WEBVTT

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 I promised you I'd start each sermon in the Ecclesiastes series with a classic rock song, but I failed this morning.

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! In a Barna survey of former churchgoers from 2014, Kerry Newhoff reports that these are the top reasons why people no longer attend church.

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 First, irrelevance, hypocrisy, and moral failure. Second, God is missing in church. Third, legitimate doubt is prohibited. Fourth, they're not learning about God. Five, they're not finding community.

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 Now, this is a survey that focused on those who were former churchgoers, those who had attended for a while and experienced these disappointments.

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 They went to church seeking meaning, hope, love, forgiveness, something, spiritually hungry, and they found that they did not find what they were looking for.

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 And the disappointment is doubly so, right? Because if you can't find those things in church, good heavens, where can you find them?

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 This, of course, is the experience not only of those who have been to church, but also of those who visit churches, those who have a spiritual interest or hunger.

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 And they're looking and they sometimes go to church and find these similar dynamics.

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 Raising a question in our hearts when we walk into the house of God, what might we find?

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 This is the question that the writer of Ecclesiastes wants us to wrestle with this morning.

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 So, we're going to look at the beginning of chapter 5, verses 1 through 7.

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 And that's on page 520 in the Pew Bible.

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 If you want to turn there, that's where you can find it.

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 And remember, as we turn there and look to the Scriptures, that what we've seen in chapters 1 through 4 is this.

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 The writer of Ecclesiastes is leading us on a journey seeking for meaning.

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 And his conclusion may be summed up in chapter 1, verse 14, where he says this,

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 I've seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

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 He keeps looking in different places in work and pleasure and wisdom, understanding, even in the halls of justice.

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 And he finds not substance, not meaning, not life, not eternal things, but empty, meaningless, insubstantial, and ephemeral life.

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 And he's on this journey going, where can I find this?

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 And where do I go?

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 And what do I do?

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 Will we find vanity?

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 Or is there something better?

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 And today he says, when I go into the house of the Lord, will I find vanity or will there be something better?

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 This is what we're talking about this morning in our passage.

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 So let's pray and ask for God's help, and then we'll read the passage together.

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 Lord, we do come to you this morning, Lord, humbly acknowledging how easily, Lord, we don't worship you.

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 How easily we fall short of what you would have us do.

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 And Lord, we also confess our disappointments, Lord, and our struggles.

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 Lord, where we have come and left feeling empty.

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 Lord, we pray this morning that you would help us through your word.

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 Lord, I pray for your help that you would help me to speak the words as I ought to.

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 Lord, that we would together sit under your word and receive it and respond to it as you would have us do.

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 We pray this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Ecclesiastes 5, 1 through 7 says this.

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 Guard your steps when you go to the house of God.

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 To draw near, to listen, is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil.

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 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God.

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 For God is in heaven, and you are on earth.

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 Therefore, let your words be few.

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 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.

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 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools.

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 Pay what you vow.

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 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.

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 Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake.

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 Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands?

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 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity.

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 But God is the one you must fear.

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 In the house of God, will we find vanity or something better?

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 As with these other topics, as we've tried to explore them as he leads us on this journey,

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 the writer Caholet, if you remember, that's what his name is, preacher, teacher, whatever,

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 in chapter 1, however you want to translate it.

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 He gives us a realistic view of the house of God under the sun.

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 He describes the vanity of religion, and he suggests that there may be something more for us to find.

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 So, we're going to look at those two things in sequence.

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 First, in the house of God, you will find vain religion.

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 Now, I wanted to find my term here because religion is a word that might be used in various different ways.

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 It might be used to say religion reflects the basic human impulse to seek spiritual truth.

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 It might be the formal communal belief system.

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 So, a religion would be Islam or Hinduism or Christianity.

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 If you read older Christian writings, the Puritans and people like that,

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 they will talk about religion in a very positive way as meaning faithful Christian orthodoxy.

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 So, we just need to be careful.

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 I don't mean really any of these things.

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 What I mean by religion is the human activities that one might do in order to achieve a standing before God or other human beings.

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 Religion is spiritual practices that are doing things in order to gain something from others.

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 And, of course, it's challenging because as we look at people from the outside, we don't know why they're doing it.

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 So, we always need to be careful and humble about our judgmental attitudes towards others when we see them.

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 But we need to recognize that there is this religious impulse to do things in order to gain meaningful life in the words of Ecclesiastes

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 or in the broader words of the Scriptures to gain our salvation with God.

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 And Kohelet is warning us about the reality of vain religion in the house of God.

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 He talks about three things.

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 He talks about sacrifices.

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 He talks about prayer.

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 And he talks about vows.

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 In verse 1, he talks about the sacrifices of fools.

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 And why are they foolish?

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 Because they don't know what they're doing and they don't know why they're doing it.

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 And I think that underneath it, there is an impulse.

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 We do these sacrifices not coming to God knowing our desperate need and wanting to receive from Him,

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 but rather to perform for God to build ourselves up by doing the things that we would do.

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 And we might do this consciously.

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 I know God needs me to do these things so that I'm okay with Him.

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 God requires this.

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 It may be that we do these things because we don't know any better,

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 because we're just following along with the traditions that we grew up with.

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 All of these things are possible.

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 Think about the sacrifices that we bring in our modern Protestant church,

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 our singing, our giving, our listening to the Word of God.

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 Do we do this with the spirit of saying,

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 I checked a box today.

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 I went to church.

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 God is pleased with me.

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 I gave.

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 Isn't that good enough?

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 I served.

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 Isn't that good enough?

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 I sung.

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 Isn't that good enough?

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 God, now aren't you pleased with me?

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 Will you now give me what I want?

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 This seems to be the heart that Koholet is revealing in the sacrifice of fools.

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 And we need to ask ourselves, do we do the same?

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 Now, Koholet's audience is not just words.

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 It seems that he's getting at the thought that is common,

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 that if we pray more or pray louder or pray with more energy or more ecstasy or more fervency,

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 that God listens to us more because of our more words.

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 But this reveals to us, doesn't it, that we think that our prayer is somehow going to manipulate or move God to do something that he wouldn't want to do.

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 Or it's to look good before God or others by saying, look at what a great prayer I am by my many words.

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 And then he goes on in verses 4 through 6 and he talks about vows.

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 Now, vows in the Old Testament often came along with sacrifices.

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 The thought was, if I make a sacrifice and I make a vow to worship God or to do something for God,

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 then he will respond to me.

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 The idea here is a little bit of like the foxhole vows that we make.

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 God, if you get me out of this circumstance, I will do X.

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 I will stop drinking.

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 I will go to church every Sunday.

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 I will give 50% of my income to the church.

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 I will, whatever it is, we make these outrageous vows

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 in an attempt to get something from God.

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 Now, look, it's great to be zealous.

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 And there are times when God calls us to make commitments for Him,

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 but we need to be careful.

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 I am a card-carrying member of the Bachelor to the Rapture Club.

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 When I was a sophomore in college,

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 me and my friends founded the Bachelor to the Rapture Club

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 because we thought it was the vow that we needed to make to really focus on Jesus

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 and not think about girls at all.

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 It's ridiculous, right?

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 This is a rash vow.

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 I do not recommend this as a path for those of you young men who are thinking about it,

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 or young women who are thinking this might make sense.

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 Look, I'm not going to go down that rabbit hole.

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 I'm just going to say, this was a rash vow.

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 Within a year, I was dating.

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 Maybe you have made vows like New Year's resolutions.

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 I'm going to read the Bible every day.

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 I'm going to read through the Bible in a year.

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 We need to be careful because this zeal,

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 though it is a normal human impulse,

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 it is not actually worship to God,

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 but it is vain religion

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 because it ends up being about,

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 I need to perform this.

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 And when we fail,

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 we dishonor God.

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 This is what he says in 4 through 7.

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 If we fail,

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 we don't reflect a God who keeps His promises,

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 a God who is truth,

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 a God who always is yes and amen

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 to the things that He has said that He would do.

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 And we, we have a tendency to say,

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 oh, I didn't really mean that, God.

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 We excuse it.

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 When someone challenges on,

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 did you follow through with it?

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 So he says we need to be careful

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 because these vows are so often

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 another expression of this vain religion.

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 religion, this vain religion that says,

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 if I do these things,

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 God will see me

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 and He will think something of me

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 because I do them.

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 I will gain standing with Him.

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 I will gain even my salvation with Him.

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 Right?

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 There are some churches that would teach,

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 you must do certain rituals,

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 certain practices in order to be saved.

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 There are certainly world religions

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 that would say the same thing.

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 This is the heart for Koholet

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 of vain religion.

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 So we've been warned

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 when you come into the house of God,

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 and I don't mean out there,

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 I also mean in here,

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 we've been warned of the danger

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 of vain religion.

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 How do we respond to this?

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 Now, some of us

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 come to church,

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 and we've found it to be

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 an incredibly wonderful,

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 life-giving experience.

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 And we respond to this kind of description

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 defensively.

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 No, no, that's not what it is.

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 That's not what I've experienced.

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 Church has been life for me.

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 It's been such a wonderful place.

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 I worship God when I go to church,

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 and it's been such a good thing.

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 And while I am sympathetic to this response,

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 and I pray that this would be true

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 of our church and of our gathering,

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 I want us to reflect and ask the question

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 that Koholet is asking us.

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 To what degree is our worship vain?

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 Are our church practices empty?

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 Do we gravitate towards checking boxes

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 or worshiping that's more about me

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 than about God?

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 It's more about my experience

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 rather than the reality of God.

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 It's more about my preferences

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 than the Word of God.

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 It's more about my reputation

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 than the reputation of God.

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 It's more about my spiritual success

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 than the glory of Christ.

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 We need to ask ourselves that question

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 in our own hearts individually

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 and for ourselves corporately.

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 Do we promote or do we cherish

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 or do we allow our hearts

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 to fall into this vain worship?

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 But secondly, there are some of us

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 who are here,

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 but we've already felt the sting

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 of disappointment

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 because we've come to church

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 with high ideals,

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 great expectations, desires,

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 and we come in here and we think,

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 oh no, this church isn't that at all

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 or it's not enough for me

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 and I feel disappointed.

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 I feel hurt because I thought

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 this church was going to give me something

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 that I wanted it to give me

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 and it didn't.

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 And to you, I would say,

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 recognize that Kohelet

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 is warning us

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 this will be true.

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 Now, there's hope for you.

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 We'll get to that

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 as we go on in our sermon.

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 But recognize that your idealism

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 may not reflect the reality

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 of life under the sun.

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 And if you remember in Ecclesiastes,

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 life under the sun

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 is without reference to God.

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 And in life under the sun,

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 we do live under it

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 and we may be subject to it.

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 And there are some of us,

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 and of course, this is a danger

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 because I'm probably preaching

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 to the wrong people about this,

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 but there are some of us

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 who will dismiss church altogether

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 because of that disappointment.

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 But there probably aren't here.

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 But if you are here

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 and you're tempted

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 because you see the whole thing

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 as a show of hypocrisy,

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 because you have experienced

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 the depth of that disappointment

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 to a point where you just think

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 you want to cast it all off,

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 recognize that what Kohelet is saying is

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 be prepared for the reality

00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.960
 of what you will find,

00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:14.860
 but also hear the call of God

00:17:14.860 --> 00:17:16.160
 and what God's Word says

00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:18.180
 about what it can be

00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:19.700
 and what it should be.

00:17:20.400 --> 00:17:22.299
 Because God's Word says more

00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.559
 than just this

00:17:23.559 --> 00:17:26.120
 about entering into the house of God

00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:27.140
 and what we will find.

00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:29.720
 So, for instance,

00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:31.759
 regarding sacrifices,

00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:34.759
 hear what David wrote

00:17:34.759 --> 00:17:37.740
 in Psalm 40, verses 6 through 8.

00:17:37.740 --> 00:17:39.359
 He said,

00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.920
 In sacrifice and offerings

00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:42.160
 you have not delighted,

00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:44.819
 but you have given me an open ear.

00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:47.000
 Burnt offering and sin offering

00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.079
 you have not required.

00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.079
 And then I said,

00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:50.299
 Behold, I have come

00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:52.000
 in the scroll of the book.

00:17:52.099 --> 00:17:53.440
 It is written of me.

00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:55.779
 I delight to do your will.

00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:56.660
 Oh, my God.

00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:59.140
 Your law is within my heart.

00:18:00.980 --> 00:18:02.180
 Now, David lived

00:18:02.180 --> 00:18:03.259
 in the time of the temple.

00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:05.160
 He sacrificed at the temple.

00:18:05.339 --> 00:18:06.779
 It's not that temple sacrifices

00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.599
 didn't happen.

00:18:08.160 --> 00:18:10.120
 But what David shows

00:18:10.120 --> 00:18:11.799
 is what God really cared about

00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:12.680
 in the Old Testament

00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.980
 as well as in the New Testament

00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:15.859
 is our heart posture

00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:19.000
 to delight to come to the Lord,

00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.279
 to receive from Him,

00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:21.620
 and to do His will

00:18:21.620 --> 00:18:23.039
 because He gives us

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.460
 and instructs us

00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:25.599
 and shows us

00:18:25.599 --> 00:18:27.099
 the path of life

00:18:27.099 --> 00:18:29.579
 that He has given us.

00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:32.279
 Or remember the words

00:18:32.279 --> 00:18:33.359
 that Jesus spoke

00:18:33.359 --> 00:18:34.420
 in the Sermon on the Mount

00:18:34.420 --> 00:18:35.460
 regarding prayer

00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:37.200
 in Matthew 6,

00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.460
 verses 5 through 8.

00:18:38.460 --> 00:18:39.860
 And when you pray,

00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:40.860
 you must not be

00:18:40.860 --> 00:18:41.759
 like the hypocrites,

00:18:41.840 --> 00:18:42.880
 for they love to stand

00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:44.140
 and pray in the synagogues

00:18:44.140 --> 00:18:45.480
 and at the street corners

00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.400
 that they may be seen

00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:47.000
 by others.

00:18:47.340 --> 00:18:48.240
 Truly I say to you,

00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.880
 they have received

00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:49.480
 their reward.

00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.480
 But when you pray,

00:18:50.559 --> 00:18:51.380
 go into your room

00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:52.160
 and shut the door

00:18:52.160 --> 00:18:53.180
 and pray to your Father

00:18:53.180 --> 00:18:54.039
 who is in secret,

00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.140
 and your Father

00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:56.340
 who sees in secret

00:18:56.340 --> 00:18:57.400
 will reward you.

00:18:57.900 --> 00:18:58.620
 And when you pray,

00:18:58.619 --> 00:19:00.319
 do not heap up empty phrases

00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:01.539
 as the Gentiles do,

00:19:01.719 --> 00:19:02.419
 for they think

00:19:02.419 --> 00:19:03.359
 that they will be heard

00:19:03.359 --> 00:19:04.519
 for their many words.

00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:06.059
 Do not be like them,

00:19:06.399 --> 00:19:07.759
 for your Father knows

00:19:07.759 --> 00:19:08.500
 what you need

00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.859
 before you ask Him.

00:19:11.599 --> 00:19:12.319
 You see,

00:19:12.419 --> 00:19:13.199
 vain religion

00:19:13.199 --> 00:19:14.959
 isn't about relating

00:19:14.959 --> 00:19:16.399
 to a heavenly Father.

00:19:16.959 --> 00:19:18.479
 It's about trying

00:19:18.479 --> 00:19:19.299
 to please

00:19:19.299 --> 00:19:21.339
 some divine monarch,

00:19:22.199 --> 00:19:25.779
 some dispassionate ruler.

00:19:25.779 --> 00:19:28.799
 But Jesus says,

00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:29.700
 you come

00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.399
 and worship

00:19:30.399 --> 00:19:31.500
 a heavenly Father

00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:33.379
 who hears your words,

00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.799
 who knows what you need,

00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.740
 and who loves.

00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:37.480
 So come to Him humbly,

00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.740
 knowing that you can't

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.519
 manipulate Him

00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:40.319
 from your prayer,

00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.980
 but that by your prayer

00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:43.220
 you express your need

00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:43.740
 for Him

00:19:43.740 --> 00:19:44.819
 and allow Him

00:19:44.819 --> 00:19:45.519
 to meet you

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.460
 in that moment.

00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:52.180
 So the Bible says

00:19:52.180 --> 00:19:53.700
 there's something better.

00:19:54.440 --> 00:19:55.700
 There's something better

00:19:55.700 --> 00:19:56.440
 with God.

00:19:57.340 --> 00:19:58.019
 The passage

00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:59.360
 that George read earlier,

00:19:59.500 --> 00:20:00.140
 the parable

00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:01.180
 of the wheat

00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:03.140
 and the weeds

00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:05.720
 is a really striking one,

00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.180
 right?

00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.840
 Because the parable

00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:09.420
 is about

00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.700
 God planting

00:20:10.700 --> 00:20:11.500
 the seed

00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:13.019
 of the good news

00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:14.160
 of the kingdom of God

00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:15.340
 in the world

00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:16.240
 and in the church,

00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:17.100
 and then

00:20:17.100 --> 00:20:19.080
 as He plants it,

00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:21.519
 there's another seed sown,

00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:22.559
 and so the wheat

00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.140
 and the weeds

00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:23.740
 grow up.

00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:25.480
 And the servants say,

00:20:25.599 --> 00:20:26.279
 well, should we just

00:20:26.279 --> 00:20:27.140
 destroy it all?

00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:28.359
 Should we try to purify

00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.220
 this now?

00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:30.940
 Should we clear this field

00:20:30.940 --> 00:20:31.779
 so that it can be

00:20:31.779 --> 00:20:32.660
 only wheat?

00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.700
 And God says,

00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:35.200
 no, because if we do that,

00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.279
 the wheat that is there

00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.120
 will be destroyed.

00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:40.120
 So instead of destroying

00:20:40.120 --> 00:20:40.839
 that wheat,

00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:43.559
 we will allow the weeds

00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:45.680
 for a time,

00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.920
 and then

00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:48.200
 in the harvest,

00:20:48.380 --> 00:20:49.140
 when it comes,

00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.200
 we will separate out

00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.640
 the wheat

00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.340
 and the weeds,

00:20:51.860 --> 00:20:52.980
 and the weeds

00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.060
 will be burned up.

00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:54.980
 They will suffer

00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.020
 judgment

00:20:56.020 --> 00:20:58.120
 and condemnation.

00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.860
 But for the wheat,

00:21:00.360 --> 00:21:01.860
 there is a gathering

00:21:01.860 --> 00:21:03.580
 into the barns

00:21:03.580 --> 00:21:04.380
 of the Master

00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:05.740
 brought into

00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:06.560
 the household

00:21:06.560 --> 00:21:08.000
 of God.

00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:10.440
 And this is the picture

00:21:10.440 --> 00:21:11.920
 that He gives.

00:21:14.100 --> 00:21:15.700
 Jesus says in the end,

00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:17.620
 God will judge

00:21:17.619 --> 00:21:18.899
 all vain religion.

00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:21.919
 And He will

00:21:21.919 --> 00:21:23.079
 recognize

00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:24.759
 true worship.

00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.899
 And He goes on

00:21:27.899 --> 00:21:28.479
 to say,

00:21:28.939 --> 00:21:29.579
 and the kingdom

00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.359
 of God,

00:21:30.699 --> 00:21:31.559
 that true worship

00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:33.239
 is like a mustard seed

00:21:33.239 --> 00:21:34.899
 that grows

00:21:34.899 --> 00:21:36.519
 unseen

00:21:36.519 --> 00:21:38.199
 and unlooked for.

00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:40.419
 But it will produce

00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.119
 a harvest

00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:42.639
 unbelievably great.

00:21:42.939 --> 00:21:43.479
 And God

00:21:43.479 --> 00:21:44.339
 is doing

00:21:44.339 --> 00:21:45.159
 these things.

00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:50.240
 And so,

00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.759
 as we go back

00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.680
 to Ecclesiastes,

00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.140
 does He say

00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:54.620
 these things?

00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.500
 Does He point us

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.200
 in these directions?

00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:57.380
 Well, I think He does

00:21:57.380 --> 00:21:58.279
 in two places

00:21:58.279 --> 00:21:59.080
 in our passage.

00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:00.240
 Look with me

00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:01.000
 in verse 2.

00:22:01.420 --> 00:22:02.080
 Be not rash

00:22:02.080 --> 00:22:02.660
 with your mouth,

00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:04.519
 nor let your heart

00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.360
 be hasty

00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:06.320
 to utter a word

00:22:06.320 --> 00:22:06.880
 before God.

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:08.040
 For God is in heaven

00:22:08.040 --> 00:22:09.560
 and you are on earth.

00:22:09.940 --> 00:22:10.240
 Therefore,

00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:11.400
 let your words

00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.160
 be few.

00:22:13.080 --> 00:22:14.060
 God is the

00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:14.980
 sovereign creator

00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.079
 of all things.

00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:17.240
 And He hates

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.079
 vain religion.

00:22:18.620 --> 00:22:19.099
 He hates

00:22:19.099 --> 00:22:20.120
 your posturing,

00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.519
 your pride,

00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.799
 your religious performance.

00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.680
 He hates

00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:28.000
 the religious pretense.

00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.000
 And He will

00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.839
 shut the mouths

00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.279
 of those

00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:31.019
 who babble

00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:32.200
 foolish prayers.

00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:34.059
 He will reject

00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:34.900
 the sacrifices

00:22:34.900 --> 00:22:35.599
 of those

00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.779
 who do not listen

00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.299
 and obey

00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.259
 His Word.

00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:42.879
 in chapter 5,

00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.480
 verse 7,

00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.240
 He says,

00:22:47.019 --> 00:22:49.039
 for when dreams

00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.640
 increase

00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.180
 and words

00:22:50.180 --> 00:22:50.680
 grow many,

00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.460
 there is vanity,

00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:53.339
 but God is the one

00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:54.299
 you must fear.

00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:56.019
 And we will see

00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:57.259
 this thread pulled

00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:59.000
 throughout all

00:22:59.000 --> 00:22:59.859
 of Ecclesiastes

00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.839
 that though life

00:23:00.839 --> 00:23:01.660
 under the sun

00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:02.799
 is full of vanity

00:23:02.799 --> 00:23:03.779
 and emptiness,

00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:06.779
 there is a way forward

00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:08.359
 and it has to do

00:23:08.359 --> 00:23:09.139
 with God

00:23:09.139 --> 00:23:10.500
 and with fearing Him

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.240
 and fear not

00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:12.240
 in an abject,

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.680
 terrified way,

00:23:14.019 --> 00:23:16.940
 but in an awe-filled

00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.700
 wonder

00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:19.019
 at how great

00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.599
 the God

00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.559
 who is the creator

00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.799
 and the sustainer

00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.480
 and the redeemer

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.819
 of all things

00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.839
 is.

00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.799
 He is altogether

00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.420
 righteous

00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:30.460
 in His judgments.

00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:32.059
 He is awesome

00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:32.899
 in His majesty

00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:33.799
 and His power

00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.879
 and we stand

00:23:34.879 --> 00:23:36.099
 in awe of Him

00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.960
 because He is not

00:23:36.960 --> 00:23:37.759
 under the sun,

00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:38.960
 but He is the one

00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:39.720
 who created

00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.819
 all of life.

00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.519
 And He is not only

00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.599
 the creator and judge,

00:23:44.659 --> 00:23:45.779
 but He is the redeemer.

00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.599
 In the fall,

00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.599
 our hearts are bent

00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:52.039
 towards vain religion.

00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:54.359
 We seek to make ourselves

00:23:54.359 --> 00:23:55.680
 right before God,

00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.579
 but He has been working

00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:58.639
 out a plan of redemption

00:23:58.639 --> 00:23:59.700
 that would do something

00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.799
 remarkably different

00:24:00.799 --> 00:24:02.980
 to redeem us

00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.119
 and to free us

00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.519
 for true worship.

00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.399
 So, Jesus reminds

00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:08.839
 the Samaritan woman

00:24:08.839 --> 00:24:10.039
 in John 4,

00:24:10.119 --> 00:24:10.480
 you remember,

00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:11.859
 He meets the Samaritan woman

00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:12.480
 at the well

00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:12.940
 and she,

00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:15.859
 after having had her sin

00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:16.899
 exposed by Him,

00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.659
 she's like,

00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.799
 well, what about worship?

00:24:19.839 --> 00:24:20.960
 Where can we worship?

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.740
 And Jesus says to her,

00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.980
 woman, believe me,

00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.859
 the hour is coming

00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:27.500
 when neither on this mountain

00:24:27.500 --> 00:24:28.899
 nor in Jerusalem

00:24:28.899 --> 00:24:30.220
 will you worship the Father.

00:24:30.799 --> 00:24:31.720
 You worship

00:24:31.720 --> 00:24:32.740
 what you do not know,

00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:34.519
 we worship what we know,

00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:36.079
 for salvation is from the Jews.

00:24:36.399 --> 00:24:37.399
 But the hour is coming

00:24:37.399 --> 00:24:38.220
 and is now here

00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:39.700
 when the true worshipers

00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:41.279
 will worship the Father

00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:42.639
 in spirit and in truth,

00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.899
 for the Father is seeking

00:24:43.899 --> 00:24:45.879
 such people to worship Him.

00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:47.460
 God is spirit

00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.779
 and those who worship Him

00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:50.059
 must worship Him

00:24:50.059 --> 00:24:51.240
 in spirit and truth.

00:24:51.639 --> 00:24:52.639
 And the woman said to Him,

00:24:52.680 --> 00:24:54.059
 I know that Messiah is coming,

00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:55.379
 He who is called Christ.

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.339
 When He comes,

00:24:56.399 --> 00:24:57.559
 He will tell us all things.

00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.480
 And Jesus said to her,

00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:02.200
 I who speak to you

00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:02.940
 am He.

00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:06.259
 You see, friends,

00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:08.140
 this is God's plan.

00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:11.160
 This is God's hope

00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.779
 for His house

00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:14.940
 is that Jesus has come

00:25:14.940 --> 00:25:16.299
 to make a house

00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:17.900
 that is full of people

00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:19.400
 who worship Him

00:25:19.400 --> 00:25:21.160
 in spirit and in truth

00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:24.700
 to rescue us

00:25:24.700 --> 00:25:25.799
 from our vain religion.

00:25:25.799 --> 00:25:27.379
 How can He do this?

00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:28.700
 Because of what the writer

00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.839
 in Hebrews 10,

00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:31.259
 5 through 10 says.

00:25:31.519 --> 00:25:32.619
 Listen to these words.

00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:33.700
 Consequently,

00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:35.240
 when Christ came into the world,

00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.639
 He said,

00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:37.099
 sacrifices and offerings

00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:38.119
 you have not desired,

00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:40.159
 but a body you have prepared for me.

00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.180
 In burnt offerings

00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:42.000
 and sin offerings

00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:43.240
 you have taken no pleasure.

00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:44.240
 Then I said,

00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.700
 behold,

00:25:44.859 --> 00:25:45.960
 I have come to do

00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:47.180
 your will, O God,

00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:49.059
 as it is written of me

00:25:49.059 --> 00:25:50.419
 in the scroll of the book.

00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.180
 And when He said above,

00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:53.279
 you have neither desired

00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:54.299
 nor taken pleasure

00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:55.740
 in sacrifices and offerings

00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:56.480
 and burnt offerings

00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.319
 and sin offerings.

00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:58.519
 These are offered

00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.440
 according to the law.

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.419
 Then He added,

00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:00.879
 behold,

00:26:01.019 --> 00:26:02.240
 I have come to do your will.

00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:04.419
 He does away with the first

00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:06.960
 in order to establish the second.

00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:08.379
 And by that will,

00:26:08.799 --> 00:26:11.279
 we have been sanctified

00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:12.399
 through the offering

00:26:12.399 --> 00:26:14.240
 of the body of Jesus Christ

00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.919
 once for all.

00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.619
 This, friends,

00:26:17.680 --> 00:26:19.039
 is the good news of the gospel

00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.599
 that Jesus has come

00:26:20.599 --> 00:26:22.359
 and done the offering

00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:23.799
 that is necessary

00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:25.459
 for us to be right with God

00:26:25.459 --> 00:26:26.659
 so that we no longer

00:26:26.659 --> 00:26:27.479
 have to work

00:26:27.479 --> 00:26:28.379
 and our worship

00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:29.679
 is no longer performance

00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.599
 but response

00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:32.639
 because Jesus went to the cross

00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:34.259
 and died on the cross

00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:35.339
 for our sins.

00:26:35.819 --> 00:26:36.839
 He did the work

00:26:36.839 --> 00:26:37.799
 that was necessary

00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.879
 for our forgiveness

00:26:38.879 --> 00:26:40.159
 and for our redemption.

00:26:40.399 --> 00:26:42.179
 Because He rose from the dead,

00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:44.339
 He is able to give us

00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:45.879
 new and spiritual life

00:26:45.879 --> 00:26:47.159
 which will last for eternity,

00:26:47.379 --> 00:26:48.479
 which frees us

00:26:48.479 --> 00:26:49.519
 from the deadness

00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:51.019
 of human religion

00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.700
 so that we can worship Him

00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:54.460
 in this new life

00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:56.559
 filled with the Holy Spirit

00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:58.299
 so that we might worship Him

00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.579
 as we ought to

00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:02.119
 in response to all that He has done.

00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:05.420
 This is the good news

00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.700
 of the gospel.

00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.759
 And this is our freedom

00:27:09.759 --> 00:27:10.940
 from vain religion.

00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:14.599
 And Lord, may it be true

00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:16.000
 that Trinity is a house

00:27:16.000 --> 00:27:18.599
 where this gospel truth

00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:20.700
 is like a fountain

00:27:20.700 --> 00:27:21.640
 that overflows

00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:22.660
 in our hearts

00:27:22.660 --> 00:27:24.460
 individually

00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.779
 and as a community.

00:27:28.579 --> 00:27:29.660
 Now, as we close,

00:27:29.759 --> 00:27:30.440
 we're going to observe

00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:31.240
 the Lord's Supper.

00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.380
 And I want to take

00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:33.220
 a few minutes

00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:34.259
 to talk about

00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:34.920
 the Lord's Supper

00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:35.359
 because

00:27:35.359 --> 00:27:38.079
 is there no other place

00:27:38.079 --> 00:27:39.200
 in our worship service

00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:40.660
 that we are most prone

00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:42.619
 to vain religion

00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:43.759
 than this?

00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:46.359
 Right?

00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.759
 It would be so easy

00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:48.379
 for us

00:27:48.379 --> 00:27:49.539
 to come

00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.720
 and to eat the bread

00:27:50.720 --> 00:27:51.940
 and to drink the cup

00:27:51.940 --> 00:27:54.339
 believing that God

00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.059
 accepts us

00:27:55.059 --> 00:27:55.859
 because we are

00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.759
 taking communion

00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:58.140
 rather than

00:27:58.140 --> 00:27:59.039
 taking communion

00:27:59.039 --> 00:28:00.019
 because God

00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:01.539
 has already accepted us.

00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:04.079
 It would be so easy

00:28:04.079 --> 00:28:05.000
 for us to believe

00:28:05.000 --> 00:28:06.059
 that taking communion

00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:08.039
 will move God

00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:08.940
 to bless us

00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:10.119
 and do good for us

00:28:10.119 --> 00:28:10.879
 and answer our

00:28:10.879 --> 00:28:12.000
 particular prayers

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:14.059
 rather than taking communion

00:28:14.059 --> 00:28:15.460
 because He has already

00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.160
 blessed us

00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:17.440
 with every spiritual blessing

00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.579
 in Christ.

00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.619
 It would be easy

00:28:20.619 --> 00:28:21.400
 for us to

00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:23.279
 not take communion

00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.660
 because we think

00:28:24.660 --> 00:28:26.059
 I'm unworthy.

00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.660
 I'm too unperfect.

00:28:27.819 --> 00:28:28.680
 My sin

00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:29.799
 is great

00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.559
 and

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.500
 I don't think

00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.460
 I can do this

00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:34.200
 rather than coming

00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.619
 to the very place

00:28:35.619 --> 00:28:36.140
 where we

00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:37.220
 recognize

00:28:37.220 --> 00:28:38.319
 and remember

00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:39.440
 the forgiveness

00:28:39.440 --> 00:28:40.320
 of our sin

00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:42.019
 achieved in Christ.

00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:45.320
 It would be easy

00:28:45.320 --> 00:28:45.840
 for us

00:28:45.840 --> 00:28:46.299
 to think

00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:46.860
 that we

00:28:46.860 --> 00:28:48.140
 take communion

00:28:48.140 --> 00:28:49.900
 because if we don't

00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:51.320
 God won't save us

00:28:51.320 --> 00:28:52.759
 rather than

00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.600
 taking communion

00:28:53.600 --> 00:28:54.380
 because

00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:55.920
 He has

00:28:55.920 --> 00:28:56.940
 saved us.

00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.740
 Listen to the words

00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.720
 of institution.

00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.700
 This is what Paul wrote

00:29:01.700 --> 00:29:02.920
 in 1 Corinthians 11.

00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:05.200
 For I received

00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:05.740
 from the Lord

00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:06.580
 what I also delivered

00:29:06.580 --> 00:29:06.920
 to you

00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.680
 that the Lord Jesus

00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:08.240
 on the night

00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:08.800
 He was betrayed

00:29:08.800 --> 00:29:09.440
 took bread

00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:10.220
 and when He had

00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:10.820
 given thanks

00:29:10.820 --> 00:29:11.440
 He broke it

00:29:11.440 --> 00:29:11.800
 and said

00:29:11.800 --> 00:29:12.740
 this is my body

00:29:12.740 --> 00:29:13.680
 which is for you

00:29:13.680 --> 00:29:14.640
 do this

00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:15.160
 in remembrance

00:29:15.160 --> 00:29:15.759
 of me

00:29:15.759 --> 00:29:16.860
 and in the same way

00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.980
 also He took the cup

00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.580
 after supper

00:29:18.580 --> 00:29:18.940
 saying

00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.960
 this cup

00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.759
 is a new covenant

00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.560
 in my blood

00:29:21.560 --> 00:29:22.120
 do this

00:29:22.120 --> 00:29:22.560
 as often

00:29:22.560 --> 00:29:23.360
 as you drink it

00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:24.000
 in remembrance

00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:24.539
 of me

00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.480
 for as often

00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:26.000
 as you eat

00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.539
 this bread

00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.580
 and drink this cup

00:29:27.580 --> 00:29:28.779
 you proclaim

00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:29.700
 the Lord's death

00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:30.900
 until He comes.

00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:32.900
 This is why

00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:33.759
 we do this

00:29:33.759 --> 00:29:34.580
 we do this

00:29:34.580 --> 00:29:35.400
 to remember

00:29:35.400 --> 00:29:36.740
 to remember

00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.500
 His body

00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.580
 broken for us

00:29:38.580 --> 00:29:39.600
 His blood

00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.320
 that was shed

00:29:40.320 --> 00:29:41.000
 for us

00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:42.300
 and the redemption

00:29:42.300 --> 00:29:43.220
 that He has done

00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:44.880
 and as we respond

00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:46.740
 we ought to ask

00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.400
 the Holy Spirit

00:29:47.400 --> 00:29:48.360
 to help us

00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:50.600
 maybe we will feel

00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:51.200
 joy

00:29:51.200 --> 00:29:52.060
 because we have

00:29:52.060 --> 00:29:52.620
 remembered

00:29:52.620 --> 00:29:53.280
 that God

00:29:53.280 --> 00:29:53.960
 has rescued us

00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.440
 from sin

00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.420
 in Christ

00:29:55.420 --> 00:29:56.360
 we may feel

00:29:56.360 --> 00:29:57.160
 thankfulness

00:29:57.160 --> 00:29:57.759
 because of the

00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.640
 costly love

00:29:58.640 --> 00:29:59.540
 that Jesus showed

00:29:59.540 --> 00:30:00.440
 we may feel

00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.720
 conviction of sin

00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:03.200
 because we haven't

00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:03.740
 put God

00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.279
 in the middle

00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:05.080
 of our lives

00:30:05.080 --> 00:30:06.140
 or in the middle

00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.799
 of our worship

00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:07.840
 we may feel

00:30:07.840 --> 00:30:08.500
 strength

00:30:08.500 --> 00:30:09.500
 in God's presence

00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.799
 that God

00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:12.100
 who has rescued us

00:30:12.100 --> 00:30:12.900
 will continue

00:30:12.900 --> 00:30:13.840
 to strengthen us

00:30:13.840 --> 00:30:15.080
 to pursue Him

00:30:15.080 --> 00:30:15.680
 even through

00:30:15.680 --> 00:30:16.620
 great trials

00:30:16.620 --> 00:30:18.460
 whatever it is

00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.100
 the heart

00:30:19.100 --> 00:30:20.019
 not the ritual

00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:21.799
 is the goal

00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:23.680
 and as we come

00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:24.340
 to the table

00:30:24.340 --> 00:30:25.660
 my prayer is

00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.140
 that we will

00:30:26.140 --> 00:30:26.799
 worship Him

00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:27.700
 in spirit

00:30:27.700 --> 00:30:28.180
 and truth

00:30:28.180 --> 00:30:28.759
 this morning

00:30:28.759 --> 00:30:58.740
 is the