A Season for Everything (2) Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Having searched for meaning: Solomon has begun making observations about life These verses perhaps some of the most well known in this book – songs about it, used at funerals, etc. In our last lesson, we began to notice there is a time for everything. Today, we will conclude this section

To everything there is a season and a time (3:1) About the text To everything there is a season and a time (3:1) A season – a designated time (that is limited, comes and goes, and is somewhat identifiable) A time – means times when one choice is wise, and other times when the opposite is the right thing to do We need to THINK! This gives life some variety

A time to give birth and a time to die A time to plant and to pluck up what is planted A time to kill and a time to heal A time to break down and a time to build up A time to weep and a time to laugh A time to mourn and a time to dance

A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones (3:5) A time to accumulate things, and a time to throw them away – consider clutter

A time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones (3:5) Spiritually: Will we build upon what we have (cf. 2 Peter 1:5-7, 3:18) Will we change if we see the need? Adapt – different methods? Will we gather for our “spiritual library”? Prepare to answer the latest attacks? (Ephesians 4:14-16, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6)

A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing (3:5) There are times when affection is appropriate and other times when it is not. E.g. the marital relationship, dating (1 Corinthians 6:18, 2 Timothy 2:22), even among friends) The “holy kiss” – Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:10, etc.

A time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing (3:5) Spiritually: Fellowship A time for it – Acts 2:42, Philippians 2:1, 1 John 1:3-6; A time to avoid it – Ephesians 5:11, 1 Corinthians 10:20, 2 Corinthians 6:14

A time to gain and a time to lose (3:6) NASB, “A time to search, and a time to give up as lost” Times where we keep looking, and other times where we move on. Spiritually: The lost coin and sheep – Luke 15:1-10 Move on – Matthew 7:6, Philippians 3:13

A time to keep and a time to throw away (3:6) Repetitious to ideas already discussed Spiritually: Things we ought to keep – John 8:51- Keep His word; 2 Timothy 4:7 – Keep the faith; John 14:15, 1 Corinthians 7:19 – Keep the commandments; 1 Timothy 5:22, 1 John 5:18 – Keep yourself

A time to keep and a time to throw away (3:6) Spiritually: There are things we ought to give up – Matthew 6:19-21 – treasures on earth Philippians 3:7-8 – Paul’s example

A time to tear and a time to sew (3:7) Similar to gathering and casting away. Spiritually: Consider mourning – tearing the clothes (cf. Ezra 9:3, Job 1:20, Genesis 37:29, 34, etc.). Repentance – 1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 2 Corinthians 7:11, Luke 18:13 But at the end of that time of mourning, mend it and move forward

A time to keep silence and a time to speak (3:7) We must guard our tongues – what we say and WHEN to say it. Sometimes silence is best! Proverbs 10:19, Cf. Job 2:13

A time to keep silence and a time to speak (3:7) Spiritually: We control our tongues. James 1:19 AT times we need to speak up – Psalm 39:1-3, Acts 17:16-17, Speak where the Bible speaks, be silent where the Bible is silent (Silence is NOT consent)

A time to love and a time to hate (3:8) There are things we ought to love, and others we ought to despise. How often does the world mix these up? Spiritually: We should love – Matthew 22:37-39 – God, neighbors, 1 John 4:7 – one another, Matthew 5:44-45 - enemies We should hate – Romans 12:9, 1 John 2:15-17, etc.

A time for war and a time for peace (3:8) This is inevitable in life. There will be conflicts that need to be resolved. Not always pleasant or easy. BUT, our pursuit should be peace Spiritually: We are at war – Ephesians 6:10-13, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 1 Timothy 1:18 But we pursue peace – Matthew 5:9, 1 Thessalonians 5:13, Colossians 3:15, Romans 14:19, etc.

Is our timing in tune with God’s timing?