Guarding Time - Using It Wisely

2.10.2008

"Watching Time"

Being Good Stewards of our Time

by William Akehurst, HSWC

Key Scriptures:

Mark 14:32-38

Deut. 26:2

Ephesians 5:15-17

Colossians 4:5a

James 4:14

Romans 13:10-12

Revelations 22:7-10

As a guideline, a tithe is 10% of our treasures, talents and even our time. With 24 hours in a day, the first fruits of our time should be presented unto the LORD. What are you doing 2.4 hours each day? Are you giving back to the LORD?

As we prepare for Easter, Easter is not that far away

Last week, we looked at faith and remembrance, with our communion service.

The Hour is come.

Today, we will be in that garden of Gethsemane.

Jesus went there with his disciples to spend his last moments before being handed over.

In that garden, Jesus went to pray. And he asked his disciples to pray with him.

Can you not tarry but one hour, He said.

That is my question today.

In a world that is so busy. We have so many things to do in a day...

That telephone call, that show on the radio or TV. We have everything else to do today.

But I want to look at something this day.

Mark 14:32-38

32 And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

35 And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36 And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

The disciples were rebuked for not staying awake. Can you not watch with me one hour?

We must guard ourselves, by praying, and keeping to the WORD of GOD, to keep us from falling into temptation

Ephesians 5:15-17

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

We must walk cautiously, warily, viligantly, with awareness, AS WISE. To Redeem time during an evil day. By understanding the will of God for our lives.

Colossians 4:5a Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time... Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

Walk in the wisdom and the knowledge of the LORD. In His precepts. Life everlasting. Walk in this wisdom and show them who are without this knowledge. Redeeming our time, and theirs. For the Lord.

We were made for one thing. To Glorify the LORD.

James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.

And we don’t have time to fool around. Life is short. We must be prepared. We must be equipped. We must let life pass by as if we were asleep!

Romans 13:10-12

10Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

11And 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.

12The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

The time is now. The time is at hand. SALVATION, Jesus is NOW. Let us put on the armor of light. Let us equip ourselves with Christ.

HOW?

Keeping the sayings of God’s Word. Doing what it says. Keeping right with God by getting into His Word and Consuming it. Taking it in as food. Food for the soul.

But more so. 2 words. Worship God.

The time is now. Don’t keep yourselves from God’s word, Open the Book and let it flow through you.

Revelation 22:7-10

7Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. 8And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. 9Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.