Ephesians 5:15-17; Colossians 4:5-6

Introduction:

1. America runs on Dunkin because America just runs too much.

2. If the devil can’t make us bad, he will try to make us busy.

Discussion:

I. Properly Appraising Time

A. Like everything else, we must value time properly to use it properly.

B. Two elements that are critical to this appraisal:

1. Recognize its brevity (Psalms 39:4-5; 90:10, 12; James 4:14).

2. Recognize how we are to use it (Luke 2:49; John 9:4; Ephesians 2:10).

II. Carefully Appropriating Time

A. Twice Paul called for “redeeming the time” (Ephesians 5:16; Colossians 4:5).

1. Both are participles attached to the command to walk in wisdom.

2. These participles indicate the means to fulfill the command.

B. God’s wisdom does not grow in us on its own (Psalms 90:12; 119:9-16; Proverbs 2:2-6; 1 Timothy 4:12-15; 2 Timothy 2:15).

C. The time is now; there is no tomorrow (2 Corinthians 6:2; Hebrews 3:12-15).

D. Redeeming: a verb meaning to buy up, buy back, or rescue from loss.

III. Consistently Applying Time

A. The present tense of the verbs indicates a continual process.

B. Circumspectly: diligently, precisely (Psalms 119:9-11; 1 John 1:5-7).

C. With such a wily adversary seeking our destruction, it is imperative that we don the armor of God every day (Ephesians 6:11-18; 1 Peter 5:8).

Conclusion:

1. While it is perfectly fine to take a bit of leisure time to rest (Exodus 20:8-11), we must resist the modern American trap of living lives of leisure.

2. How will we fill our calendars? Will we be about our Father’s business, or will we be about the worldly pursuits of our neighbors?

3. Let’s honestly assess our calendars and purge the junk before we run out of time.