Soteriology: The Doctrine of Salvation - Part 3 - The Season of Salvation

Temple Baptist Church - 10-5-2025

Ecclesiastes 3:1-15

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  The word “Ecclesiastes” means the assembler or the one who gathers people together.  In context, it refers to a preacher, teacher, or speaker in an assembly—someone who gathers people to teach wisdom.

 

1.  The subject of Ecclesiastes is the search for the true meaning of life.

 

2.  The Key verse of the book is Ecclesiastes 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

 

B.  Chapter 3 teaches several biblical truths.  “To everything … to every purpose … He hath made all things beautiful … in His time!”  The Absolute Sovereignty of an Almighty God absolutely controls ALL things!  That should “ring your bell” this morning.

 

1.  Verse 1:a.  “To every thing there is a season.  Verses 2-8 enumerate 27 different times—13 times of joy and 13 times of sorrow.  Life is full of joy and laughter, but also of hardship and sorrow.  Times of encouragement and discouragement make up life.

 

2.  Verse 1b.  “A time to every purpose under heaven.”  Here, we find that everything that God made has a purpose.  The handiwork of God declares His wisdom and power.  Every second of each day has purpose because it is God’s time. 

 

3.  Verse 11.  “He hath made all things beautiful in His time.”  Everything mentioned in verses 2-8, both good and bad, has a time of purpose.  As humans, we go through each of the 27 times mentioned and find Romans 8:28 and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 explained.  All becomes beautiful when done in God’s time.

 

4.  Verse 15.  “That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.”  Here, we find history repeated in the present, with future history also prophesied.  God gives history to those in the present as a teacher.

 

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
— George Santayana (philosopher, 1905)

 

C.  When we think of seasons, we think of change.  What comes to mind first of all are the four seasons of weather: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.  Genesis 8:22 says, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”  Now it is Fall and I am thankful for it.

 

D.  In each of the 27 mentions of time, there is a dramatic change between each part of the pairs, and these changes are both drastic and life changing.

 

E.  Now, why this introduction? Because there are distinct "seasons" in salvation. While God is gracious and patient, not wanting anyone to perish, there is a specific season of salvation that can be either long or short. Many of us have been taught that we can be saved at any time during our lives, as long as we are still breathing. Although this is a comforting thought, it is not a reliable truth, nor is it supported by Biblical teachings.

 

F.  The Seasons of Salvation.

 

1.  Spiritual Seedtime – our children, though Adamic in nature, are born in innocence.

 

a.  Small children do not know right from wrong and must be taught the difference and how to do the right things.  It is in this time of innocence that parents, family, churches, and pastors must teach them right and wrong from the Seed of the Word of God!

 

b.  This season is longer with some children as saved parents begin to teach them the Bible at an early age, also depending upon the length of time that these children reside at home.

 

c.  Therefore, this season of Spiritual Seedtime varies in length, so it is imperative that our children are taught spiritual truth and also be shown spiritual truth through the faithful lives of the parents.

 

d.  The best time to be saved is illustrated in young Timothy.  “And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15)  A time before the world can corrupt both minds and lives.

 

2.  Spiritual Summer.  Now, as the youths come to physical maturity, a time when children who leave home experience both the joys and the heat of summer. 

 

a.  The saved young adults continue in their spiritual growth, while the ones who refused to get saved or did not have a good spiritual home to grow up in are bombarded by the attractions of the world, accompanied by the heat of judgment for the same.

 

b.  Though the gospel still saves, they are no longer saturated with it because they are now out of church and under the influence of the “god of this world,” who hates and destroys them.

 

3.  Spiritual Fall.  Middle age.  Lives that are now so busy trying to earn a living, heavily in debt through unbiblical spending, and no time for church or the gospel.

 

a.  The process of hardening of the heart is now multiplied as they distance themselves from the gospel because they become humanistic, a philosophy taught be Satan.  The god of self!  I am fully matured and can do what I want, when I want, where I want, and as much as I want.

 

b.  A dangerous time in life where man becomes self-made and self-sufficient.  He needs no one, much less God.

 

4.  Winter Spiritually.  Old age.  Now people have become set in their ways and are either saved and godly, or they are lost and don’t want to hear about it.

 

a.  There is an old saying that I use often: “It is hard to beat out of the hide what is bred in the bone.”  The hardest people to reach are the elderly.

 

b.  Their time is short, but their hearts are hardened!  They are dying but still do not want God or His Gospel!

 

c.  There are several instances in the New Testament where people came close to being saved, but failed to come God’s way.

 

1)  The Rich Young Ruler - Matthew 19:22  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

 

2)  The Scribe - Mark 12:34  And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

 

3)  King Agrippa - Acts 26:28  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

 

4)  Felix - Acts 24:25  And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.  (This period of decision for Felix covered a period of app. 2 years!)

 

5)  In each of these instances, I do not find them getting any closer to salvation.

 

Conclusion:  Now, I have said all that to say this: 

 

1.  There comes a time in life, after rejection of God and the Gospel, when people cross God’s deadline and are turned over to a reprobate mind that cannot receive the things of God.  Notice that I said cannot, not will not.  Their “will not” has now become the “cannot” because God is done with them.  Their eternity is now set and death and hell await.

 

2.  Do not put salvation off because only “now” is the time of salvation.  No other time or place is guaranteed!  “Life is short; death is sure; sin the cause; and Christ the cure!”

 

3.  God wants you to be saved:  1 Timothy 2:4  Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

 

4.  But God will not force you to be saved.  Romans 10:16  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

The Bundle Of Life

Temple Baptist Church - 10-9-2016

1 Samuel 25:28-29; Ecclesiastes 11:8-12:14

 

Introduction: 

 

A.  In our text verses, we find the words “Bundle of Life.”  When I think of a bundle, my mind sees an enclosed bag. 

 

1.  Something that is bound up so that the things that are inside are kept safe.  When I think of a bundle or bag, I think of a container whose contents are not revealed until the bundle or bag is opened. 

 

2.  Hebrews 12 speaks of the “race that is set before us.”  I believe that each of us has been given a “Bundle of Life.”  I do not believe in luck but I do believe in providence.  In Ecclesiastes 11-12, we find verses that hold to this truth.

 

B.  My, how time flies and our perspective changes!

 

1.  I remember, while in Grade School, looking across the street at the High School and thinking how old and mature the students were.  I couldn’t wait until I could cross the street and be grown up.

 

2.  I remember, while in High School, going to Western Kentucky University for “College Days” and seeing the students there and thinking, “My, how old they are!  How mature and grown up they are!”

 

3.  I remember the neighborhood that Barbara and I grew up in was full of young families with kids everywhere.  The kids grew up, the families on the street grew old.  Later, we went back to the same neighborhood and saw kids on the streets again as the older died and the young families moved back in and raised children.  Now, the streets are once again empty of children.

 

4.  There was a time when teens were old in my perspective; young people in their 20’s and 30’s were old; middle aged where ancient and the grey haired were virtually gone.  My perspective is still changing as I grow older and now I am 68 years old.

 

5.  We look around at the saints that have been gone for some years now, the saints that are now the aged ones, the young couples getting married, and the youth that are just getting started—and see the reality of the complete “Bundle of Life.”

 

C.  As I reflect back, I see that:

 

1.  Life Is Fragile as a vapor - James 4:14  Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

 

2.  Life Is Swift as a weaver’s shuttle - Job 7:6  My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.

 

3.  Life Is Mysterious as the wind - Job 7:7   O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

 

4.  Life Is Full of troubles - Job 14:1-2  Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.  He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

 

5.  Life Is Temporary in nature - Psalms 39:5  Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

 

In Ecclesiastes 11-12, I see three phases of life: youth, manhood/womanhood, and old age. 

 

1.  The Days Of Youth - 11:9-12:1  (These should be days of Decision!)  REPENTANCE

 

a.  Days Of Rejoicing - “in thy youth” - vs. 11:9a (Days of health, little responsibility, fun and laughter)

 

b.  Days Of Realization - “thee into judgment” - vs. 11:9b (For all these things God will judge in the end)

 

c.  Days Of Removal - “sorrow from thy heart…put away evil” - vs. 11:10 (Sin’s result is sorrow, regret, and bondage)

 

d.  Days Of Remembrance - “Remember now thy Creator” - vs. 12:1 (The time to set your heart and serve is when you can give the most)

 

2.  The Days Of Manhood - 12:1-12:5  (These should be days of Determination!) 

RESOLVE

 

a.  Days Of Wickedness - “evil days” - vs. 12:1a (Satan is working hard to defile, defame, and destroy your family)

 

b.  Days Of War - “have no pleasure in them” - vs. 12:1b (Spiritual warfare is essential)

 

c.  Days Of Work - “strong men shall bow themselves” - vs. 12:3 (There is much to be done and little time to accomplish it)

 

d.  Days Of Walk - “afraid of that which is high” - vs. 12:5a (The key to spiritual victory is the fear of the Lord)

 

e.  Days Of Witness - “because man goeth to his long home” - vs. 12:5b (Give your family and friends the witness of a good profession)

 

3.  The Days Of Old Age - 12:5-12:14  (These will be days of Deliberation!)  REFLECTION

 

a.  Days Of Realization - “man goeth to his long home” - vs. 5b-7 (The only important thing is serving the Lord)

 

b.  Days Of Reflection - “dust…dust...spirit to God who gave it” - vs. 12:7 (Life is temporal and you won’t be here long)

 

c.  Days Of Regret - “all is vanity” - vs. 12:8 (Years wasted cannot be brought back)

 

d.  Days Of Resolve - “whole duty of man” - vs. 12:13-14 (Dedicate your life to the Lord and live only for Him)

 

Memorial Day – 2013

Temple Baptist Church - 5-26-2013

 

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

 

Introduction:

A. First of all, I want to recognize all of our church members who served in the Armed Forces with their branch of service. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to both this nation and my family.

B. Tomorrow is Memorial Day. A day set aside to remember our war dead.

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5th, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971. On this day we need to pause and thank God for the men and the women who served our Armed Forces to bring Liberty and Justice for all to our country. May we truly pause and remember their sacrifice, their service, and their blood.

C. In all of the American wars, either by our country or within our country, over 45,000,00 men and women have served in wartime with app. 1,196,800 war dead and app. 1,500,000+ wounded in action. That is a tremendous number of young lives that have been given and forever changed while affording us the freedom that we now enjoy.

D. Freedom in a privilege, not a right! There are many in this country that enjoys the freedoms while misusing them. We do not have the freedom to do wrong in this land. We do not have the freedom to live here and defame this land. America has had some sordidness in its history and still is not a perfect land, but it is my country and I say, “Love it or leave it.”

E. War is not something that any sane man or woman wants, but we find in our text that war is sometimes a necessity. Men who will not fight will not remain free. Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death!” It is the cry of the patriot! It is the prerequisite for freedom! New Hampshire’s moto is “Live free or die!” In order to live free, men must sometimes die.

F. I want to look at the subject of “War” as found in the Scriptures for a while this morning. God has much to say on the subject: on both physical and spiritual warfare. And, by the way, there are causalities in both kinds of war. Men and women have died to give us our Bible. Men and women have died in order to give us religious liberty. Our spiritual heritage has been paid for by the blood of Christ and the blood of believers through the ages.

1. War Is A Necessary Thing – Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

a. God taught Israel to war - Numbers 1:1-3 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first [day] of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; 3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. (God said that, when the men were old enough, they were to go to war!)

b. God taught King David to war - Ps 144:1 Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight: (David was a man after God’s own heart and was a man of war. If you do not believe that spiritual men can be warriors, just ask the enemies of Israel what they thought of King David.)

c. Without the fight we are enslaved! - Numbers 10:9 And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

d. Without war we perish! - Psalms 69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

2. War Is Often A Right Thing – Ex0dus 15:3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. (God is good and God is a man or war!)

a. We must war for our nation - Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. (We must not give up on America because it is a good land; a God given land and is under constant attack from both without and within. We must fight our outside enemies! We must fight our inside enemies! To be passive in fight is to become the slaves of others.)

b. We must war for the Faith ONCE delivered (God expects you and I to maintain and battle for it) - Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (The Word of God is under constant attack but we stand and fight for it. It is a good fight! It is a right fight!)

c. We must war for the Old Paths - Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where [is] the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk [therein]. (The old ways are rapidly fading into the “cesspool” of liberalism and worldliness. The old ways of doctrinal purity and stability are constantly being undermined from within while the old ways of holiness and separation are under constant attack from both within and without. We stand and fight for them. It is a good fight! It is a right fight!)

d. We must war for our Families - Psalms 78:5 -8 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. (Our families and our children are under constant attack and we must stand and fight for them. It is a good fight! It is a right fight!)

3. War Is A Perpetual Thing - Exodus 17:16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD [will have] war with Amalek from generation to generation. (I once had a bumper sticker that said, “Eternal vigilance is the price for liberty.” The fight will not end until the Prince of Peace comes.)

Isaiah 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

a. So, until then, let us fight Advisedly (A right fight!) - Proverbs 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

b. So, until then, let us fight Fearlessly (A willing fight!) - Psalms 27:3-5 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

c. So, until then, let us fight Continually (A perpetual fight!) - 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Bringing In The New Year

Temple Baptist Church - 1-1-2012

Ecclesiastes 3:15

Introduction:

A. It is amazing just how quickly this past year as gone. The days have passed faster than a weaver’s shuttle. 2012 is here! The date alone sounds like something out of a science fiction book.

B. As we face a New Year, we look forward to it with excitement and expectation. Not one of us knows what lies ahead so the New Year is unknown territory for each of us. You can go to a Chinese Restaurant and read a Fortune Cookie but it will be of no help. No one can predict the future according to Proverbs 27:1 and James 4.

C. Though we cannot know future events (I am not including prophesied events such as the Rapture, etc.), we can know certain things that will forewarn us as well as prepare us for the New Year. According to our text, history is prophetic.

Ecclesiastes 3:15 That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.

D. We need to understand that history repeats itself; therefore, we can be both forewarned and forearmed! God holds you and I accountable for what we know and have seen! I still maintain that this is the most accountable generation that has ever lived for two reasons: the example of the past and Bible that we hold in our hands.

E. Hindsight is often said to be “20-20.” Though this is not necessarily always true, it is for the most part. We look back through life and see where we made both good and bad decisions as well as the results of those decisions.

F. It is with blessed assurance that I can say that the future is “20-20” also! Hindsight proves to the believer that this Bible that I hold in my hands is right: it works!

2 Peter 1:19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: (We can read it, heed it, and trust it. It is a proven Book! Therefore, we can face 2012 with hope and confidence.)

G. Though we do not know what this year holds, there are some things that we can know for certainty.

1. You Can Know For Certain That Satan Will Be Active - Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Do not expect to go to heaven on “flowery beds of ease” as long as Satan is not in the Lake of Fire. He hates all that God loves.)

2. You Can Know For Certain That Society Will Deteriorate - 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (Sin will escalate until our Lord comes to sit upon the throne of His Father brother.)

3. You Can Know For Certain That Sin’s Wages Will Be Reaped - Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (The Judge of all the earth will do right.)

4. You Can Know For Certain That God’s Grace Will Be Sufficient - 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (God will never place more upon us than we can bear. Whatever comes in 2012 will be alright.)

5. You Can Know For Certain That God’s Mercy Will Be Available - Lamentations 3:22-23 It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. (23) They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. (Forgiveness is assured for the repentant heart.)

6. You Can Know For Certain That Your Needs Will Be Met - Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (David said that he had not seen the righteous forsaken nor his seed begging bread. We have been well taken care of thus far!)

7. You Can Know For Certain That Your Faithfulness Will Be Rewarded - 2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: (8) Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. (Your labor is not vain in the Lord!)

8. You Can Know For Certain That The Scripture Will Be Right - Matthew 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (Not one jot nor tittle has failed nor will it fail!)

9. You Can Know For Certain That God Can Be Trusted – Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him. (God will still be God!)

Conclusion: I want to leave each of us with a couple of very familiar verses this morning as we begin a New Year. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Seasons

Temple Baptist Church - 2-7-2010

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

Introduction:

A. Seasons are a way of life for us.

1. There are seasons of Nature. As long as I can remember, there has been spring, summer, fall, and winter. I thank God for the changes of seasons because by the time you get tired of one season, it changes. I love the winter but it wears on me after a while. I love spring but it just seems too short. I endure summer for the most part because, the older I get, the more the SC heat gets to me. Fall is a blessing! I love the color of the leaves changing, wood smoke in the air around the house, and breaking out the sweaters. Winter is fun if it snows (not too much). Seasons change.

Genesis 8:22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

2. There are seasons of Life. King David said, “I have been young, and now am old!” Childhood, youth, middle age, old age, and second childhood! We have all ages here in the church from those ready to be born to those in the winter of life.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:1 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes … Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

B. The Bible is full of seasons:

1. Seasons of Israel - Sin, Servitude, Supplication, Saviors

2. Seasons of Churches - Excitement, growth, satisfaction, decline

3. Seasons of Christianity - New birth, rapid spiritual growth, disappointment, maturity

4. Seasons of the Unsaved - Ignorance, enlightenment, conviction, rejection, reprobate

I Want To Look At A Few Seasons This Morning:

1. Seasons of Sin - Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

2. Seasons of Preaching - 2 Timothy 4:2-3 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

3. Seasons of Conviction - Genesis 6:3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

4. Seasons of Salvation - Acts 24:25-27 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound. (2 years)

5. Seasons of Suffering - 1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle [you].

6. Seasons of Sorrow - 1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

7. Seasons of Reward - Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Memorial Day – 2008

Temple Baptist Church - 05-26-2008

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Introduction: First of all, I want to recognize all of our church members who served in the Armed Forces. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your service to both this nation and my family.

A. Tomorrow is Memorial Day. A day set aside to remember our war dead.
Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on May 5th, 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery . The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971. On this day we need to pause and thank God for the men and the women who served our Armed Forces to bring Liberty and Justice for all to our country. May we truly pause and remember their sacrifice, their service, and their blood.

B. In all of the American wars, either by our country or within our country, over 45,000,000 men and women have served in wartime with app. 1,175,000 war dead and app. 1,500,000 wounded in action. That is a tremendous number of young lives that have been given and forever changed while affording us the freedom that we now enjoy.

C. Freedom in a privilege, not a right! There are many in this country who enjoy the freedoms while misusing them. We do not have the freedom to do wrong in this land. We do not have the freedom to live here and defame this land. America has had some sordidness in its history and still is not a perfect land, but it is my country and I say, “Love it or leave it.”

D. War is not something that any sane man or woman wants, but we find in our text that war is sometimes a necessity. Men who will not fight will not remain free. Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death!” It is the cry of the patriot and is the prerequisite for freedom. In order to live free, men must sometimes die.

E. I want to look at the subject of “War” as found in the Scriptures for a while this morning. God has much to say on the subject: on both physical and spiritual warfare. And, by the way, there are causalities in both kinds of war. Men and women have died to give us our Bible. Men and women have died in order to give us religious liberty. Our spiritual heritage has been paid for by the blood of Christ and the blood of believers through the ages.

1. War Is A Necessary Thing – Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

a. God taught Israel to war - Numbers 1:1-3 And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first [day] of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls; 3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies. (God said that, when the men were old enough, they were to go to war!)

b. God taught King David to war - Ps 144:1 Blessed [be] the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, [and] my fingers to fight: (David was a man after God’s own heart and was a man of war. If you do not believe that spiritual men can be warriors, just ask the enemies of Israel what they thought of King David.)

c. Without the fight we are enslaved! - Numbers 10:9 And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

d. Without war we perish! - Psalms 69:4 They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, [being] mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored [that] which I took not away.

2. War Is A Good Thing – Exodus 15:3 The LORD [is] a man of war: the LORD [is] his name. (God is good and God is a man or war!)

a. We must war for our nation - Psalms 9:17 The wicked shall be turned into hell, [and] all the nations that forget God. (We must not give up on America because it is a good land; a God given land and is under constant attack from both without and within. We must fight our outside enemies! We must fight our inside enemies!)

b. We must war for the Faith - Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (The Word of God is under constant attack but we stand and fight for it. It is a good fight! It is a right fight!)

c. We must war for the Old Paths - Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where [is] the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk [therein]. (The old ways of holiness and separation are under constant attack but we stand and fight for them. It is a good fight! It is a right fight!)

d. We must war for our Families - Psalms 78:5 -8 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children: 6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: 7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments: 8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God. (Our families and our children are under constant attack and we must stand and fight for them. It is a good fight! It is a right fight!)

3. War Is A Perpetual Thing - Exodus 17:16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn [that] the LORD [will have] war with Amalek from generation to generation. (I once had a bumper sticker that said, “Eternal vigilance is the price for liberty.” The fight will not end until the Prince of Peace comes.)
Isaiah 2:4 And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

a. So, until then, let us fight Advisedly - Proverbs 20:18 [Every] purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war.

b. So, until then, let us fight Fearlessly - Psalms 27:3-5 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this [will] I [be] confident. 4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. 5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.

c. So, until then, let us fight Continually - 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:

The Cycle Of Life

Temple Baptist Church 05-04-2008

Ecclesiastes 11:8-12:14

Introduction: In our text verses, we find the “Cycle of Life.” My, how time flies and our perspective changes!

1. I remember, while in Grade School, looking across the street at the High School and thinking how old and mature the students were. I couldn’t wait until I could cross the street and be grown up.

2. I remember, while in High School, going to Western Kentucky University for “College Days” and seeing the students there and thinking, “My, how old they are! How mature and grown up they are!”

3. I remember the neighborhood that Barbara and I grew up in was full of young families with kids everywhere. The kids grew up, the families on the street grew old. Later, we went back to the same neighborhood and saw kids on the streets again as the older died and the young families moved back in and raised children. Now, the streets are once again empty of children.

4. There was a time when teens were old in my perspective; young people in their 20’s and 30’s were old; middle aged where ancient and the grey haired were virtually gone. My perspective is still changing as I grow older and, in less than two weeks, will hit 60.

5. My wife used to say that I could hug any girl up to 9 and any woman over 60 but nothing in between. That has certainly changed! Now, she has to be at least 80!

6. We look around at the saints that have been gone for some years now, the saints that are now the aged ones, and the youth that are just getting started—and see the reality of the “Cycle of Life.”

A. Life Is Fragile as a vapor - James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

B. Life Is Swift as a weaver’s shuttle - Job 7:6 My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope.

C. Life Is Mysterious as the wind - Job 7:7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.

D. Life Is Full of troubles - Job 14:1-2 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

E. Life Is Temporary in nature - Psalms 39:5 Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah.

Genesis 47:9 And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage [are] an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been, and have not attained unto the days of the years of the life of my fathers in the days of their pilgrimage.

THREE PHASES OF LIFE: YOUTH, MANHOOD, OLD AGE

1. The Days Of Youth - 11:9-12:1 (These should be days of Decision!) REPENTANCE

A. Days Of Rejoicing - “in thy youth” - vs. 11:9a (Days of health, little responsibility, fun and laughter)

B. Days Of Realization - “thee into judgment” - vs. 11:9b (For all these things God will judge in the end)

C. Days Of Removal - “sorrow from thy heart…put away evil” - vs. 11:10 (Sin’s result is sorrow, regret, and bondage)

D. Days Of Remembrance - “Remember now thy Creator” - vs. 12:1 (The time to set your heart and serve is when you can give the most)

2. The Days Of Manhood - 12:1-12:5 (These should be days of Determination!) RESOLVE

A. Days Of Wickedness - “evil days” - vs. 12:1a (Satan is working hard to defile, defame, and destroy your family)

B. Days Of War - “have no pleasure in them” - vs. 12:1b (Spiritual warfare is essential)

C. Days Of Work - “strong men shall bow themselves” - vs. 12:3 (There is much to be done and little time to accomplish it)

D. Days Of Walk - “afraid of that which is high” - vs. 12:5a (The key to spiritual victory is the fear of the Lord)

E. Days Of Witness - “because man goeth to his long home” - vs. 12:5b (Give your family and friends the witness of a good profession)

3. The Days Of Old Age - 12:5-12:14 (These will be days of Deliberation!) REFLECTION

A. Days Of Realization - “man goeth to his long home” - vs. 5b-7 (The only important thing is serving the Lord)

B. Days Of Reflection - “dust…dust...spirit to God who gave it” - vs. 12:7 (Life is temporal and you won’t be here long)

C. Days Of Regret - “all is vanity” - vs. 12:8 (Years wasted cannot be brought back)

D. Days Of Resolve - “whole duty of man” - vs. 12:13-14 (Dedicate your life to the Lord and live only for Him)