25th January 2024

25th January 2024


Pray (ACts)


Read (Ecclesiastes 3v9-15)


Message (Scott Woodburn)


I hope I'll never forget where I was on July 6th 2023 for it was on that day that I got to walk around Rome's Colosseum for the first time. It was a breathtaking experience and I was almost overwhelmed as I attempted to take in the size, scale and beauty of the ancient arena. Just days before my trip some British tourists made the news due to their own to the Colosseum. Why? They thought it would be a good idea to write their names on one of the Colosseum’s walls. Needless to say, the Italians didn’t take too kindly to the actions of the foolish tourists.


The Colosseum is incredibly majestic and beautiful but it isn’t what it used to be. When the arena was opened in 80AD it was complete, covered in brass and didn't have the names of British tourists scratched into its walls. We can only imagine the beauty of such a structure when it was in its prime and glistening in the Roman sun. Is the Colosseum worth seeing? Absolutely, but if you think it is beautiful now, what a sight it would have been in its prime.


Nothing can keep its glory forever. The Lord has made everything beautiful in its time (v11) but people and buildings always wear out. The worker works everyday but his body slows and ages and the work of his hands will one day disappear. What gain does the worker have from his toil (v9)? Solomon’s counsel is for us to live joyfully, do good, enjoy our food and try to take some form of pleasure in our work (v12-13). This is not only possible and desirable but also God’s gift to humanity (v13b).


As we remind ourselves of our limits, Solomon reminds us of our limitless God. He wrote "I perceived that whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him." (v14) God and His work knows no limit and the Lord pays no mind to the ever ticking clock. The world and the deeds done on it constantly repeat and over the ages the Lord "seeks what has been driven away" or in other words, the Lord sees history repeat itself time and time again.


Time might seem to be our master with its cruel hand changing our bodies and our buildings but in response we should fear the timeless God (v14). When you consider God's timelessness what emotion is roused? When you consider the size and scale of the universe how do you feel? The grey hair reminds us that we are frail, the expansive sky reminds us to fear God. As the clock ticks without ceasing strive to live joyfully, do good, enjoy your food, try to take some form of pleasure in your work but most of all, fear God. The Colosseum will one day fall but the Word of the Lord stands forever and this same Word declares God's glory on every page.


Pray (acTS)


Sing


WSC


Q51 What is forbidden in the second commandment? The second commandment forbiddeth the worshipping of God by images, or any other way not appointed in his Word.
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