What It Means To Have A Quiet Time Series

Text : Mark 1:35

ETS: Jesus practiced time alone with the Father.

ESS: Every Believer needs time alone with the Father.

OSS: Believers will commit to spending time alone with the Father.

PQ: What is so important about having a daily quiet time?

UW: Questions

TOPIC: “ What it means to have a Quiet Time”

INTRODUCTION:

Have you ever noticed that there are differences in believers? Some rush around with burdened hearts and worried minds. Others seem to have a tranquility about them no matter what is going on around them. What brings this tranquility of spirit? The single greatest factor is the practice of having a daily quiet time.

Note the following questions and their answers:

I. WHAT IS A QUIET TIME?

A. It is time when you get alone with God for the purpose of fellowship and worship.

1. Notice how Jesus did it:

a. He departed to a solitary (gk. Eremos= solitary, lonely, desolate, uninhabited) place.

b. He prayed (gk. proseucomai = to offer prayers, to pray).

II. WHO NEEDS TO HAVE A QUIET TIME?

A. Jesus did. (Text, Mk. 6:46; Lk. 6:12; 22:41)

1. Following a busy day and before another day began (text).

2. At time of great personal crisis

(Lk. 22:41).

B. Moses did.

1. When he received the ten commandments. (Ex. 19:3, 19-20)

2. When the tablets were rewritten

(Ex. 34:28)

C. King David did. (Ps 55:17; Ps 5:3).

1. When seeking direction

a. (2. Sam. 21:1; 5:19; 7:18)

2. When in times of crisis

a. (2 Sam 15:30-31)

3. When the realization of personal failure and sin set in (Ps. 51).

D. You and I need to.

1. At all times (1 Thess. 5:1)

III. WHAT IS INVOLVED IN HAVING A QUIET TIME?

A. Set aside a particular time to spend alone with God

1. It must be predetermined.

a. If you don’t set aside a time you won’t have the time.

b. Jesus predetermined the time.

(anisthmi = to cause to rise up, raise up, raise up from laying down)

1) Jesus did so before the day began.

2. It must be planned.

a. How much time will you spend?

1) Notice that Jesus planed to spend a good amount of time.

2) “a great while before day”

b. It needs to be unhurried.

B. Set aside a particular place to get alone with God.

1. It needs to be somewhere that you can be quiet and uninterrupted.

a. Notice Jesus went to a “solitary place”.

2. This is important if you are to unclutter your mind so that you can meet with God. (Note: Ps 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God”)

C. Secure a copy of God’s Word to take with you to your time alone with God.

1. God’s Word (the Bible) is the primary tool that God uses to speak to us. (Note; 2 Tim. 3:16; Rom 15:4; Heb. 4:12)

D. Spend time in prayer, talking heart to heart with God.

1. Pray with purpose and direction.

a. Confession (1 Jn. 1:9; Ps. 66:18)

b. Adoration (Ps. 9:1; Ps. 71:14; 86:12)

c. Thanksgiving (Ps. 95:2; 100:4)

d. Supplication (Ps. 30:8; 142:1)

E. Sit quietly and listen to the voice of God.

1. We must be still so we can hear his voice. : Ps 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God”

a. He will comfort you during this time.

b. He will direct you to scripture during this time.

c. He will direct your spirit during this time.

IV. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HAVING A DAILY QUIET TIME?

A. Peace

1. Through refocusing your attention on Himself, rather than your problems.

(Php 4:7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

(Col 3:15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

B. Joy

1. Because the source of your strength becomes Christ rather than your circumstances.

(1Pe 1:8) Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

C. Fulfillment

1. Spending time alone with Him fulfills the heart like nothing else can. (Jn. 10:10).

D. Direction

1. Spending time with Him enables Him to give you direction when you need it. (Prov. 3:5-6)

E. Power

1. Through the filling of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18).

CONCLUSION:

A. Summary

B. Call to Commitment