Leveraging Time for the Gospel: A Call to Action
Summary
In today's gathering, we concluded our series on leveraging our lives for the sake of the gospel. We began the year by focusing on abiding in Christ, which is foundational for any endeavor to advance the gospel. Our lives must be centered on Jesus to effectively leverage them for His kingdom. Over the past weeks, we've explored various aspects of leveraging our lives, including our finances, relationships, and gifts. Today, we focused on the one resource we cannot create more of: time.
Time is a universal constant; everyone has the same 24 hours each day. The challenge is how we use it. Ephesians 5:15-21 urges us to walk wisely, making the best use of our time because the days are evil. Wisdom, as defined biblically, is not just knowledge but the application of God's Word in our lives. Leveraging our time for the gospel is wise because it aligns with God's will, which is to advance His kingdom and glorify Jesus.
Moreover, leveraging our time is an act of worship. Worship is not limited to singing but is a heart attitude that permeates our lives. When we are filled with the Spirit, our lives overflow with worship, and we naturally leverage our time for God's purposes. Worship is fundamental to our souls, and it is through worship that we maintain focus on the gospel.
The practical question of how to leverage our time is answered by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20. We are to make disciples as we go about our daily lives, recognizing His authority, baptizing, teaching, and living in His presence. This is not about adding more to our schedules but about integrating gospel-centered living into our existing routines.
Finally, the question of when to leverage our time is answered simply: always. Every moment is an opportunity to serve the Lord and advance His kingdom. Whether you're a student, a worker, or a parent, your context is a gift from God to make disciples. It's about being intentional with the time we have, recognizing it as a gift from God to fulfill His purposes.
Key Takeaways:
1. Abiding in Christ as the Foundation: Our ability to leverage our lives for the gospel begins with abiding in Christ. Without a life centered on Jesus, our efforts to advance the gospel will lack the necessary spiritual foundation. Abiding in Him ensures that our lives are aligned with His purposes. [48:25]
2. Time as a Universal Gift: Time is the one resource we cannot create more of, yet it is equally distributed to all. The challenge is to use it wisely for the sake of the gospel. Wisdom in the biblical sense involves applying God's Word to our lives, making the most of our time to honor Him. [55:51]
3. Worship as a Lifestyle: Leveraging our time for the gospel is an act of worship. Worship is not confined to singing but is a heart attitude that should permeate every aspect of our lives. When we are filled with the Spirit, our lives naturally overflow with worship, keeping us focused on God's purposes. [01:02:29]
4. Practical Discipleship: Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28 provides a clear framework for leveraging our time. Making disciples involves recognizing His authority, going about our daily lives, baptizing, teaching, and living in His presence. It's about integrating gospel-centered living into our existing routines. [01:10:55]
5. Every Moment as an Opportunity: The call to leverage our time for the gospel is a call to see every moment as an opportunity to serve the Lord. Whether in our studies, work, or family life, each context is a gift from God to make disciples. It's about being intentional and recognizing time as a gift to fulfill His purposes. [01:17:38]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction and Series Recap
- [03:45] - The Foundation of Abiding in Christ
- [07:20] - The Uniqueness of Time
- [12:00] - Ephesians 5: Wisdom and Time
- [18:15] - The Role of Worship
- [25:30] - Practical Steps from Matthew 28
- [32:45] - The Universality of Time
- [38:00] - Worship as a Heart Attitude
- [45:15] - Making Disciples in Daily Life
- [52:30] - The Gift of Context
- [59:00] - Intentional Living
- [01:05:00] - The Call to Action
- [01:12:30] - Personal Story and Application
- [01:20:00] - Closing Prayer and Response
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Ephesians 5:15-21
- Matthew 28:18-20
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Observation Questions:
1. According to Ephesians 5:15-21, what are the characteristics of walking wisely, and how does this relate to the use of time? [55:51]
2. In the sermon, what examples were given of things that can "fill us up" and distract us from being filled with the Spirit? [01:02:29]
3. How does the sermon describe the relationship between worship and leveraging our time for the gospel? [01:05:57]
4. What does the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 instruct believers to do, and how is this related to leveraging time? [01:10:55]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of "abiding in Christ" serve as a foundation for leveraging our lives for the gospel, according to the sermon? [48:25]
2. The sermon mentions that leveraging our time is an act of worship. How might this understanding change the way one views daily activities and responsibilities? [01:02:29]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that leveraging time for the gospel is a wise use of time, and how does this align with biblical wisdom? [55:51]
4. How does the sermon interpret the command to "make disciples" in Matthew 28:18-20, and what practical steps are suggested for integrating this into daily life? [01:10:55]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current daily routine. Are there specific areas where you can integrate gospel-centered living without adding more to your schedule? How might you begin to do this? [01:17:38]
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of worship as a lifestyle. What are some practical ways you can cultivate a heart of worship throughout your day, beyond singing? [01:05:57]
3. Consider the relationships in your life. How can you be more intentional about making disciples within your existing social circles? What steps can you take this week to start a spiritual conversation? [01:20:47]
4. The sermon challenges us to view every moment as an opportunity to serve the Lord. Identify one specific context in your life (e.g., work, school, family) where you can be more intentional about leveraging your time for the gospel. What changes will you make? [01:23:55]
5. Reflect on the sermon’s call to repentance regarding the use of time. Are there specific areas where you feel convicted about wasting time? What steps will you take to align your time with God's purposes? [01:29:13]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of recognizing Jesus' authority in our lives. How does this recognition impact your decision-making and priorities? What is one decision you can make this week that reflects His authority? [01:15:16]
7. Think about a person in your life who might benefit from hearing the gospel. What is one practical step you can take this week to share your faith with them? [01:20:47]
Devotional
Day 1: Abiding in Christ as the Foundation
Our ability to leverage our lives for the gospel begins with abiding in Christ. Without a life centered on Jesus, our efforts to advance the gospel will lack the necessary spiritual foundation. Abiding in Him ensures that our lives are aligned with His purposes. This foundational relationship with Christ is not a one-time event but a continuous, daily commitment to remain in His presence and draw strength from Him. As we abide in Christ, we are transformed by His love and empowered to live out His mission in the world. [48:25]
John 15:4-5 (ESV): "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing."
Reflection: What specific practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to ensure you are abiding in Christ consistently?
Day 2: Time as a Universal Gift
Time is the one resource we cannot create more of, yet it is equally distributed to all. The challenge is to use it wisely for the sake of the gospel. Wisdom in the biblical sense involves applying God's Word to our lives, making the most of our time to honor Him. Recognizing time as a gift from God, we are called to be intentional in how we spend it, ensuring that our actions align with His will and contribute to the advancement of His kingdom. [55:51]
Psalm 90:12 (ESV): "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."
Reflection: Identify one area of your life where you feel time is being wasted. How can you redirect that time to align with God's purposes?
Day 3: Worship as a Lifestyle
Leveraging our time for the gospel is an act of worship. Worship is not confined to singing but is a heart attitude that should permeate every aspect of our lives. When we are filled with the Spirit, our lives naturally overflow with worship, keeping us focused on God's purposes. Worship as a lifestyle means that every action, thought, and decision is an opportunity to honor God and reflect His glory to the world around us. [01:02:29]
Romans 12:1 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."
Reflection: In what ways can you transform your daily tasks into acts of worship that honor God?
Day 4: Practical Discipleship
Jesus' Great Commission in Matthew 28 provides a clear framework for leveraging our time. Making disciples involves recognizing His authority, going about our daily lives, baptizing, teaching, and living in His presence. It's about integrating gospel-centered living into our existing routines, not adding more to our schedules. This practical approach to discipleship encourages us to see every interaction and relationship as an opportunity to share the love and truth of Christ. [01:10:55]
Colossians 3:16-17 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Reflection: Who in your daily life can you intentionally invest in to help them grow as a disciple of Christ?
Day 5: Every Moment as an Opportunity
The call to leverage our time for the gospel is a call to see every moment as an opportunity to serve the Lord. Whether in our studies, work, or family life, each context is a gift from God to make disciples. It's about being intentional and recognizing time as a gift to fulfill His purposes. By viewing every moment as an opportunity, we can live with a sense of purpose and urgency, knowing that our time on earth is limited and precious. [01:17:38]
Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV): "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Reflection: How can you shift your perspective to see mundane moments as opportunities to serve and glorify God?
Quotes
If we aren't living our lives built around staying connected to and living in Jesus, then we can't talk about how to leverage our lives because our lives have to be centered on him so that we can be sent out for the advancement of the gospel. [00:44:35] (14 seconds)
But the only thing that will matter a hundred billion years from now is the glory of Jesus Christ and his bride, the church. That's it. Which means that when we leverage our lives in a way that's going to make an impact a hundred billion years from now, that means we use our lives now and all that's in them, all the things that God gives us to bring Jesus' glory and to advance his kingdom. [00:45:57] (22 seconds)
There is an answer to the question, and you're right, it is time. But let's think about it for a second. It's not money, because you can do things day-to-day to make more money. And once you figure that out, I need you to meet me after church, let me know. I'd love to hear your side of that story. But you can do more things to make money. [00:46:54] (15 seconds)
No, the only thing that none of us can make, like you said, is time. That's it. You have the same amount. And when you think about it, what that truly looks like is that across all levels, all socioeconomic levels, all parts of this planet, all demographics, everything, we all have the same amount of time in any particular day. That's it. You have 24 hours. [00:47:42] (20 seconds)
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. [00:50:47] (34 seconds)
And when we think about how wisdom is defined in the Bible, it's always more than knowledge. And this is where I think we sometimes get this wrong. We think of wisdom as this thing of that we just have to grow if we had no more things, if we have a deeper understanding of things. And I say that as a person that values education, like I'm an educator, like I want to know things. I annoyed people with how much I want to know things sometimes. But wisdom is not the same as knowledge. [00:54:32] (27 seconds)
So how is leveraging our time for the gospel wise? Like, how is this wisdom? And you may be thinking, come on, Wes, like, aren't there better ways for me to spend my time other than using the very little free time that I have or don't have? So, um, sorry, to have to share the gospel, to make disciples, to serve Jesus. Like, I've got a family I have to provide for. I've got bills to pay. I've got other things that I need or want to do. [00:57:08] (24 seconds)
It's worship. When we leverage our lives and our time for the sake of the gospel, it is an act of worship and sets us up to worship him more. Let's pick up in verse 18 again. It says, and do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. If you're an underliner, underline that part, be filled with the Spirit. We're going to come back to that in just a second. [01:00:28] (26 seconds)
See, we have to figure this out because when we leverage our time for the sake of the gospel, the only way that we keep that goal in focus, the only way that we move forward in that is when we spend our time in worship. So let's break that down. First, we're told not to be drunk with wine. And I'd go so far as to say that means not to be drunk on anything. I'm going to, you know, expand a little bit. That could be wine. That could be drugs. That could be addiction. That could be pornography. That could be sexual immorality. That could be gluttony. That could be social media. That could be entertainment. [01:02:49] (34 seconds)
And Jesus came and said to them, all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always to the very end of the age. Amen and amen. [01:10:55] (20 seconds)
The answer to when I'm to leverage my time for the sake of the gospel is every second of every minute of every hour of every day of every week of every month of every year. You don't have to write that down. It's all of it. N.T. Wright says this, Christians are to see every day, every hour, every minute as an opportunity for serving the Lord, for understanding what his will is and getting on and doing it. [01:18:42] (28 seconds)
The when of leveraging our time for the sake of the gospel is now. The how is moment by moment. The why is learning to live wisely, applying God's word to our lives so that we leverage it, and to use our time for the sake of the gospel, because that is worship for the Lord. [01:24:26] (19 seconds)
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