The Conclusion of the Matter

[0:00] Well if we could with the Lord's help and the Lord's enabling this morning, we could turn back to that portion of scripture that we read in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 12.

[0:19] Ecclesiastes chapter 12, we're going to consider the whole chapter, but if we just take as our text, the conclusion in verse 13, where Solomon says, the end of the matter, all has been heard.

[0:34] Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man, for God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

[0:53] All good things must come to an end. It's a phrase we often use when a good thing has come to its conclusion, and we often use it to describe maybe a holiday, or a film we were watching, or maybe a get together with friends.

[1:14] When we've enjoyed something, or when we've been somewhere, and it comes to a conclusion, we often admit that all good things must come to an end. But would you say the same about this sermon called Ecclesiastes?

[1:30] Would you say that as we come to the conclusion of this sermon, would you say that all good things must come to an end? And I guess the question I'm asking is, what is your perception of a sermon?

[1:44] Why do you come to church to listen to a sermon? Do you come just because you know you should? Do you come to church because it's your Sunday routine that's been instilled in you since childhood?

[2:00] Do you come because it's a means to an end? That if you come, well it's done, it's out of the way, the box is ticked, I don't need to come until next Sunday. What is your perception of a sermon?

[2:12] Do you enjoy it? Do you listen to it? Do you take it in? Now I'm not asking for a critique or anything like that. If you have a problem with what I say, well, you can say it to me, I'm open to that.

[2:25] But the reason I'm asking this is, do you come to church and are you glad when it's over? Do you look forward to coming to church?

[2:37] And if you do, well that's a sign that the Lord is working in your heart. But if you come to church just as a means to an end, something to pass the time on a quiet Sunday morning, if that's the way you live your life, then you need to start listening to this sermon.

[2:53] You may have missed the entire sermon daydreaming. But Solomon is going to remind you in this final sermon, this final section of his sermon, what he's going to remind you is, he's going to remind you about everything he has said in his whole sermon so that you will take it to heart and so that you will take it home with you.

[3:17] And you know, that's what makes for a good sermon. We said before that information and application make for a good sermon. But what also makes a good sermon is that it's memorable.

[3:29] Can you remember what was said? Do you remember maybe the points that were given? Can you discuss the sermon afterwards? Can you recount some of the details of the sermon and how it applies to your life?

[3:42] That's what makes for a good sermon. If you can take it to heart and if you can take it home. And you know, that's what Solomon seeks to do as he brings his sermon to a conclusion.

[3:55] We've said before that the book of Ecclesiastes, it's the sermon of King Solomon. He preaches the sermon at the end of his life as the sermon of repentance. And the title Ecclesiastes, it means the preacher.

[4:09] And Solomon is the preacher. Ecclesiastes is the preacher's sermon. And Solomon is preaching a sermon all about the vanity of living your life without God.

[4:21] Solomon opened his sermon with the statement, vanity of vanities, says the preacher. Vanity of vanities. All is vanity. And from that opening statement, Solomon proceeded to preach about the vanity of living your life in a foolish way.

[4:39] Because in his sermon, Solomon affirms that he has looked at life from every possible angle. And he says, you need to look at life.

[4:50] And you need to love life. But you also need to live your life with an eternal perspective. Because if you're not living your life with an eternal perspective, he says, then you're wasting your life.

[5:03] And Solomon's plea to us in this whole sermon is, don't waste your life. Don't waste your life living for yourself and living for the pleasures of this world.

[5:15] Because he says, what's of the utmost importance and what's of eternal value to you is your relationship to God through Jesus Christ. And so as Solomon brings his sermon to a conclusion, he wants us to ensure that this sermon is memorable.

[5:35] He wants to ensure that you take this sermon to heart. And that you take this sermon home with you. He doesn't want you to go away and just forget about what he has said.

[5:48] Because what he has said will have eternal consequences. Solomon wants us to take his sermon to heart. And take his sermon home with us.

[6:00] And Solomon does this by concluding his sermon with a plea. He calls us to remember three things. He says, remember the creator.

[6:13] Remember the context. And remember the conclusion. Remember the creator. Remember the context. And remember the conclusion.

[6:25] So we look first of all at remember the creator. Solomon's plea. Remember the creator. He says it in verse 1. In chapter 12. Remember also your creator in the days of your youth.

[6:38] Before the evil days come. And the years draw near. Of which you will say. I have no pleasure in them. Before the sun and the light. And the moon and the stars are darkened. And the clouds return after the rain.

[6:49] In the day when the keepers of the house tremble. And the strong men are bent. And the grinders cease. Because they are few. And those who look through the windows. Are dimmed.

[7:02] So Solomon begins. To bring his sermon to a conclusion. With this plea. Remember your creator. Remember.

[7:12] Now the important word that Solomon uses here. Is the word remember. Remember he says. And when Solomon says remember. He's not asking you to use your memory.

[7:24] He's not asking you to sit down. And just to think back. To that time when you were young. And when you were in Sunday school. And when you were taught all those Bible stories.

[7:34] And these memory verses. That you have instilled in you. That's not what Solomon is talking about. He's not calling you to think. He's calling you to act.

[7:45] Because when the Bible uses the word remember. It doesn't call us to sit down. And think about something. The Bible is actually calling us. To respond to what we're hearing.

[7:56] And that's what Solomon is doing here. He's saying to us. You have been listening to my sermon. Called Ecclesiastes. You've heard a lot about. What I have to say about the vanity.

[8:06] Of living your life without God. You've repeatedly heard the need. To live your life with an eternal perspective. But he says. Now is the time to do something about it.

[8:18] Now it's the time for action. Now it's time for commitment. Now it's time to make a move. Now it's time to see that. What's of the utmost importance in your life.

[8:29] And what's of eternal value. Is your relationship with God. Through Jesus Christ. And what we have to notice with Solomon. As he comes to the conclusion of his sermon.

[8:40] Is that there's this urgency now. He says. Remember now. Act now. Commit now. Make a move now.

[8:54] Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not next year. Not when you're old and failing. And you have nothing else to live for. In your life. He says. Do it now. Do it now.

[9:05] But you know. The Bible not only uses the word. Remember. Remember. Remember. Remember. In order to. Emphasize that we need to act upon. What we're hearing. The Bible also.

[9:16] Emphasizes the urgency. Of acting upon. What we're hearing. Because as we've said before. The Bible never says. Sit and think about being saved.

[9:27] The Bible says. Come now. Let us reason together. The Bible says. Seek the Lord. While he's to be found. Call upon him.

[9:38] While he is near. The Bible says. Come now. Because now is the accepted time. Today is the day of salvation. And today.

[9:49] Says the Bible. If you hear his voice. Do not harden your heart. Why? Because you do not know. What tomorrow will bring. And so as Solomon comes to the conclusion.

[10:01] Of his sermon. There's this urgency. With the message he has. And he's saying. Remember now. Act now. Commit now. Make a move now. And seek your creator.

[10:14] Before the evil days come. And the years draw near. When you say. I have no pleasure. In them. My friend. Solomon's urgent plea.

[10:26] Is for you to turn to God. In repentance. Because he says. God is your creator. And you are his creation. You have been made.

[10:36] In the image. And the likeness. Of God. And even though. Sin has come into this world. And marred. The image. Of the creator. In us.

[10:47] There's still. An element. Of you. That bears that image. And likeness. Of God. God. The creator. Has made you. He's given you life. And breath. And health.

[10:58] And strength. My friend. And everything. Everything that you have. Today. Is because of God's goodness. To you. And there's no doubt. That we can say.

[11:08] That the Lord has been good. To you. The Lord has been good. To me. And you know. This is something. We need to read. We need to rediscover. In our day and generation. That we're not some.

[11:20] Random chance of biology. We aren't here. By scientific accident. The accident. Of molecules. Just colliding together. To make this. Wonderful world.

[11:31] That we live in. No. Our origin. It began with. Our creator. Our first beginning. Our genesis. Where we were knit together. In our mother's womb. It was all his doing.

[11:44] And you know. We need to rediscover. This great emphasis. Upon God's love. And God's care. Towards his creation. Because nothing else. Will dignify man.

[11:56] Science. Never dignifies man. The world. Doesn't dignify man. Society. Doesn't dignify man. But the emphasis. Of the Bible. Is that as those.

[12:07] Who have been fearfully. And wonderfully. Made by our creator. The Bible says. We're precious. Precious. We are precious. In God's sight.

[12:19] And every single one of us. Has been uniquely. And personally. And individually. Made. And shaped. And formed. In the image. Of our creator. And it's in him.

[12:29] Says the Bible. That we live. And move. And have our being. And we are to worship him. Because he is our maker. And because he has brought us. Into being. Without our aid.

[12:40] And this is the wonder. Of what the Bible says. We are so important. To this creator. That he would send. His only son. To be crucified. On a Roman cross.

[12:52] In order to save us. My friend. This creator. Who made you. With so much care. And love. And dignity. He thinks. So highly.

[13:02] Of the life. That he has given. To you. That he will ask you. To give an account. Of it. He's not going to ask. The animals. To give an account. He's not going to ask.

[13:14] Any of this. Creation. To give an account. But our creator. He thinks. So highly. Of the life. That he has given. To you. And it's.

[13:25] A high life. Because you're made. In his image. And his likeness. And he thinks. So highly. Of the life. That he's given to you. That one day. You will stand. Before him. And he will ask you.

[13:36] What you did. With this life. What did you do. With it. And it's for this very reason. That Solomon. Is urgently. Pleading with us.

[13:47] Remember. Now. Your creator. Before the evil days. Come. Remember. Your creator. In the days. Of your youth.

[13:58] Remember. Your creator. While. Time. And strength. Are on your side. Remember. Your creator. While you still. Have all your. Faculties. Remember.

[14:09] Now. He says. Remember. Now. Act. Now. Commit. Now. Make a move. Now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not in a year's time. Not when you're.

[14:19] Old and failing. And have nothing else. To live for. He says. Do it. Now. Remember. Your creator. While you can enjoy. Life. And all its blessings.

[14:32] And that's what Solomon. Says in verse 2. He says. Remember. Your creator. Before the sun. And the light. And the moon. And the stars. Are darkened. And the clouds. Return. After the rain.

[14:44] Solomon is saying. It's vanity. To live your life. Without God. Because God. Is your creator. And you've been created. To enjoy life. And all its blessings. And you're to enjoy life.

[14:56] And love life. And live life. With an eternal perspective. By giving the best years. Of your life. To the Lord. And what Solomon.

[15:06] Is asking us. Is. Why are you going to wait. Until you're older. To commit your life. To the Lord. Why are you going to put off.

[15:17] Becoming a Christian. Until you're older. But many people do it. And they. Maybe do it. They. Maybe leave it. Because. They think that well.

[15:29] If they commit their life. To the Lord. When they're young. And become a Christian. That they'll miss out. On life. They'll miss out. On the enjoyment. Of life. They'll miss out. On the entertainment. Of life.

[15:42] But you know. Solomon. He says the very opposite. He says that if you leave. Committing your life. To the Lord. Until. Later in life. He says.

[15:52] You will have nothing left. But regret. You will have nothing left. But regret. Because as he says. In verse three.

[16:03] When the keepers. Of the house. Tremble. Meaning. When your legs. Become weak. When the strong men. Are bent. Meaning. When you're crouching over. With old age. When the grinders cease.

[16:14] Because they're few. Meaning. When you lose your teeth. When the windows. Are dimmed. Meaning. When your eyes. Are beginning to fail. And the doors. Of the street. Are shut. Meaning.

[16:24] When your hearing. Is impaired. And you become. Housebound. My friend. What Solomon. Is describing to us. So vividly. Is what happens.

[16:34] In old age. And he's asking. Why are you going to put off. Becoming a Christian. Until you're older. Why are you going to wait. Until later on in life.

[16:47] Because if you leave it. Until later. You'll only discover. That all these things. That you clung to. So. Tightly. In your youth. He says.

[16:57] And all these things. That you put before God. For years. That you put before his word. That you put. Before commitment. To Christianity. What you'll discover. He says.

[17:07] Is that at the end. Of your days. You'll realize. It was all vanity. It was all vanity. Because they've done you. No good. In order to prepare you.

[17:19] For eternity. And as Solomon says. He says. Down in verse 7. He says. We're all going to. Our eternal home. We're all going.

[17:29] To our long home. We're all going. Towards the grave. And when we do. Says Solomon. When we reach the grave. He says.

[17:40] The mourners. They will go about the streets. And we will return. To the dust. Because. It's from the dust. We came. And to the dust. We must return. And Solomon's plea.

[17:53] His plea. Is that. He has been. It's the same plea. That he's been giving. Throughout his whole sermon. Don't waste your life. Don't waste your life. Living for yourself.

[18:03] And living. For the pleasures. Of this world. Remember. Now. You're creator. Look at life. Love life. Live. Your life.

[18:14] With an eternal perspective. Because. What should be. Of the utmost importance. And what is of. Eternal value. Is your relationship. To God.

[18:24] Through Jesus Christ. Remember now. Act now. Commit now. He says. Make a move. Now. Not tomorrow. You're not promised tomorrow.

[18:36] Not next week. Not in a year's time. Not when you're old. And failing. And you have nothing else. To live for. He says. Do it. Now. Do it. Now.

[18:48] Remember. The creator. But secondly. Solomon wants us. To remember. The context. Remember. The context. Look at.

[19:00] Verse eight. He says. Vanity of vanities. Says the preacher. All is vanity. Besides being wise. The preacher. Also taught. The people.

[19:10] Knowledge. Weighing. And studying. And. Arranging. Many proverbs. With great care. The preacher. Sought to find. Words of delight. And uprightly. He wrote. Words of truth. The words of the wise.

[19:21] Are like goats. And like nails. Firmly fixed. Are the collection. Collected. Sayings. They are given. By one shepherd. My son. Be. Beware.

[19:31] Of anything. Beyond these. Of making. Many books. There is no end. And much study. Is a weariness. Of the flesh. We said earlier.

[19:42] That as Solomon. Brings his sermon. To a conclusion. He wants to ensure. That his sermon. Is memorable. He wants to ensure. That we take his sermon. To heart.

[19:53] And that we take his sermon. Home with us. And Solomon. He certainly doesn't want us. To go away. And just forget about. What he said. Because. What he has said to us.

[20:04] It could have. Eternal consequences. And so Solomon. He calls us here. To remember. The context. Remember the context. Of his sermon.

[20:15] He urges us. To call to mind. And to put. Into action. All that we have heard. In his sermon. And it's interesting. Solomon urges us. To do this.

[20:26] By repeating. The theme. Of his whole sermon. Because in verse 8. Solomon calls us. To remember. Remember the context. Of his sermon. Vanity of vanities.

[20:37] Says the preacher. All. Is vanity. And that verse. Is important. Because. As we saw. Back in chapter 1. At the very beginning.

[20:49] Of his sermon. Solomon. Opened his sermon. With the same statement. Vanity of vanities. Says the preacher. Vanity of vanities. All. Is vanity.

[21:00] And this statement. It has been the context. Of. The entire sermon. Because. As we've said. Solomon's sermon. It's all about. The vanity. Of living your life. Without God.

[21:11] And from his. Opening statement. Solomon. Proceeded. To preach. About. The vanity. Of living your life. In a foolish way. Because. The question.

[21:21] Solomon. Wants us all. To answer. Is. What is the point. To life. Why are we here. What is it. All about. Is there more.

[21:32] To life. Than this. Do our lives. Really have meaning. And purpose. And in the introduction. To his sermon. Solomon told us.

[21:43] That. He applied himself. To studying. With his God given. Wisdom. He studied. To discover. What the point. To life. Really is. Solomon said.

[21:55] I the preacher. Have applied my heart. To seek. And to search. Out by wisdom. All that is done. Under heaven. In other words. He says. I have prepared. My sermon.

[22:06] For you to listen. And for you to respond. To what you hear. Because you need. To live your life. With an eternal perspective. And as Solomon.

[22:16] Came to discover. For himself. You can possess. Great knowledge. We can have. Lots of wisdom. We can even. Be the wisest. Person. Who ever lived.

[22:28] But we can still. Live our lives. In a foolish manner. And in this sermon. Solomon is speaking. From his own experience. It's a sermon. Of repentance. When you read.

[22:40] First Kings. You see. Solomon's life. It spiraled. Out of control. But Ecclesiastes. It's his sermon. Of repentance. Because Solomon. Regrets.

[22:50] That he was sucked in. By the vanity. Of this world. He regrets. That he swallowed. The lie. That this world. Can give you. All the pleasures. That your heart. Heart desires. And now.

[23:01] Solomon's hope. Is that we will listen. To his sermon. In order to spare. Ourselves. The bitterness. Of learning. What he learned. And throughout. His entire sermon.

[23:13] Solomon. Has been. Calling us. To examine. Our own life. And to look. At our own life. And ultimately. To live. Our life. With this. Eternal perspective.

[23:24] To see that. That eternity. It's only a breath away. And Solomon says. If you live your life. Without God. Then your life.

[23:35] It's meaningless. It's empty. It's vanity. It's futile. It's chasing. And striving. After the wind. These things. That you will never. Grasp hold of. Vanity.

[23:46] Of vanity. Says the preacher. Vanity. Of vanities. All. Is vanity. And you know. Having discovered. What this world.

[23:56] Offers us. Is vanity. Solomon. Plates with us. To listen. To his sermon. And just. Remember. The context.

[24:08] And Solomon. Says. He says this. Because. What he's giving. To us. In this sermon. It's a message. Of good news. Solomon.

[24:19] Is speaking. To us. In love. He's speaking. Out of a genuine. Concern. For our soul. And for our. Eternal. Well-being. And he's telling us.

[24:30] That without God. In your life. Your life. Has no real meaning. Without God. There's no point. To life. It's all. Vanity. It's meaningless.

[24:43] Without God. You. In your life. You'll spend. Your life. Just chasing. Striving. After those things. That will never. Bring you satisfaction. Whether those things.

[24:55] Are money. He says. Or positions. At work. Or happiness. Or entertainment. He's talked about. All of it. And he says. Without God. In your life. Without God.

[25:05] Giving you meaning. To life. And purpose. And direction. All these things. They will never. Satisfy you. And because. These things. Will never. Satisfy us.

[25:16] And they will never. Fill that. Void in our heart. Which only Jesus. Can fill. Solomon says. It's all vanity. You have to see. That it's all vanity. And throughout.

[25:27] His entire sermon. He is. Solomon has stressed. This to us. Because he wants. He wants us. To know. For ourselves. That it's only God. It's only faith.

[25:39] In Jesus Christ. It's only commitment. To Christ. That will give you. Meaning in life. It's only Jesus. Who gives you purpose. And order.

[25:49] And dignity. It's only Jesus. Who gives you. The point. To life. And. But without him. You're living. Your life. In vain. And you know.

[26:01] What's remarkable. About this sermon. Is that Solomon. He didn't look at life. Living it. As a Christian. He looked at life.

[26:14] From your perspective. As someone. Who is unconverted. He looked at life. From the perspective. Of living it. Without God. And he looked at.

[26:25] All the different areas. Of life. That. We're all involved in. He looked at our work. He looked at education. He looked at pleasure. He looked at recreational activities.

[26:37] He looked at our relationships. And having looked at. Life without God. The conclusion. That Solomon came to. Was vanity of vanities. Says the preacher.

[26:49] Vanity of vanities. All of it. Without God. Is vanity. Your life. He says. Is meaningless. Without God.

[27:01] Now. There are some. Who would accuse Solomon. Of being this pessimistic. Preacher. But you know. Solomon. He's not trying to destroy. Our hopes.

[27:13] Solomon. Is trying to redirect. Our hope. Solomon. Is trying to direct. Our hope. To the only one. Who can fulfill. Our hope. That is Jesus Christ.

[27:24] Himself. Because in Solomon's eyes. Life. Is to be enjoyed. But it's to be enjoyed. With the right perspective. In fact.

[27:34] In a sermon. Solomon affirmed. He affirmed. The value of knowledge. It's good to have an education. He affirmed. The value of relationships. He affirmed. That work is necessary. He acknowledged.

[27:44] That pleasure. Is to be enjoyed. But he says. All these things. In our life. They should be viewed. And they should be kept. In their proper place.

[27:56] They're not to take over our life. They're not to be the be all. And end all. Of our life. Because all of these. Temporal things. In life. He says. They must be viewed.

[28:06] They have to be viewed. With an eternal perspective. And that's what Solomon. Wants us to see. That. In light of the great eternity. That awaits us all. In light of that.

[28:17] Great eternity. If we live our lives. Without God. In this world. Then our life. Has been lived in vain. And you know.

[28:28] What a sad end. To have someone. Die out of Christ. To have wasted. Their whole life. On the vanity.

[28:38] Of this world. And to die. Out of Christ. You know. What's even worse. Is to have heard the gospel. All your life. And to die.

[28:50] Out of Christ. To have lived. To have lived your life. In vain. And yet. To have wasted. The whole life. When you have the greatest gift. Been handed to you.

[29:02] Every week. And you know. What Solomon is saying to you. Don't waste your life. Don't waste. Your life.

[29:13] Don't waste it. Living. For yourself. And for the pleasures. Of this world. Because what is of. The utmost importance. What is of. Eternal value.

[29:25] Is your relationship. With God. Through Jesus Christ. And so Solomon. Is bringing his sermon. To this great conclusion. And he concludes.

[29:37] With a plea. He calls us. To remember the creator. Remember the context. Christ. And then lastly. And briefly. Remember the conclusion.

[29:49] Remember the conclusion. Look at verse 13. The end of the matter. All has been heard. Fear God.

[30:00] Keep his commandments. For this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed. Into judgment. With every secret thing. Whether good.

[30:11] Or evil. I love the way the authorised version. Puts it. Let us hear. The conclusion. Of the whole matter. Fear God.

[30:23] Keep his commandments. For this is the whole. Duty. Of man. And Solomon. He brings his sermon. To its conclusion. With this plea. Remember this conclusion.

[30:37] Remember this conclusion. And he says that. Because in only a few words. Solomon sums up. His entire sermon. Fear God. Keep his commandments.

[30:49] Because. And Solomon says this. Because to fear God. Is to possess. Through wisdom. The fear of the Lord. Is the beginning of wisdom.

[30:59] And to possess that. Through wisdom. Is to love life. And to look at life. And to live your life. With an eternal perspective. And that's what Solomon has said.

[31:10] Throughout his whole sermon. And you know. He says. When you have an eternal perspective. On life. When you fear God. You'll keep his commandments. Because your eternal perspective.

[31:23] It should affect every area. Of your life. It will affect your relationships. It will affect your family. Your work. Your education. Your pleasure. It will affect your character. Your conduct.

[31:33] And your conversations. But most importantly. He says. Possessing an eternal perspective. Fearing God. He says. It will affect. Your relationship. With God.

[31:45] Because you will seek the Lord. You will commit your life to him. You will follow. In his ways. And in his precepts. You will follow. The word. Of God.

[31:56] My friend. When you have a relationship. With God. Through Jesus Christ. It will change. Everything. It will affect. Every area. Of your life. And it will give you.

[32:07] A perspective. And a purpose. In life. And it will give. Give you meaning. And it will give you. The point. To life. And you will live your life. In light.

[32:17] Of eternity. And the great day. Of judgment. My friend. You will live your life. When you fear God. You will live your life. Knowing. As it says in verse 14.

[32:29] That God will bring. Every deed. Into judgment. With every secret thing. Whether good. Or evil. My friend. Remember the conclusion. Fear God.

[32:42] And keep his commandments. This is the whole duty. Of man. He says. This is the point. To life. Live your life. With an eternal perspective.

[32:54] Don't waste your life. Don't waste it. Living for the moment. And for the pleasures. Of this world. God. What is your. Your priority. He says. What is your priority.

[33:05] Your priority. Is your relationship. With God. Through Jesus Christ. And so Solomon. He brings his sermon. Called Ecclesiastes. To its conclusion.

[33:16] And he wants us. To ensure. That his sermon. Is memorable. He wants to. Us. He wants to ensure. That his sermon. Is taken. To heart. And that you take it home.

[33:27] With you. He doesn't want you. To go away. And forget. What you've heard. Because what you have heard. Will have eternal consequences. And so Solomon. Pleads with you.

[33:39] Remember the creator. Remember now. Act now. Commit now. Make a move. Now. Not tomorrow. Not next week.

[33:50] Not next year. Not when you're old. And failing. And you have nothing else. To live for. He says. Do it. Now. Do it now. Remember the creator. And remember the context.

[34:03] Vanity of vanities. Says the preacher. Vanity of vanities. All. Is vanity. If you live your life. Without God. Then it's meaningless. It's empty.

[34:14] It's few time. It's chasing. And striving. After. The wind. Things that will never. Satisfy. So remember the creator. Remember the context.

[34:26] And remember the conclusion. Fear God. And keep his commandments. This is the whole duty of man. This is the point to life.

[34:39] Live your life. With an eternal. Perspective. Don't waste it. Don't waste your life. Living for the moment. And for the pleasures of this world. God.

[34:51] Because what is of utmost importance. What is of. Eternal value. Is your relationship. To God. With Jesus.

[35:01] Through Jesus Christ. Remember the creator. Remember the context. Remember the conclusion. Fear God.

[35:15] Keep his commandments. May the Lord bless these thoughts to us. Let us pray. O Lord. O gracious God. We give thanks to thee.

[35:27] That. Thy word speaks into every area of our lives. And we pray that each and every one of us. Would live our life with an eternal perspective. To realize that.

[35:39] There is only but one step. Between us and death. And that great eternity is before us. Help us Lord. To be ready. Help us.

[35:50] To be prepared. Help us Lord. Even to be ready for the trumpet. That when the trumpet sounds. That everyone will stand before that great white throne.

[36:01] Help us Lord. We pray thee then in this life. To fear God. To keep his commandments. Knowing that it is the whole duty of man. It is our point to life.

[36:13] To glorify God. And to enjoy him forever. Bless us we pray. Bless thy word to us. Help us to take it to heart. Help us to take it home with us.

[36:24] That we might serve thee in this world. And give thee the glory in all things that we do. Go before us and we pray. Take away our iniquity. And receive us graciously. For Jesus sake.

[36:35] Amen. Amen. We shall bring our service to a conclusion. By singing the words of Psalm 90.

[36:48] Psalm 90 in the Scottish Psalter. Page 350. Psalm 90.

[37:05] We've sung this many times. While we've been studying Ecclesiastes. It's the oldest psalm in the Bible. And yet it has the most relevant truth.

[37:17] It reminds us that we need to live life. With that eternal perspective. Because Moses who wrote this psalm. He says. Three score and ten years do sum up.

[37:28] Our days and years we see. Or if by reason of more strength. And some four score they be. Yet doth the strength of such old men. But grief and labour prove. For it is soon cut off.

[37:40] And we fly hence. And soon remove. So we'll sing Psalm 90 from verse 10. Down to the end of the double verse. Mark 12. To God's praise. God's praise. Amen.

[37:51] Amen. He so had ten years to suffer days and years we see.

[38:12] For if I reason of more strength in some more story be, Yet as the strength of such a children, A grief and a neighbor prove, For it is soon cut off and weep, Blindness and soon remove.

[39:11] To host the power of thy wrath, According to thy fear, So is thy wrath, Lord, teach thou us, Our end and mine to bear.

[39:52] And so to count our days that we, Our hearts may still apply, To learn thy wisdom and thy truth, That we may live thereby.

[40:34] The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, The love of God the Father, And the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, Now and forevermore. Amen.