WEBVTT 00:01.516 --> 00:04.176 Welcome to the Valley Baptist Church sermon podcast. 00:04.896 --> 00:08.256 We're so glad you're here, and we hope this message inspires you, 00:08.476 --> 00:12.016 builds your faith, and moves you toward a deep relationship with God. 00:12.576 --> 00:15.156 Today, you'll find great insight into the Bible 00:15.156 --> 00:17.856 and learn how you can apply it straight to your life. 00:18.236 --> 00:20.376 So welcome and enjoy the message. 00:21.036 --> 00:26.316 If you have your Bible, please open it with me to the 11th chapter of Ecclesiastes 00:26.316 --> 00:29.936 in a message I'm calling Living Life Backwards. 00:29.936 --> 00:30.894 Okay. 00:30.895 --> 00:33.295 We finished the book of Ecclesiastes today, 00:33.295 --> 00:36.095 and I'm excited to announce that Lord willing, 00:36.095 --> 00:39.135 next Sunday, we'll begin a brand new series 00:39.135 --> 00:42.175 going through the Gospel of Mark together, 00:42.175 --> 00:44.555 studying the life of Jesus. 00:44.555 --> 00:46.955 Now, before we jump into Ecclesiastes today, 00:46.955 --> 00:48.655 I wanna thank you for your prayers. 00:48.655 --> 00:51.335 I wasn't able to preach last Sunday 00:51.335 --> 00:53.695 because while on vacation, 00:53.695 --> 00:57.355 I took my boys out fishing in the ocean. 00:57.355 --> 00:58.595 And 00:58.587 --> 01:04.847 Long story short, a fillet knife fell off the center console of the boat and stabbed me in the foot. 01:05.267 --> 01:10.827 I had flip-flops on, and so that didn't feel very good, it turns out. 01:11.347 --> 01:19.227 The most challenging part has been just some nerve damage and some radiating pain in the foot and the ankle, but... 01:19.225 --> 01:22.225 Thankfully, I didn't sever any tendons, 01:22.225 --> 01:25.065 and I'm getting better every single day. 01:25.065 --> 01:29.745 And so, yes, I am thankful to be preaching, 01:29.745 --> 01:33.865 back preaching today, because it truly is the joy of my life. 01:33.865 --> 01:37.085 We'll see how long I can stand this morning. 01:37.085 --> 01:41.085 I may use this stool surely by the 11 o'clock, I imagine. 01:41.085 --> 01:47.445 So in the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon has taken us on a journey 01:47.457 --> 01:50.997 to find purpose and meaning in life, to find significance. 01:50.997 --> 01:55.497 And today we come to the end of his book, which is his conclusion. 01:56.217 --> 02:02.437 Over and over again, Solomon has said that life under the sun without God is vanity. 02:03.235 --> 02:06.915 that it's empty and it has no purpose, and he's right. 02:06.915 --> 02:10.915 If there is no God, if there is no afterlife, 02:10.915 --> 02:14.115 then there's no hope, there's no meaning. 02:14.115 --> 02:16.755 Life's simply been a cruel joke, 02:16.755 --> 02:20.455 but Solomon concludes that while life is meaningless 02:20.455 --> 02:25.315 without God, with God, it's meaningful. 02:25.315 --> 02:28.795 And so this morning, I want to encourage you 02:28.784 --> 02:31.204 That your life does not have to be vain. 02:31.824 --> 02:33.364 It doesn't have to lack purpose. 02:33.524 --> 02:40.964 It doesn't have to feel empty because through Jesus, God actually offers us a little heaven on earth. 02:40.964 --> 02:45.204 Now, here's how you can experience that. 02:46.115 --> 02:49.215 You need to learn how to live life backwards. 02:50.095 --> 02:59.375 Now, what I mean by that is that you need to look what's in store for you at the very end of your life. 02:59.555 --> 03:01.015 And that's death, right? 03:01.095 --> 03:03.515 Then judgment, then eternity. 03:03.515 --> 03:08.975 Look to the end of life and then live with your whole life with that in mind, right? 03:09.375 --> 03:15.475 Now, if we will all learn how to do that, our lives will be filled with joy. 03:16.275 --> 03:20.981 Amen. 03:20.982 --> 03:26.401 in meaning. We begin towards the end of chapter 11, verse number 9. He says, 03:26.402 --> 03:32.701 "'Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. 03:32.702 --> 03:38.101 Walk in the ways of your heart and in the sight of your eyes, but know that for all these God 03:38.102 --> 03:42.141 will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart and put away evil from 03:42.142 --> 03:45.423 your flesh, for childhood and youth are vanity.'" 03:45.424 --> 03:49.623 As Solomon comes to the end of the book, he tells us, 03:49.624 --> 03:54.362 be sure to live life to the fullest God's way. 03:54.363 --> 03:56.982 He says, young people, have a good time while you're young 03:56.983 --> 04:01.502 and pursue the passions of your heart, 04:01.503 --> 04:04.882 but know that God is going to judge you for everything you do. 04:04.883 --> 04:10.662 Now, he's saying live life to the fullest God's way. 04:10.663 --> 04:13.922 Have you ever noticed that some Christians, they're always somber and serious. 04:13.923 --> 04:17.862 They have a hard time smiling and laughing. 04:17.863 --> 04:20.649 If I'm not careful, I've been accused of being that person. 04:20.650 --> 04:25.229 But I know that's not God's desire for my life. 04:25.230 --> 04:26.269 Yes, we should certainly recognize the gravity of what God has called us to. 04:26.270 --> 04:29.069 That's a serious work. 04:29.070 --> 04:31.849 But sometimes we need to lighten up, don't we? 04:31.850 --> 04:34.709 Need to let our hair down and have a good time. 04:34.710 --> 04:35.810 My wife is really good at this. 04:37.490 --> 04:38.029 Yes, you've given an amen. 04:38.030 --> 04:39.599 Amen. 04:42.219 --> 04:45.078 For Kelsey, life's a party, right? 04:45.079 --> 04:49.098 So each summer when the kids are out of school, 04:49.099 --> 04:52.378 she's focused on making all of these fun memories with the kids. 04:52.379 --> 04:53.639 And I'm constantly saying the kids need to be working more, right? 04:55.879 --> 04:56.498 Now, yeah, you got another amen. 04:56.499 --> 04:57.740 That's good. 05:00.540 --> 05:02.779 Now, even though she's told me many times, 05:02.780 --> 05:05.699 it actually wasn't until my dad died 05:05.700 --> 05:08.059 that I emotionally understood what motivates Kelsey 05:08.060 --> 05:10.559 to have all that fun with the kids. 05:10.560 --> 05:13.239 You see, when Kelsey was only 12 years old, 05:13.240 --> 05:18.247 her mom died of breast cancer. 05:18.248 --> 05:20.127 And so long before I did, Kelsey emotionally understood 05:20.128 --> 05:23.387 the brevity of life. 05:23.388 --> 05:25.467 She knew a long time ago that life is short, 05:25.468 --> 05:28.427 so have some fun, right? 05:28.428 --> 05:32.007 Now I'm trying to embrace that more and more in my life. 05:32.008 --> 05:34.067 In fact, the book of Ecclesiastes about enjoying life 05:34.068 --> 05:36.267 has really helped me in that. 05:36.268 --> 05:38.727 After the accident with my foot, 05:38.728 --> 05:40.607 Kelsey joked with me in the hospital room, she said, 05:40.608 --> 05:43.027 what's a Spradlin family vacation 05:43.028 --> 05:44.874 without a trip to the hospital, right? 05:44.875 --> 05:50.334 And she's actually right. 05:50.335 --> 05:52.514 In fact, when Kelsey walks into the cast room at SCOE, 05:52.515 --> 05:55.134 everyone knows her by name. 05:55.135 --> 05:57.134 It kind of turns into a party. 05:57.135 --> 05:59.174 They're old friends catching up 05:59.175 --> 06:02.574 because our kids have broken so many bones. 06:02.575 --> 06:05.034 Now, maybe that should tell the Spradlin family 06:05.035 --> 06:05.974 to be a little more cautious and careful. 06:05.975 --> 06:08.174 Perhaps that's true. 06:08.175 --> 06:11.240 But the way that I see it, 06:11.241 --> 06:13.820 is we're enjoying life to the fullest. 06:13.821 --> 06:16.120 You see, if I hadn't taken my boys out fishing, 06:16.121 --> 06:18.460 yeah, certainly I wouldn't be limping today 06:18.461 --> 06:20.760 when I got a knife into my foot, 06:20.761 --> 06:23.360 but we also wouldn't have had the thrill 06:23.361 --> 06:25.660 of enjoying the ocean together, 06:25.661 --> 06:27.200 just me and my boys and the memory 06:27.201 --> 06:28.640 that will last a lifetime. 06:28.641 --> 06:31.800 Knowing what I know now, 06:31.801 --> 06:33.200 I would do the trip all over again every single time. 06:33.201 --> 06:36.180 Why? 06:36.181 --> 06:37.880 Because it's important to live life to the fullest. 06:37.881 --> 06:43.397 We only get one life on earth. 06:43.398 --> 06:48.817 And it's very short. Now, some people, when they think about living life to the fullest, 06:48.818 --> 06:54.957 they they think that means living a sin filled, wild life like the prodigal son. 06:54.958 --> 06:58.617 You know, while I'm young, I can party my life away and then later I can come back to God. 06:58.618 --> 06:59.712 After all, that's what the prodigal son did. And God forgave him. 07:08.652 --> 07:15.291 That's certainly true, but I'm sure there was more to the story of the prodigal son than what we know about in the Gospel of Luke. 07:15.292 --> 07:21.636 Yes, certainly he was forgiven, he was restored, but what about the scars that his sin left behind? 07:21.637 --> 07:26.616 Maybe he contracted a disease while in the far country that stayed with him for a lifetime. 07:26.617 --> 07:31.476 Maybe while he was gone, his mom died and he wasn't there to say goodbye. 07:31.477 --> 07:39.256 Maybe the relationship that was severed with his brother never was restored again. 07:39.257 --> 07:44.349 You see, when you're in the far country of life, living a wild, sin-filled life as a 07:44.350 --> 07:51.669 scars, sinful scars that will last sometimes a lifetime. 07:51.670 --> 07:58.569 As a kid, I remember seeing a man who had lived a very, very rough life get right with God. 07:58.570 --> 08:06.689 The man had 666 tattooed across his forehead, and God forgave him. 08:06.690 --> 08:07.920 And I remember seeing him get baptized right over in a multipurpose room when we were worshiping in that building in L.A. 08:07.921 --> 08:09.800 I remember the baptism. 08:09.801 --> 08:13.980 It was a very significant moment in my life. 08:13.981 --> 08:15.141 But did you know that when he came up out of those waters, he still had that tattoo? 08:20.781 --> 08:27.800 And I'm sure that that tattoo affected him nearly every day of his life. 08:27.801 --> 08:31.400 You see, past mistakes in life, even when forgiven, can limit future opportunities. 08:31.401 --> 08:36.760 Solomon's saying, be loyal to God when you're young. 08:36.761 --> 08:44.684 Avoid lifelong scars and live life to the fullest every day. 08:44.685 --> 08:47.604 Now, at the end of this chapter, what does Solomon mean when he says, for the days of youth are vanity? 08:47.605 --> 08:51.424 He's saying, you're not going to be young forever. 08:51.425 --> 08:54.444 Stop focusing on being young forever. 08:54.445 --> 08:58.024 Our generation is so focused with youth. 08:58.025 --> 09:01.944 But if you get focused on that, you're going to be sadly disappointed. 09:01.945 --> 09:03.564 Dad used to say, Mother Nature and Father Time is going to mess you up. 09:03.565 --> 09:08.565 And he was right. 09:08.566 --> 09:10.285 Trying to stay young, it's like grasping, chasing the wind. 09:10.286 --> 09:11.505 It's an exercise in futility. 09:11.506 --> 09:13.965 We're all gonna grow old. 09:13.966 --> 09:16.345 So we better learn to focus on something 09:16.346 --> 09:17.865 a whole lot better than being young. 09:17.866 --> 09:20.205 Otherwise, we're going to spend 09:20.206 --> 09:23.070 our latter years in depression. 09:23.071 --> 09:27.770 Verse number one of chapter 12, he says, 09:27.771 --> 09:30.270 "'Remember now, acknowledge now your Creator in the days of your youth, 09:30.271 --> 09:30.870 before the difficult days come.'" 09:30.871 --> 09:33.010 That's aging. 09:33.011 --> 09:34.810 "'And the years draw near when you say, 09:34.811 --> 09:38.610 "'I have no pleasure in them. 09:38.611 --> 09:41.530 "'While the sun and the light, the moon and the stars are not darkened, 09:41.531 --> 09:45.610 "'and the clouds do not return after the rain.'" 09:45.611 --> 09:47.809 We see here that growing old is a part of life. 09:47.810 --> 09:51.189 We need to just accept it, right? 09:51.190 --> 09:54.749 Solomon says, enjoy life to the fullest and remember, 09:54.750 --> 09:58.529 acknowledge your creator while you still can, 09:58.530 --> 10:03.429 because you're going to get old and life's going to get harder. 10:03.430 --> 10:05.169 So many young people sort of wish their life away, 10:05.170 --> 10:09.229 looking for the next stage of life. 10:09.230 --> 10:11.609 I mean, you just ask a kindergartner, how old are you? 10:11.610 --> 10:13.231 Five and a half, right? 10:13.232 --> 10:15.431 Why the half? 10:15.432 --> 10:18.311 Well, because he can't wait to turn six. 10:18.312 --> 10:20.491 He's counting down the days to turn six. 10:20.492 --> 10:22.951 Old people, we don't do that, right? 10:22.952 --> 10:25.891 I don't say, hey, I'm 42 and a half. 10:25.892 --> 10:27.072 No, I'd rather not count that half. 10:28.212 --> 10:32.589 Young people are... 10:32.590 --> 10:33.589 are often so focused on tomorrow that they miss out on today. 10:33.590 --> 10:39.229 Don't do that. 10:39.230 --> 10:44.729 Solomon is saying, do not waste any days of your life that God has given you. 10:44.730 --> 10:50.929 Live life to the fullest and acknowledge God all throughout your days. 10:50.930 --> 10:52.429 Some people are waiting to enjoy life until all the stars align just right. 10:52.430 --> 10:59.773 Things are just perfect. 10:59.774 --> 11:09.774 If you're waiting to enjoy life till everything's just right, you're going to be waiting a long time, I can tell you. 11:10.154 --> 11:12.193 Because eventually you're going to get old and enjoying life is going to become more difficult with some of the physical pain and elements that you face. 11:12.194 --> 11:16.233 Your body's going to start falling apart. 11:16.234 --> 11:21.459 My papa used to say, getting old is not for wimps. 11:21.460 --> 11:24.519 We find that out poetically in verse number three. 11:24.520 --> 11:27.159 Solomon says, in the days when the keepers of the house tremble. 11:27.160 --> 11:32.199 I think this is probably referring to the keepers of the house, 11:32.200 --> 11:33.639 that which provides and protects the hands that begin to tremble in old age. 11:33.640 --> 11:38.839 And the strong men bow down. 11:38.840 --> 11:41.219 This is probably the shoulders, a symbol of strength for a young man. 11:41.220 --> 11:44.560 They begin to hunch over. 11:44.561 --> 11:45.760 When the grinders cease, because there are few, I think that one is easy. 11:45.761 --> 11:50.640 That's our teeth, right? 11:50.641 --> 11:55.300 Thank the Lord for good dental care that we have today. 11:55.301 --> 11:58.700 Some of us have, but our teeth start falling out when we get old. 11:58.701 --> 12:00.980 And those that look through the windows grow dim. 12:00.981 --> 12:04.220 That's our eyesight starts to fade. 12:04.221 --> 12:12.320 I've been experiencing that for a few years now. 12:12.321 --> 12:13.401 When the doors are shut in the streets and the sound of grinding is low, our hearing starts to fade, right? 12:19.741 --> 12:24.700 Papa used to say, or Mamie used to say of Papa that he didn't have hard of hearing, he had selective hearing. 12:24.701 --> 12:27.720 So maybe, I don't know which is which for you, but our hearing becomes difficult. 12:27.721 --> 12:34.759 When one rises at the sound of a bird. 12:34.760 --> 12:37.919 Now, have you ever noticed that teenagers have this wonderful gift of sleeping in, sleeping through just about anything? 12:37.920 --> 12:38.819 I've got four teenagers, and they all have the gift of sleeping. 12:38.820 --> 12:41.119 It's amazing. 12:41.120 --> 12:42.339 Old people don't do that, right? 12:42.340 --> 12:48.999 They get up with the birds. 12:49.000 --> 12:50.139 And it's amazing how old people, they can't hear a word you say, but the slightest noise wakes them up. 12:50.140 --> 12:52.248 I don't know how that works. 13:08.448 --> 13:10.487 He says, 13:10.488 --> 13:14.667 and terrors in the way. 13:14.668 --> 13:17.787 People, as they age, often get more nervous in life about danger, right? 13:17.788 --> 13:21.347 They're nervous to climb the ladder, afraid of heights. 13:21.348 --> 13:23.127 They've experienced more accidents and they become fearful. 13:23.128 --> 13:25.487 He says, when the almond tree blossoms. 13:25.488 --> 13:27.627 Now, we got a lot of almond trees around Bakersfield. 13:27.628 --> 13:28.877 What color are they when they blossom? 13:28.878 --> 13:30.817 They're white, aren't they? 13:30.818 --> 13:31.977 The hair turns white. 13:31.978 --> 13:33.577 The hair turns gray. 13:33.578 --> 13:35.497 I've got some of that happening now. 13:35.498 --> 13:36.558 I call it wisdom streaks, right? 13:40.378 --> 13:43.726 Streaks of highlighted wisdom, right? 13:43.727 --> 13:49.126 The grasshopper is a burden and desire fails. 13:49.127 --> 13:53.626 Now, desire fails, it's literally the caperberry, caperberry fails, 13:53.627 --> 13:56.366 which I don't want to linger here too long, but in ancient times, 13:56.367 --> 13:58.126 the caperberry was a symbol. 13:58.127 --> 14:02.006 It was kind of an aphrodisiac. 14:02.007 --> 14:04.166 And so this is talking about sexual desire fails. 14:04.167 --> 14:07.546 The grasshopper is a burden. 14:07.547 --> 14:10.835 This is talking about impotence probably. 14:10.836 --> 14:13.265 Solomon's not afraid to touch on some touchy subjects here. 14:17.905 --> 14:20.464 Years ago, there was a life group curriculum 14:20.465 --> 14:23.384 that our church was going through, had a lesson on sex, 14:23.385 --> 14:25.544 and one of the oldest senior adult life group teachers 14:25.545 --> 14:28.344 that we had told my dad and Pastor Phil, 14:28.345 --> 14:30.744 maybe you guys need to find some more age-appropriate 14:30.745 --> 14:32.984 material for our group. 14:32.985 --> 14:36.524 My lesson only lasted about five minutes. 14:36.525 --> 14:39.064 Dad said, well, what did you do the rest of the class? 14:39.065 --> 14:40.984 And he said, we just sang the old hymn together, 14:40.985 --> 14:43.842 Precious Memories. 14:45.782 --> 14:52.141 That's as much as I'm going to say about that. 14:52.142 --> 14:56.041 Solomon's description here of old age, it's a little bit heavy, 14:56.042 --> 14:59.481 and it would be depressing if it weren't mixed with some humor. 14:59.482 --> 15:03.681 I think Solomon is being humorous on purpose. 15:03.682 --> 15:05.841 He's saying getting old is inevitable, but don't let it rob your joy. 15:05.842 --> 15:08.041 That's to be expected. 15:08.042 --> 15:17.114 Just accept it's part of life. 15:17.115 --> 15:21.394 Wisdom in the Bible is the ability to live life with the end in mind, to live life backwards, 15:21.395 --> 15:25.434 to look at the very end and then reverse engineer our life. 15:25.435 --> 15:27.134 Young people, what's the end of your young years? 15:27.135 --> 15:30.534 It's old age. 15:30.535 --> 15:31.394 What's the end of old age? 15:31.395 --> 15:32.534 Well... 15:32.535 --> 15:36.614 It's death. 15:36.615 --> 15:43.974 That's what Solomon says in verse number 5. 15:43.975 --> 15:45.274 He says, for man goes to his eternal home, and the mourners go about in the streets. 15:45.275 --> 15:47.734 So you're going to die someday. 15:47.735 --> 15:48.814 People are going to go to your funeral. 15:48.815 --> 15:50.234 They're going to mourn you. 15:50.235 --> 15:51.414 They're going to get back in their car. 15:51.415 --> 15:52.354 They're going to hit the streets. 15:52.355 --> 15:53.714 They're going to go to work. 15:53.715 --> 15:58.123 They're going to go home. 15:58.124 --> 16:02.043 He says, remember your creator before the silver cord is loosed, 16:02.044 --> 16:04.023 or the golden bowl is broken, or the pitcher shattered at the fountain, 16:04.024 --> 16:06.723 or the wheel broken at the well. 16:06.724 --> 16:08.663 All of those are instruments of drawing water, right? 16:08.664 --> 16:10.283 Water is necessary for life. 16:10.284 --> 16:12.979 It's a poetic way of saying... 16:12.980 --> 16:15.859 When you have no more water, when you die, 16:15.860 --> 16:17.659 then the dust will return to the earth. 16:17.660 --> 16:20.479 You're gonna be buried as it was, 16:20.480 --> 16:24.199 and the spirit will return to God who gave it. 16:24.200 --> 16:26.739 Vanity of vanity, says the preacher, all is vanity. 16:26.740 --> 16:28.739 We're reminded here that death is certain, 16:28.740 --> 16:32.499 so we better be ready. 16:32.500 --> 16:35.199 Jesus said, what good is it if a man gains the entire world, 16:35.200 --> 16:38.619 and yet he loses his soul? 16:38.620 --> 16:39.919 The stats are alarming concerning death. 16:39.920 --> 16:43.285 It's one out of one. 16:43.286 --> 16:45.025 Every single one of us, we're going to die someday 16:45.026 --> 16:47.805 and then our body is gonna be buried, 16:47.806 --> 16:49.705 it's gonna be cremated, it's going to turn to dust 16:49.706 --> 16:51.106 or it's going to turn to ash. 16:53.386 --> 16:55.905 I've got a very good friend from Tennessee, 16:55.906 --> 16:59.325 someone who's been a mentor to me, a godly man 16:59.326 --> 17:01.245 who we actually had out a few number of years back 17:01.246 --> 17:03.605 for a servant summit. 17:03.606 --> 17:08.385 Alan Taylor is his name. 17:08.386 --> 17:15.774 And a week and a half ago, Alan died suddenly of a stroke. 17:15.775 --> 17:20.834 He was a picture of hell, 71 years old, and suddenly, in a moment's time, he's dead. 17:20.835 --> 17:22.754 The Bible says that our days are all numbered by the Lord. 17:22.755 --> 17:24.654 The problem is we don't know that number. 17:24.655 --> 17:31.814 We don't know how big that number is. 17:31.815 --> 17:36.794 So we better live every day as if it's our last and be ready to meet our Lord when he calls us home. 17:36.795 --> 17:42.753 Now, in verse number 9, we come to Solomon's conclusion. 17:42.754 --> 17:46.453 He says, and moreover, because the preacher, that's what Solomon keeps referring to himself as, the preacher. 17:46.454 --> 17:51.433 He says, because he was wise, he still taught the people knowledge. 17:51.434 --> 17:55.153 Yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. 17:55.154 --> 17:58.173 The preacher sought to find acceptable words or delightful words. 17:58.174 --> 18:05.100 And what was written was upright words of truth. 18:05.101 --> 18:07.860 The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of the scholars are like well-driven nails given by one shepherd. 18:07.861 --> 18:13.080 And further, my son, be admonished by these. 18:13.081 --> 18:14.324 Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh. 18:21.124 --> 18:27.363 Solomon calls himself the preacher and he lets us know what his goal was in writing the book of Ecclesiastes. 18:27.364 --> 18:31.943 And really, his goal should be the goal of every preacher who writes a sermon. 18:31.944 --> 18:39.583 Every Bible study teacher, every life group teacher in our church, this is our goal. 18:39.584 --> 18:43.721 We ponder and seek out the best way to arrange the message for the people to hear it. 18:43.722 --> 18:47.981 We become words craftsmen at times. 18:47.982 --> 18:50.541 We try to find delightful, acceptable ways to say things 18:50.542 --> 18:52.921 that people, it's gonna resonate with people, 18:52.922 --> 18:56.841 words that are true. 18:56.842 --> 19:01.069 So these are wise words for the Bible teacher. 19:01.070 --> 19:04.709 But I think there's a broader application for all of us beyond just Bible teachers. 19:04.710 --> 19:08.229 Think about what Solomon's saying here at the conclusion of his book. 19:08.230 --> 19:10.289 He says that he carefully crafted what to say. 19:10.290 --> 19:15.729 But then in verse number 11, he says, 19:15.730 --> 19:17.099 These words that I've given are actually given by one shepherd. 19:18.559 --> 19:21.918 Well, that's God, isn't it? 19:21.919 --> 19:24.058 More specifically, it's Jesus, the Son of God, the great shepherd. 19:24.059 --> 19:27.338 The Lord is my shepherd. 19:27.339 --> 19:32.498 He's describing for us the way the Word of God is given. 19:32.499 --> 19:33.539 It is certainly, yes, written by man, but every word of it is inspired by God. 19:36.859 --> 19:40.838 Ecclesiastes that we've been studying, it was written by King Solomon, 19:40.839 --> 19:47.825 but it was also, and more importantly, written by God. 19:47.826 --> 19:51.185 Solomon says, I wrote beautiful, acceptable, delightful words of truth. 19:51.186 --> 19:53.345 You see, God's word is beautiful and true. 19:53.346 --> 19:54.346 We better receive it. 19:58.706 --> 19:59.786 Solomon says there's no end to the number of the books out there, but there's only one Bible. 20:01.986 --> 20:04.785 Now, I'm all for knowledge and education. 20:04.786 --> 20:10.865 I've dedicated a lot of my life to knowledge and education. 20:10.866 --> 20:11.993 But education, all the education in the world cannot save your soul, I can tell you. 20:14.893 --> 20:24.893 Personally, I don't read a lot of secular books. 20:26.453 --> 20:33.512 I read some, but every time I do, I have the thought, well, I could be spending my time not in a book, but the book, hearing from God. 20:33.513 --> 20:34.513 You see, every book out there is going to give you some information, but there's only one book that will give you transformation. 20:40.833 --> 20:45.826 And I've learned that if you want to experience heaven on the earth, you've got to hear from heaven. 20:45.827 --> 20:48.806 You see, God, Almighty God, who created all of us in all of the world, 20:48.807 --> 20:55.186 He has revealed Himself in the pages of this book. 20:55.187 --> 20:58.746 Now, this book does not just contain God's Word, it is God's Word. 20:58.747 --> 21:01.026 So it's not just about reading through the Bible. 21:01.027 --> 21:08.186 It's about receiving the Bible. 21:08.187 --> 21:12.546 It's about eating it spiritually, digesting it, meditating, soaking it into your soul. 21:12.547 --> 21:15.526 See, it's not just about how many times you've been through the Bible. 21:15.527 --> 21:20.726 It's about how many times the Bible has been through you. 21:20.727 --> 21:25.146 God's word is to be received by us. 21:25.147 --> 21:26.227 Now, I think every one of us in our world is desperate for truth. 21:27.087 --> 21:28.266 Here it is. 21:28.267 --> 21:29.166 You want to know what's true? 21:29.167 --> 21:33.106 It's right here. 21:33.107 --> 21:38.234 So read it, believe it, and live it. 21:38.235 --> 21:41.114 Solomon says God's word is like a goad, and it's a well-driven nail. 21:41.115 --> 21:47.114 A goad is basically a cattle prod. 21:47.115 --> 21:49.414 It's a long stick that you poke and you prod cattle with to get them to go where they need to go. 21:49.415 --> 21:55.154 God's word is that for us. 21:55.155 --> 22:00.954 Now, sometimes it's a little uncomfortable and painful when we're prodded with God's word, 22:00.955 --> 22:05.914 but God uses it to sanctify us and mold us into the image of his son. 22:05.915 --> 22:08.954 Now, as a well-driven nail, we can hang our lives upon it, can't we? 22:08.955 --> 22:09.955 We can anchor our lives to it. 22:14.275 --> 22:19.594 I heard about a pastor who was going through the security checkpoint at the airport. 22:19.595 --> 22:26.374 I have no reason why, but I always seem to be stopped and frisked, but that's a whole other point. 22:26.375 --> 22:28.834 But this pastor, he was going through, and he was asked, what's in your briefcase? 22:28.835 --> 22:32.179 He said, well, I've got a plumb line in there. 22:32.180 --> 22:38.359 I have a measuring rod, a hammer, a sword. 22:38.360 --> 22:39.380 I've got some bread, water, crystal ball, a compass, a mirror, and my birth certificate. 22:43.340 --> 22:44.039 And the security guy said, there's no way you have all that in that little briefcase. 22:44.040 --> 22:48.399 Open it up. 22:48.400 --> 22:49.825 So the pastor opened his briefcase, and there inside was the pastor's Bible. 22:52.625 --> 22:54.524 See, the Bible is all of those things and more. 22:54.525 --> 23:00.184 The Bible is sufficient for life. 23:00.185 --> 23:03.764 Everything we need for life and sustenance spiritually is found in the word of God. 23:03.765 --> 23:06.504 It's our most valued treasure in all of the world. 23:06.505 --> 23:10.564 Verse number 13. 23:10.565 --> 23:13.299 He says, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. 23:13.300 --> 23:15.959 Fear God and keep his commandments. 23:15.960 --> 23:18.399 For this is man's all. 23:18.400 --> 23:24.599 This is what life is all about, he says. 23:24.600 --> 23:27.519 For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. 23:27.520 --> 23:32.319 Here's our last principle, Solomon's conclusion. 23:32.320 --> 23:33.481 We're all going to be judged someday, so trust and obey the living God. 23:36.741 --> 23:39.280 Solomon comes to the very end of his book and he says, 23:39.281 --> 23:41.300 life is not all vanity. 23:41.301 --> 23:42.640 Yes, we're all gonna get old. 23:42.641 --> 23:46.660 Yes, we're all gonna die. 23:46.661 --> 23:50.420 But when we do, our spirit is gonna return to the Lord 23:50.421 --> 23:52.880 in everything that we've ever done, whether good or bad, 23:52.881 --> 23:56.300 done in private or done in public, 23:56.301 --> 23:59.540 it all is going to be judged. 23:59.541 --> 24:01.660 So Solomon says, here's the conclusion of the whole matter. 24:01.661 --> 24:06.333 This is what life is all about. 24:06.334 --> 24:07.454 Fear God and keep his commandments. 24:09.814 --> 24:15.713 It's like the old hymn that says, trust and obey. 24:15.714 --> 24:24.633 For there's no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey. 24:24.634 --> 24:29.757 You see, the chief end of man is to know God, to love God, and to glorify God. 24:29.758 --> 24:33.137 You see, we were all designed for a relationship with the one who designed us. 24:33.138 --> 24:40.157 We were made by God and for God. 24:40.158 --> 24:44.237 And it's only through a relationship with God that we can understand the true meaning of life. 24:44.238 --> 24:45.977 You see, through Jesus, life is not meaningless. 24:45.978 --> 24:52.052 It's meaningful. 24:52.053 --> 24:57.452 Jesus said, "'On the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father except through me.'" 24:57.453 --> 25:02.012 You see, you cannot enjoy the universe until you know the God who made the universe. 25:02.013 --> 25:06.372 You cannot enjoy life until you know the God who made life. 25:06.373 --> 25:08.732 Jesus said, "'I came to seek and to save the lost.'" 25:08.733 --> 25:09.332 He also said, "'I came to give life.'" Right? 25:09.333 --> 25:12.740 Right? 25:12.741 --> 25:14.320 and life more abundantly. 25:14.321 --> 25:16.840 You see, Jesus offers us, 25:16.841 --> 25:20.320 yes, certainly offers us eternal life in heaven, 25:20.321 --> 25:23.080 but he also offers us abundant life now, 25:23.081 --> 25:24.580 abundant spiritual life right here on earth, 25:24.581 --> 25:28.660 a little heaven on earth. 25:28.661 --> 25:30.420 Namely, he offers us himself. 25:30.421 --> 25:36.200 Now in chapter three, 25:36.201 --> 25:41.891 Solomon said that God placed eternity upon our hearts. 25:41.892 --> 25:43.012 You see, each and every one of us, we're eternal beings. 25:45.932 --> 25:50.531 And intuitively, we all know it. 25:50.532 --> 25:54.451 We don't want life to just end and everything to be over. 25:54.452 --> 25:58.311 Intuitively, we have this longing for life to continue. 25:58.312 --> 26:01.911 The message of Ecclesiastes is live with that in mind. 26:01.912 --> 26:03.051 Live with the end in mind. 26:03.052 --> 26:04.651 But what's at the end? 26:04.652 --> 26:06.231 Judgment's at the end. 26:06.232 --> 26:08.022 And then eternity. 26:12.482 --> 26:17.281 You see, without Jesus, life is a hopeless end. 26:17.282 --> 26:22.121 But with Jesus, life is an endless hope. 26:22.122 --> 26:27.961 As a young person, live life to the fullest. 26:27.962 --> 26:31.281 And don't you waste any days that God has given you because it goes by so fast. 26:31.282 --> 26:34.761 Older person, live life to the fullest. 26:34.762 --> 26:36.018 Don't waste any days and finish strong. 26:38.318 --> 26:39.157 Sometimes the elderly will just kind of sit around 26:39.158 --> 26:41.657 waiting to die. 26:41.658 --> 26:45.117 They say, well, I'm in God's waiting room. 26:45.118 --> 26:47.657 Listen, when God wants to take you home, he will. 26:47.658 --> 26:49.137 Until then, there's much work to be done 26:49.138 --> 26:51.497 for the kingdom of God. 26:51.498 --> 26:53.191 Abraham was 100 years old. 26:53.192 --> 26:56.991 when he had his son Isaac. 26:56.992 --> 27:01.271 Moses was 80 years old when God called him to lead the Israelites. 27:01.272 --> 27:02.131 Caleb was 85 years old when he charged the mountain with the Israelite army 27:02.132 --> 27:07.031 to victory. 27:07.032 --> 27:12.011 Anna was 84 years old when she held the baby Jesus in her arms in the temple. 27:12.012 --> 27:14.951 Yes, your body might be fading, but your greatest accomplishment in life 27:14.952 --> 27:16.552 might still be ahead of you. 27:17.492 --> 27:18.512 Think of my dad. 27:19.712 --> 27:20.787 It would have been very easy 27:23.287 --> 27:24.626 for him to just throw in the towel 27:24.627 --> 27:27.826 when he was dying of cancer, 27:27.827 --> 27:30.026 think, well, I've done all that I can for the Lord, 27:30.027 --> 27:32.726 it doesn't really matter what I do now, 27:32.727 --> 27:36.366 but no, no, no, he finished strong. 27:36.367 --> 27:39.546 And I actually believe that his greatest accomplishment 27:39.547 --> 27:44.026 in life may not have been all of his accomplishments 27:44.027 --> 27:46.986 as a pastor and as a preacher as great as those were. 27:46.987 --> 27:50.206 His greatest accomplishment may have been 27:50.207 --> 27:51.882 that he showed us how to live by faith 27:51.883 --> 27:55.083 and how to die by faith. 27:59.063 --> 28:00.263 Maybe you also have a terminal illness. 28:04.043 --> 28:06.942 Maybe the doctor has shared some news with you 28:06.943 --> 28:08.375 that has grieved your soul. 28:09.775 --> 28:13.314 I want you to be encouraged today. 28:13.315 --> 28:18.494 Your greatest accomplishment might still be in front of you. 28:18.495 --> 28:22.494 Maybe it's a conversation with a child or with a grandchild or with a nurse or a doctor. 28:22.495 --> 28:28.834 You have no idea how the last chapter of your life may echo in eternity. 28:28.835 --> 28:30.014 God has numbered all of our days, but if you're still here, he has purpose for you. 28:30.015 --> 28:31.595 So don't waste it. 28:37.535 --> 28:42.314 I think Solomon is making the point to us that as vain as sometimes people think life is, 28:42.315 --> 28:44.794 it's only vain if you don't trust and obey the Lord who made you. 28:44.795 --> 28:45.914 Remember your creator, he says here at the end. 28:45.915 --> 28:47.534 Acknowledge him. 28:47.535 --> 28:50.994 That's where purpose is found. 28:50.995 --> 28:52.175 You see, we all need the right perspective in life. 28:58.515 --> 29:00.774 Life only feels vain if in our mind death is the end. 29:00.775 --> 29:02.948 That's the only time it feels vain. 29:06.488 --> 29:10.887 Sometimes you'll ask an older person, how are you doing? 29:10.888 --> 29:12.248 And they'll say, well, I've got some aches and pains, but it sure beats the alternative, right? 29:15.168 --> 29:20.527 That's a little bit funny, but it's wrong. 29:20.528 --> 29:24.587 You see, for the Christian, aches and pains do not beat the alternative. 29:24.588 --> 29:25.107 The Apostle Paul said, to live is Christ and to die is gain. 29:25.108 --> 29:26.135 You see. 29:29.995 --> 29:34.234 We are not in the land of the living, headed towards the land of the dying. 29:34.235 --> 29:37.494 We are in the land of the dying, headed towards the land of the living. 29:37.495 --> 29:38.575 So let's finish life strong. 29:43.255 --> 29:44.835 And let's be prepared, Solomon says, to meet our maker. 29:47.975 --> 29:49.194 A few months ago, I dreamed I was at church. 29:49.195 --> 29:56.047 I told Kelsey about this. 29:56.048 --> 29:59.007 But I was at church on a Sunday morning and the service started and the worship center was packed with people. 29:59.008 --> 30:02.587 In fact, many couldn't find a seat. 30:02.588 --> 30:03.988 They were just standing, which is every preacher's dream, right? 30:07.088 --> 30:08.748 The only problem was I had forgotten to prepare a sermon that week. 30:13.208 --> 30:15.347 Jake and the worship team, they finished sooner than they were supposed to. 30:15.348 --> 30:16.658 I was frantically, what am I going to preach? 30:18.018 --> 30:19.677 So I was up. 30:19.678 --> 30:23.937 So I walked up here on the stage, 30:23.938 --> 30:25.237 hoping God was going to give me something brilliant to say, 30:25.238 --> 30:27.557 but he didn't. 30:27.558 --> 30:31.837 And so I stood out here. 30:31.838 --> 30:34.597 I was staring, panicked at all of you. 30:34.598 --> 30:36.857 You were all staring back at me. 30:36.858 --> 30:40.597 Nothing would come out of my mouth. 30:40.598 --> 30:43.777 And then one by one, you got up and you laughed. 30:47.557 --> 30:49.377 If you were wondering, that's what a pastor's nightmare looks like. 30:55.837 --> 30:58.197 I actually think it's a common nightmare to be unprepared for a very important moment in life. 31:05.317 --> 31:10.756 Well, the most important moment of our lives is when we all will stand someday before God 31:10.757 --> 31:11.757 and we will give an account for everything in our life. 31:12.617 --> 31:14.168 What we thought 31:17.768 --> 31:19.768 What we did, what we didn't do. 31:24.988 --> 31:26.468 Let me ask you, if that were to happen right now, would you be prepared? 31:28.308 --> 31:30.004 Because Solomon tells us it's coming. 31:30.005 --> 31:31.024 Life is short. 31:31.025 --> 31:32.564 We're going to get old. 31:32.565 --> 31:35.864 We're going to die. 31:35.865 --> 31:36.684 And while you think all of this life, it's just meaningless. 31:36.685 --> 31:37.524 It's just empty. 31:37.525 --> 31:39.444 It's just vanity. 31:39.445 --> 31:44.524 It's not because there is a God. 31:44.525 --> 31:45.744 And we will be accountable to everything in our lives. 31:45.745 --> 31:48.684 We'll be accountable to him. 31:48.685 --> 31:56.864 Someday, you're going to stand before him. 31:56.865 --> 31:58.381 Let me ask you, when you stand before him and you stand before that sea of humanity that 32:02.081 --> 32:04.340 and all the works of your life are revealed for all the world to see, 32:04.341 --> 32:06.000 are you going to be embarrassed at that moment? 32:06.001 --> 32:09.461 Are you going to be prepared? 32:12.781 --> 32:15.500 More importantly, are you going to be condemned in that moment? 32:15.501 --> 32:17.221 Or are you going to be pardoned? 32:19.001 --> 32:20.081 Let's bow together in attitude of prayer. 32:21.021 --> 32:25.360 Both campuses. 32:25.361 --> 32:29.279 The only way that you will stand before God someday 32:34.539 --> 32:38.798 And be prepared as if you receive God's pardon, His forgiveness. 32:38.799 --> 32:43.138 You see, we're all guilty, every one of us. 32:43.139 --> 32:48.139 The Bible says, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 32:53.639 --> 32:55.638 We're accountable to God, and we're guilty, and that's bad news. 32:55.639 --> 33:02.408 But here's the good news of the Bible. 33:02.409 --> 33:03.888 That God loved us so very much that he wanted to provide a way and he chose to provide a way. 33:03.889 --> 33:05.268 His name is Jesus. 33:05.269 --> 33:06.268 He's the life. 33:06.269 --> 33:07.548 He's the truth. 33:07.549 --> 33:11.148 He's the way to God. 33:11.149 --> 33:14.668 And the only way to God is through Jesus. 33:14.669 --> 33:19.288 You see, Jesus paid for all of our sins upon the cross. 33:19.289 --> 33:25.408 And then he rose in victory from death on the third day. 33:25.409 --> 33:29.844 And all who come to him in faith, all who call upon his name in faith, 33:29.845 --> 33:30.984 Confessing their sins and believing upon Christ shall be saved. 33:30.985 --> 33:31.984 Will be pardoned. 33:31.985 --> 33:33.924 Will be forgiven. 33:33.925 --> 33:38.724 What is life all about? 33:38.725 --> 33:40.125 It's all about living out the purpose God gave us. 33:42.145 --> 33:44.924 And there's a lot that that includes. 33:44.925 --> 33:48.345 But let me tell you what I know it includes. 33:49.385 --> 33:51.494 Fearing God. 34:01.254 --> 34:08.633 And that's another way of saying acknowledging God and who he is and trusting him, believing upon him, and then obey what he says. 34:08.634 --> 34:09.453 Now, do we get to God and experience eternal life in heaven because we've kept all of God's commandments? 34:09.454 --> 34:10.833 No, no, no, no. 34:12.453 --> 34:14.232 We've all disobeyed God's commandments. 34:14.233 --> 34:17.152 We've all blown it, haven't we? 34:17.153 --> 34:19.632 That's why God provided a way to be forgiven. 34:19.633 --> 34:21.352 It's called grace in the Bible. 34:21.353 --> 34:25.452 It means it's not earned. 34:25.453 --> 34:31.492 It's the favor of God, and it's simply received. 34:31.493 --> 34:32.737 I want to invite you today to receive God's favor, His forgiveness, His love. 34:37.337 --> 34:39.696 In just a moment, we're going to have pastors and leaders at the front of both of our campuses, 34:39.697 --> 34:41.136 and we're going to stand to our feet. 34:41.137 --> 34:47.116 We're going to sing a song together, 34:47.117 --> 34:49.696 and we're going to ask you simply to step out and come and give your life to Jesus. 34:49.697 --> 34:50.897 You can come down one of these stairs. 34:52.777 --> 34:55.096 You can come down one of these aisles. 34:55.097 --> 34:56.836 Take one of these leaders by the hand and say, 34:56.837 --> 35:01.744 I want to trust Jesus as my Savior. 35:01.745 --> 35:08.824 We saw a handful of people baptized earlier in our service. 35:08.825 --> 35:12.584 Maybe you need to follow suit and trust Jesus as your Savior. 35:12.585 --> 35:14.444 And then maybe you've already done that, but you've never been baptized. 35:14.445 --> 35:17.164 And you say, I want to go public with my faith. 35:17.165 --> 35:20.084 Or maybe you just want to join our church family. 35:20.085 --> 35:22.184 However God leads, in just a moment, this is our time to respond. 35:22.185 --> 35:27.549 But I especially today. 35:27.550 --> 35:28.830 I want to speak to those of you who don't have a personal relationship with God. 35:30.950 --> 35:32.270 It's available to you right now. 35:34.170 --> 35:35.629 It doesn't matter all that you've done. 35:35.630 --> 35:37.010 I know you've done a lot. 35:38.170 --> 35:39.230 God knows you've done a lot. 35:40.630 --> 35:43.929 But he still loves you. 35:43.930 --> 35:48.829 He still wants a relationship with you. 35:48.830 --> 35:50.243 You still have purpose through his redemption. 35:53.923 --> 35:55.982 I want to invite you, as soon as we stand and pray, don't wait. 35:55.983 --> 35:56.482 You come and give your life to Christ. 35:56.483 --> 36:00.742 Let's pray. 36:00.743 --> 36:02.663 Our Heavenly Father, thank you so much, Lord. 36:05.443 --> 36:10.422 for your love and your goodness and your grace. 36:10.423 --> 36:16.542 Thank you, Lord, for the gift of your salvation. 36:16.543 --> 36:19.502 I pray, Lord, that that gift would be given to some people today that have not received it. 36:19.503 --> 36:21.622 And, Lord, that they would receive it by faith. 36:21.623 --> 36:26.862 Lord, would you change their life? 36:26.863 --> 36:30.342 Would you remove the vanity and replace it with purpose? 36:30.343 --> 36:31.503 Would you remove the emptiness and replace it with fullness? 36:36.263 --> 36:37.762 Give them love, peace, and joy that only comes from you. 36:37.763 --> 36:38.902 We love you. 36:38.903 --> 36:39.982 We need you. 36:39.983 --> 36:42.782 We want you. 36:42.783 --> 36:44.642 We pray, Lord, that you would move in our midst. 36:44.643 --> 36:45.762 We pray in the powerful name of Jesus. 36:45.763 --> 36:47.433 Amen. 36:48.873 --> 36:50.532 Thanks for listening today. 36:50.533 --> 36:52.612 We hope you enjoyed this message. 36:52.613 --> 36:54.312 And if you did, we would be so grateful 36:54.313 --> 36:56.752 if you left us a review. 36:56.753 --> 36:58.052 Also, go ahead and subscribe to the podcast 36:58.053 --> 36:59.932 if you would like to be notified 36:59.933 --> 37:01.592 when a new sermon is released. 37:01.593 --> 37:03.212 If you feel the Lord calling you 37:03.213 --> 37:07.512 to take the next step in faith 37:07.513 --> 37:10.633 through salvation, service, or giving, don't wait. 37:10.634 --> 37:13.253 reach out to us by texting podcast to 88988. 37:13.254 --> 37:16.193 That's podcast to 88988 37:16.194 --> 37:19.933 or connect with us on one of our social media platforms. 37:19.934 --> 37:21.953 You can also visit our website, valleybaptist.org 37:21.954 --> 37:24.313 to find even more great resources. 37:24.314 --> 37:25.853 No matter where you are in your journey, 37:25.854 --> 37:27.273 know that we love you. 37:27.274 --> 37:30.273 We're praying for you 37:30.274 --> 37:40.274 and we can't wait to see what God will do in your life.