WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:18.240 This book is brutally honest about life. Be under no illusions. Under the sun, this life is littered with grievous evil, injustice, dissatisfaction. 00:00:18.240 --> 00:00:29.980 ! The preacher of Ecclesiastes, as he's taken us through on his world tour, pulls back the curtains, doesn't he, and confronts us with the reality of the reality of the world. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:47.179 Well done for bearing with him and listening to him over these past few weeks because I want to encourage you that all of the difficult stuff that we've been taught in this book so far, all of the difficult stuff is for our good. 00:00:47.179 --> 00:01:07.039 It is for true life because all of it interrupts the charade that we play in life. The charade that without God and without receiving life from God as a gift, that we can be totally satisfied. 00:01:07.040 --> 00:01:20.740 But it's a charade of empty, vain joy. And yet he's got us to the point here near to the end of the book where he can speak more positively and resolutely. 00:01:20.739 --> 00:01:38.379 He's a bit more strident in this passage. And you can sum up his message, I think, in two words this afternoon. Be bold. Be bold. Just look at some of the verbs that he uses, the doing words. 00:01:38.379 --> 00:01:53.259 And verse 1, cast. Cast. Verse 2, give. Verse 6, sow. Cast, give, sow. Be bold with your life. Be bold with two areas in life. 00:01:53.260 --> 00:01:58.020 First of all, he says, be bold with two areas in life. Be bold with two areas in life. Be bold with two areas in life. 00:01:58.020 --> 00:02:08.580 Be bold with the uncertainties of life. It's been said before that fortune favours the bold before it favours the worthy. 00:02:09.540 --> 00:02:17.659 And there is real truth in that, isn't there? When there's nothing ventured, there's nothing gained, he who dares wins. 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:31.340 But we can so easily live life with the motto, what if? What if? Uncertainties, uncertainty can stunt life. 00:02:32.300 --> 00:02:39.340 And endless speculation over uncertainty can stunt life. Because we want control, don't we? 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:46.659 We live life in an imaginary control tower with one of those kind of radar screens in front of us. 00:02:47.140 --> 00:02:52.780 And we try to keep track of all the aircraft. All the incomings and all the outgoings of life. 00:02:52.860 --> 00:03:00.219 And our radar is spinning constantly. But control, he is about to tell us in everything, is an illusion. 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:08.379 Verse 2, you don't know what disaster may happen. Uncertainties. 00:03:09.340 --> 00:03:16.580 And there are things in life that just happen. From our point of view, there's no rhyme or reason. There's no control. 00:03:17.020 --> 00:03:21.580 The clouds, he says, are full of rain. Then they empty themselves on the earth. 00:03:22.640 --> 00:03:29.740 And then a tree falls in the woods somewhere, either to the south or to the north. 00:03:30.740 --> 00:03:33.879 There it goes. And there it lies. 00:03:33.879 --> 00:03:36.280 No one planned it. 00:03:37.000 --> 00:03:40.579 The tree didn't ask for our permission or guidance. 00:03:41.379 --> 00:03:45.900 The clouds didn't consult us when to fill with rain and when to rain. 00:03:47.019 --> 00:03:50.620 The clouds did not sync their calendars with ours. 00:03:51.519 --> 00:03:53.659 They did not let us control them. 00:03:53.759 --> 00:03:56.519 There is uncertainty all around us. 00:03:56.520 --> 00:04:01.140 Falling trees in the woods couldn't care less about our plans, could they? 00:04:01.820 --> 00:04:03.760 And life happens. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:05.379 It happens to us. 00:04:05.840 --> 00:04:07.280 And it happens around us. 00:04:08.540 --> 00:04:12.580 It doesn't mean that nobody knows the rhyme or reason for things. 00:04:12.960 --> 00:04:13.860 No. Verse 5. 00:04:14.020 --> 00:04:15.420 God makes everything. 00:04:15.600 --> 00:04:19.819 He works by his spirit secretly in hidden places. 00:04:19.900 --> 00:04:21.500 In places that we can't see. 00:04:21.500 --> 00:04:23.319 Like in a mother's womb. 00:04:24.540 --> 00:04:27.279 But from our point of view, do you see the point he's making? 00:04:27.439 --> 00:04:33.839 Our problem is that we try to treat the uncertainties out there as if they can be certain. 00:04:34.680 --> 00:04:42.620 As if we could watch and control and analyse and plan so that everything in our lives runs well. 00:04:43.860 --> 00:04:46.420 But life just happens. 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:53.160 Constant analysing, though, can be paralysing. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:54.720 Just look at verse 4. 00:04:55.759 --> 00:04:58.199 He who observes the wind will not sow. 00:04:58.819 --> 00:05:01.580 And he who regards the clouds will not reap. 00:05:01.660 --> 00:05:03.340 Now do you see what the man is doing there? 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:07.720 He's putting analysis ahead of action, isn't he? 00:05:08.280 --> 00:05:11.580 Observing, regarding, but he's not doing anything. 00:05:11.759 --> 00:05:12.700 He's hesitating. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:16.439 He's waiting for ideal conditions. 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:26.199 And too much observing, too much trying to control the uncertainties of life can actually obstruct productivity and harvest. 00:05:27.719 --> 00:05:33.439 Even with all of our analysis, plenty of things will still be hidden to us in our lives, won't they? 00:05:34.419 --> 00:05:36.300 Even the Met Office gets it wrong. 00:05:36.779 --> 00:05:37.219 Frequently. 00:05:37.220 --> 00:05:43.560 Few great enterprises have waited, actually, for ideal conditions. 00:05:44.980 --> 00:05:48.940 And if you spend all of your time waiting for them, you might never do anything. 00:05:50.420 --> 00:05:53.320 Hardly anything is ideal, is it? 00:05:54.500 --> 00:05:57.920 But we pretend that it can be and that we can do it. 00:05:58.720 --> 00:06:00.840 I think we struggle with this today with Google. 00:06:00.839 --> 00:06:05.719 We Google, don't we, all the data before we make any decisions. 00:06:06.819 --> 00:06:10.479 And then once we've made the decision, we think, well, what if there's one more bit of data? 00:06:11.139 --> 00:06:16.479 One more piece of information that I haven't found yet that will invalidate my current decision. 00:06:17.799 --> 00:06:22.059 But he who keeps observing the wind won't ever sow. 00:06:22.060 --> 00:06:29.459 Do you see what he does here with the uncertainties of life in verse 1 to 6? 00:06:29.560 --> 00:06:35.899 He pairs them, doesn't he, with a particular response that he's telling us to make. 00:06:37.000 --> 00:06:44.519 Instead of reservation and fear and constant analysis and to-ing and fro-ing, 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:47.180 the response is, go for it. 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:50.000 It's enterprise, isn't it? 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:51.120 There's a buoyancy. 00:06:52.360 --> 00:06:53.420 Just go for it. 00:06:53.500 --> 00:06:55.920 Cast your bread upon the waters, he says. 00:06:56.779 --> 00:06:59.199 It's not about feeding the ducks, by the way. 00:07:00.079 --> 00:07:01.800 What is he talking about there? 00:07:02.920 --> 00:07:06.839 It could be sowing seed in the floodplains. 00:07:07.839 --> 00:07:13.240 It could be about sending resources out onto ships for investment. 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:16.660 It's difficult to know precisely what he means. 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:22.760 It's difficult to know whether he's talking about business investment or just giving to others. 00:07:23.640 --> 00:07:31.700 Like he says in verse 2, give a portion to 7 or even to 8. 00:07:32.660 --> 00:07:34.800 It could be both, actually, couldn't it? 00:07:34.800 --> 00:07:44.180 Either way, if you don't embark on something because of uncertainty, you know you definitely won't get a return. 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:49.980 But if you do cast your bread, you know there's a good chance you will. 00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:51.939 Life is uncertain. 00:07:51.939 --> 00:07:59.199 You could respond, couldn't you, by getting everything that is owed to you, all of your just desserts, 00:08:00.040 --> 00:08:03.639 and eating them all really quickly because you don't know what's in the future. 00:08:04.759 --> 00:08:07.699 Or, he says, you could give your desserts away. 00:08:08.939 --> 00:08:12.319 Because one day everything you have might be taken from you. 00:08:12.379 --> 00:08:13.819 You don't know how long it's going to last. 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:19.819 I used to cycle around Ealing a lot before I had both of my wheels stolen. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:27.740 On the second bike that I bought, after the first one was stolen outside the council, during a lunchtime talk. 00:08:27.839 --> 00:08:29.620 It's just infuriating, isn't it? 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:35.220 Someone in our church, you know her well, most of you, had her wallet stolen on the bus. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:41.740 Coming to ELT a couple of weeks ago, she'd lost, I think, £1,000 in 15 minutes. 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:46.139 As they'd gone and contactless payments everywhere. 00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:49.899 It's almost worth catching the thief, isn't it? 00:08:49.899 --> 00:08:51.200 Just to give them what for. 00:08:51.299 --> 00:08:52.460 It's so infuriating. 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:57.840 But on reflection, as I think about my wheels, 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:02.940 the real frustration of losing things like that 00:09:02.940 --> 00:09:07.259 is that I had the chance to give it away. 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:11.659 I'd have preferred, if I could go back in time, 00:09:11.819 --> 00:09:15.740 the other option would have been better to just give it to them. 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:18.580 Or give it to somebody else. 00:09:19.620 --> 00:09:21.919 I'd have preferred to give the money away. 00:09:22.120 --> 00:09:23.360 That would have been better. 00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:25.759 I'm no better off. 00:09:26.019 --> 00:09:27.799 But someone else could have been. 00:09:28.899 --> 00:09:30.919 I could have cast it on the water. 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:34.699 I could have used it in some other way for good. 00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:37.319 Rather than keeping it to myself. 00:09:37.459 --> 00:09:38.699 Rather than locking it away. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:45.219 He's not advocating irresponsibility or bravado with our resources. 00:09:46.360 --> 00:09:48.099 And it is your money. 00:09:48.279 --> 00:09:49.139 It's your stuff. 00:09:49.219 --> 00:09:50.199 It's your resources. 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:53.079 To do with it what you want and what you decide. 00:09:53.159 --> 00:09:54.459 And that really is fine. 00:09:54.639 --> 00:09:55.339 It really is. 00:09:55.340 --> 00:09:59.700 But you never know what is going to happen. 00:10:00.660 --> 00:10:03.879 And the time for casting and giving and sowing 00:10:03.879 --> 00:10:06.080 might not last very long. 00:10:07.180 --> 00:10:10.519 And the motto of our lives, if it is what if, 00:10:11.580 --> 00:10:14.100 it could change to, I could have. 00:10:15.060 --> 00:10:16.940 I could have given it away. 00:10:17.840 --> 00:10:19.360 I could have been generous. 00:10:19.820 --> 00:10:20.940 That would have been better. 00:10:20.940 --> 00:10:24.660 I could have invested in something that lasts. 00:10:26.180 --> 00:10:29.980 He's saying, isn't he, life is predictably unpredictable. 00:10:30.880 --> 00:10:32.200 So be bold. 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:34.560 Go on, I dare you. 00:10:34.880 --> 00:10:35.280 He says. 00:10:36.100 --> 00:10:37.260 Give to a missionary. 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:40.180 Serve in the local church. 00:10:40.500 --> 00:10:41.540 Use your gifts. 00:10:41.820 --> 00:10:43.960 Invest in things. 00:10:44.300 --> 00:10:45.840 Spend time with people. 00:10:46.760 --> 00:10:48.520 Spend time with someone in need. 00:10:48.519 --> 00:10:51.399 Give them your desserts. 00:10:51.799 --> 00:10:52.860 Literally, if you like. 00:10:53.819 --> 00:10:54.919 Cast your bread. 00:10:54.980 --> 00:10:56.419 Because you don't know what's going to happen. 00:10:58.340 --> 00:11:00.139 Don't keep making excuses. 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:04.579 Analyzing can be so paralyzing, can't it? 00:11:05.480 --> 00:11:06.360 It's too early. 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:07.679 It's too late. 00:11:08.159 --> 00:11:09.100 Too hot. 00:11:09.419 --> 00:11:10.139 Too cold. 00:11:11.419 --> 00:11:13.199 You can spend all of your life, though, 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:15.039 waiting for ideal conditions 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:17.100 and never do anything. 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:19.259 I could have. 00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:23.560 So be bold with the uncertainties. 00:11:24.279 --> 00:11:28.320 Secondly, he says, be bold with the certainties. 00:11:28.759 --> 00:11:30.480 Be bold with the certainties. 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:34.460 Someone has said, commenting on this passage, 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:38.060 that we can treat the uncertainties of life 00:11:38.060 --> 00:11:39.379 as if they were certain, 00:11:39.379 --> 00:11:43.279 but we can also treat the certainties 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:45.340 as if they were uncertain. 00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:49.019 We can pretend that the certain 00:11:49.019 --> 00:11:50.899 might never happen. 00:11:52.340 --> 00:11:54.539 There are some things that we can't predict. 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:55.279 That's true. 00:11:55.419 --> 00:11:57.860 But there are other things that we know 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:00.279 will happen to us 00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:02.000 without a doubt. 00:12:02.000 --> 00:12:06.019 And so the flip side is, 00:12:06.220 --> 00:12:07.980 let the certain things 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:10.340 of the future and of life 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:14.480 shape how you deal with the uncertain things. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:18.340 And this is what he does in verse 9 to the end. 00:12:18.920 --> 00:12:21.000 He speaks to a young person, doesn't he, 00:12:21.019 --> 00:12:22.300 at the beginning of their life. 00:12:23.700 --> 00:12:25.800 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth. 00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:26.620 Verse 9. 00:12:27.920 --> 00:12:29.639 Young person, young man, 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:32.700 pay attention to the certainties 00:12:32.700 --> 00:12:35.000 that you are going to face, 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:38.740 that all of us will face at some point. 00:12:38.740 --> 00:12:42.440 Did you hear the certainties 00:12:42.440 --> 00:12:43.279 that he talks about? 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:45.060 He's quite frank about them, isn't he? 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:48.180 The frustration of an ageing body, 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:51.840 the certainty of pain, 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:55.100 and the certainty of judgment 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:56.860 before God. 00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:00.820 Those things are going to happen 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:02.500 to all of us. 00:13:03.560 --> 00:13:06.259 But just as with the uncertainties, 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:08.019 the response is still the same. 00:13:08.019 --> 00:13:09.079 Be bold. 00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.399 Be bold. 00:13:10.579 --> 00:13:12.679 It's a different side to the same coin, really. 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:14.980 Because it's just as foolish 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:16.159 to do nothing 00:13:16.159 --> 00:13:18.539 by pretending that the certainties 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:19.500 won't happen 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:21.460 as it is to think 00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:23.019 that the uncertainties will. 00:13:24.319 --> 00:13:25.819 So the young person 00:13:25.819 --> 00:13:27.360 needs to be bold 00:13:27.360 --> 00:13:30.079 in enjoying the opportunities 00:13:30.079 --> 00:13:31.980 that youth gives. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:34.500 Let your heart cheer you, he says. 00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:35.500 Enjoy your youth. 00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.960 Enjoy what remains of it. 00:13:38.019 --> 00:13:38.819 And again, 00:13:38.939 --> 00:13:40.539 he mixes the reality 00:13:40.539 --> 00:13:41.899 of our certainties 00:13:41.899 --> 00:13:43.039 with our response. 00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:47.100 He mixes the certain boundaries 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:48.799 that we are going to face 00:13:48.799 --> 00:13:53.340 with a call to enjoy bliss. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:56.000 Enjoy the sun 00:13:56.000 --> 00:13:57.819 while you've still got young eyes. 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.699 Enjoy the sweetness of light. 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:02.220 Let your heart cheer you. 00:14:02.220 --> 00:14:03.259 Don't be miserable. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:07.080 These things will certainly happen 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:07.980 to you one day. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:10.100 So enjoy the bliss of youth now. 00:14:12.160 --> 00:14:14.220 Those of us who are more mature 00:14:14.220 --> 00:14:16.360 in years of life 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:19.360 really understand what he's saying here. 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:22.940 We feel like screaming 00:14:22.940 --> 00:14:24.440 with the preacher. 00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:26.000 Don't we? 00:14:27.200 --> 00:14:29.259 And maybe the lessons you've learnt 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:29.940 getting older, 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:32.139 maybe you wish you'd learnt them earlier. 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:34.000 Maybe you wish you could 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:35.379 sort of go back in a time machine 00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:37.700 and speak to your younger self 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:40.120 and shout at yourself 00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:41.899 and shout at younger people 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.439 and say, 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:45.179 what you had then, 00:14:45.319 --> 00:14:46.240 what you have now 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.240 is precious. 00:14:49.279 --> 00:14:50.019 Some of you 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:51.379 are really feeling like 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:52.500 you're getting alongside 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:53.519 the preacher here. 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:56.199 The body maybe isn't quite 00:14:56.199 --> 00:14:58.059 as cooperative as it once was. 00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:00.459 Going to bed with aches 00:15:00.459 --> 00:15:01.340 and pains 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:03.039 and confusion. 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.579 You know what he means, 00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:04.980 don't you? 00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:05.980 You know what he means 00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:07.960 more than anybody else here. 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:10.759 that the saying is so often true 00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.600 that youth 00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:13.200 is wasted on the young. 00:15:14.600 --> 00:15:15.700 Young person, 00:15:15.900 --> 00:15:18.100 let the certainties of old age 00:15:18.100 --> 00:15:19.519 determine how you live, 00:15:19.900 --> 00:15:21.040 how you grab life 00:15:21.040 --> 00:15:24.000 and cast your bread on the waters. 00:15:24.900 --> 00:15:26.100 Don't waste your life. 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.240 Don't waste your youth. 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:29.600 Don't waste it on video games 00:15:29.600 --> 00:15:31.580 and on triviality. 00:15:33.280 --> 00:15:34.500 I think as well, 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:36.600 he does speak to anyone, 00:15:36.600 --> 00:15:38.200 even if we're older in years, 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:39.800 anyone who enjoys 00:15:39.800 --> 00:15:41.820 the faculties of youth 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:42.460 still 00:15:42.460 --> 00:15:43.980 in older age. 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:46.080 You can be young at heart, 00:15:46.159 --> 00:15:46.540 can't you? 00:15:47.720 --> 00:15:49.019 While you still have 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:50.519 some of those faculties 00:15:50.519 --> 00:15:51.659 that you used to have, 00:15:52.540 --> 00:15:53.700 he says to you as well, 00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:54.920 enjoy them. 00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.519 Use them. 00:15:57.700 --> 00:15:58.560 Enjoy the life 00:15:58.560 --> 00:16:00.139 that God has given you. 00:16:00.259 --> 00:16:01.820 Don't waste them even now. 00:16:02.940 --> 00:16:04.040 Because one day 00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:05.240 you will lose them, 00:16:05.240 --> 00:16:06.019 and that's certain. 00:16:06.600 --> 00:16:08.860 You will lose life altogether. 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:09.879 We all will. 00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:14.680 It is quite striking 00:16:14.680 --> 00:16:16.639 how he speaks of the certainty 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:17.800 of God's judgment 00:16:17.800 --> 00:16:18.759 here 00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:20.800 in verse 9. 00:16:21.279 --> 00:16:22.220 He brings it in. 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:23.879 Let's read that. 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:26.220 Walk in the weight of your heart 00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.480 and the sight of your eyes, 00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:29.860 but know that for these things 00:16:29.860 --> 00:16:31.639 God will bring you into judgment. 00:16:31.639 --> 00:16:32.000 Now, 00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:33.240 the context here 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:33.899 is really 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:36.139 unusual and interesting 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:38.460 because he speaks 00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.580 of judgment 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.679 in the context 00:16:40.679 --> 00:16:41.600 of enjoyment, 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:42.659 doesn't he? 00:16:43.639 --> 00:16:45.600 And it sheds a different light 00:16:45.600 --> 00:16:46.960 on God's judgment. 00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.939 When we hear that word, 00:16:49.059 --> 00:16:49.399 judgment, 00:16:49.580 --> 00:16:50.620 I don't know what you think. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:52.620 I think we naturally think 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.860 God is a killjoy, 00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:56.060 that he will judge 00:16:56.060 --> 00:16:57.759 all of our evil acts, 00:16:57.899 --> 00:17:00.179 and gladly God does judge evil, 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:00.840 doesn't he? 00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:03.899 But he also judges 00:17:03.899 --> 00:17:04.960 our enjoyment 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:06.119 here. 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.980 He will not only judge 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:10.099 our evil acts, 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:10.940 but he will judge 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.640 what we've done 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:12.619 with good things 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.660 that he's given us 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.220 in life. 00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:17.120 He says, 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:17.920 young person, 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:18.579 grab life 00:17:18.579 --> 00:17:20.180 and enjoy your youth 00:17:20.180 --> 00:17:21.579 because God will judge 00:17:21.579 --> 00:17:22.740 how you enjoy it. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:24.059 So strange, 00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:24.480 isn't it? 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:27.059 Because 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:29.100 this life 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:29.720 is a gift 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.539 from God, 00:17:31.180 --> 00:17:31.779 as he said 00:17:31.779 --> 00:17:32.460 time and time 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:32.920 and again. 00:17:34.140 --> 00:17:35.279 And any gift 00:17:35.279 --> 00:17:36.079 that we give 00:17:36.079 --> 00:17:36.900 to somebody, 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:39.240 it's an offence 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.440 if it's not opened 00:17:40.440 --> 00:17:41.160 and enjoyed, 00:17:41.279 --> 00:17:41.759 isn't it? 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.259 It's awful. 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.879 I know I've done this 00:17:45.879 --> 00:17:47.259 when I've given a gift 00:17:47.259 --> 00:17:48.819 and I've given a gift 00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.339 to a person 00:17:49.339 --> 00:17:50.640 and I've gone to visit them 00:17:50.640 --> 00:17:51.500 some days later 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:52.839 and that gift isn't there 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:54.299 and then I've seen it 00:17:54.299 --> 00:17:55.640 in someone else's house. 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:58.319 So they've re-gifted it 00:17:58.319 --> 00:18:00.480 and it's still unopened 00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.599 in their house as well. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.180 That's quite hurtful. 00:18:04.879 --> 00:18:06.539 They haven't enjoyed it, 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:07.859 they haven't opened it. 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:11.140 And God is not delighted 00:18:11.140 --> 00:18:13.259 when we get life 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:13.839 from him 00:18:13.839 --> 00:18:14.599 and we leave it 00:18:14.599 --> 00:18:15.180 unopened 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.920 and we sort of 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:18.119 stash it in the attic. 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.500 I think it's been 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:21.160 a mistake 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:21.980 of Christians 00:18:21.980 --> 00:18:22.759 in the past 00:18:22.759 --> 00:18:23.579 of living 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:26.039 a harsh life 00:18:26.039 --> 00:18:27.379 brought upon themselves. 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:28.920 It's called asceticism 00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:30.460 of wearing 00:18:30.460 --> 00:18:30.759 sort of 00:18:30.759 --> 00:18:31.940 Hessian cloaks 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.799 and hitting themselves 00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.500 with nettles 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.140 and stuff. 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.140 It's kind of 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:36.900 sadomasochistic life. 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.379 And there is 00:18:38.379 --> 00:18:39.440 a false pride 00:18:39.440 --> 00:18:39.859 in that 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:41.379 because enjoyment 00:18:41.379 --> 00:18:42.379 here is not just 00:18:42.379 --> 00:18:43.000 permitted 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.879 for some crazy 00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:45.599 Christians, 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:47.500 it's commanded 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:48.819 for all. 00:18:50.219 --> 00:18:51.439 And not enjoying 00:18:51.439 --> 00:18:51.859 life 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:52.619 and not opening 00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:53.319 life up 00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:54.479 is an offence 00:18:54.479 --> 00:18:55.240 to the giver 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:55.740 of it. 00:18:57.439 --> 00:18:58.139 I want to say 00:18:58.139 --> 00:18:59.240 being miserable 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.079 is a sin 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:02.439 because it shows you 00:19:02.439 --> 00:19:03.139 that you don't 00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:03.979 actually think that 00:19:03.979 --> 00:19:04.839 much of the giver 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.659 of life. 00:19:06.699 --> 00:19:07.439 And you won't 00:19:07.439 --> 00:19:08.259 count your blessings, 00:19:08.419 --> 00:19:09.059 you'd rather just 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.819 list all of your 00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:10.879 complaints to him. 00:19:13.119 --> 00:19:14.259 President Roosevelt 00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:16.139 gave a famous 00:19:16.139 --> 00:19:16.720 speech called 00:19:16.720 --> 00:19:17.919 The Strenuous Life 00:19:17.919 --> 00:19:19.199 in 1899. 00:19:20.199 --> 00:19:20.699 And he was 00:19:20.699 --> 00:19:21.299 speaking to 00:19:21.299 --> 00:19:22.179 high flyers 00:19:22.179 --> 00:19:22.919 in society 00:19:22.919 --> 00:19:23.759 at the Hamilton 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.879 Club in Chicago. 00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:26.819 And he said this, 00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:29.319 Far better it is 00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.000 to dare 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.199 mighty things 00:19:31.199 --> 00:19:32.179 to win 00:19:32.179 --> 00:19:33.980 glorious triumphs 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.740 even though 00:19:34.740 --> 00:19:35.319 chequered by 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:35.860 failure 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.440 than it is 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.299 to take rank 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:38.799 with those 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.700 poor spirits 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.299 who neither 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:41.500 enjoy much 00:19:41.500 --> 00:19:43.039 nor suffer much 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:44.620 because they 00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.420 live in the 00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:46.480 grey twilight 00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:47.160 that knows 00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:48.079 neither victory 00:19:48.079 --> 00:19:48.839 nor defeat. 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.759 Sometimes you 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.279 don't know 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.700 what's going to 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:53.000 happen. 00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:55.819 Uncertainties. 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:58.079 And with 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.559 many things 00:19:58.559 --> 00:19:59.740 we do know 00:19:59.740 --> 00:20:00.839 things are 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.339 going to happen. 00:20:01.579 --> 00:20:02.059 Judgment 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:03.220 and the end 00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.720 of life. 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.539 Either way 00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.599 be bold 00:20:06.599 --> 00:20:07.299 the preacher 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:07.660 says. 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.240 Get out 00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.559 of the 00:20:08.559 --> 00:20:09.220 twilight 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:11.059 of indecision 00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:12.240 and of 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.079 procrastination 00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.500 of putting 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.299 things off. 00:20:15.980 --> 00:20:16.940 Just as we 00:20:16.940 --> 00:20:17.880 close it 00:20:17.880 --> 00:20:19.160 strikes us 00:20:19.160 --> 00:20:19.839 in this passage 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:20.620 that much of 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.200 what the preacher 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.200 is saying here 00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.700 is about our 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:25.259 mentality towards 00:20:25.259 --> 00:20:26.099 life isn't it? 00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:28.460 It is not 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.279 about having a 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:30.319 kind of sucking 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.099 everything in 00:20:31.099 --> 00:20:31.599 as gain 00:20:31.599 --> 00:20:32.319 mentality 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:34.299 but a giving 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.599 out mentality 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.399 casting 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.279 giving and 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.639 sowing. 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.379 And it's the 00:20:39.379 --> 00:20:40.399 whole concept 00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:40.799 isn't it 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:41.619 that giving 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.259 away 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:43.759 that throwing 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:44.119 out 00:20:44.119 --> 00:20:44.899 that sending 00:20:44.899 --> 00:20:45.839 out our 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.579 life and our 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.119 resources 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:49.000 is better than 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.879 hoarding and 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:50.599 keeping and 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:51.019 holding. 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.899 Giving is better 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.539 than receiving. 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.539 He takes 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:56.319 language from 00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:57.219 business and 00:20:57.219 --> 00:20:58.219 agriculture of 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:58.920 sowing and 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.420 so on. 00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:00.700 And in those 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:02.000 situations God 00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.779 has set the 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.460 world up in 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.240 such a way as 00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:04.960 to teach us a 00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.360 lesson. 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.819 That growth 00:21:07.819 --> 00:21:09.079 happens when we 00:21:09.079 --> 00:21:09.880 give away. 00:21:11.640 --> 00:21:12.380 Think about it. 00:21:12.420 --> 00:21:12.920 Unless you 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:14.220 throw seeds 00:21:14.220 --> 00:21:16.279 out, that 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:16.819 little bit of 00:21:16.819 --> 00:21:17.839 food in your 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:18.759 hand, if you 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.920 get rid of it 00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:21.759 it comes back 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.100 to you, 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:22.640 doesn't it? 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.140 Unless you 00:21:24.140 --> 00:21:25.059 throw it out 00:21:25.059 --> 00:21:25.579 there's no 00:21:25.579 --> 00:21:26.180 growth. 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.799 And you've 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:28.220 got to take 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:29.240 the risk of 00:21:29.240 --> 00:21:30.759 losing something, 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:31.900 of losing 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:32.940 seeds to get 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:33.740 bread back. 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:35.340 You've 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:35.940 actually got to 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.920 bury seeds, 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.240 haven't you? 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.539 You've got to 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.620 watch them die 00:21:38.620 --> 00:21:39.720 in the ground 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:41.880 before it comes 00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:42.660 back to life 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:43.240 and gives you 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.799 food. 00:21:45.279 --> 00:21:45.779 And that 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.779 whole experience 00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:48.220 in other areas 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.019 of life can be 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:50.080 so hard. 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:51.940 It can feel 00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:53.080 so risky, 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:53.600 can't it? 00:21:53.660 --> 00:21:54.320 Just stepping 00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:54.779 out. 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:56.440 because we 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.200 want control 00:21:57.200 --> 00:21:57.799 and we want 00:21:57.799 --> 00:21:58.559 things fenced 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:58.980 in. 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.579 But life 00:22:01.579 --> 00:22:02.779 comes when 00:22:02.779 --> 00:22:03.899 we die, 00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.379 he's saying 00:22:05.379 --> 00:22:05.859 here, 00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.660 when we die 00:22:07.660 --> 00:22:08.539 to self. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.619 And that 00:22:10.619 --> 00:22:11.799 is a great 00:22:11.799 --> 00:22:12.559 summary really 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:12.899 of the 00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:13.859 Christian life. 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.519 You see on 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.359 your sheets 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:16.980 the second 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:18.259 reading there 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.859 from John's 00:22:18.859 --> 00:22:19.220 Gospel. 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:20.920 Jesus speaks 00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:21.420 about his 00:22:21.420 --> 00:22:22.200 own death 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:23.380 and he 00:22:23.380 --> 00:22:23.740 says the 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.279 hour has 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:24.740 come for 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:25.080 the Son 00:22:25.080 --> 00:22:25.400 of Man 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:25.680 to be 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.319 glorified 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:27.860 and he 00:22:27.860 --> 00:22:28.380 picks up 00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:28.900 the idea 00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:29.519 of seeds. 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:29.860 Very 00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:30.460 truly I 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:30.940 tell you 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:31.600 unless a 00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:32.220 kernel of 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:32.920 wheat falls 00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.200 to the 00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:33.460 ground 00:22:33.460 --> 00:22:34.240 and dies 00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.920 it remains 00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:38.100 only a 00:22:38.100 --> 00:22:38.700 single seed 00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.100 so I've got 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:39.420 a different 00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:39.880 version. 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.100 But if it 00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:41.819 dies it bears 00:22:41.819 --> 00:22:42.759 much fruit. 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:43.920 Whoever 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:44.620 loves his 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:45.460 life loses 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.640 it and 00:22:46.640 --> 00:22:47.180 whoever hates 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:47.720 his life in 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.240 this world 00:22:48.240 --> 00:22:49.319 will keep 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:49.620 it for 00:22:49.620 --> 00:22:50.519 eternal life. 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:51.519 Now of 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:52.019 course Jesus 00:22:52.019 --> 00:22:52.740 is speaking 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.200 there about 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.579 general 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.460 principles but 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.200 he's speaking 00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.299 specifically 00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:57.319 about himself 00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:59.519 and he is 00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.079 the one who 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.680 has lived 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.740 out Ecclesiastes 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.579 11 to the 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.299 nth degree. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:04.960 He's the one 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:05.779 who's willingly 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.619 cast not 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:08.059 just his 00:23:08.059 --> 00:23:08.799 money and 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.420 his stuff but 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:10.000 his whole 00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:11.639 life, his 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:12.500 whole existence 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:14.200 out upon 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:14.740 the waters. 00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.819 He's cast 00:23:15.819 --> 00:23:16.660 and give 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.619 and sown. 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.379 He speaks 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:20.000 of his own 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:20.819 death and 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:22.519 yet paradoxically 00:23:22.519 --> 00:23:23.240 he calls it 00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:23.839 the moment 00:23:23.839 --> 00:23:24.460 of his 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.460 glory. 00:23:27.380 --> 00:23:28.460 Jesus was 00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.319 not ruled 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.200 by what 00:23:30.200 --> 00:23:32.500 ifs and 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.420 he now 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.460 never can 00:23:34.460 --> 00:23:35.400 say I 00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:36.279 could have 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:37.480 could he? 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:39.140 And now 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:39.799 look at him 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:41.119 enthroned in 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.559 glory. 00:23:43.059 --> 00:23:43.599 So don't 00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:44.680 hoard life, 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.680 unwrap it, 00:23:46.539 --> 00:23:47.740 enjoy life 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.579 where you 00:23:48.579 --> 00:23:49.180 can and how 00:23:49.180 --> 00:23:49.779 you can 00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:51.560 saying thank 00:23:51.560 --> 00:23:52.220 you to the 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:52.740 giver and 00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.779 be bold. 00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:55.560 Go on, 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.420 I dare you, 00:23:57.060 --> 00:23:57.460 says the 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:57.759 preacher. 00:23:58.820 --> 00:23:59.720 Let's pray. 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.160 00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:00.299 Let's pray. 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:00.299 00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:30.279 Thank you.