“A TIME TO KEEP, AND A TIME TO THROW AWAY”

INTRODUCTION

A. Ecclesiastes 3:1

1. “The words of the Preacher” (1:1), Solomon, inform us that a time is available for every event that transpires in the lives of men.

2. For the last several weeks, we’ve been studying this subject.

B. Ecclesiastes 3:6c-d Our study resumes today with “a time to be keep, and a time to throw away.”

I. “A TIME TO KEEP”

The Hebrew word translated as “keep” is one which means either “to protect” or “to attend to.”

A. God’s Commandments

1. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 The conclusion to Solomon’s treatise on the purpose of life is that we must keep the commandments of God, because we will be judged accordingly.

2. Matthew 19:16-19; John 8:51

a. Jesus’ answer to the question, “What… shall I do that I may have eternal life?” is, “keep the commandments.”

b. Keeping His word prevents us from seeing death.

3. John 14:15, 21-24; 15:9-10; 1st John 2:3-5; 5:3 Our love for Christ is demonstrated in keeping His commandments.

4. James 1:22; Matthew 7:21-27 We must be doers of God’s will in order to please Him.

B. Unity Of The Spirit

1. Ephesians 4:1-6

a. As Christians, we are besought by the apostle to endeavor “to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (3).

b. The word “unity” in both the Greek from which this is translated, as well as our own language, simply means “oneness.”

c. We must acknowledge the oneness of:

i. The body (4), which is the church (Ephesians 1:22-23; Colossians 1:18, 24).

ii. The Spirit (4).

iii. Our hope (4).

iv. The Lord (5).

v. The faith (5).

vi. Baptism (5).

vii. God the Father (6).

2. Romans 12:16; 15:5-6; 1st Corinthians 1:10; Philippians 1:27; 2:1-2; 3:16 Christians are expected to be a people who are “of the same mind,” “likeminded,” and “perfectly joined together in the same mind.”

3. Ephesians 4:11-16 We are to attain “unity of the faith” (13) by being built up in the body of Christ (11-12, 16) wherein we may learn the difference between the truth (15) and the various doctrines of men (14).

C. Self

1. Deuteronomy 4:9 “Lest you forget” what God has done for you, “diligently keep yourself.”

2. James 1:27 “To keep oneself unspotted from the world” is the very essence of pure religion.

a. Acts 15:29

b. 1st John 5:18-21

3. 1st Timothy 5:22 “Keep yourself pure” by not sharing in other people’s sins.

a. 2nd John 9-11 It is possible to share in the sins of others by making no distinction among those we greet and openly receive.

b. Ephesians 5:1-14

i. “Do not be partakers with” the immoral (6).

ii. “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness” (11).

4. Jude 20-21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God.”

a. Not that God will ever stop loving us (Romans 8:38-39).

b. But, we might turn away from loving Him (Revelation 2:4-5).

D. Brethren

1. Genesis 4:9

a. Cain very sarcastically asked God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

b. He failed, but yes, God expected him to be his brother’s keeper. Otherwise, He would not have asked, “Where is Abel your brother?”

2. 1st John 3:10-15; 2:9-11; 4:20-21 In the first place, we must keep our brethren by loving them.

3. Romans 14:14-21; 1st Corinthians 8:12-13 One way in which we keep our brethren in love is to avoid unnecessarily offending them.

4. Galatians 6:1; Matthew 18:15; 2nd Thessalonians 3:14-15 Keep your brethren by being willing to correct them when they’re in error.

E. Rebuke

1. Proverbs 13:18; 15:5 Considering that brethren ought to rebuke one another’s errors in order to keep them, those rebukes we receive ought also to be kept.

2. Proverbs 15:32 By rebuke, we may gain understanding, but to refuse it is to hate ourselves.

3. Proverbs 9:8 We ought to love those who care enough to correct us.

F. Good Examples

1. Psalm 37:37 The conduct of the blameless and upright is to be marked, or kept.

2. Philippians 3:17; 2:29-30; 1st Corinthians 16:17-18; 3rd John 11-12; 1st Thessalonians 5:12-13 It is very important that we take note of good examples and pattern our own conduct accordingly.

II. “A TIME TO THROW AWAY”

Just as there is a time to keep, some things must be discarded.

A. Burdens God desires that we cast our burdens upon him.

1. Psalm 55:22 2. 1st Peter 5:6-7 3. Matthew 6:25-34 B. Sin 1. Acts 3:19; Acts 19:19 Throwing away sin is the idea of repentance.

2. Colossians 3:8-9; Ephesians 4:17-24 We need to “put off” all kinds of sin because we have “put off the old man.”

3. Romans 6:3-6 The old man is done away with in baptism, wherein “newness of life” is to be gained

Grace Be With You, Bryan Matthew Dockens

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