WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.280 Well, a friend of mine has made it clear to me that he doesn't want to be a Christian. 00:00:07.540 --> 00:00:15.419 He's given the matter significant thought. He and I have discussed it at great length late into many evenings. 00:00:15.419 --> 00:00:22.620 ! And he says to me that he simply will not become a follower of the Lord Jesus. 00:00:22.620 --> 00:00:40.659 His reason? Is it that the idea of sin is too offensive? The ethics of the Christian morality that come with declaring that Jesus is Lord and that you're going to submit your life to him? 00:00:41.520 --> 00:00:45.820 Is it that he doesn't want to be seen as a bigot? That's a common thing in our culture today. 00:00:45.820 --> 00:00:52.560 Is it the time commitment? Sunday is a great day for cycling after all. 00:00:54.340 --> 00:01:00.620 It's none of these. Here's his reason. It's all too tidy. 00:01:02.539 --> 00:01:09.079 It's all too tidy. He thinks the Christian answers to the problems of the world are too simple. 00:01:09.079 --> 00:01:15.980 Christianity has plenty to say to the problems that we see around us. 00:01:16.060 --> 00:01:19.120 There are answers to the big questions. There are lots of answers. 00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:21.060 But that's the problem. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:25.400 For him, the answers explain away reality. 00:01:25.579 --> 00:01:28.019 It's all just a bit too clean and tidy. 00:01:30.219 --> 00:01:36.200 Someone once offered that old navigator's line to him that God loved him and had a wonderful plan for his life. 00:01:36.200 --> 00:01:38.140 And his reply was, does he? 00:01:39.140 --> 00:01:40.219 Do you know that? 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:41.939 Can you be certain? 00:01:43.100 --> 00:01:47.520 To which the person said, um, uh, uh, and that was it. 00:01:50.000 --> 00:01:55.120 The thing is, in light of what Solomon told us last week, we might agree with his response. 00:01:55.640 --> 00:01:59.439 Prosperity, we saw, and adversity are not always what they seem. 00:01:59.439 --> 00:02:03.840 Prosperity may be a curse in comfortable clothing, Solomon told us. 00:02:03.959 --> 00:02:08.319 And adversity may actually be among God's greatest blessings. 00:02:09.639 --> 00:02:14.579 It's not obvious what's good and what isn't good in the plan of God. 00:02:15.979 --> 00:02:23.560 There are plenty of options out there in the culture offering us the steps that we need to take to master this thing called life. 00:02:23.740 --> 00:02:25.479 Life hacks, we call them. 00:02:25.479 --> 00:02:29.979 Do the right thing, avoid the wrong thing, and you'll crack the code to life. 00:02:30.039 --> 00:02:35.899 You've just got to discover what the right thing is and avoid what the wrong thing is, and you'll crack the code. 00:02:36.039 --> 00:02:39.280 Life, love, happiness, they will flood your way. 00:02:40.899 --> 00:02:45.819 Now, in the church, we might, of course, be tempted to sneer at this, to open up the book of Ecclesiastes 00:02:45.819 --> 00:02:47.620 and remind people what we've been learning. 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:48.759 This life is vapor. 00:02:48.759 --> 00:02:57.079 However, any attempt to game the system of life in order to gain for yourself will ultimately prove a fool's errand 00:02:57.079 --> 00:02:59.299 because that's not how the world works. 00:02:59.439 --> 00:03:00.639 Look at the book of Ecclesiastes. 00:03:01.060 --> 00:03:02.019 I've been learning this. 00:03:03.039 --> 00:03:06.719 But the truth is we have our own Christian versions of this kind of thing 00:03:06.719 --> 00:03:12.000 where we tell people that the Christian life can be lived by simple steps that if you follow them, 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:14.360 they will deliver the results that you want. 00:03:14.740 --> 00:03:20.280 Happiness, success, confident and strong faith in the face of the struggles of life. 00:03:21.099 --> 00:03:26.840 Say your prayers, serve others, share the gospel, pursue wisdom, live a righteous life. 00:03:26.840 --> 00:03:33.360 And if you do that, God will deliver a long and happy life in return. 00:03:34.560 --> 00:03:36.740 Now, those disciplines, of course, are good things. 00:03:37.740 --> 00:03:38.759 Of course they are. 00:03:39.740 --> 00:03:45.259 But the expectation that by living that way obligates God in some way is a mile off. 00:03:47.780 --> 00:03:49.920 Now, I doubt that we would say this out loud. 00:03:50.020 --> 00:03:53.219 I doubt that we would talk in that way ourselves. 00:03:53.219 --> 00:03:55.120 But let's be honest with ourselves. 00:03:55.300 --> 00:04:01.819 How close is this way of thinking to our expectations for how God should work in the world 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:03.800 and more particularly in our lives? 00:04:05.039 --> 00:04:08.840 You'll be able to tell the answer to that question by the way that you respond 00:04:08.840 --> 00:04:12.280 when God doesn't deliver for you according to your wishes. 00:04:14.139 --> 00:04:15.360 Grumbling and bitterness. 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:21.740 When those two things are present in our lives, those things reveal dashed expectations. 00:04:21.740 --> 00:04:27.540 Grumbling and bitterness come up because the expectations that we have for life haven't been met. 00:04:29.780 --> 00:04:33.319 Well, what we discover this evening is that it's this approach to the Christian faith 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:36.300 that Solomon takes to task in our passage. 00:04:36.420 --> 00:04:37.220 His point is this. 00:04:37.680 --> 00:04:38.819 God can't be controlled. 00:04:39.540 --> 00:04:40.600 He can't be manipulated. 00:04:41.540 --> 00:04:46.819 He can't even be fully comprehended, however much wisdom we might accrue. 00:04:46.819 --> 00:04:50.740 God's ways are simply full of mystery. 00:04:51.379 --> 00:04:56.219 And there are no easy answers to the complexity of life in the world that he has made. 00:04:56.360 --> 00:04:58.459 It is simply not tidy. 00:04:59.719 --> 00:05:06.120 For my friend to think that the answers that the Christian faith offers to the questions of the big questions of life 00:05:06.120 --> 00:05:08.600 and the problems of the world, it's too tidy. 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:10.420 He doesn't understand. 00:05:10.420 --> 00:05:13.140 And of course, I've explained that to him. 00:05:14.780 --> 00:05:15.879 But that's his thing. 00:05:16.080 --> 00:05:16.900 That's his idea. 00:05:17.220 --> 00:05:18.900 It's all just a bit too clean and tidy. 00:05:20.259 --> 00:05:23.439 And what we discover this evening is that the mystery, 00:05:24.319 --> 00:05:28.000 the fact that there are no easy answers to the complexity of life, 00:05:28.660 --> 00:05:30.319 is by design. 00:05:30.680 --> 00:05:32.200 Have a look at 7 verse 14. 00:05:32.199 --> 00:05:35.759 This is all by divine design. 00:05:35.879 --> 00:05:37.360 In the day of prosperity, be joyful. 00:05:37.899 --> 00:05:39.560 And in the day of adversity, consider. 00:05:40.259 --> 00:05:42.099 God has made the one as well as the other, 00:05:42.219 --> 00:05:46.180 so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. 00:05:48.120 --> 00:05:49.019 7 verse 24. 00:05:49.199 --> 00:05:49.560 Have a look. 00:05:49.659 --> 00:05:51.319 All this I have tested by wisdom. 00:05:51.439 --> 00:05:53.079 I said, I will be wise. 00:05:53.899 --> 00:05:55.259 But it was far from me. 00:05:56.180 --> 00:05:58.639 That which has been is far off and deep. 00:05:58.759 --> 00:05:59.480 Very deep. 00:05:59.480 --> 00:06:00.899 Who can find it out? 00:06:02.199 --> 00:06:04.319 Chapter 8. 00:06:04.699 --> 00:06:08.379 Over the page, verses 16 and 17. 00:06:08.500 --> 00:06:10.060 When I applied my heart to know wisdom. 00:06:10.180 --> 00:06:10.819 Verse 17. 00:06:11.339 --> 00:06:16.240 I saw all the work of God that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:20.879 However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:25.000 Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out. 00:06:27.000 --> 00:06:29.000 Despite all Solomon's wisdom, 00:06:29.000 --> 00:06:34.680 fully grasping what our sovereign God, who is in heaven, chapter 5 verse 2. 00:06:36.600 --> 00:06:41.220 Fully grasping what he is doing is simply beyond even Solomon's wisdom. 00:06:42.560 --> 00:06:48.879 So any portrayal of the Christian life that purports to have all the answers is out of step with this reality. 00:06:48.879 --> 00:06:53.339 And our pursuit of wisdom needs to take this into account as well. 00:06:53.339 --> 00:06:59.519 And this evening Solomon asks us, verse 13, chapter 7, to consider the work of this God. 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:01.839 So that we accept this. 00:07:03.019 --> 00:07:07.339 So that we accept that he can't be controlled or manipulated or even fully comprehended. 00:07:07.339 --> 00:07:10.239 And then respond to him appropriately. 00:07:10.679 --> 00:07:12.259 Respond to him as we should. 00:07:12.779 --> 00:07:17.079 And Solomon identifies three areas where however much wisdom we might have, 00:07:17.659 --> 00:07:20.099 we still find God's providence perplexing. 00:07:23.219 --> 00:07:25.979 We still find God's providence perplexing. 00:07:26.139 --> 00:07:30.359 When number one, we see the good suffer and the bad prosper. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:32.819 Chapter 7 verse 15. 00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:36.000 In my vain life, I have seen everything. 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:39.139 There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:44.360 and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evil doing. 00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:49.839 We are perplexed when we see the good suffer and the bad prosper. 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:52.839 And we see this kind of thing all the time. 00:07:54.779 --> 00:07:59.039 A faithful Christian couple who are set on serving the Lord among the unreached, 00:07:59.040 --> 00:08:03.819 they get married, and the young wife falls ill and dies on their honeymoon. 00:08:05.700 --> 00:08:08.480 All the while, the child sex trafficker lives in luxury. 00:08:10.460 --> 00:08:13.280 The Christian parents who lose their baby at 20 weeks, 00:08:13.340 --> 00:08:16.480 while the poor and barren lives a long and comfortable life. 00:08:19.640 --> 00:08:21.120 It's not just in life and death. 00:08:21.200 --> 00:08:24.500 The principle is also true in life in general. 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:28.899 The kind-hearted, faithful woman who wants to raise a family for the glory of God, 00:08:28.980 --> 00:08:29.920 but who can't conceive. 00:08:31.040 --> 00:08:33.600 They pray and pray that the Lord might give them children, 00:08:33.899 --> 00:08:36.700 but every month it's just another reminder that he hasn't. 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:42.159 All the while, the drug-addicted lady who lives in the hostel down the road 00:08:42.159 --> 00:08:44.720 keeps having children that have to be taken away from her. 00:08:46.779 --> 00:08:50.100 The righteous man who gets fired because he doesn't play off his politics. 00:08:50.100 --> 00:08:53.220 Meanwhile, others sleep their way to the top. 00:08:54.500 --> 00:08:56.360 Why is the world like this? 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:01.820 Solomon has sought out as much wisdom as he can in the conclusion. 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:06.919 If something is crooked, then the Lord has made it so. 00:09:07.000 --> 00:09:07.620 Verse 13, 00:09:07.779 --> 00:09:11.720 And what God has made crooked, let no man think that he can straighten out. 00:09:12.460 --> 00:09:17.279 No one, but no one, can bend the universe in a different direction 00:09:17.279 --> 00:09:19.320 to that that God has done. 00:09:19.320 --> 00:09:23.840 This is one of the central themes of this book. 00:09:24.280 --> 00:09:27.640 God brings the prosperity, and he brings the adversity. 00:09:28.560 --> 00:09:31.920 And when the day of prosperity comes, we are to receive it as a gift from him 00:09:31.920 --> 00:09:33.000 with thankful hearts. 00:09:33.080 --> 00:09:34.160 And verse 14, have a look. 00:09:34.240 --> 00:09:38.420 When the day of adversity comes, when the good suffer and the bad prosper, 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:42.160 we remember that God gave both days, and we trust him. 00:09:42.159 --> 00:09:47.500 The Lord brings the sunshine, and he brings the rain. 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:50.879 He brings the laughter, and he brings the tears. 00:09:51.159 --> 00:09:53.740 The birthday and the day of death. 00:09:54.159 --> 00:09:57.819 And there's nothing you or I can do about this. 00:09:57.820 --> 00:10:05.720 So, in light of that, in response, Solomon warns us, verse 16, 00:10:06.140 --> 00:10:10.100 Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:11.540 Why should you destroy yourself? 00:10:11.820 --> 00:10:14.480 He's obviously not suggesting that we don't pursue righteousness. 00:10:14.800 --> 00:10:18.360 He's warning against the pursuit of performative righteousness. 00:10:18.760 --> 00:10:20.160 Put on righteousness. 00:10:20.580 --> 00:10:21.560 Fake righteousness. 00:10:22.160 --> 00:10:23.560 Un-Christian righteousness. 00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:26.220 Unrighteous righteousness. 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:29.379 He's saying, don't do that. 00:10:30.779 --> 00:10:33.580 And don't, similarly, don't pursue wisdom, 00:10:33.940 --> 00:10:38.779 thinking that that wisdom will unlock the answer to this divine mystery. 00:10:38.940 --> 00:10:43.019 One way we can be tempted to do this is the Luke 13 and John 9 thing. 00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:43.580 Do you remember? 00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:47.700 Luke 13, a wall falls on people and lots of them die. 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:50.519 John 9, the man born blind. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:52.379 And what do the people say? 00:10:52.379 --> 00:10:54.980 Well, is it their sin, or is it the sin of others? 00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:57.360 That must be the answer to this conundrum. 00:10:58.060 --> 00:11:00.779 It must be because they behaved sinfully in some way. 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:03.440 And in both cases, Jesus says, no, no, no, no, no. 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:10.580 Because God's ways are not something that we can second guess. 00:11:10.580 --> 00:11:35.879 Solomon is warning us against a kind of Christian faith that has us in the driver's seat and is either put on or presumptive about what we know and what we don't know in a way, well, he says it's simply absurd before the God of all the earth. 00:11:35.879 --> 00:11:44.000 But performative Christianity, second guessing or knowing better than God won't help you grasp the mystery of God's providence. 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:44.799 So don't try. 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:48.519 But then don't go the other way either, verse 17. 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:51.100 Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. 00:11:51.519 --> 00:11:53.059 Why should you die before your time? 00:11:53.059 --> 00:12:01.799 Don't just, when things don't go your way, when things are difficult, when you're perplexed beyond belief, don't just throw the head up and say, well, it doesn't matter how I live. 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:05.939 If God's in control of it all anyway, what does the way I live matter? 00:12:06.319 --> 00:12:09.379 Actually, it's going to make no difference in the end. 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:13.360 This can be a temptation, can't it, when things are tough? 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:22.740 Of course, again, we might not say it out loud, but there's a hardness that grows in our hearts, isn't there, when God doesn't work according to our desires. 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:24.980 And here's the thing. 00:12:26.259 --> 00:12:34.419 When that's the case, it is a quiet rejection which, if left unchecked, will grow into a loud and obvious rejection somewhere down the line. 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:43.240 Rejecting righteousness and pursuing folly are not the answer to the perplexing reality of God's ways. 00:12:43.379 --> 00:12:44.759 We are not in charge. 00:12:45.099 --> 00:12:50.279 We are not to be self-willed, either in evil or what we define as good. 00:12:50.599 --> 00:12:53.299 Solomon says this is the way of self-destruction. 00:12:57.059 --> 00:13:01.299 So we struggle when we see the good suffer and the bad prosper. 00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:09.219 This is also the case when, secondly, point number two, we see the general, the universal nature of sin. 00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:12.339 When we see the general nature of sin. 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:14.500 That's what Solomon's describing in verse 20. 00:13:14.979 --> 00:13:16.399 Verse 20, chapter 7. 00:13:18.439 --> 00:13:21.679 Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. 00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:26.240 Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. 00:13:26.699 --> 00:13:29.899 Your heart knows that many times you yourself have cursed others. 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:32.819 All this I have tested by wisdom. 00:13:33.439 --> 00:13:35.799 I said, I will be wise, but it was far from me. 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:39.919 That which has been as far off and deep, very deep, who can find it out? 00:13:39.959 --> 00:13:40.899 Again, look down at 29. 00:13:41.919 --> 00:13:48.620 See this alone I found that God made mankind upright, but they have sought out many schemes. 00:13:50.919 --> 00:13:55.079 Not only are God's ways beyond our understanding, but so is the human condition. 00:13:55.080 --> 00:13:59.379 There is no sinless person on the face of the earth. 00:13:59.620 --> 00:14:02.620 There is no one who is consistent all the time. 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:07.259 There is no one who doesn't seek out many schemes, many ways of sinning. 00:14:08.300 --> 00:14:13.220 And however much Solomon has given himself to what can or cannot be found out. 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:17.759 Do you notice, as Paul read the passage, that to find out or found out. 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.980 It is a recurring theme. 00:14:19.059 --> 00:14:22.179 He's gone looking for what we can know. 00:14:22.899 --> 00:14:26.319 Verse 14, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29. 00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:28.659 What can be found out? 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.840 He comes back empty handed. 00:14:33.419 --> 00:14:37.819 Can't work out why sin is so pervasive. 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:40.480 Do you ever ask yourself these questions? 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:45.560 Why do I do these things all the time? 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:48.440 Why do I keep doing them again? 00:14:48.700 --> 00:14:50.100 I know that they're wrong. 00:14:50.320 --> 00:14:53.320 I know that they're destructive to me and to my relationships. 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:55.240 But I just keep doing them. 00:14:56.840 --> 00:14:57.720 It's just me. 00:14:59.300 --> 00:15:01.019 What am I saying? 00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:05.440 Why did I just, why did I do that? 00:15:06.159 --> 00:15:07.159 Why did I say that? 00:15:07.159 --> 00:15:10.899 Why did I not just tell the truth in that totally innocuous question? 00:15:11.699 --> 00:15:13.379 Did you get my call earlier? 00:15:14.019 --> 00:15:15.299 Did you see that I rang? 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.379 Did you get my missed call? 00:15:17.079 --> 00:15:18.240 No, I didn't notice. 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:20.019 Why do you do that? 00:15:20.899 --> 00:15:21.719 Maybe it's just me. 00:15:23.579 --> 00:15:28.319 And we look at other people who are choosing to do things that are hijacking their lives. 00:15:29.139 --> 00:15:30.199 Wrecking their marriages. 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.839 Doing untold damage to their children. 00:15:32.839 --> 00:15:35.199 And we think, why would you do that? 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:40.240 Solomon says he searched diligently for an answer. 00:15:40.360 --> 00:15:41.799 But no one can find it out. 00:15:41.919 --> 00:15:42.399 Not him. 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:43.360 Not anyone. 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:48.879 But what he wants us to see. 00:15:49.459 --> 00:15:52.620 Is that this inability to find an answer. 00:15:53.019 --> 00:15:54.779 Is the paradox of wisdom. 00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:56.899 That is. 00:15:57.699 --> 00:15:58.100 Quote. 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.100 One commentator who says this. 00:16:00.100 --> 00:16:02.879 Wisdom finds out the most important truth. 00:16:02.980 --> 00:16:05.240 By finding out it cannot find out much. 00:16:05.319 --> 00:16:06.600 About fallen human nature. 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:09.199 Let me give that to you again. 00:16:09.919 --> 00:16:13.219 Wisdom finds out the most important truth. 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:17.419 By finding out it cannot find out much. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:19.139 About fallen human nature. 00:16:21.799 --> 00:16:23.620 We all know that people are sinful. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:25.059 We all know that we are sinful. 00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:28.620 But none of us can explain or comprehend sinful human nature. 00:16:28.620 --> 00:16:30.980 However. 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:31.019 However. 00:16:31.659 --> 00:16:33.379 It's when we accept that. 00:16:33.960 --> 00:16:36.500 That we are able to deal with others in light of that truth. 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.500 Think about it. 00:16:40.220 --> 00:16:41.539 When someone lets you down. 00:16:42.840 --> 00:16:43.980 You are not surprised. 00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:49.500 Surely this doctrine of sin should help us in this way. 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.639 When someone lets you down. 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.340 You don't go. 00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.120 Huh. 00:16:52.120 --> 00:16:55.019 How on earth is that possible? 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:58.039 It might be your husband. 00:16:58.139 --> 00:16:58.899 It might be your wife. 00:16:58.899 --> 00:16:59.580 Or a friend. 00:16:59.759 --> 00:17:01.019 Or an elder in the church. 00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:01.879 It could be anyone. 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:02.779 Sooner or later. 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:04.039 They will fail you. 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.319 Because of the general. 00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:08.579 And ineradicable sinfulness of the human heart. 00:17:08.880 --> 00:17:09.460 I am often. 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.019 I have to say. 00:17:10.099 --> 00:17:12.420 Struck by how shocked and offended people are. 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:13.759 When someone sins against them. 00:17:14.359 --> 00:17:16.299 And I have had to give myself a good talking to. 00:17:16.299 --> 00:17:18.019 On this point at times as well. 00:17:18.539 --> 00:17:19.819 What did you expect Reuben? 00:17:22.139 --> 00:17:23.599 I am not suggesting of course. 00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:26.299 That there is no such thing as serious and destructive sin. 00:17:26.559 --> 00:17:29.220 Nor am I saying that we can't be really really hurt. 00:17:29.339 --> 00:17:30.399 By other people's actions. 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.159 But I am talking about the. 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:34.220 How could they say that? 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:34.980 Or. 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:37.399 I can't believe they were so thoughtless. 00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:39.000 And we get crushed. 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:40.579 By these things. 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:44.599 Of course they could say that. 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:46.679 Of course they could do that. 00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:47.339 They are a sinner. 00:17:47.659 --> 00:17:48.379 Just like you. 00:17:48.919 --> 00:17:49.519 And just like me. 00:17:52.159 --> 00:17:54.039 So perplexing as this might be. 00:17:54.139 --> 00:17:55.039 Solomon gives us. 00:17:55.179 --> 00:17:56.240 A realism here. 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.379 That we need to embrace. 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.179 He is saying that Christian wisdom. 00:17:59.439 --> 00:18:00.119 Requires us. 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.819 To reflect carefully. 00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.059 On Luke verse 25. 00:18:03.459 --> 00:18:04.839 On the wickedness of folly. 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:06.319 And the foolishness. 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.679 That is madness. 00:18:07.859 --> 00:18:09.799 Literally the stupidity of sin. 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:11.359 And the madness of folly. 00:18:12.719 --> 00:18:14.519 He wants us to reflect deeply. 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:14.959 On that. 00:18:14.959 --> 00:18:16.039 And to calibrate. 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:17.039 Our expectations. 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:18.279 Of others. 00:18:18.759 --> 00:18:19.359 Accordingly. 00:18:20.959 --> 00:18:23.179 We shouldn't expect perfection. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:26.000 We shouldn't expect utopia. 00:18:26.399 --> 00:18:27.319 In this life. 00:18:27.439 --> 00:18:28.679 So don't write people off. 00:18:28.799 --> 00:18:29.519 Because they're sinners. 00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:32.240 Cancel culture does that. 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:35.159 Cancel culture does that. 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.139 And it's hypocritical. 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:37.059 And it's naive. 00:18:37.179 --> 00:18:37.899 It's hypocritical. 00:18:37.899 --> 00:18:39.000 Because it doesn't acknowledge. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.980 That we're all sinful. 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.679 And it's naive. 00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:42.559 Because it believes. 00:18:42.559 --> 00:18:43.679 That a kind of utopia. 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:44.440 Is possible. 00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:45.279 Here. 00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:46.279 And now. 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.419 We can't. 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:49.279 As the church of the living God. 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.619 We can't write people off. 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:52.019 Because they got something wrong. 00:18:53.879 --> 00:18:55.039 We of all people. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:18:55.899 Expect that. 00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.059 We understand it. 00:18:57.159 --> 00:18:58.099 We should know that. 00:18:58.659 --> 00:18:59.700 And to write people off. 00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.619 Is the way of folly. 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:02.480 It's the way of lady folly. 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.839 As Solomon describes her. 00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:04.720 In verse 26. 00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:05.559 And following. 00:19:05.559 --> 00:19:07.259 And I find something more bitter than death. 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:09.359 The woman whose heart is snares and nets. 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:11.379 And whose hands are fetters. 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:14.119 Remember this is wisdom literature. 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:17.379 Solomon embodies wisdom and folly. 00:19:17.379 --> 00:19:18.279 In two women. 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:19.279 One is virtuous. 00:19:19.659 --> 00:19:21.079 And one is adulterous. 00:19:21.159 --> 00:19:22.440 So the woman described here. 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.980 Is actually lady folly. 00:19:25.379 --> 00:19:27.099 Folly is the thing that ensnares. 00:19:27.200 --> 00:19:28.159 And shackles those. 00:19:28.559 --> 00:19:30.220 Who listen to lady folly. 00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.399 Lady wisdom. 00:19:32.400 --> 00:19:33.240 By contrast. 00:19:33.800 --> 00:19:36.040 Understands the ubiquitous nature of sin. 00:19:36.140 --> 00:19:36.960 And understands that. 00:19:37.340 --> 00:19:38.820 No matter how hard you try. 00:19:39.300 --> 00:19:40.580 Sinful human beings. 00:19:40.780 --> 00:19:42.480 Are beyond searching out. 00:19:43.800 --> 00:19:45.380 Why do people do what they do? 00:19:46.740 --> 00:19:47.680 It's a mystery. 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:53.420 We struggle when we see the good suffer. 00:19:53.540 --> 00:19:54.320 And the bad prosper. 00:19:54.860 --> 00:19:56.620 When we see or we experience. 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.100 The general nature of sin. 00:19:58.740 --> 00:19:59.200 And then. 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.160 Thirdly. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.980 And much more briefly. 00:20:01.140 --> 00:20:02.000 Solomon identifies. 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:03.539 Another perplexing reality. 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.279 Chapter 8. 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:06.460 Verses 11 and 12. 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.460 That is the perplexity. 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.640 Of when we see. 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.480 Great injustice. 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:11.900 When we see. 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:13.339 Great injustice. 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.440 Chapter 8. 00:20:15.500 --> 00:20:17.319 Deals with how the general effects of sin. 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:17.859 In humankind. 00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:19.279 Requires a social order. 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:19.819 With rulers. 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.180 And the associated authority. 00:20:21.319 --> 00:20:21.859 And submission. 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.519 Rulers have their authority. 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.500 From God. 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.400 And those who are subjects. 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:28.000 Are to obey that. 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:28.680 Authority. 00:20:29.599 --> 00:20:30.920 But as you would expect. 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:33.940 Because of the way sin runs through. 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:35.759 Every single human heart. 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.700 Those rulers will sometimes. 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.300 Or often. 00:20:38.300 --> 00:20:39.279 Get things wrong. 00:20:40.279 --> 00:20:41.880 That also applies for parents. 00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:43.100 And church leaders. 00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:44.380 As well as civil governors. 00:20:44.380 --> 00:20:45.460 It's true. 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.200 In each of the. 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:48.100 Governments that God has established. 00:20:48.100 --> 00:20:49.040 Because each of them. 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:50.660 Is overseen. 00:20:51.060 --> 00:20:51.540 By people. 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.300 Who have sin. 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.440 Running through their heart. 00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:54.940 But again. 00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:55.840 Solomon highlights. 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.500 The frustrating. 00:20:56.640 --> 00:20:57.260 And perplexing. 00:20:57.320 --> 00:20:57.880 Nature of this. 00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.680 Look at verse 11. 00:20:58.940 --> 00:20:59.480 Chapter 8. 00:20:59.540 --> 00:21:00.080 Verse 11. 00:21:00.440 --> 00:21:01.240 Because the sentence. 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.340 Against an evil deed. 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.980 Is not executed speedily. 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:06.080 The heart of the children of man. 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:07.580 Is fully set to do evil. 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.940 Though a sinner does evil. 00:21:09.000 --> 00:21:09.820 A hundred times. 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:10.600 And prolongs. 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:11.500 His life. 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:13.880 He's saying. 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:15.140 Because evil is not punished. 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:16.000 Directly by God. 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.619 It can seem like. 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.220 Those who do it. 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.960 Get away with it. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.000 Solomon has seen people. 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:20.359 Commit. 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.140 Sin. 00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:22.420 A hundred times over. 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.799 And still seem to prosper. 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.900 And again. 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.619 We might ask. 00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.500 What on earth. 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.500 Is going on here? 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.319 But in this case. 00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:30.000 There's a much more. 00:21:30.039 --> 00:21:30.799 Tangible answer. 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:32.200 It's there in verse 13. 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:32.680 Have a look. 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:35.660 But it will not be well. 00:21:35.680 --> 00:21:36.200 With the wicked. 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.799 Neither will he prolong. 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:38.859 His days like a shadow. 00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:40.099 Because he does not fear. 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.259 Before God. 00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.559 This is a call. 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.759 For patience. 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:46.119 And a confident faith. 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:48.119 In God's final justice. 00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.880 It's the same point. 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.740 The Lord Jesus made. 00:21:51.819 --> 00:21:52.460 When he warned about. 00:21:52.579 --> 00:21:53.220 The wicked servant. 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:53.740 Who beat. 00:21:54.039 --> 00:21:55.400 His master's servants. 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.759 Because his master was delayed. 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:57.660 In Matthew 24. 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.220 Jesus says. 00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.980 In that situation. 00:22:00.140 --> 00:22:01.180 The master of that servant. 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.259 Will come on a day. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.779 When he does not expect him. 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.779 And at an hour. 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:05.740 He does not know. 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:07.059 And will cut him in pieces. 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:07.599 And put him. 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:08.900 With the hypocrites. 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.640 In that place. 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.400 There will be weeping. 00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.360 And gnashing of teeth. 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:12.440 Matthew 24. 00:22:12.580 --> 00:22:13.040 49. 00:22:13.040 --> 00:22:14.100 To 51. 00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:17.740 Every single injustice. 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:19.160 That we see. 00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.480 Or experience. 00:22:20.780 --> 00:22:21.259 Now. 00:22:21.620 --> 00:22:22.640 Will one day. 00:22:22.780 --> 00:22:23.820 Be resolved. 00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:26.539 Why God allows it. 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.379 In the present. 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.960 We don't know. 00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:31.039 It will one day. 00:22:31.679 --> 00:22:32.220 Be resolved. 00:22:32.359 --> 00:22:33.579 Just because a sinner. 00:22:34.379 --> 00:22:35.179 Does evil. 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.200 A hundred times. 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:38.079 And prolongs his life. 00:22:38.159 --> 00:22:38.559 Nonetheless. 00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:41.359 That does not mean. 00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:42.419 That he gets away. 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.299 With his wickedness. 00:22:44.879 --> 00:22:45.899 And if we seek. 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.740 To pursue justice. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.059 In every single case. 00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.419 Of evil. 00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.439 This verse 14. 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.879 Is also vapor. 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:51.559 We. 00:22:51.559 --> 00:22:52.960 Won't be able to do it. 00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:57.240 So the question is. 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:57.839 Well is that it? 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.980 We can't find out. 00:23:01.059 --> 00:23:01.799 What God is doing. 00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.940 In the unfolding of history. 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.480 His ways. 00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.440 Are not our ways. 00:23:04.500 --> 00:23:04.940 His thoughts. 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.440 Are beyond. 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.639 Searching out. 00:23:07.099 --> 00:23:07.720 The end. 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.480 Is that it? 00:23:10.319 --> 00:23:11.559 Well those things are true. 00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:14.480 But they should not paralyze us. 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.619 They should not cause us. 00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.339 To be cynical. 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:19.700 About the world around us. 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.619 To throw the head up. 00:23:20.619 --> 00:23:21.099 And say. 00:23:21.459 --> 00:23:22.639 Well it doesn't really matter. 00:23:22.739 --> 00:23:23.219 How I live. 00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:23.659 Actually. 00:23:24.139 --> 00:23:25.219 God's doing it all. 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.119 His own way. 00:23:26.199 --> 00:23:27.099 I can't work it out. 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:28.339 I'm just going to live my own way. 00:23:30.719 --> 00:23:31.919 Instead Solomon tells us. 00:23:31.979 --> 00:23:32.759 How we should respond. 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.619 And it's a thread. 00:23:34.699 --> 00:23:35.319 That runs through. 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.039 The whole. 00:23:36.579 --> 00:23:36.919 Section. 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:38.659 When we experience. 00:23:38.759 --> 00:23:39.379 The perplexity. 00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:40.000 Of this life. 00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.659 Under the sun. 00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:44.459 What Solomon says is. 00:23:45.239 --> 00:23:46.559 We should humble ourselves. 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.419 To fear God. 00:23:47.420 --> 00:23:47.460 God. 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:51.539 That's where Solomon directs us. 00:23:51.620 --> 00:23:52.160 Chapter 7. 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:52.820 Verse 18. 00:23:56.060 --> 00:23:57.880 It is good that you should take hold of this. 00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:58.840 And from that. 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.779 Withhold not your hand. 00:23:59.840 --> 00:24:01.160 For the one who fears God. 00:24:01.840 --> 00:24:03.200 Shall come out from both of them. 00:24:04.200 --> 00:24:04.960 Chapter 7. 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:06.279 Verse 26. 00:24:06.960 --> 00:24:08.779 And I find something more bitter than death. 00:24:08.820 --> 00:24:09.960 The woman whose heart is snares. 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.400 And nets. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.500 And whose hands are fetters. 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:12.680 He who pleases. 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.680 Fears God. 00:24:13.800 --> 00:24:14.400 Escapes her. 00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:16.080 But the sinner is taken by her. 00:24:17.420 --> 00:24:18.080 Chapter 8. 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.019 12 and 13. 00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:21.340 Though a sinner does evil a hundred times. 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.300 And prolongs his life. 00:24:22.360 --> 00:24:23.480 Yet I know that it will not. 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.880 It will be well with those who. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:26.540 Fear God. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.820 Because they fear. 00:24:28.200 --> 00:24:28.940 Before him. 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:31.140 We should meet. 00:24:31.460 --> 00:24:32.220 The limits. 00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:33.519 Of our understanding. 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.100 The boundary. 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:36.920 Of our wisdom. 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.640 We should submit. 00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:39.920 How little we know. 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:41.500 Of God's ways. 00:24:41.500 --> 00:24:44.000 And we should surrender our desire. 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.500 To control our circumstances. 00:24:45.799 --> 00:24:46.099 All. 00:24:46.700 --> 00:24:47.900 With the fear of God. 00:24:49.759 --> 00:24:50.359 That is. 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:50.920 We meet. 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:52.519 The perplexity. 00:24:53.319 --> 00:24:54.259 With reverence. 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.519 That he is due. 00:24:55.660 --> 00:24:56.180 We love him. 00:24:56.259 --> 00:24:57.079 We worship him. 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.880 And when we do that. 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:01.240 We are free to trust him. 00:25:01.279 --> 00:25:02.599 Without trying to figure everything out. 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:06.299 We don't actually need to know. 00:25:06.880 --> 00:25:08.119 What God is doing in the world. 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.960 In the specifics of our lives. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:12.460 And all that is going on. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.000 Around the place. 00:25:13.059 --> 00:25:13.559 Now of course. 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.700 We don't just disengage. 00:25:14.840 --> 00:25:15.200 Completely. 00:25:15.340 --> 00:25:16.220 Stop thinking about it. 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.200 Stop praying about it. 00:25:17.400 --> 00:25:18.880 Stop seeking to care for those. 00:25:18.920 --> 00:25:19.480 Who are struggling. 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:20.360 And so on. 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:21.019 Of course not. 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:23.779 We don't actually need to figure out. 00:25:24.380 --> 00:25:25.160 The plans. 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.660 Of our sovereign God. 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:29.819 What we do need to do. 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.380 Is fear him. 00:25:31.039 --> 00:25:32.539 And alongside the admonition. 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.200 To fear him. 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:34.640 Solomon adds his favorite refrain. 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:35.700 Verse 15. 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:36.799 It is like. 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.779 It is like a bell. 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:38.700 That rings every week. 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:39.259 For us now. 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:39.559 Isn't it? 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.579 And I commend joy. 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:43.659 For man has no good thing. 00:25:43.659 --> 00:25:44.339 Under the sun. 00:25:44.419 --> 00:25:45.419 But to eat and drink. 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.419 And be joyful. 00:25:47.179 --> 00:25:48.159 For this will go with him. 00:25:48.179 --> 00:25:48.619 In his toil. 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:49.759 Through the days of his life. 00:25:49.799 --> 00:25:50.720 That God has given him. 00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:52.240 Under the sun. 00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:53.940 We can't figure out. 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.819 God's ways. 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:55.879 But the one. 00:25:55.980 --> 00:25:56.879 Who has come to him. 00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.399 In faith. 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:57.799 The one. 00:25:57.799 --> 00:25:58.879 Who has had their sins. 00:25:58.879 --> 00:25:59.359 For given. 00:25:59.359 --> 00:26:00.759 Through the shed blood. 00:26:00.879 --> 00:26:01.839 Of the Lord Jesus. 00:26:02.139 --> 00:26:02.460 The one. 00:26:02.539 --> 00:26:03.559 Who has had the burden. 00:26:03.759 --> 00:26:04.740 Of God's judgment. 00:26:04.879 --> 00:26:05.220 Lifted. 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:06.159 Can set light. 00:26:06.279 --> 00:26:06.759 To the worries. 00:26:06.799 --> 00:26:07.339 Of this world. 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.459 And we can enjoy. 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.639 The good things. 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:10.720 God has given us. 00:26:11.939 --> 00:26:12.919 We can. 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.379 You can. 00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.419 Enjoying what God gives. 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.500 In the midst of injustice. 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.199 And tyranny. 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.639 Is possible. 00:26:23.079 --> 00:26:24.720 But don't just take Solomon's words. 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.119 For it. 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.619 Remember the Lord Jesus. 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.699 Words to the disciples. 00:26:28.699 --> 00:26:29.779 Who faced the sadness. 00:26:29.779 --> 00:26:30.639 Of his departure. 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:31.879 He's saying to them. 00:26:31.879 --> 00:26:32.419 I'm going. 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:33.599 I'm going to leave you to it. 00:26:33.779 --> 00:26:35.339 And you're going to really suffer. 00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:36.599 And it's going to be awful. 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.539 John 16. 00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:39.059 24. 00:26:39.179 --> 00:26:39.899 Jesus says to them. 00:26:39.959 --> 00:26:40.119 Truly. 00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.439 Truly. 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.159 I say to you. 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.519 Whatever you ask of the Father. 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:43.220 In my name. 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:44.500 He will give it to you. 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:45.399 Until now. 00:26:45.459 --> 00:26:46.159 You have asked nothing. 00:26:46.199 --> 00:26:46.740 In my name. 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.179 Ask. 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.159 And you will receive. 00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:50.220 That your joy. 00:26:50.720 --> 00:26:51.799 May be full. 00:26:55.879 --> 00:26:56.439 Injustice. 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.139 And tyranny. 00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:58.000 Are awful. 00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:01.839 The perplexing presence. 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.359 Of sin. 00:27:02.419 --> 00:27:03.339 Everywhere we turn. 00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:04.879 Is exactly that. 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.780 It's just. 00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:07.120 It confounds us again. 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:07.660 And again. 00:27:07.860 --> 00:27:08.260 And again. 00:27:10.400 --> 00:27:11.140 And yet. 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:13.420 There is joy in it all. 00:27:14.280 --> 00:27:15.300 For the one who knows. 00:27:15.380 --> 00:27:16.000 The Lord Jesus. 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:18.620 We can receive all the gifts. 00:27:18.620 --> 00:27:19.300 That God has given. 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.380 From his hand. 00:27:21.760 --> 00:27:22.580 And rejoice. 00:27:23.160 --> 00:27:24.200 We don't need to know. 00:27:24.360 --> 00:27:24.880 All the answers. 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.680 The Christian life. 00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.840 Doesn't afford us. 00:27:28.040 --> 00:27:28.820 Tidy answers. 00:27:29.060 --> 00:27:29.560 It's not. 00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:30.480 Too tidy. 00:27:30.580 --> 00:27:30.980 My friend. 00:27:31.020 --> 00:27:31.780 Is simply wrong. 00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:34.920 But while it doesn't afford us. 00:27:34.960 --> 00:27:35.519 Tidy answers. 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.700 It does afford us. 00:27:36.859 --> 00:27:37.200 Joy. 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.839 So come. 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.420 And welcome. 00:27:40.559 --> 00:27:41.639 To the freedom of life. 00:27:41.720 --> 00:27:42.240 In Christ. 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.319 Let's pray. 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:44.899 Let's pray. 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899 00:27:44.899 --> 00:27:44.899