Be
About My Father's Business
Lk.
2:41-50 Jesus
at 12 years old, left behind at Jerusalem by His parents. After
a 3-day search found Him in the temple. His reply: "Why
is it that you sought Me? Did you not know that I
must be
about
My Father's business?"
-
A LITTLE OVER 20 YEARS LATER (about a year before His crucifixion) -
Jn.
9:1-7 At
the temple, Jesus healed the man who was blind from birth. Jesus
told His
disciples why this opportunity
to do the work of God
had been afforded Him
& the urgency
of it;
"I
must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is
coming when no one can work."
-
JESUS WAS GIVEN WORK TO DO, & SO DO WE -
THIS
IS WHY GOD MADE US: TO DO THE WORK HE PLANNED FOR US
Eph.
2:10 "For
we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God
prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."
Rom.
13:13-14 Walking
"properly" = Appropriately. This is our God-given work.
WISE
USE OF TIME & OPPORTUNITY - OUR RESPONSIBILITY
Rom.
13:11-12 "knowing
the time" = Be aware of the time you have to do your work in -
Since we believed ("first began"), we are closer to the day
of "our salvation"
(the last day, when we will be glorified in Him.)
PAUL
WROTE SIMILARLY TO THE EPHESIANS
Eph.
5:14-17 Awake!
Walk wisely
(carefully), use your time wisely, know His will.
2
Tim. 2:15 "Be
diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not
need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
-
TIME & OPPORTUNITY ARE A GIFT & A RESPONSIBILITY -
Mt.
25:14-30 PARABLE
OF THE TALENTS. With blessings come responsibility, with
responsibility comes accountability, with accountability comes
judgment.
TIME
IS FOR OUR OWN MEASURE & USE
Gen.
1:14 "Then
God said, 'Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to
divide the
day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for
days and
years;'"
-
GOD DOES NOT NEED TIME MEASURED - 2
Pet. 3:8
v
2
Pet. 3:8 "But,
beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is
as a thousand
years, and a thousand years as one day."
CONSCIOUSNESS
OF TIME & ITS BREVITY
Psm.
90:2-6, 9-12 Time
passes swiftly & life is short, therefore: "So teach us to number
our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."
Jas.
4:13-ff Life
is as "a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes
away PLANNING
IS NOT WRONG - unless it is without regard of TIME.
SETTING
WORTHWHILE GOALS - THE MEANS TO GROWTH
Lk.
14:28-32 JESUS
RECOGNIZED THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING AHEAD
AND COUNTING THE COST.
-WHAT
ARE SOME GOALS WE COULD SET (for the new year)? -
Read
the bible all the way through. Become a mentor to someone younger
Memorize
scriptures Spend more time with your children
Become
more "instant" in prayer Improve your marriage
Commit
to attend all worship services Become a better homemaker
Increase
our giving Break a bad habit
Lead
someone to Christ Develop a positive attitude
Take
steps to teach a bible class Manage your time better
Develop
yourself to become an elder Learn to serve others
-
PROGRESSIVE GROWTH IN THE ADDING OF THESE VIRTUES -
2
Pet. 1:5-11 Faith,
virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness,
brotherly
kindness, love.
A
POSITIVE ATTITUDE - NOT LOOKING BACK TO REGRET
Phil.
4:13 "I
can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
-
LOOKING BACK AT FAILED RESOLUTIONS - A NEGATIVE ACTION -
-
LOOKING AHEAD HELPS TO PREVENT GIVING UP -
Phil.
3:12-14 "Not
that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on,
that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold
of
me. [13]
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one
thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward
to those things which are ahead, [14]
I press toward the goal for
the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
-
YESTERDAY
IS GONE, DON'T DWELL ON THE PAST -
-
TOMORROW IS NOT YET, DON'T WORRY BY BORROWING FROM IT -
-
TODAY IS YOURS TO USE, DON'T WASTE IT.
TOMORROW
Mt.
6:34 "Therefore
do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own
things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
TODAY
Psm.
118:24 "This
is the day which the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in
it."
Heb.
3:12-15 "...exhort
oneanother daily,
while it is called 'Today'"
-
TODAY IS THE DAY WE CAN BEGIN AGAIN -
1
Jn. 1:9 "If
we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness."
-
PRAYER TO GOD FOR HELP TO KNOW OURSELVES, OUR FRAILTY, OUR
PLACE, & FOR DELIVERANCE FROM SIN.
Psm.
39:4-8 "...And
now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You."
INVITATION
Today
is the day of salvation - We are not promised tomorrow
Heb.
3:13 "But
exhort one another daily, while
it is called today
;
lest any of you be
hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."