Ben Franklin said, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time

LET GOD HAVE YOUR TIME
Valley Forge Baptist • June 5, 2016
Pastor Scott Wendal • Ephesians 5:15-18
Ben Franklin said, “Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is
the stuff that life is made of.”
So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
As you grow in your faith and as you grow in your obedience to God, you’ll
know what to do and when to do it. Jesus teaches us this…
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of
a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law….
Galatians 4:4-5
So if there is a right time to say and do something, then that means there is also
a wrong time to say and do something.
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.
Ecclesiastes 3:1
How many of you would like to get more organized in your life?
Time management is really self management. For a Christian, that simply
means Spirit management. To be Spirit-filled means to be so controlled, so led
by the Spirit, that God is the One leading you.
We are stewards. We are to manage everything God gives to us—our time,
talent, money—and we are to manage it in such a way that we honor God.
I. Your Time on Earth is ___________________ • v. 15
David wrote, “Remember how short my time is” (Psalm 89:47).
Walking in wisdom means that we conform to certain godly standards of
living. Wisdom is a living principle. Some people SAY they are going to pray,
or they’re going to serve the Lord, or tell their neighbor about Christ, or read
their Bible, but they just never get to it. The greatest fool in the world is the
fool who wastes time.
John MacArthur
Paul says, “Don’t be a fool. Don’t get drunk. Be very careful how you live
because your time on this earth is limited.”
Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days.
Psalm 39:4
The way you define time will determine how you manage it.
Most people see time in a line—as linear—like a time line. We have a beginning
and an ending. We see that on the grave markers—birth date and death date.
That is why many people have so much anxiety.
But there is another way of looking at time and that is to look at time as a circle.
Living in time is simply your existence. As a Christian, I will live for eternity. I
am alive—I exist for eternity—that’s eternal life.
View life as circular. The sun goes up and you go through the same routine and
then the sun sets, you eventually go to bed and then it starts over—circular.
II. Make the _____________ __________ of your Time • v. 16
“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.”
If God tells us to be wise, then how do wise people live? Making the most of
every opportunity. Seize the time. You’ll discover the secret of a full life—a
contented and satisfied life - when you make the most out of each day. Life is
this moment—right now!
The word "redeem" means “buy up for yourself.” But Paul is not telling us to
store time, but rather buy up your time—use your time for God’s glory.
This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24.
How to Maximize your Time? Decide: Urgent or _______________?
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all of these
things shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:33
You can't have everything. You can't experience everything. You can’t do
everything. So what is really important to you? To God?
The key is not to prioritize your schedule, it is to schedule your priorities.
Stephen Covey
You can only figure out what’s important in life if you are continually growing
spiritually.
Jesus said, “Your number one priority is to honor God first.” Make sure your
priorities are righteous. Seek the kingdom of God first. Make sure your
priorities are what God says is righteous. Make sure what you want is what God
wants. When you get your priorities in order, peace will come to your heart
and God will take care of you.
When we say “No” to the important and “Yes” to the urgent, our lives will
become chaotic. It becomes a discipline to say, “These are the important things
in my day.”
The Lesson from Lion Tamer—Learn to ___________________.
FIVE MOST IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Those people deserve our time, attention, and love.
FIVE MOST IMPORTANT TASKS OF YOUR LIFE
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
FIVE MOST IMPORTANT GOALS OF YOUR LIFE
1. Maintain a Daily Walk with God
2. Love and Lead my Family
3.
4.
5.
We have to decide between the good, the better, and the best.
We have to decide in our heart and say, “Because this day is a gift from God,
there are some things that are going to be a part of my day…”
I will be grateful to God. Gratitude. Tell God, “Lord, I am thankful for life,
health, family, church family, job, school, friends, America, freedom, etc. I
thank God I’m here.
I will seek God in the Word, in prayer, and in church with other believers.
I will love and forgive others. Everybody doesn’t have to agree with me and I
don’t have to agree with them. But I am required by God to love them and
yes forgive them.
III. Choose A Spiritual ___________________ • v. 17-18
What is God’s will? That you not be drunk, but live a Spirit-filled life in all areas
of your life—home, church, work, leisure—all the time.
The two greatest enemies of living a Spirit filled life today are regrets for things
we did in the past, and anxiety about what will happen to us in the future.
Don’t miss the joy of this moment!
Only one life so soon it will pass. Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2
There is a time to be saved. It is today! The day you hear the Gospel is the day
God is calling you. Accept Him today. Don’t wait! Don’t reject the Savior.
Surrender to Him today. _______________ ____________ today.
PURITY RESOURCES
Men’s Conquer Series Link
www.thecaringchurch.com/conquer-series/
Ladies’ Love Lessons Series Link
www.thecaringchurch.com/love-lessons-series/
www.foreverymom.com/dear-well-meaning-but-ignorant-parents-this-iswhat-your-teens-are-really-doing-on-the-internet/