Pastor Lawton's Sermon

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April 25, 2010 -

Time Series:"Gift of Time"

Sermon Outline

The Gift of Time
Luke 19: 11 – 13 (p.743)
Ephesians 5:8-16 (p. 829)

Stewardship of Time

1. Time is not a burden
2. All areas of stewardship affect the others
   • Money
   • Talents
   • The gift of salvation

 
  The principle of stewardship is closely linked to the concept of grace: everything comes from God as a gift and is to be administered faithfully on his behalf.   (New Dictionary of Theology)

1. Divine Ownership (Psalm 50:10)
   • Unlimited resources
   • Unlimited power
   • Responsible for  what is given away and what is kept
2. Freedom to accept or ignore His ownership
3. Rewards and Consequences
   • We reap what we sow (Gal. 6:9)
4. Rewards
   • Treasures in Heaven (Mt. 6:19 – 21)
5. Consequences could include
   • Unhealthy relationships
   • Dissatisfaction with life
   • Sense of false security

Time Management

1. The unique thing about time is that we all have the same amount
2. Performance oriented value
   • We are taught our identity and value is in what we accomplish
   • Pressure to be extremely busy is especially high within the church
3. Good activities do not always equal good use of time

Identity Oriented Value of  Time

1. Focus Our Time
   • Focus on being rather than doing
2. As followers of Christ we know who we are (Eph. 5:8 – 10)
   • Transferred
   • Transformed

“Redeem the Time” (Eph. 5:15,16 KJV)

1. To buy from
   • Reclaiming our time for Christ
2. Use to the full
3. Look for opportunities to be the influencer
4. Interruptions could be opportunities

We Must…

1. Be flexible
   • Allow the needs of others to change our calendar
2. Live with a sense of urgency
   • “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2)

                If we do not have time for others now, we never will!

Going Deeper

1. Do we demand too much of ourselves and others when it comes to what we accomplish in a day?
   • How can that change?
2. Fill out the time management sheet, at the end of the week see if you are focusing more on accomplishments or your identity in Christ.
   • Did you take advantage of opportunities to do good? 
3. Reflect on these passages this week: Galatians 6:9-10, Colossians 4:2-6, 2 Corinthians  6:1-2
   • How do they make a difference in how you view time?

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