Power Point Show MP3 audio Part 1 MP3 audio Part 2

Scripture Reading: Matthew 25:1-13

Why Are You Waiting?

Intro.

1. Procrastination is a stumbling block to accomplishment. It undermines our view of who we are and what we can achieve (Prov. 23:7).

a. "the act or habit of...putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention" (dictionary.com).

b. "Procrastination: Ten Things to Know", (Psychology Today).

2. Jesus set our example of not waiting to do what is good, Jno. 9:4.

3. In fact, when it comes to doing the good things of God, to wait is sin, Jas. 4:17.

I. WHY DO PEOPLE WAIT TO OBEY THE GOSPEL?

A. Convenience, Acts 24:24-25.

B. Wrong Priorities and Lack of Sufficient Commitment, Lk. 9:59-62.

C. Think they will Always have Time Later, Matt. 25:1-13; Jas. 4:13-17.

D. Selfishness, Lk. 15:13.

II. WHY ARE YOU WAITING TO BE SAVED?

A. To Believe, to Confess Faith, to Repent and be Baptized? Acts 22:16

B. The Correct Response to the Gospel: Act Immediately, Acts 16:31-34.

III. WHY ARE YOU WAITING TO GROW IN YOUR PERSONAL FAITH? Heb. 5:12-6:3 (teach others, discernment to do good and shun evil)

A. Time Gives Us Opportunities to Grow; We Must Seize the Day.

-To pray more earnestly, learn more diligently and live more faithfully.

B. God Wants You to be Spiritually Mature, Eph. 4:14-15; 2 Pet. 3:18.

IV. WHY ARE YOU WAITING TO BE A BETTER SPOUSE? 1 Pet. 3:1-7

A. Wife: Be Respectfully Submissive to Your Husband as Your Head by Trusting God's Leadership, 3:1-6.

1. "Well, he just won't listen to the Bible!" Then, show him the Bible.

2. "He takes me for granted!" If so, you never take for granted your godly conduct (1-2) and spiritual adornment (3), and continue being gentle and quiet in spirit (4).

B. Husband: Be Respectful and Honor Your Wife by Leading her with Love, 3:7; Eph. 5:25, 28-29.

1. "It doesn't do any good; she is never satisfied!" God is satisfied (7).

2. "She doesn't show me any respect, why should I respect her!" Respect is earned, not dictated. (cf. Christ loving us when we don't show Him respect, Eph. 5:25) Matt. 7:12

V. WHY ARE YOU WAITING TO RENOUNCE SIN AND COME TO GOD FOR MERCY?

A. Must You "Bounce on the Bottom" before Coming to Yourself? Lk. 15:14-21

1. Must you experience the emptiness, deceit, pain and loneliness of sin before you will turn to God? (Heb. 11:25)

2. Procrastination allows your heart to harden against God and His word and will not bring you closer to God - just the opposite.

3. God wants to spare you the pain, heartache, trauma and spiritual death of sin, 2 Pet. 3:9.

Conclusion

1. While we have time (today) we will exhort one another to act now and avoid the delaying tactics of sin, Heb. 3:13, 7-8.

2. Now is the accepted time and day of salvation, 2 Cor. 6:1-2.

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: December 17, 2015