## Plenty of Time

## John 4:35

Last week I received the news that my son's father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer. Initially they discovered a tumor on his spine, and now they have found that the cancer is in his bone marrow. That isn't good news.

This week one of our school teachers shared that her father-in-law was just told he has terminal cancer. With treatment, they give him six months. That is often one of the first thoughts when someone is diagnosed with cancer; "How much time do they have?" Of course there are many variables that must be considered when answering that question. Doctors are often hesitant to give a time frame…usually because they simply do not know. My mother lived a year after her diagnosis, but my father lived only three months.

One of the greatest mistakes that people make is to think that they have 'plenty of time'. By nature we want to believe that we will have plenty of time to accomplish all of the things we have planned, but the reality is that we don't!

God's Word admonishes us to realize that time is fleeting. We are challenged to 'redeem the time'; which simply means we are to take advantage of very opportunity that we have. In other words, don't waste time, use it wisely!

All of us can look back on the past with some regret about what we should have done, or what we wanted to accomplish. Unfortunately, there is nothing that we can do about the past! What has been done cannot be changed. However, we can, and must decide what we will do today! I would like to consider three thoughts this morning on the subject of 'plenty of time'.

I. When? Whatever we do, it will have to be done now.

A. We must not waste our time.

1. God graciously grants each of us the same amount of time.

a. It is amusing to me to hear how some folks talk about their lives.

b. Some would have us believe that God shortchanged them…He gives them less time than others…but that simply isn't true!

2. The difference is seen in how we use the time God has given us.

a. God leaves that up to us; it is our choice.

b. He certainly warns us of the dangers of wasted time.

c. And He challenges us to use the time we have wisely.

d. But the decision is left up to you and me on what we do with what God has given to us.

B. We are instructed to 'redeem the time'.

1. God expects us to be good stewards; making the best possible use of the time that we have.

2. Sometimes folks think that stewardship is only about money!

3. But God expects us to be good stewards with our time, talents, and treasures.

C. We are accountable for how we use the time God has given us.

1. For the believer... (Romans 14:10-12) But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

2. For the unbeliever...

(Revelation 20:12-13) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

3. There will be no escape from this accounting.

II. Who? Whatever we do must be done for those who are around us.

A. The death Christ died.

1. Was for all people, not just a chosen few.

(1 John 2:2) And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

2. He died for every class, race, and color of people.

3. Therefore what we do in ministry must be unlimited in its scope.

B. Consider your circle of influence.

1. Our family:

a. This of course involves first the immediate family of husbands, wives, parents, and children.

b. It then expands to include grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

c. We may not think so, but we have an influence with family that someone else would not have.

d. Often they know us well enough to see that Christ and Christianity is real in our lives!

2. Our job or profession:

a. Realize that God knows where we are and He has us there for a reason.

b. That reason isn't just to earn money, but to be a lighthouse in the darkness.

c. Once again, when people get to know us and realize that we aren't just 'playing at church' then we can have a great impact upon their lives.

3. The list could also include our neighbors, service people, or other acquaintances.

4. It is clear that whatever we do… must be done for those who are around us.

III. Where? Whatever we do must be done in the place where we are!

A. The "if only" and "I would but" syndrome.

1. We have just finished a campaign that focused on excuses.

2. With all honesty we would have to say that we are an 'excuse-prone' people.

3. Instead finding a reason to do something, we are experts at finding a reason why we can't do it!

4. If only... I had a million dollars, I was more like someone else, I was younger, etc. etc.

5. I would but...I am so busy, I can't afford to, I am afraid of what might happen, etc. etc.

6. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

B. Certainly this world needs to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ.

1. They need to hear in Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, and Europe.

2. But what about the people in Bloomington?

3. We have just completed a great mission conference and our faith promise mission giving is at an all time high.

4. But we must not forget that we are expected to be a light in the darkness whether it is in some foreign land or right across the street!

Is there plenty of time? How much time do we have? Only God knows. That is why He instructs in His Word that we should not boast of tomorrow, but we need to take action today!

When? Whatever we do must be done now.

Who? Whatever we do must be done for those who are around us.

Where? Whatever we do must be done in the place where we are.

A two-fold invitation this morning: If you are here this morning and you do not have a personal relationship with Christ, right now is the time you need to come to Him by faith. Don't put it off! Don't think you have plenty of time. Listen to the Word of God.

2 Corinthians 6:2b, "…Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

Are you a Christian? Are you sure that you are born again? Are you 'redeeming the time'? Are we making the best use of the time God has given to us? God declares to us that it is time to get busy!

Romans 13:11, " And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed."

What is your need this morning? Don't waste any time. Come to Jesus for salvation, come to Jesus for forgiveness, come to Jesus for encouragement, come now…do not delay.