WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.139 How many of you have ever heard the shaggy dog story? 00:00:06.640 --> 00:00:07.280 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.579 In military academy, one of the officers had kept them up till all hours in the morning 00:00:35.579 --> 00:00:36.700 when they were dead tired. 00:00:37.280 --> 00:00:39.399 And because he was an officer, they couldn't go to sleep. 00:00:39.899 --> 00:00:44.399 And so he kept them awake during this fascinating tale about Johnny. 00:00:45.539 --> 00:00:49.700 Never mind, I'm not going to tell y'all what it is because I tell the RA boys at camp every 00:00:49.700 --> 00:00:52.000 year this story and I don't want to spoil it for you. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:55.320 But listen, how many of you heard of the pink ping pong ball? 00:00:56.460 --> 00:00:56.859 Anybody? 00:00:57.320 --> 00:00:57.939 None of you. 00:00:58.620 --> 00:00:59.659 How about the purple gorilla? 00:01:00.899 --> 00:01:03.520 I know Jared has because I just told him that one. 00:01:04.700 --> 00:01:05.920 And the shaggy dog. 00:01:07.140 --> 00:01:09.700 Some of you are looking at me like, where are you going with any of this? 00:01:11.700 --> 00:01:12.579 There's a point. 00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:15.379 And the point is that there's no point. 00:01:15.840 --> 00:01:22.379 The point of the shaggy dog story is somebody, a rich person puts out an ad in the paper saying, 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:23.799 I lost my dog. 00:01:24.260 --> 00:01:26.620 Huge reward for whoever finds him. 00:01:26.960 --> 00:01:28.420 Incredibly shaggy dog. 00:01:28.420 --> 00:01:30.780 Please find my shaggy dog and bring him to me. 00:01:31.000 --> 00:01:34.200 And then the story takes about 15, 20 minutes to tell. 00:01:34.340 --> 00:01:40.439 And you go through this crazy journey all around the world with somebody who finds a very shaggy dog. 00:01:40.620 --> 00:01:43.680 And finally tracks down the owner, gets to them. 00:01:43.760 --> 00:01:44.680 They open the door. 00:01:44.939 --> 00:01:49.599 And the butler comes to the door and says, that dog's not very shaggy. 00:01:49.599 --> 00:01:51.500 That's it. 00:01:51.919 --> 00:01:52.519 That's it. 00:01:53.119 --> 00:01:54.359 That's it. 00:01:55.159 --> 00:01:56.459 The pink ping pong ball. 00:01:56.579 --> 00:01:58.039 The boy is dying. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:01:58.959 He... 00:01:58.959 --> 00:01:59.959 No, I'm sorry. 00:02:00.299 --> 00:02:00.959 Skip to the end. 00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:06.839 A little boy only wants a pink ping pong ball. 00:02:06.839 --> 00:02:13.139 For his birthday, for Christmas, for anything that anyone ever wants to give him a toy or a present, 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:15.299 he says, please just get me a pink ping pong ball. 00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:18.079 He collects hundreds and hundreds of pink ping pong balls. 00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:21.920 And then, sadly, he contracts a terrible disease. 00:02:22.080 --> 00:02:22.920 He's on his deathbed. 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:26.280 His dad finally says, son, why did you want the pink ping pong balls? 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:27.720 What was that all about? 00:02:27.780 --> 00:02:28.660 You've got to tell me. 00:02:29.500 --> 00:02:33.080 And he says, dad, I wanted the pink ping pong balls because... 00:02:33.640 --> 00:02:34.320 And then he dies. 00:02:36.620 --> 00:02:37.860 It's a morbid story. 00:02:40.360 --> 00:02:41.020 Purple gorilla. 00:02:41.020 --> 00:02:45.020 I am spoiling all the shaggy dog stories for all of y'all right now. 00:02:45.360 --> 00:02:47.580 The purple gorilla story. 00:02:48.600 --> 00:02:50.219 Guy pulls over for gas. 00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:54.340 He orders food inside while he's getting gas. 00:02:54.580 --> 00:02:55.780 And he sees a special. 00:02:55.939 --> 00:02:58.540 If you order the combo meal, you get a purple gorilla. 00:02:59.420 --> 00:03:00.500 And he thinks it's a toy. 00:03:00.600 --> 00:03:05.439 But in the corner, it's a large, beefy gorilla painted purple. 00:03:06.439 --> 00:03:09.160 And the guy says, that's yours to keep. 00:03:09.159 --> 00:03:12.979 And so, the gorilla goes out. 00:03:13.479 --> 00:03:16.400 And he says, but wait, don't touch the purple gorilla. 00:03:16.599 --> 00:03:18.519 Never, ever, ever touch the purple gorilla. 00:03:18.819 --> 00:03:19.280 He says, why? 00:03:19.780 --> 00:03:20.620 He says, just trust me. 00:03:20.680 --> 00:03:21.979 Just don't touch the purple gorilla. 00:03:22.939 --> 00:03:26.319 So, story goes on a long time, as all these stories do. 00:03:26.900 --> 00:03:28.699 And fast forward to the end. 00:03:28.960 --> 00:03:32.000 The guy can't get over the idea of why can't I touch it. 00:03:32.240 --> 00:03:34.300 The fact that he can't touch it makes him want to do it more. 00:03:34.819 --> 00:03:35.859 None of y'all are like that. 00:03:35.860 --> 00:03:39.460 But finally, he reaches out at home. 00:03:39.540 --> 00:03:40.580 And he touches the purple gorilla. 00:03:40.720 --> 00:03:42.100 And the gorilla just goes nuts. 00:03:42.420 --> 00:03:43.240 Beating his chest. 00:03:43.420 --> 00:03:43.820 Roaring. 00:03:44.040 --> 00:03:44.960 Chasing after the guy. 00:03:45.040 --> 00:03:46.260 The guy thinks he's going to die. 00:03:46.340 --> 00:03:46.840 He's running. 00:03:47.080 --> 00:03:48.060 Runs for his life. 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:51.040 Finally, he's running through the forest. 00:03:51.160 --> 00:03:52.240 Gets to the edge of a cliff. 00:03:52.740 --> 00:03:56.740 And he's like, do I jump and see my end that way? 00:03:56.760 --> 00:03:58.860 Or do I let this gorilla just tear me to pieces? 00:03:58.860 --> 00:04:03.180 And while he's trying to decide, the gorilla catches up. 00:04:03.460 --> 00:04:03.820 Roars. 00:04:04.040 --> 00:04:04.320 Jumps. 00:04:04.640 --> 00:04:05.800 Or reaches his hand out. 00:04:06.180 --> 00:04:06.800 Touches the guy. 00:04:06.860 --> 00:04:08.560 And says, tag, you're it. 00:04:10.220 --> 00:04:11.940 So, it's great. 00:04:12.700 --> 00:04:14.860 These are called shaggy dog stories. 00:04:15.040 --> 00:04:16.360 I don't know where they came from. 00:04:16.460 --> 00:04:21.040 Or who the awful person was who started this genre. 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:21.560 But anyway. 00:04:22.459 --> 00:04:25.180 When you tell them right, they are amazing stories. 00:04:25.660 --> 00:04:26.060 Fascinating. 00:04:26.280 --> 00:04:26.920 Rope you in. 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:30.060 And then you get to the end, which is an anticlimax. 00:04:30.199 --> 00:04:31.259 There is no point. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:32.139 It's ridiculous. 00:04:32.139 --> 00:04:39.000 And that is a little bit of the feeling that I get reading through Ecclesiastes. 00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:48.019 Over and over and over again, he just paints this bleak, dismal view of life. 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:50.199 He's like, it's all meaningless. 00:04:50.199 --> 00:04:53.060 Everything's a disappointment. 00:04:53.300 --> 00:04:54.779 It doesn't matter what you chase. 00:04:54.819 --> 00:04:55.659 It's all terrible. 00:04:56.039 --> 00:05:00.259 And I'm kind of sitting there like, all right, but what's the point then? 00:05:00.360 --> 00:05:01.759 Like, get to the good part. 00:05:02.120 --> 00:05:06.599 Are you ever going to resolve this tension that you've created for us? 00:05:08.079 --> 00:05:10.300 Go to Ecclesiastes chapter 12, would you? 00:05:11.339 --> 00:05:14.779 The very last chapter of Ecclesiastes. 00:05:14.779 --> 00:05:17.699 We have been in this series. 00:05:19.000 --> 00:05:21.619 For some reason, this thing is not playing ball with me. 00:05:24.279 --> 00:05:26.139 Would you take me to the next slide? 00:05:28.739 --> 00:05:29.419 It's on. 00:05:29.859 --> 00:05:30.739 It has batteries. 00:05:30.839 --> 00:05:31.519 The light is on. 00:05:33.179 --> 00:05:35.039 I'm going to turn it off and turn it back on. 00:05:35.099 --> 00:05:37.339 Because you know with technology, that's all you got to do, right? 00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:41.039 Back up one to the road. 00:05:42.239 --> 00:05:42.599 Come on. 00:05:42.619 --> 00:05:42.959 Here we go. 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:44.299 Did I do that or did you do that? 00:05:45.439 --> 00:05:46.419 I think I did it. 00:05:46.859 --> 00:05:47.639 I think I'm doing it. 00:05:48.719 --> 00:05:49.819 Yes, it worked. 00:05:49.959 --> 00:05:50.699 All right, here we go. 00:05:52.079 --> 00:05:53.379 Technology makes our life better. 00:05:53.739 --> 00:05:55.359 Okay, here we go. 00:05:56.479 --> 00:05:59.019 We have been in this series called Catching Smoke. 00:05:59.099 --> 00:06:00.060 This is week 10. 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:05.099 Can y'all believe we have spent 10 Sundays diving into Solomon's teaching in Ecclesiastes? 00:06:05.299 --> 00:06:06.419 It has been fascinating. 00:06:06.420 --> 00:06:10.680 But I don't know about y'all, but I couldn't go another two weeks. 00:06:10.980 --> 00:06:12.640 Sometimes we go a chapter a week. 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:14.920 I had to just sort of skip ahead. 00:06:15.020 --> 00:06:15.720 We're going to review. 00:06:16.060 --> 00:06:19.060 We left off in chapter 9 last Sunday. 00:06:19.060 --> 00:06:24.899 Today, we're going to look at 10 and 11 and the first part of 12 because they're somewhat similar. 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:27.699 It's almost, he almost goes back to his Proverbs ways. 00:06:27.839 --> 00:06:29.579 How many of y'all know the same guy who wrote Proverbs? 00:06:29.839 --> 00:06:31.860 Same guy who wrote Ecclesiastes. 00:06:32.079 --> 00:06:32.620 King Solomon. 00:06:33.120 --> 00:06:34.699 Called the wisest man who ever lived. 00:06:34.800 --> 00:06:36.319 Called the wealthiest man who ever lived. 00:06:36.579 --> 00:06:39.500 Certainly, arguably the most powerful king who ever lived. 00:06:39.899 --> 00:06:42.259 King of Israel a long, long time ago. 00:06:42.259 --> 00:06:53.019 But we have been in this series and we called it Catching Smoke because it gives us teaching wisdom for how to live life. 00:06:53.300 --> 00:06:55.360 What he calls under the sun. 00:06:55.439 --> 00:06:57.180 Because we're all under the sun, aren't we? 00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:00.180 The same sun shines down on the rich and the poor. 00:07:00.439 --> 00:07:09.180 The famous, the non-famous, the successful, the unsuccessful, the white, the black, the Asian, the Hispanic. 00:07:09.180 --> 00:07:10.900 It doesn't matter what you are. 00:07:11.040 --> 00:07:16.800 If you have blood running in your veins, the same sun is shining down on all of us. 00:07:17.860 --> 00:07:20.840 He says, how do we live this life under the same sun? 00:07:23.040 --> 00:07:25.699 And this theme is catching smoke. 00:07:26.460 --> 00:07:28.019 You ever try to catch smoke in your hand? 00:07:28.079 --> 00:07:28.480 It's hard. 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:29.460 You can't hold it. 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:31.540 You think you've got it and you open your hand. 00:07:31.579 --> 00:07:32.180 There's nothing there. 00:07:33.420 --> 00:07:34.800 You ever chased the wind? 00:07:35.340 --> 00:07:37.480 It's another illustration he uses. 00:07:37.480 --> 00:07:39.819 You can't ever catch up with the wind, right? 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:43.580 They have storm chasers out there, but they never really catch the storm. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:44.920 You can't catch it. 00:07:46.660 --> 00:07:48.960 It seems hopeless. 00:07:50.220 --> 00:07:52.819 And that is a theme that we get from Ecclesiastes. 00:07:54.160 --> 00:07:59.340 Solomon, after achieving all he achieved, gets to the end and says, it's hopeless. 00:08:00.300 --> 00:08:02.259 That's why I want him to resolve this tension. 00:08:02.800 --> 00:08:04.180 I want him to get to the good part. 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:10.540 Only you could say that the good part never really comes. 00:08:11.720 --> 00:08:13.579 He never really resolves it. 00:08:14.459 --> 00:08:17.819 So let's go to Ecclesiastes chapter 12. 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:26.139 Chapters 10, 11, and the first part of 12 teach us that life is temporary. 00:08:26.139 --> 00:08:40.559 Now we could go and we could spend weeks breaking all these down, but I would encourage you to read through them and you'll see a common theme, a common thread throughout these chapters that teach us that life is temporary. 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:46.639 He's looked at wisdom and foolishness. 00:08:47.259 --> 00:08:49.000 He says these shape everything. 00:08:50.539 --> 00:08:52.919 Small foolish decisions can wreck a life. 00:08:53.019 --> 00:08:53.720 That's chapter 10. 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:58.420 He says that life is uncertain, so act courageously while you can. 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:03.340 Chapter 12, he says youth fades, strength fades, life fades. 00:09:03.980 --> 00:09:06.600 So remember your creator in the days of your youth. 00:09:07.680 --> 00:09:12.620 Life moves quickly toward the grave and Ecclesiastes doesn't soft soap that. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:14.440 It doesn't gloss over it. 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:15.279 It tells the truth. 00:09:16.240 --> 00:09:17.940 Life is fragile. 00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:20.399 All of life is temporary. 00:09:20.399 --> 00:09:25.679 So the teacher arrives at the best conclusion he possibly can. 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:29.100 He says verse 13. 00:09:29.299 --> 00:09:29.919 You ready? 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:34.980 Pick it up in verse 8, would you? 00:09:35.539 --> 00:09:36.860 We're going to get to verse 13. 00:09:36.959 --> 00:09:38.539 That's the one we're really going to focus on today. 00:09:38.539 --> 00:09:40.000 But let's pick it up in verse 8. 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:42.719 Concluding thoughts from the teacher. 00:09:43.939 --> 00:09:46.099 Everything is meaningless, says the teacher. 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:47.199 Completely meaningless. 00:09:49.059 --> 00:09:50.419 Keep this in mind. 00:09:51.199 --> 00:09:55.559 The teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. 00:09:55.559 --> 00:09:59.279 This is a little autobiography from Solomon here, talking about himself. 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:03.699 He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:08.599 The teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly. 00:10:08.779 --> 00:10:11.719 The words of the wise are like cattle prods, painful but helpful. 00:10:12.099 --> 00:10:17.500 Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. 00:10:17.719 --> 00:10:18.000 Ouch. 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:20.239 But helpful. 00:10:20.899 --> 00:10:21.379 Verse 12. 00:10:21.379 --> 00:10:23.960 Well, but my child, let me give you some further advice. 00:10:25.139 --> 00:10:28.639 Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:29.259 True. 00:10:30.100 --> 00:10:30.879 Now here we go. 00:10:32.120 --> 00:10:33.960 That's the whole story. 00:10:35.220 --> 00:10:38.000 Here now is my final conclusion. 00:10:39.700 --> 00:10:47.879 Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:54.879 Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone's duty. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:11:00.539 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. 00:11:00.620 --> 00:11:01.279 Can we pray together? 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:06.320 God, would you give us enlightenment through your spirit from your word today? 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:21.020 We're grateful for this book that you gave us, compiled from the teachings of Solomon, of David, the prophets, the words of your son, Paul, Peter, James, so many. 00:11:21.379 --> 00:11:26.440 John worked together to compile this book that is so indispensable for life. 00:11:26.440 --> 00:11:38.520 I pray that you would teach us not only the wisdom that Ecclesiastes teach us, but frame it with the whole picture of Jesus coming that we get to have now. 00:11:39.800 --> 00:11:44.880 Reveal to us exactly what we need to walk away from this place with today. 00:11:45.000 --> 00:11:45.940 It's in Jesus' name we pray. 00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:46.500 Amen. 00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:47.300 All right. 00:11:47.400 --> 00:11:49.300 So look back at verse 13. 00:11:49.840 --> 00:11:51.520 This is the whole conclusion. 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:54.980 This is the final conclusion, everything he's written up to. 00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:57.060 We have been waiting to get to this. 00:11:57.379 --> 00:12:00.480 As I've preached through other sermons, he's covered a lot of topics. 00:12:00.600 --> 00:12:04.680 Work, pleasure, wisdom, success, failure, youth, aging, death. 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:07.080 All of this he's covered throughout the book. 00:12:07.259 --> 00:12:10.560 And I've just been waiting and dying for him to get to the end. 00:12:11.139 --> 00:12:12.200 The final conclusion. 00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:13.279 Well, we're here now. 00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:15.139 Truth number one. 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:19.019 Here we go. 00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:20.000 Fear God. 00:12:20.980 --> 00:12:22.600 And what does fear God mean? 00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:28.899 So I tried to break down our perspective of when he says, here's the conclusion. 00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:30.100 Fear God. 00:12:30.240 --> 00:12:31.120 Keep his commands. 00:12:31.840 --> 00:12:34.200 This is what we can take away from that. 00:12:34.440 --> 00:12:41.320 When he says fear God, I believe our takeaway should be trust the one who holds your life. 00:12:42.460 --> 00:12:44.440 Trust the one who holds your life. 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:44.940 Why? 00:12:45.379 --> 00:12:46.660 Why do we phrase it that way? 00:12:47.660 --> 00:12:49.920 Would you go over to Matthew chapter 10? 00:12:49.919 --> 00:13:01.539 As you turn there, realize that Ecclesiastes, Solomon never totally reveals what he means by fear God. 00:13:02.079 --> 00:13:06.039 A lot of people fear God because they're afraid of God. 00:13:07.319 --> 00:13:10.779 They recognize that God is the master of the universe. 00:13:11.139 --> 00:13:12.079 God is all powerful. 00:13:12.080 --> 00:13:16.520 And so they're naturally afraid of a being more powerful than they are. 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:21.759 How many of you grew up with maybe some version of a fear-based Christianity? 00:13:22.200 --> 00:13:25.020 You better obey God or else he's going to get you. 00:13:25.300 --> 00:13:25.520 Anybody? 00:13:26.240 --> 00:13:26.500 Yep. 00:13:26.680 --> 00:13:27.560 Thank you for being honest. 00:13:27.620 --> 00:13:28.060 Some of you. 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:32.500 Some of that wormed its way into some of the Christianity I grew up with. 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:39.639 And if you're not paying close attention, sometimes that's the takeaway you can be left with. 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:44.220 We've got to be careful how we teach fear of God. 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:49.419 Sometimes Solomon almost sounds overwhelmed by life. 00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:51.059 Life is vapor. 00:13:51.259 --> 00:13:52.220 Life is unfair. 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.879 Death eventually wins. 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:57.879 But we get to see what Jesus had to say about it. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:14:00.179 Jesus came along. 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:02.099 We have that advantage. 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:05.659 And in Matthew 10, 28, he says, 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:12.120 Don't fear those who kill the body but are not able to kill the soul. 00:14:12.859 --> 00:14:19.620 Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 00:14:20.899 --> 00:14:23.639 Now, Jesus says the same thing as Solomon, doesn't he? 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:25.059 Fear God. 00:14:25.699 --> 00:14:28.359 But then Jesus immediately keeps talking. 00:14:28.360 --> 00:14:30.700 Don't stop in verse 28. 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:31.460 Keep going. 00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:32.200 He says, 00:14:32.419 --> 00:14:34.159 Aren't two sparrows sold for a penny? 00:14:34.940 --> 00:14:38.919 Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your father's consent. 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:43.539 Even the hairs of your head have all been counted. 00:14:44.039 --> 00:14:45.340 So don't be afraid. 00:14:45.860 --> 00:14:47.919 You are worth more than many sparrows. 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:49.039 I'm glad to hear that. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:51.539 I'm worth more than a lot of birds. 00:14:51.539 --> 00:14:54.620 Not just one bird. 00:14:55.199 --> 00:14:56.199 Many birds. 00:14:56.620 --> 00:14:57.459 And so are you. 00:14:58.019 --> 00:14:58.799 So are you. 00:15:00.019 --> 00:15:01.139 Of course we are. 00:15:01.319 --> 00:15:05.959 God values the human soul more than anything else in his creation. 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:08.339 That is what he saved for the end. 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:10.059 And then he said it was good. 00:15:10.059 --> 00:15:12.319 So. 00:15:12.319 --> 00:15:12.379 So. 00:15:13.719 --> 00:15:15.099 Fearing God. 00:15:15.679 --> 00:15:18.319 Doesn't mean living in terror. 00:15:19.639 --> 00:15:21.279 It means trusting the one. 00:15:21.839 --> 00:15:23.359 Who holds your life. 00:15:23.879 --> 00:15:24.759 And cares about it. 00:15:25.619 --> 00:15:29.459 Recognizing that God holds the keys to death. 00:15:29.959 --> 00:15:30.959 To the grave. 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.739 And to life itself. 00:15:32.740 --> 00:15:36.779 And showing him enough honor and respect. 00:15:37.700 --> 00:15:38.299 To say. 00:15:39.039 --> 00:15:40.240 I trust him. 00:15:40.980 --> 00:15:41.980 With my life. 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:43.779 I trust him. 00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:45.120 With my death. 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:46.539 I trust him. 00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:47.899 With my destiny. 00:15:48.360 --> 00:15:49.240 I trust him. 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:50.460 With everything. 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:53.159 That's what fearing God is. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:56.060 Recognizing he's the one who holds it in his hands. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.899 And so I will trust him. 00:15:58.159 --> 00:15:58.879 Because of that. 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.539 Jesus shows us. 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:02.560 Right after he gets done saying. 00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:04.279 You need to fear God. 00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:05.379 Then he goes on. 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:06.460 To paint God. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:08.139 As loving and caring. 00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:10.299 Like a parent. 00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.840 Who pays close attention. 00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:14.860 To the fingers and toes. 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:15.960 Of their kid. 00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:18.600 And their eyes. 00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:19.799 And their hair. 00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.779 And their ears. 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:22.700 They pay close attention. 00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:24.600 To those little newborn baby. 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:26.340 All the little details. 00:16:26.500 --> 00:16:28.200 Making sure everything's how it should be. 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:28.980 And everything's healthy. 00:16:29.080 --> 00:16:30.000 If there's anything wrong. 00:16:30.180 --> 00:16:31.279 We got to get him to the doctor. 00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.340 And see what's going on. 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:35.120 They're paying very close attention. 00:16:35.259 --> 00:16:36.799 That's the picture that God paints. 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:38.940 He cares so deeply. 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:41.639 Even the hairs of your head. 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:42.500 Are numbered. 00:16:43.060 --> 00:16:45.000 I'm thinking back to Daniel chapter 3. 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.779 Because the God of the Old Testament. 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:48.680 Is the exact same God of the New Testament. 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:51.039 Sometimes when you read through. 00:16:51.220 --> 00:16:52.340 Some of the stories of the Old Testament. 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:53.200 You get this idea. 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.580 That the Old Testament God. 00:16:54.700 --> 00:16:56.039 Was angry and mad all the time. 00:16:56.279 --> 00:16:57.779 And always looking for justice. 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:59.639 And wiping out people groups. 00:17:00.039 --> 00:17:02.079 And just this horrible ogre in the sky. 00:17:02.199 --> 00:17:03.539 And then Jesus was the nice one. 00:17:03.579 --> 00:17:04.299 And he came along. 00:17:04.519 --> 00:17:07.220 And it's the good cop, bad cop version of God. 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.639 That's absolutely not correct. 00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:11.420 God is like Jesus. 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:13.220 God has always been like Jesus. 00:17:13.500 --> 00:17:15.960 There's never been a time when God was not like Jesus. 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.680 They are one and the same. 00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:19.299 And Jesus said if you've seen me. 00:17:19.580 --> 00:17:20.580 You've seen the father. 00:17:20.880 --> 00:17:21.720 You know how I am. 00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:23.000 That's what the father is like. 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.539 They've always been that way. 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:29.100 So you look back in Daniel chapter 3. 00:17:29.400 --> 00:17:31.980 And we find this amazing story of Shadrach. 00:17:32.420 --> 00:17:32.820 Meshach. 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.860 And what was the third guy's name? 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:35.140 Abednego. 00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.620 If you didn't know the answer to that. 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.460 Don't feel bad. 00:17:38.340 --> 00:17:38.860 Hang around. 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:40.000 You'll learn stuff like that. 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:40.560 Shadrach. 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.180 Meshach. 00:17:41.320 --> 00:17:41.840 And Abednego. 00:17:43.360 --> 00:17:45.120 Now those were their Babylonian names. 00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:46.920 We're not going to get into their Hebrew names. 00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:48.440 Because I forgot to write them down. 00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.440 But you can look them up. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:50.300 There's homework assignment. 00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:52.840 What were the Hebrew names of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego? 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.259 Does anybody know that off the top of their head? 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:55.820 Exactly. 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:56.880 I used to know. 00:17:56.980 --> 00:17:57.880 And then I didn't. 00:17:58.660 --> 00:17:58.980 Yes. 00:17:59.080 --> 00:17:59.700 It doesn't matter. 00:17:59.800 --> 00:18:00.860 It's not pertinent to the story. 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:02.140 Let's stop wasting time on it. 00:18:02.220 --> 00:18:02.480 All right. 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:03.340 Daniel 3. 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:03.920 Here we go. 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:07.840 The Babylonian king sentenced these three guys to death. 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.259 Why? 00:18:08.840 --> 00:18:12.120 He didn't like that they wouldn't bow down to him. 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:14.360 Babylonian kings back in the day. 00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:15.880 They were different than our leaders today. 00:18:15.880 --> 00:18:17.880 They really wanted to be seen as God. 00:18:18.360 --> 00:18:21.380 The leaders today pretend like they don't want to be seen like God. 00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.420 But many of them do. 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:24.300 They get a little God complex. 00:18:24.500 --> 00:18:27.920 Well, back then, you could be just wide out in the open with your God complex. 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:30.260 And so he had a big idol erected. 00:18:30.560 --> 00:18:32.660 And he wanted everybody to bow down to it. 00:18:32.800 --> 00:18:35.160 And these three guys worshiped the one true God. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:35.780 They were Hebrews. 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.460 They had been brought as captives from the Jewish people. 00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:40.180 They were in exile in Babylon. 00:18:40.180 --> 00:18:42.980 And so they were serving this king. 00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:47.880 They said, no, we'll serve you because that's our duty that we've been given to do. 00:18:47.980 --> 00:18:50.860 But we're not going to bow down to you because we know you're not God. 00:18:51.580 --> 00:18:53.720 Look, sometimes you have to live in this world. 00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:56.100 Sometimes you have to obey the laws of the land. 00:18:56.340 --> 00:19:00.100 But it doesn't mean that you recognize that as God over God. 00:19:01.060 --> 00:19:02.460 Jesus is always God. 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.920 And these men took a stand on that. 00:19:03.920 --> 00:19:06.019 And they paid the ultimate price for it. 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:08.200 At least that was Nebuchadnezzar's plan. 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:12.000 So he sentenced them to death. 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.640 But not just any death. 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:18.300 This wasn't like a guillotine, chop their head off, and then it's over. 00:19:18.860 --> 00:19:21.240 This was death in a blazing furnace. 00:19:22.600 --> 00:19:26.080 And then he wanted it even hotter because he was so mad. 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:27.279 His pride was so hurt. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.480 His ego was wounded. 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:39.360 How dare these captives, these slaves of mine, how dare they, of all the people, why would they not be willing to bow down to me? 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:45.220 So he had them thrown into the blazing furnace. 00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:48.860 And then he looked a little closer. 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:53.940 And he says, guards, how many people did we throw in there? 00:19:55.160 --> 00:19:56.039 He said, three, sir. 00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:57.980 So that's what I thought. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.940 I see a fourth one. 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.879 I see a fourth one in there. 00:20:01.920 --> 00:20:03.559 And he looks like a son of God. 00:20:04.879 --> 00:20:06.180 Now maybe that was Jesus. 00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:08.099 Maybe it was an angel that God sent. 00:20:08.180 --> 00:20:10.619 We don't know exactly because the Bible doesn't tell us. 00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:13.519 But regardless, God showed up with them in the furnace. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:16.119 God rescued those guys. 00:20:16.559 --> 00:20:17.319 He came in. 00:20:17.539 --> 00:20:19.619 And not only did he show up with them, 00:20:20.139 --> 00:20:22.639 he called them out of the furnace. 00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.220 And what does it say? 00:20:24.220 --> 00:20:29.180 Not one hair on their head was singed. 00:20:29.180 --> 00:20:40.039 Now I have had enough accidents at the grill to know that the hair goes fast. 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:45.640 Your forearm, you know, and there's that smell, that acrid burning hair smell. 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:51.000 Jesus didn't even let one little hair get singed. 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:54.880 There was no burning hair smell that day. 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:02.180 God cares about the hairs on your head. 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.900 He counts them. 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:07.599 He wouldn't even let them get singed. 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:16.399 The God of all power, the ruler of the universe, 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:18.779 the most powerful being that could ever be, 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:23.659 is the same father who counts the hairs on your head. 00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:29.899 He cares about you like we try to care for our little babies. 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:36.040 We can trust him. 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:40.640 We fear him that way. 00:21:42.300 --> 00:21:43.960 That's how Jesus framed it. 00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:48.220 Solomon says, fear God, keep his commandments. 00:21:48.440 --> 00:21:49.920 This is the whole duty of man. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:54.240 Jesus comes along and says, fear God, because he cares about you. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:59.740 Fear God, because he knows all the intimate details about you. 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.599 He can protect you. 00:22:00.859 --> 00:22:01.940 He can keep you safe. 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:09.339 Verse 27 tells us that God literally joined the three Hebrew boys in the fire that day. 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:12.000 Whether it was his angel, whether it was Jesus himself, 00:22:12.200 --> 00:22:13.799 he saved their lives. 00:22:14.099 --> 00:22:15.420 He can save you. 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:17.779 He can save you. 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.759 Now we're back in Ecclesiastes. 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:24.440 Ecclesiastes chapter 12. 00:22:27.200 --> 00:22:28.220 Verse 13. 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:29.839 Fear God, and then what? 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:32.079 Keep his, what is it? 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.240 Commands. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:34.500 Keep his commands. 00:22:35.819 --> 00:22:39.480 But once again, Solomon doesn't give us the whole picture here. 00:22:40.000 --> 00:22:43.500 So we got to go to Jesus to understand how do we do this. 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:45.879 In Matthew 22. 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:47.759 We were in Matthew chapter 10. 00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:50.619 Let's go over to Matthew 22. 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:54.759 Matthew 22, verse 37. 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:06.319 Matthew 22 and verse 37. 00:23:07.920 --> 00:23:13.779 Jesus replied, you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind. 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:16.759 This is the first and the greatest commandment. 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:19.079 The second one is equally important. 00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:20.439 Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:23:20.539 --> 00:23:26.220 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments. 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:30.240 So he says, love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind. 00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:31.419 Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:35.859 All the law and all the prophets depend on these two commands. 00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.859 Do you understand? 00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:39.979 Do you understand? 00:23:41.139 --> 00:23:46.619 That they didn't have the full picture until Jesus came and fleshed it out. 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:53.019 Now some of them were able to see by the power of the Holy Spirit in advance. 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:58.579 Like you look at King David and you see how much he loved God and how much he understood God's love for him. 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:01.479 It's hard to see that in Solomon's writings. 00:24:02.319 --> 00:24:10.119 Seems like David, the father, and then Solomon, the son, maybe had somewhat of a different understanding of the relationship with God. 00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:12.519 Both gave us valuable wisdom. 00:24:13.419 --> 00:24:15.359 Both gave us insight that can help us. 00:24:16.119 --> 00:24:19.879 But David had an unusual understanding and grasp of God's love. 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:30.099 And Jesus, all those centuries later, is teaching us in Matthew 22 that it's that understanding of God's love that makes all the difference. 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:32.619 It makes all the difference. 00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:34.399 Because here's the principle. 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:41.720 When Ecclesiastes says keep his commands, Jesus comes along and tells us what that really means. 00:24:41.800 --> 00:24:45.320 It means love God fully, love people faithfully. 00:24:46.300 --> 00:24:48.580 Because something deeper is happening here. 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:52.560 We don't obey God to earn his love. 00:24:52.820 --> 00:24:56.600 We obey him because we've seen his love. 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:58.560 We've tasted his love. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:04.859 When Jesus came, people began to see something. 00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:09.460 People who had followed God for generations to the best that they could. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:11.339 They had read what Solomon said. 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.179 Fear God. 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.960 Keep his commandments. 00:25:15.139 --> 00:25:15.740 It's our duty. 00:25:16.799 --> 00:25:17.879 And they tried to do it. 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:21.599 They began to see something they'd never seen before. 00:25:21.720 --> 00:25:23.379 They saw the heart of God. 00:25:23.899 --> 00:25:25.480 A God who heals the sick. 00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:27.440 Even if it's on the Sabbath. 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:36.019 A God who welcomes sinners and goes and eats with them and lives life with them. 00:25:36.399 --> 00:25:41.980 A God who forgives his enemies even when they're in the wrong and not deserving of forgiveness. 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:45.460 A God who laid down his life for them. 00:25:46.359 --> 00:25:48.899 None of the religious teachers they had encountered would ever do that. 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:52.200 They saw God really is good. 00:25:54.159 --> 00:25:55.519 He really is kind. 00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.779 He really is loving. 00:25:56.779 --> 00:26:00.000 His ways really are better. 00:26:00.579 --> 00:26:04.619 When you see that kind of love, obedience is not a burden anymore. 00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:06.879 Now it's a response. 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.839 And that's what we get to. 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:12.160 Obedience is not the price of God's love. 00:26:12.460 --> 00:26:14.339 It's the response to it. 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:21.480 He's not calling you to say obey me and I'll love you. 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:23.980 He's saying obey me because I love you. 00:26:25.679 --> 00:26:29.379 People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care, right? 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.299 You've heard that before? 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:33.220 Matthew 7 24. 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:37.199 Would you go back a few chapters or you can just listen and I'll read it to you. 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:45.740 Everyone who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:48.839 There's so much wisdom in Proverbs. 00:26:49.039 --> 00:26:53.200 There's so much wisdom in Ecclesiastes from Solomon. 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:56.120 Especially the parts we summarize today. 00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:58.460 Chapters 10, 11, 12. 00:26:58.579 --> 00:27:02.660 But even all throughout the book there's nuggets of wisdom that are true. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:04.980 But what do you do with that wisdom? 00:27:05.120 --> 00:27:05.440 Do you remember? 00:27:05.540 --> 00:27:06.400 I think it was week two. 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.560 We said you can be right. 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:11.580 But that doesn't necessarily make it better. 00:27:13.540 --> 00:27:16.400 You can win something and still lose. 00:27:16.900 --> 00:27:19.880 You can win an argument and still ultimately win the war. 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.220 Has anybody ever been married? 00:27:21.660 --> 00:27:24.279 You can win an argument and still lose the war, right? 00:27:24.840 --> 00:27:26.700 Do you feel better that you won? 00:27:26.820 --> 00:27:27.279 Not really. 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:31.140 So what good does the wisdom do you? 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:35.460 Unless we get the context of Jesus. 00:27:36.560 --> 00:27:41.480 So Jesus says, if you hear these words of mine, this upside down kingdom. 00:27:41.620 --> 00:27:45.100 We've been talking about this kingdom of God since last summer in this church. 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:47.920 When we looked at all the stories of the kingdom that Jesus told. 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:51.040 When you start to understand the principle. 00:27:51.720 --> 00:27:52.960 The last shall be first. 00:27:54.000 --> 00:27:56.100 You're kind to those who are unkind to you. 00:27:56.920 --> 00:28:00.240 You forgive even when you're not being forgiven yourself. 00:28:01.140 --> 00:28:04.340 It's an upside down universe. 00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:06.840 When Jesus says, when you hear these words of mine. 00:28:07.060 --> 00:28:08.880 And you act on them. 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:12.080 Then you'll be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 00:28:12.120 --> 00:28:13.660 And the storms came. 00:28:14.800 --> 00:28:15.960 And they attacked the house. 00:28:16.040 --> 00:28:16.860 But it stood firm. 00:28:16.880 --> 00:28:18.460 Because it was founded on a firm foundation. 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:24.079 But when you're not applying these words. 00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.299 These teachings. 00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:28.079 Then all the wisdom that you have. 00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:31.220 Will be like a house planted on the sand. 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:34.660 And when the winds came and the rains came. 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.519 The house fell. 00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:40.559 And I almost feel like that's where Solomon was. 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:42.500 He had all the wisdom. 00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:48.740 But he didn't have it in the context of the teaching of Jesus. 00:28:50.579 --> 00:28:51.740 So he recognized. 00:28:51.880 --> 00:28:52.019 Yeah. 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.559 Our duty. 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:55.220 Is to fear God. 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:57.440 And to keep his commands. 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:00.920 Jesus says. 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.759 You do it because I love you. 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:07.240 You do it because I sacrifice for you. 00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:10.640 You do it because I care for you more than anyone else ever will. 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:13.000 So I want to challenge us. 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:15.420 I'm reminded by this quote from David Jeremiah. 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:16.340 Great Bible teacher. 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.220 He said. 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:19.280 Devotion is not a duty. 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:20.600 It's a joy. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.500 Devotion is not a duty. 00:29:24.800 --> 00:29:25.580 It's a joy. 00:29:26.240 --> 00:29:28.560 Is it our duty to fear God. 00:29:28.620 --> 00:29:29.380 And to keep his commands? 00:29:29.560 --> 00:29:29.840 Yes. 00:29:31.080 --> 00:29:33.259 But we've got to move past duty. 00:29:34.520 --> 00:29:36.759 We've got to move from duty. 00:29:37.180 --> 00:29:37.880 To devotion. 00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:40.920 Ecclesiastes says. 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:41.620 Fear God. 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.460 Keep his commandments. 00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:43.760 This is everyone's duty. 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.320 John 14, 15. 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.320 Jesus says. 00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:48.420 If you love me. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:51.260 You will keep my commands. 00:29:52.540 --> 00:29:53.660 That's the shift. 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:55.460 And I pray. 00:29:56.080 --> 00:29:58.820 That there are not still long time Christians. 00:29:59.340 --> 00:30:00.320 In this room. 00:30:00.840 --> 00:30:01.900 Who are thinking. 00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:03.540 Well I've got to do this. 00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:04.580 Because it's my duty. 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:06.839 But it's not coming. 00:30:06.839 --> 00:30:08.599 From a heart of devotion. 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:11.980 It's not coming from. 00:30:12.179 --> 00:30:13.119 I love him. 00:30:13.179 --> 00:30:14.539 Because he first loved me. 00:30:15.379 --> 00:30:17.039 It's not coming from. 00:30:17.519 --> 00:30:19.240 Jesus gave everything to me. 00:30:19.439 --> 00:30:20.939 So I'll happily give. 00:30:21.179 --> 00:30:22.000 Anything I can. 00:30:22.439 --> 00:30:22.819 To him. 00:30:24.220 --> 00:30:24.939 So. 00:30:26.059 --> 00:30:28.059 The teacher ends Ecclesiastes. 00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:31.500 With a conclusion that's true. 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.240 It's good wisdom. 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:35.579 But Jesus takes us much deeper. 00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:40.099 Back in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:42.500 Jesus almost gives his own book of Proverbs. 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:43.960 His own wisdom. 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:44.599 Read through it. 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:45.839 You'll see what I'm talking about. 00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:49.079 He talks about treasures in heaven. 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:51.420 He talks about trusting the Father for daily needs. 00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:53.220 Not worrying about tomorrow. 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.559 Building your life on the rock. 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.500 We looked at that. 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.900 But then in Matthew 6, 33. 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.759 He says this. 00:30:58.759 --> 00:31:02.000 Right in the middle of this sermon. 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:04.359 He gives us the compass for life. 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:07.740 Your life ever feel like it's spiraling off track. 00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:09.279 Go back to this compass. 00:31:09.420 --> 00:31:10.359 Matthew 6, 33. 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.680 Seek first. 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:14.680 The kingdom of God. 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.440 And his righteousness. 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:19.140 And all these things. 00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:21.619 Will be provided. 00:31:22.240 --> 00:31:22.539 For you. 00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:25.279 When he says all these things. 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:27.960 He's talking about our daily needs. 00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:29.399 The things that we need. 00:31:30.460 --> 00:31:32.180 The things that we know we need. 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:34.960 The things we fight hard and work hard to achieve. 00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:37.039 To get stability in. 00:31:37.139 --> 00:31:37.859 Security in. 00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:41.000 He says all of this will be added to you. 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:42.960 If you seek first. 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:44.359 The kingdom of God. 00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:48.299 It's not the idea of God saying. 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:49.960 Well you're not seeking first. 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:51.700 So I'm not going to reward you with this. 00:31:51.700 --> 00:31:54.420 It's if you seek it. 00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.880 You'll find it. 00:31:56.600 --> 00:31:58.620 If you seek the kingdom of God. 00:31:58.700 --> 00:31:59.600 You'll find it. 00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:02.059 And it's like a treasure hidden in a field. 00:32:02.279 --> 00:32:03.799 And then you stumble upon it. 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:05.140 Because you were looking for it. 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:06.380 And then you find it. 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.880 And the treasure is. 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:09.660 All these things that you were seeking. 00:32:10.059 --> 00:32:11.140 And so much more. 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:13.539 The treasure is all the fulfillment. 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:14.299 All the peace. 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:14.920 All the hope. 00:32:15.019 --> 00:32:15.500 All the love. 00:32:15.580 --> 00:32:16.120 All the joy. 00:32:16.340 --> 00:32:18.559 All the things that we know we actually need. 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:19.720 You will find. 00:32:19.919 --> 00:32:21.000 If you seek first. 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:21.859 The kingdom of God. 00:32:21.980 --> 00:32:23.980 All the things that Solomon was searching for. 00:32:24.319 --> 00:32:26.259 All the things that he couldn't find. 00:32:26.899 --> 00:32:27.519 And he said. 00:32:27.619 --> 00:32:28.599 Then life is meaningless. 00:32:29.039 --> 00:32:29.819 It's hopeless. 00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:33.299 I can't find what really matters. 00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:36.279 Even wisdom. 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.759 Left me wanting more. 00:32:40.960 --> 00:32:41.720 Jesus says. 00:32:41.799 --> 00:32:42.000 Yeah. 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.940 It's because I'm the treasure. 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:46.440 My love. 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:47.659 Is what was missing. 00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:50.599 So if you love me. 00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.919 Because I love you. 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:55.079 Then you'll keep my commandments. 00:32:56.200 --> 00:32:58.179 And then you'll be doing your duty as a person. 00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.899 Life will make sense. 00:33:01.139 --> 00:33:03.519 Even when things aren't the best on the outside. 00:33:03.639 --> 00:33:05.319 Even when all the circumstances aren't perfect. 00:33:05.659 --> 00:33:08.859 You're not somebody then who needs all the circumstances to be perfect. 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:09.819 Good thing. 00:33:09.879 --> 00:33:10.980 Because life's never going to be that way. 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:11.259 Is it? 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:14.419 So are you somebody who can't be content. 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:15.200 Can't be happy. 00:33:15.319 --> 00:33:16.099 Can't find joy. 00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:17.919 Unless everything is in its slot. 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:19.839 And everything is as it's supposed to be. 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:22.039 Don't be that weak of a person. 00:33:22.159 --> 00:33:24.740 Don't be that fragile or shallow of a person. 00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:28.319 Be someone who's strong enough to make it through the storms. 00:33:28.959 --> 00:33:31.159 Because your life is built on the rock. 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:33.179 Of God's love. 00:33:33.180 --> 00:33:38.019 That's what we mean. 00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:39.440 When we say. 00:33:40.140 --> 00:33:41.200 How do we live. 00:33:41.820 --> 00:33:42.539 Under the sun. 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:46.039 We look above the sun. 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:48.160 Yes Solomon. 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:50.000 Under this sun. 00:33:50.820 --> 00:33:52.920 Everything is ultimately going to fail. 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:55.320 Under this sun. 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:56.580 It's hard to find meaning. 00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:59.199 But when you look above the sun. 00:34:00.699 --> 00:34:01.839 You find love. 00:34:02.799 --> 00:34:03.859 You find meaning. 00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:05.639 You find purpose. 00:34:06.500 --> 00:34:07.579 You find Jesus. 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:11.219 You find the one who can truly make the difference. 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:14.840 And if you haven't found him. 00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:17.679 Then let today be the day. 00:34:18.699 --> 00:34:19.619 Then next week. 00:34:19.679 --> 00:34:21.340 Palm Sunday will mean a whole lot more to you. 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:22.360 The week after that. 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:23.920 Easter will mean a whole lot more to you. 00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:27.659 We're about to enter into this wonderful time in the life of a church. 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:30.740 When we pause as we should throughout the year. 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:34.139 And remember the death, burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. 00:34:34.300 --> 00:34:37.920 But we intentionally set aside this time on the calendar. 00:34:38.119 --> 00:34:39.180 To think about it. 00:34:39.500 --> 00:34:41.579 To spend specific intentional time. 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:45.519 Giving attention and respect and honor and celebration. 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:48.539 To the fact that Jesus rose from the dead. 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:51.880 And doing that he proved he was different than all of us. 00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:53.220 All his claims. 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:55.480 Were verified in that moment. 00:34:55.980 --> 00:34:57.780 So as we enter into this time. 00:34:58.200 --> 00:34:59.900 Would you pause right now today. 00:35:01.280 --> 00:35:03.659 And say have I looked above the sun? 00:35:04.240 --> 00:35:07.119 Have I encountered Jesus Christ? 00:35:07.300 --> 00:35:08.059 The son of God. 00:35:08.680 --> 00:35:10.180 He's the one who gives the perspectives. 00:35:11.000 --> 00:35:13.940 Otherwise you'll end up at the same conclusions that Solomon did. 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:17.460 You say man it's hard to fear God and keep his commandments. 00:35:17.460 --> 00:35:22.000 It's because you're missing the love of God himself. 00:35:22.579 --> 00:35:23.900 Would you bow your heads with me right now? 00:35:24.619 --> 00:35:26.400 God we're finishing up this series. 00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:29.000 And we're grateful for what you've taught us during it. 00:35:29.000 --> 00:35:32.539 But in this moment. 00:35:32.539 --> 00:35:32.539 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:42.900 Would you meet with us? 00:35:44.139 --> 00:35:47.260 Would you break through our crusty exteriors? 00:35:47.260 --> 00:35:51.020 And find the soft hearts inside? 00:35:52.820 --> 00:35:54.760 Would you mold and shape those? 00:35:55.320 --> 00:35:56.340 Would you change us? 00:35:57.540 --> 00:35:59.640 Would you impact us? 00:36:01.100 --> 00:36:03.100 With your sacrifice of love? 00:36:03.760 --> 00:36:05.380 You don't just say you loved us. 00:36:05.460 --> 00:36:06.140 You proved it. 00:36:09.040 --> 00:36:10.600 You died on our behalf. 00:36:10.599 --> 00:36:12.739 You offer forgiveness. 00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:14.500 You offer freedom.