Time Job 9:25-28

1. Time Job 9:25-28

2. Introduction • Job compares his days to a runner, a swift ship and the flight of an eagle • In another place he compared man’s life to a flower that comes up, blooms, then fades away- Job. 14:1-2 • Even in his suffering, Job recognized how fast time passes and how brief his stay on this earth was • We are nearing the end of another year • A good time to consider some truths about time

3. Time is Important-1 • Its importance is seen in its many measurements • We use calendars to divide time into months, weeks and days • We also have watches and clocks to measure hours, minutes and seconds • Time is precious • It is a nonrenewable asset • We cannot increase what we have or borrow more

4. Time is Important-2 • Once it is passed we can’t reclaim one second • Time is the thing of which our lives are comprised • We all have the same amount of it each day • Time is probably our most often overlooked and poorly managed asset • Many people order their lives as if they would live forever • The last words of Queen Elizabeth I- “All my possessions for one moment of time.”

5. We Are Stewards of Time-1 • God has given us life, breath and all things- Acts 17:25 • And that includes time • Christians belong to Christ- I Cor. 6:20 • The Lord expects us to use our time wisely in His service- Eph. 5:15-17 • This is a challenge for every Christian • Jesus was aware of His use of time

6. We Are Stewards of Time-2 • In Jn. 9:4, He said- “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” • He lived only about 33 years • But He did more good than anyone who has ever lived- Jn. 21:25 • Stewardship means responsibility and accountability • One day we will be judged according to the way we have used the time God has given us

7. Out Time Is Short-1 • Paul referred to this in I Cor. 7:29- But this I say , brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as those who had none, • The time of many in the 1st century was shortened by persecution • Our time is short because our life is brief • Jacob’s evaluation of his own life- Gen. 47:9 • James compared it to a vapor- Jas. 4:14 • Moses gave the average life span as 70-80 years- Psa. 90:9-10

8. Our Time Is Short-2 • That has not changed much with the best of health care • He said that regardless of how long we live, “it is soon cut off and we fly away”- V10 • Time is short because we have already used some of it • Most of us have lived over half our life expectancy • And we are closer to eternity than ever before- Rom. 13:11

9. Unwise Uses of Time-1 1. Living carelessly and thoughtlessly • Many drift through life doing whatever is appealing and enjoyable • They fail to make any preparation for their soul • Hell awaits those who are unprepared for eternity • Idleness • It squanders precious time and opportunities • Idleness leads to neglect of duty

10. Unwise Uses of Time-2 • It often leads to sins of commission- I Tim. 5:13 • In sinful pursuits • Sin is the worst possible use of time- I Pet. 4:3 • It will bring eternal condemnation- Rom. 6:23 • Procrastination in what God requires of us • It supposes a better opportunity in the future • It denies the importance of immediate obedience • And it is sinful- Jas. 4:17

11. Wise Uses of Time 1. Requires planning and prioritizing 2. Honoring God • By regular worship and frequent Bible study and prayer • And walking in the light of God’s word- I Jn. 1:7 • Loving our neighbor as we love ourselves- Mt. 7:12 • Fulfilling our responsibilities in the church, the home and as a citizen- Rom. 13:7

12. In Conclusion • We are all stewards of time • Time is precious • We have a limited amount of it • There is a last day ahead for each one of us • When we shall depart this life or when Jesus returns • Then we will give account of how we have used our time • Are you using time wisely this afternoon?