> 00:04:16.599 And the treasure of kings and provinces. 00:04:17.319 --> 00:04:20.839 I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:22.860 The delight of the sons of men. 00:04:23.800 --> 00:04:28.000 So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. 00:04:29.180 --> 00:04:31.180 Also, my wisdom remained with me. 00:04:31.899 --> 00:04:35.240 And whatever my eyes desired, I did not keep from them. 00:04:36.100 --> 00:04:38.219 I kept my heart from no pleasure. 00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:41.540 For my heart found pleasure in all my toil. 00:04:42.140 --> 00:04:44.720 And this was my reward for all my toil. 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:48.880 Then I considered all that my hands had done 00:04:48.880 --> 00:04:51.980 And the toil I had expended in doing it. 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:55.740 And behold, all was vanity 00:04:55.740 --> 00:04:57.640 And a striving after win. 00:04:58.340 --> 00:05:00.960 And there was nothing to be gained under the sun. 00:05:00.959 --> 00:05:05.419 So I turned to consider wisdom and madness and folly. 00:05:06.099 --> 00:05:08.859 For what can the man do who come after the king? 00:05:09.680 --> 00:05:11.339 Only what has already been done. 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:15.839 Then I saw that there is more gain in wisdom than in folly, 00:05:16.419 --> 00:05:18.899 As there is more gain in light than in darkness. 00:05:20.060 --> 00:05:23.159 The wise person has his eyes in his head, 00:05:23.699 --> 00:05:25.839 But the fool walks in darkness. 00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:31.279 And yet I perceived that the same event happens to all of them. 00:05:32.399 --> 00:05:33.799 Then I said in my heart, 00:05:34.159 --> 00:05:37.739 What happens to the fool will happen to me also. 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:40.979 Why then have I been so very wise? 00:05:40.980 --> 00:05:43.800 And I said in my heart, 00:05:44.400 --> 00:05:46.900 That this also is vanity. 00:05:48.040 --> 00:05:50.480 For of the wise, as of the fool, 00:05:50.680 --> 00:05:52.379 There is no enduring remembrance, 00:05:52.840 --> 00:05:54.740 Seeing that in the days to come, 00:05:54.939 --> 00:05:56.720 All will have been long forgotten. 00:05:57.819 --> 00:05:59.980 How the wise dies just like the fool. 00:06:01.140 --> 00:06:02.420 So I hated life, 00:06:02.740 --> 00:06:04.620 Because what is done under the sun 00:06:04.620 --> 00:06:05.800 Was grievous to me. 00:06:06.500 --> 00:06:08.180 For all is vanity, 00:06:08.780 --> 00:06:10.020 And a striving after win. 00:06:10.019 --> 00:06:13.339 I hated all my toil, 00:06:13.620 --> 00:06:15.240 In which I toil under the sun, 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:17.919 Seeing that I must leave it 00:06:17.919 --> 00:06:19.919 To the man who will come after me. 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:23.359 And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool. 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:26.819 Yet he will be a master of all, 00:06:27.279 --> 00:06:30.259 For which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:33.719 This also is vanity. 00:06:34.959 --> 00:06:37.740 So I turned about and gave my heart up 00:06:37.740 --> 00:06:41.280 To despair over all the toil of my labors under the sun. 00:06:41.279 --> 00:06:43.199 Because sometimes, 00:06:43.539 --> 00:06:46.439 A person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill, 00:06:47.059 --> 00:06:49.799 Must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone, 00:06:49.959 --> 00:06:51.319 Who did not toil for it. 00:06:52.399 --> 00:06:54.919 This also is vanity, 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:56.539 And a great evil. 00:06:57.879 --> 00:07:01.179 What has a man from all the toil and striving of heart, 00:07:01.180 --> 00:07:04.100 With which he toils beneath the sun? 00:07:04.100 --> 00:07:07.939 For all his days are full of sorrow, 00:07:08.280 --> 00:07:10.500 And his work is a vexation. 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:13.120 Even in the night, 00:07:13.319 --> 00:07:14.980 His heart does not rest. 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:18.259 This also is vanity. 00:07:19.540 --> 00:07:22.000 There is nothing better for a person 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:24.139 Than that he should eat and drink, 00:07:24.579 --> 00:07:26.160 And find enjoyment in his toil. 00:07:26.160 --> 00:07:28.240 This also, 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:29.020 I saw, 00:07:29.400 --> 00:07:30.680 Is from the hand of God. 00:07:31.540 --> 00:07:32.640 For apart from him, 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:35.160 Who can eat or who can have enjoyment? 00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:38.280 For to the one who pleases him, 00:07:38.900 --> 00:07:40.560 God has gifted him wisdom, 00:07:41.280 --> 00:07:41.980 And knowledge, 00:07:42.260 --> 00:07:42.660 And joy. 00:07:43.700 --> 00:07:44.660 But to the sinner, 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:47.700 He has given the business of gathering and collecting, 00:07:48.240 --> 00:07:50.680 Only to give to one who pleases God. 00:07:50.680 --> 00:07:54.500 This also is vanity, 00:07:55.220 --> 00:07:56.540 And a striving after win. 00:07:57.199 --> 00:07:58.319 This is the word of God. 00:07:59.340 --> 00:07:59.699 Great. 00:08:03.139 --> 00:08:03.639 Well, yeah, 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:04.939 It's a long reflection, 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:09.740 As the preacher just goes through various aspects of life, 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:10.680 And, yeah, 00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:11.600 On this quest, right? 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:12.379 That's what he says. 00:08:12.860 --> 00:08:13.519 I, the preacher, 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:15.300 Have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. 00:08:15.840 --> 00:08:17.980 I applied my heart to seek, 00:08:18.019 --> 00:08:19.280 And to search out by wisdom, 00:08:19.279 --> 00:08:21.259 All that is done under heaven. 00:08:21.379 --> 00:08:22.899 I've investigated everything. 00:08:23.459 --> 00:08:25.059 Where can we find meaning, 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:25.699 Happiness? 00:08:26.719 --> 00:08:26.959 Now, 00:08:28.019 --> 00:08:30.159 You may wonder who this preacher is, 00:08:30.219 --> 00:08:31.079 Because it says here, right, 00:08:31.119 --> 00:08:32.860 I've been king over Israel. 00:08:33.459 --> 00:08:35.319 We talked about it a little bit last week, 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:35.819 Right? 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:36.220 He says, 00:08:36.299 --> 00:08:37.059 I'm the king, 00:08:37.139 --> 00:08:38.860 And I get more wisdom than anyone, 00:08:39.339 --> 00:08:41.100 And I became greater than anyone. 00:08:41.980 --> 00:08:43.779 He really writes as if he's Solomon. 00:08:43.939 --> 00:08:44.860 I don't think he is, 00:08:45.199 --> 00:08:46.860 But he's writing as if. 00:08:46.860 --> 00:08:48.379 Now, why is he doing that? 00:08:49.279 --> 00:08:51.679 Why is this guy writing as if he's Solomon? 00:08:52.740 --> 00:08:53.259 Well, I mean, 00:08:53.319 --> 00:08:54.319 If you know the Bible, 00:08:54.720 --> 00:08:56.519 Solomon was like the golden age, 00:08:56.579 --> 00:08:56.779 Right? 00:08:57.639 --> 00:09:00.720 Solomon was the greatest king Israel ever had, 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:01.399 In some ways. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:03.759 Because he ruled over the whole Middle East. 00:09:04.339 --> 00:09:05.539 Everyone was rich. 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:06.600 Everyone was happy, 00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:07.079 It seemed, 00:09:07.179 --> 00:09:07.319 Right? 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:07.899 Everyone was, 00:09:08.319 --> 00:09:08.559 You know, 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:10.659 Here is the good life. 00:09:11.079 --> 00:09:11.419 Solomon, 00:09:12.019 --> 00:09:12.240 Well, 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:12.959 Yeah, 00:09:13.059 --> 00:09:14.259 The ultimate king almost, 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:14.459 Right? 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:18.000 And that is the right person to ask. 00:09:19.600 --> 00:09:20.860 What is the meaning of life? 00:09:20.900 --> 00:09:22.840 Because he is the king who had everything. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:25.540 He is the king who could fix anything, 00:09:25.639 --> 00:09:26.400 Who could do anything. 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:27.440 I mean, 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:28.240 If you ask me, 00:09:28.780 --> 00:09:30.000 Does money make you happy? 00:09:30.920 --> 00:09:31.100 Now, 00:09:31.180 --> 00:09:32.800 I could say a few things about it, 00:09:32.860 --> 00:09:36.259 But I'm not really the ultimate authority on money, 00:09:36.320 --> 00:09:36.500 Right? 00:09:37.159 --> 00:09:38.480 If you ask Elon Musk, 00:09:38.940 --> 00:09:41.620 With his hundreds of billions of US dollars, 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:43.480 It does, 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:44.519 How about money? 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:45.580 He can tell you more, 00:09:45.639 --> 00:09:45.799 Right? 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:47.559 And after him, 00:09:47.980 --> 00:09:49.259 No one else can say anything. 00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:51.139 There is this verse in 2 verse 12, 00:09:51.559 --> 00:09:52.580 Later in the passage, 00:09:53.080 --> 00:09:54.399 What can the man who do, 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:55.700 Who comes after the king, 00:09:56.080 --> 00:09:57.399 Only what has already been done, 00:09:57.480 --> 00:09:57.639 Right? 00:09:57.879 --> 00:10:00.340 If Elon Musk has given his verdict, 00:10:00.480 --> 00:10:01.720 Then I can't say anything more. 00:10:01.720 --> 00:10:02.980 And if Solomon, 00:10:04.159 --> 00:10:04.940 You know, 00:10:05.019 --> 00:10:05.779 What he finds, 00:10:05.779 --> 00:10:05.959 Well, 00:10:06.000 --> 00:10:06.779 That's kind of what, 00:10:07.199 --> 00:10:08.500 That's the answer for all of us. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:10.360 But what does he find? 00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:10.740 Well, 00:10:10.959 --> 00:10:11.860 You've heard the reading, 00:10:11.939 --> 00:10:12.120 Right? 00:10:12.459 --> 00:10:12.919 He says, 00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:13.319 Well, 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:14.659 It was an unhappy business, 00:10:14.799 --> 00:10:16.740 This quest for the children of men. 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:19.480 I've seen everything that is done under the sun. 00:10:19.579 --> 00:10:20.339 Verse 14, 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:21.439 And behold, 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:22.740 All is vanity, 00:10:23.439 --> 00:10:24.759 And is striving after wind. 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:25.379 Vanity, 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:27.459 That word vapor we looked at last week. 00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:27.740 This, 00:10:28.000 --> 00:10:30.079 This is breath that you can't grasp. 00:10:30.079 --> 00:10:30.419 That, 00:10:30.600 --> 00:10:32.980 That's gone almost immediately. 00:10:33.559 --> 00:10:34.959 Nothing lasting. 00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:35.480 Well, 00:10:35.580 --> 00:10:35.820 Let's, 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:36.840 Let's go on his journey, 00:10:36.980 --> 00:10:38.860 And look at these three areas, 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:40.379 Where he tried to find meaning, 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:41.080 But he couldn't. 00:10:42.080 --> 00:10:42.480 2, 00:10:42.540 --> 00:10:42.700 1, 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:42.879 2, 00:10:42.879 --> 00:10:43.160 11. 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:44.719 First of all, 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.620 He starts with pleasure. 00:10:46.699 --> 00:10:47.100 Pleasure, 00:10:47.279 --> 00:10:47.419 Well, 00:10:47.439 --> 00:10:48.339 It won't last, 00:10:48.399 --> 00:10:48.579 Right? 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:50.159 It's the first area where he seeks, 00:10:50.539 --> 00:10:51.360 It's very common. 00:10:52.980 --> 00:10:53.179 Right? 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:54.899 If you ask people, 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:55.079 Well, 00:10:55.100 --> 00:10:55.439 What's, 00:10:55.579 --> 00:10:55.779 You know, 00:10:56.079 --> 00:10:57.259 What brings joy to your life? 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:57.939 What brings happiness? 00:10:58.079 --> 00:10:59.319 I guess it's the things we enjoy, 00:10:59.379 --> 00:10:59.579 Right? 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:00.240 Pleasure. 00:11:00.819 --> 00:11:01.360 And so, 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:02.699 He goes, 00:11:02.819 --> 00:11:04.559 And he looks at different things, 00:11:04.620 --> 00:11:05.620 And he tries this, 00:11:05.659 --> 00:11:06.480 And he tries that, 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:06.719 And, 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:07.319 Well, 00:11:07.500 --> 00:11:08.579 Does this bring happiness? 00:11:09.580 --> 00:11:10.900 And it is a Solomon guy, 00:11:10.980 --> 00:11:11.160 Right? 00:11:11.220 --> 00:11:13.080 So he could really go for it. 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:14.820 Verse 3, 00:11:15.540 --> 00:11:17.700 I search with my heart, 00:11:17.780 --> 00:11:19.400 How to cheer my body with wine, 00:11:19.580 --> 00:11:19.800 Right? 00:11:19.900 --> 00:11:20.139 You know, 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:20.379 Just, 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.100 Just wine, 00:11:21.259 --> 00:11:22.340 And getting, 00:11:22.540 --> 00:11:23.220 Drinking, 00:11:23.340 --> 00:11:24.200 Does that make you happy? 00:11:24.480 --> 00:11:25.340 Verse 4, 00:11:25.420 --> 00:11:26.639 I made great works, 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:27.960 I built houses, 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:29.980 And planted vineyards for myself, 00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:30.259 Right? 00:11:30.780 --> 00:11:31.180 Property, 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:32.640 Possessions, 00:11:32.639 --> 00:11:35.139 Does this help me to, 00:11:35.259 --> 00:11:35.460 You know, 00:11:35.840 --> 00:11:37.840 Can I find meaning here? 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.080 What else? 00:11:39.179 --> 00:11:39.399 He, 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:41.460 He had lots of silver and gold, 00:11:41.559 --> 00:11:41.740 Right? 00:11:42.080 --> 00:11:42.659 Verse 8, 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:43.639 I get it for myself, 00:11:43.759 --> 00:11:44.679 Silver and gold, 00:11:44.819 --> 00:11:45.360 And then Solomon, 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:46.799 He had so much gold, 00:11:46.919 --> 00:11:48.240 That the silver was worthless. 00:11:48.620 --> 00:11:48.840 You know, 00:11:49.000 --> 00:11:50.699 That's how rich he was, 00:11:50.759 --> 00:11:52.059 According to 1 Kings. 00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:53.059 If you want to read more, 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:54.620 1 Kings chapters 4 to 10, 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:56.860 That's what Solomon was like. 00:11:57.819 --> 00:11:58.439 You know, 00:11:58.500 --> 00:11:59.779 He had singers, 00:11:59.779 --> 00:12:00.319 So he, 00:12:00.319 --> 00:12:01.279 He partied, 00:12:01.340 --> 00:12:02.340 And he had culture, 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:04.379 With every part of life. 00:12:05.699 --> 00:12:06.139 Sex, 00:12:06.340 --> 00:12:06.519 Right? 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.120 I get it for myself, 00:12:08.220 --> 00:12:09.419 Many concubines. 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:10.699 If you don't know that word, 00:12:10.799 --> 00:12:11.460 A concubine, 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:12.500 It's somewhere between, 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:14.500 A wife and a mistress. 00:12:14.659 --> 00:12:15.319 Wasn't the wife, 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:16.299 Not the same status. 00:12:16.819 --> 00:12:17.139 Basically, 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.159 A woman, 00:12:18.319 --> 00:12:19.679 That's the rich guys had, 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:20.439 Kind of, 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:22.059 To bear more children, 00:12:22.319 --> 00:12:23.120 And those kind of things. 00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:24.039 It's a status symbol. 00:12:24.419 --> 00:12:26.100 It's not a very godly thing at all. 00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:26.379 But, 00:12:26.840 --> 00:12:28.080 As you probably know, 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:28.460 Solomon, 00:12:28.460 --> 00:12:29.460 He had 700 wives, 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:31.659 And 300 concubines. 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:32.779 Right? 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:34.939 A lot. 00:12:35.240 --> 00:12:35.459 So, 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:37.120 He really went for it. 00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:40.079 Yeah, 00:12:40.100 --> 00:12:40.819 That seems weird, 00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.039 Right? 00:12:42.039 --> 00:12:42.360 But, 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:42.860 Seriously, 00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:45.719 He really says, 00:12:45.819 --> 00:12:47.120 I became the greatest king ever, 00:12:47.179 --> 00:12:47.399 Right? 00:12:47.719 --> 00:12:48.339 Verse 9, 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.159 I became great, 00:12:49.240 --> 00:12:50.100 And surpassed all, 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:50.919 Who were before me, 00:12:50.959 --> 00:12:51.579 In Jerusalem. 00:12:52.240 --> 00:12:54.399 And whatever my eyes desired, 00:12:54.539 --> 00:12:55.600 I didn't keep from them. 00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:56.620 I kept my heart, 00:12:56.759 --> 00:12:57.579 From no pleasure. 00:12:58.579 --> 00:12:58.600 And, 00:12:58.720 --> 00:12:59.399 You know, 00:12:59.399 --> 00:13:00.879 And I considered it all, 00:13:01.059 --> 00:13:01.480 What is it? 00:13:01.620 --> 00:13:02.019 For my heart, 00:13:02.059 --> 00:13:03.279 I found pleasure in all my toil. 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:04.559 This was my reward. 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:05.220 You know, 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:06.579 He went for it, 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.899 And he enjoyed it. 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:08.959 But then, 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:09.620 He stood back. 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:10.819 Okay, 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:11.480 Now, 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:12.740 What do I have now? 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:13.600 I've done all this. 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:15.019 Verse 11, 00:13:15.360 --> 00:13:17.679 Then I considered all that my hands had done, 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:19.879 And the toil I had expended in doing it. 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:21.100 And behold, 00:13:21.240 --> 00:13:22.220 All was vanity, 00:13:22.939 --> 00:13:24.259 And a striving after wind. 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.579 And there was nothing to be gained. 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:27.460 He did all these things, 00:13:27.540 --> 00:13:27.639 Right? 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:29.280 Things that we can't even dream of. 00:13:30.020 --> 00:13:31.000 And he looked back, 00:13:31.060 --> 00:13:31.420 And actually, 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:33.240 It's vain. 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:34.520 It's gone. 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:35.920 The thing is, 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.160 Pleasure won't last, 00:13:37.200 --> 00:13:37.360 Right? 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.720 He did this. 00:13:40.420 --> 00:13:40.700 You know, 00:13:40.740 --> 00:13:41.680 You have a great weekend, 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:42.220 And then Monday, 00:13:42.300 --> 00:13:43.100 You go back to work. 00:13:43.860 --> 00:13:44.560 Where's the joy? 00:13:45.400 --> 00:13:45.620 Right? 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:47.980 Things don't really last. 00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:48.620 At the end, 00:13:48.680 --> 00:13:49.000 He says, 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:50.379 I've got no gain. 00:13:51.160 --> 00:13:51.560 Actually, 00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:53.440 Think about all the toil I've expended. 00:13:53.440 --> 00:13:54.980 That sometimes you do so much work, 00:13:55.400 --> 00:13:57.420 You spend so much money to have this fun, 00:13:57.840 --> 00:13:58.800 And then it doesn't last. 00:13:58.860 --> 00:13:59.460 And you just wonder, 00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:00.520 Is it really worth it? 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:01.700 That's what he found. 00:14:02.660 --> 00:14:03.880 We know it doesn't last. 00:14:03.940 --> 00:14:06.880 Why do we take pictures of all the fun things we do? 00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:09.420 Because we want to kind of see them again. 00:14:09.420 --> 00:14:10.780 And then try and remember, 00:14:10.900 --> 00:14:11.080 Oh yeah, 00:14:11.160 --> 00:14:11.660 That was fun. 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:12.740 That was so fun. 00:14:12.840 --> 00:14:13.100 Except, 00:14:13.640 --> 00:14:14.260 It's gone now, 00:14:14.300 --> 00:14:14.440 Right? 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:14.880 It's over. 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:16.280 That's the problem. 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:17.780 And so, 00:14:17.860 --> 00:14:18.800 We go back to pleasure. 00:14:19.640 --> 00:14:20.820 Let's go there again, 00:14:20.900 --> 00:14:22.000 And maybe it will be fun. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:23.679 Or think we need more. 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:24.679 Right? 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:26.580 You had a good party, 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:28.259 But now that's over. 00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:28.519 Well, 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:30.000 Maybe I should have a bigger party, 00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.179 And it will last longer. 00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:32.860 I should have a bigger house, 00:14:32.919 --> 00:14:34.679 And then life will be better. 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:36.179 Well, 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:37.159 This guy was Solomon. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.039 Right? 00:14:39.620 --> 00:14:39.820 He, 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:42.460 The richest and most powerful person they knew. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:44.759 If money didn't make him happy, 00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:47.799 Why do we think that having more money will make us happy? 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:49.279 Right? 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:52.939 Why do we think a bigger house will make us happy? 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:54.419 When Solomon in his Jewish palace? 00:14:56.039 --> 00:14:56.399 Actually, 00:14:56.720 --> 00:14:57.399 It was all vanity. 00:14:58.600 --> 00:14:58.959 Again, 00:14:59.620 --> 00:14:59.819 Well, 00:14:59.899 --> 00:15:01.279 We laughed at it just now, 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:01.500 But, 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:01.919 You know, 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.740 Sex. 00:15:03.299 --> 00:15:04.259 In the Western world, 00:15:04.339 --> 00:15:04.480 Right? 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:06.159 That's almost seen as the big thing. 00:15:06.240 --> 00:15:08.259 If you want to have a happy, fulfilled life, 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:10.299 You need to be active in that area. 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:13.120 And that's why there is sexual assault, 00:15:13.319 --> 00:15:14.019 And pornography, 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.019 And all those things. 00:15:15.059 --> 00:15:15.240 Right? 00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:17.759 It's really the message you get from Hollywood sometimes, 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:19.820 That this is what gives life meaning. 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:22.139 I'm going to be very crude, 00:15:22.299 --> 00:15:22.480 But, 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:22.980 Right? 00:15:23.299 --> 00:15:23.879 Men, 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:25.639 700 wives, 00:15:25.940 --> 00:15:27.039 And this guy wasn't happy. 00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:29.000 Sex is not the answer. 00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:29.519 Right? 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.980 It's very obvious. 00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:32.139 None of these things. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.700 Nothing. 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:39.299 And society realizes this as well, 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:39.539 Right? 00:15:40.460 --> 00:15:41.519 We are richer, 00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.779 And have more money, 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:44.100 And more luxury than ever. 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:47.200 Is Hong Kong such a happy place? 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:48.700 Is the world such a happy place? 00:15:48.759 --> 00:15:50.560 Even if you don't have problems, 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:51.920 Are people satisfied? 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:52.899 No. 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:54.379 Of course, 00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.860 I'm not saying that these things are bad. 00:15:56.560 --> 00:15:56.759 You know, 00:15:56.940 --> 00:15:57.980 Solomon enjoyed himself. 00:15:58.639 --> 00:15:58.879 You know, 00:15:59.080 --> 00:16:00.460 It's great to eat and drink, 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.540 And have a party, 00:16:01.659 --> 00:16:02.399 And go on a holiday. 00:16:02.540 --> 00:16:03.560 They're all great things, 00:16:03.680 --> 00:16:03.820 But, 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:06.540 Don't expect the joy to really last. 00:16:07.259 --> 00:16:08.139 That is what he's saying. 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:10.899 And that's not just the Bible. 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.800 People say it. 00:16:12.799 --> 00:16:13.819 Jim Carrey, 00:16:13.919 --> 00:16:14.939 He said it quite well. 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.839 This actor from the 90s, 00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:18.859 When you're as old as me. 00:16:19.359 --> 00:16:19.519 But, 00:16:19.599 --> 00:16:21.259 He started writing books, 00:16:21.339 --> 00:16:21.799 And he said, 00:16:22.059 --> 00:16:22.819 You're rich and famous. 00:16:22.899 --> 00:16:23.019 Yeah, 00:16:23.079 --> 00:16:25.120 I'd love everyone to be rich and famous, 00:16:25.579 --> 00:16:26.979 And do everything, 00:16:27.339 --> 00:16:28.359 They ever dreamed of. 00:16:28.419 --> 00:16:29.199 So that they see, 00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:30.159 That it's not the answer. 00:16:31.299 --> 00:16:32.419 It isn't the answer, 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:33.139 He found out. 00:16:34.459 --> 00:16:35.459 And it's not the answer, 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.279 For any of us. 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.639 After all, 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:39.019 We're trying to do the impossible, 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:39.439 Right? 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.500 We saw last week, 00:16:40.959 --> 00:16:42.399 Why is the world like this? 00:16:42.939 --> 00:16:44.519 We're out of the Garden of Eden. 00:16:45.500 --> 00:16:45.879 In a way, 00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:47.000 That's what Solomon tries to do. 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:49.039 He wants to get back to the Garden of Eden. 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:50.720 Back to what we had back then. 00:16:50.799 --> 00:16:52.179 That's why he's building gardens, 00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:53.360 And streams, 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.199 And all those things. 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.419 Right? 00:16:54.439 --> 00:16:55.079 It feels like, 00:16:55.459 --> 00:16:57.000 I'm building a Garden of Eden. 00:16:57.120 --> 00:16:58.819 I'm trying to bring the perfection, 00:16:59.339 --> 00:17:00.379 That was there. 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.459 But he can't. 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:03.500 Not even Solomon. 00:17:05.500 --> 00:17:06.319 Well, what then? 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.840 Well, pleasure won't do it. 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:09.460 You know, 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.660 It won't satisfy. 00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:11.360 Well, what now? 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:12.460 Well, wisdom. 00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.400 So he goes, 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.660 Well, wisdom, right? 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.900 In the Bible, wisdom, 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.259 If I live God's way, 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:19.140 Then I will have the best life. 00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:19.360 Right? 00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:20.920 That's what Proverbs says. 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.480 You know, 00:17:21.819 --> 00:17:22.519 Get wisdom. 00:17:22.620 --> 00:17:23.880 It's the most precious thing, 00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:25.480 And then you can live, 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:27.000 If you live God's way, 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:28.039 Everything will go well, 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:29.079 And everything will be good. 00:17:29.160 --> 00:17:30.860 Maybe this is how I can get a good life. 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:33.559 So, verse 12, 00:17:33.740 --> 00:17:35.140 So I turn to consider wisdom, 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.279 And man as a folly. 00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:37.340 Yeah? 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:40.380 And I saw that there was more gain in wisdom than in folly. 00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.880 It's good to be wise, right? 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:44.319 Because it makes life better, right? 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:45.759 The wise knows where he's going, 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:47.100 The fool walks in darkness, 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:50.120 And yet when he thinks about it, 00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:53.759 It doesn't really last, right? 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.779 Because, end of verse 14, 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:59.319 Yet I perceive that the same event happens to all of them, 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:01.019 Whether you're wise or foolish, 00:18:01.460 --> 00:18:02.519 The same thing happens. 00:18:02.620 --> 00:18:03.420 And what is that thing? 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:05.840 It's going to come up quite a lot in Ecclesiastes. 00:18:06.059 --> 00:18:07.240 It's death. 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:10.279 Because, you know, 00:18:10.360 --> 00:18:10.759 What happened, 00:18:10.960 --> 00:18:11.980 I said in my heart, 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:14.880 What happens to the fool will happen to me also. 00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:17.360 Why then have I been so very wise? 00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:18.680 Verse 16, 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:20.980 How the wise dies just like the fool. 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:21.680 You know, 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:23.039 You can live a very wise life, 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:23.620 But actually, 00:18:23.619 --> 00:18:26.639 I'm still going to die, right? 00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:29.139 And everyone's going to forget about me, 00:18:29.479 --> 00:18:31.919 Whether I've been very wise or very foolish, 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:33.119 50 years, 00:18:33.179 --> 00:18:33.859 100 years later, 00:18:34.579 --> 00:18:35.639 It really doesn't matter. 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:37.919 Then why make the effort? 00:18:37.920 --> 00:18:40.100 I don't know, 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:43.779 I don't see many of us trying to be wise in the same way. 00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:45.160 But you meet people, right? 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:46.300 They want to know everything. 00:18:46.460 --> 00:18:48.060 They're constantly reading the news, 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:50.100 And keeping ahead of the, 00:18:50.300 --> 00:18:50.620 You know, 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:51.880 All the new technologies, 00:18:52.440 --> 00:18:53.620 So that they know everything, 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:54.340 In the hope that, 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:54.500 Well, 00:18:54.539 --> 00:18:55.160 Now I can, 00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:57.460 That will help me live the best possible life. 00:18:58.400 --> 00:19:00.060 It won't stop you from dying, right? 00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:00.940 100 years from now, 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.519 It doesn't matter. 00:19:01.519 --> 00:19:04.339 What do other people do? 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:06.299 It feels a bit like health, right? 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:08.200 And don't be unhealthy, right? 00:19:08.279 --> 00:19:08.599 Don't, 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:09.619 You know, 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:10.639 Those kind of things. 00:19:11.879 --> 00:19:12.299 And yet, 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:13.900 No matter how much exercise you do, 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:14.839 100 years from now, 00:19:14.879 --> 00:19:16.139 You'll be dead, right? 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:18.099 It doesn't, 00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:18.859 Ultimately, 00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:20.099 Going really, 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:20.339 Oh, 00:19:20.440 --> 00:19:21.200 Some people, 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.019 They live like that, right? 00:19:22.039 --> 00:19:23.279 I'm going to go to the gym, 00:19:23.359 --> 00:19:23.859 And eat this, 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:24.480 And eat that, 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.339 And I'm going to be, 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:26.680 As if you will live forever. 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:27.879 You won't. 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:30.799 Still, 00:19:30.799 --> 00:19:31.759 Don't be unhealthy. 00:19:31.879 --> 00:19:32.740 But at the same time, 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.259 Right? 00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.599 It's not ultimate. 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:37.460 But that's what he's saying, 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:37.720 Right? 00:19:38.399 --> 00:19:38.639 How, 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:40.659 Why have I been so very wise? 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.159 Well, 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.599 What then? 00:19:44.639 --> 00:19:45.460 How about work? 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:46.680 Work is such a big thing, 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:46.899 So, 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:47.740 Verse 18, 00:19:48.500 --> 00:19:49.599 Toil. 00:19:49.899 --> 00:19:50.079 Well, 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:51.579 I hated all my toil, 00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:53.220 With which I toil under the sun. 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.339 I, 00:19:54.339 --> 00:19:54.639 I, 00:19:54.639 --> 00:19:55.680 I'm going to work, 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:55.919 But, 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:56.599 Actually, 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.779 My work doesn't work. 00:19:57.919 --> 00:19:58.180 Why? 00:19:58.779 --> 00:19:59.039 Well, 00:19:59.180 --> 00:20:00.680 Seeing that I must leave it, 00:20:00.680 --> 00:20:01.340 To the man, 00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.460 Who will come after me. 00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:03.560 Yeah? 00:20:03.640 --> 00:20:03.920 I, 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:05.019 I work really hard, 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:05.539 On something, 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.279 And what happens? 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:09.140 I die, 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:09.940 Or I retire, 00:20:10.060 --> 00:20:11.039 And it goes to someone else. 00:20:12.320 --> 00:20:12.539 Now, 00:20:12.660 --> 00:20:13.480 That's not a bad thing, 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:13.680 Right? 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.799 You've still done this work, 00:20:14.860 --> 00:20:15.980 You've done something productive, 00:20:16.180 --> 00:20:16.420 And, 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:16.980 You know, 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.759 It's something good. 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:18.500 Well, 00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:19.620 But what if he ruins it, 00:20:19.640 --> 00:20:20.259 The next person? 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.180 Yeah? 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.680 The man after me, 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.220 Who knows, 00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:24.519 Whether he'll be a wise, 00:20:24.720 --> 00:20:25.600 Or a fool. 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:27.060 Yet he'll be master, 00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.259 Of all for which I toiled. 00:20:28.340 --> 00:20:28.500 Right? 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:30.500 Think of Solomon again, 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.740 He had the greatest kingdom, 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:34.460 And that passed to his son. 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.099 And if you know, 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.539 Read the Bible, 00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.539 His son was an idiot, 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.799 And the kingdom split in two. 00:20:40.420 --> 00:20:40.960 And apparently, 00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:42.220 The God was behind that, 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.079 It was out of judgment, 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:43.559 But, 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:44.279 You know, 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:46.380 You've built this great thing, 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:46.759 And then, 00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:48.119 The next person ruins it. 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:51.039 Don't we ever feel like that? 00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.659 I remember my first job, 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.720 I worked on this great project, 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.819 For a bus company, 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:57.539 Great way to save money, 00:20:57.720 --> 00:20:59.460 By hiring tour buses, 00:20:59.559 --> 00:21:00.240 And taxi vans, 00:21:00.279 --> 00:21:01.440 So we needed less buses, 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:03.180 Worked very hard, 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:04.099 Did all the analysis, 00:21:05.059 --> 00:21:05.500 And then, 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:06.420 Yeah, 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.359 For political reasons, 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.079 They didn't do it. 00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:09.339 Two months work, 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.240 For nothing. 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.579 What a waste, 00:21:11.659 --> 00:21:11.799 Right? 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:14.619 Maybe your work is like that. 00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:17.299 Or even, 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.839 Even if it's, 00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:20.159 The other person ruins it, 00:21:20.219 --> 00:21:20.579 Sometimes, 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:22.479 He feels it's unfair, 00:21:22.719 --> 00:21:22.899 Right? 00:21:23.279 --> 00:21:24.159 Verse 21, 00:21:24.379 --> 00:21:25.279 Sometimes a person, 00:21:25.439 --> 00:21:27.259 Who has toiled with wisdom, 00:21:27.379 --> 00:21:27.759 And knowledge, 00:21:27.819 --> 00:21:28.219 And skill, 00:21:28.479 --> 00:21:29.379 Must leave everything, 00:21:29.379 --> 00:21:30.319 To be enjoyed, 00:21:30.699 --> 00:21:32.159 By someone who didn't toil for it. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.299 It's almost like unfair, 00:21:33.439 --> 00:21:33.599 Like, 00:21:33.739 --> 00:21:34.659 I've done all the work, 00:21:34.719 --> 00:21:35.819 And this other person gets it. 00:21:36.419 --> 00:21:36.579 Right? 00:21:36.619 --> 00:21:37.919 You do all the work, 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:39.519 Your manager takes the credit. 00:21:40.479 --> 00:21:41.539 You earned the company, 00:21:41.619 --> 00:21:42.259 A lot of money, 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:44.339 But it all goes to the shareholders. 00:21:45.619 --> 00:21:45.959 Why? 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.579 What's, 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.000 Right? 00:21:47.319 --> 00:21:48.159 The frustration. 00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:49.799 We feel that, 00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:50.039 Right? 00:21:50.979 --> 00:21:51.459 That's, 00:21:51.739 --> 00:21:52.459 That's what he says. 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:52.679 And so, 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:52.879 Yeah, 00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.119 Working, 00:21:54.719 --> 00:21:55.739 It doesn't last, 00:21:55.819 --> 00:21:55.979 Right? 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:57.619 It, 00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.279 It's not, 00:21:58.399 --> 00:21:58.859 Doesn't give, 00:21:58.919 --> 00:21:59.619 It kind of really, 00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:01.339 I'm doing something lasting, 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.359 I'm doing something, 00:22:02.479 --> 00:22:03.679 That really makes a difference. 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:05.739 The, 00:22:05.779 --> 00:22:06.859 The best thing you can hope for, 00:22:06.899 --> 00:22:07.679 Is enjoying it. 00:22:08.199 --> 00:22:08.319 Right? 00:22:08.679 --> 00:22:09.659 Verse 24, 00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:10.479 Sorry, 00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:11.519 We're going quite quickly, 00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:11.759 But, 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:12.739 But I think you've heard him. 00:22:13.439 --> 00:22:13.779 The, 00:22:13.779 --> 00:22:14.599 The best thing you can, 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.399 Do is enjoy it. 00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:16.599 And there's nothing better, 00:22:16.719 --> 00:22:17.539 For a person, 00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:18.939 Than that he should eat, 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.579 And drink, 00:22:19.699 --> 00:22:20.579 And find enjoyment, 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.259 In his toil. 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:22.339 I mean, 00:22:23.119 --> 00:22:24.119 Even if your project, 00:22:24.119 --> 00:22:24.779 Gets scrapped, 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.259 If you enjoy doing it, 00:22:26.439 --> 00:22:27.079 That's still something, 00:22:27.199 --> 00:22:27.279 Right? 00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:29.299 If you enjoy life, 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.559 If you enjoy life, 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.759 If you eat and drink, 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:32.299 If you can enjoy life, 00:22:32.399 --> 00:22:33.200 It doesn't really matter, 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:33.480 So, 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.879 Enjoy yourself, 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:37.000 That's almost his message, 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:37.259 Right? 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.319 And actually, 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.859 That's a gift from God, 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.359 He says, 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:41.440 You know, 00:22:41.539 --> 00:22:42.039 This also, 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:42.519 I saw, 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.740 Is from the hand of God, 00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:45.180 For apart from him, 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:45.839 Who can eat, 00:22:45.920 --> 00:22:46.980 Or who can have enjoyment, 00:22:46.980 --> 00:22:49.019 You know, 00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.740 If you have a job, 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.440 That you enjoy, 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:51.380 Thank God for that, 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:52.599 A lot of people, 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:53.319 In the world don't, 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.819 If you have a, 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:56.079 Enjoy your family life, 00:22:56.640 --> 00:22:57.039 Great, 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:57.940 Thank God for that, 00:22:58.360 --> 00:22:58.980 You know, 00:22:59.099 --> 00:23:00.140 If life in this world, 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.039 Is just enjoyable, 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.220 You know, 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.299 That it's a gift from God, 00:23:03.299 --> 00:23:04.500 Of course, 00:23:04.839 --> 00:23:05.839 Not everyone has that, 00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:06.059 Right? 00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:07.759 I'm not going to go too much, 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.819 Into verse 26, 00:23:08.919 --> 00:23:10.079 It's a bit of a weird verse, 00:23:11.099 --> 00:23:12.019 But just remember, 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.960 Not everyone can, 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.659 Just enjoy themselves, 00:23:15.379 --> 00:23:16.480 You might feel like that, 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:19.559 If my job isn't great, 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.440 I'm going to have a, 00:23:20.440 --> 00:23:21.639 More enjoyable job, 00:23:22.919 --> 00:23:24.639 I talked about my friend last week, 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.419 Every two years, 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.519 Every half year, 00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.279 He'd have a new job, 00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:28.980 Of course, 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.519 He was a brilliant IT expert, 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.059 He could, 00:23:31.599 --> 00:23:32.539 Find a new job, 00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:34.859 If you're just a manual laborer, 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.839 You're kind of stuck, 00:23:35.919 --> 00:23:36.039 Right? 00:23:37.440 --> 00:23:38.639 This is not for everyone, 00:23:38.839 --> 00:23:39.039 So, 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:39.980 Actually, 00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:40.980 For all of humanity, 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:42.539 It's limited, 00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:45.980 But then what do we do? 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:46.740 Right? 00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.339 Yes, 00:23:47.419 --> 00:23:48.139 Enjoy yourself, 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:48.680 It's nice, 00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:50.279 The world knows that, 00:23:50.759 --> 00:23:51.319 Marie Kondo, 00:23:51.619 --> 00:23:51.839 Right? 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:53.720 Just keep the things that give you joy, 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.500 And nothing else, 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.419 And yet, 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.119 It's not enough, 00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:57.599 And so, 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:58.519 He's looked at work, 00:23:58.619 --> 00:23:59.500 He's looked at pleasure, 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.639 He's looked at studying, 00:24:01.139 --> 00:24:01.940 He's looked at wisdom, 00:24:01.940 --> 00:24:03.360 He's looked everywhere, 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:05.660 And none of it gives, 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.460 What he's looking for, 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.720 At the end, 00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.620 It's all vanity, 00:24:09.880 --> 00:24:10.620 It's all vapor, 00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:12.160 It's all trying to, 00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:13.460 Grasp the wind, 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:14.580 It just doesn't work, 00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:17.220 I don't know if you feel it, 00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.820 And often we're just too busy, 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.860 We just do things, 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:21.700 Because we have to, 00:24:22.180 --> 00:24:23.620 But if people stop and think, 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.440 What is it? 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:27.180 And maybe that's when men, 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.420 Get a midlife crisis, 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:29.700 They suddenly stop and think, 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:31.980 Why is this? 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.900 Why am I doing all this? 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:35.319 No, 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:35.799 It's a, 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.740 It's a dead end, 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.160 Right? 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.580 We talked about it last week, 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:41.299 Ecclesiastes wants to show us a dead end, 00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:43.080 We try to find our meaning, 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:44.640 And happiness in the things of this world, 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:45.860 And that just doesn't work, 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.100 It's, 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:48.140 You hit a wall, 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:51.240 And that is meant to, 00:24:51.559 --> 00:24:51.720 Well, 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.720 To turn you to Jesus, 00:24:52.840 --> 00:24:53.220 In a way, 00:24:53.600 --> 00:24:53.759 I, 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:54.340 I, 00:24:54.340 --> 00:24:55.140 I don't have to, 00:24:55.440 --> 00:24:56.220 It's not a surprise, 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:56.460 Right? 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.180 I was in a growth, 00:24:57.279 --> 00:24:58.519 Community group last week, 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.920 And everyone there knew, 00:25:00.019 --> 00:25:00.200 Okay, 00:25:00.400 --> 00:25:00.660 Of course, 00:25:00.840 --> 00:25:01.160 Jesus, 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.460 Right? 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:04.340 Jesus is the thing that satisfies us, 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.519 Jesus is the thing, 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:06.779 Well, 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:08.720 The person who gives us meaning, 00:25:09.039 --> 00:25:09.880 Who gives us hope, 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:10.860 And we kind of, 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:12.200 We're a gospel-centered church, 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.420 Right? 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:15.400 We know that idols or anything doesn't satisfy, 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:17.380 And so we, 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.660 I guess that's what you're going to hear, 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:21.019 So much through this series, 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.880 But actually, 00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:23.700 Do we believe it? 00:25:24.620 --> 00:25:25.720 Do we believe that, 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:26.080 Okay, 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.360 If I have Jesus, 00:25:27.500 --> 00:25:29.100 If I have a relationship with him, 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:31.720 All of this doesn't matter, 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.940 That it's okay, 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.920 Because I certainly find, 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:37.220 I often don't live like that, 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:39.100 Many Christians don't, 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:39.960 Still, 00:25:40.100 --> 00:25:41.539 They go for their career, 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.740 Or their studies, 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.880 As if this is really, 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:46.279 The thing that's going to make the difference, 00:25:46.340 --> 00:25:46.900 In my life, 00:25:47.840 --> 00:25:49.580 I can't wait for, 00:25:49.740 --> 00:25:50.580 No more quarantine, 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.720 So I can see Taiwan, 00:25:51.860 --> 00:25:52.200 And Thailand, 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.120 And all these places, 00:25:53.119 --> 00:25:53.839 And that's going to, 00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:55.219 Give me life, 00:25:55.479 --> 00:25:56.899 And again, 00:25:56.939 --> 00:25:57.759 These are good things, 00:25:57.859 --> 00:25:58.799 They're not wrong things, 00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:02.500 But often we look for them, 00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:03.019 For meaning, 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.239 Right? 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.859 As if they, 00:26:04.000 --> 00:26:05.359 Can offer more than Jesus, 00:26:05.679 --> 00:26:06.299 I find often, 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:06.959 When I'm tempted, 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:07.399 Basically, 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.579 That's what I'm doing, 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:08.819 Right? 00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.319 I'm saying, 00:26:09.879 --> 00:26:10.039 Well, 00:26:10.079 --> 00:26:10.799 I can have Jesus, 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:11.579 Or I can have this, 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.439 And I think this one, 00:26:12.719 --> 00:26:14.619 Will bring more to me, 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:16.039 This will offer more, 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.679 It will satisfy me more, 00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:21.600 And that's when we have to say, 00:26:22.060 --> 00:26:22.320 No, 00:26:22.820 --> 00:26:23.100 No, 00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:25.220 Jesus really offers more, 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.600 And I think from this passage, 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:29.200 As we see Solomon here, 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.640 I think this passage helps us see, 00:26:31.840 --> 00:26:32.220 Why, 00:26:32.900 --> 00:26:34.700 Why is Jesus so great? 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:36.720 Why do we know, 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:38.400 That if we have Jesus, 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.200 That that is something, 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:40.160 That will last, 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.600 That is enough, 00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:43.500 How do we know Jesus is enough? 00:26:45.580 --> 00:26:45.980 Well, 00:26:46.100 --> 00:26:47.180 Because there's a king here, 00:26:47.860 --> 00:26:48.980 And Jesus is, 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:49.799 In some ways, 00:26:49.840 --> 00:26:50.819 An even greater king, 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.059 Right? 00:26:52.340 --> 00:26:52.840 I mean, 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.580 Jesus, 00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:55.920 He rules the universe, 00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.860 Not just the Middle East, 00:26:57.380 --> 00:26:58.600 He has all the glory, 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.519 He has everything, 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.900 Jesus can overcome death, 00:27:01.900 --> 00:27:03.019 Again, 00:27:03.100 --> 00:27:03.880 We're going to talk about it, 00:27:03.940 --> 00:27:04.620 More in other weeks, 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:04.880 But, 00:27:05.280 --> 00:27:05.519 You know, 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:06.660 Death always was the problem, 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.120 Here's Jesus, 00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:09.440 And he's overcome death, 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:12.200 But even more, 00:27:12.300 --> 00:27:13.060 How do we know, 00:27:13.300 --> 00:27:15.380 That Jesus really wants us, 00:27:16.060 --> 00:27:16.840 That actually, 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:18.220 This is something that, 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:18.840 You know, 00:27:18.900 --> 00:27:19.900 Even if he can do it, 00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:20.940 Does he want to do it? 00:27:23.180 --> 00:27:23.620 Well, 00:27:23.820 --> 00:27:25.519 I just find Solomon here, 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.780 So different from Jesus, 00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:27.620 Or actually, 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:28.400 The other way around, 00:27:28.820 --> 00:27:30.140 Because if I read this, 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.720 It's so self-centered, 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.160 In a way, 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.380 Right? 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.700 We all not, 00:27:33.759 --> 00:27:34.539 Because that's what we're like, 00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:35.539 But it's very self-centered, 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:38.160 Pleasure for me, 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.160 That's what he's looking for, 00:27:39.839 --> 00:27:40.559 And wisdom, 00:27:40.720 --> 00:27:40.900 Well, 00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.460 I die, 00:27:41.519 --> 00:27:42.480 So what's the point for me? 00:27:43.360 --> 00:27:44.299 The work I've done, 00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.440 It goes to someone else, 00:27:45.980 --> 00:27:46.860 I get nothing, 00:27:47.140 --> 00:27:47.680 What's the point? 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:48.339 Right? 00:27:48.799 --> 00:27:49.200 Actually, 00:27:49.259 --> 00:27:50.380 It's all about him, 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:52.259 It's all about me, 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.980 And here is Jesus, 00:27:55.100 --> 00:27:56.420 The greatest king ever, 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:59.559 And he does exactly the opposite, 00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:01.480 Jesus does have, 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:03.259 All the worship of the angels, 00:28:03.379 --> 00:28:04.599 And all the glories of heaven, 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.619 And all the riches of intimacy, 00:28:06.619 --> 00:28:07.319 In the trinity, 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:09.599 What does he do? 00:28:09.659 --> 00:28:10.819 He lays it all aside, 00:28:11.419 --> 00:28:13.779 And the preacher would say, 00:28:13.839 --> 00:28:14.319 That's meaningless, 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:14.960 Right? 00:28:15.919 --> 00:28:16.740 Here is the, 00:28:16.740 --> 00:28:18.500 The wisest person ever, 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:20.039 Jesus was so wise, 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.779 He didn't need to die, 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:24.879 What did Jesus do? 00:28:25.500 --> 00:28:26.799 He died like a fool, 00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.740 It's the exact opposite, 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:32.460 Jesus did the greatest work ever, 00:28:32.579 --> 00:28:34.440 He lived a perfect human life, 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:36.639 Enough to inherit God's kingdom, 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.299 What did he do with that? 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:40.460 He died and gave it to someone else, 00:28:41.460 --> 00:28:41.599 Right? 00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:42.920 All the things that the preacher says, 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:44.019 This is completely meaningless, 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:46.319 Jesus lived a meaningless life, 00:28:46.359 --> 00:28:46.500 Right? 00:28:47.700 --> 00:28:49.099 He was offered the world, 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:50.059 And instead, 00:28:50.379 --> 00:28:51.119 Age 33, 00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:52.139 He went to a cross, 00:28:52.699 --> 00:28:56.599 Why is Jesus so different? 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.539 Why did he do that? 00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:57.799 Well, 00:28:58.119 --> 00:28:58.980 We know the answer, 00:28:59.079 --> 00:28:59.219 Right? 00:28:59.240 --> 00:29:00.480 He did it out of love, 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:02.759 Out of love for us, 00:29:03.419 --> 00:29:04.619 He died like a fool, 00:29:04.699 --> 00:29:05.439 Because he died, 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:07.039 In the place of fools, 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:08.099 Like me and you, 00:29:09.559 --> 00:29:11.299 He did all the work, 00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:12.339 And he gave that to someone, 00:29:12.419 --> 00:29:13.279 Who didn't work for it, 00:29:13.339 --> 00:29:14.059 Because we couldn't, 00:29:14.639 --> 00:29:15.439 None of us could, 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:17.240 Come back to Eden, 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:17.919 None of us could, 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.919 Come back to God, 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:20.080 None of us could live a life, 00:29:20.440 --> 00:29:21.140 Good enough, 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:23.340 And Jesus gave that to us, 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:25.100 It was just pure love, 00:29:25.960 --> 00:29:27.840 Even joy for him, 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:28.660 Right? 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.340 That's what it says, 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:31.140 For the joy set before him, 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.460 He went to the cross, 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:34.740 Yeah, 00:29:34.779 --> 00:29:35.340 There was joy, 00:29:36.100 --> 00:29:37.180 When we're looking for joy, 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:37.600 In a way, 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:38.460 Of course, 00:29:38.800 --> 00:29:39.120 In some way, 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:40.180 Jesus doesn't need us, 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.820 In another way, 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:42.320 He was looking for joy, 00:29:42.420 --> 00:29:43.440 He went to the cross, 00:29:44.060 --> 00:29:45.759 Because that would achieve the joy, 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.640 Of bringing us to him, 00:29:47.640 --> 00:29:49.840 Making us his people, 00:29:50.400 --> 00:29:51.960 Bringing us to the glories, 00:29:52.020 --> 00:29:52.940 Of the new creation, 00:29:53.360 --> 00:29:54.560 To enjoy him, 00:29:54.980 --> 00:29:55.820 And the father, 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.880 And the spirit forever, 00:29:56.880 --> 00:29:56.940 Forever, 00:29:56.940 --> 00:29:57.440 Well, 00:29:59.580 --> 00:30:01.100 If Jesus did that for you, 00:30:02.100 --> 00:30:03.820 Don't you think, 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.780 That it will be, 00:30:04.780 --> 00:30:06.240 Satisfying, 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.040 To know him, 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:07.860 Don't you think, 00:30:08.000 --> 00:30:08.460 That will be, 00:30:08.620 --> 00:30:09.880 The most wonderful thing, 00:30:09.980 --> 00:30:10.440 To know, 00:30:10.860 --> 00:30:11.620 This God, 00:30:11.680 --> 00:30:12.680 Who gave up everything, 00:30:12.680 --> 00:30:14.920 So we can have a relationship, 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:15.380 With him, 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:16.740 Right, 00:30:16.779 --> 00:30:17.720 We see this passage, 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.000 And, 00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.440 I just think, 00:30:19.640 --> 00:30:19.820 Yeah, 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:22.360 Jesus will be the one, 00:30:22.900 --> 00:30:23.060 He, 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:24.420 When I'm attempting to find joy, 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.019 In another thing, 00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:26.779 I remember Jesus' love, 00:30:26.840 --> 00:30:27.000 And, 00:30:27.400 --> 00:30:28.940 If he loves me that much, 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:30.259 That will be the thing, 00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:31.160 That can give me meaning, 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:31.420 Right, 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.560 That will be the thing, 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.400 That can get me through, 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:34.420 All these other things, 00:30:35.039 --> 00:30:35.799 Get me through, 00:30:35.960 --> 00:30:36.000 The, 00:30:36.080 --> 00:30:36.299 The, 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.940 Not that working here is boring, 00:30:38.060 --> 00:30:38.180 But, 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:39.640 If I would have a boring job, 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:41.140 It would get me through that, 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:41.360 Right, 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.600 It would, 00:30:43.120 --> 00:30:44.460 Get me through the frustrations, 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:45.020 Of life, 00:30:45.580 --> 00:30:46.520 Because, 00:30:47.800 --> 00:30:49.200 Jesus is not just anyone, 00:30:49.320 --> 00:30:50.020 This is Jesus, 00:30:50.580 --> 00:30:51.540 And we have him, 00:30:53.500 --> 00:30:53.759 I mean, 00:30:53.860 --> 00:30:54.880 Does that really work, 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:57.520 Can people really live, 00:30:57.600 --> 00:30:58.580 You see Christians, 00:30:58.680 --> 00:30:59.380 And they're so content, 00:30:59.480 --> 00:30:59.620 Right, 00:31:00.040 --> 00:31:00.360 Often, 00:31:01.080 --> 00:31:01.920 Maybe you're not, 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:02.780 But at the same time, 00:31:03.120 --> 00:31:03.980 You see other Christians, 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:04.300 They, 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:06.120 They have a boring job, 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.200 And they're, 00:31:07.900 --> 00:31:08.600 They don't mind, 00:31:09.920 --> 00:31:10.900 Some people go, 00:31:10.900 --> 00:31:11.560 Even further, 00:31:11.700 --> 00:31:11.860 Right, 00:31:12.280 --> 00:31:12.720 Jesus, 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:14.280 Gave things up, 00:31:16.000 --> 00:31:16.380 Christians, 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:17.500 We can give things up, 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:18.980 You know, 00:31:19.080 --> 00:31:19.420 If, 00:31:19.840 --> 00:31:21.340 I can be in a boring job, 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:22.040 Out of love, 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:24.140 Love for my family, 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:25.019 And provide for them, 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:25.940 Love, 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:27.160 For society, 00:31:27.380 --> 00:31:28.660 Because I'm doing something good, 00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:29.240 Something good, 00:31:29.540 --> 00:31:30.940 Even if it doesn't satisfy me, 00:31:31.280 --> 00:31:32.300 Love for the gospel, 00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.500 Because I'm earning money, 00:31:33.600 --> 00:31:34.300 And giving it away, 00:31:34.620 --> 00:31:35.580 And those kind of things, 00:31:36.340 --> 00:31:36.600 Right, 00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:39.339 We can love, 00:31:39.459 --> 00:31:40.259 Just like Jesus, 00:31:40.379 --> 00:31:41.539 Because we have something greater, 00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:42.139 We have him, 00:31:43.000 --> 00:31:43.939 So I don't mind, 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.319 This life, 00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:44.679 In fact, 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.419 I can give it up, 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:46.980 Everything, 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:48.459 Like Paul said, 00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:50.259 In that reading from Philippians, 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:50.779 We heard it, 00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:52.179 In the call to worship, 00:31:52.359 --> 00:31:52.539 You know, 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.359 I can get rid of all these things, 00:31:54.779 --> 00:31:55.859 Because I have Jesus, 00:31:55.859 --> 00:31:58.139 That is the secret, 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.740 And again, 00:31:58.799 --> 00:32:00.119 We're going to think about it more, 00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:01.899 But I hope you feel, 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:03.099 How great Jesus is, 00:32:03.139 --> 00:32:04.339 I hope you feel his love, 00:32:05.179 --> 00:32:06.139 And isn't that greater, 00:32:06.279 --> 00:32:07.139 Than anything else, 00:32:07.219 --> 00:32:07.679 This world, 00:32:08.199 --> 00:32:08.899 Has to offer, 00:32:09.939 --> 00:32:11.559 Why don't we pray, 00:32:16.939 --> 00:32:17.639 Our father, 00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:18.059 Please, 00:32:18.719 --> 00:32:19.000 Yeah, 00:32:19.099 --> 00:32:19.819 Make these truths, 00:32:19.899 --> 00:32:20.599 Real to us, 00:32:21.719 --> 00:32:22.899 Thank you for Jesus, 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:24.159 Thank you for your great son, 00:32:24.160 --> 00:32:26.440 Thank you for his incredible love, 00:32:26.960 --> 00:32:27.400 Lord Jesus, 00:32:27.540 --> 00:32:29.019 Thank you for what you did for us, 00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:29.240 We, 00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:32.640 We want to remember that, 00:32:32.720 --> 00:32:33.700 We want that to be something, 00:32:33.840 --> 00:32:34.600 That drives us, 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:35.759 That satisfies us, 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.460 Forgive us when, 00:32:38.080 --> 00:32:38.940 The things in this world, 00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:39.880 You see more real, 00:32:40.360 --> 00:32:41.500 Than your love for us, 00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:43.440 So please help us to see you, 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:45.140 And to respond, 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:45.880 In love, 00:32:46.100 --> 00:32:47.080 In service, 00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.759 In sacrifice, 00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:49.380 In Jesus name, 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:50.080 Amen,