February 2, 2025
Sermon Part 1: “Time Dictates That We Do Everything in Decency and In Order!”
Wasted “Time” Can Never Be Recovered.
Jesus Christ said that “We must work while it is day” (John 9:4), which means that we should actively pursue our goals and responsibilities while we have the opportunity, as “Time” is limited and “night” (representing difficulty or lack of opportunity) will eventually come when work is no longer possible. For there is no labor in the grave. (Eccl. 9:10)
Good Morning Saints and Happy Sunday!
Introduction:
A friend of mine’s father owns a prosperous construction company that the family has built-up over the last 30-years. However, recently I asked him what would happen if his father suddenly died; what would happen to the business and the families’ wealth? He looked at me, shrugged his shoulders and sadly said that his father had not yet prepared a “Will,” and all of his assets; including the business are in his name. He added that several “Times” before he had mentioned to his father about making a Will, but that no action had been taken.
This Sermon Series entitled, “Don’t Waste Your Time: Procrastination is the Enemy of Time,” focuses on the financial well-being of you, and your family, in their generations to come. But, it also relates to everything God has called and chosen you to do during your “Time” on earth. I’m led to teach this Series because over the years I have talked with many born-again Christians about various financial matters; such as estate planning, life insurance, taxes, saving, and investing.
Frankly speaking, among many born-again Christians, our knowledge of money and asset stewardship is abysmal. Not so much because of a lack of exposure and teaching from either a spiritual or natural perspective on these subjects. But, more so due to a wicked device the enemy Satan has used against us called, “Procrastination.” I cannot tell you the number of “Times” I have heard Christians tell me they were going to take action(s) to improve their financial situation. Only to follow up later and hear them say: “I haven’t gotten around to doing that yet.” Or, it’s on my list to do.” Oh yes, or “I’m still thinking about it.”
Now, this Series is not a financial planning seminar, where I give you a 7-or 10-step financial plan for success. Rather, this Series is a reminder, and admonishment of the importance of making the most of your “Time” allotted on earth, and the vital need for you to take action(s) today to get your financial affairs in order, and keep them that way.
Growing up, I was extremely blessed to have had a Grandmother, who by observing her life, taught me many lessons. She was always on “Time,” worked very hard, and she was fastidious about everything, especially about keeping her house clean and financial affairs in order. Though she started out with very little, God blessed her to leave an inheritance, not only of godly character to her children and grandchildren, but also wealth transference. God is faithful! His Word declares that “…the soul of the diligent shall be made fat” (rich, abundantly supplied in all things). (Prov.13:4) Thank you Grandma for your excellent example of using “Time” wisely.
I pray this Series will light a fire under everyone’s feet to get and keep your house, including your financial affairs in order. One of the enduring Scriptures that I keep afresh in my thinking is Isaiah 38:1, where the Prophet Isaiah tells Hezekiah to prepare for death. He told Hezekiah: “set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live.” The phrase “set thine house in order” meant for Hezekiah to make hast to arrange his affairs and solve his problems. These words should be a guiding light, for life, to born-again Christians to order their homes, according the Word of God/Principals of the Kingdom of God. Right now, is your house “set” in order? Are your affairs in order and problems solved? Or have you, like so many other people, put important matters off until another day?
Procrastination is Satan’s Workshop
In today’s world, many people, born-again Christians included, treat the word “Procrastination” lightly, and as an acceptable mode of behavior. Some people seem to think the delay in handling important matters is acceptable and not worthy to mark as Time-Sensitive and Critical and follow through. As they assume that “Time” will be available at a later date to eventually resolve matters. But I’m here to tell you that Procrastination is “devilish,” and we are not to be cavalier about it! Check out what the Dictionary says about Procrastination:
Procrastination is “the act of putting off a task or goal intentionally and habitually in favor of something less important, despite knowing the negative consequences.”
Did you see that? Procrastination is the willful repeated act of delaying the handling of something of importance. Even though the person “knows” that delayed action(s) in completing the task or goal could have negative consequences. Well Saints, this is straight out of Satan’s Workshop/Play Book, to tempt us to put off until tomorrow, the next day, or even for years, what needs to be done today. (I Pet. 5:8) Satan wants us to make a habit of intentionally wasting our “Time” doing things of lessor importance, rather than taking action on tasks and goals that are more necessary and beneficial to us. Satan enjoys when we “gamble” with our “Time;” to take the risk of letting important matters remain unresolved.
Now, please allow me to share my definition of Procrastination. It’s “punchier” than the Dictionary’s definition.
Procrastination is when a person chooses to sit with their hands underneath their hinder parts; content with failing to do what they know should be done right away. All because of laziness, and slothfulness; not rightfully discerning the “Time” God has given to them on earth!
Oh, wake-up Saints and hear the Word of the Lord, recorded at Proverbs 24:33-34!
Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want (scarcity) as an armed man.
By the Grace of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, as born-again Christians, we have been made rightful heirs of all things, in life and death. (I Cor.3:22) And, as “Stewards” of the great mysteries of God (the greatest of which is, Christ in you the hope of glory) it is required that we be found faithful over all things God has placed in our hands. (Col. 1:27, I Cor. 4:2 & Rev. 3:12) Many Saints don’t understand, or lack trust in God, that “Christ” in them has the supernatural ability to cause an abundance of wealth, money, and material possessions to flow into their hands in fulfilment of the Abrahamic Covenant. (Prov.10:22, Gal. 3:3-6, 13-14, & II Cor. 8:9)
God also guarantees that if we “call on the Lord,” he will make us rich! See it for yourself at Romans 10:12. But even with this assurance from God, many Christians are too lazy and apathetic to call on the Lord to make them rich. Despite the fact that many of us are living in financial peril and ruin; living in financial houses that are a “ticking Time-Bomb” that eventually will explode into negative consequences, and choosing to do nothing about it!
Well I tell you Saints, the clock is ticking on our “Time” remaining on the earth to set our houses in order. None of us knows when we will take our last gasp of air and be marked absent from this life, and present with the Lord in Heaven. But, I ask you more specifically now: In what financial condition will you leave your love ones? Will they be left with an inheritance, or sacked and made sorry with your debts? Will they know your final wishes, and be able to execute them, or will a court judge have to issue a ruling on how your estate will be distributed?
Satan, the “thief,” comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (John 10:10) Daily, unbeknownst to many born-again Christians, Satan seeks to steal “Time” from us. “Time” is the most important thing in this life that once spent we can never recover again.
There is a “Time” for every Purpose of God. (Eccl. 3:1) Right now, on February 2, 2025, God has placed money and material wealth into your hands to fulfill His Divine Purpose. However, through the temptation of “Procrastination,” Satan desires for you to misappropriate, squander, or sit idle with the wealth God has placed in your hands. Material resources that are intended to be a “blessing” and multiply for us, to remember God in honor with tithes and offerings, to enjoy and share with our families as well as those in need, are wasted because of Procrastination. All because we put important financial matters on the back-burner, rather than taking action today!
As we begin 2025, determine not to be a “hearer” only of the Word of God concerning financial matters, but also a “doer” of the Word. (James1:22) Only what you do for Christ will last, and be counted at the end. For, we shall all stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ to give an account for the work we have done, and receive our just reward. (II Cor. 5:10)
Time is a Precious Gift from God to Mankind
For the remainder of this Sermon, I want to talk about “Time.” Throughout the Series I will use parenthesis to highlight the importance of not wasting “Time.” “Time” allotted to us on earth is not to be taken lightly, nor for granted. “Time” is an exceedingly precious gift of life we have from God. On every occasion, if you look at your watch the seconds tick away, and you ought to thank God for the “Time” He has given to you. At Genesis 1:14, we glean from the Scripture that through the Loving Kindness of God, He created and established “Time” in the earth realm. The Scripture reads:
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
God gave to those who would inhabit the earth (Adam, Mankind, and every living thing) light bearers (the sun, moon, and stars in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. To among other things serve as useful signs (tokens) of God’s “Provident Care,” and for marking seasons, days, and years. Oh yes, when you look towards the sun, moon, and the stars you are to know that God “Divinely Cares” for you! You are to know that God is your source, supplier, provider, protector, and sustainer. You are to know that God has placed you in the earth for such a “Time” as this, established Divine Purpose(s) for your life, and has Plans for you to successfully execute. God has a work for you that is intended to make you wealthy!
On its most basic level, “Time” is understood to be measured in hours and minutes that make up a day. Like the earth was created to reflect Heaven, “Time” was created to reflect eternity. “Time” is a powerful tool of God, used to reveal and release the sundry Divine Purposes of God. “Time” is an unseen force that continually churns forward the days, seasons, and years. “Time” serves as a continual progress of existence and events in the past, present, and future as regarded as a whole. Thus, we reason that “Time” has a past, present, and future.
Understand Saints, when God created Adam from the dust of the earth, He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. Adam breathed in God’s Spirit and he became a living soul. A speaking spirit in an earthly body. (Gen. 2:7) His physical body was formed from the dust of the earth, and the most precious and vital parts of his being was his spirit and soul, called the “heart” of man, or “inner-man.”
Adam was created to live forever, his life was eternal and exalted “far” above seasons, years, days, and the force of “Time.” Adam’s dominion and authority was over the lower heavens, included the sun, moon, stars, the earth, and beneath the earth. Adam was responsible for subduing anything that would rise-up against him, including Satan. (Gen.1:28 & Ps. 8:4-6)
Understand please that before Adam sinned, he had no life- span, as his existence was above and outside of “Time.” Adam did not age. God also gave to Adam Higher Knowledge, called the “Wisdom of God.” Adam did not learn things; he knew all things by the Spirit of God. His knowledge was good and perfect, as it came from Heaven above. (James 1:7) When Adam spoke it was with “Purpose,” and “Time” revealed all that he had decreed. For Adam gave names to all of the animals and fowl of the air, and everything living on the earth that God had formed from the ground. (Gen. 2:19-20) And it was so.
The woman, whom God formed from Adam’s rib while asleep, when presented to him by God, it was Adam who decreed: “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called woman because she was taken out of man.” Thus, as long as earth remains the female is known as woman. (Gen. 2:21-22) Thereafter, Adam prophetically announced, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” (Gen. 2:24) The Marriage Covenant was established by the words of Adam, with God and Heaven as Witnesses. And, so shall marriage be between male and female, husband and wife, as long as the earth remains. The two shall become “ONE” flesh. (Matt.19:8)
When Adam disobeyed the Commandment of God, and he and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he experienced “death,” (spiritual and natural death) just as God said he would. (Gen. 2:15-17, & 3:6-7, 19) Spiritual death, separation from God immediately took place. The Light of God left Adam’s heart (spirit, soul, and mind of the soul) and darkness flooded his inner-being, and the “end-of-human life process” began to take effect.
Adam, who before he sinned was the Master of “Time,” was made along with all of Mankind, a slave (subject) to “Time.” Adam, in his great fall lost Higher Knowledge and became subject to an inferior and far lower intellectual experience called education, which is acquired knowledge through learning, experience, and trial and error over “Time.” God still loved Adam and provided guidance and instruction to him, but principally he was left to reason and make decisions good or evil in a fallen world based on human intellect and instincts and a heart dominated by Satan. (Gen. 3:22-24)
Adam’s physical body began the process of dying and returning to the dust, from which he came. For Adam, life on earth would have a term limit of 930-years in total. Adam’s sin resulted in every person, from their mother’s womb being conceived in sin and shaped in iniquity. (Ps. 51:5) For every human being, from birth, the death process begins. A birth date and death date; a sun-rise and sun-set. Yes, sin has arranged an appointed “Time” of death for us all, and then the Judgment, should Jesus Christ tarry in His return to rapture the Church. (Heb. 9:27)
Although by one Man’s disobedience (Adam) all of Mankind was plunged into sin, God’s Mercy and Grace covers the world, such that we are not utterly destroyed and casted out. God having Promised eternal life, even before the foundations of the world, after Adam’s fall released the Messianic Promise to save Mankind from sin. (Titus 2:1 and Gen 3:15) But, until the Messiah would come into the world and atone for the sins of the world, from Adam to every person born into the world after him, when the “Time” of death came, their spirits (soul intact) went to Sheol (Hades); referred to also in Scripture as the abode of the dead, the grave, pit, or hell.
In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus Christ described the abode of the dead as having two compartments, one a “place of torment,” and the other, a place of comfort called the “Bosom of Abraham.” The place of torment, is where the wicked dead dwell, where they are in prisoned, separated from God and punished with unending suffering in both mind and body for their sins. It is a place of exceedingly great darkness and stench; fire with the worst of flames; demon harassment of the souls there is without ceasing, and there is only sadness and sorrow.
On the other hand, the Bosom of Abraham was a compartment of hell in the “heart of the earth”, and served as a type of holding cell for the righteous (The Old Testament Saints, those who believed and trusted in God) who died prior to Jesus’ Ascension back to Heaven, when He opened the way to Heaven for all who repent and trust in Him. (Acts 1:1-2) The Old Testament Saints were held hostage by Satan, and there was a wide-gulf between them and the wicked dead in the place of torment of Hades. (Matt.12:40)
Throughout the ages and process of “Time,” God would use His Holy Prophets of Old to reveal His Divine Purposes set forth in the future of “Time” to call the people of the earth to repentance. To allow the Prophets to see glimpses and testify of the coming Messiah. To see “Times” and events of the coming of the Messiah. (Mic. 4:2, Matt. 1:18-23, John 7:40, Rom. 1:2-4 II Pet. 1:21)
Of Jesus Christ’s coming, the Apostle Paul wrote at Galatians 4:4: “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,” meaning that when the perfect moment in “Time” arrived, God sent his Son Jesus Christ into the world to redeem Mankind from sin, death, and hell.
Jesus Christ proffered many statements about His “Time” on earth, all of which pointed to His God-given Divine Purpose: To lay down His life sacrificially so that Mankind could be redeemed from sin, and receive the Kingdom of God. For example, Jesus said:
*Mark 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye and believe the gospel.
*John 7:6, My time has not yet come, but your time is always here.
*John 7:8, Go to the festival yourselves. I am not going to this festival, for my time has not yet fully come.
*John 12:23, The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.
*John 12:27, Now my soul is troubled. And what should I say-Father, save me from this hour? No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.
*John 19:30, When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Praise God, Jesus Christ, with His finished works on the cross, and Resurrection from the dead on the third-day, abolished death and brought light and immortality to life. (II Tim.1:10) Jesus died on the cross and His Spirit descended into the lower parts of the earth, to hell, where He took from Satan the keys of hell and death. (Rev.1:18 & Eph. 4:7-9)
He preached the gospel to the Old Testament Saints that were kept in the compartment of comfort (Abraham’s Bosom) and led captivity captive. Meaning in Jesus, He led those in the Bosom of Abraham to their heavenly resting place. Yes, Jesus got the victory over the power of death. Abraham’s Bosom is now empty! Jesus’ victory over death so powerful, that after His Resurrection, graves haven been open by a great earthquake, many bodies of the Old Testament Saints were seen coming out of the graves and walking around the city. (Matt. 27:52-53)
Since the “Time” of Jesus’ Resurrection from the dead, when someone dies who has believed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and accepted Him as Lord, their inner-beings immediately go to be with Jesus in Heaven. (Php.1:23, II Cor.5:6, 8, Rev. 6:9, & I Thess.4:14) Jesus said… “If any man would believe in Him, though they were dead, yet shall they live.” (John 11:25) While our physical bodies, which are full of corruption due to Adam’s sin are subject to death, our inner-man is renewed day-by-day. The inner-man never dies, and is taken up to Heaven to be with the Lord. (I Cor. 15: 53-55 & II Cor. 4:16, 5:8) Glory be unto God, to die in Christ means we never see, taste, nor experience death. (John 8:51) Also, when Jesus returns to rapture the Church, our earthly bodies will be raised from the dead “incorruptible” and made to put on glorious bodies like unto His. (Rom. 8:11 & I Cor. 15:53)
Just as there was a “Time” for us to be born into the world, there is a “Time” for us to die a physical death and be taken up to Heaven, if we know the Lord. And there will be a “Time” when Jesus will return to Rapture the Church and be adorned with glorified bodies, like unto His body. Notice that for each of these events in “Time,” God only knows the Day, Hour, and Second of occurrence, and He alone has established our Purpose.
When you heard the Lord Jesus Christ call you into His fold, He did so according to the Divine Purpose and Plan of God for your life. Check out Romans 8:28-30, the Apostle Paul wrote:
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
As born-gain Christians, we were called into Christ and the Kingdom of God, according to God’s Divine Purpose. Like Jesus Christ’s life on earth was set under the Divine Purpose of God, your life has also been set under God’s Divine Purpose. The writing of the Apostle Paul makes clear that God’s Purpose for our lives is that we be “conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.” Oh yes, God “predetermined” before He created and established “Time” in the earth, that you would become like Jesus Christ, a son of the Most-High God. (John 1:10-12)
When you received Jesus as Lord, your inner-man was transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. (Col. 3:3-4 & II Cor. 5:17) You were given the Spirit of the Life and Mind of Jesus Christ, so that Christ’s life might be lived through you. So that everything you do, every step you take on earth, is with Purpose and ordered by the Lord. (Ps. 37:23) Since you have the Life of Jesus in you, everything that you think, say, and do is to be done in decency and in order; adhering completely to the Divine Purpose of God. Jesus, ever perfecting your whole-being in His image until the coming of the Lord. (Php.1:6)
In this way, all things/every Event that has been established in “Time” (past, present, and future) works together for your “good,” because you have been called according to God’s Divine Purpose. When you follow in the footsteps of Jesus, there is no one that can stand against you, for God is with you. (Acts 10:38) There can be no backsliding, premature physical death, failure to fight the good fight of faith and complete the race-course set before you. There is no one who can lay anything to your charge, because you are the “elect of God” and walking in love with the Lord. (Rom. 8:31, 33)
As such, as the sons of God, we must make the most of our “Time” on earth, directed only by the Holy Ghost in fulfilling God’s Divine Purpose to be Christ-like in spirit, soul, body, character, behavior, and performance. We have Christ’s life, which enables us to “Redeem” the “Time.” So that our work here on earth for the Anointed King Jesus might result in an abundance of fruitful works unto God that are rewarded when we stand before the Throne of Jesus Christ. (John 15:1-8, II Cor. 5:10, & Eph. 5:16) Not wasting our “Time” again in doing the works of the flesh (Sin), as we did as sinners and puppets of Satan, nor as born-again Christians living in a steady-state of Procrastination in carrying out the Commandments of God and Principals of the Kingdom of God.
Getting and keeping our financial affairs in order is a fundamental work that Jesus is expecting to find when He returns to rapture the Church. Every born-again Christian has been anointed and appointed with “Higher Knowledge,” the Wisdom of God to have success in the financial realm. Next week, we will delve deeper into this amazing favor we have from God. But, let me close this Session with a word to the unsaved people of this world.
Time Has Been Given To Every Person to Repent and Receive Salvation
Right now, if I could talk to every person in the world that does not have a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ (young or old, rich or poor, male or female), I would say to them, “God Loves you!” God proved His great love for you when He sent Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son into the world to die on the cross for the sins of the world, raised Him from the dead on the third-day, and took Jesus up to Heaven and seated him at the right-hand throne of God in all power and majesty. God in Christ Jesus did all these things for you, to free you from Satan, the certainty of death and eternal destruction, and give to you eternal life (an abiding relationship with God our Father). (John 3:16, 10:10, 17:3)
God does not want “anyone” to perish, but for every person to repent of their sins and receive Jesus as Lord. For belief in Jesus Christ is the only way to God. (II Pet. 3:9 & John 14:6) Without Christ in your life, it is impossible for you to walk in decency and an ordered life. It is not within any person to know the way that they should go in life. (Jer.10:23)
There is a “Time” coming when you will die, and the most important question before you “today” is, “Where will you spend eternity?” Since, you have no knowledge of when you will die, it is most imperative that you make a decision “today,” where you want to spend eternity. There are only two choices: Heaven or Hell.
If you choose to repent and believe in Jesus Christ, you will be saved from your sins, and upon death, you will immediately go to Heaven and be with the Lord. Also, if you accept Jesus as Lord and give Him complete control of your life, the Holy Ghost will lead and guide your life into the Divine Purpose and Plan of God for your “Time” remaining on earth. The Holy Ghost will help you walk in the pre-ordained foot-steps ordered by God; and cause you to live your life in decency and in order. This will bring righteousness, peace, and joy to your life.
Even more glorious, will be the return of Jesus Christ to rapture the Church, in which you will be a beloved member. If, you say “Yes” to the Lord Today. I Thessalonians 4:16-17 states:
“For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, along with the voice of the archangel and the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then, we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. We are to comfort one another with these words.”
On the other hand, if you reject Jesus, you will die in your sins, and your inner-being will go to hell, the place of torment, and remain there until the wicked dead are raised by God to appear before the Great White Throne, judged, and condemned to the Lake of Fire for all eternity. (Mark 16:15, John 3:17-18 & Rev. 20:11-15)
In Ministry, I have preached the gospel of Jesus Christ, repentance and the forgiveness of sins to many people. I have heard so many people, young and old, tell me they were unwilling to make a decision for Jesus on that day. Procrastinating about the most important decision a human being has to make; putting off until tomorrow the most consequential decision needed to be made in life today.
If you are reading this Sermon and have not received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, I beg you to take this opportunity now to repent of your sins and give your life to Jesus Christ. Do not let the enemy Satan distract you with false and lying thoughts that other things in your life are more important than laying down your life before Jesus Christ at this “Time.” From your heart, say to Jesus Christ, “Here I am Lord, I am a sinner and lost without You! Please save me, according to the Divine Purpose of God for my life.”
Jesus Christ said, what does it profit a man to gain this whole world and lose their soul? (Matt.16:26) What good does it do to spend your “Time” on earth doing things and enjoying things that have no eternal Purpose and consequence of good after it’s all over, and you are here no more? February 2, 2025 is the Accepted “Time.” Not tomorrow, or the next day, or year. The greatest waste of “Time” is to Procrastinate in receiving God’s free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ. Paul wrote at II Corinthians 6:2:
(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
Amen, for the preaching of the Word of the Living God.
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