Is me time my idol

The aim of believers from every age:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command.  The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

- Jesus

The problem is that many Christians separate their spiritual life from their free time (me time.)

Both spiritual practices and free time (me time) should be merged under the guiding principle - loving God above all - and loving our neighbors

-Colossians 3:17 “17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

-Colossians 3:17 “17 And whatever you do (even in my free time) do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Free time (me time) is a blessing from God & should be used wisely because you are only given so much time.

“Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— making the most of the time, because the days are evil.

- Ephesians 5:15-16

The Three “D(s)” of the Christian life

Be Deliberate in your christian walk

Be Disciplined in your christian walk

Be Devoted in your christian walk

Why?

To love God above all - and to love your neighbor as yourself

Matthew 6:33

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

1 Corinthians 9:26-27

So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air.  Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

Colossians 3:17

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Today’s Main Question Which one do you love more? God or Me Time (Free Time)

What was the 1st command given by God to Moses & His people?

“You shall have no other gods before Me” - Exodus 20:3 (NKJV)

“Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?”

He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the greatest and most important command.  The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.  All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.”

- Matthew 22:36-40

Do your actions prove that you are devoted to God or to free-time (me time):

1. Entertainment (TV, hobbies, books, extra sleep)

2. Sports (playing or watching)

3. Education

4. Making extra money

5. Being social (Friends/phone/social media)

Putting any of these things before God is idolatry

Which is your God? The One True God or Free-time (Me time)

Luke 4:6-8

The devil said to him, “I will give you their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. If you, then, will worship me, all will be yours.”

And Jesus answered him, “It is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

Colossians 3:5

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.

You can answer this question by… …Seeing Where your time, money, & energy is spent…

This shows what you are devoted to (or in other words - what you truly worship)

If you are devoted to God…

You will deliberately make time & be disciplined by praying, reading scripture, serving & worshiping Him.

Your delight is found in God - God’s Kingdom

If you are devoted to free-time (me time)…

You will deliberately take every opportunity to engage yourself in “me time.”

you will put all your energy & resources into your dreams, hobbies, & desires.

Your delight is found in your “me time” - Your Kingdom

Your Kingdom

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Ecclesiastes 2:1-11 (NCV)

I said to myself, “I will try having fun. I will enjoy myself.” But I found that this is also useless.

It is foolish to laugh all the time, and having fun doesn’t accomplish anything. I decided to cheer myself up with wine while my mind was still thinking wisely. I wanted to find a way to enjoy myself and see what was good for people to do during their few days of life.

Then I did great things: I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made gardens and parks, and I planted all kinds of fruit trees in them. I made pools of water for myself and used them to water my growing trees. I bought male and female slaves, and slaves were also born in my house. I had large herds and flocks, more than anyone in Jerusalem had ever had before.

I also gathered silver and gold for myself, treasures from kings and other areas. I had male and female singers and all the women a man could ever want.

I became very famous, even greater than anyone who had lived in Jerusalem before me. My wisdom helped me in all this.

Anything I saw and wanted, I got for myself; I did not miss any pleasure I desired.

I was pleased with everything I did, and this pleasure was the reward for all my hard work.

But then I looked at what I had done, and I thought about all the hard work. Suddenly I realized it was useless, like chasing the wind.

There is nothing to gain from anything we do here on earth.

Do not be a modern day Solomon who put “me time” before God

Jesus said, “Watch out and be on guard against all greed, because one’s life is not in the abundance of his possessions.”

Paul points out that greed is idolatry - i.e. a false god -Col. 3:5.) Greed is the ultimate root of “me time” because it seeks ways to fulfill your own me-centered pleasure(s).

Then he told them a parable:

“A rich man’s land was very productive. He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops?

He was living the American dream - He had so much stuff that he could not store it!

Do you desire to live like this rich man?

I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there.

Notice that the rich man focused on his own kingdom and neglected the Kingdom of God.

Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’

He wanted to retire and live a life of self-pleasure. . . (a life of “me time.”)

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared - whose will they be?’

“That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Death came to the rich man so how did all that wealth and “me time” benefit him?

Colossians 3:2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

2 Timothy 3:1-4 (NKJV)

But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God

Romans 8:5

For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit.

1 John 5:21

Little children, guard yourselves from idols.

Luke 12:34

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:24

“No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Luke 8:14

As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, and produce no mature fruit.

1 Timothy 6:9-10

But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

Question #1

What was the highlight of my week? Is it physical or spiritual? What does my answer say about my walk with the Lord?

Question #2

Last week - what things did I mediate on the most:

work | hobbies | movies | sports | worries | God’s word?

What does this reveal about loving God with all my mind?

Question #3

Do I view my free time as an entitlement or a blessing from God?

Question #4

How can I use my free time to bless God?

Question How do I love God with all my heart, mind, soul and strength & love my neighbor as myself?

Answer - By becoming a living sacrifice. Doing all things for His glory!

Romans 12:1-2

1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.

2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Romans 12:9-11

Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.