But does it really work? Does changing the outside really change who or what we really are? You be the Judge. In Matthew 25:14-30 the Lord Jesus uses a parable to teach a lesson. “The Time is at Hand”. Vs 14 A man and his 3 servants. Vs 15 Gave each talents according to their ability. Vs 16-18 Each servant did what he wanted with the talents. Vs 19 “The Time is at Hand”. Vs 20-21 The 1st receives his reward. Vs 22-23 The 2nd receives his reward. Notice the rewards are based on faithfulness, not on amount accomplished. Vs 24-30 The 3rd receives his reward. “The Time is at Hand”. Not much can be done about last year… Review it, confess your failures, ask God’s forgiveness. Now is the time to look forward to a new year. Let’s endeavor to walk closer to our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Putting Him first in all things. Now this doesn’t mean an outward change, although good, it means an inward change, a change of heart, attitude. The apostle Paul states it this way,Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Remember “The Time is at Hand”.
Whether the new year brings you face to face with God, via death, or via the blessed Hope, the rapture or next year reviewing the past and looking forward, let’s redeem the time be active in serving God. Remember “The Time is at Hand”.
The Lord Jesus said, (John 5:28-29) Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. Remember “The Time is at Hand”.
THE YEAR has begun … For our medication we are considering TIME! We began yesterday (which is already PAST, GONE), whatever we did, whatever happened cannot be undone! We cannot reclaim even a moment of that time. Did you use it wisely? We can’t change what was done, but we can control what’s coming. There is still 361 ½ days left … 8,679 hours to be used. How much TIME do you give to God? Unfortunately, most of us will use our time unwisely.
Have you ever heard someone say “just a second”? Perhaps you have even said it. Just how long is a Second (1/60 of a minute). Not a very long time, is it? But that’s a lot longer than it’s going to take for the Lord Jesus to return for His Saints (Believers). Consider what the Scripture says: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17, 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 Yes, just a second, a moment, a twinkling of the eye … Are you ready? Will you be ready? Why not take a second, a second look at the claims of Christ, and trust Him as your Lord and Saviour. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 10:9. How much TIME do you give to God?
Each morning this week we have been considering TIME. Having just entered into a new year, many of us thin we have all the time in the world to accomplish all the things we have planned. BUT, consider: winter is almost over, then comes spring cleaning, taking down storm windows, golf, trout season, soon school will be over, vacation time, arm (hot) days, picnics, camping, swimming and before long back to school, leaves changing, raking, hunting season, storm windows up, the first snow, Thanksgiving, and the Christmas season. In just a moment of time, the whole year has flashed through our thoughts. Well, there is only 360 ½ days left … 8,655 hours to be used. How much TIME do you give to God? Of those hours, 2,880 are going to be used sleeping. 2,040 hours spent at work (based on 40-hour work week). That leaves 3,735 hours left to do what you want to do. That’s only 155 days. Boy where does time go? How much TIME do you give to God? Could I suggest giving God 7 minutes a day? Here’s some tips on how to give God 7 minutes a day: Have a regular prayer time. Be flexible (some times you will have to alter your schedule). Be willing to sacrifice, but keep your 7 minutes. Don’t become discouraged (God is always there). 1 Thessalonians 5:17Pray without ceasing. At least 7 minutes a day.
Another day has passed, another 24 hours is gone. It’s in the past. Was it time wasted? Was it time used wisely? Just what value came of your last 24 hours? 24 hours, … 1,440 minutes …8,400 seconds … Did you make each of them count? How much TIME do you give to God? The 24 hours are gone, past, they will lever belong to you again, they have been spent. But the next few hours are yours, will you use them wisely?
As we plan for today, perhaps it would be wise to see just who, what we are: James 4:13-14Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. Just a vapour! The apostle Paul challenges us to make good use of our time: Ephesians 5:15-17See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Colossians 4:5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Remember your life is “a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away”. How much TIME do you give to God? And finally, our time will be accountable to God. Romans 14:11For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. Isaiah45:23 … That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Romans 1:18For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Romans 10:6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
1 Corinthians 8:5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 1 Corinthians 15:47The first man is of the earth, earthy; the second man is the Lord from heaven. 2 Corinthians 5:2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 2 Corinthians 12:2I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.
Galatians 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Ephesians 1:10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: Ephesians 3:15Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him
Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Colossians 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: Colossians 1:20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. Colossians 1:23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Colossians 4:1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
1 Thessalonians 1:10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
Hebrews 9:24 For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: Hebrews 10:34For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Hebrews 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Hebrews 12:25-26See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
But for all he wrote, he also Quoted the Old Testament: 1 Corinthians 2:9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Isaiah 64:4 For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
Doctrines of Devils: Speaking lies Conscience seared Forbidding to marry Abstain from meats
These “doctrines” will cause some to “depart from the faith.”
We desperately need to know the biblical doctrine concerning devils (or Satan and his demonic henchmen), for their influence has nearly captured American education and culture.
Galatians 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
The Gospel is in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus according to the scripture). And when this is believed, obey Romans 10:9 “confess that the Lord Jesus is God”.
Leviticus (19) All references are involving a sacrifice under the Law Leviticus 5:15,16,18, 6:6, 8:2,18,20-22, 9:2,4,18-19, 16:3,5, 19:21-22, 23:18
Numbers (65) All references are involving a sacrifice Under the Law Numbers 5:8, 6:14,17, 19 7:15,17,21,23,27,29,33,35,39,41,45,47,51,53,57,59,63,65,69, Numbers 7:71,75,77,81,83,87,88, 15:6,11, 23:1,2,4,14,29,30, Numbers 28:11,12,14,19,20,27,2, 29:2,3,8,9,13
The ram was many times mentioned as being a sacrifice. Also a sign of wealth. But just looking in Daniel.
Daniel, in a vision, saw a ram which represented a coming kingdom. Daniel 8:3-4Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: and the two horns were high; but one was higher than the other, and the higher came up last. I saw the ram pushing westward, and northward, and southward; so that no beasts might stand before him, neither was there any that could deliver out of his hand; but he did according to his will, and became great.
Daniel 8:6-7And he came to the ram that had two horns, which I had seen standing before the river, and ran unto him in the fury of his power. And I saw him come close unto the ram, and he was moved with choler against him, and smote the ram, and brake his two horns: and there was no power in the ram to stand before him, but he cast him down to the ground, and stamped upon him: and there was none that could deliver the ram out of his hand.
It was explained to Daniel who the RAM represented: Daniel 8:20The ram which thou sawest having two horns are the kings of Media and Persia.
Israel is referred to and likened to a flock of sheep.
Matthew 9:36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Matthew 10:6But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 12:11-12And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days. Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matthew 18:12-13, Luke 15:4-6How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
Matthew 25:32-33 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Matthew 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.
The Lord Jesus cleans out the Temple: John 2:14-15
John 10:2-4 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. John 10:7-8 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. John 10:11-16I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. John 10:26-27But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
The Lord Jesus challenges Peter: John 21:16-17
Acts 8:32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth
Romans 8:36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
Hebrews 13:20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
1 Peter 2:25For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
Revelation 18:13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
