“A TIME TO KILL, AND A TIME TO HEAL”

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. We began studying this subject last Lord’s Day.

B. Ecclesiastes 3:3a-b Our study continues today with “a time to kill and a time to heal.”

I. “A TIME TO KILL”

A. Ordinarily Forbidden

1. Exodus 20:13; (Deuteronomy 5:17) Under the Old Law, within the Ten Commandments, it was plainly written, “You shall not murder.”

2. Matthew 19:16-19; (Mark 10:19 / Luke 18:20) This statute entered the New Testament when Christ repeated it.

3. Romans 13:8-10 Paul, an apostle, confirmed it to be a part of the Law of Christ by explaining that murder violates the command to love one another, for love is in no way harmful.

4. 1st John 3:15 “No murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

5. Revelation 22:14-15 Murderers are among those to be found outside the gates of the city, wherein is the tree of life.

6. Revelation 21:8 “Murderers… shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.”

7. Galatians 5:19-21

a. Murder is described as one of the “works of the flesh.”

b. “Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

B. Permissible Circumstances While murder is always forbidden, some circumstances justly call for the taking of human life.

1. Capital Punishment

a. Romans 13:1-4 “The governing authorities… are appointed by God” to “bear the sword” as God’s vengeance against evildoers.

b. John 19:10-11 Jesus acknowledged that a governor’s power to execute or release a prisoner is given from above.

c. Acts 25:11 Although he had not “committed anything deserving of death,” himself, Paul indicated that there is no reason to “object to dying” in the case of those who have.

i. Genesis 9:6 Before the Law of Moses, in the days of the patriarchs, the death penalty was to be exacted against those guilty of homicide.

ii. Exodus 21:12-17; 22:18-20; Leviticus 20:9-16, 27 Under the Old Covenant, God insisted on capital punishment for those guilty of:

Murder.

Parental abuse, either physically or verbally.

Kidnapping.

Witchcraft.

Idolatry.

Sexual perversion including:

Bestiality.

Adultery.

Incest.

Homosexuality.

iii. Romans 1:18-32

In our present age, under the gospel, the penalty of death is not reserved for murder, alone.

All ungodliness may rightly be punished with death by civil government.

Nevertheless, considering that every living adult is guilty (Romans 3:23) of that which is deserving of death (Romans 6:23), it is reasonable and merciful that such punishment be reserved for the most physically harmful crimes.

2. Military Combat

a. Romans 13:1-4 The same scriptures that authorize a government to execute its own wicked citizens authorize that government to wage war against evil regimes.

b. Luke 3:3, 10-14; Acts 10:1-8, 34-48; 11:18 It is possible for a person to be both a soldier of Christ and a soldier for his government.

i. Those who came to John, as he preached repentance, asking what was necessary of them, included soldiers. These men were given specific instructions, but they were not told to desert their assignments as warriors.

ii. Cornelius was a devout and God-fearing centurion in command over devout soldiers, who repented and was baptized without any indication that his career changed.

3. Domestic Defense

a. Luke 11:21 The Lord implicitly approves of a man arming himself to guard his home.

b. Luke 12:39 Jesus knows that homeowners protect their homes from theft and vandalism.

c. Luke 22:36-38

i. He even instructed His disciples, directly, to arm themselves, indicating that it was better to have a sword than an extra cloak.

ii. Some have been heard to oppose this by suggesting that by “sword” Jesus merely intended a tool like a pocket knife.

Let it be known, however, that the Greek word here rendered “sword” is a derivative of words meaning “war,” “battle,” and “controversy.” Pocket knives do not engender war!

Matthew 10:34 The “sword” is considered the opposite of “peace.”

Acts 12:2; 16:27; Hebrews 11:37 The “sword” Jesus spoke of was a deadly weapon, for it was regularly used as a killing implement.

iii. Of course, in arming twelve men with just two swords, Christ clearly did not intend for them to be an offensive force on the field of mortal combat. He did, however, prepare them to defend themselves on the treacherous roads they would soon be traveling without Him.

II. “A TIME TO HEAL”

A. Physically

1. Miracles

a. There was a time when healing occurred through miraculous means.

i. Matthew 4:23-25 Healing was a major part of Christ’s ministry.

ii. Luke 9:1-2 Jesus commissioned His twelve to heal as part of their ministry, as well.

iii. Acts 8:4-8 Healing was involved in the ministry of other evangelists in the early church, too.

iv. 1st Corinthians 12:28 Healing is a gift that was given to the church.

b. The time of miraculous divine healing has passed, however.

i. This is verified by the purpose of miracles.

Miracles served to authenticate that the messenger was from God.

Mark 16:17-20

Acts 2:22; 14:3

John 2:23; 3:2; 5:36; 6:14

Hebrews 2:3-4

Once recorded, these signs and wonders had no further purpose.

John 20:30-31

Luke 16:30-31

2nd Timothy 3:16-17

ii. This is verified by the means through which miraculous ability was transferred.

Spiritual gifts were received through the laying on of the hands of apostles.

2nd Timothy 1:6

Acts 19:6

Acts 8:5-17 If apostolic contact were not necessary to receive the Spirit, then why didn’t Philip, who had such gifts. impart them to the Samaritans?

Since there are no apostles of Christ living among us today, nor have there been since shortly after Christ’s time here, there can be no laying on of their hands, and therefore, no spiritual gifts.

iii. This is verified by direct statement.

Zechariah 13:2 God never intended them to be permanent.

1st Corinthians 12:28-13:13

Paul explains to the Corinthian Christians that there are a variety of spiritual gifts, and that not everyone is best fit for certain gifts, so they are dispensed according to God’s desire for the ability of each (12:27-30).

A more excellent way than these gifts exists, that is, they are not the most important aspect of the gospel (12:31).

Tongue speaking, prophecy, and miraculous abilities pale in comparison to sincere love (13:1-2).

Love is so important because it will never fail; whereas spiritual gifts would fail, would cease, would vanish away (13:8).

Two analogies comparing the incomplete and immature to the perfect (13:11-12).

Spiritual gifts were partial, incomplete, but with the coming completion of the New Testament, those partial things would be done away (13:9-10).

James 1:25 It is the gospel, that “law of liberty,” that is called “perfect,” meaning complete.

Spiritual gifts confirmed the truth of the gospel until a complete record was available.

2. Prayer & Visits

a. James 5:14-16 When Christians are sick, the elders of the church ought to be summoned, that they might pray for him and treat his sickness.

b. Matthew 25:36, 39 The Lord expects us to visit the sick.

3. Medicine Some extremist religions prohibit the use of modern medicine.

a. Luke 5:31; Colossians 4:14

i. Jesus acknowledged that those who are sick need a physician.

ii. Luke, the writer of two books of the Bible, was, by profession, a physician.

b. Luke 10:34; James 5:14; 1st Timothy 5:23

i. Jesus described the proper treatment of wounds as involving oil and wine.

ii. Applying oil to the sick is recommended.

iii. The medicinal use of alcohol for the treatment of infirmities is also recommended.

B. Spiritually

1. Psalm 41:4 Our souls need healing from sin.

2. Luke 4:18 Christ declared it His mission “to heal the brokenhearted.”

3. Luke 5:31-32 Jesus is the Physician of our hearts and souls.

4. 1st Peter 2:24 Our healing comes from His wounds!

CONCLUSION

A. There is “a time to kill, and a time to heal.”

B. Will you be healed from the sickness of sin?

Grace Be With You, Bryan Matthew Dockens

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