The Seasons The Seasons of Lifeof Life

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 Source: http://www.angelfire.com/nt/theology/eccl03-01.html

http://www.scripturestudies.com/Vol6/F4/f4_wis.html

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8There is a time for everything,

       and a season for every activity under heaven:   a time to be born and a time to die,        a time to plant and a time to uproot,

 a time to kill and a time to heal,        a time to tear down and a time to build,

 a time to weep and a time to laugh,        a time to mourn and a time to dance,

 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,        a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

 a time to search and a time to give up,        a time to keep and a time to throw away,

 a time to tear and a time to mend,        a time to be silent and a time to speak,

 a time to love and a time to hate,        a time for war and a time for peace.

Two Extremes of Lifea time to be borna time to be born andand a time to diea time to die, , (Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 3:2)3:2)• We are conscious of birth.

• We celebrate a birthday

• We are happy with a new baby

• We should also be conscious of our death

• Where will we go when we die?

• “Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,” (Hebrews 9:27)

• God’s answer: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Time for Worka time to planta time to plant and and a time to uproota time to uproot , , (Ecclesiastes (Ecclesiastes 3:2)3:2)

• It could refer to planting in agriculture. There is a time to plant a time to harvest.

• It could also be a time to work and a time to rest.

• It could also be a time to think where you want to live and plant your family. And then where will you go next.

In any case we need the Lord’s guidance.In any case we need the Lord’s guidance.

Time for Choicesa time to killa time to kill and and a time to heala time to heal, , (Ecclesiastes 3:3)(Ecclesiastes 3:3)

• The word “kill” here does not mean murder. But justified killing in wars or punishment like death penalty.

• Is death penalty biblical?

• “"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made man.” (Genesis 9:6)

• “If, however, I am guilty of doing anything deserving death, I do not refuse to die. But if the charges brought against me by these Jews are not true, no one has the right to hand me over to them. I appeal to Caesar!" (Acts 25:11)

No vigilante but through lawful means No vigilante but through lawful means (Exodus 21:1)(Exodus 21:1)

a time to killa time to kill and and a time to heala time to heal, , (Ecclesiastes 3:3)(Ecclesiastes 3:3)

• We should also discern if it is a time to heal.

• Instead of fighting is it time and more Christ like now to do a particular act.

• Remember we are called to suffer.

In any case we need the Lord’s guidance.In any case we need the Lord’s guidance.

Time for Choices

A Time for Plansa time to tear downa time to tear down and and a time to builda time to build,, (Ecclesiastes 3:3)(Ecclesiastes 3:3)

• It refers to something that should be continued or be stopped.

• Projects

• Relationships

Time for Emotionsa time to weepa time to weep and and a time to laugha time to laugh, ,               a time to mourna time to mourn and and a time to dancea time to dance ,,

(Ecclesiastes 3:4)(Ecclesiastes 3:4)

• Oras na ba ng pagsaya pero malungkot ka pa? – wala kang kasiyahan

• Oras na ba ng kalungkutan pero pilit ka pa din nagsasaya? – tumatakas ka sa problema

What Time Is It?a time to scatter stonesa time to scatter stones and and a time to gather thema time to gather them,, (Ecclesiastes 3:5)(Ecclesiastes 3:5)

•Work • Planting Time: They scatter or throw away stones from the soil

• Constructing a building or house: We gather the stones.

• Justice

In any case we need the Lord’s guidance.In any case we need the Lord’s guidance.

What Time Is It?a time to embracea time to embrace and and a time to refraina time to refrain,, (Ecclesiastes 3:5)(Ecclesiastes 3:5)

• A time to physically express love.

• There is also a time when it is inappropriate

It shows that in relationships there is a time for hellos and a time for goodbyes.

Time to Assess Our Priorities

a time to searcha time to search and and a time to give upa time to give up, , a time to keepa time to keep and and a a time to throw awaytime to throw away (Ecclesiastes 3:6)(Ecclesiastes 3:6)

• We are always searching for “material things” and keep piling up possessions.

• We should know when is the time to give up seeking things of this world. Throw away things that are spiritually harmful to us.

• These things could refer to material things or relationships.

What Is God Trying To Say here?

9What does the worker gain from his toil? 10I have seen the burden God has laid on men. 11He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. (Ecclesiastes 3:9-11)

• What good is all of these activities? (v.9)

• God appoints our activities. (v.10)

• God has a wonderful design to your life. (v.11)

• What time is it now in your life?• And what part of your time or activity you

are not yet giving to God?

What Time Is It?