The Value of YOUR Time

Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer, Ph.D.

Family Worship Center 1/21/18

Text: Ephesians 5:15-16

  1. Notes on Ephesians – Modern day 19km to Kusadasi TK
  2. Paul was there end of 2nd missionary journey Acts 18:18-21 and for two years during 3rd missionary journey in Acts 19:1-41.
  3. Prison Epistle along with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon because Paul wrote it from prison, written about 60-62 A.D.
  4. Sent by Tychicus who was accompanied by Onesimus.
  5. Outline Chapters 1-3 Doctrinal, 4-6 Practical (Highlight more next week – bring a pen and highlighter.

Ephesians 5:15-16 ~ Contextof 8-18 – Light and clarity and keeping life clear and focused.

Part One: Immersed in Time

  1. Clocks and setting back time.
  2. The current moment is called “present” because it truly is a present, a gift from God.

Part Two: The Value of Time

  1. Video “The Value of Time.”
  2. The purpose in time. Ecclesiastes 3:1.
  3. Purpose driven life needs to know how to use time whether it’s work time, down time, quiet time or play time.

II. Valuing time requires the wise use of time.

  1. Everyone has the same amount of time.
  2. You must change the way you use your gift of time to accomplish the things you wish.
  3. What if someone deposited $86,400 for you in the bank each day, but you were required to spend it all carefully and at the end of 24 hours it would be gone? You’d focus on using it well wouldn’t you?
  4. 86,400 seconds each day banked for you as a precious gift. At end of 24 hours it’s gone.

III. We must learn to number our days.

  1. Psalm 90:12 Moses writes… So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
  2. “Packing, pursuits and priorities” message.

Part Three: Redemption of Time

  1. Ephesians 5:16-17 Paul in prison calling us to make good use of time.
  2. “Walk Circumspectly” or “wisely”.
  1. Circumspectly is from the Greek word ἀκριβω̂ς (akribose whose root means “pointed”). It means “having traced the course of all things accurately” seeing what’s really going on.
  2. You need to carefully, accurately understand the culture around you and walk WISELY. Apple and iphone addiction.
  3. You must respect your time if you want others too as well.
  1. The call to “redeem the time.”

A. “Redeem” is from the Greek word ἐξαγοραζόμενοι (exagorazomenoi)

B. Literally taking it off the market - C. Middle Voice – action for your own benefit.

D. Redeem by payment of a price to recover from the power of another.

E. To make wise and sacred use of time.

III.God wants you to take control of time in your life to use it wisely and scripturally.

  1. Organize, write out your schedule and joyfully carry out.
  2. See planning as a way to be free, not restricted.
  3. God is calling you to this to get the most out of life. Example… mom who was overwhelmed. Organize and schedule set free. Bed, dishes, laundry, bathroom.
  4. Not just to work but to play too!
  5. Some people don’t have the time to have fun because they are inefficient in working.

IV.Colossians 4:5- “Walk in wisdom toward those whoare outside, redeeming the time”

  1. Don’t waste it on negative people and events like someone cutting you off… 5 seconds of negativity and you waste minutes to hours dwelling on it.
  2. Don’t let others steal your time.
  3. Don’t let technology control your time and emotionally schizoid your brain and life.
  4. Don’t let anyone take your Sunday time or your devotion time. Put God first.
  5. Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” That is using your time wisely. That is Valuing YOUR time.

Next week more encouragement on protecting your time and filling it with joy and peace.

Closing: Your Choices are still creating your 2019. Only 49 weeks and we are there! Use them wisely, enjoy them fully.

Discussion Questions for Home or Small Group

  1. Explain why we need to look at time as a gift from God.
  2. Why do you need to respect your time?
  3. What does it mean to “redeem” the time
  4. Identify what things you want to do or need to do to take your life to the next levels in various areas of you life including your relationships, work, learning, etc.
  5. Make a list of 5 things you need to do to make these happen.
  6. Prioritize them.
  7. Set time frames or deadlines.
  8. Share your lists to get wisdom from others.