Redeeming the Time: Living with Eternal Purpose
Summary
In today's sermon, I explored the profound concept of "Redeeming the Time" and living with the awareness that our time on earth is borrowed. I began by expressing gratitude for the privilege of gathering freely to worship, a liberty not afforded to many believers around the world. This set the stage for a deeper reflection on the value of the time we've been given by God.
I emphasized that stewardship often focuses on tangible assets like finances or property, but we seldom consider time in the same light. Time, however, is one of the most precious gifts from God, and we are called to be good stewards of it. I posed a critical question: What are we doing with the time we've been given? This question is not just about filling our days with activities but about living with intentionality for the glory of God and the building of His Kingdom.
Drawing from Ephesians 5:15-16 and Colossians 4:5, I highlighted the apostle Paul's instruction to live wisely and make the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. The early Christians faced suspicion and false accusations, and it was crucial for them to live in a way that dispelled these misconceptions. This principle applies to us today as we strive to live lives that reflect Christ and dispel the criticisms often leveled against Christianity.
I shared personal anecdotes, including a moment of conviction regarding my desire for material possessions over my longing for God. This served as a reminder that our deepest longing should be for God and His kingdom. I also referenced 2 Timothy 4:7-8, where Paul speaks of finishing the race and keeping the faith, anticipating the crown of righteousness. This scripture invites us to live in such a way that, at the end of our lives, we can confidently say we have given our all for the Lord.
I concluded by encouraging everyone not to grow weary in doing good, in pursuing ministry, and in living a life that matters eternally. I urged us to consider how our actions impact those around us and to live in a way that redeems the time for ourselves and for others.
Key Takeaways:
- Time is a divine loan that we are responsible for stewarding wisely. Just as we manage our finances and resources with care, we must also manage our time with the same level of intentionality, ensuring that our days contribute to the eternal purposes of God's Kingdom. This perspective transforms how we approach each day, prioritizing what truly matters over the fleeting distractions of life. [39:20]
- The concept of our lives being a vapor, as described in James 4:14, is not meant to instill fear but to inspire a sense of urgency and purpose. Recognizing the brevity of life compels us to live with an eternal perspective, making decisions that have lasting significance and investing in relationships and endeavors that bear eternal fruit. [40:38]
- Wisdom is not only a gift but also a safeguard for living a life that redeems the time. It guides our decisions, protects us from sin, and helps us navigate life's complexities. If we lack wisdom, we are encouraged to ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. Walking in wisdom is essential for making the most of every opportunity God gives us. [01:01:15]
- The impact of our lives extends beyond our personal achievements and into the lives of those around us. Our choices and actions have the power to influence our families, friends, and communities. By redeeming the time, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute positively to the lives of others, leaving a legacy that honors God and blesses people. [01:12:24]
- Living a life of godliness and holiness is not about adhering to a set of rules but about embodying the character of Christ in every aspect of our lives. This commitment to godliness is what truly redeems the time, as it aligns our lives with God's will and purposes, leading to a life that is both fulfilling in the present and significant for eternity. [01:00:28]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Redeeming the Time
#### Bible Reading
1. Ephesians 5:15-16 - "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil."
2. Colossians 4:5 - "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity."
3. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 - "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Paul mean when he says to "make the most of every opportunity" in Ephesians 5:15-16?
2. How does the concept of time being a "vapor" in James 4:14 influence our understanding of life's brevity? [40:38]
3. What personal anecdote did the pastor share about longing for material possessions over longing for God? [51:43]
4. How did the early Christians' behavior help dispel misconceptions about their faith according to the sermon? [56:01]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important to live with an awareness of the brevity of life as described in James 4:14? How does this perspective change our daily actions? [40:38]
2. In what ways can wisdom serve as a safeguard in our lives, according to the sermon? [01:01:15]
3. How does Paul's declaration in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 serve as a model for living a life that redeems the time? [47:32]
4. What does it mean to live a life that reflects Christ and dispels criticisms against Christianity today? [56:34]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your daily schedule. Are there activities that you can replace with more intentional actions that contribute to God's Kingdom? How can you start making these changes this week? [39:20]
2. Think about a recent decision you made. Did you consider its eternal significance? How can you start incorporating an eternal perspective into your decision-making process? [40:38]
3. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel you lack wisdom. How can you seek God's wisdom in this area, and what steps will you take to apply it? [01:01:15]
4. Consider the impact of your actions on those around you. How can you live in a way that positively influences your family, friends, and community? [01:12:24]
5. Reflect on a time when you longed for something material more than you longed for God. How can you shift your focus to desire God and His Kingdom above all else? [51:43]
6. How can you ensure that your life reflects the character of Christ in every aspect, not just in public but also in private? What specific changes can you make to align your life more closely with God's will? [01:00:28]
7. Think about a person in your life who may have misconceptions about Christianity. How can your actions and words help dispel these misconceptions and reflect the love of Christ? [56:34]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the sermon on "Redeeming the Time" and apply its teachings to their daily lives. Encourage open and honest discussion, and remind everyone that the goal is to grow together in faith and intentional living.
Devotional
Day 1: Stewardship of Divine Time
Time is a divine loan, and as stewards of this precious gift, we are called to manage it with intentionality, aligning our daily actions with the eternal purposes of God's Kingdom. This perspective challenges us to evaluate how we spend our moments, urging us to prioritize what truly matters over the transient distractions that often consume our days. It is not merely about being busy but about being purposeful, ensuring that our time is invested in ways that will have lasting significance. The call to stewardship extends beyond our material possessions, encompassing the very seconds that compose our lives, each one an opportunity to serve, to love, and to glorify God. [39:20]
"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)
Reflection: How can you realign one daily activity to better reflect your commitment to God's purposes?
Day 2: Urgency of Ephemeral Life
The brevity of life is not a cause for fear but a catalyst for living with urgency and purpose. Recognizing that our lives are but a vapor compels us to make decisions with eternal significance, to invest in relationships and endeavors that will bear fruit that lasts beyond our time on earth. This understanding prompts us to consider the legacy we are creating and to live in a way that makes the most of every opportunity, knowing that our time here is fleeting but impactful when lived in light of eternity. [40:38]
"Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." - James 4:14 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one decision you can make today that will have a positive eternal impact?
Day 3: Wisdom as a Safeguard
Wisdom is a divine safeguard, guiding our decisions and protecting us from sin. It is a gift that we must seek from God, who provides generously and without reproach. Walking in wisdom is essential for redeeming the time, as it helps us discern the best use of our opportunities and navigate life's complexities. It is not merely about knowledge but about applying God's truth to our daily lives, leading us to live in a way that honors Him and fulfills His purposes for us. [01:01:15]
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him." - James 1:5 (ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need God's wisdom most, and how can you seek it today?
Day 4: Influence Through Redeemed Time
Our choices and actions have the power to influence those around us. By redeeming the time, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute positively to the lives of others. Our legacy is not defined by personal achievements but by how we have blessed and impacted our families, friends, and communities. Living intentionally allows us to leave a mark that honors God and reflects His love and grace to the world. [01:12:24]
"Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven." - Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can positively influence someone in your life this week?
Day 5: Embodiment of Christ's Character
Living a life of godliness and holiness is about embodying the character of Christ in every aspect of our lives. This commitment goes beyond following rules; it is about allowing Christ's love, humility, and grace to permeate our thoughts, words, and actions. Such a life redeems the time by aligning with God's will and purposes, leading to fulfillment now and significance for eternity. [01:00:28]
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit in a challenging situation today?
Quotes
"Time, one of the most precious and fragile gifts that we've been given, so this is a message to inspire us to not only embrace the limited time that we have in this life but to live as much as possible in every day, in every moment to the glory of God and Kingdom building." [39:20]
"I was walking around in the lobby out there this morning when I came in and I was looking at what I love to always look at, all the pictures on the walls... those are captured moments of people who Redeeming the time, the teaching cohorts, the launching of reach city and some of the pictures there." [39:56]
"I don't want to be in my elderly age, I don't want to be on my deathbed, I don't want to be towards the end of my life and whatever that may look like... and live with a whole bunch of regret, a whole bunch of 'I should have did more, I could have did more.'" [45:03]
"I want to sit in my elderly age close to my death and saying, 'Man, Lord, I ran hard for you. I did the best I could with what I had. I wasn't perfect... but Lord, man, I kept the faith. I didn't give up, I didn't shipwreck, I didn't tap out.'" [49:02]
"Redeeming the time can impact our daily objectives, it can impact our calendars, it can impact our job positions, how we supervise, how we manage, how we run our companies, it can impact our goals and our dreams. But that's not the main point, that's not the focal point of redeeming the time." [59:51]
"If we truly walked worthy in the way we're called and lived like Jesus in the way he calls us to live, we would walk in the way of redeeming the time. We see that example when we look at the life of Jesus. To redeem something we know means to buy back, or to get back, to regain possession of it." [01:07:18]
"Imagine being in that place, as Paul was in 2 Timothy chap 4: 7-8... imagine how he felt when he wrote that... I want to sit in my elderly age close to my death and saying, 'Man, Lord, I ran hard for you. I did the best I could with what I had.'" [46:57]
"Do we really actually seriously long for his appearing? Do we really actually seriously live like it if we do long for his appearing? Are we confident that we are being good stewards of the time that we've been given? You got to look into your heart and ask yourself that question." [53:59]
Chatbot
-
I'm an AI bot trained only on this specific sermon. Do you have any questions about it?