Sermon Tone Analysis

No Control Over Changing Times

purpose—as there is a fixed “season” in God’s “purposes” (for example, He has fixed the “time” when man is “to be born,” and “to die,” Ec 3:2), so there is a lawful “time” for man to carry out his “purposes” and inclinations.

God does not condemn, but approves of, the use of earthly blessings (Ec 3:12); it is the abuse that He condemns, the making them the chief end (1 Co 7:31).

The earth, without human desires, love, taste, joy, sorrow, would be a dreary waste, without water; but, on the other hand, the misplacing and excess of them, as of a flood, need control.

Reason and revelation are given to control them.

A Time to Die

15 My times are in your hands;

deliver me from the hands of my enemies,

from those who pursue me.

So Jesus said to them, “My time is not yet here, but your time is always opportune.

2289 ἕτοιμος (hetoimos), η (ē), ον (on): adj.; ≡ Str 2092; TDNT 2.704—LN 77.2 ready, prepared (Mt 24:44; 25:10; Lk 22:33; Ac 23:15, 21; 2Co 9:5; 10:6, 16; Tit 3:1; 1Pe 3:15)

2092.

ἑτοιμος hĕtŏimŏs, het-oy´-mos; from an old noun ἕτεος hĕtĕŏs (fitness); adjusted, i.e. ready:—prepared, (made) ready (-iness, to our hand).

God’s purpose in a meaningless life (3:1–5:20)

Timeliness of events (3:1–8)

Impossible to know God’s plans (3:9–15)

Injustice, oppression, and deception (3:16–5:18)

There is an appointed time for everything.

And there is a time for every event under heaven—

A time to give birth and a time to die;

A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

A time to kill and a time to heal;

A time to tear 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 throw stones and a time to gather stones;

A time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.

7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

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