Living on Borrowed Time

Living on Borrowed Time

2004011

Topic # 0612

Introduction:

A. 2 Thess. 1:3 – Thessalonians praised for an enlarged faith.

1. Done in face of great persecution & affliction.

2. Some of Pauls greatest opposition came at Thessalonica.

3. Acts 17:10-11 – Paul/Silas sent away by night in fear for their lives.

4. Don’t think that persecution went away w/their departure.

5. Despite this – they grew & prospered spiritually.

B. Each of us – take a quick spiritual inventory.

1. How devoted are we to our spiritual responsibilities? Under no persecution?

2. How long do we go w/o spending time alone w/God in BS; prayer; worship?

a) contrast this to David’s attitude – Psa. 55:16-17

b) his relationship w/God was one of the fundamentals.

3. Point: we must make time for spiritual maintenance. Involves time.

C. But yet…we’re so busy. Being “too busy” is firmly entrenched as part of American culture.

1. Belize – great contrast between rich/poor.

2. Poor – live in shacks w/dirt floors. But happy/stress free.

3. Americans: blessed immensely – but many stressed out; burned out.

4. Demands come to us from everyway requiring:

a) time; money; interests; responsibilities

b) we’ve got things to do at work; home; maintain our health

c) duty to country; community

5. So we try to do it ALL – then wonder why we are unhappy when ALL is not accomplished.

D. Take a few minutes today & honestly consider how we can improve our time mgmt skills so that we can become better stewards.

E. Time is a gift from God. It is precious. It needs to be used wisely.

1. We will give an account for how we use it.

2. Col. 4:5 – Christians must conduct themselves with wisdom; and make the most out of every opportunity.

I. Time is the most precious commodity in the world.

A. It is the indispensable element in every activity.

1. it is necessary to life itself.

2. when our time is gone – life ends.

B. Time is the stuff of which life is made. (Ben Franklin)

C. Time is the most important thing in the world (Thomas Edison)

D. Gen. 8:22 – time will remain as long as the earth remains.

E. Regardless of the # of years a person lives – God is the giver of them all.

1. Acts 17:28

2. it is by his grace/mercy that we have any time.

3. He has promised us no day on earth but this day.

4. Let us be grateful for everyday he has given us.

a) 2 Sam. 14:14a – this is reality.

F. We cannot create a moment; borrow a moment; or destroy a moment.

1. we can ONLY make wise or unwise use of it.

II. We are responsible for using time wisely.

A. Gen. 5:21; 25-27 – Methuselah lived 969 years.

1. What would you do w/969 years of life?

2. We aren’t told any details about his life.

B. How long did Jesus live? 33 years.

1. Which one of these 2 accomplished the most?

C. We live in deeds; not years. In thoughts; not breaths.

1. in feelings; not figures on a dial.

D. Consider these scriptures:

1. Psa. 90:12

2. Eph. 5:16; Psa. 39:4-6

E. We have the responsibility for early & immediate obedience.

1. Eccl. 12:1

a) young people – the time is now!

b) If you haven’t yet obeyed the gospel – why delay further?

1) what holds you back?

2) You blessed w/infinite potential to do good for God’s cause!

3) Nothing but you stands in the way!

2. don’t throw away the best years of your life by neglecting righteousness & a relationship w/the Savior.

F. Brethren: look at John 9:4

1. NOW is the time for us to be busy in the work of the Lord.

1. yet so many let physical crowd out the eternal!

2. and then we wonder while our spiritual lives are unproductive & meaningless.

2. Mt. 13:7, 22 – how many of us are letting our spiritual lives be choked out?

1. parents: what are we teaching our children about what is most important?

2. sports or God?

3. homework or doing bible lessons?

4. time in prayer/spiritual devotion or watching TV/video games.

3. How many parents will soon be crying tears of grief in a few years when their children could care less about God & there’s nothing else to blame but mixed up priorities & an inconsistent message?

INSERT SERMON ADDITION…

4. Lk. 10:38-42

1. what is really important? Are we choosing the part that shall not be taken away?

2. what will really matter 100 years from now?

5. 2 Cor. 6:1-2 0 delay in spiritual priorities wastes time!

III. Practical suggestions on how to use time.

A. Am I seeking first the kingdom of God in this particular use of time?

B. Is this use of time best for the church?

C. Does this use of time make a contribution to the betterment of society?

D. Does this use of time rob me of something more vital I could receive by using this time otherwise?

E. Am I a better qualified servant of Christ by using this time this way?

Conclusion:

A. Average life span of American now at 70 + years.

B. If you live this long, how many of these years will you give to Christ?

C. Here is how the average citizen who goes to only Sunday school & worship on Sunday mornings is said to use his 70 years beginning at birth:

1. Sleep 7 hours/day – 20.1 years

2. Work 40 hours/week – 16.6 years

3. Recreation; amusement; 2 hrs/day – 5.8 years

4. Eating 1 ½ hours/day – 4.4 years.

5. Other estimates:

a) convalescence – 3 years

b) reading – 3 years

c) conversation – 4 years

d) transportation – 5 years

e) education – 3 years

f) Worship 2 ½ hours/week – 1 year

g) Miscellaneous – 4.1 years

6. TOTAL: 70 years

D. Is giving to God’s service just one year out of 70 good stewardship?

1. that is what the person does who just goes to church & Sunday school once a week.

2. Will God accept JUST this?

E. There are 8760 hours during 2004. How many of these hours will you use for God, giving them back to Him?

F. 2 Cor. 6:2

G. I N V I T A T I O N



Living on Borrowed Time 2004011 Topic # 0612 Introduction: A. 2 Thess. 1:3 – Thessalonians praised for an enlarged faith. 1. Done in face of great persecution & affliction. 2. Some of Pauls greatest opposition came at Thessalonica. 3. Acts 17:10-11 – Paul/Silas sent away by night in fear for their lives. 4. Don’t think that persecution went away w/their departure. 5. Despite this – they grew & prospered spiritually. B. Each of us – take a quick spiritual inventory. 1. How devoted are we to our spiritual responsibilities? Under no persecution? 2. How long do we go w/o spending time alone w/God in BS; prayer; worship? a) contrast this to David’s attitude – Psa. 55:16-17 b) his relationship w/God was one of the fundamentals. 3. Point: we must make time for spiritual maintenance. Involves time. C. But yet…we’re so busy. Being “too busy” is firmly entrenched as part of American culture. 1. Belize – great contrast between rich/poor. 2. Poor – live in shacks w/dirt floors. But happy/stress free. 3. Americans: blessed immensely – but many stressed out; burned out. 4. Demands come to us from everyway requiring: a) time; money; interests; responsibilities b) we’ve got things to do at work; home; maintain our health c) duty to country; community 5. So we try to do it ALL – then wonder why we are unhappy when ALL is not accomplished. D. Take a few minutes today & honestly consider how we can improve our time mgmt skills so that we can become better stewards. E. Time is a gift from God. It is precious. It needs to be used wisely. 1. We will give an account for how we use it. 2. Col. 4:5 – Christians must conduct themselves with wisdom; and make the most out of every opportunity. I. Time is the most precious commodity in the world. A. It is the indispensable element in every activity. 1. it is necessary to life itself. 2. when our time is gone – life ends. B. Time is the stuff of which life is made. (Ben Franklin) C. Time is the most important thing in the world (Thomas Edison) D. Gen. 8:22 – time will remain as long as the earth remains. E. Regardless of the # of years a person lives – God is the giver of them all. 1. Acts 17:28 2. it is by his grace/mercy that we have any time. 3. He has promised us no day on earth but this day. 4. Let us be grateful for everyday he has given us. a) 2 Sam. 14:14a – this is reality. F. We cannot create a moment; borrow a moment; or destroy a moment. 1. we can ONLY make wise or unwise use of it. II. We are responsible for using time wisely. A. Gen. 5:21; 25-27 – Methuselah lived 969 years. 1. What would you do w/969 years of life? 2. We aren’t told any details about his life. B. How long did Jesus live? 33 years. 1. Which one of these 2 accomplished the most? C. We live in deeds; not years. In thoughts; not breaths. 1. in feelings; not figures on a dial. D. Consider these scriptures: 1. Psa. 90:12 2. Eph. 5:16; Psa. 39:4-6 E. We have the responsibility for early & immediate obedience. 1. Eccl. 12:1 a) young people – the time is now! b) If you haven’t yet obeyed the gospel – why delay further? 1) what holds you back? 2) You blessed w/infinite potential to do good for God’s cause! 3) Nothing but you stands in the way! 2. don’t throw away the best years of your life by neglecting righteousness & a relationship w/the Savior. F. Brethren: look at John 9:4 1. NOW is the time for us to be busy in the work of the Lord. 1. yet so many let physical crowd out the eternal! 2. and then we wonder while our spiritual lives are unproductive & meaningless. 2. Mt. 13:7, 22 – how many of us are letting our spiritual lives be choked out? 1. parents: what are we teaching our children about what is most important? 2. sports or God? 3. homework or doing bible lessons? 4. time in prayer/spiritual devotion or watching TV/video games. 3. How many parents will soon be crying tears of grief in a few years when their children could care less about God & there’s nothing else to blame but mixed up priorities & an inconsistent message? INSERT SERMON ADDITION… 4. Lk. 10:38-42 1. what is really important? Are we choosing the part that shall not be taken away? 2. what will really matter 100 years from now? 5. 2 Cor. 6:1-2 0 delay in spiritual priorities wastes time! III. Practical suggestions on how to use time. A. Am I seeking first the kingdom of God in this particular use of time? B. Is this use of time best for the church? C. Does this use of time make a contribution to the betterment of society? D. Does this use of time rob me of something more vital I could receive by using this time otherwise? E. Am I a better qualified servant of Christ by using this time this way? Conclusion: A. Average life span of American now at 70 + years. B. If you live this long, how many of these years will you give to Christ? C. Here is how the average citizen who goes to only Sunday school & worship on Sunday mornings is said to use his 70 years beginning at birth: 1. Sleep 7 hours/day – 20.1 years 2. Work 40 hours/week – 16.6 years 3. Recreation; amusement; 2 hrs/day – 5.8 years 4. Eating 1 ½ hours/day – 4.4 years. 5. Other estimates: a) convalescence – 3 years b) reading – 3 years c) conversation – 4 years d) transportation – 5 years e) education – 3 years f) Worship 2 ½ hours/week – 1 year g) Miscellaneous – 4.1 years 6. TOTAL: 70 years D. Is giving to God’s service just one year out of 70 good stewardship? 1. that is what the person does who just goes to church & Sunday school once a week. 2. Will God accept JUST this? E. There are 8760 hours during 2004. How many of these hours will you use for God, giving them back to Him? F. 2 Cor. 6:2 G. I N V I T A T I O N