Living With Intention: Making the Most of Every Opportunity

Scripture Invitation:

As we prepare our hearts for God's Word, I summon your senses and invite your intellect to the book of Ephesians, chapter 5, verses 15 to 17.

It is there that the Holy Spirit has highlighted our context for our brief sermonic time together this morning.

Bible Passage:

Ephesians 5:15–17 CSB

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. So don’t be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Introduction:

Brothers & Sisters, today we are challenged to avoid deception by the false comfort of thinking that we have unlimited chances to fulfill our purpose and calling on this earth.

Procrastination has subtly infiltrated and handicapped many lives, hindering us from being the people God has destined us to be.

But today, we are going to expose this enemy and awaken to the urgency of faithful stewardship.

Context

In our text for consideration, the Apostle Paul is writing to the church at Ephesus.

In this portion of his letter, Paul is addressing the believers and urging them to walk in wisdom and make the most of their time.

Paul encourages the readers to be wise and discerning in how they live their lives, highlighting the importance of making intentional choices.

This council serves as a reminder to believers to be intentional and wise in their decision-making, making the most of every opportunity and seeking to understand God's will for their lives.

It provides guidance and encouragement for overcoming procrastination and living with purpose.

Quote

If i could sum up all of the wisdom Paul has shared in this text into a quote it would simply be this :

Procrastination is the assassination of the motivation that will stop you from reaching your destination

Illustration:

“Imagine a farmer who, in the prime season for sowing, decides to delay planting his seeds.

He assumes that the rain will come at a more convenient time for him, as if entitlement to favorable circumstances were guaranteed.

But as the seasons change, his fields remain barren, and his harvest is lost.

Procrastination cost him his blessing.”

Just as the farmer in the illustration lost his harvest, when we procrastinate, we risk losing the opportunities God has entrusted to us.

It is time to confront this arrogance and align our lives with God's expectations for faithful stewardship.

1. The Danger of Procrastination: Awakening to the Reality

It is critical that we awaken to the reality that procrastination is not harmless laziness but a defiant attitude towards God.

We falsely assume that we have an unlimited timeline to accomplish our goals or fulfill our calling.

Procrastination robs us of our potential and hinders us from making a significant impact for the Kingdom.

2. Understanding God's Expectations for Stewardship

God expects us to maximize every opportunity He gives us, for He has created us with purpose and intention.

Stewardship is not just about managing finances but also about managing our time, talents, and relationships.

We are accountable to God for how we use the time He has graciously given us, and it is our responsibility to honor Him with faithful action.

3. Overcoming Procrastination through Faithful Action

We must combat procrastination by taking intentional steps of faith and action towards our goals and calling.

Trusting in God's guidance, we can break free from the grip of procrastination and step confidently into our destiny.

As the Apostle Paul encouraged the Ephesians, let us be wise and live according to God's will, making the most of every opportunity.

Closing

Beloved, let the truth of this message resonate within your spirit.

Procrastination is not of God; indeed, it is an arrogant assumption that God owes us another chance to do what we had time to do.

Today, let us shake off the chains of procrastination, embrace faithful stewardship, and fulfill the destiny that God has laid before us.

How?

1. Through The Power of His Word:

God's Word, the Bible, contains timeless wisdom and guidance.

Through studying and meditating on His Word, we can gain clarity and motivation to overcome procrastination.

Psalm 119:11 CSB

I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.

How?

2. Through The Power of Prayer:

God invites us to bring our struggles and weaknesses before Him in prayer.

As we surrender our procrastination tendencies to Him, He can fill us with strength and resolve to take action.

Philippians 4:6 CSB

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

How?

3. Through The Power of the Holy Spirit:

The Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, empowering us to live a life of obedience and productivity.

By relying on the guidance and strength of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome the temptation to procrastinate.

John 16:13 CSB

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come.

How?

4. Through The Power of Accountability:

God places us in Christian community to encourage and challenge one another.

By sharing our goals, dreams, and struggles with others, we can find support and accountability to overcome procrastination.

Hebrews 10:24–25 CSB

And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.

How?

5. Through The Power of God's Promises:

Throughout the Bible, God provides numerous promises to His people to strengthen, encourage, and motivate them.

By standing on these promises, we can overcome procrastination and move forward in faith.

Jeremiah 29:11 CSB

For I know the plans I have for you”—this is the Lord’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

How?

6. Through The Power of God’s Grace:

God's grace is available to us when we stumble in our efforts to overcome procrastination.

His grace covers our shortcomings and invites us to continually seek His help and guidance.

2 Corinthians 12:9 CSB

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.

Remember, my brothers & my sisters, that God has equipped us with all we need to overcome procrastination.

By leaning on His power, guidance, and grace, we can break free from the cycle of delay and live lives that honor Him.

Take hold of these empowering truths, and let them propel you into a life of faithful action and stewardship.