The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. Ecclesiastes 1:1
Someone posed a puzzling question about our future: if you were to be presented with an envelope containing the exact time and date of your own death, do you open and read it? My answer would be no, I don’t need to even think about it; what about you? Actually it doesn’t matter because there is no one on earth who could give you that envelope. But there is Someone in Heaven who could. Among the many profound statements in the book of Ecclesiastes is this from Chapter 3: To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven, a time to be born, and a time to die. God has all the answers.
Our text identifies the earthly author of the book of Ecclesiastes: the preacher. Most tell us that Solomon wrote the book, and knowing of his great wisdom, we would agree. The book has plenty of fascinating thoughts and observations, and nobody can read it carefully without realizing that God wants us to think about our life and what it all means. And that little statement, a time to be born and a time to die, places our whole life into perspective. Consider the words of 1 Timothy 6:7: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can carry nothing out. It makes no difference what we have made of ourselves, what we have made to fill our bank account, or even who we have made as our friends. Think of the little chorus of C.T. Studd’s poem: Only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.
From almost three thousand years ago, the preacher has a message for you today. There is a time for you to die. As a Christian, you do not fear death yourself; you prepared for your entry into eternity by trusting the Saviour Who will meet you there. But what of this life will be there? Will you hear your Lord’s commendation, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’? – Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/Z7F9hu4volk