WEBVTT

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 We look above the sun. Listen, I am thrilled to continue our brand new sermon series in Ecclesiastes.

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 We started last week. Let me ask you all this. How many of you are figure it out people?

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 A couple of hands shot right up. Think about it now. How many of you are figure it out people?

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 How many of your spouses would say, yeah, he or she is a figure it out person? You're not going to call somebody to fix it for you.

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 You're going to figure it out. That's what you're going to do. You don't need directions. You don't need an instructions manual.

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 You definitely don't need GPS telling you where to go. You know the way there.

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 I was telling my son recently about the Rand McNally Atlas maps.

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 I used to be the navigator. That was fun. We were traveling all over America.

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 It's just different back then, you know? Missed exits happened a whole lot more, I think.

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 Wait, that was the one? Well, you got to tell me sooner.

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 All right. Figure it out people, man. You don't need directions. You don't need GPS.

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 You definitely don't need somebody standing over your shoulder telling you how to do something.

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 You'll figure it out. And truthfully, that's not always a bad thing.

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 You learn from that. You gain experience. You pick up wisdom from that.

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 You know how stuff works because you've lived a little.

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 Most of us have figured out a lot about different things.

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 Maybe you're somebody who knows a little bit about a lot of things.

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 But if you live long enough, you eventually figure something else out, too.

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 And that is this.

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 Figuring it out doesn't fix it.

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 It's the truth of it.

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 You can figure it out.

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 But that doesn't mean it's fixed.

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 What do we mean?

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 You can know exactly what's wrong.

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 You can understand why it's happening, where it went wrong.

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 You might even have a pretty good idea of what should be done.

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 But still, nothing changes.

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 It might be in the lives of those around you.

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 It might be in your own heart.

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 Marriage is still strained.

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 The anxiety is still there.

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 The diagnosis doesn't go away.

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 The family dynamic is still broken.

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 The situation at work hasn't improved.

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 And those are the problems that mess with us the most, aren't they?

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 Not the ones we can't figure out.

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 The ones we can figure out but can't fix.

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 So, this is where the teacher, the writer of Ecclesiastes,

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 picks up in Ecclesiastes chapter 2.

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 So, if you would take your Bibles and turn with me to Ecclesiastes chapter 2.

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 We're going to read from verses 12 down through verse 17.

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 These are the problems that can keep us up at night.

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 The ones that bring us fear, anxiety, depression.

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 Somewhere along the way, we realize that wisdom by itself is not the solution.

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 It can't be.

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 Now, don't hear what I'm not saying.

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 As you're turning to Ecclesiastes 2, understand that wisdom matters.

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 The Bible makes it very clear.

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 And life itself would make it very clear that wisdom matters.

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 The Bible values matter.

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 Wisdom.

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 Proverbs.

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 If we accept Solomon, King Solomon, as the writer of Ecclesiastes,

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 we also understand that he wrote Proverbs.

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 And in the Proverbs, we see admonishments toward wisdom over and over again.

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 Particularly in Proverbs 4, he's teaching his son, wisdom matters so much.

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 Make it be your goal.

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 Pursue it.

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 And you realize that Solomon did do that.

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 He asked God for wisdom.

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 God granted it to him.

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 Possibly more than anyone else in his time.

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 More than anyone else in recorded history, it's possible that Solomon gained wisdom from God.

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 And so he's teaching his son in Proverbs, hey, wisdom's a big deal.

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 It'll protect you.

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 It'll guide you.

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 It'll look out for you.

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 It'll keep you from stumbling.

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 It'll help you be successful in your life.

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 Just look at me, son.

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 Look at me.

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 I have been wise.

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 And look at all I've accomplished.

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 And then you get to Ecclesiastes.

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 And we got a very different picture from Solomon on the subject of wisdom.

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 So let's look at Ecclesiastes chapter 2 as we pick up our series, Catching Smoke.

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 How do we live this life under the sun?

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 Verse 12.

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 So I decided, the teacher is speaking, he's writing here, and he says, I decided to compare wisdom with foolishness and madness.

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 For who can do this better than I, the king?

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 I thought, wisdom is better than foolishness, just as light is better than darkness.

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 Obviously, right?

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 Verse 14.

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 Verse 14.

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 For the wise can see where they're going, but fools walk in the dark.

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 Yet I saw that the wise and the foolish share the same fate.

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 Both will die.

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 So I said to myself, since I will end up the same as the fool, what's the value of all my wisdom?

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 This is all so meaningless.

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 Anybody ever been there?

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 You're surrounded by something that you've pursued.

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 You've gone after it.

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 You've achieved it.

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 You've gained it.

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 You've got it.

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 You see it every day.

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 And at some point, you look at it and say, what good did this really do me?

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 It's all pretty meaningless, isn't it?

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 That's what we're getting from Solomon.

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 Y'all, I told you last week, this is a weird book of the Bible.

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 It's different than most of them.

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 But it's so important.

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 It's so crucial.

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 It's not what we're used to when we're reading the scriptures.

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 But we can gain so much from it.

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 Let's pick it up in verse 16.

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 For the wise and the foolish both die.

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 The wise will not be remembered any longer than the fool.

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 In the days to come, both will be forgotten.

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 In my Wednesday night, Pastor's Life group, they got a little sneak peek of this.

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 And toward the end of it, we just touched a little bit on, as we go back and dig a little

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 deeper into the text of the sermon on Sundays.

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 We dug into, what does Solomon mean?

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 This is all so meaningless.

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 We started looking at the different experiences that you have in life and how you want them

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 and you think they're great and then you taste them.

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 And it's like, yeah, well, what's the next thing?

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 On to the next thing.

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 So verse 17.

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 After he realizes this, he says, I came to hate life.

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 Because everything done here under the sun is so troubling.

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 Everything is meaningless.

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 Like chasing the wind.

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 Something you can never catch.

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 Like trying to catch smoke in your hand.

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 So, where does this leave us?

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 Let's look at number one.

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 What can we draw from this?

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 What are some main truths that we can take away from this unsettling passage in Ecclesiastes 2?

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 Number one, wisdom can explain life, but it can't fix it.

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 Wisdom can explain life, but it can't fix it.

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 Look back at verse 14.

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 The wise can see where they're going, but fools walk in the dark.

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 So I saw the wise and the foolish share the same fate.

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 Fools don't know what's coming next.

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 They miss the life lessons.

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 They don't learn the moral of the story.

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 They just blindly go through their life trying to appease their own desires, trying to get what they want,

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 trying to make themselves feel better, more comfortable.

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 And they miss so much along the way that wisdom can teach them.

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 But even the wise eventually share the same fate as the foolish.

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 So they may have understood far more along the way.

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 They may have learned valuable lessons, but the value in the end doesn't come from wisdom.

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 It doesn't come from the learning.

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 So the teacher speaks as someone who has reached the pinnacle, the ceiling of wisdom.

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 He's gotten the wisdom part down.

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 God gave it to him.

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 This is not earthly wisdom.

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 This isn't the wisdom that the world considers wise, but it's actually foolishness.

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 This wisdom came from God.

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 This is real, genuine, valuable wisdom from God.

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 And Solomon had it in excess.

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 And he gets to the end of his life and he says,

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 man, it was all pretty meaningless.

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 Didn't really help me all that much.

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 Why?

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 Why is that?

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 He had all the lived experience.

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 He had all the broad knowledge.

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 He had deep insights.

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 You can look at the ancient text, the wisdom of Solomon,

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 and you can see all the records of Solomon's righteous judgment.

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 Of course, we've got the famous one with the two women fighting over the baby.

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 And Solomon says, okay, I'll cut the baby in half.

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 And each of you can take half if we can't dispute over whose baby this is.

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 And of course, the real mother said, no, no, no, don't do that.

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 She can have it.

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 And then he realized it was hers and awarded the baby to her.

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 Wisdom was something that Solomon knew.

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 The kind of wisdom that people assume should make life work.

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 It should make you highly successful.

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 But Ecclesiastes is honest enough to say, the teacher teaches us that wisdom alone cannot save us.

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 There's a British corporate coach named Rashid Ogunlaru.

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 And he says it this way, intelligence is overrated.

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 Wisdom is underapplied.

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 Intelligence is overrated.

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 And wisdom is underapplied.

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 I thought that was a very appropriate and applicable sentiment to share with you in our study of Ecclesiastes 2 this morning.

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 Because intelligence just means gaining more information.

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 But it's what you, what?

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 Do with that information that matters.

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 And wisdom can be gained but not used.

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 Not utilized.

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 Not applied to our lives.

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 How many of us know a thing or two about life?

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 And how many of us don't follow those things that we know all the time?

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 Have you ever heard the phrase, well, I knew better?

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 Or I should have known better.

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 Of course you did.

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 That means wisdom not applied.

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 And I think this is where Solomon found himself.

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 And I almost wonder if he overstated a little bit in Proverbs when he said, wisdom's going to do it, man.

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 Wisdom's going to go before you.

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 It's going to do, basically, the sentiment, he didn't put it in these words,

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 but the sentiment that you could glean from it is, wisdom's going to do all the work.

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 You just hang on to wisdom.

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 And the truth is, wisdom can only get you so far.

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 So, the teacher tells us that as his wisdom increased, so did his sorrow.

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 Why would that be the case?

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 As I got wiser, I got sadder.

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 I got more sorrowful.

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 Why?

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 Because wisdom helps you see what's broken.

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 It helps you see what's broken in the world around you,

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 and it helps you see what's broken in your own heart,

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 in your own soul, in your own mind,

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 in your own relationships, in you.

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 Wisdom helps you see yourself more clearly,

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 but it doesn't always give you the power to heal it.

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 Wisdom explains why relationships fall apart.

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 Wisdom explains why injustice persists.

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 Wisdom explains why systems fail.

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 Wisdom reveals why life is unfair.

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 And I hate to say that to some of the younger people in the room.

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 Man, life's just not fair.

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 Look, you're going to learn it at some point.

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 That's why Jesus is so great, because he is.

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 That's why he stands apart from everybody else,

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 because he's different than this broken world around us.

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 So, wisdom can reveal the brokenness,

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 but it can't help you heal it.

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 So, Matthew chapter 11, verses 28 and 29.

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 This is where Jesus steps into the gap.

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 Ecclesiastes needs some help here,

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 and it points us ahead to Jesus.

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 Jesus never criticizes wisdom,

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 but he refuses to make it the solution.

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 He doesn't say, figure it out.

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 He doesn't say, learn more.

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 He doesn't say, become more wise.

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 You will become more wise the longer you spend with the Holy Spirit,

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 the longer you spend in the Word of God,

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 the longer you spend around those who have learned wisdom from God and applied it.

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 You will become more wise.

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 But Jesus says, this is not the end goal.

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 This is not what you should be chasing.

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 You should be chasing me.

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 He says, come to me.

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 The invitation is to me.

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 He says, come to me, all of you who are weary,

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 and carry heavy burdens.

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 Maybe you've learned a little bit.

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 Maybe it's increased your sorrow.

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 Maybe you've realized the truth about the world around you

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 and the truth about yourself.

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 And he says, come to me.

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 Carry those heavy burdens over here to me and give them to me.

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 I will give you rest.

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 He said, trade those heavy burdens for my burden, for my yoke.

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 It's light.

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 It's easy comparatively.

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 Trust me.

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 Let me teach you because I'm humble and I'm gentle at heart,

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 and you'll find rest for your souls.

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 Wisdom can name your weariness.

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 Jesus invites you to bring that to him.

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 Ecclesiastes helps us understand why we're tired.

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 Jesus says, give me your tiredness.

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 I can give you energy that you don't understand.

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 It doesn't make any sense.

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 I can give you peace that surpasses your understanding.

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 So wisdom diagnoses problems, but Jesus delivers people.

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 Let's say that one more time.

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 Wisdom diagnoses problems,

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 but Jesus is in the people delivering business.

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 He can deliver your heart.

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 He can free your soul.

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 And I could ask for a show of hands.

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 Let's do that.

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 How many people in this room today would testify

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 by just slipping your hand up and say,

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 Jesus has delivered me?

00:15:32.620 --> 00:15:32.980
 Yeah.

00:15:33.519 --> 00:15:34.840
 All across this room.

00:15:35.080 --> 00:15:36.279
 Those are testimonies,

00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:39.320
 and you're probably thinking of something in your mind right now,

00:15:39.419 --> 00:15:40.740
 if not many things,

00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.659
 that allowed you to raise your hand and say,

00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:44.100
 Jesus delivered me from that.

00:15:45.659 --> 00:15:47.899
 Time and time throughout the pages of Scripture,

00:15:47.899 --> 00:15:51.840
 we see the deliverance of the one they called Jesus,

00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:56.379
 the Christ, the Messiah, Emmanuel, God with us,

00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:59.679
 who took on human flesh to walk among us and say,

00:16:00.199 --> 00:16:02.159
 this is how you live this life.

00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:04.959
 There were some wise rabbis,

00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:08.319
 some wise Pharisees who came before him

00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:11.539
 and who were his contemporaries there during his time on earth,

00:16:11.639 --> 00:16:14.480
 and they would go toe-to-toe with him in the Scriptures,

00:16:14.480 --> 00:16:16.060
 and with all their wisdom,

00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:18.980
 they were broken.

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:23.139
 And their whole system of religion,

00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:27.920
 which was based on wisdom from God in the Old Testament,

00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:30.399
 they knew it inside and out.

00:16:30.879 --> 00:16:31.700
 They'd studied it.

00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:34.360
 Their study habits put ours to shame.

00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:39.139
 These kids growing up in synagogue school,

00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:39.879
 rabbi school,

00:16:40.139 --> 00:16:41.700
 they knew it all.

00:16:41.740 --> 00:16:44.320
 They could quote massive portions of the Old Testament.

00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:47.320
 But it didn't do them any good

00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:51.379
 because Jesus hadn't changed their hearts.

00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:53.720
 What good does your knowledge,

00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:54.899
 your information,

00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:55.680
 your intelligence,

00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:57.220
 your wisdom that you've gained,

00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:57.820
 do you

00:16:57.820 --> 00:17:00.680
 if Jesus hasn't freed you?

00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:01.900
 So,

00:17:02.520 --> 00:17:03.440
 that's number one.

00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:08.559
 Jesus delivers people.

00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:09.640
 This is discipleship.

00:17:11.320 --> 00:17:14.019
 This is learning how to follow something else,

00:17:14.380 --> 00:17:16.920
 how to pursue someone different.

00:17:18.600 --> 00:17:21.059
 Discipleship is not about knowing more information.

00:17:21.559 --> 00:17:23.720
 It's about learning how to follow.

00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:25.279
 A church can grow smarter

00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:27.340
 without growing more faithful.

00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:30.039
 Direction,

00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.039
 not perfection.

00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:32.240
 We've been talking about it every week

00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:33.299
 and we'll continue to do so.

00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.460
 Direction,

00:17:34.579 --> 00:17:35.119
 not perfection,

00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.299
 means we pursue

00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:38.259
 the person of Jesus wisely

00:17:38.259 --> 00:17:40.819
 only through obedience and trust.

00:17:40.899 --> 00:17:41.939
 We don't chase wisdom

00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:43.879
 by itself

00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:45.220
 that leaves us informed

00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:46.039
 but exhausted.

00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:48.179
 And that's going to lead us

00:17:48.179 --> 00:17:49.559
 to our next main point.

00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:50.939
 Main truth number two,

00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.759
 wisdom without God

00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:55.200
 eventually leads to despair.

00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.740
 Wisdom without God

00:17:56.740 --> 00:17:58.319
 eventually leads to despair.

00:17:58.440 --> 00:17:59.559
 Would you turn back a page

00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.240
 in Ecclesiastes?

00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:02.120
 Let's go to Ecclesiastes 1.

00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.900
 Wisdom without God

00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:05.420
 eventually leads to despair.

00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:07.839
 We were in Ecclesiastes 1 last week.

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:08.940
 We're going to jump ahead.

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.660
 I think we hit verses 1 through 11.

00:18:10.859 --> 00:18:12.319
 We're going to jump into verse 12 now.

00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.819
 Verse 12, Ecclesiastes 1.

00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.639
 I, the teacher,

00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:16.579
 was king of Israel

00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.720
 and I lived in Jerusalem.

00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:19.000
 I devoted myself

00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:20.539
 to search for understanding

00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:22.259
 and to explore by wisdom

00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:23.460
 everything being done

00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.000
 under the heaven.

00:18:24.240 --> 00:18:25.220
 I soon discovered

00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.299
 that God has dealt

00:18:26.299 --> 00:18:27.559
 a tragic existence

00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:28.599
 to the human race.

00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:30.919
 I observed everything going on

00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:31.559
 under the sun.

00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:32.500
 And really,

00:18:33.240 --> 00:18:34.159
 it's all meaningless,

00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:36.119
 like chasing the wind.

00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.439
 He repeats himself a lot

00:18:37.439 --> 00:18:38.220
 in this book, doesn't he?

00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:39.419
 This is the theme

00:18:39.419 --> 00:18:39.939
 that we see

00:18:39.939 --> 00:18:40.859
 throughout Ecclesiastes.

00:18:40.859 --> 00:18:42.959
 What is wrong

00:18:42.959 --> 00:18:43.919
 cannot be made right.

00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:44.679
 What's missing

00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:45.919
 cannot be recovered.

00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.579
 So I said to myself,

00:18:47.699 --> 00:18:48.879
 look, I'm wiser

00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:49.839
 than any of the kings

00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:51.339
 who ruled Jerusalem before me,

00:18:52.099 --> 00:18:53.459
 including his father David.

00:18:54.719 --> 00:18:56.240
 That's a big statement, isn't it?

00:18:56.279 --> 00:18:57.139
 He's kind of flexing

00:18:57.139 --> 00:18:57.599
 on all of them,

00:18:57.679 --> 00:18:58.619
 saying, look at me, man.

00:18:59.199 --> 00:19:00.000
 God has given me

00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.759
 so much wisdom,

00:19:00.919 --> 00:19:01.599
 so much wealth,

00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.939
 so much success.

00:19:03.279 --> 00:19:04.179
 I've gone higher

00:19:04.179 --> 00:19:05.179
 than any of them did.

00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.519
 I've got greater wisdom

00:19:08.519 --> 00:19:09.019
 and knowledge

00:19:09.019 --> 00:19:09.839
 than any of them.

00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:11.399
 Verse 17,

00:19:11.919 --> 00:19:12.720
 so I set out

00:19:12.720 --> 00:19:14.059
 to learn everything

00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.859
 from wisdom

00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:15.740
 to madness

00:19:15.740 --> 00:19:16.839
 and folly.

00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:18.779
 But I learned firsthand

00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:21.699
 that pursuing all this

00:19:21.699 --> 00:19:24.339
 is like chasing the wind.

00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:25.959
 And he did.

00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:28.019
 You read about Solomon?

00:19:28.899 --> 00:19:30.559
 He couldn't get enough wives

00:19:30.559 --> 00:19:31.439
 to marry.

00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.559
 And then he wasn't

00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.399
 satisfied with that.

00:19:35.199 --> 00:19:36.259
 He had a stable

00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:37.639
 of what you'd call concubines

00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:38.839
 in his palace.

00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:42.000
 He had everything

00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:44.220
 that the flesh

00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:44.759
 could desire.

00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:48.379
 And it left him

00:19:48.379 --> 00:19:50.379
 saying,

00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.559
 it's like chasing the wind.

00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:53.720
 I keep chasing it

00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.799
 and I can't catch it.

00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:56.740
 The greater my wisdom,

00:19:57.439 --> 00:19:58.599
 the greater my grief.

00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:00.720
 To increase knowledge

00:20:00.720 --> 00:20:03.379
 only increases sorrow.

00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:05.960
 So wisdom without God

00:20:05.960 --> 00:20:08.020
 eventually will lead you

00:20:08.020 --> 00:20:08.820
 to despair.

00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:17.040
 Being right

00:20:17.040 --> 00:20:19.240
 doesn't keep you

00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.100
 from being empty.

00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.840
 You can be right

00:20:23.840 --> 00:20:26.720
 and it doesn't always feel good,

00:20:26.760 --> 00:20:27.060
 does it?

00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:29.579
 You can be right

00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:32.220
 and you can even win

00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:34.319
 and sometimes

00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:35.480
 it's not very satisfying.

00:20:38.659 --> 00:20:39.779
 Gaining wisdom

00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:42.799
 and knowing the end result,

00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.759
 knowing the outcome,

00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.000
 knowing how it should go

00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.379
 and knowing what the problem is

00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:49.240
 does not guarantee you joy.

00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:51.839
 Doesn't guarantee you fulfillment.

00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:54.039
 That's what the teacher

00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.159
 is trying to teach us

00:20:55.159 --> 00:20:56.139
 in Ecclesiastes.

00:20:56.419 --> 00:20:57.619
 He's comparing wisdom

00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.879
 and foolishness honestly.

00:20:59.480 --> 00:21:00.799
 He's not saying foolishness

00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.699
 is better than wisdom.

00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:03.459
 He's saying none of it

00:21:03.459 --> 00:21:04.519
 is going to fulfill you.

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.659
 None of it is going to help you.

00:21:06.959 --> 00:21:08.619
 Wisdom is better than foolishness.

00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:10.480
 Light is better than darkness.

00:21:10.959 --> 00:21:13.240
 But wisdom still runs into a wall

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:14.339
 that it can't get through.

00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:17.199
 It still slams up against a wall

00:21:17.199 --> 00:21:19.000
 that there's no doorway through

00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:21.059
 until Jesus steps in and says,

00:21:21.599 --> 00:21:22.160
 I'm the door.

00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:24.079
 I'm the way.

00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:27.779
 The wisdom should lead you to me.

00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:29.160
 And if it doesn't,

00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:30.619
 you'll never be happy.

00:21:31.079 --> 00:21:33.900
 It'll never do you any real good.

00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:36.779
 It must lead you to me

00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:38.099
 because death is coming.

00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.559
 Death is coming for you.

00:21:39.640 --> 00:21:40.299
 It's coming for me

00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:41.779
 and it doesn't care how smart you are.

00:21:42.099 --> 00:21:43.799
 It doesn't care how much wisdom you've gained

00:21:43.799 --> 00:21:44.779
 or how much you accomplished

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:46.640
 or how successful or unsuccessful

00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:48.339
 you were on this earth.

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:50.399
 It comes for all of us.

00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:52.139
 The wise and the foolish

00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:53.480
 share the same ending.

00:21:54.199 --> 00:21:55.539
 Both are eventually forgotten.

00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:56.819
 Both lose control

00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:58.119
 of what they've built,

00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.059
 of what they've accomplished

00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.879
 on this earth

00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:01.119
 and your family

00:22:01.119 --> 00:22:02.259
 and your job,

00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.159
 your career,

00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:03.939
 your friendships,

00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.339
 your hobbies.

00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:08.559
 It's where wisdom runs out.

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:11.720
 And so if wisdom is your ultimate hope,

00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:14.019
 what happens

00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:15.279
 when it can't save you?

00:22:15.279 --> 00:22:17.019
 It's a gift,

00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:19.339
 but it's never meant to be God.

00:22:20.379 --> 00:22:21.700
 Wisdom cannot be God.

00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.879
 But here's the good news

00:22:22.879 --> 00:22:25.619
 that Ecclesiastes cannot yet announce.

00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:27.740
 Go to John chapter six.

00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:31.899
 Jesus steps directly into this limitation.

00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:34.440
 This is the good news

00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:35.619
 that it was too soon

00:22:35.619 --> 00:22:37.180
 for the teacher to write about

00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:38.059
 in Ecclesiastes.

00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:40.399
 John six,

00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.099
 chapter six,

00:22:41.179 --> 00:22:42.059
 chapter six,

00:22:42.139 --> 00:22:42.819
 verse 64.

00:22:43.279 --> 00:22:44.940
 Jesus is teaching his followers,

00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.759
 large group of followers

00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.940
 gathered around Jesus,

00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.940
 many more than just his 12.

00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:51.279
 He had a large group

00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:52.679
 of those who had jumped on board

00:22:52.679 --> 00:22:53.099
 and said,

00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:53.539
 man,

00:22:53.559 --> 00:22:54.279
 this guy's great.

00:22:54.480 --> 00:22:55.319
 I love his teaching.

00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.720
 He's teaching something different.

00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.740
 We want to follow him.

00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.879
 And Jesus says,

00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.519
 some of you,

00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:01.319
 some of you don't believe me.

00:23:02.559 --> 00:23:03.039
 Y'all,

00:23:03.159 --> 00:23:04.000
 I'm sorry to say

00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:05.039
 we could probably look out

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:06.179
 across a group this large,

00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:07.200
 statistics would say

00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:08.299
 and say some of us,

00:23:08.600 --> 00:23:09.779
 some of us probably

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.720
 don't believe Jesus.

00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.740
 We'll act like we do.

00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:16.019
 But just like this large group

00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.600
 of followers

00:23:16.600 --> 00:23:17.759
 that Jesus attracted,

00:23:18.640 --> 00:23:19.120
 he said,

00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.500
 some of you don't believe me.

00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:21.820
 And then he said,

00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:22.860
 this is why I said

00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:24.460
 people can't come to me

00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.799
 unless the Father

00:23:25.799 --> 00:23:27.299
 gives them to me.

00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.420
 At this point,

00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:33.060
 many of these disciples

00:23:33.060 --> 00:23:34.600
 turned away

00:23:34.600 --> 00:23:35.720
 and deserted him.

00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.680
 They quit following.

00:23:38.580 --> 00:23:39.000
 Said,

00:23:39.080 --> 00:23:39.580
 oh, well,

00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:42.340
 this is a different vibe here,

00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:42.640
 Jesus.

00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.660
 Thought you were just

00:23:44.660 --> 00:23:46.620
 teaching all the feel-good stuff.

00:23:47.279 --> 00:23:48.180
 You're going to bring

00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:49.600
 life and peace

00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:50.440
 and joy and hope

00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.340
 and this is all great.

00:23:52.140 --> 00:23:52.580
 What do you mean

00:23:52.580 --> 00:23:53.700
 some of us don't believe you?

00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.120
 What do you mean

00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:54.920
 we can't follow you

00:23:54.920 --> 00:23:55.560
 unless the Father

00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:56.560
 has given us to you?

00:23:57.560 --> 00:23:58.200
 And they started

00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:58.820
 to drift away.

00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.180
 And then Jesus

00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:01.160
 turned to his 12

00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:03.660
 that he called out

00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.400
 specifically

00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.040
 and he said,

00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.400
 are you also

00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:06.880
 going to leave?

00:24:08.360 --> 00:24:09.160
 And Simon Peter,

00:24:09.320 --> 00:24:09.600
 of course,

00:24:09.700 --> 00:24:10.580
 the spokesman of the group

00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:11.180
 speaks up

00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:11.880
 and what does he say?

00:24:12.940 --> 00:24:13.360
 Lord,

00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:15.340
 to whom would we go?

00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:18.659
 you have the words

00:24:18.659 --> 00:24:20.240
 of eternal life.

00:24:21.319 --> 00:24:22.559
 We believe

00:24:22.559 --> 00:24:24.519
 and we know

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.759
 that you

00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.679
 are the Holy

00:24:26.679 --> 00:24:26.879
 One

00:24:26.879 --> 00:24:28.159
 of God.

00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:29.959
 Notice what Peter said.

00:24:30.619 --> 00:24:32.079
 Notice what he didn't say.

00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.459
 He doesn't say,

00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:33.799
 Jesus,

00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:35.179
 you explain everything.

00:24:36.459 --> 00:24:37.619
 You make it all

00:24:37.619 --> 00:24:38.399
 make sense.

00:24:39.280 --> 00:24:39.480
 Y'all,

00:24:39.560 --> 00:24:40.280
 the truth is

00:24:40.280 --> 00:24:40.860
 if you've ever

00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.980
 opened up the Gospels,

00:24:42.080 --> 00:24:42.340
 Matthew,

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:42.700
 Mark,

00:24:42.780 --> 00:24:42.920
 Luke,

00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.340
 and John

00:24:43.340 --> 00:24:44.040
 and you've got

00:24:44.040 --> 00:24:44.820
 a red letter Bible

00:24:44.820 --> 00:24:45.740
 and you see the words

00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.200
 of Jesus

00:24:46.200 --> 00:24:47.620
 in red

00:24:47.620 --> 00:24:48.519
 but even if you don't,

00:24:48.600 --> 00:24:49.340
 you go read

00:24:49.340 --> 00:24:50.280
 the words of Jesus,

00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:52.300
 he usually didn't

00:24:52.300 --> 00:24:53.300
 explain everything.

00:24:54.100 --> 00:24:55.259
 He usually didn't

00:24:55.259 --> 00:24:56.460
 make it all fit together.

00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:58.320
 He was pretty cryptic.

00:24:58.860 --> 00:24:59.720
 He was pretty hard

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.380
 to understand

00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:01.420
 about a lot of things.

00:25:02.140 --> 00:25:03.220
 And so this wasn't

00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:05.220
 based on Peter saying,

00:25:05.559 --> 00:25:06.240
 oh wow Jesus,

00:25:06.400 --> 00:25:07.539
 you just overwhelm us

00:25:07.539 --> 00:25:08.440
 with all this wisdom.

00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.400
 Half the time

00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:10.259
 they couldn't figure out

00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.059
 what he was saying.

00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:12.319
 But what they did

00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:13.279
 figure out was

00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.880
 he's got the words

00:25:14.880 --> 00:25:16.039
 of eternal life.

00:25:16.360 --> 00:25:17.120
 This is different.

00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:20.000
 This means something.

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.259
 He's different

00:25:21.259 --> 00:25:22.420
 than all these other rabbis

00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.620
 just spouting their wisdom.

00:25:24.519 --> 00:25:25.680
 He's giving us

00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:27.120
 real hope.

00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:28.559
 He's giving us

00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.779
 real truth.

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:32.180
 Peter doesn't say

00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:32.759
 your teaching,

00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.140
 Jesus,

00:25:33.339 --> 00:25:34.100
 lines up with the

00:25:34.100 --> 00:25:34.920
 historical Jewish

00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:36.240
 doctrine handed down

00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.259
 to us from generation

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:37.860
 to generation.

00:25:39.120 --> 00:25:39.779
 He doesn't say,

00:25:39.900 --> 00:25:40.100
 Jesus,

00:25:40.300 --> 00:25:41.519
 you are everything

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.460
 that we've been

00:25:42.460 --> 00:25:43.180
 studying about

00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.800
 and how it all,

00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.820
 you make it all

00:25:44.820 --> 00:25:45.420
 fit together,

00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:45.740
 Jesus.

00:25:46.740 --> 00:25:47.480
 Funny thing is,

00:25:47.539 --> 00:25:48.380
 Jesus did make it

00:25:48.380 --> 00:25:48.940
 all fit together

00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.460
 but they couldn't

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:50.019
 even understand

00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:50.779
 all that back then.

00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.800
 But instead,

00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.600
 Peter says,

00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:58.480
 you have the words

00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.900
 of eternal life.

00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.279
 We believe

00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:04.120
 and so that's

00:26:04.119 --> 00:26:04.699
 how we know.

00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:07.819
 Because we believe,

00:26:08.419 --> 00:26:09.679
 you have born

00:26:09.679 --> 00:26:11.139
 faith in our hearts.

00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:12.139
 How many of you

00:26:12.139 --> 00:26:12.959
 remember the day

00:26:12.959 --> 00:26:13.579
 when you said,

00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:15.099
 I believe in Jesus

00:26:15.099 --> 00:26:17.239
 and faith was birthed

00:26:17.239 --> 00:26:17.939
 in your heart

00:26:17.939 --> 00:26:19.159
 by the Holy Spirit

00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.979
 of God that day?

00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.459
 Can you remember

00:26:20.459 --> 00:26:20.879
 that day?

00:26:21.359 --> 00:26:21.559
 Yeah.

00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:23.119
 Stoney just gave

00:26:23.119 --> 00:26:24.359
 testimony of that day

00:26:24.359 --> 00:26:25.659
 when he was a child

00:26:25.659 --> 00:26:26.319
 and he stood up

00:26:26.319 --> 00:26:26.599
 and said,

00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:26.919
 yes,

00:26:27.139 --> 00:26:28.119
 I believed then,

00:26:28.179 --> 00:26:29.359
 I still believe today,

00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:30.619
 I have this faith

00:26:30.619 --> 00:26:31.779
 that God gave to me

00:26:31.779 --> 00:26:33.119
 and he has established

00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:33.819
 it in my life.

00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:34.399
 I'm going to get up

00:26:34.399 --> 00:26:34.920
 and testify

00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.599
 and identify

00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:37.119
 as a follower,

00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.579
 a disciple of Jesus.

00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:40.399
 And he set the example

00:26:40.399 --> 00:26:41.180
 for his family

00:26:41.180 --> 00:26:42.019
 and many others

00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.899
 to come

00:26:42.899 --> 00:26:44.059
 who are going to do

00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.779
 the same thing.

00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:46.019
 Peter said,

00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.799
 we believe

00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:49.220
 and now we have

00:26:49.220 --> 00:26:50.240
 this wisdom from you.

00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:51.460
 This knowledge

00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:52.079
 of you

00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:53.000
 has come

00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:54.160
 from us believing

00:26:54.160 --> 00:26:55.079
 you

00:26:55.079 --> 00:26:56.339
 and the faith

00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:57.119
 that you have given

00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:58.399
 then to us.

00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.259
 We believe

00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.559
 so this is how we know.

00:27:01.879 --> 00:27:02.879
 Our faith in you

00:27:02.879 --> 00:27:03.799
 has unlocked

00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:05.559
 wisdom for us.

00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:07.619
 Wisdom runs out

00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:10.059
 but Jesus does not.

00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.500
 The teacher

00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.259
 in Ecclesiastes

00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.680
 shows us the wall

00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.960
 and Jesus says,

00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:15.819
 I'm the door

00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.839
 through the wall.

00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:19.599
 We don't follow Jesus

00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:20.299
 because we have

00:27:20.299 --> 00:27:20.920
 all the answers.

00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:23.339
 We follow him

00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:24.099
 because we believe

00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:25.440
 he is the answer.

00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.420
 So even when wisdom

00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:27.940
 runs out

00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.519
 and certainty

00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.440
 is not available,

00:27:29.440 --> 00:27:30.360
 we follow

00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:31.000
 the direction

00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.680
 of Jesus

00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.600
 and that is what

00:27:32.600 --> 00:27:33.620
 I believe God

00:27:33.620 --> 00:27:34.500
 has laid out

00:27:34.500 --> 00:27:35.480
 for our church.

00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.920
 Jamie referenced it

00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:37.420
 in her prayer

00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.240
 just a moment ago.

00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.460
 God has been working

00:27:39.460 --> 00:27:40.019
 in this church.

00:27:41.420 --> 00:27:42.640
 I can only testify

00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.820
 for the last few years

00:27:43.820 --> 00:27:44.960
 since I've been here

00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:46.039
 but I've seen

00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:46.980
 with my own eyes

00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:47.960
 God working

00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.940
 in our church

00:27:48.940 --> 00:27:50.160
 throughout our Sunday

00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.880
 school classes,

00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.480
 throughout our small groups,

00:27:52.539 --> 00:27:53.080
 the men's group

00:27:53.080 --> 00:27:53.460
 that meets

00:27:53.460 --> 00:27:55.299
 on Monday night,

00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:57.200
 the couples group

00:27:57.200 --> 00:27:57.600
 that meets

00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.439
 on Tuesday night.

00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.299
 Penny has her

00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.099
 Bible study

00:28:00.099 --> 00:28:00.639
 that she leads

00:28:00.639 --> 00:28:01.419
 over in Lily's.

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.240
 Listen,

00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.259
 God is working

00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.279
 through the people

00:28:04.279 --> 00:28:05.179
 of this church.

00:28:05.259 --> 00:28:06.019
 That's what he does.

00:28:06.240 --> 00:28:07.480
 He doesn't use institutions.

00:28:07.679 --> 00:28:08.659
 He uses people

00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:10.159
 and he called

00:28:10.159 --> 00:28:10.859
 a bunch of people

00:28:10.859 --> 00:28:11.379
 together

00:28:11.379 --> 00:28:12.679
 to say fellowship

00:28:12.679 --> 00:28:13.139
 together,

00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:13.959
 stick together,

00:28:14.299 --> 00:28:15.019
 do this life

00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.599
 together

00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:17.099
 as a church.

00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.759
 You're my church.

00:28:19.059 --> 00:28:19.899
 I died for you.

00:28:19.959 --> 00:28:20.379
 I love you.

00:28:20.439 --> 00:28:21.099
 I care about you.

00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.079
 Care about each other

00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:22.719
 the same way.

00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:25.360
 So that's the wisest

00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:26.400
 direction for our church.

00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:28.140
 Practically speaking,

00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.860
 what does this look like?

00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.480
 Discipleship.

00:28:32.200 --> 00:28:32.559
 God,

00:28:32.700 --> 00:28:34.079
 help me follow you

00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:34.799
 more closely

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.380
 and if we're all

00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:36.079
 doing that together

00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:37.019
 then our church

00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.900
 will follow you

00:28:37.900 --> 00:28:38.819
 more closely.

00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:39.160
 God,

00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.420
 make me more hospitable

00:28:40.420 --> 00:28:41.140
 to each other.

00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:42.400
 Make me actually

00:28:42.400 --> 00:28:42.980
 care enough

00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.819
 to go out of my way

00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.579
 to help somebody.

00:28:45.079 --> 00:28:45.600
 You want to see

00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:46.360
 what Jesus was

00:28:46.360 --> 00:28:46.880
 on this earth?

00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.660
 He was hospitable.

00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:48.819
 He was kind.

00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.079
 He would help people.

00:28:50.180 --> 00:28:50.660
 He would meet

00:28:50.660 --> 00:28:51.640
 their immediate needs.

00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.220
 They were hungry.

00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.059
 He would feed them.

00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:53.960
 They were hurting.

00:28:54.079 --> 00:28:54.839
 He would heal them.

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:57.180
 Their souls were broken.

00:28:57.539 --> 00:28:58.380
 He would speak life

00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:58.839
 to them.

00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:01.299
 How can we be hospitable

00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:03.079
 in the way of Jesus?

00:29:05.059 --> 00:29:06.120
 And then the mission.

00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.779
 We've seen the mission

00:29:07.779 --> 00:29:08.579
 clearly laid out

00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.240
 for our church.

00:29:10.380 --> 00:29:12.079
 We love God best

00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:13.319
 by loving whom

00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:14.039
 he loves.

00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.940
 So we go share

00:29:15.940 --> 00:29:16.480
 the gospel,

00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.579
 the good news of Jesus

00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.339
 with anyone

00:29:18.339 --> 00:29:19.660
 that once

00:29:19.660 --> 00:29:21.019
 we were all sinners

00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:22.519
 and Jesus came

00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.440
 and died

00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.500
 for the punishment

00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:25.299
 for our sin.

00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.420
 He took our place

00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:26.839
 when he hung

00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.480
 on that cross

00:29:27.480 --> 00:29:28.799
 and allowed himself

00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.559
 to be killed,

00:29:30.000 --> 00:29:30.639
 put to death,

00:29:31.059 --> 00:29:32.059
 suffer all that torment

00:29:32.059 --> 00:29:32.839
 for your sin,

00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:33.400
 for mine,

00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:34.480
 so we wouldn't have

00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.319
 to face the eternal

00:29:35.319 --> 00:29:35.980
 wrath of God.

00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.200
 And instead,

00:29:37.859 --> 00:29:39.839
 we get to place hope

00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:41.139
 not in just the one

00:29:41.139 --> 00:29:41.639
 who died,

00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.500
 but also the one

00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.980
 who rose from the dead

00:29:43.980 --> 00:29:44.960
 and said,

00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:45.920
 I'm alive today.

00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:47.279
 I've proved I'm God.

00:29:47.359 --> 00:29:48.180
 I've walked with you.

00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:48.940
 I've showed you

00:29:48.940 --> 00:29:49.799
 how to live this life.

00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:51.180
 Put your faith in me,

00:29:51.820 --> 00:29:52.500
 Jesus says.

00:29:52.640 --> 00:29:53.420
 Come to me

00:29:53.420 --> 00:29:55.420
 and I will give you hope.

00:29:55.500 --> 00:29:56.539
 I will give you rest.

00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:58.220
 And that's the mission.

00:29:58.320 --> 00:29:59.340
 We take that message

00:29:59.340 --> 00:30:00.259
 to everybody

00:30:00.259 --> 00:30:00.880
 who will listen

00:30:00.880 --> 00:30:02.180
 and we show them

00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:02.779
 hospitality.

00:30:03.539 --> 00:30:04.480
 That's how we become

00:30:04.480 --> 00:30:06.500
 more and closer

00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.840
 disciples of Jesus.

00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:09.360
 That's how we obey him.

00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.720
 That is the direction

00:30:11.720 --> 00:30:12.320
 for our church.

00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.400
 We obey God

00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:15.860
 and we strive

00:30:15.860 --> 00:30:16.700
 to walk more closely

00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.120
 with him.

00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:18.940
 We're kind

00:30:18.940 --> 00:30:19.440
 and loving

00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:20.400
 and going out

00:30:20.400 --> 00:30:20.759
 of our way

00:30:20.759 --> 00:30:21.960
 to help those around us

00:30:21.960 --> 00:30:23.539
 and we keep his mission

00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:25.180
 above our own.

00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.340
 That's wisdom

00:30:28.340 --> 00:30:29.779
 unlocked

00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:31.200
 by our faith.

00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.279
 Ecclesiastes

00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.460
 does not instruct us

00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.420
 to abandon wisdom.

00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:38.340
 It warns us

00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.160
 to stop

00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:40.180
 worshiping it.

00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.680
 Wisdom matters,

00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:45.720
 but it was never meant

00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:47.920
 to carry the weight

00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:50.940
 of eternal meaning.

00:30:52.940 --> 00:30:53.880
 Only God

00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:56.000
 can handle the weight

00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:57.299
 of eternal meaning.

00:30:59.079 --> 00:31:00.299
 That weight belongs

00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:01.259
 to him alone.

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.019
 Ecclesiastes

00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.460
 shows us

00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.160
 the limits

00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:04.819
 of wisdom

00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:06.120
 under the sun.

00:31:06.620 --> 00:31:07.579
 Jesus invites us

00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.180
 to take all

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:08.779
 of our wisdom,

00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:10.180
 our earthly wisdom,

00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.279
 all of our understanding,

00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:13.039
 even that which we've

00:31:13.039 --> 00:31:13.720
 gained from him

00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.059
 and say,

00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.319
 God,

00:31:14.400 --> 00:31:14.759
 thank you

00:31:14.759 --> 00:31:15.460
 for teaching me

00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.019
 in this life.

00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:16.759
 Thank you

00:31:16.759 --> 00:31:17.480
 for showing me

00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:17.759
 things,

00:31:17.860 --> 00:31:18.600
 for guiding me

00:31:18.600 --> 00:31:18.880
 through,

00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.440
 for helping me

00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:21.680
 learn valuable lessons,

00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:22.200
 but God,

00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:23.860
 that's not the end goal,

00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:24.880
 not to say,

00:31:24.980 --> 00:31:26.039
 look how much I know.

00:31:26.120 --> 00:31:27.700
 That puffs us up.

00:31:28.700 --> 00:31:29.420
 Paul teaches us

00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.279
 that knowledge

00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:32.120
 puffs up.

00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:36.099
 I get the picture

00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:37.179
 of a balloon head,

00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:37.639
 you know,

00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:38.419
 just getting bigger

00:31:38.419 --> 00:31:38.839
 and bigger

00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:40.579
 the more it learns.

00:31:42.219 --> 00:31:43.039
 And I just want

00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.599
 to stick a pin

00:31:43.599 --> 00:31:44.319
 in it sometimes.

00:31:44.879 --> 00:31:45.679
 Watch it pop.

00:31:48.459 --> 00:31:49.279
 That's not how

00:31:49.279 --> 00:31:49.919
 God wants us

00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:50.819
 to live this life.

00:31:52.259 --> 00:31:53.099
 Just puffing

00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:53.779
 ourselves up

00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:55.019
 with more knowledge,

00:31:55.199 --> 00:31:56.039
 more wisdom.

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.239
 He says,

00:31:58.559 --> 00:31:59.359
 take all that wisdom,

00:31:59.359 --> 00:32:02.099
 hand it back to me

00:32:02.099 --> 00:32:02.979
 and say,

00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:03.359
 God,

00:32:03.899 --> 00:32:04.519
 teach me

00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:06.000
 how this

00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.859
 will lead me

00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:07.359
 to you.

00:32:07.979 --> 00:32:08.639
 Teach me

00:32:08.639 --> 00:32:09.679
 how this

00:32:09.679 --> 00:32:11.319
 will make a difference

00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:12.059
 in your kingdom

00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.659
 on this earth.

00:32:13.339 --> 00:32:13.879
 Teach me

00:32:13.879 --> 00:32:14.759
 how this will help

00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:16.240
 accomplish your mission

00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.079
 on this earth.

00:32:17.439 --> 00:32:18.439
 Then we can get

00:32:18.439 --> 00:32:19.459
 to the end of our life

00:32:19.459 --> 00:32:20.479
 and we don't have

00:32:20.479 --> 00:32:21.019
 to look back

00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.459
 and say,

00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.219
 man,

00:32:22.259 --> 00:32:22.939
 I did it all,

00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.240
 I gained it all,

00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:25.539
 and it didn't really

00:32:25.539 --> 00:32:26.059
 mean anything.

00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:27.719
 We can look back

00:32:27.719 --> 00:32:28.099
 and say,

00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:28.859
 all the wisdom

00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.639
 that God gave me,

00:32:29.839 --> 00:32:30.719
 all the resources

00:32:30.719 --> 00:32:31.379
 he gave me,

00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.519
 all the experiences,

00:32:32.719 --> 00:32:33.299
 good and bad,

00:32:33.359 --> 00:32:33.980
 he gave me,

00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:35.459
 he used to make

00:32:35.459 --> 00:32:36.059
 a difference

00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:36.740
 in something

00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.619
 that matters.

00:32:38.059 --> 00:32:39.019
 So when we live

00:32:39.019 --> 00:32:40.279
 life under the sun,

00:32:40.359 --> 00:32:41.079
 what do we do?

00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:43.139
 We look above the sun.

00:32:43.219 --> 00:32:43.959
 Can we say it together,

00:32:44.059 --> 00:32:44.299
 church?

00:32:44.439 --> 00:32:45.019
 We're going to keep

00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.899
 asking this question

00:32:45.899 --> 00:32:46.879
 and answering it together

00:32:46.879 --> 00:32:48.039
 throughout this series.

00:32:48.419 --> 00:32:49.419
 How do we live

00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:50.500
 under the sun?

00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.339
 Let's say it together.

00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:53.740
 We look above the sun.

00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.459
 One more time,

00:32:54.519 --> 00:32:55.259
 how do we live

00:32:55.259 --> 00:32:55.919
 under the sun?

00:32:55.920 --> 00:32:58.279
 We look above the sun.

00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:58.800
 God,

00:32:58.860 --> 00:32:59.460
 that's what we're doing

00:32:59.460 --> 00:32:59.920
 right now.

00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:01.039
 We're casting our eyes

00:33:01.039 --> 00:33:01.960
 above the sun,

00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:03.240
 above this world,

00:33:03.380 --> 00:33:04.360
 above the highest point

00:33:04.360 --> 00:33:05.200
 that we can see.

00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:08.160
 We're casting our eyes

00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:08.580
 on you.

00:33:09.960 --> 00:33:10.940
 Hebrews 12 says,

00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:12.420
 we look to Jesus.

00:33:13.580 --> 00:33:14.320
 He's the author

00:33:14.320 --> 00:33:15.060
 of our faith.

00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:16.019
 He'll be the finisher

00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:16.840
 of our faith.

00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:18.980
 And until that day,

00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:20.200
 teach us

00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:23.200
 how to keep our eyes

00:33:23.200 --> 00:33:24.519
 fixed above the sun.

00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:26.639
 because everything

00:33:26.639 --> 00:33:27.259
 under it

00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:29.319
 is meaningless.

00:33:30.359 --> 00:33:31.200
 But you bring

00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:31.599
 the meaning.

00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:33.940
 You bring

00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.579
 what matters.

00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:36.059
 You bring

00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:36.619
 the why.

00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.660
 Help us

00:33:38.660 --> 00:33:39.119
 to never

00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:39.980
 forget it.

00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:41.559
 There's somebody

00:33:41.559 --> 00:33:42.200
 here today

00:33:42.200 --> 00:33:43.779
 who doesn't know you.

00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:45.440
 Help them

00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:46.359
 to make this

00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:46.799
 the day.

00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.460
 Speak to their hearts

00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:48.879
 right now.

00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:49.639
 Convict them

00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:50.720
 of their need

00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:51.180
 for you.

00:33:51.180 --> 00:33:52.920
 And let this

00:33:52.920 --> 00:33:53.440
 be the day

00:33:53.440 --> 00:33:54.080
 that they make

00:33:54.080 --> 00:33:54.600
 the decision

00:33:54.600 --> 00:33:54.920
 and say,

00:33:55.019 --> 00:33:55.519
 I believe.

00:33:55.980 --> 00:33:56.980
 I put my faith

00:33:56.980 --> 00:33:57.920
 in you.

00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:58.700
 We'll give you

00:33:58.700 --> 00:33:59.440
 the glory for it.

00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.080
 Church,

00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:00.560
 while your heads

00:34:00.560 --> 00:34:00.900
 are bowed

00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:01.259
 and your eyes

00:34:01.259 --> 00:34:01.620
 are closed,

00:34:01.720 --> 00:34:02.120
 I'm going to ask

00:34:02.120 --> 00:34:02.660
 that question.

00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:03.700
 If there's somebody

00:34:03.700 --> 00:34:03.980
 here,

00:34:04.080 --> 00:34:04.680
 maybe a guest

00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:05.340
 or maybe somebody

00:34:05.340 --> 00:34:05.820
 who's been coming

00:34:05.820 --> 00:34:06.580
 for a long time,

00:34:07.060 --> 00:34:07.660
 but you say,

00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.480
 today is the day

00:34:08.480 --> 00:34:09.240
 that I want to make

00:34:09.240 --> 00:34:09.840
 this decision

00:34:09.840 --> 00:34:10.619
 for myself,

00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:11.860
 not because I was

00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.780
 raised around the church

00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:13.559
 or not because I

00:34:13.559 --> 00:34:14.559
 always figured

00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:15.300
 I was a Christian,

00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.180
 but I'm going to,

00:34:16.340 --> 00:34:17.019
 for myself

00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:17.920
 and my family,

00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.000
 today,

00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:20.699
 I'm going to put

00:34:20.699 --> 00:34:21.559
 my faith in Jesus.

00:34:22.179 --> 00:34:22.679
 Would you slip

00:34:22.679 --> 00:34:23.199
 your hand up?

00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:23.920
 I'd love to talk

00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:24.119
 with you.

00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:24.619
 I'd love to pray

00:34:24.619 --> 00:34:25.019
 with you.

00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.059
 If that's you

00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:26.500
 right now,

00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:26.940
 I want to put

00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:27.840
 my faith in Jesus

00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.380
 today,

00:34:28.780 --> 00:34:29.460
 I believe.

00:34:29.860 --> 00:34:30.539
 And slip your hand

00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:30.920
 up now.

00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:32.559
 Thank you.

00:34:32.619 --> 00:34:33.500
 For the rest of you,

00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:34.519
 let me ask you

00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:35.159
 this question.

00:34:36.159 --> 00:34:36.940
 If God's working

00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:37.599
 on your heart

00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:39.960
 to keep your eyes

00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:40.780
 fixed on him,

00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:42.519
 to not chase

00:34:42.519 --> 00:34:43.420
 what you think

00:34:43.420 --> 00:34:45.000
 will fulfill you,

00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:45.539
 what you think

00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.460
 you need in your life,

00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:47.079
 but to chase

00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:48.019
 Jesus first,

00:34:49.019 --> 00:34:50.280
 whether it's wisdom,

00:34:50.420 --> 00:34:51.000
 whether it's wealth,

00:34:51.119 --> 00:34:51.800
 whether it's anything

00:34:51.800 --> 00:34:52.199
 else.

00:34:53.539 --> 00:34:54.079
 You say,

00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:54.900
 God's working on me.

00:34:54.960 --> 00:34:55.860
 I need to place him

00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:57.019
 as the most important

00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:58.699
 thing that I can gain

00:34:58.699 --> 00:34:59.280
 on this world.

00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:00.659
 Would you slip

00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:01.199
 your hand up now

00:35:01.199 --> 00:35:01.500
 and I'll pray

00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.059
 for you as well.

00:35:02.860 --> 00:35:03.320
 Thank you.

00:35:04.519 --> 00:35:05.019
 Thank you.

00:35:06.159 --> 00:35:06.519
 God,

00:35:06.579 --> 00:35:07.420
 across the room,

00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.199
 your people

00:35:08.199 --> 00:35:11.159
 are in an attitude

00:35:11.159 --> 00:35:12.099
 of prayer with you.

00:35:13.220 --> 00:35:13.880
 Your spirit

00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:15.539
 has free reign

00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.220
 in this place.

00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:17.960
 I pray that you

00:35:17.960 --> 00:35:18.400
 would move

00:35:18.400 --> 00:35:19.000
 in our hearts,

00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.380
 that you would

00:35:19.380 --> 00:35:20.320
 reveal to us

00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:21.940
 how we can learn

00:35:21.940 --> 00:35:23.400
 from this valuable

00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:25.139
 writing centuries ago.

00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:27.320
 It says,

00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:28.079
 don't fix your eyes

00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.539
 on wisdom.

00:35:29.139 --> 00:35:30.000
 Don't fix your eyes

00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:30.840
 on anything else.

00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:32.440
 Fix your eyes

00:35:32.440 --> 00:35:33.300
 above the sun

00:35:33.300 --> 00:35:34.980
 on God himself,

00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:36.760
 Jesus Christ,

00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:37.320
 the one

00:35:37.320 --> 00:35:38.820
 who will always care.

00:35:39.639 --> 00:35:40.199
 We'll give you

00:35:40.199 --> 00:35:40.880
 the glory for it.

00:35:40.880 --> 00:35:43.980
 church,

00:35:44.079 --> 00:35:45.160
 let me close us

00:35:45.160 --> 00:35:45.900
 in prayer this morning.

00:35:49.300 --> 00:35:49.680
 God,

00:35:49.720 --> 00:35:50.160
 we thank you

00:35:50.160 --> 00:35:50.800
 for worshiping

00:35:50.800 --> 00:35:51.579
 with us today.

00:35:51.780 --> 00:35:52.340
 We thank you

00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:53.140
 for joining us

00:35:53.140 --> 00:35:54.980
 as we gather together.

00:35:55.380 --> 00:35:56.200
 We don't want this

00:35:56.200 --> 00:35:57.240
 to be a one time.

00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:58.460
 We meet on Sundays

00:35:58.460 --> 00:36:00.140
 and then we get back

00:36:00.140 --> 00:36:01.019
 to the rest of our week.

00:36:01.079 --> 00:36:02.280
 We want to carry you

00:36:02.280 --> 00:36:02.920
 with us

00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.880
 when we go home,

00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:06.000
 to carry you with us

00:36:06.000 --> 00:36:09.800
 whatever we're doing

00:36:09.800 --> 00:36:10.420
 in this life.

00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:13.820
 That's what will

00:36:13.820 --> 00:36:14.500
 make the impact.

00:36:15.840 --> 00:36:16.800
 That's how we apply

00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:18.079
 the wisdom we learn

00:36:18.079 --> 00:36:20.840
 is when we live it out

00:36:20.840 --> 00:36:21.519
 through the filter

00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:22.400
 of Jesus,

00:36:23.199 --> 00:36:24.539
 guiding our thoughts,

00:36:24.679 --> 00:36:25.440
 guiding our words,

00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:26.380
 guiding our actions.

00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:28.940
 Would you remain

00:36:28.940 --> 00:36:29.800
 in an attitude of prayer

00:36:29.800 --> 00:36:30.099
 for me

00:36:30.099 --> 00:36:31.119
 for just a minute longer?

00:36:31.900 --> 00:36:32.420
 Linda's going to

00:36:32.420 --> 00:36:32.960
 keep playing

00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:33.219
 and

00:36:33.219 --> 00:36:35.880
 if there's something

00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:36.480
 God's working

00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:37.260
 on your heart

00:36:37.260 --> 00:36:38.019
 about right now,

00:36:39.000 --> 00:36:39.860
 give him time

00:36:39.860 --> 00:36:40.940
 to speak to you clearly

00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:41.579
 in the stillness

00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:42.140
 of this moment.