"Take Time To Be Holy!"
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I. Introduction
I. Introduction
The Book of Ephesians is one of the most exciting, powerful and practical Epistles to the church that was born in Acts CH2.
In chapter five, Paul gives some very practical instruction on how to live a clean life that will please Jesus Christ!
And then in verse 15-16, He says this:
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Here’s how it reads in the Amplified version:
15 Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], 16 [a]making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil.
Today I want to share something with you that the Lord dealt with me about last year, and then again last night.
I brought it before you at that time and today again, I would ask for your spiritual involvement.
Go ahead and relax, It’s all good! we are in the will of God.
My title today is the same as it was then.
It is an invitation, and it is this:
“Take Time To Be Holy.”
Time is a Gift
Time is a Gift
I have always loved a good story!
The drama! The suspense!
For me, a good audiobook is gold!
And one night, not too long ago, T and the kids and I were listening to an audio production, the story of Noah and the Ark.
We enjoyed hearing the sounds of Noah and his family building the ark.
The sharp tearing of wood fibers with long cross cut saws. The punding of heavy mallets: hard work!
Noah tried to warn the people! We heard that.
And then finally, we heard the animals coming into the ark, and then, the thunder in the background, the storms and the wind as the fountains of the deep broke up!
What I did not like, were the sounds that came after God closed the door of the ark.
You could hear the beating of desperate hands, the crying and pleading of those locked outside the ark…
Later, as we talked about the story, I realized for the first time, that every one of those who died outside the ark that day, had been given 120 years to repent before judgement came.
That’s more time than we get.
You and I don’t get that much.
God gave them a gift of 120 years.
They could have used it wisely and lived.
A council in hell
A council in hell
A story is told of a day that Satan called a council of war, in hell.
There he gathered the most wicked, violent and repulsive demons to discuss the most effective method of destroying people’s lives.
One suggested: “Tell them there is no God.”
Another said: “Tell them there are no consequences to their actions.”
A third said, “Tell them that they have strayed so far from God, there is no way they will ever be able to come back.”
“No, Satan replied, we’ve done that. We have done all of that. Now we’ll tell them this:
“There is plenty of Time.”
Realize the value of time.
Realize the value of time.
I have been asking God to help me do a better Job managing my time.
I went and bought a paper book planner and three pens, Every hour of the day is on the page.
I have a blue pen for family stuff, a red pen for church, and then black for work and everything else.
It’s a work in progress.
I know that I have room to improve in this area.
The thing is, sometimes I forget just how valuable time is!
have you ever found yourself scrolling through some feed or other and woken as it were from a dream?
“Surely I have better things to do!”
Time is a commodity that you never get back!
Once it has been spent, you simply cannot get it back!
When you really think about it, time is more valuable than anything!
To realize the value of one year, ask a student who has failed his final exam.
To realize the value of a month, ask any general or builder!
To realize the value of a week, ask a small business owner waiting for a permit or a check that is supposedly “in the mail.”
To realize the value of a day, ask the day laborer working for labor ready, with give little ones to feed.
To realize the value of one hour, ask a couple waiting for their wedding ceremony!
To realize the value of a minute, ask the guy who just missed the smart train ride to work!
To realize the value of just one second, ask a person who has survived an accident with his very life!
Folks, we only get so much time.
And yet God considered the time that He gave us to be enough!
24 hours in a day.
If you feel that is not enough time, all I can say is: God does.
It is not His fault if we waste it!
Now the other day I thought I was pretty smart and tried to convince God that another day was needed in every week.
He did not apparently think that was a good idea.
So I’m gonna have to work with what He gave me!
24 hours is the daily alottment!
Has to do with planets and orbits and other very big things that I cannot effect in any way!
God is the one who designed that stuff, created it and then remember, HE called it good!
So I guess I’m just gonna have to work inside of that framework!
1440 come to me each day!
1440 come to me each day!
A banker once wrote how wonderful it would be if each person were given $1,440 to spend each day.
Every person in every country, everyone, everywhere!
Considering how many people globally, live on just $2 or $3 USD every day, 1440 would be a huge step up!
This would be far more than enough for food, clothes, shelter.
It was a good plan from a good man!
Good money for all! Only they had to spend it before the sun went down, none of it could be carried over to the following day.
Sounds pretty good! $1,440 a day!
I sat down and added it up!
That’s $10K a week and $40K a month!
I could live goooood on that! As long as I spent each day’s allowance.
Im talking tri tip every day!
Menchies frozen yoghurt!
NIce clothes, fancy stuff!
All of our sisters would be using the designer purses and shoes!
“Look what I picked up? What, this old thing?” LOL
What could you do with that kind of blessing?
But then you realize:
We already get that!
Not in money, but in time!
1,440 minutes comes to us each day.
Ask any person on their deathbed and they will tell you: Time is more valuable than money!
Only you can answer the question:
Am I spending the time that God has given me, wisely?
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Here’s another one:
I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.
So teach us to number our days,
That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
These are all powerful verses that we ought to meditate on.
We should take action, and apply this to our lives!
But let’s zoom in a little closer!
We are Christian people!
We believe in the message and faith and experience of the Apostles!
More than simply valuing our time.
We ought to take time to be Holy!
Holiness: the basics.
Holiness: the basics.
First, let’s establish our basic understanding of what it means to be Holy.
It is a big concept!
544 times in Scripture we see this word, but the theme of Holiness is a constant throughout the Scriptures.
From beginning to end, every time man encountered God, it was in the context of Holiness.
Moses was told to take off his shoes in that presence, because in the presence of God, even the ground is Holy!
The word itself means, apartness, sacredness and separate.
It speaks of something that is pure and dedicated and consecrated unto God.
All through the Bible we feel the strength of this command: “Be Holy, like me!”
At the very end, we know that time will ceaseand eternity will begin with worship as untold millions proclaim the Holiness of God!
When I speak of Holiness this morning, I am not talking about a code of dress, or just the outward appearance.
Now it’s a shame, but true: Some have come to view Holiness as nothing more than a dress code.
A uniform if you will.
But you and I know, it is so much more!!!!!
About a year ago, we talked quite a bit about Holiness.
And someone made a very good point:
Christians say they serve a Holy God.
Their lives are governed by a Holy Bible.
They want to spend their lives in a Holy heaven,
They are filled with the Holy Spirit, and yet when Pastors and preachers and teachers say the Word, nobody seems interested!
As though Holiness was a bad thing!
And if that’s how you feel, it’s just a case of mistaken identity! You don’t know what Holiness is!
Great News: God can fix that real quick and give us a love for Holiness!
Once a person knows what Holiness really is, it’s like the Matt Cain sandwhich at Ikes sandwhich shop: Roast beef, turkey, salami, cheese and dirty sauce on warm dutch crunch bread:
Once you get it, you want more!
It’s wonderful! It’s just so good!
Folks, Holiness is not a system of rules or a dress code!
Holiness is so much more!
And to anyone that is sick and tired of sin, Holiness is something beautiful!
OH it is! Truly!
So the first thing to understand is that God expects His people to live a lifestyle of holiness.
but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”
In fact, this is so important, the writer of Hebrews tells us that we cannot go to heaven without it!
We are taught that Holiness should affect every area of our lives.
And then In 1 Peter 2:9-11, we learn that Holiness is supposed to make us stand out!
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.
Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,
Holiness standards are things that exist on the inside where nobody sees.
They also exist deep down inside where nobody else can see!
Guardrails in your life that keep you in a safe place!
One Hebrew writer put it this way: “More than Israel kept the sabbath, the sabbath kept Israel.”
When we discuss this topic here at Abounding Grace, you will always hear me say:
It’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.
As the church grows, we must be kind and show new believers how wonderful a life of holiness truly is!
It takes time for God to work in the life of a believer! The important thing is the direction you are moving in.
As long as you are moving forward, God will help you!
Bro Woodward has a powerful study on this topic, I highly recommend it!
In that study, he proves by the Scripture that Holiness has to do with the inside and the outside, both!
He shows how that Holiness is something God expects from women and from men.
He reminds the church that Holiness is a process and if we focus on helping hurting people come to God, He will lead them into true Holiness!
This I know.
And this you know.
But God keeps on reminding me:
“Take time to be Holy.”
II Application
II Application
In the business of our lives, we need to remember to take time for the most important things.
We need God to help us!
Friend, this is where you stand or fall!
Take time with your spouse, with your children. It is the will of God!
If you are single, Take time to connect with the people that God has put in your life.
Take time for the most important things.
Take time to be Holy.
There is an old song you used to could find in the old hymn books, nobody ever sings it anymore, but this is what it says:
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
And run not before Him, whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
The church of the living God is not a mere club or social group with uniform and code of conduct!
We are the bride!
We are His Bride!
If we would only commune with Him, Feed on His Word, Draw strength from Him daily, all of the external stuff falls into place!
This Spirit Holy, does lead and guide!
He is able to move us around the ambushments of the enemy!
If we would discern His body, truly value our brothers and sisters, can you imagine the unity?
This is how the early church turned the world upside down!
They loved God! They loved each other!
Friend, our world grows darker each day!
The hopelessness, the anger, the selfishness!
The only way you are going to survive, the only way you are going to make a difference is if you take time to be Holy!
The beginning of the year is a great time to start a Bible reading program.
Mark off your progress every day and feel good about yourself, knowing that you put Him first!
I have heard complaints through the years: “God is not talking to me.”
To which I respond: When did you last give Him the chance?
He speaks to us, so often through His Word!
If we do not spend time in the Word, you are living beneath your priviledge and have only yourself to blame!
What treasures of peace, what treasures of revelation are waiting for that one who is hungry!
Approach your Bible with the attitude: “I wonder what God is going to show me today?”
Encourage yourself in the Lord!
Sing praises in the shower!
Worship n the car! In traffic!
Enjoy these wonderful ministeries, preachers past and present, declaring the Word of the Lord!
It is possible to turn on a radio station, listen for a few minutes and depending on what they are playing and saying, you will feel world weary and dirty or you find it has merely a neutral effect on you.
Doesn’t take you down, but doesn’t lift you up eaither.
But then, when you move into an attitude of gratitude, when you listen to praise, something changes in the atmosphere!
And all the sudden, the presence of God can move into your car or your bedroom!
Hey, I want angels in my house!
I want to see the miraculous!
Nobody is going to force you to prioritize God, but friend, you’lle be glad you did!
It’s work to practice music, to clean the church restrooms, to call around on Saturday, and get as many folks in church as you can on Sunday!
It may take effort to raise funds for missions, or do outreach at the park, but when you do these things, encourage yourself in the Lord and say:
“I’m taking time to be Holy!
The average person spends almost four hours a day on their phone and another 3 plus hours watching TV.
You know I’m not against good entertainment in balance!
I love it!
I’m not against spending time to learn a skill or exercise or study. These are good things in balance!
But Don’t lose sight of Scriptures like:
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Satan will whisper , he’ll suggest “Oh, there’s plenty of time, to pray through later.”
And you won’t even realize it’s him!
“Church can wait.”
“Devotions can wait.”
“Pray later, when it’s convenient.”
Before you know it, you’ve taken those suggestions and you don’t even like the person in the mirror.
You don’t respect yourself!
You don’t even have confidence toward God!
It’s the Prince leaving the palace to wander through gutters, just wandering, and not finding anything good.
Back at the palace, the tabel has been set! Fine clothes have been set out, provisions and plans have been made!
Child of the King, live in His Grace!
Enjoy the priviledges He has given you!
Exercise the authority He has given you!
Don’t spend your 1440 minutes in this world only!
Spend time in the Spirit
As I close this morning, I remember the words of a great man, now in heaven.
He said:
The greatest miracle that God can do is take an unholy man out of an unholy world, and make that man holy, and put him back into that unholy world and then keep him holy in it!