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Rev. Ronald C. Purkey claims no originality for this Bible study outline.
However,
every outline posted on this website has been taught by Rev. Purkey.
To see more Bible study
outlines go to page two: More Bible Study Outlines.
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INTRODUCTION:
A. A pastor recently told his church:
1. “Last week I received the news that
my son's father-in-law was diagnosed with cancer.”
2. “Initially they discovered a tumor
on his spine, and now they have found that the cancer is in his bone marrow.”
3. That’s not good news!
B. A school teacher shared that her father-in-law
was just told he has terminal cancer.
1. With
treatment, they give him six months…
2. "How much time do they
have?" is often one of the first thoughts when someone is
diagnosed with cancer.
a. Of course there are many variables
that must be considered when answering that question.
b. Doctors are often hesitant to give
a time frame…usually because they simply do not know.
3. My mother lived in a nursing home
for a year after she had a stroke, but my father died after only a few days in
the hospital for a “check-up.”
4. Doctors simply do not know for
sure!
C. One of the greatest mistakes that people make
is to think that they have “plenty of time”.
1. 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!
2. God's Word
admonishes us to realize that time is fleeting.
3. We are challenged to “redeem the time”; which simply means we
are to take advantage of very opportunity that we have.
4. In other
words, don't waste time, use it wisely!
D. All of us can look back on the past with some
regret about what we should have done, or what we wanted to accomplish.
1.
Unfortunately, there is nothing that we can do about the past!
2. What has
been done cannot be changed.
3. However, we
can, and must decide what we will do today!
4. 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 is the watchword of the wise.” -- Charles H. Spurgeon
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 people 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
people 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
“Look not every man on his own things, but every
man also on the things of others.” (Philippians 2:4)
A. The death Christ died.
1. Christ died
for all people, not just a chosen few.
(1
2. He died for
every class, every race, and every color of people.
3. Therefore
what we do in ministry must be unlimited in its scope.
B. Consider your circle of influence.
1. Your
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. Your 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, church family, or other acquaintances.
4. It is clear
that whatever we do… must be done for
those who are around us.
“And [Jesus] was withdrawn from them about a
stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing,
remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine,
be done.”
(Luke 22:41-42)
A. The "if
only" and "I would
but" syndrome.
1. 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...
a. I had a
million dollars,…
b. I was more
like someone else,…
c. I was
younger,…
d. etc. etc.
5. I would but...
a. I am too
busy,…
b. I can't
afford to,…
c. I am afraid
of what might happen,…
d. 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
2. But what about the people in
3. 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!
C. Is there plenty of time?
1. How much
time do we have?
2. Only God
knows.
3. That is why He instructs in His
Word that we should not boast of tomorrow, but we need to take action today!
“Say not ye,
There are yet four months, and then
cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the
fields; for they are white already to harvest.”
(John 4:35)
I.
When? Whatever we do must be done now.
II.
Who? Whatever we do must be done for those who are around us.
CONCLUSION:
A. We have a two-fold invitation this morning:
1. If you are here this morning and
you do not have a personal
relationship with Christ,…
a. right now
is the time…
b. you need to
come to Him by faith.
2. Don't put
it off!
a. Don't think
you have plenty of time.
b. Listen to
the Word of God. (2 Corinthians 6:2b)
B. Are you a Christian?
1. Are you sure
that you are born again?
2. Are you “redeeming the time”?
3. Are you
making the best use of the time God has given to you?
4. God
declares to us that it is time to get busy!
C. What is your need this morning?
1. Don't waste
any time.
2. Come to Jesus for salvation,
come to Jesus for forgiveness, come to Jesus for encouragement,…
a. come now…
b. do not
delay.
REFERENCES: References
used in this Bible study are from the
Believer’s Bible Commentary, David C. Cook Publishers Bible-in-Life, Dr. Cliff
Robinson Bible Outlines, Dr. Lee Roberson’s Sermons, KJV Bible Commentary, Our
Daily Bread, The Bible Reader’s Companion Ed. 3, The Nelson Study Bible: New
King James Version, Thru the Bible with J. Vernon McGee, Wiersbe’s Expository
Outlines of the New Testament Ed. 4, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines of the Old
Testament, With the Word Bible Commentary, and selected illustrations.
E-Mail: Ronald Purkey
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