Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, A Time for Everything

"There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven ~
² A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
³ A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up.
⁴ A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
⁵ A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
⁶ A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.
⁷ A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak.
⁸ A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.
⁹ What profit is there to the worker from that in which he toils?  ¹⁰ I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves. ¹¹ He has made everything appropriate in its time.  He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. ¹² I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; ¹³ moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor, it is the gift of God.  ¹⁴ I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.  15 That which is has been already, and that which will be has already been, for God seeks what has passed by."

V. 1 - "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven"

1. God appoints the times and Seasons
1. These words are words for every person, in every place, in every circumstance.  God has appointed the times and seasons, the events of our lives, the happy and the sad, the easy and the difficult.
2. On one hand this can bring worry, but on the other hand, it should bring you hope because we know that God is in control.
3. God exalts and humbles the same person.  He raises nations up and brings them down.
4. Even the day of our death has been set.
5. God is in control.
1. Sometimes you may wonder about that.  I mean, it is easy to doubt that God has it all together when you look at the world. It doesn't seem to be doing all that well:
1. Crime is up, abortion is up, homosexuality is on the rise, the nation is in debt, etc.  It can be pretty discouraging.
2. But, God has got it all under control.
6. God has a purpose in what He does even if we have a heard time understanding what that purpose is.
1. Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."
2. We live in a world of Change
1. The evidence of change is all around us:
1. Spring becomes Summer.  Summer becomes Fall.  Fall becomes Winter.  Winter becomes Spring.  The young become aged and the new becomes old.
1. My computer runs slower and my body gets weaker.....
2. And the times change.
1. The millennium is here.  Wellspring is closing.
2. Change: You will be wondering about where to go to church next year.
1. But don't worry.  God is in control.
3. Did you know that change is good.
1. Change helps you not become grace-potato Christians.
2. Change helps you learn to adapt to new situations and to grow inside.
4. Christians go through some of the greatest changes.
1. First we are blind, dead sinners.  Then we are made alive.
2. Then we discover more of our sinfulness and God continues to change our hearts.
1. God wants to make our hearts more like his.
5. Change can be quite good.
1. Change stretches you.
1. It challenges you by causing you to grow through the trials and tribulations of life.
2. Change keeps you from getting bored.
1. Boring job cutting foam rubber.
6. Are you the same person you were 10 years ago?  5 years ago?  1 year ago?
7. Even though there are things that are contradictory, each has its place.
3. However, God Does not Change
1. Imaging what it would be like if God changed on us.
1. What if one day he were nice and another day he was mean.
2. Or what if he altered between merciful and judgmental, or one day he decided to answer occurs in the next he did not.
2. I thank God that he is unchangeable.
3. That means you can count on Him to always be there and to do the right thing.
4. He wont' change His mind about you.
4. V. 11. God has set everything for its time so enjoy yourself.
   (vv.12-13, AI know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one's lifetime; ¹³ moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor, it is the gift of God.)
1. You should make the best of each event and of each season of change.
2. You should enjoy your life.  It's okay to have fun as a Christian.
1. Enjoy your children if you have them.  Enjoy your car, your home, your health, and enjoy the fact that we have had a good church here that has done well and worshiped God.
2. Enjoy going fishing, shopping at the mall, washing dishes, coming to church, etc.
3. God has made every thing beautiful in his time.
1. Even the painful things are set in place by God
4. Everything has its purpose, even the cold winter storms that bring rain.
5. You must wait with patience for the full revelation of God's mysterious providence.
1. All you can see is the middle of God's work, not its end.  He knows the beginning from the end and He has you where He wants you.
6. But also, set aside place in your heart where you trust God to provide all of your needs because he loves you so much.
7. So, I will leave you with v. top 10 things you won't have to worry about in the coming years.
1. The Bible will still have the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move.
4. God will still inhabit praise.
5. There will still be anointed preaching.
6. There will still be the singing of praise.
7. God will still pour out blessings on His people.
8. There will be room at the cross for His children.
9. Jesus loves you.
10. Jesus still saves.