Times and Seasons

Continuing the “What Time is it?” sermon series, Pastor Jay leads us directly to Ecclesiastes 3:1 where he simplifies an understanding between the difference of times and seasons.

———-Notes———-

Part 3: Times and Seasons

Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven.”

Unlike the animals who seem quite content to simply be themselves, we humans are always looking for ways to be more than or other than we find ourselves to be. We explore the countryside for excitement, search our souls for meaning, shop the world for pleasures. We try this , then we try that. The usual fields of endeavor are money, sex, power, adventure and knowledge.

Everything we try is so promising at first! But nothing ever seems to amount to very much. We intensify our efforts- but the harder we work at it, the less we get out of it. Some people give up early and settle for a humdrum life. Others never seem to learn, and so they flail away through a lifetime, becoming less and less human year by year, until by the time they die there is hardly enough humanity left to compose a corpse.

Ecclesiastes challenges the naive optimism that sets a goal that appeals to us and then goes after it with gusto, expecting the results to be a good life. The author’s cool skepticism, a refreshing negation to the lush and seductive suggestions swirling around us, promising everything but delivering nothing, clears the air. And one the air is cleared, we are ready for reality-for God.

-Eugene Peterson

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To everything there is a season,

A time for every purpose under heaven

TIME: Is under the sun

Ecclesiastes 9:11 NKJV

I returned and saw under the sun that—

The race is not to the swift, Nor the battle to the strong, Nor bread to the wise, Nor riches to men of understanding, Nor favor to men of skill; But time and chance happen to them all.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV

“He has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

SEASONS: Are above the sun.

Ecclesiastes 3:11

He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-2 NKJV

But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. 2 For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.

We are in a season of harvest.

We are in a season of fear.

Luke 21:26-28 NIV

“People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

We are in a season of holiness.

I Thessalonians 5:1-11 NIV  

“Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”