Now, my message this evening will be related to something with which we're all familiar, and that is time. So, I've entitled the message, Concerning Time. Now, there can be little doubt that we are creatures of time. We can scarcely carry on a simple conversation without it invading our speech and our thoughts.

We're dependent upon time to structure our daily lives. There's a time to rise, time to rest, a time for work, a time for meals, for appointments, and so on and so on. Much of our conversation surrounding time is experientially referenced. We have good times, bad times, old times, quality time, family time, happy times, sad times, memorable times, vacation time, work time, ours, yours, my time, Extra time and too often no time for God, our creator and sustainer. Often we reference time based on our perception of it. Time passes, moves, drags, flies, it slips away, or it stands still.

And we also speak of time regarding the manner in which we use it, what we do with our time. We save, spend, share, keep, give, take, bide our time, divide it, lose it, find it, and perhaps we're best at wasting it. Our unthinking conversation often reflects an attitude toward time as if it's a commodity which we can store away in an account and withdraw it at our discretion, even as it slips through our hands like water. In our youth, We shake our fist at time, as if to conquer it. But it nevertheless continually wrestles with us and grazes, weakens us, and ultimately has the mastery over us, because man goeth to his long home.

Time is that which sees us one day dandling our infant child upon our knee, and then seemingly, but a few days later, finds us sitting, teary-eyed, watching our grandchild make wedding vows. And so time marches on. So obviously, we all have some experience and perception of time.

But I would suppose it to be a challenge for most of us to actually define it. The tendency is to try to define time by using its own terminology and its own elements, something which my English teachers would frown mightily upon. So how do we define time? Well, I must confess, I dwelt on this matter for some days, having determined not to consult a dictionary or any other available references, any kind of an influence. I suppose I wanted a more scriptural definition as opposed to a clinical one or an analytical scientific definition. So eventually, I arrived at a two-part definition.

So part A. Time is that which the Almighty conceived, created, and instituted at once with the rest of the heaven and the earth, and gifted to man, whereby man is enabled to discern and measure the operation of this creation, and measure as well his own existence within it. Time has been created and continued by him who exists both within time and outside its boundaries in eternity. for he has ever been and will ever be. Which one of us is able to grasp or even explain such a mystery? Indeed, time is swallowed up of eternity. Or to express it mathematically, if you will, time is but a small subset of eternity. For time will come to an end and leave only eternity.

In Revelation 10, Verses five through seven. And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven and swear by him that liveth forever and ever who created heaven and the things that are therein are and the earth and the things that therein are and the sea and the things which are therein that there should be time no longer. But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants, the prophets."

So, time is but a finite creation. Part B of my definition of time. Time is the framework within which the Almighty chooses to deal with men and all other earthly sustain and operate his creation, and perform his will and purpose, that is his providence, in order that he should display his greatest glory in the gracious salvation of sinners through the person and finished work of his son, Jesus Christ our Lord. It is through time that the Lord exposes the temporal nature of this life as compared and contrasted to eternal life in Christ.

Now Solomon here in the book of Ecclesiastes, inspired by the Holy Spirit, opens the book of Ecclesiastes in the second verse with a statement that all is vanity, and repeats the thought throughout his dissertation in the book to within a few verses at the end of it. Now whereas the word vanity might often bring to mind self-centeredness and self-love, and there's no doubt that we're all by nature sorely afflicted with this, In this context, it has to do more with that which is temporary and that which passes away quickly, kind of like your breath on a cold morning, and also that which is empty and gives no lasting satisfaction. He then proves his statement throughout the book with many examples of our human experience and things for which we strive so diligently and which will soon pass away.

Chapter 12 and verse 1 says that the passage of time will bring us to days where we find no pleasure or satisfaction in this temporal realm. And our text in chapter 3 here gives a list of things that are of the Lord's purpose, all of which are but for a time in the lives of men until the purpose for them being sent is accomplished. And it's clear from verse 11 we're incapable of knowing the full working of his will and purposes in time.

But scripture says that he knows or ordains the end from the beginning. But then Solomon here in verse 14 makes some astounding statements. He says, I know that whatsoever God doeth it shall be forever. Nothing can be put to it nor anything taken from it. And God doeth it that men should fear before him. So it should be apparent to us that even the vanishing things of this life are timely brought to pass to accomplish an ordained eternal purpose by the one who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. And why does he do so?

Well, it tells you right there. that men should see his works and fear before him, and that is to honor and revere him as God. Now here in Ecclesiastes, look at verse 17 of chapter three. It says, I said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. Turn over to chapter 12 of Ecclesiastes. And look at verse 14. For God shall bring every work into judgment with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. Here, Solomon acknowledges God as the just judge of all men and their works in their time for which they are responsible and must answer. Chapter three in verse 15 says that God requireth that which is past, meaning he searches it out, he pursues after it, he diligently regards that which is past, that which is done in time.

Second Corinthians 5.10, for we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that everyone may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Hebrews 4.13, all things are naked and opened unto him with whom we have to do. And what is his judgment?

Look at Ecclesiastes 7. Verse 20 of Ecclesiastes 7. For there is not a just man upon earth that doeth good and sinneth not. Look at chapter 8 and verse 11. Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, Therefore, the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil. Look at chapter nine and verse three, the last part of verse three. Yea, also the heart of the sons of men is full of evil and madness is in their heart while they live. And after that, they go to the dead. So as Tim James would say, we're spiritually insane by nature.

Romans 3.23 tells us, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. And Ephesians 2 tells us that in our natural state, we're dead in trespasses and sins.

Such a judgment and a verdict of guilt requires a death sentence to those so judged as lawbreakers. Scripture says, the soul that sinneth, it shall die. And sentence shall be carried out. there are no plea bargains with the righteous judge. Debt to the law must be fully paid by the convicted unless another who is willing and able and acceptable to God can pay all that's owed by the guilty one in their place. And death is the only satisfaction of their judgment. So a substitute must pay by death.

But what's the will of God in this? 1 Thessalonians 5.9 says that, For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 13 and 14, this is a familiar couple of verses to you. But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth. whereunto he called you by our gospel to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." So, scripture says that God has willed to save a particular people through the hearing of his gospel message, preached to our ears, believed on in our hearts through his Spirit's miraculous work in us, and by that he brings about faith and repentance, And what sayeth this gospel? What's the gospel message? Galatians 4. Galatians 4 and verses 4 through 7.

But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the spirit of his son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore, thou art no more a servant, but a son. And if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Let me read you another passage in Hebrews. Hebrews 9. The beginning of verse 26, and I'll go partway through 26, about halfway through. But now, once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment, so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin, unto salvation.

The gospel message saith, here is thy redeemer. Here is thy substitute. Here is the one who is both willing and able to pay thy debt. Here is the only one who is acceptable in the sight of the father. Here is the one who came in the fullness of time, the time appointed of the father, when all things were completed and prepared for his coming. that he should take on himself the form of a servant. He said, a body thou hast prepared me.

And so he became both God and man in one, that he might, as sinless sacrifice, take upon himself the entirety of the elect's guilt and sin, and offer up himself in the stead of all those whom the Father covenanted with him to redeem, thereby receiving in his body and his soul the entirety of their penalty that they deserve by law. And since their debt to the law has been fully paid by another, they are set free from the prison house, freed from the law to never again be made captives of it. And Christ says in John 639, this is the Father's will which has sent me that of all which he have given me, I should lose nothing. And he accomplished all this for his chosen people by his brutal and agonizing sacrificial cross death as their substitute. By his stripes, we are healed, says Isaiah. This is the time of love spoken of in Ezekiel 16, 8.

Herein is love, not that we love God, but that he loved us. and sent his son to be the propitiation for our sins. We love him because he first loved us. Here at the cross, we may look upon the greatest manifestation of love which shall ever be seen in time. It's the revelation of a love that God has had for his people from before there was time. He says to us, I've loved thee with an everlasting love. And he says in John, that greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

He loved us enough that he devised the only possible method by which he could save his elect children and bring them to himself. And he did this and conceived it before the foundation of the world. He loved us enough that he sent his son into the world to redeem us.

Christ Jesus loved the Father so much that he delighted to do his Father's will, and he came voluntarily to accomplish it. And he loved us so much that though he knew he must suffer and bleed and die in our stead and be forsaken of God, even so he set his face like a flint toward the completing of the work that we whom both he and his Father loved should be saved, all to the praise of the glory of his grace. And having succeeded in this great work, Christ was raised from the dead, ascended into heaven, and sat down on the right hand of his father. Wherefore, God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven, and things in earth and things under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Herein is the will of God manifested in the gospel message and revealed to each of his elect in their appointed time. Now, let's consider for just a minute what the scriptures say about the time of men.

James 4.14 says, for what is your life? It is even a vapor that appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away. You all, I've got about four scriptures I want you to look up, but they're all in the Psalms. So turn with me to Psalm 39, and I will read a passage out of Job to you while you're looking that up. Psalm 39. Job 14, verses 1 and 2. Man that is born of a woman is a few days and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower and is cut down. He fleeth also as a shadow and continueth not.

Psalm 39, verse 4. Lord, make me to know mine end in the measure of my days what it is. that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as in handbreadth, and mine age is as nothing before thee. Verily every man at his best date is altogether vanity. Turn to Psalm 90. Psalm 90.

Verse 10, the days of our years are threescore years and ten, and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow, for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth the power of thine anger, even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalm 103, just a few pages over. Psalm 103, verse 15. As for man, his days are as grass. As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone, and the place thereof shall know it no more. And the last one I want you to look up in the Psalms here is Psalm 144. You can see a pretty definite pattern here. Scriptures are consistent. Verse four of Psalm 144, man is like to vanity. His days are as a shadow that passeth away.

So, obviously, Even though we have been raised to newness of life in Christ, the time he gives us here is very short. For we're not of this world, nor shall we dwell long in it, nor shall he suffer us to dwell long in it. Indeed, according to God's promise, we look for a new heavens and a new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness. So what should believers do with the precious time they're given? Now that we're recipients by grace of so great salvation, by so great savior, and it's been revealed to our hearts and our minds through the gospel message. And not only that, but we've been given faith and repentance through the Holy Spirit to believe the message, to believe on him who is the message, the way, the truth, and the life. What should we do with the precious time we're given? With what should we occupy our time? Well, turn with me to Matthew 6. And let me begin with maybe some negatives, some things that we should not do.

Now, it's true that we all must work, earn a living as the means by which the Lord has chosen that we should be supply to the necessities of this life with food, shelter, clothing, and so forth. We have our daily responsibilities, which we should not shirk. The 13th verse of Ecclesiastes says that it's the gift of God that one should enjoy the good of his labor. So we shouldn't be slothful.

We should apply ourselves diligently to the endeavor, whatever it is we're given to do in this life, to show ourselves to be good employees or good masters or whatever role we're given to be honest and fruitful, a blessing and a help to others, adorning the gospel and the doctrine of our Lord. But he has some specific instruction for us in his word, which I said were negatives, but it depends on how you want to look at that, I suppose.

Look at Matthew 6 here in verse 19. It says, lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth. where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Look down at verse 24.

No man can serve two masters, for he will hate the one and love the other, or else he'll hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink. That is, no overanxious thought, no consuming thought. Nor yet for your body, what shall you put on? Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment? Behold, the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap. nor gather into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feedeth them.

Are you not much better than they? Let us always be on guard against setting our hearts on gaining wealth or anything of this passing world as if to find some perverse security there. The desire to be rich and increased with goods or a consuming fear of poverty and want shows little belief and little confidence in Jehovah Jireh, the Lord who provides. Look at verse 31 of Matthew 6 here, therefore take no thought saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewithal shall we be clothed?

For after all these things do the Gentiles seek, the unbelievers seek these things. For your heavenly father knoweth that you have need of all these things. but seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Cast all your care upon him, for he careth for you."

Romans 12, 2 instructs us, and be not conformed to this world. Avoid following the world's practices, the world's morality and its wisdom. For the word tells us that the world by wisdom, by its own wisdom, does not and in fact cannot know God. Set your affection on things above and not on things on this earth.

So wherein in time past we all once walked according to the course of this world. As believers the scripture says we put off the old man with his deeds and we put on the new man which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him. in whatsoever state and position he's placed us, let us walk worthy of our calling in Christ as being in this present world, but not of it. Now, let's consider some things according to scripture that we should do with our time as believers.

And I would not consider this an exhaustive list. There's a lot of instruction in the scripture. But I'll begin with point one. I've got 12 different points. and I'll not spend a long time on each of them, we'd be here all night. But my point number one, things that we should do with our time, Psalm 147.1, praise ye the Lord, for it is good to sing praises unto our God, for it is pleasant and praise is comely.

Psalm 34.1, I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

There is perhaps no greater pastime for the believer than the expression of love and gratitude toward our King and Redeemer for all his grace and mercy to us. True praise implies a boasting or a commending, a glorifying of the Lord and his works. It indicates a thankful and a grateful heart which must tell it out, not as the Pharisee who stands on the corner praying and preaching loudly so that he can be seen of men, but maybe perhaps just praising the Lord by just witnessing to others the reason for the hope that lieth in you, or perhaps even just in silent prayer, thanksgiving, reflection, and worship. There are many ways to praise the Lord. Point number two, things that we should do with our time as believers, support and promote the gospel.

Christ's final commission to his 11 disciples was to go and to teach all nations, to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you. In other words, teach and preach the word of God, using the Bible, his inspired word, as sole authority in revelation. It should be our heart's desire as believers, first of all, to glorify our God, God our Savior, of Father, son and spirit to ascribe to him all honor and salvation. And secondly, it should be our desire for all men that they should come to know and believe on this same savior, this Christ, our Lord Jesus.

So it's incumbent upon us to support the church, in our case, this local church, by our monetary donations, our presence in the worship service, prayer for and encouragement of the pastor and all the saints, and to use the means at our disposal to send forth the truth to those beyond these walls, whether it be by sending our pastor to Hawaii as in his recent mission trip out there to those saints, through sermon audio, or by handing out a bulletin, talking to a friend concerning God's grace in Christ, inviting him to a worship service, Whereas this is our Lord's gospel, he has seen fit to entrust it to us. Let us be found as good stewards of the gift. Point number three, things that we should do with our time. Love the Church of Christ, other believers that is, and support and pray for them.

And as opportunity and ability allow, be not weary in well-doing for their benefit. John 13, 35, by this shall all men know you're my disciples, if you have love one to another. Romans 12, nine and 10, let love be without dissimulation. That is, let love be true, without pretense, unfeigned love, it says in the scripture. Be kindly affection one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another. Ephesians 6, 18. praying always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Now, for my fourth point, we need to turn to Psalm 37. Psalm 37. And here we have a wonderful list of things to do with our time. My fourth point, things to do, is found in verse 1 and 2. David says in Psalm 73 that he was envious of the foolish. until the Lord revealed to him their end of destruction and desolation.

Moreover, Matthew 5 instructs us to love even our enemies and to pray for them, an evidence that we are indeed children of the Heavenly Father. Now let me expand on this, fret not thyself because of evildoers. Excuse me. Let me expand on that and say fret not thyself for much of anything. is not the Lord with us in all things? Point number five, things that we should do with our time in verse three.

Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed. You will lack nothing needful, temporally or spiritually, you will be fed. Psalm 62, eight tells us that we should trust in him at all times. You people, pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us. I can tell you that personally. He is a refuge. Point number six. It's found in verse four.

Delight thyself also in the Lord, and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Give yourself and your soul over to pleasure and contentment in the Lord. in the reading and the study of his word, both in public and private worship, and in a continual attitude of prayer. Seek knowledge and wisdom in the scriptures and in the scriptural preaching of his word.

Point number seven, in verse five, rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. I'm sorry, I'm one down too far. Let's go back to verse five. Commit thy way unto the Lord. Trust also in him and he shall bring it to pass. Now this is an extension of verse three and is in direct proportion to our trust in him to lead us in the right path for us. Though it may take us through deep waters, dark and shadowed valleys, but he alone is our guide and comfort. And now on to verse seven, that's my eighth point.

What shall we do with our time as believers? Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him. Cease from your own labors for he hath undertaken for you in Christ. It is finished, he cried. Rest in him for all salvation and for all your earthly needs. Point number nine, what shall we do with our time? Verse eight, cease from anger and forsake wrath. Fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. Now we know that man's wrath doesn't work the will of God. And wrath and anger are not becoming to a child of God.

So let us adorn both the gospel and our Lord with a calm and a sober spirit before him and the world. Or as it says here in verse 11, the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. Now turn with me to 1 Thessalonians 5. All right, my 10th point of things that we should do as believers, things that we should do with our time here in this life, let's go to verse 16. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything, give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Regardless of our earthly situation, we always have reason to rejoice of our spiritual condition in Christ. which should motivate us to continue in an attitude of prayer and thanksgiving, ever prone to communion with the Lord as a help to our days.

Paul in Philippians 4.4 says, rejoice in the Lord always. And again, I say rejoice. Seek the Lord and by thankful prayer, make request of him for all your needs. He will sustain you and impart peace to you through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Point number 11, things to do with our time. Look at verse 19 here in this passage. Quench not the spirit, despise not prophesying, prove all things, hold fast that which is good. Do not hinder the working of the spirit of grace by adhering to the earthly and worldly elements around us. In particular, do not neglect the hearing of God's preached Don't forsake the assembling of yourselves together. For thereby comes faith and the increase of it through growth and grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior.

First Peter 2.2, he says, desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby. And then do as the noble Bereans and search the scriptures concerning these things that you hear to see if they are true.

Point number 12, Verse 22 of this passage, abstain from all appearance of evil. Matthew Henry has a very good statement concerning this verse, which is taken from his commentary. And he says, he who is not shy of the appearances of sin, who shuns not the occasions of sin, and who avoids not the temptations and approaches to sin, will not long abstain from the actual commission of sin. So there's my 12 points, and finally, as to how we're to use our time here, let me quote Solomon once again in Ecclesiastes 12 and 13.

He says, let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. To the believer, this is not a slavish duty or that performed in expectation of reward, But it is instead the obligation of love and the duty of joy to the praise of our Redeemer. So I'm at the end of my time here. I hope it's been a pleasant time and a profitable time for you.