It's Going To Cost You
Rom. 13:8-14………..Notes on file 11/06
Cf…what if $86,000 was deposited into your account every day? 86,400 seconds everyday…
Hey! What we do with our time is our business, right?
What’s all this got to do with our scripture?
Last week we looked at vs. 1-7, ask if Paul “was talking politics”…
Thought runs through scripture about respect for positions of authority; pay tribute, etc…
Paul concludes by reminding us of our obligation toward all…
What is our obligation? What do we owe?
How does this realization affect our walk as Christians?
Cf… (Theme today from scripture is “Time”)…said, “You cannot kill time without injuring eternity”.
I. *TIME…WE ARE LIABLE WITH WHAT GOD HAS GIVEN US…V.8-10
We are obligated, in so many ways, indebted…thus, we act in reasonable manner with time afforded us.
A. *TO CHRIST FIRST…our creator, redeemer…reminded of Ps.100:1-5…invokes praise, love…
Should we need a law to instruct us to love Lord?...Lord gave one to remind us; knows our depraved condition…
Cf…law of love…as woman loves her baby(expound)…should not our love be as that, that nothing could separate us?
B. *TO FELLOWMAN SECOND…reminded of Paul’s word in Col. 4:5…”those outside the faith”.
Live wisely before them…do not hurt…V.9…note words “For this”…what?
CF…”For this” reference to V. 8…”owe no man”… “to fail in duty, be delinquent, be at fault with someone, guilty”
Lord’s prayer, “forgive us our debts, some say transgressions, trespasses…”
Don’t be guilty before fellowman.
We are liable with what God has afforded us.
II. *TIME…WE SHOULD HAVE SENSITIVITY TOWARD THAT…V. 11
After all, God granted us just so much…
Cf…people are living longer today they say (?)…Word of God says three score ten…(serious reminders in scripture)
Ps.90:10…Ps. 39:5...Job 7:6... 9:25-26
A. *SPIRITUAL VIGILANCE…careful attention given to matters…
Cf…word “sleep” can refer to in-sensitivity, lack of attentiveness, toward Godliness.
1. We are to beware of worlds clamor for our attention…Col. 2:4-5
2. Walk wisely…Eph. 5:15-1
Cf…analogy of Spiritual Vigilance in Nahum 2:1 (note NLT)
We should have sensitivity toward the time God has given us
III. *TIME…WE HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO MANIFEST GODLINESS…V. 12-14
The idea of changing clothing, garments, uniform, armour…words “cast off, put on” are used in these verses.
In Ephesians Paul talks of putting on armour…Eph.4:22-24…in Col. 3:12 he says…
A. 8IN THE WAY WE PRESENT OURSELVES…everyday of our lives.
1. Before the world…V.12-13
2. Before Lord…V. 14
Make no provision for the flesh, that old nature…it cries to be pampered, comforted, indulged, and amused.
Is sin to place higher priority on physical than spiritual.
Cf…if Doctor told us we have cancer, we do all possible to halt or irradiate it…great Doctor has told us…
We are given opportunity to manifest Godliness.
CONCLUSION: (go over three points)
The man/woman living for Lord redeems the time.
He/she places value on the life time are given.
Earlier I quoted words, “You cannot kill time without injuring eternity”.
You cannot kill your time without injuring your etermity”.
It’s going to cost you if you do not use it wisely.