Who Shall Prevail?
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Saturday, 5 November 2011
Time For God
We all wish we had more time. This is the one area of life that all are truly created equal for we all have the same amount of time allotted in a day. 24 hours a day equals 168 hours a week. The question then isn't how much time do we have, but rather, how do we spend the time we have?
Consider the following:
(The figures are not intended to fit every schedule. It is an approximation.)
168 hours per week
50 hours working per week
49 hours sleeping per week
31 hours spent with family, friends, and fun per week
10 hours eating per week
10 hours preparing for work/church per week
7 hours in prayer and Bible study per week
6 hours in traffic per week
5 hours in church per week
Work and Sleep
The Bible is quite clear concerning the need for work. Paul told Timothy, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." (1 Timothy 5:8)
Most work more than they need to in order to keep up with their neighbours rather than honouring God.
The Bible also speaks about our need for sleep.The Psalmist said, "It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep." (Psalm 127:2)
Most medical professionals indicate that 6-8 hours of sleep each night is sufficient.
99 hours have been consumed.
Family, Friends, and Fun
The Bible directs us to spend time with our families, but not in the way we do. The Bible emphasises the need to teach our children the Word of God by word (Deuteronomy 6:5-8) and deed (Proverbs 23:26). Family time today usually consists of television, games, and amusements in general. Very little time is spent instructing and demonstrating the Word of God to our family.
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24) It's difficult to show oneself friendly without spending time with friends. Although, our time with friends typically doesn't include the "friend that sticketh closer than a brother".
31 mores hours gone
130 hours have been consumed
Eating
We are all keen at meal time. Obviously food is required but the amount of food taken is usually beyond that which is required. Some will say that 10 hours a week for meals is too much. Maybe, but we do tend to linger around the table at times. Job had the right perspective when he said, "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12)
Spiritual nourishment far outweighs physical nourishment.
10 more hours gone
140 hours have been consumed
Preparing for Work and Church
Everyone should look presentable when leaving the house. We should be modest and clean. However, shouldn't we be more concerned about our spiritual appearance before God and man?
10 more hours gone
150 hours have been consumed
Prayer and Bible Study
7 hours. Really? I've been extremely generous on this point. Does one spend this much time in prayer before the Lord and in the Word of God? I dare say it's more like 30 minutes at best. What does the Bible say about the matter?
"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm 1:2)
7 more hours gone
157 hours have been consumed
Traffic
Not much to be said here. It is what it is. How does one spend one's time on the road???
6 more hours gone
163 hours consumed
Church
I've allotted 5 hours for corporate worship in the House of God. This kind of generosity borders on a complete lack of stewardship on my part. Churches around the world are cutting out services altogether in complete disobedience of the Word of God.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. " (Hebrews 10:25)
5 more hours gone
168 hours consumed
Conclusion
We spend more time with family, friends, fun and food than with our Father in Heaven. Our problem isn't that we do not have time for God, but rather, that we do not want to spend our time with God.
Consider the following:
(The figures are not intended to fit every schedule. It is an approximation.)
168 hours per week
50 hours working per week
49 hours sleeping per week
31 hours spent with family, friends, and fun per week
10 hours eating per week
10 hours preparing for work/church per week
7 hours in prayer and Bible study per week
6 hours in traffic per week
5 hours in church per week
Work and Sleep
The Bible is quite clear concerning the need for work. Paul told Timothy, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." (1 Timothy 5:8)
Most work more than they need to in order to keep up with their neighbours rather than honouring God.
The Bible also speaks about our need for sleep.The Psalmist said, "It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep." (Psalm 127:2)
Most medical professionals indicate that 6-8 hours of sleep each night is sufficient.
99 hours have been consumed.
Family, Friends, and Fun
The Bible directs us to spend time with our families, but not in the way we do. The Bible emphasises the need to teach our children the Word of God by word (Deuteronomy 6:5-8) and deed (Proverbs 23:26). Family time today usually consists of television, games, and amusements in general. Very little time is spent instructing and demonstrating the Word of God to our family.
"A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." (Proverbs 18:24) It's difficult to show oneself friendly without spending time with friends. Although, our time with friends typically doesn't include the "friend that sticketh closer than a brother".
31 mores hours gone
130 hours have been consumed
Eating
We are all keen at meal time. Obviously food is required but the amount of food taken is usually beyond that which is required. Some will say that 10 hours a week for meals is too much. Maybe, but we do tend to linger around the table at times. Job had the right perspective when he said, "Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food." (Job 23:12)
Spiritual nourishment far outweighs physical nourishment.
10 more hours gone
140 hours have been consumed
Preparing for Work and Church
Everyone should look presentable when leaving the house. We should be modest and clean. However, shouldn't we be more concerned about our spiritual appearance before God and man?
10 more hours gone
150 hours have been consumed
Prayer and Bible Study
7 hours. Really? I've been extremely generous on this point. Does one spend this much time in prayer before the Lord and in the Word of God? I dare say it's more like 30 minutes at best. What does the Bible say about the matter?
"Pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
"But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night." (Psalm 1:2)
7 more hours gone
157 hours have been consumed
Traffic
Not much to be said here. It is what it is. How does one spend one's time on the road???
6 more hours gone
163 hours consumed
Church
I've allotted 5 hours for corporate worship in the House of God. This kind of generosity borders on a complete lack of stewardship on my part. Churches around the world are cutting out services altogether in complete disobedience of the Word of God.
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. " (Hebrews 10:25)
5 more hours gone
168 hours consumed
Conclusion
We spend more time with family, friends, fun and food than with our Father in Heaven. Our problem isn't that we do not have time for God, but rather, that we do not want to spend our time with God.
Adult Sunday School Lesson - 9:45am 11/06/11
Unity Through Humility
Philippians 1:27-2:4
- Paul Wanted Them to Stand Fast In One Spirit
- It was Paul's greatest desire that the church be unified
- If we are to be unified we must be of the same Spirit. We must all be under the influence of the Holy Ghost at all times (Ephesians 5:18).
- If we are to be unified we must be of the same mind. We must hold the same opinions as it concerns doctrine (Philippians 1:27 & 2:2) (I Corinthians 1:10).
- Paul Wanted Them each to, " esteem others better than themselves"
- The phrase, "lowliness of mind" means humility of mind or modesty. (Philippians 2:3). Paul was an example of this (Acts 20:19).
- We are no required to be Jesus, but we are required, by the power of the Holy Ghost to be like Jesus.
- What has Jesus asked us to do that requires we humble ourselves before Him and before man?
- God asked Cain where his brother was. (Genesis 4:9).
- Cain's first response was a lie and his second was rebellious.
- He knew where his brother was
- He was never told that he was his brothers keeper.
- God knew where Abel was
- Christians will be held accountable to God individually. However, He has placed within each Christian an immeasurable compassion for others.
- Spiritually, we should know where are brothers and sisters in Christ are.
- God has never said I'm my brothers keeper, but He does expect me to be concerned for the spiritual welfare of my fellow Christians.
- God knows where we all are spiritually
- To whom are you indebted to for sharing the Gospel of Christ with you? To whom are you indebted for modeling the Christian life to you?
- Paul Wanted Them to Live Without Fear of Their Enemies
- What is the biggest problems we face today? Do these problems make us fearful
- We are often fearful of men. (Romans 8:31)
- We are often fearful of events and circumstances (Matthew 6:25-34)
- Persecution is never fun but it is a proof or our profession. (Philippians 1:28) Persecution is a promise of God to them that live Godly in Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12)
- God also promises to make all things right one day (Philippians 2:5-11) so that we can live today without fear (Philippians 1:28)
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
Sunday Evening Sermon 11/06/11 at 6:30
Please join us for evening worship as we consider the following question.
"Do You Have A Place For God?"
Sunday Morning Worship - 11/06/11 at 11:00am
Please join us for worship as Pastor Tommy Capps preaches the morning message.
Adult Sunday School Lesson - 9:45am 11/06/11
Please join us for Sunday School as we discuss,
"Unity Through Humility"
Philippians 1:27-2:4
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