WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.580 Would you listen if I told you the secret to a life of joy? 00:00:09.080 --> 00:00:15.780 It's actually an open secret, but I can take you to a man who has done extensive research 00:00:15.780 --> 00:00:21.080 ! That has been widely reviewed and weighed. 00:00:22.179 --> 00:00:29.440 It's been around for a long time. In fact, the study has been about for quite a long time. It's been published. It's been republished. 00:00:29.440 --> 00:00:35.539 And you can actually get it for free on the internet. So it is very much an open secret. 00:00:36.280 --> 00:00:42.320 But this man has an answer to the question of where we can find joy. 00:00:44.280 --> 00:00:52.200 It seems so that people aren't listening. When we look around, do you think, looking inside at your own heart, 00:00:52.780 --> 00:00:58.480 that there's really enough joy in there? When you look around, people you work with, 00:00:58.479 --> 00:01:05.799 people you brush up against each day, do you think, do you know, we are absolutely swimming in joy? 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:13.799 People aren't listening. Let me take you to that man. Turn to page 553. 00:01:13.799 --> 00:01:30.000 The man is called Solomon. And we saw last week, chapter 1, that part of his research was into an earlier study of generations and the natural world around him. 00:01:30.939 --> 00:01:37.799 Our world. And our researcher concluded that it was all vanity. 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:42.239 It was vanity of vanities. Chapter 1, verse 2. 00:01:43.620 --> 00:01:44.519 All is vanity. 00:01:46.019 --> 00:01:47.459 We said that word is vapor. 00:01:48.659 --> 00:01:50.000 Foggy vapor. 00:01:51.420 --> 00:01:51.739 Mist. 00:01:54.259 --> 00:01:58.879 And his research last time showed us that generations, they come and they go, 00:01:59.060 --> 00:02:01.819 and the world keeps turning as it always had, 00:02:01.819 --> 00:02:04.959 and yet all he sees is vapor. 00:02:07.359 --> 00:02:11.060 But he wasn't content to stop his research at that point. 00:02:12.719 --> 00:02:16.840 He has seen, yes, that we can't control the world around us, 00:02:17.280 --> 00:02:19.859 but really, is there no gain? 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:23.759 Is there no profit in the world in learning, 00:02:24.439 --> 00:02:25.479 or building wealth, 00:02:25.979 --> 00:02:27.259 or creating jobs, 00:02:27.379 --> 00:02:30.479 or enjoying laughter and culture and things like that? 00:02:30.479 --> 00:02:34.179 Is there no profit or joy in these things? 00:02:34.899 --> 00:02:39.199 Because these are the things that we're told will actually give us the good life. 00:02:39.839 --> 00:02:43.359 These are the things that our culture tells us that if we can get a grip on them, 00:02:43.500 --> 00:02:45.739 if we can get enough of them into our lives, 00:02:45.959 --> 00:02:47.579 then that's where joy is. 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:51.759 And yet our experience tells us something else. 00:02:51.759 --> 00:02:57.179 So Solomon, verse 13 of chapter 1, if you can look down, 00:02:57.819 --> 00:03:04.639 applied his heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. 00:03:05.599 --> 00:03:09.680 He wants to be sure that his initial conclusion, 00:03:10.439 --> 00:03:11.899 that as the world keeps turning, 00:03:12.180 --> 00:03:13.759 as generations come and go, 00:03:13.859 --> 00:03:15.180 we have no control over them, 00:03:15.180 --> 00:03:17.579 as we grasp after gain there, 00:03:17.859 --> 00:03:19.620 his conclusion that that is all vapor, 00:03:19.620 --> 00:03:20.860 he wants to be sure. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:24.039 So he checks out all that is done under heaven. 00:03:24.520 --> 00:03:26.259 Is there no gain to be had? 00:03:28.740 --> 00:03:32.460 And we see as well that this is an arm's length project. 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:35.580 He went all in, chapter 1, verse 16. 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:38.500 He said in his heart, chapter 2, verse 1, 00:03:38.560 --> 00:03:41.620 he said in his heart, chapter 2, verse 20, 00:03:41.740 --> 00:03:43.460 he gave up his heart. 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:47.000 If there was gain to be had in these things, 00:03:47.180 --> 00:03:48.260 he was going to find them. 00:03:48.420 --> 00:03:49.640 He went all in. 00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:53.960 If these things could deliver the joy that he's looking for, 00:03:54.120 --> 00:03:55.120 he would find out. 00:03:55.200 --> 00:03:57.379 And this evening, I want to take us through his research, 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:00.719 and I want to highlight what it revealed. 00:04:01.860 --> 00:04:04.080 So that's our first point, his research. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:04.860 Let's look at that. 00:04:05.180 --> 00:04:06.020 Solomon's research. 00:04:06.140 --> 00:04:08.120 He starts with the pursuit of wisdom. 00:04:08.580 --> 00:04:10.040 Chapter 1, 16 and 17, 00:04:10.039 --> 00:04:11.039 I said in my heart, 00:04:11.219 --> 00:04:12.539 I have acquired great wisdom, 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:15.219 surpassing all who were over Jerusalem before me, 00:04:15.459 --> 00:04:18.899 and my heart has had great experience of wisdom and knowledge, 00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:21.519 and I applied my heart to know wisdom 00:04:21.519 --> 00:04:23.360 and to know madness and folly. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:28.019 I'm going to acknowledge that I'm already wise, 00:04:28.599 --> 00:04:33.480 but I need to give myself further to wisdom and to knowledge. 00:04:33.980 --> 00:04:36.920 So Solomon gives himself to great works of literature and science. 00:04:36.920 --> 00:04:39.680 He scars the corridors of learning for answers. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:42.139 He wrestles with the great ideas of philosophy, 00:04:42.139 --> 00:04:45.019 and he studies the opposite of sanity and wisdom. 00:04:45.400 --> 00:04:47.000 There they are, madness and folly. 00:04:47.620 --> 00:04:49.540 We need to understand sanity and wisdom. 00:04:49.660 --> 00:04:51.980 If we're going to do that, well, we need to understand the opposite, 00:04:52.400 --> 00:04:53.340 madness and folly, 00:04:53.460 --> 00:04:56.139 in order to understand the human psyche, 00:04:56.480 --> 00:04:58.519 the whole human being more deeply. 00:04:59.100 --> 00:05:01.960 He is a forerunner of 90s new labor, 00:05:02.160 --> 00:05:04.139 education, education, education. 00:05:04.360 --> 00:05:04.840 He thinks, 00:05:04.840 --> 00:05:07.120 if I can get more wisdom, more knowledge, 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:08.220 let's see what's there. 00:05:10.220 --> 00:05:11.819 But look at 1 verse 18, 00:05:11.899 --> 00:05:12.800 the more he learned, 00:05:13.340 --> 00:05:14.459 the less he knew. 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:19.259 He says it was a striving after the wind. 00:05:20.579 --> 00:05:24.340 It was like trying to go and direct the wind 00:05:24.340 --> 00:05:27.000 in a particular course or direction. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:32.579 It was like grasping handfuls of fresh air. 00:05:32.660 --> 00:05:33.759 There was nothing there. 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:35.899 And he says it's not simply vexing. 00:05:35.980 --> 00:05:37.399 It's not simply frustrating. 00:05:37.879 --> 00:05:39.420 It actually made him sad. 00:05:39.480 --> 00:05:39.819 Do you see? 00:05:39.899 --> 00:05:41.819 In much wisdom is much vexation, 00:05:42.220 --> 00:05:44.980 and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. 00:05:48.220 --> 00:05:51.420 All of this wisdom actually has just made me sad. 00:05:51.420 --> 00:05:53.439 All the effort, 00:05:53.680 --> 00:05:55.300 it has felt like a complete waste of time 00:05:55.300 --> 00:05:56.439 because I'm no further on. 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:01.060 And that's true, isn't it? 00:06:01.100 --> 00:06:02.460 Learning, like everything else, 00:06:02.500 --> 00:06:05.180 if it is motivated by a desire for you to be clever, 00:06:05.540 --> 00:06:08.000 if it is motivated by a desire for you to be wise 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:09.240 for your sake, 00:06:09.960 --> 00:06:12.240 so you can demonstrate to other people 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:13.259 how smart you are, 00:06:14.460 --> 00:06:15.319 well, it's like this. 00:06:15.860 --> 00:06:17.080 You find the more you know, 00:06:17.200 --> 00:06:19.000 the more you know how little you actually know. 00:06:19.000 --> 00:06:22.220 The search for wisdom is like vapor. 00:06:23.279 --> 00:06:24.519 It eludes your grasp. 00:06:26.500 --> 00:06:27.779 Solomon then changes tack. 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:28.220 Do you see? 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:30.540 He leaves the library and heads into town. 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:31.740 Chapter 2, verse 1. 00:06:32.100 --> 00:06:32.860 I said in my heart, 00:06:32.939 --> 00:06:34.480 Come now, I will test you with pleasure. 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:36.079 Enjoy yourself. 00:06:37.339 --> 00:06:40.240 The word for pleasure here is joy or happiness, 00:06:40.600 --> 00:06:42.680 so we're really getting to the heart of things now. 00:06:42.759 --> 00:06:44.720 We're getting to the heart of this research project. 00:06:45.899 --> 00:06:48.040 I'm going to go in pursuit of this. 00:06:48.040 --> 00:06:49.000 I'm going to test myself 00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:50.520 that everything that I've been told 00:06:50.520 --> 00:06:53.439 will deliver the joy that I'm looking for. 00:06:53.620 --> 00:06:55.200 Now, I don't necessarily think here 00:06:55.200 --> 00:06:56.420 that we should see that Solomon 00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:58.720 is just letting the bricks off completely. 00:07:00.040 --> 00:07:02.340 He mentions several times, like in verse 3, 00:07:02.680 --> 00:07:04.879 how his heart still guides him with wisdom 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:06.020 in this pursuit. 00:07:06.259 --> 00:07:07.759 I don't think he's describing here 00:07:07.759 --> 00:07:09.400 complete unchecked hedonism 00:07:09.400 --> 00:07:12.360 in the way some people have interpreted this section, 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:14.080 but he is pressing in. 00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:17.740 He's pressing in hard to see what he can gain, 00:07:17.839 --> 00:07:21.259 to see how he can profit in his search for joy. 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:25.219 First place to start, laughter. 00:07:26.019 --> 00:07:26.659 Verse 2. 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:29.379 Maybe this stand-up scene 00:07:29.379 --> 00:07:33.120 or giving myself into comedy box sets 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:33.899 or something like that, 00:07:33.959 --> 00:07:35.519 maybe that will bring the sort of pleasure 00:07:35.519 --> 00:07:36.839 that I'm looking for. 00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:39.199 Verse 3. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:42.159 He then opens a bottle to gladden his heart, 00:07:42.479 --> 00:07:45.699 and then he tries to lay hold on folly 00:07:45.699 --> 00:07:47.000 to see if, unlike wisdom, 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:48.239 it can bring the kind of gain 00:07:48.239 --> 00:07:49.139 that he's looking for 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:51.060 because he is, 00:07:51.759 --> 00:07:52.439 verse 3, 00:07:52.599 --> 00:07:55.620 looking for the good for mankind. 00:07:58.899 --> 00:07:59.459 Laughter, 00:08:00.099 --> 00:08:01.339 a glad heart with wine, 00:08:02.139 --> 00:08:02.879 maybe folly, 00:08:03.339 --> 00:08:04.759 not taking life so seriously, 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:07.180 maybe just being a bit more carefree. 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:09.839 Next he gives himself, 00:08:09.980 --> 00:08:10.300 verse 4, 00:08:10.399 --> 00:08:10.980 to achievement. 00:08:12.060 --> 00:08:13.099 I made great works. 00:08:13.459 --> 00:08:14.319 I built houses. 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:15.860 I planted vineyards for myself. 00:08:15.959 --> 00:08:17.959 I made myself gardens and parks 00:08:17.959 --> 00:08:19.079 and planted them, 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:21.539 all kinds of fruit trees. 00:08:22.560 --> 00:08:23.259 Hard work. 00:08:23.939 --> 00:08:25.060 That's going to deliver. 00:08:25.459 --> 00:08:27.139 Making stuff happen. 00:08:27.480 --> 00:08:28.620 Getting things done. 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:29.839 Being productive. 00:08:30.839 --> 00:08:31.879 If I can be productive, 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:33.840 I'll feel like I've achieved something, 00:08:33.840 --> 00:08:35.340 and there'll be a sense of joy. 00:08:38.360 --> 00:08:39.500 He grows his staff. 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:40.720 He grows his wealth. 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:42.200 He grows his cultural CV 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:43.200 and his women, 00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:43.800 verse 8. 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:47.100 Singers will play music for him on demand, 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:49.639 and his concubines will give him 00:08:49.639 --> 00:08:51.540 other things on demand as well. 00:08:52.820 --> 00:08:54.240 He has at his disposal, 00:08:54.560 --> 00:08:55.940 at the very tips of his fingers, 00:08:56.040 --> 00:08:57.019 whenever he wants it, 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:58.600 the things that we are told 00:08:58.600 --> 00:08:59.759 everyone wants. 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:00.500 Money, 00:09:00.940 --> 00:09:01.259 sex, 00:09:01.259 --> 00:09:02.059 and power. 00:09:03.419 --> 00:09:04.399 These are the things 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:05.399 that promise to deliver 00:09:05.399 --> 00:09:06.220 what we desire, 00:09:06.299 --> 00:09:07.039 and these are the things 00:09:07.039 --> 00:09:08.279 that we give ourselves to. 00:09:10.179 --> 00:09:10.980 And then, 00:09:11.659 --> 00:09:12.600 he tops even that. 00:09:12.659 --> 00:09:13.379 Look at verse 9. 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:14.659 He tops that 00:09:14.659 --> 00:09:16.200 with the intoxicating thrill 00:09:16.200 --> 00:09:17.379 of the recognition 00:09:17.379 --> 00:09:18.120 of his peers. 00:09:18.120 --> 00:09:20.179 He was a great one. 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:38.060 He was a great one. 00:09:38.059 --> 00:09:39.539 There were plaques 00:09:39.539 --> 00:09:40.539 all over Jerusalem 00:09:40.539 --> 00:09:41.559 with his name on them. 00:09:43.259 --> 00:09:44.059 Anything there 00:09:44.059 --> 00:09:45.139 in what he's talking about 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:46.759 that you haven't thought 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:48.059 at some point 00:09:48.059 --> 00:09:49.179 that if you had it, 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.679 then you'd be happy. 00:09:51.299 --> 00:09:52.839 If you had more of it, 00:09:53.299 --> 00:09:55.759 then you would find the joy 00:09:55.759 --> 00:09:57.000 that you long for. 00:09:57.479 --> 00:09:58.319 More pleasure, 00:09:58.819 --> 00:09:59.639 more possessions, 00:10:00.219 --> 00:10:01.059 more productivity, 00:10:01.619 --> 00:10:02.419 more power, 00:10:02.859 --> 00:10:03.979 more prestige, 00:10:04.559 --> 00:10:05.699 then you'd be happy. 00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:07.960 Then you would remain, 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:09.840 then joy would remain 00:10:09.840 --> 00:10:10.860 in your grasp. 00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:11.620 It wouldn't slip 00:10:11.620 --> 00:10:12.440 through your fingers 00:10:12.440 --> 00:10:13.980 like it always seems to do. 00:10:16.320 --> 00:10:17.280 That's what we want, 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:17.620 isn't it? 00:10:17.660 --> 00:10:18.379 That's what we've been 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:19.400 trained to believe. 00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:21.200 That's what our culture 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.460 is telling us we need. 00:10:22.680 --> 00:10:23.600 More pleasure, 00:10:23.960 --> 00:10:24.660 more possessions, 00:10:24.900 --> 00:10:25.620 more productivity, 00:10:25.820 --> 00:10:26.280 more power, 00:10:26.360 --> 00:10:26.940 more prestige. 00:10:27.560 --> 00:10:29.060 Then you'll have 00:10:29.060 --> 00:10:30.140 the good life. 00:10:31.740 --> 00:10:32.920 Look at 2 verse 10. 00:10:32.919 --> 00:10:37.319 Whatever my eyes desired, 00:10:37.439 --> 00:10:38.979 I did not keep from them. 00:10:39.819 --> 00:10:41.000 I kept my heart 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:42.819 from no pleasure. 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:46.479 Now, if I was to say that to you, 00:10:47.179 --> 00:10:48.979 there would be a limit 00:10:48.979 --> 00:10:50.419 to what I could actually 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:51.199 get hold of. 00:10:52.159 --> 00:10:53.219 Not the king, 00:10:53.459 --> 00:10:54.979 with all his royal privilege. 00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:55.759 When he said, 00:10:55.959 --> 00:10:56.779 I kept my heart 00:10:56.779 --> 00:10:57.779 from no pleasure, 00:10:58.439 --> 00:11:00.279 you can't think of a pleasure 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:01.599 that he didn't try. 00:11:01.600 --> 00:11:04.759 And look at his conclusion. 00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:06.200 Chapter 2 verse 11. 00:11:06.700 --> 00:11:08.480 Here's where his research project 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:09.040 got him. 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:10.340 Then I considered 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:12.000 all that my hands had done 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:13.399 and the toil I had expended 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:14.040 in doing it. 00:11:14.300 --> 00:11:14.899 And behold, 00:11:15.120 --> 00:11:16.580 all was vanity, 00:11:17.080 --> 00:11:18.580 a striving after wind. 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:19.700 And there was nothing 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:20.480 to be gained 00:11:20.480 --> 00:11:21.820 under the sun. 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:25.500 All the learning 00:11:25.500 --> 00:11:27.480 and all the laughter, 00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:29.160 all the work, 00:11:29.460 --> 00:11:30.480 all the wealth, 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:31.779 all the silver, 00:11:32.139 --> 00:11:33.180 all the servants, 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:34.740 and what's he left with? 00:11:36.440 --> 00:11:37.039 Vapor. 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:40.519 Handfuls of vapor. 00:11:41.360 --> 00:11:42.960 Bagfuls of vapor. 00:11:44.420 --> 00:11:46.379 Bin bagfuls of vapor. 00:11:47.580 --> 00:11:49.279 It's all a striving 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:50.340 after the wind. 00:11:50.580 --> 00:11:51.659 That phrase, 00:11:51.800 --> 00:11:52.759 striving after the wind, 00:11:52.820 --> 00:11:53.440 means literally 00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:54.960 shepherding the wind. 00:11:54.960 --> 00:11:58.540 In this research project, 00:11:58.639 --> 00:11:59.740 Solomon has given his heart 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.740 to a search for joy 00:12:00.740 --> 00:12:01.780 and he reports back. 00:12:02.100 --> 00:12:02.540 He says, 00:12:02.660 --> 00:12:03.500 looking for gain 00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.320 in these things, 00:12:04.620 --> 00:12:05.560 looking for meaning, 00:12:06.660 --> 00:12:07.360 in laughter, 00:12:07.519 --> 00:12:07.720 work, 00:12:07.820 --> 00:12:08.200 possessions, 00:12:08.379 --> 00:12:08.700 power, 00:12:08.940 --> 00:12:10.259 is the same kind 00:12:10.259 --> 00:12:10.900 of madness 00:12:10.900 --> 00:12:12.700 as standing on a headland 00:12:12.700 --> 00:12:13.720 on a windy day 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:15.420 and trying to direct the wind. 00:12:20.900 --> 00:12:21.879 That's his research. 00:12:21.879 --> 00:12:23.039 But Solomon doesn't simply 00:12:23.039 --> 00:12:24.600 share this discovery with us 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:26.779 from his own bitter experience. 00:12:27.980 --> 00:12:29.419 He explains that he's made 00:12:29.419 --> 00:12:30.720 another discovery in the process. 00:12:30.840 --> 00:12:32.200 His research actually leads 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:33.779 secondly to his realization. 00:12:34.820 --> 00:12:35.860 His realization. 00:12:37.659 --> 00:12:39.320 Go back up to 113 again. 00:12:39.439 --> 00:12:39.879 He says, 00:12:39.879 --> 00:12:58.059 He realizes 00:12:58.059 --> 00:13:00.460 that the misty nature of things, 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:02.740 the vaporous nature of reality, 00:13:03.279 --> 00:13:04.360 flows from a world 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.000 that is broken. 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:08.000 His language here 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:08.980 takes us right back. 00:13:09.620 --> 00:13:11.059 The children of man here 00:13:11.059 --> 00:13:11.519 is literally 00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.620 the sons of Adam. 00:13:13.820 --> 00:13:15.080 And the painful business 00:13:15.080 --> 00:13:16.159 and the crooked things 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:17.179 that cannot be straightened, 00:13:17.440 --> 00:13:18.539 they are the fruit of the curse 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:20.000 that God has laid on the world 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:22.220 in Genesis chapter 3 00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:23.440 after Adam's fall. 00:13:24.940 --> 00:13:26.100 This is why 00:13:26.100 --> 00:13:27.899 Solomon's search 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.860 for gain 00:13:28.860 --> 00:13:30.220 gleaned nothing. 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.419 And this is why 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:33.440 all our works 00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:34.519 that are done under the sun, 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:35.360 verse 14, 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:36.600 our vapor 00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:38.159 and an exercise 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:39.440 in directing the wind. 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:41.139 God has subjected 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:42.000 our world 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.000 to futility. 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:45.039 We can't 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:45.860 straighten out 00:13:45.860 --> 00:13:46.919 the things that are crooked 00:13:46.919 --> 00:13:48.759 because God has made them 00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:49.180 that way. 00:13:50.860 --> 00:13:52.139 We can't count 00:13:52.139 --> 00:13:53.159 the things that are lacking 00:13:53.159 --> 00:13:54.360 because God has made it 00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:54.740 that way. 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.740 That is just 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:56.720 how it is 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:58.039 in this world 00:13:58.039 --> 00:13:58.680 in which we live. 00:14:00.740 --> 00:14:01.759 When you choose 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:02.399 to live life 00:14:02.399 --> 00:14:03.060 on your terms 00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:03.779 in God's world, 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.779 that's what Adam did 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:05.360 in the garden. 00:14:06.579 --> 00:14:07.279 He grasped 00:14:07.279 --> 00:14:08.360 after gain 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:09.459 in a garden 00:14:09.459 --> 00:14:10.339 of gift. 00:14:10.759 --> 00:14:11.480 Now that's important 00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:12.299 that we know that. 00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:13.480 People think that God 00:14:13.480 --> 00:14:14.199 was being mean 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:14.939 when He told Adam 00:14:14.939 --> 00:14:15.939 not to touch the tree 00:14:15.939 --> 00:14:16.419 of the knowledge 00:14:16.419 --> 00:14:17.079 of good and evil. 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:19.659 But there was 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:21.079 a whole garden 00:14:21.079 --> 00:14:22.279 of gift. 00:14:22.679 --> 00:14:23.459 There were lots 00:14:23.459 --> 00:14:24.480 of other trees 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:26.100 that he could have had. 00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:27.360 There was one 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.019 that he was not 00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:29.019 allowed to touch yet 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:31.179 because the knowledge 00:14:31.179 --> 00:14:33.059 of good and evil, 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:34.019 he wasn't yet ready 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:34.740 to handle that. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.059 He wasn't yet mature 00:14:36.059 --> 00:14:36.879 enough to discern 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.480 good and evil. 00:14:37.559 --> 00:14:38.179 That belonged 00:14:38.179 --> 00:14:39.500 to God alone. 00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:40.259 But Adam 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:41.539 grasped. 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.559 He grasped 00:14:44.559 --> 00:14:45.259 for profit 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.139 for himself. 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:49.240 And in disobeying God, 00:14:49.299 --> 00:14:49.840 he plunged 00:14:49.840 --> 00:14:50.559 the whole world 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:51.419 into sin. 00:14:52.539 --> 00:14:53.720 He drug us 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:54.120 with Him. 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:56.159 That's the reason 00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:57.199 why we do the things 00:14:57.199 --> 00:14:57.819 that we don't want 00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.480 to do in life. 00:14:58.860 --> 00:14:59.600 That's why 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:00.420 those things 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:00.940 that we wish 00:15:00.940 --> 00:15:01.500 were true 00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:02.320 of our character 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:03.080 more and more 00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:04.320 seem to elude us. 00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:07.140 That's why we sin. 00:15:08.860 --> 00:15:09.740 And that is why 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:10.480 God has judged 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.460 the world in this way. 00:15:15.040 --> 00:15:15.960 Solomon has come 00:15:15.960 --> 00:15:16.540 to recognize 00:15:16.540 --> 00:15:17.200 that the world 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:17.860 is like this 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:18.700 because it's broken. 00:15:20.060 --> 00:15:21.200 But it is also 00:15:21.200 --> 00:15:21.820 the fruit 00:15:21.820 --> 00:15:22.760 of our rebellion. 00:15:22.920 --> 00:15:23.520 It is the fruit 00:15:23.520 --> 00:15:24.220 of this sin 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:25.500 that Solomon's research 00:15:25.500 --> 00:15:26.560 has led him to realize. 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:29.200 The fruit 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:29.980 of that rebellion 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.940 is this. 00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.800 Death steals 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:33.480 everything. 00:15:36.540 --> 00:15:37.240 And Solomon says, 00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:37.420 look, 00:15:37.440 --> 00:15:38.379 if you've got to choose, 00:15:39.180 --> 00:15:41.740 wisdom is better 00:15:41.740 --> 00:15:42.220 than folly, 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.200 2 verse 14. 00:15:43.580 --> 00:15:44.180 Better to make 00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:44.800 good decisions 00:15:44.800 --> 00:15:45.220 in life 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:45.940 than bad ones. 00:15:46.660 --> 00:15:47.760 Basic common sense. 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.200 But, 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:49.540 whether you're 00:15:49.540 --> 00:15:50.360 the wisest man 00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:50.820 in the world, 00:15:50.960 --> 00:15:51.640 2 verse 14, 00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:52.620 or you're 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.460 the biggest idiot 00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:54.320 that has ever 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:55.060 walked the face 00:15:55.060 --> 00:15:55.580 of the earth, 00:15:55.660 --> 00:15:56.420 the end is the same 00:15:56.419 --> 00:15:56.899 for both. 00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:58.919 The professor 00:15:58.919 --> 00:15:59.459 of wisdom 00:15:59.459 --> 00:16:00.279 and the guy 00:16:00.279 --> 00:16:00.740 who makes 00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.479 dumb decision 00:16:01.479 --> 00:16:02.659 after dumb decision 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.199 will, 00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:03.839 in the end, 00:16:03.979 --> 00:16:05.199 both find themselves 00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:06.319 in the grave. 00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:09.419 One out of one 00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:09.919 dies. 00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:13.279 That's the bottom line. 00:16:14.139 --> 00:16:14.759 But there are, 00:16:14.799 --> 00:16:15.259 do you notice, 00:16:15.379 --> 00:16:16.459 two implications 00:16:16.459 --> 00:16:16.919 of this 00:16:16.919 --> 00:16:17.379 that Solomon 00:16:17.379 --> 00:16:18.620 finds particularly 00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:19.199 galling. 00:16:19.699 --> 00:16:20.519 The first is 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.360 in verse 16. 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:22.519 It's this. 00:16:23.659 --> 00:16:24.379 It's not just 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:24.719 that you're going 00:16:24.719 --> 00:16:25.019 to die, 00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.340 but you're going 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:25.939 to be forgotten. 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.059 Verse 16, 00:16:28.179 --> 00:16:29.079 four of the wise, 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:30.340 as of the fool, 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:31.559 there is no 00:16:31.559 --> 00:16:32.639 enduring remembrance. 00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:34.340 Seeing, 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:35.399 as to come, 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:36.019 all will have 00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:37.360 been long forgotten. 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.220 How the wise 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.240 dies just like 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:39.659 the fool. 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:41.799 He's saying, 00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.579 death doesn't 00:16:42.579 --> 00:16:43.079 discriminate 00:16:43.079 --> 00:16:44.819 from the top 00:16:44.819 --> 00:16:45.379 of society 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.000 to the bottom. 00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.039 No one can 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:47.659 outsmart, 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:48.399 no one can 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.240 anti-aging 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:49.919 protocol 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:51.100 their way 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:51.519 out of it. 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:54.059 And while 00:16:54.059 --> 00:16:54.539 there may be 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:54.980 a funeral 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:55.539 with a few 00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.199 warm words 00:16:56.199 --> 00:16:56.639 offered in 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.059 your memory, 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:57.579 there is a 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:58.179 good chance 00:16:58.179 --> 00:16:58.919 that your 00:16:58.919 --> 00:16:59.500 children's 00:16:59.500 --> 00:17:00.179 children won't 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:00.559 know your 00:17:00.559 --> 00:17:00.819 name. 00:17:01.439 --> 00:17:01.980 And if they 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:02.259 do, 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:02.980 their children 00:17:02.980 --> 00:17:03.699 probably won't 00:17:03.699 --> 00:17:04.480 know your 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:04.639 name. 00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:05.139 I remember 00:17:05.139 --> 00:17:06.420 a few years 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:06.599 ago, 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:07.519 my uncle, 00:17:07.639 --> 00:17:08.139 my dad's 00:17:08.139 --> 00:17:08.420 brother, 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:10.460 he was in 00:17:10.460 --> 00:17:11.180 his 80s, 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:13.379 and he was 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:13.759 coming to the 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:14.119 end of his 00:17:14.119 --> 00:17:14.420 life, 00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:15.839 and I asked 00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:16.940 him about 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.900 his grandparents, 00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:19.339 so my 00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:20.119 great-grandparents. 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.000 What was 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.299 your 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:22.980 grandfather's 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.319 name? 00:17:24.459 --> 00:17:24.959 This was 00:17:24.959 --> 00:17:25.759 his grandfather, 00:17:26.079 --> 00:17:26.599 he's towards 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:27.000 the end of 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.339 his life, 00:17:27.399 --> 00:17:27.819 he's not in 00:17:27.819 --> 00:17:28.299 great health, 00:17:28.379 --> 00:17:29.099 but it took 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:29.459 him a long 00:17:29.459 --> 00:17:29.819 time to 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:30.119 remember. 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:35.819 Do you 00:17:35.819 --> 00:17:36.379 remember the 00:17:36.379 --> 00:17:37.039 first name of 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:37.819 your great-grandparents? 00:17:37.919 --> 00:17:38.379 Do you remember 00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:38.859 what they did 00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:39.339 for a living? 00:17:39.899 --> 00:17:40.299 Do you know 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.559 that? 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:41.279 There was a 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:42.199 time when 00:17:42.199 --> 00:17:42.679 they thought 00:17:42.679 --> 00:17:42.939 that the 00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:43.619 world revolved 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.559 around them 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.019 the way we 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:45.659 think that it 00:17:45.659 --> 00:17:46.179 revolves around 00:17:46.179 --> 00:17:46.480 us. 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:47.439 There was a 00:17:47.439 --> 00:17:47.779 time when 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.240 they thought 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:48.639 they were 00:17:48.640 --> 00:17:48.880 the 00:17:48.880 --> 00:17:49.540 generation, 00:17:50.300 --> 00:17:51.600 and yet 00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:52.140 you don't 00:17:52.140 --> 00:17:52.440 know their 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:52.800 names. 00:17:54.880 --> 00:17:55.360 It's 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:55.640 vapor. 00:17:57.820 --> 00:17:58.460 We'll all 00:17:58.460 --> 00:17:59.040 be forgotten. 00:18:00.780 --> 00:18:01.320 But you 00:18:01.320 --> 00:18:01.680 won't just 00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:02.259 be forgotten, 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:02.980 verse 18. 00:18:04.640 --> 00:18:05.080 Whatever 00:18:05.080 --> 00:18:05.540 you've 00:18:05.540 --> 00:18:06.180 managed to 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:06.880 store up, 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.240 you'll 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.600 leave it 00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:10.160 all to 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:10.880 someone else. 00:18:11.520 --> 00:18:12.080 I hated 00:18:12.080 --> 00:18:12.580 all my 00:18:12.580 --> 00:18:13.080 toil in 00:18:13.080 --> 00:18:13.460 which I 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:13.940 toil under 00:18:13.940 --> 00:18:14.380 the sun. 00:18:15.640 --> 00:18:16.120 This 00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:16.560 research 00:18:16.560 --> 00:18:17.259 project made 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:17.780 him really 00:18:17.780 --> 00:18:18.280 cross. 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:22.200 Why, 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:23.020 seeing that I 00:18:23.020 --> 00:18:23.540 must leave it 00:18:23.540 --> 00:18:23.960 to the man 00:18:23.960 --> 00:18:24.220 who will 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:24.660 come after 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:24.840 me, 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:25.080 and who 00:18:25.080 --> 00:18:25.420 knows 00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:25.640 whether 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:25.840 he'll 00:18:25.840 --> 00:18:26.340 be wise 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:26.640 or a 00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:26.900 fool, 00:18:27.320 --> 00:18:27.680 yet he 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:27.960 will be 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.540 master of 00:18:28.540 --> 00:18:29.240 all for 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:29.720 which I 00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.220 toiled and 00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.759 used my 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.360 wisdom under 00:18:31.360 --> 00:18:31.820 the sun. 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:32.259 This 00:18:32.259 --> 00:18:33.800 also is 00:18:33.800 --> 00:18:34.140 vanity. 00:18:36.420 --> 00:18:36.900 Everything 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:37.280 that you 00:18:37.280 --> 00:18:37.940 worked for 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.680 will be 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:39.440 left to 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:40.360 those who 00:18:40.360 --> 00:18:40.740 follow. 00:18:41.540 --> 00:18:42.020 Every 00:18:42.020 --> 00:18:42.740 single 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:43.320 penny 00:18:43.320 --> 00:18:45.020 that accrues 00:18:45.020 --> 00:18:45.300 to your 00:18:45.300 --> 00:18:45.920 name will 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:46.200 go to 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:46.800 someone else. 00:18:46.799 --> 00:18:47.379 As of 00:18:47.379 --> 00:18:47.559 this 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:48.039 afternoon, 00:18:48.180 --> 00:18:48.759 Elon Musk 00:18:48.759 --> 00:18:49.079 is the 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:49.659 richest man 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:49.879 in the 00:18:49.879 --> 00:18:50.180 world. 00:18:51.879 --> 00:18:52.359 Do you 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:52.639 know how 00:18:52.639 --> 00:18:52.980 much he 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.539 will leave? 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.579 All of 00:18:55.579 --> 00:18:55.740 it. 00:18:58.419 --> 00:18:59.059 That old 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.399 adage, 00:18:59.460 --> 00:18:59.819 you can't 00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.079 take it 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.460 with you, 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:01.119 is true. 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:02.839 And Solomon 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:03.500 says that 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.279 even with 00:19:04.279 --> 00:19:04.940 whatever clever 00:19:04.940 --> 00:19:05.419 stuff you're 00:19:05.419 --> 00:19:05.859 able to do 00:19:05.859 --> 00:19:06.599 with wills, 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.460 you don't 00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:07.819 know whether 00:19:07.819 --> 00:19:08.200 you're leaving 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:08.720 it to a 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.220 fool or a 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:09.700 wise man. 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:10.799 Whatever 00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:11.579 control you 00:19:11.579 --> 00:19:12.220 want to have 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:12.579 over your 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:12.859 wealth, 00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:13.299 you lose 00:19:13.299 --> 00:19:13.720 all of 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.099 that when 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:14.480 you die. 00:19:14.480 --> 00:19:17.559 It's a 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:17.799 stark 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.360 realization 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:18.720 for 00:19:18.720 --> 00:19:19.039 Solomon. 00:19:19.620 --> 00:19:19.839 And I 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.319 wonder if 00:19:20.319 --> 00:19:21.599 this research 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:22.539 actually became 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.279 an attempt to 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:23.819 chase this 00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.700 basic reality 00:19:24.700 --> 00:19:25.140 from his 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:25.500 mind. 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.099 That's what 00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:26.420 we do, 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:26.740 isn't it? 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:27.180 When we 00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:28.019 experience some 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:28.259 of the 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:28.720 vapor of 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.059 life, 00:19:29.559 --> 00:19:30.019 when we 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:30.660 feel this 00:19:30.660 --> 00:19:31.220 sense of 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:31.640 vanity 00:19:31.640 --> 00:19:32.299 about 00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:32.779 everything, 00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.480 we know 00:19:34.480 --> 00:19:34.980 that laughter 00:19:34.980 --> 00:19:35.579 doesn't fix 00:19:35.579 --> 00:19:36.059 the problems 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.360 of the 00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:36.660 world. 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.480 Just 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:39.339 listen to 00:19:39.339 --> 00:19:39.759 a single 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.120 interview 00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:40.460 with a 00:19:40.460 --> 00:19:40.779 comedian. 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:41.660 Their 00:19:41.660 --> 00:19:43.200 lives are 00:19:43.200 --> 00:19:43.660 completely 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.180 surrounded 00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:44.440 with 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:44.840 laughter, 00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:45.560 and yet 00:19:45.560 --> 00:19:45.800 there's 00:19:45.800 --> 00:19:46.400 rarely any 00:19:46.400 --> 00:19:47.740 joy when 00:19:47.740 --> 00:19:48.040 you get 00:19:48.040 --> 00:19:48.560 behind the 00:19:48.560 --> 00:19:48.940 mask. 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:50.259 We know 00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:50.740 that wine 00:19:50.740 --> 00:19:51.460 doesn't work, 00:19:51.820 --> 00:19:52.259 and we know 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.600 that any 00:19:52.600 --> 00:19:53.060 achievements 00:19:53.060 --> 00:19:53.480 that we've 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.040 made didn't 00:19:54.040 --> 00:19:54.540 deliver the 00:19:54.540 --> 00:19:55.140 lasting joy 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:55.460 that we'd 00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:55.840 hoped for, 00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.360 plus we 00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:56.680 know that 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.320 anything that 00:19:57.320 --> 00:19:57.840 accrues to 00:19:57.840 --> 00:19:58.320 our account 00:19:58.320 --> 00:19:59.220 now will 00:19:59.220 --> 00:19:59.700 be wiped 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:00.140 out by 00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:00.540 death. 00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:02.880 This is the 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:03.240 world we 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.680 live in. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.420 So what 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:05.980 can we do 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.860 but distract 00:20:06.860 --> 00:20:07.580 ourselves with 00:20:07.580 --> 00:20:08.160 anything that 00:20:08.160 --> 00:20:08.840 we can find? 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.200 The 00:20:10.200 --> 00:20:11.120 alternative to 00:20:11.120 --> 00:20:11.600 distracting 00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:12.220 ourselves is 00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:12.500 there in 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:12.900 verse 20. 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.640 And gave 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:15.180 my heart 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:15.960 up to 00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:17.100 despair. 00:20:20.360 --> 00:20:20.920 Very 00:20:20.920 --> 00:20:21.360 honest. 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.340 But let's 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:22.700 be honest 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.160 ourselves. 00:20:23.340 --> 00:20:23.940 What else 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.519 is there? 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:25.960 There are 00:20:25.960 --> 00:20:26.360 lots of 00:20:26.360 --> 00:20:27.040 addicts that 00:20:27.040 --> 00:20:28.060 live on the 00:20:28.060 --> 00:20:28.620 streets around 00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:28.960 where we 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:30.080 live, and 00:20:30.080 --> 00:20:30.480 you see 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.180 them in 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:31.560 various 00:20:31.560 --> 00:20:32.940 states, and 00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:34.200 my heart 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.600 goes out 00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:34.920 to them. 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.680 But there's 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:37.180 an honesty 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:37.620 about the 00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:37.920 way that 00:20:37.920 --> 00:20:38.340 they live. 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.500 All they 00:20:40.500 --> 00:20:41.800 want is to 00:20:41.800 --> 00:20:42.360 shut out the 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:42.740 despair. 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.139 All they 00:20:45.139 --> 00:20:45.619 want is to 00:20:45.619 --> 00:20:46.079 be taken 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:46.559 for a few 00:20:46.559 --> 00:20:47.339 moments out 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:47.699 of their 00:20:47.699 --> 00:20:48.219 days that 00:20:48.219 --> 00:20:48.579 are full 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.019 of sorrow. 00:20:50.419 --> 00:20:51.119 And that's 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:51.500 what that 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:51.859 hit will 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.379 do for a 00:20:52.379 --> 00:20:52.819 few minutes 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.099 and they'll 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:53.559 do anything 00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:53.919 to get 00:20:53.919 --> 00:20:54.039 it. 00:20:56.199 --> 00:20:56.859 It is an 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:57.459 escape from 00:20:57.459 --> 00:20:57.919 the pain. 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:01.019 It is a 00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.659 release from 00:21:01.659 --> 00:21:02.199 the despair. 00:21:03.299 --> 00:21:03.819 We have 00:21:03.819 --> 00:21:04.099 our own 00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:04.399 ways of 00:21:04.399 --> 00:21:04.740 doing the 00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.199 same thing. 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:05.899 Some are 00:21:05.899 --> 00:21:06.500 more respectable 00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:06.979 than others, 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.979 some not so 00:21:07.979 --> 00:21:08.439 respectable. 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:10.299 Solomon gathered 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.000 singers to 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.580 play for him 00:21:11.580 --> 00:21:11.880 at his 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:12.519 request to 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:12.880 keep him 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:13.620 from silence 00:21:13.620 --> 00:21:14.259 and his 00:21:14.259 --> 00:21:14.940 inner thoughts. 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.640 We do the 00:21:19.640 --> 00:21:20.220 same thing 00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:21.059 with earbuds. 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:22.680 We don't 00:21:22.680 --> 00:21:23.559 need to hire 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.580 singers to 00:21:24.580 --> 00:21:25.000 follow us 00:21:25.000 --> 00:21:25.440 around and 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:27.640 be a little 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:28.340 bit anti-social 00:21:28.340 --> 00:21:28.980 I suppose in 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:29.500 some ways. 00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:30.759 But we do 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:31.259 exactly the 00:21:31.259 --> 00:21:31.640 same thing. 00:21:31.700 --> 00:21:32.200 We just plug 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:32.920 our earbuds in 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:33.299 and put the 00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:33.840 music on. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.279 Or the talk 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.779 show or the 00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:36.340 radio or 00:21:36.340 --> 00:21:36.680 something. 00:21:36.840 --> 00:21:37.400 Just some 00:21:37.400 --> 00:21:38.019 noise or 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.819 other to 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.359 shut out 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:40.559 the despair. 00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:42.319 Screens, 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.259 social media, 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:44.920 any digitized 00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:46.000 diversion from 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.680 the reality of 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.460 this sorrowful, 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:49.099 vaporous world. 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:52.920 Well, is 00:21:52.920 --> 00:21:53.500 despair the 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:54.039 only option? 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:57.960 Happily not. 00:21:58.879 --> 00:21:59.539 Solomon has 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.299 actually discovered 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:00.680 that there's 00:22:00.680 --> 00:22:01.279 another way to 00:22:01.279 --> 00:22:01.700 think about 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.799 death and 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.279 that it is 00:22:03.279 --> 00:22:04.099 not to 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.680 close our 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.180 eyes and 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:05.559 shut it 00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:05.799 out. 00:22:06.879 --> 00:22:07.799 But actually, 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:09.400 to stare at 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.059 it and to 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.700 stare at the 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:11.559 reality of 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.379 that and to 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.019 allow it to 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.639 reshape the 00:22:13.639 --> 00:22:14.200 way we think 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:14.519 about the 00:22:14.519 --> 00:22:14.859 present. 00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:17.059 To allow the 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:17.500 future, 00:22:17.660 --> 00:22:18.180 whenever that 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.639 will be, 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.220 and our 00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.799 death to 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.359 teach us 00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:20.700 how to 00:22:20.700 --> 00:22:22.599 live now 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.299 in the 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:24.299 present in 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.000 God's world. 00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:26.619 All is not 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.440 lost. 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:28.359 When we 00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:29.019 accept that 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.639 this life is 00:22:29.639 --> 00:22:29.960 vapor, 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.180 when we stop 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:32.940 trying to 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:33.619 resist it 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.859 and try to 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.680 store things up 00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:36.200 for ourselves, 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.740 to try and 00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.240 make some 00:22:37.240 --> 00:22:37.779 gain in 00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:38.240 this world, 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:38.799 when we 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.380 accept that 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:39.980 this life is 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.920 vapor, we're 00:22:40.920 --> 00:22:41.819 actually liberated 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:43.059 from trying to 00:22:43.059 --> 00:22:43.740 control it for 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.180 our gain. 00:22:44.840 --> 00:22:45.799 We're set free 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.799 to enjoy 00:22:46.799 --> 00:22:48.100 actually receiving 00:22:48.100 --> 00:22:48.819 what we have 00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:49.460 as a gift. 00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:51.759 Solomon identifies 00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.600 this then as our 00:22:52.600 --> 00:22:53.140 third point, 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.880 his resolution. 00:22:54.600 --> 00:22:55.319 He's given us 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:55.980 his research, 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.960 he's told us 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.740 about his 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.380 realization, 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.519 and thirdly, 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.200 here's his 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:00.660 resolution. 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:01.340 There is nothing 00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:01.980 better for a 00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:03.100 person than that 00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:03.880 he should eat and 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.620 drink and find 00:23:04.619 --> 00:23:05.579 enjoyment. 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.439 That's what we're 00:23:07.439 --> 00:23:08.159 looking for, 00:23:08.979 --> 00:23:09.779 enjoyment in 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.299 his toil. 00:23:10.699 --> 00:23:11.539 This also I saw 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:11.939 is from the 00:23:11.939 --> 00:23:12.459 hand of God, 00:23:12.519 --> 00:23:13.139 for apart from 00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:13.699 him who can 00:23:13.699 --> 00:23:14.599 eat or who 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:15.239 can have 00:23:15.239 --> 00:23:16.079 enjoyment? 00:23:17.000 --> 00:23:17.659 For to the 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:18.259 one who pleases 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.839 him God has 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:19.419 given wisdom 00:23:19.419 --> 00:23:20.219 and knowledge 00:23:20.219 --> 00:23:21.579 and joy. 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.559 Enjoyment. 00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.039 Enjoyment. 00:23:26.679 --> 00:23:27.099 Joy. 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:28.559 A life marked 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.500 by joy is 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.759 available in a 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.559 world of vapor. 00:23:32.079 --> 00:23:32.739 How is this 00:23:32.739 --> 00:23:33.099 so? 00:23:33.099 --> 00:23:34.259 Well, did you 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:34.679 notice? 00:23:35.699 --> 00:23:38.199 Given from 00:23:38.199 --> 00:23:39.719 the hand of 00:23:39.719 --> 00:23:40.099 God. 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.699 The theologian 00:23:44.699 --> 00:23:45.240 Ian Proven 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.000 summarizes the 00:23:46.000 --> 00:23:46.519 point, which is 00:23:46.519 --> 00:23:46.939 the point of 00:23:46.939 --> 00:23:47.459 the whole book, 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.019 saying this, 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.339 life in God's 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.179 world is gift, 00:23:50.419 --> 00:23:51.219 not gain. 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:53.919 And that is 00:23:53.919 --> 00:23:54.619 the open secret. 00:23:55.959 --> 00:23:56.699 That is the 00:23:56.699 --> 00:23:57.319 open secret. 00:23:58.480 --> 00:23:59.539 Life in God's 00:23:59.539 --> 00:24:00.339 world is gift, 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.259 not gain. 00:24:01.259 --> 00:24:02.740 When we use the 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.579 world for our 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:04.259 own ends, 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:05.599 our gain, 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:06.779 we're just left 00:24:06.779 --> 00:24:07.480 with handfuls of 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:07.759 vapor. 00:24:08.059 --> 00:24:08.920 We're just left 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.579 directing the 00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.000 breeze. 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.279 But while the 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:13.000 vapor remains, 00:24:13.140 --> 00:24:13.579 and it does 00:24:13.579 --> 00:24:13.940 remain, 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.920 understanding that 00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.500 life is a gift 00:24:15.500 --> 00:24:16.180 from God doesn't 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:16.879 automatically make 00:24:16.879 --> 00:24:17.279 it easy. 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.259 We're going to 00:24:18.259 --> 00:24:18.839 see that again 00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:19.339 and again and 00:24:19.339 --> 00:24:19.539 again. 00:24:19.619 --> 00:24:20.000 You know it 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.400 from your own 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:20.960 experience. 00:24:21.759 --> 00:24:22.319 But there is 00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.180 real joy in the 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.700 receipt of the 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:23.940 gift. 00:24:25.799 --> 00:24:26.660 I said last 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.099 week, God 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:27.879 gives two gifts. 00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.680 One is the food 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:29.180 and the drink, 00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:29.720 and the other is 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:30.359 the ability to 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:30.919 enjoy them. 00:24:32.500 --> 00:24:33.179 And that is 00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:33.719 clear with a 00:24:33.719 --> 00:24:34.179 more literal 00:24:34.179 --> 00:24:34.719 translation, 00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:35.259 actually, of 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:35.919 verse 24. 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.439 Have a look at 00:24:36.439 --> 00:24:37.019 verse 24. 00:24:37.419 --> 00:24:37.939 More literal 00:24:37.939 --> 00:24:38.659 translation would 00:24:38.659 --> 00:24:39.039 be this. 00:24:39.459 --> 00:24:40.199 There is no 00:24:40.199 --> 00:24:41.219 good in a 00:24:41.219 --> 00:24:43.519 person than 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.199 that he should 00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:44.819 eat and drink 00:24:44.819 --> 00:24:45.240 and find 00:24:45.240 --> 00:24:45.859 enjoyment in 00:24:45.859 --> 00:24:46.339 his toil. 00:24:46.659 --> 00:24:47.479 This also I 00:24:47.479 --> 00:24:48.139 saw is from 00:24:48.139 --> 00:24:48.679 the hand of 00:24:48.679 --> 00:24:49.119 God, for 00:24:49.119 --> 00:24:49.599 apart from 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.299 him who 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:51.119 can eat or 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:51.479 who can 00:24:51.479 --> 00:24:52.119 have enjoyment. 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.699 There is no 00:24:53.699 --> 00:24:55.379 inherent good 00:24:55.379 --> 00:24:56.219 in a person 00:24:56.219 --> 00:24:56.659 that they 00:24:56.659 --> 00:24:57.159 should be able 00:24:57.159 --> 00:24:57.539 to find 00:24:57.539 --> 00:24:58.199 enjoyment in 00:24:58.199 --> 00:24:58.659 their work. 00:25:00.359 --> 00:25:02.139 He is 00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:03.959 saying the 00:25:03.959 --> 00:25:04.659 only way that 00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:05.279 we can enjoy 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:05.799 the things that 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:06.299 are given to 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.959 us by God 00:25:06.959 --> 00:25:07.859 is from 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.719 God, and 00:25:08.719 --> 00:25:10.199 recognizing that 00:25:10.199 --> 00:25:10.639 he is the 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.099 one who gives 00:25:11.099 --> 00:25:11.500 the gift. 00:25:13.719 --> 00:25:14.299 Just with 00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:14.819 food, think 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.259 about it, just 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:15.799 with food, there 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:16.439 are loads of 00:25:16.439 --> 00:25:17.240 reasons why we 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:18.479 aren't able to 00:25:18.479 --> 00:25:19.059 enjoy it. 00:25:20.339 --> 00:25:21.059 We think, oh, 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:21.439 there is better 00:25:21.439 --> 00:25:22.279 quality elsewhere, 00:25:22.379 --> 00:25:22.879 and we think, oh, 00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:23.539 this maybe isn't 00:25:23.539 --> 00:25:25.039 the best thing I 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:25.459 could be eating. 00:25:26.219 --> 00:25:26.719 Oh, there is a 00:25:26.719 --> 00:25:27.379 different restaurant 00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:27.879 that is better. 00:25:27.880 --> 00:25:29.320 You can't enjoy 00:25:29.320 --> 00:25:30.060 the seven-pound 00:25:30.060 --> 00:25:30.780 bottle of wine 00:25:30.780 --> 00:25:31.720 because you know 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.180 that there is a 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:33.040 seventy-pound bottle 00:25:33.040 --> 00:25:33.560 of wine that is 00:25:33.560 --> 00:25:33.780 better. 00:25:34.940 --> 00:25:35.840 And the seventy-pound 00:25:35.840 --> 00:25:36.560 one was okay, 00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.580 but it is not as 00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:37.940 good as the 00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:38.660 seven-hundred-pound 00:25:38.660 --> 00:25:39.340 one or the 00:25:39.340 --> 00:25:40.000 seven-thousand-pound 00:25:40.000 --> 00:25:40.260 one. 00:25:40.920 --> 00:25:42.100 That never stops. 00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.440 That is the 00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.560 treadmill of 00:25:44.560 --> 00:25:45.360 never being 00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:45.880 satisfied. 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:47.400 That is why 00:25:47.400 --> 00:25:48.140 all of these 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.560 things are 00:25:48.560 --> 00:25:48.920 vapor. 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.660 If even 00:25:52.660 --> 00:25:54.160 eating and 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:54.920 drinking needs 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:55.420 to be about 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:56.060 gain rather 00:25:56.060 --> 00:25:56.720 than receiving 00:25:56.720 --> 00:25:57.360 what God has 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:57.979 provided and 00:25:57.979 --> 00:25:58.659 saying thank 00:25:58.659 --> 00:25:59.259 you and 00:25:59.259 --> 00:26:00.159 enjoying it, 00:26:00.719 --> 00:26:01.119 then it will 00:26:01.119 --> 00:26:01.859 never satisfy. 00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:05.259 The same is 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:05.859 true of all 00:26:05.859 --> 00:26:06.539 things that 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.259 Solomon tried. 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:09.039 Wisdom, 00:26:09.219 --> 00:26:09.559 knowledge, 00:26:09.719 --> 00:26:09.919 money, 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:10.319 sex, 00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:10.699 power. 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.819 There is no 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.859 inherent joy in 00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:13.579 any of these 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:14.500 things if we 00:26:14.500 --> 00:26:15.319 don't acknowledge 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:15.879 the divine 00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:16.240 giver. 00:26:18.419 --> 00:26:19.159 You don't need 00:26:19.159 --> 00:26:19.740 me to provide 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.379 you with examples 00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:21.039 of people for 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:21.459 whom these 00:26:21.459 --> 00:26:21.779 things have 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.179 become a 00:26:22.179 --> 00:26:22.559 source of 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.899 misery despite 00:26:23.899 --> 00:26:24.439 having them 00:26:24.439 --> 00:26:25.000 in abundance. 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:27.200 But I 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:27.720 can't get 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:28.220 old Matthew 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:28.779 Perry out 00:26:28.779 --> 00:26:29.000 of my 00:26:29.000 --> 00:26:29.319 head. 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.259 Chandler 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.799 Bing from 00:26:31.799 --> 00:26:32.299 Friends, 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.640 he had 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:34.660 superstardom 00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:36.339 and he 00:26:36.339 --> 00:26:37.099 pursued gain 00:26:37.099 --> 00:26:37.640 in laughter 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.299 and wealth 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.940 and wine 00:26:38.940 --> 00:26:39.460 and sex 00:26:39.460 --> 00:26:40.059 and fame. 00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:42.960 And a 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.220 couple of 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.700 months ago 00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.240 he wound 00:26:44.240 --> 00:26:45.740 up addicted 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.160 to pain 00:26:46.160 --> 00:26:46.660 medication 00:26:46.660 --> 00:26:46.980 and a 00:26:46.980 --> 00:26:47.279 couple of 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:47.720 months ago 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:48.920 we discovered 00:26:48.920 --> 00:26:49.319 that he had 00:26:49.319 --> 00:26:49.839 a live-in 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:50.200 servant 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:51.759 whose job 00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:52.140 was to 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:52.720 inject him 00:26:52.720 --> 00:26:53.240 with ketamine 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:53.759 every day. 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:56.299 When we 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:57.220 pursue gain 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:58.160 in those 00:26:58.160 --> 00:26:58.660 things, 00:26:59.100 --> 00:27:00.079 rather than 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.779 receiving them 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.220 as gifts 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.940 to be enjoyed, 00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.400 they don't 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:02.900 just leave 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:03.440 us empty 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.339 vapor, 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.600 but they 00:27:05.600 --> 00:27:06.160 can consume 00:27:06.160 --> 00:27:06.519 us. 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.740 Solomon has 00:27:09.740 --> 00:27:10.180 discovered 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:11.779 that God 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:12.339 is the 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.819 source of 00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.180 joy. 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:13.579 In verse 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.120 26, 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.660 he has 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.279 given wisdom 00:27:15.279 --> 00:27:15.759 and knowledge 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.160 and joy 00:27:16.160 --> 00:27:16.819 to those 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:17.380 who please 00:27:17.380 --> 00:27:17.600 him. 00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.200 When you 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.940 grasp for 00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:20.480 joy on your 00:27:20.480 --> 00:27:20.980 own terms, 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.579 it always 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.180 eludes you 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:23.279 but when 00:27:23.279 --> 00:27:23.700 you trust 00:27:23.700 --> 00:27:24.039 God, 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.640 he gives 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:25.880 joy and 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.440 like all 00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.960 his gifts, 00:27:27.060 --> 00:27:27.560 he passes 00:27:27.560 --> 00:27:27.980 it out, 00:27:28.100 --> 00:27:28.440 not with 00:27:28.440 --> 00:27:28.980 a teaspoon 00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:29.500 but with 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.000 a shovel. 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:33.279 If we 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.779 can let 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:34.580 go of 00:27:34.580 --> 00:27:35.400 grasping 00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:37.120 for these 00:27:37.120 --> 00:27:37.500 things, 00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.060 if we 00:27:38.060 --> 00:27:38.500 can let 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:38.940 go of 00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:39.220 thinking 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:39.680 that if 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.160 we get 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.480 that, 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:40.980 then we'll 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.440 have some 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.039 gain in 00:27:42.039 --> 00:27:42.380 God's 00:27:42.380 --> 00:27:43.200 world and 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:43.440 if we 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.200 just receive 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:44.539 what he 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:45.080 gives us 00:27:45.080 --> 00:27:45.600 and we 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:46.340 say thank 00:27:46.340 --> 00:27:46.960 you and 00:27:46.960 --> 00:27:47.519 we enjoy 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:47.779 it in 00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.240 the moment, 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:50.799 we're set 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.100 free. 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:53.060 That is 00:27:53.060 --> 00:27:53.480 joy. 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.720 And that is 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.019 the offer 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.440 that Jesus 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:56.960 makes to 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.519 his disciples. 00:27:57.940 --> 00:27:58.279 You remember 00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:58.640 in John 00:27:58.640 --> 00:27:59.380 chapter 16, 00:27:59.720 --> 00:28:00.060 they have 00:28:00.060 --> 00:28:00.440 been with 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:00.759 Jesus, 00:28:01.100 --> 00:28:01.360 he has 00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:01.720 told them 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.000 that he'll 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.320 be going 00:28:02.320 --> 00:28:02.580 to the 00:28:02.580 --> 00:28:02.980 cross for 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.440 their sin 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.100 and then 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:04.440 returning 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:04.779 to the 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.180 father and 00:28:05.180 --> 00:28:05.340 they're 00:28:05.340 --> 00:28:05.779 anxious. 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.580 They want 00:28:07.580 --> 00:28:07.900 to hold 00:28:07.900 --> 00:28:08.279 on to 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.539 him for 00:28:08.539 --> 00:28:09.100 themselves. 00:28:11.039 --> 00:28:11.580 But he 00:28:11.580 --> 00:28:11.960 says he'll 00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:12.400 send his 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:13.080 spirit and 00:28:13.080 --> 00:28:13.820 he will 00:28:13.820 --> 00:28:14.279 give them 00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:15.160 joy. 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.580 He says, 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.100 ask and 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.400 you will 00:28:17.400 --> 00:28:18.120 receive that 00:28:18.120 --> 00:28:18.840 your joy 00:28:18.840 --> 00:28:19.700 may be 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.900 half full. 00:28:22.120 --> 00:28:22.860 Your joy 00:28:22.860 --> 00:28:23.420 might just 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:23.900 be enough 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.200 to get 00:28:24.200 --> 00:28:24.380 you to 00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:24.580 the end 00:28:24.580 --> 00:28:24.759 of the 00:28:24.759 --> 00:28:25.000 day. 00:28:25.700 --> 00:28:25.980 That's 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.200 not what 00:28:26.200 --> 00:28:26.559 he says, 00:28:26.640 --> 00:28:26.819 is it? 00:28:26.880 --> 00:28:27.319 Ask and 00:28:27.319 --> 00:28:27.539 you will 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.180 receive that 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:28.720 your joy 00:28:28.720 --> 00:28:29.160 may be 00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.740 full. 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.000 The 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.460 fullness 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:32.140 of joy. 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.860 That is 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:34.220 the offer 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.480 of the 00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:34.819 gospel. 00:28:35.840 --> 00:28:36.259 That is 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:36.759 the openness 00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.580 of all 00:28:37.580 --> 00:28:38.360 open secrets 00:28:38.360 --> 00:28:39.000 that in 00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.340 the Lord 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:39.700 Jesus, 00:28:40.400 --> 00:28:40.700 the one 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.160 who holds 00:28:41.160 --> 00:28:41.779 you fast 00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:43.299 even in 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:44.259 the vapor 00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:45.480 of real 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:45.960 life. 00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:48.220 while she 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.640 may not 00:28:48.640 --> 00:28:48.980 be able 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.680 to master 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.200 life, 00:28:51.360 --> 00:28:51.779 you can 00:28:51.779 --> 00:28:52.360 enjoy it. 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.360 Let's pray 00:28:54.360 --> 00:28:54.640 together.