GOSPEL - CENTERED STEWARDSHIP
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THE STEWARDSHIP OF HIS TIME -
THE STEWARDSHIP OF HIS TIME -
HOW JESUS EXPECTS US TO SPEND OUR TIME
HERE IS THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE ON TIME
It is a gift from God for God. It is not a gif of God for us; But a gift to be used for His cause.
TIME and TRUTH How I Spend My TIME Tells the TRUTH About Me
TIME and TRUTH How I Spend My TIME Tells the TRUTH About Me
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
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.
What would you do if you had 6 months to live?
What would you do if you had 3 months to live?
What would you do if you had 1 day to live?
The best way to understand time is to ask ourselves this question:
“What should I be involved in while I wait for Jesus to return?
In other words, one could ask this same question a variety of ways, such as:
· What should I be engaged in while I am waiting for Jesus to return?
· What should I be giving my life to and for?
· What should I be doing
Basing our time on the return of Jesus is crucial because it give weight and value to what we do and how we spend our days.
The believer cannot simply think in terms of minutes, hours, days, months, years. Not, our minds are beyond this world: we are in a region and realm that is from everlasting to everlasting.
Some Big Picture Thoughts
1. We don't know when He is coming ()
The context of these passages is to be understood by the preceding chapter verses 36 – 50. In this passage the thought that is being conveyed is that no one knows the day or the hour.
2. We will be judged for how we have spent our time
a. In Each section of there is a call to account for their time
i. V7
ii. V 20 (implied)
iii. V34
b. Those who used their time well
i. 5 virgins -
but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
ii. 2 with the talents
He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.
iii. those who showed compassion
c. Those who did not use their time well
i. Those who assumed
For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
ii. Those who hid
iii. Those who showed no compassion
3. How we spend our time reflects the nature of our heart with the Lord
THE WAY WE USE OUR TIME SHOULD DEMONSTRATE THE FOLLOWING:
I. THAT WE LIVE EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED (1-13)
I. THAT WE LIVE EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED (1-13)
a. Foolish and wise are character traits connected with the use of time
b. See
c. It is the assumption that we “have” time.
d. Procrastination is the killer of readiness; and we must always be ready.
e. There will be no going back and trying to make it right when the Lord returns. How you have spent your life will the your verdict when He appears
f. Key word regarding time “Afterward”
g. Lord lord – they knew who he was; spent their days waiting on Him; problem is that they spent the time that they waited, on themselves
i. Is this not the church today? Is this not so many within the church?
ii. They know Him, but they did not love Him enough to use their time for Him.
Notice that preparation is not the absence of celebration
4. they did what they needed to do and then they lived in the security of their choices
it really is as simple as “taking your oil with you” that is, it is living life, but living it prepared for the expected unexpected (the coming of Jesus is expected, but unexpected.
Thus, how we use our time demonstrates the nature of our expectation and it is here that we see the implications of eternity.
II. THAT WE LIVE ENGAGING IN THE ETERNAL BUSINESS OF MULTIPLICATION (14-30)
II. THAT WE LIVE ENGAGING IN THE ETERNAL BUSINESS OF MULTIPLICATION (14-30)
The third servant, having received the one talent, reasoned that his master might not be coming back at all. If he did return someday, the servant could simply return the talent to his master without loss from any poor investment (v. 25). But if he failed to return, the servant wanted to be able to keep the talent for himself. He did not want to deposit the talent in a bank where it would be recorded that the talent belonged to the master (v. 27).[1]
III. THAT WE LIVE COMPASSIONATELY CHRIST LIKE LIVES (31-46)
III. THAT WE LIVE COMPASSIONATELY CHRIST LIKE LIVES (31-46)
Show a commitment to those who are unable to help themselves. The areas I am about to mention are areas I am praying the Lord to raise up leaders in the church to lead the charge to assist us in spending our time in holy things. How can we as a church give our time to:
a. The poor
b. The fatherless
c. The unborn
d. The addicted
e. The outcast
f. The bullied - students, what are you doing about this
WHY? How we spend the time we are given reflects the rwal nature of our hearts. And the real nature of our hearts are understood by the Lord who, in the end, will judge us according the expressions of our heart:
Ø Did we spend our time foolishly?
Ø Did we spend out time consumed with self
Ø Did we spend our time neglecting the
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
1. Get right with the Creator of Time Who Is Returning: Jesus
1. Get right with the Creator of Time Who Is Returning: Jesus
a. oil symbolic of the Holy Spirit – salvation
For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
b. are you prepared this morning to meet Him at your midnight?
i. That might be today, tomorrow, 50 years from now – but if it were today, are you ready?
For he says,
“In a favorable time I listened to you,
and in a day of salvation I have helped you.”
Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
(ESV)
As it is said,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
2 For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
(ESV)
15 As it is said, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Remember: It’s Not How You Want to Spend Time But How God Has Ordered Your Steps.
Remember: It’s Not How You Want to Spend Time But How God Has Ordered Your Steps.
a. The poor
b. The fatherless
c. The unborn
d. The addicted
e. The outcast
f. The bullied - students, what are you doing about this
Start the first moments of Your Day With the Lord
Start the first moments of Your Day With the Lord
[1] Barbieri, L. A., & Jr. (1985). Matthew. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck, Ed.) (). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.