You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

Time

Intro.

1.   Time is a blessing we do not control, but we do use it, Eph 5:15-16; Eccl 9:10.
2.   We will be judged for how we use our time (cf. Matt 25:26-27).

I. THERE IS A TIME ACCEPTABLE FOR OBEYING GOD, Eccl 3:1.

   A.   To Hear His Voice, Psa 95:6-11 (Heb 3:7-13).
      -Receive His word: Do not harden heart (Heb 3:12-13).
   B.   To Confess and Repent of Our Sins, Psa 32:5-6.
      -Acts 26:28-29: Today…! (Delay means hardening and remaining lost in sin!)
   C.   To Pray to God, Psa 69:13-18; cf. Isa. 49:8 (2 Cor. 6:1-2)
       -Shows your trust in God – God answers in His time (Lk 18:1, 5, 7-8)

II.   WHAT KEEPS US FROM USING OUR TIME WISELY?

   A.   Worldly Entanglements, Gen 19:16.
       -These cause us to linger when we should flee; hesitate when we should attack, procrastinate with we should produce and compromise when we should contend (1 Cor 15:33; Jude 3).
   B.   Family Cares, Lk 9:61; 14:20 (cf. 1 Cor 7:32-35). That which is right can become the instrument of our undoing.
   C.   Unbelief, Acts 17:32. It tends toward man defining what is important to give our time to rather than accepting God’s definition of important things and giving our time to them.
   D.   Personal Convenience, Acts 24:25 (cf. Lk 14:17-20).
       -Such poor and selfish stewardship of our time shows that God is not the first priority of our lives; these sorts of excuses lead to our spiritual and eternal demise! Jno 9:4

III. HOW CAN WE OVERCOME THESE TIME BANDITS (hindrances to effective use of time)?

   A.   By Youthful Piety, Eccl 12:1. Start young, 1 Tim 4:12; 2 Tim 2:22.
   B.   By Subordinating our Earthly Duties to our Heavenly Ones, Matt 6:33-34; Col 3:1-3. Simplify…prioritize…maximize!
   C.   By Careful Living, Eph 5:15-16 (1 Pet 2:11-12).
      1.   Use your time for things which benefit your soul, the well-being of others and your obedience to God.
      2.   Take time to consider whether this use of my time will enhance or harm my faithfulness to Christ.
      3.   Be patient (endurance), Jas 5:7-11.
   D.   By being a Consistent Example before the World, Col 4:5-6; Titus 2:7-8.
      1.   The use of our time has an influence on those around us (including those who aren’t Christians).
      2.   We cannot disregard the impact our wise use of time has on others!
      3.   Setting an example of priorities, of responsibility (job), accountability, etc.
   E.   Remember the Brevity and Uncertainty of Life, Psa 90:12; Jas 4:13-15; Lk 12:19-20.
      1.   Medicines, doctors, treatments: Ultimately, all of these are unsuccessful against aging and death (Heb 9:27).
      2.   Shouldn’t we be more committed to our spiritual health (since that part of us is immortal) than our physical health?
      3.   Remembering the brevity of life focuses our attention on the soul and eternity, 2 Cor 4:16-18.
      4.   Remembering the uncertainty of life compels us to redeem our time, Prov 27:1; Eccl 9:10.

IV.  WHAT HAPPENS IF WE WASTE OUR TIME?

• Our talents are squandered, Matt 25:26
• Our growth is thwarted, Heb 5:11-14
• Our character is undeveloped, 2 Pet 1:5-11
• The lost remain lost, 2 Cor 4:3
• The world gets worse, 2 Tim 3:13; Matt 5:13-16
• We lose our souls, Rev 3:15-16

Conclusion
1.   Although time is unseen it holds a tremendous power in our lives and a great asset when used wisely.
2.   Use it to the advantage of Christ and your salvation.

Top

You can find the complete outline of this sermon at BIBLE ANSWERS

The Gospel

Intro.

1.   Not everyone knows what the gospel of Christ is (euangelion: “Good news, good message”).
2.   Some limit "gospel" to news about Christ (not his teachings given through His apostles). (Quotations)
   a.   Gospel is “sound doctrine”, 1 Tim 1:10-11.
   b.   Gospel also preached to Christians, Rom 1:15 (1 Ths 2:9; 3:2).
   c.   Gospel does not exclude the epistles, cf. Gal 2:2, 5.
3.   The importance of the gospel cannot be overstated, Mk 16:15.
   -What is it? Who is it from? What does it say to me? What do I do with it?
4.   We should desire to know the gospel so that we can believe it and obey it for the saving of our souls

I. THE GOSPEL IS GOD’S MESSAGE TO MAN, Gal 1:11-12; 1:6-9.

·         Good news of a Messiah and His kingdom, Lk 2:10-11 (Matt 4:23; 24:14

·         Good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, 2 Ths 2:13-14.

·         Good news of grace available and obtained, Titus 2:11-12.

II. THE GOSPEL IS THE GOOD NEWS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST, 1 Cor 15:1-4.

·         Preached (By the apostles; be mindful of their words, 1 Pet 1:12; 2 Pet 3:2; 1 Cor 14:37)

·         Received, Acts 18:8; 2:41; 8:12-13 (2 Cor 11:4).

·         Stand, Rom 5:1-2; Col 2:6-7.

·         Saved, Rom 1:16; 2 Ths 2:10; Jas 1:21; 1 Pet 1:22-25.

·   Facts to be believed, Jno 20:30-31 (Mk 1:1).

·   Commands to be obeyed, Matt 7:21; 2 Ths 1:8 (sound doctrine, 1 Tim 1:10-11).

·   Promises to be received, Titus 1:2; Col 1:5 (Eph 3:6).

 IV. THE GOSPEL IS FOR THE WHOLE WORLD, Mk 16:15-16; Acts 10:34-35; Matt 28:18-20.

·         Alien sinners, Mk 16:15.

·         Christians, Rom 1:15; 16:25.

III. THE GOSPEL IS NOTHING TO BE ASHAMED ABOUT, Rom 1:16 (1 Tim 2:4; Jno 3:16; Heb 5:9).

·         To be ashamed of the gospel is to be ashamed of Christ, Mk 8:38.

·         To be ashamed of faithful brethren is to be ashamed of the gospel, 2 Tim 1:8, 16.

·         Boldly proclaim the gospel, Eph 6:19 (1 Pet 4:11).

 -From the pulpit and in the house, 2 Tim 4:2-5; Acts 20:20.

V. THE GOSPEL IS THE MESSAGE OF PEACE:

·         With God, Rom 5:1; Eph 2:16-18; Rom 10:15, 16-21.

·         With man, Eph 2:14-15; Isa 11:6-10; 65:25.

·         With self (Phil 4:4-7).

VI. THE GOSPEL MUST BE OBEYED (2 Ths 1:8; Matt 7:24-27; 7:21).

·         Immediately, Acts 16:33; Heb 3:12-13.

·         Completely and always, Jas 1:22.

·         Profitable when mixed with faith, Heb 4:2; Rom 10:17.

·         Calls sinners to repentance, Acts 3:19; 26:20.

VII. THE GOSPEL ENDURES FOREVER, 1 Pet 1:23-25.

·         Do not wait for a different message or a “more convenient season” (Acts 24:25).

VIII. THE GOSPEL WILL JUDGE US IN THE LAST DAY, Heb 2:1-3 (Jno 6:63, 68); Jno 12:48.

Conclusion
   Phil 1:27: "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…"

Top