WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.660 If you would turn in your Bibles to Ephesians chapter 5, we've been making our way through Ephesians, if you're not aware, as a church. 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:08.980 We've been in it for some time now. 00:00:09.900 --> 00:00:11.320 And the end is in sight. 00:00:11.820 --> 00:00:18.719 So if you would look to Ephesians chapter 5, we're going to be in three verses this morning, verses 15, 16, and 17. 00:00:23.179 --> 00:00:24.719 Let me begin by saying this. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:28.000 I don't know if you know this. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:32.399 But there are 168 hours in a week. 00:00:33.980 --> 00:00:39.579 All of us have been given 168 hours in a week. 00:00:40.140 --> 00:00:49.960 So the question that I have for you this morning, how do you decide to use your 168 hours? 00:00:49.960 --> 00:01:02.240 What informs your decisions of how to spend the 168 hours God gives you this week? 00:01:02.240 --> 00:01:08.780 This past week, I came across some interesting facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 00:01:09.980 --> 00:01:15.939 They gathered information from Americans who are employed between the ages of 25 through 54 with children. 00:01:16.260 --> 00:01:19.540 So a little cross-section of Americans. 00:01:19.540 --> 00:01:24.719 Americans and they processed the information and they came up with the following daily averages of time use. 00:01:26.420 --> 00:01:30.860 On average, Americans sleep 7.7 hours a day. 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:34.219 I'd like half of that. 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:34.840 Anybody else? 00:01:36.340 --> 00:01:37.039 I'm kidding. 00:01:37.719 --> 00:01:40.980 On average, we work 8.7 hours a day. 00:01:41.760 --> 00:01:46.519 On average, we spend 2.5 hours a day on leisure. 00:01:47.439 --> 00:01:49.400 Or as the Brits say, leisure. 00:01:49.400 --> 00:01:54.760 On average, we spend 1.1 hours a day on household tasks. 00:01:55.100 --> 00:01:57.820 Again, this is a cross-section of all Americans. 00:01:59.300 --> 00:02:02.000 On average, we spend an hour a day eating and drinking. 00:02:03.100 --> 00:02:06.660 On average, we spend 1.3 hours a day caring for others. 00:02:07.740 --> 00:02:11.480 And on average, we spend 1.7 hours a day on everything else, whatever that may be. 00:02:11.479 --> 00:02:13.639 Here's the point. 00:02:14.359 --> 00:02:16.939 Each one of us is given 24 hours a day. 00:02:17.560 --> 00:02:18.859 168 hours a week. 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:24.479 And how are you making use of the time that God has given you? 00:02:25.539 --> 00:02:31.339 Christian, does the way you spend your time look any different than those who are still walking in darkness? 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:37.979 If you would turn now to Ephesians chapter 5, I'm going to read this passage. 00:02:37.979 --> 00:02:41.859 Ephesians chapter 5, 15, 16, and 17. 00:02:44.419 --> 00:02:45.319 It's a command. 00:02:45.459 --> 00:02:46.359 It's an exhortation. 00:02:46.879 --> 00:02:49.060 Look carefully, then, how you walk. 00:02:50.060 --> 00:02:52.159 Not as unwise, but as wise. 00:02:52.539 --> 00:02:55.620 Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 00:02:56.539 --> 00:03:02.759 Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:03:02.759 --> 00:03:10.759 God, in this passage, is calling each of us to take stock of how we're using our time. 00:03:11.099 --> 00:03:11.379 Why? 00:03:12.899 --> 00:03:16.620 Because being a follower of Jesus changes the way we spend our time. 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:18.299 Why is that? 00:03:19.939 --> 00:03:22.979 Because God, by His grace, has radically changed us. 00:03:22.979 --> 00:03:32.019 And He has brought us into a knowledge of His eternal plan for all. 00:03:33.239 --> 00:03:35.079 So we no longer live for ourselves. 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:41.219 We are seeking to do the will, the eternal will, of our Lord. 00:03:42.679 --> 00:03:45.039 And believe it or not, it shows up in our weekly schedules. 00:03:45.039 --> 00:03:55.000 This morning, God is calling us to a wise use of our 168 hours that He will give us, Lord willing, this week. 00:03:55.479 --> 00:04:02.060 He wants us to leverage our time for His eternal will. 00:04:02.620 --> 00:04:07.359 We must walk in light of eternity. 00:04:07.360 --> 00:04:16.420 When you prioritize your life according to God's will, you will make the best use of your time. 00:04:17.960 --> 00:04:19.480 You will walk wisely. 00:04:21.400 --> 00:04:28.040 This morning, I want you to see three points that come from this passage that will help prioritize your life. 00:04:28.139 --> 00:04:29.180 The first point is this. 00:04:29.720 --> 00:04:30.759 Examine your life. 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:34.300 The second point is you've got limited time. 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:36.080 The third point is this. 00:04:36.079 --> 00:04:42.579 God's eternal will prioritizes our daily lives. 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:50.219 So, let's look at this first command here to examine our lives in verse 15. 00:04:50.839 --> 00:04:52.839 Look carefully then how you walk. 00:04:53.439 --> 00:04:56.180 Look carefully then how you walk. 00:04:56.639 --> 00:04:57.959 Examine your life. 00:04:59.219 --> 00:05:04.279 What God is commanding us to do here is to pay careful attention to our lives. 00:05:04.279 --> 00:05:05.959 Remember that word walk? 00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:06.680 Examine your life. 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:10.519 It's Paul's favorite word to describe how you live your life. 00:05:10.639 --> 00:05:11.879 We're all on a journey. 00:05:12.079 --> 00:05:12.839 We're all traveling. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:14.240 We're all going somewhere. 00:05:15.419 --> 00:05:24.060 And God is commanding us to take focus, to focus in on how we are walking, how we are living, 00:05:24.699 --> 00:05:27.079 how we are spending our days. 00:05:27.079 --> 00:05:34.560 The sense of that word careful can also be rendered accurately. 00:05:34.560 --> 00:05:39.180 And so, this isn't just a general paying attention to your life. 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:42.339 This is carefully paying attention to your life. 00:05:42.439 --> 00:05:44.699 This is paying attention to the specifics. 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:50.300 The sense of this little word, look carefully to how you walk, 00:05:51.099 --> 00:05:54.599 is taking a careful, detailed etch your life. 00:05:54.659 --> 00:05:56.199 And not just one careful look, 00:05:56.579 --> 00:06:00.659 but the verb is actually, means kind of an ongoing looking to. 00:06:00.660 --> 00:06:05.560 So, ongoingly, keep looking carefully at your life. 00:06:08.260 --> 00:06:14.420 God is calling us to regularly examine our life. 00:06:14.420 --> 00:06:17.660 Who likes that word examine? 00:06:18.699 --> 00:06:19.340 Seriously. 00:06:20.080 --> 00:06:22.199 It's not a warm, cuddly word, is it? 00:06:24.340 --> 00:06:25.360 Think about it. 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:27.180 A medical checkup? 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:30.480 Also known as an examination? 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:34.939 Who likes having their body measured, poked, and prodded? 00:06:35.319 --> 00:06:35.620 Seriously. 00:06:35.620 --> 00:06:38.660 A job review? 00:06:39.439 --> 00:06:41.920 Also known as an examination. 00:06:43.079 --> 00:06:47.180 I mean, who can't just wait to walk into your boss's office 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:48.620 for the annual review? 00:06:49.600 --> 00:06:51.199 Seeing the good you've done 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:54.000 and the not so good that you have done. 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:55.879 It's a holding to account. 00:06:57.180 --> 00:06:58.959 I mean, think about a tax audit. 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:01.079 I mean, it is tax season, isn't it? 00:07:02.680 --> 00:07:04.220 It's a tax examination. 00:07:04.520 --> 00:07:05.820 You don't want to get audited, do you? 00:07:06.320 --> 00:07:07.660 You don't want to be brought through that. 00:07:09.880 --> 00:07:11.100 It's a holding to account. 00:07:12.560 --> 00:07:13.340 It's kind of like this. 00:07:13.380 --> 00:07:15.000 You know when you look at your check register, 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:16.600 your checking account online, 00:07:16.700 --> 00:07:18.040 and you're kind of going through all your purchases, 00:07:18.260 --> 00:07:19.680 and you're going through carefully, 00:07:19.780 --> 00:07:20.960 you're like, yeah, yeah, that was a good purchase. 00:07:21.040 --> 00:07:21.900 No, that wasn't a good purchase. 00:07:21.980 --> 00:07:22.700 Yeah, that was a good purchase. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:23.560 No, that wasn't a good purchase. 00:07:23.940 --> 00:07:26.180 You're examining your checking account. 00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:28.080 You're paying careful attention 00:07:28.080 --> 00:07:30.060 to make sure you're spending your money wisely. 00:07:31.820 --> 00:07:33.220 So when Paul is telling us here 00:07:33.220 --> 00:07:34.540 to look carefully at our life, 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:37.360 he's saying to examine the way 00:07:37.360 --> 00:07:39.260 that you are living your life. 00:07:39.400 --> 00:07:41.040 Hold yourself to account, 00:07:41.220 --> 00:07:41.960 is what he's saying. 00:07:42.640 --> 00:07:44.600 This is a call to self-examination. 00:07:45.240 --> 00:07:47.080 This is a call to self-reflection. 00:07:49.320 --> 00:07:50.960 Which means you may see something 00:07:50.960 --> 00:07:51.980 you don't want to see. 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:58.020 Why is God commanding us to do this? 00:07:59.140 --> 00:08:01.379 Why does God want us to pay careful attention 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:02.300 to the way we're living? 00:08:02.720 --> 00:08:04.400 Does he just want us to become self-absorbed? 00:08:04.680 --> 00:08:05.780 Nah, that's not it. 00:08:07.439 --> 00:08:08.640 God knows our tendency, 00:08:09.000 --> 00:08:09.819 even as Christians. 00:08:11.280 --> 00:08:13.600 Our tendency is to lose focus and drift, 00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:14.060 isn't it? 00:08:15.340 --> 00:08:16.840 To lose focus and stray, 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:19.020 to lose focus and wander. 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:22.680 God loves us. 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:26.319 And he wants us to stay focused on living 00:08:26.319 --> 00:08:28.319 for what matters most. 00:08:29.120 --> 00:08:29.919 That's wisdom. 00:08:31.479 --> 00:08:33.439 And so when we examine our lives, 00:08:33.539 --> 00:08:35.299 we examine our lives 00:08:35.299 --> 00:08:37.860 through the lens of wisdom. 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:41.500 So what God is saying to us here 00:08:41.500 --> 00:08:42.699 is son, daughter, 00:08:43.419 --> 00:08:45.319 look carefully how you live in your life. 00:08:45.320 --> 00:08:47.240 Be wise. 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:50.240 Now, 00:08:51.140 --> 00:08:53.860 taking stock of your life 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:55.879 is not just a Christian thing. 00:08:56.940 --> 00:08:57.500 Socrates 00:08:57.500 --> 00:09:00.460 said this, 00:09:00.560 --> 00:09:02.580 the unexamined life is not worth living. 00:09:03.760 --> 00:09:05.300 Even non-Christians know 00:09:05.300 --> 00:09:07.300 that if you don't examine your life regularly, 00:09:07.420 --> 00:09:08.400 you'll lose focus 00:09:08.400 --> 00:09:10.020 on what's most important 00:09:10.020 --> 00:09:12.380 and live for things that are less important. 00:09:12.379 --> 00:09:14.279 I mean, 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:15.600 there's a whole industry 00:09:15.600 --> 00:09:17.860 seeking to help people 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:20.340 maximize their life 00:09:20.340 --> 00:09:22.399 according to what they think 00:09:22.399 --> 00:09:24.820 is most important. 00:09:26.000 --> 00:09:26.700 Now, 00:09:26.759 --> 00:09:27.980 the big difference between Christians 00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:29.419 and non-Christians 00:09:29.419 --> 00:09:31.019 is what 00:09:31.019 --> 00:09:32.379 is 00:09:32.379 --> 00:09:33.480 most 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:34.439 important. 00:09:35.320 --> 00:09:37.019 What matters most? 00:09:37.019 --> 00:09:39.879 And that's why Paul 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:41.179 is introducing the word 00:09:41.179 --> 00:09:42.519 wise here 00:09:42.519 --> 00:09:43.879 at the end of verse 15. 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:45.480 Look carefully 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.539 at how you live in your life. 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:48.179 Not as unwise, 00:09:48.319 --> 00:09:49.460 but as wise. 00:09:50.939 --> 00:09:51.919 God is saying, 00:09:52.539 --> 00:09:53.259 examine your life 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:53.819 to make sure 00:09:53.819 --> 00:09:55.079 you're living wisely. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:56.679 You're walking wisely. 00:09:56.799 --> 00:09:57.340 So let me give you 00:09:57.340 --> 00:09:58.720 a quick crash course 00:09:58.720 --> 00:10:00.460 in the biblical concept 00:10:00.460 --> 00:10:01.259 of wisdom. 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:04.639 Our Bibles are packed full of it. 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:06.919 Proverbs jumps out. 00:10:07.019 --> 00:10:07.939 As the book 00:10:07.939 --> 00:10:09.720 that talks about wisdom. 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:10.799 I mean, 00:10:10.899 --> 00:10:12.340 Proverbs 1-7 says, 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:13.019 the fear of the Lord 00:10:13.019 --> 00:10:14.659 is the beginning of knowledge. 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:15.759 And then 9-10 says, 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:16.759 the fear of the Lord 00:10:16.759 --> 00:10:19.159 is the beginning of wisdom. 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:22.419 Wisdom starts with God. 00:10:24.419 --> 00:10:25.460 A wise life 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:27.579 is a life lived with God 00:10:27.579 --> 00:10:29.879 at the center of all things. 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:31.960 God governing all that we do. 00:10:31.960 --> 00:10:33.340 A wise life 00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:36.039 is a life lived dependent upon 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:37.679 and unto God. 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:40.519 Foolishness 00:10:40.519 --> 00:10:41.799 is 00:10:41.799 --> 00:10:43.919 a life that denies 00:10:43.919 --> 00:10:46.039 or disregards God 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:49.079 in everyday decisions. 00:10:50.079 --> 00:10:51.379 A life of folly 00:10:51.379 --> 00:10:53.519 is a life lived unto me. 00:10:54.799 --> 00:10:56.240 The me-centered life. 00:10:57.519 --> 00:10:59.219 I am at the center of all things. 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:01.399 All things exist for me. 00:11:01.399 --> 00:11:01.959 Now, 00:11:01.959 --> 00:11:05.699 if we are honest with ourselves, 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:06.939 brothers and sisters, 00:11:07.939 --> 00:11:11.120 that's how we used to live. 00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:14.039 We used to live 00:11:14.039 --> 00:11:15.019 a life of folly. 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:18.319 We used to be living in darkness, 00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:19.740 living ignorant of God 00:11:19.740 --> 00:11:21.059 and denying His ways. 00:11:21.340 --> 00:11:22.480 That's how we used to live. 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:24.840 And then, 00:11:25.019 --> 00:11:26.279 in an amazing display 00:11:26.279 --> 00:11:27.560 of God's grace, 00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:30.360 Christ shined 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:32.360 into our lives. 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:35.180 Awake, 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:36.240 O sleeper! 00:11:38.360 --> 00:11:39.539 And we saw. 00:11:41.420 --> 00:11:42.720 We were awakened 00:11:42.720 --> 00:11:43.600 to a world 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:44.899 far bigger than our own. 00:11:46.000 --> 00:11:47.080 We were awakened 00:11:47.080 --> 00:11:48.300 to a life with God 00:11:48.300 --> 00:11:49.440 at the center of all things, 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:50.180 not ourselves. 00:11:50.179 --> 00:11:53.259 When God saved us, 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.839 He delivered us 00:11:54.839 --> 00:11:56.120 by the gospel 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:58.039 from a me-centered life 00:11:58.039 --> 00:11:58.879 of folly 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:00.419 to a God-centered life 00:12:00.419 --> 00:12:01.059 of wisdom. 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:02.239 You know, 00:12:02.359 --> 00:12:03.239 the God-centered life 00:12:03.239 --> 00:12:04.199 is the good life. 00:12:05.199 --> 00:12:05.939 It's the life 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:07.399 of wisdom. 00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:10.279 So think of wisdom 00:12:10.279 --> 00:12:11.039 as a skill 00:12:11.039 --> 00:12:13.159 that's acquired 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:14.699 over the course 00:12:14.699 --> 00:12:16.059 of one's life. 00:12:16.479 --> 00:12:17.819 And it shapes 00:12:17.819 --> 00:12:18.979 one's life. 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:19.759 And here's why. 00:12:21.159 --> 00:12:22.519 A wise life 00:12:22.519 --> 00:12:23.479 is formed 00:12:23.479 --> 00:12:26.399 one godly decision 00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:28.019 at a time. 00:12:29.099 --> 00:12:30.239 It's living 00:12:30.239 --> 00:12:31.759 one decision 00:12:31.759 --> 00:12:32.699 at a time 00:12:32.699 --> 00:12:33.939 as though 00:12:33.939 --> 00:12:35.279 God is at the center 00:12:35.279 --> 00:12:35.939 of all things 00:12:35.939 --> 00:12:37.139 because He is. 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.919 And over the course 00:12:39.919 --> 00:12:40.819 of a life, 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.439 one acquires 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:43.299 the skill 00:12:43.299 --> 00:12:44.979 of godly living. 00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:47.000 Living unto God 00:12:47.000 --> 00:12:48.000 in all areas. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:48.139 wisdom. 00:12:49.139 --> 00:12:50.100 That's wisdom. 00:12:51.059 --> 00:12:52.100 Wisdom is the fruit 00:12:52.100 --> 00:12:53.419 of a life fully devoted 00:12:53.419 --> 00:12:54.360 to God. 00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:55.919 Young people in the room, 00:12:56.000 --> 00:12:57.220 whether you're in middle school 00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:58.659 or whether you're in high school, 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:00.059 whether you're in college, 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:02.139 Ecclesiastes 12 00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:02.740 says this, 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:04.019 remember your Creator 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:05.259 in the days of your youth. 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:08.639 Don't buy the lie 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:11.860 that you can just put it on hold 00:13:11.860 --> 00:13:13.759 and come back to it later. 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:17.419 Be wise now. 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:20.120 Wisdom starts now. 00:13:20.799 --> 00:13:22.199 Wisdom starts today. 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:24.659 Live unto God today. 00:13:24.659 --> 00:13:26.279 what the Proverbs 00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.459 Solomon sways. 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.480 Get it. 00:13:28.819 --> 00:13:29.799 Get wisdom. 00:13:30.439 --> 00:13:32.039 Get it at all costs. 00:13:32.799 --> 00:13:33.699 Make it your love. 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:34.860 Pursue her. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:36.259 Make her your own. 00:13:36.659 --> 00:13:37.419 Be wise. 00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.179 Live for God 00:13:39.179 --> 00:13:40.059 in all things. 00:13:41.360 --> 00:13:42.459 What God is urging us 00:13:42.459 --> 00:13:43.059 to do here 00:13:43.059 --> 00:13:44.000 in verse 15 00:13:44.000 --> 00:13:45.139 is to look carefully 00:13:45.139 --> 00:13:46.059 and look often 00:13:46.059 --> 00:13:46.959 at our lives 00:13:46.959 --> 00:13:47.980 to make sure 00:13:47.980 --> 00:13:49.620 we're aimed at God. 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.799 Living lives unto the Lord. 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:54.120 Walking wisely. 00:13:54.659 --> 00:13:55.500 God at the center 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.159 of all things. 00:13:58.860 --> 00:14:00.000 Now here's what 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.939 I want you to feel 00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:02.480 this morning. 00:14:04.059 --> 00:14:05.500 It's very clear. 00:14:06.740 --> 00:14:08.959 You are responsible 00:14:08.959 --> 00:14:11.079 to look carefully 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:14.179 at your own life. 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:17.819 You must take stock 00:14:17.819 --> 00:14:20.399 of your life. 00:14:20.839 --> 00:14:22.559 You must examine your life. 00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:24.039 I can't do that for you. 00:14:24.659 --> 00:14:28.419 Pay attention to your marriage. 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:30.620 Is your marriage 00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.719 lived unto the Lord? 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.339 Your parenting. 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:35.500 Is it lived unto the Lord? 00:14:35.620 --> 00:14:36.399 Your finances. 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.980 Is it unto God? 00:14:38.439 --> 00:14:39.740 Your entertainment choices. 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:40.879 Is it unto the Lord? 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:45.159 Your personal pursuit of God. 00:14:46.939 --> 00:14:48.039 Reading His Word. 00:14:48.039 --> 00:14:48.579 Are you praying? 00:14:48.579 --> 00:14:51.659 Are they unto the Lord? 00:14:54.599 --> 00:14:55.779 Examine your life. 00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:59.179 Look carefully 00:14:59.179 --> 00:15:00.379 at how you're walking. 00:15:01.839 --> 00:15:02.819 Which brings us 00:15:02.819 --> 00:15:03.699 to the second point. 00:15:04.620 --> 00:15:05.339 You've got limited 00:15:05.339 --> 00:15:06.699 time. 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:09.319 You've got limited time. 00:15:10.319 --> 00:15:11.599 So what Paul would say is 00:15:11.599 --> 00:15:13.799 so make the most of it. 00:15:13.799 --> 00:15:14.799 wisdom. 00:15:14.799 --> 00:15:17.599 In verse 15, 00:15:17.699 --> 00:15:19.199 Paul's writing about wisdom 00:15:19.199 --> 00:15:20.359 and then in verse 16 00:15:20.359 --> 00:15:20.819 he gets, 00:15:21.339 --> 00:15:22.939 oh, so practical 00:15:22.939 --> 00:15:23.799 because wisdom 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:25.819 shows up 00:15:25.819 --> 00:15:26.859 in the use 00:15:26.859 --> 00:15:27.799 of your time. 00:15:29.459 --> 00:15:30.779 Making the best use 00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:31.620 of the time 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:33.240 because the days 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:33.699 are evil. 00:15:34.599 --> 00:15:35.519 Can I just share with you 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.539 five things that we all 00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.139 have in common 00:15:37.139 --> 00:15:37.859 regarding time? 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:40.000 All of us in this room. 00:15:40.060 --> 00:15:41.100 We all have this in common. 00:15:41.300 --> 00:15:41.539 You ready? 00:15:42.840 --> 00:15:43.820 We're all Americans, 00:15:43.940 --> 00:15:44.500 I believe. 00:15:46.840 --> 00:15:47.680 First thing we have 00:15:47.680 --> 00:15:48.320 in common is this. 00:15:48.440 --> 00:15:49.000 Did you know that 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:50.300 the average American 00:15:50.300 --> 00:15:51.659 lifespan is now 00:15:51.659 --> 00:15:53.060 79 years? 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:54.940 It's a little bit 00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:55.879 better news for women, 00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:56.419 ladies. 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:58.580 You'll live 81 years 00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.120 on average. 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.019 Brothers, 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.920 you've got 76 years 00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:03.060 on average. 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.480 So typically, 00:16:05.639 --> 00:16:07.000 Americans live long lives. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:09.100 The average lifespan 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:10.179 of someone living 00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:10.960 internationally around 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:13.019 the world is 61 years old. 00:16:14.039 --> 00:16:14.820 So as Americans, 00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:15.639 on average, 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.519 we live longer. 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.200 But, 00:16:18.659 --> 00:16:21.059 we read our Bibles, 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.220 what Moses writes 00:16:23.220 --> 00:16:24.360 in Psalm 90 is this, 00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:25.379 the years of our life 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:26.679 are 70 by reason 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:27.200 of strength, 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:27.659 80. 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.059 So it's really 00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:29.840 nothing new. 00:16:31.039 --> 00:16:31.919 On average, 00:16:32.080 --> 00:16:32.840 all of us 00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:34.840 have 70 to 80 years 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:35.980 of life to live. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.220 So that's the first thing 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:38.779 we have in common. 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.440 The second thing 00:16:40.440 --> 00:16:41.320 we have in common 00:16:41.320 --> 00:16:41.820 is this. 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:44.820 Though all of us 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:46.159 have 70 to 80 years 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:47.480 on average to live, 00:16:47.980 --> 00:16:48.799 none of us 00:16:48.799 --> 00:16:50.299 know how many days 00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:51.240 we actually have. 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.620 None of us 00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:57.019 can be sure 00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.480 of the day 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.480 that we will die. 00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:01.259 but there is a day 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:02.639 on which you 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.940 and I 00:17:03.940 --> 00:17:05.200 will die. 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:09.360 In Psalm 139, 16, 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.039 David is 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:12.620 crying out to God 00:17:12.620 --> 00:17:13.880 and recognizing 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:14.940 that God has set 00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.579 the number 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.819 of His days. 00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.700 The day of your death 00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:23.099 is known by your God. 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:25.700 You know how you have 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.100 a birthday? 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.340 You have a death day. 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.440 And as Americans, 00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:33.960 we don't like 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.920 to think about 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:35.500 our deaths, 00:17:35.600 --> 00:17:36.220 do we? 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.680 But unless Jesus 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.920 returns in our lifetime, 00:17:41.920 --> 00:17:43.460 each of us 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:44.880 will surely die. 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:47.500 The day of our death 00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:47.920 is set. 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:51.000 God knows it. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:52.519 All of us 00:17:52.519 --> 00:17:53.160 are going to die. 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:55.320 And yet we don't know 00:17:55.320 --> 00:17:55.640 when. 00:17:56.320 --> 00:17:57.200 We all have that 00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:57.800 in common. 00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.500 The third thing 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:00.960 that we have 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.300 in common. 00:18:02.560 --> 00:18:03.460 We tend to think 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.040 of our lives 00:18:04.040 --> 00:18:05.080 as expanding. 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:08.000 But in reality, 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:09.560 what God says, 00:18:10.160 --> 00:18:11.400 from His perspective, 00:18:11.980 --> 00:18:13.519 we are one day 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:15.100 closer to our death. 00:18:16.720 --> 00:18:18.080 Or unless Jesus returns. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.700 So we're either 00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.360 one day closer 00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:20.960 to our death 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:21.759 or we're one day 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.140 closer to Jesus' return. 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:24.060 But 00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:26.720 what God says is 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:28.660 the window of your life 00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:30.019 on earth 00:18:30.019 --> 00:18:31.380 is closing. 00:18:37.100 --> 00:18:38.200 How does that sit with you? 00:18:41.320 --> 00:18:42.160 Dude, will you stop 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:43.080 bumming me out? 00:18:45.080 --> 00:18:45.960 I came to be 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.660 with God's people 00:18:46.660 --> 00:18:47.700 to get encouraged, brother. 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:49.740 You're bringing me down, man. 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:52.540 You pull up, Salvati? 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:53.159 Come on. 00:18:56.339 --> 00:18:57.000 Did you know 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.940 that both David, 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.899 King David and Moses, 00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.299 each wrote a psalm 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:02.240 in which they asked 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:03.480 God to make them 00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:04.480 know the measure 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.480 of their days? 00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:07.899 Psalm 39, 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.740 4 through 6. 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.220 Read it. 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.779 But I'd like to direct you 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.920 to Psalm 90, 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.599 verse 12. 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:17.480 The real question is, 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:20.079 why did they ask God 00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:21.179 to remind them 00:19:21.179 --> 00:19:21.759 of the measure 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.439 of their days? 00:19:22.699 --> 00:19:24.959 And 90, 12 says this, 00:19:25.159 --> 00:19:26.019 so teach us 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:26.959 to number our days 00:19:26.959 --> 00:19:27.799 that we may get 00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:31.119 a heart of wisdom. 00:19:33.939 --> 00:19:35.099 Knowing that your days 00:19:35.099 --> 00:19:35.559 are numbered 00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.719 and that your death 00:19:36.719 --> 00:19:38.199 is drawing closer 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:40.880 should focus you 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:42.440 to live 00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:44.759 for what matters most. 00:19:47.819 --> 00:19:48.380 God. 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:50.299 His plan. 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.960 I don't want to bum you out 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.420 this morning. 00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:57.539 I want to wake you up 00:19:57.539 --> 00:19:57.980 this morning. 00:20:00.080 --> 00:20:01.180 There's this guy. 00:20:01.600 --> 00:20:02.360 He preached 00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:03.779 a very famous sermon. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.660 Sinners in the hands 00:20:05.660 --> 00:20:06.380 of an angry God. 00:20:06.440 --> 00:20:07.259 Anybody name that guy? 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:09.160 Jay Edwards. 00:20:09.420 --> 00:20:10.080 Jonathan Edwards. 00:20:10.880 --> 00:20:13.080 And before he was 00:20:13.080 --> 00:20:14.320 20 years old, 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:17.400 he wrote these things 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:19.779 called the resolutions. 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:22.340 And so before he was 00:20:22.340 --> 00:20:23.100 20 years old, 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:25.420 he wrote 70 resolutions. 00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:27.019 And what they were 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.000 were things that he would 00:20:28.000 --> 00:20:29.600 review every week. 00:20:30.300 --> 00:20:31.440 And they were designed 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.360 to help him live 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.320 a life of godliness. 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:34.360 They're all kind of 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:35.299 springing out 00:20:35.299 --> 00:20:36.019 of God's word. 00:20:36.099 --> 00:20:36.839 So can I just read you 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.379 a few of them? 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.000 Resolution number five. 00:20:43.919 --> 00:20:44.139 Remember, 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.859 this kid's like, 00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:46.119 he's like 19 years old. 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:47.159 Resolved, 00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.240 never to lose 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:49.539 one moment of my time 00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:50.399 but to improve it 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:51.699 in the most profitable way 00:20:51.699 --> 00:20:52.679 I possibly can. 00:20:54.439 --> 00:20:55.479 Resolution number nine. 00:20:55.899 --> 00:20:56.619 To think much 00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:57.379 on all occasions 00:20:57.379 --> 00:20:58.439 of my dying 00:20:58.439 --> 00:20:59.879 in the common circumstances 00:20:59.879 --> 00:21:00.919 which attend death. 00:21:02.439 --> 00:21:02.919 Ladies, 00:21:02.920 --> 00:21:04.400 how about Jonathan Edwards 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:04.920 calling you up 00:21:04.920 --> 00:21:05.560 to go on a date? 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.840 Hey, let's go to Starbucks. 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.220 What do you want 00:21:08.220 --> 00:21:08.680 to talk about? 00:21:09.640 --> 00:21:10.840 Let's talk about dying. 00:21:12.360 --> 00:21:12.620 Alright. 00:21:16.560 --> 00:21:17.600 Resolution 17. 00:21:18.160 --> 00:21:18.600 Resolve, 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:20.160 that I will live so 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:22.539 as I shall wish I had 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:23.700 when I come to die. 00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:28.539 Resolution 43. 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.580 Resolve, 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:31.400 never hence forward 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:32.740 till I die 00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:34.060 to act as if 00:21:34.060 --> 00:21:35.019 I were any way 00:21:35.019 --> 00:21:35.759 my own 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:37.060 but entirely 00:21:37.060 --> 00:21:39.000 in altogether God's. 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:40.860 Man. 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:44.660 Resolution 50. 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.480 Resolved. 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:47.060 That I will act 00:21:47.060 --> 00:21:48.180 so as I think 00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:49.100 I shall judge 00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:50.280 would have been best 00:21:50.280 --> 00:21:51.680 when I come 00:21:51.680 --> 00:21:53.360 into the future world. 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:55.040 You see how 00:21:55.040 --> 00:21:55.780 he's living his life? 00:21:55.779 --> 00:21:58.740 He's not afraid 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.279 of his death. 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.379 His death 00:22:01.379 --> 00:22:02.680 was compelling him 00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:04.420 to live a life 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:06.299 for what matters most. 00:22:07.879 --> 00:22:09.059 The things of God. 00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:13.039 The fourth thing 00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:13.940 that we have in common. 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:16.220 So the first is 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:17.279 on average 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.019 we'll live 70, 00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:18.460 80 years. 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.839 The second is 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:21.119 we're not really sure 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:21.639 about that. 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.740 The third is 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:25.160 the window of our lives 00:22:25.160 --> 00:22:25.720 is closing. 00:22:26.460 --> 00:22:27.420 The fourth is 00:22:27.420 --> 00:22:28.980 each of us 00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.460 has between now 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.079 and our death 00:22:31.079 --> 00:22:33.900 we all live 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:35.539 within the constraints 00:22:35.539 --> 00:22:36.799 of a 24 hour day. 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.240 All of us. 00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:39.940 All of us. 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.799 Each of us 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:42.120 works with the same amount 00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:43.319 of allotted time. 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.160 Each of us 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:45.819 in this room 00:22:45.819 --> 00:22:47.720 and then the 7 billion 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.799 other people 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.660 on the face 00:22:49.660 --> 00:22:50.400 of the earth 00:22:50.400 --> 00:22:52.279 all live within 00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:53.480 a 24 hour period. 00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:53.859 Do you know 00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:54.359 what that means? 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:56.639 Everybody's deciding 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.279 what to do 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.200 with their time. 00:23:02.980 --> 00:23:03.700 All of us 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.200 live within 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:05.240 24 hour days. 00:23:06.379 --> 00:23:07.240 The fifth thing. 00:23:08.799 --> 00:23:09.579 The fifth thing 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:10.920 we all have in common. 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.759 Each of us 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:15.500 will stand 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.460 before Christ 00:23:16.460 --> 00:23:18.299 to give an account 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:18.980 for the way 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:20.200 we lived our lives. 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:21.759 how we made 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.279 the most 00:23:22.279 --> 00:23:23.120 of our time. 00:23:24.580 --> 00:23:25.440 Listen to this. 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:27.080 Writing to Christians 00:23:27.080 --> 00:23:27.559 in Romans 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:28.380 chapter 14 00:23:28.380 --> 00:23:28.860 verse 10 00:23:28.860 --> 00:23:29.480 Paul writes 00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.740 for we 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:32.640 Christians 00:23:32.640 --> 00:23:34.200 for we will 00:23:34.200 --> 00:23:35.140 stand before 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:36.259 the judgment seat 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.900 of God. 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.120 Verse 12 00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:39.580 So then 00:23:39.580 --> 00:23:40.360 each of us 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:41.140 will give an account 00:23:41.140 --> 00:23:41.779 of himself 00:23:41.779 --> 00:23:42.440 to God. 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:44.940 Again 00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.700 writing to Christians 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:47.019 in 2 Corinthians 5 00:23:47.019 --> 00:23:47.640 9 and 10 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:48.220 we read this. 00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:49.279 So whether we are 00:23:49.279 --> 00:23:50.080 at home or away 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.980 we make it our aim 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:52.000 to please him 00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:53.399 for 00:23:53.399 --> 00:23:54.619 we must 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:55.460 all stand 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.480 before the judgment 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.599 seat of Christ 00:23:57.599 --> 00:23:59.000 so that each one 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.559 may receive 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.079 what is due 00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:00.919 for what he's done 00:24:00.919 --> 00:24:01.519 in the body. 00:24:03.919 --> 00:24:04.480 Brothers 00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.460 and sisters 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:07.480 the promise 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.879 of this final judgment 00:24:08.879 --> 00:24:10.319 should not make us 00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:11.599 fear for our salvation. 00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.199 That's not why 00:24:13.199 --> 00:24:13.839 these passages 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:14.339 are here. 00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.240 Our salvation 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:17.319 has been secured 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.519 by Christ 00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:20.359 by his death. 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:21.980 In fact 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:23.359 our Savior 00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.220 will also 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:25.119 be our judge. 00:24:26.439 --> 00:24:27.379 But what 00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:28.099 should be 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:29.179 sobering us up 00:24:29.179 --> 00:24:31.279 is that 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:32.079 we will 00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:32.720 have to 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.259 give an account. 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.859 We will 00:24:34.859 --> 00:24:35.899 stand before him 00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:36.960 for how we 00:24:36.960 --> 00:24:38.059 lived our lives. 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.439 And we must 00:24:40.439 --> 00:24:41.279 take that to heart. 00:24:41.279 --> 00:24:44.240 we must 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.399 live in light 00:24:45.399 --> 00:24:46.559 of that day. 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.420 It's what we all 00:24:48.420 --> 00:24:48.980 have in common. 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:52.059 Seventy to eight years 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:53.379 we really don't know 00:24:53.379 --> 00:24:54.279 the number of them. 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:57.180 The windows closing 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:58.059 each of us 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.680 has to deal 00:24:58.680 --> 00:24:59.279 living within 00:24:59.279 --> 00:25:00.099 twenty four hours 00:25:00.099 --> 00:25:01.180 each of us 00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:01.819 will have to stand 00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.639 before Christ. 00:25:03.379 --> 00:25:03.940 So what? 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.579 What difference 00:25:06.579 --> 00:25:07.480 does this make? 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:09.960 each of us 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:11.140 must decide 00:25:11.140 --> 00:25:12.059 how we will 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:13.240 spend the time 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.660 God has given 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.360 to us. 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.640 What God 00:25:17.640 --> 00:25:18.120 through Paul 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:19.099 is exhorting us 00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:19.660 to hear is 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:21.240 make the best 00:25:21.240 --> 00:25:23.220 use of the time 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.900 however long 00:25:24.900 --> 00:25:25.339 you got. 00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:27.019 Make the most 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:27.339 of it. 00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.759 Now when you 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:30.160 hear the little 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:30.839 phrase make the 00:25:30.839 --> 00:25:31.480 best use of the 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.480 time don't 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.319 immediately think 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:33.960 in terms of 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.440 efficiency. 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.440 Don't think 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.299 Stephen Covey 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.000 seven habits 00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.420 of highly 00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:38.599 effective people. 00:25:39.119 --> 00:25:39.519 Don't think 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.160 David Allen 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.779 getting things 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.359 done it's a 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:41.940 matter of how 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.400 much you can 00:25:42.400 --> 00:25:43.180 pack into your 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.640 life. 00:25:45.019 --> 00:25:45.859 That's very 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:46.420 American. 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:49.579 Think in terms 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:52.259 of the aim 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:54.059 of our life. 00:25:55.759 --> 00:25:56.799 The goal 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:58.660 of our time. 00:25:59.559 --> 00:26:00.099 Did you notice 00:26:00.099 --> 00:26:00.759 the contrast 00:26:00.759 --> 00:26:01.519 in verse 16 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.119 make the best 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:02.680 use of the time 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.359 because the days 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:03.759 are evil. 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.420 You know what 00:26:04.420 --> 00:26:05.220 we're surrounded 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:06.140 by people 00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.579 living in 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:07.900 darkness 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:08.519 who are using 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:09.600 time foolishly 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.559 for evil 00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.059 purposes. 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:12.019 We don't want 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.200 that. 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:12.759 We want them 00:26:12.759 --> 00:26:13.259 to come to 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:13.860 Christ and 00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:14.200 live their 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.579 lives or 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.000 something else 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.620 but that's 00:26:15.620 --> 00:26:16.019 the way it 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.380 is. 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:19.660 We are to 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.240 make the best 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:20.779 use of the 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:22.200 time for the 00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.779 glory of 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:23.140 Christ. 00:26:25.380 --> 00:26:26.000 Don't think 00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:26.539 how much can I 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.039 get done in a 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.819 24 hour period. 00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:29.120 Think how can I 00:26:29.120 --> 00:26:29.940 use this day for 00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.519 the glory of 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.000 Christ. 00:26:32.019 --> 00:26:32.880 That's starting to 00:26:32.880 --> 00:26:33.500 move in the right 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.180 direction of 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.839 making the best 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:35.359 use of the 00:26:35.359 --> 00:26:35.700 time. 00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.380 That's wise 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:36.900 living. 00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:39.420 It's up to you 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:41.119 to decide how 00:26:41.119 --> 00:26:41.920 you're going to 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:43.240 spend your time. 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.500 Don't waste 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.180 your time. 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.720 Live for the 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.880 glory of Christ. 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:53.319 Now the question 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.039 you may be asking 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.660 yourself is, 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:55.019 hey, can you 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.380 give me a little 00:26:55.380 --> 00:26:55.880 more help than 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:56.160 that? 00:26:56.539 --> 00:26:57.220 How do I aim 00:26:57.220 --> 00:26:57.700 my life? 00:26:58.920 --> 00:26:59.519 Is there something 00:26:59.519 --> 00:27:00.319 that can help me 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.240 decide what is the 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:02.000 best use of the 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:02.819 time God gives 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.119 me? 00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:03.980 And the answer 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:04.859 is yes. 00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:05.639 Look at verse 00:27:05.639 --> 00:27:06.299 17. 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.740 God's will 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:10.980 prioritizes our 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.659 time. 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.759 Verse 17 says 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.159 this. 00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:16.720 Therefore, do not 00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.740 be foolish, but 00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.980 understand what the 00:27:18.980 --> 00:27:20.220 will of the Lord 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.599 is. 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.679 God's eternal 00:27:21.679 --> 00:27:23.740 will prioritizes 00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:26.059 our daily lives. 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.399 Here's the 00:27:27.399 --> 00:27:28.039 connection between 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:29.039 16 and 17. 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:31.039 Walking wisely 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:32.119 means making the 00:27:32.119 --> 00:27:32.939 best use of the 00:27:32.939 --> 00:27:33.259 time. 00:27:33.859 --> 00:27:34.439 Verse 16. 00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:36.839 Verse 17, Paul 00:27:36.839 --> 00:27:38.659 tells us how to 00:27:38.659 --> 00:27:39.719 make the best use 00:27:39.719 --> 00:27:40.539 of the time. 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:42.679 By understanding 00:27:42.679 --> 00:27:44.959 what is the will 00:27:44.959 --> 00:27:46.000 of the Lord. 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:48.739 He's saying don't 00:27:48.739 --> 00:27:49.819 be a fool and 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.819 ignore God's will. 00:27:51.619 --> 00:27:52.319 You need to 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:54.039 understand what 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:54.679 the will of the 00:27:54.679 --> 00:27:55.679 Lord is in order 00:27:55.679 --> 00:27:56.479 to make the best 00:27:56.479 --> 00:27:57.439 use of the time. 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:58.119 Now that word 00:27:58.119 --> 00:27:59.039 understand is a 00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.639 very interesting 00:27:59.639 --> 00:28:00.039 word. 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.539 It means more 00:28:02.539 --> 00:28:03.059 than just knowing 00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:03.700 the facts. 00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.899 An intellectual 00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:07.240 grasp on things. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.720 The word carries 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.619 with it this sense 00:28:09.619 --> 00:28:10.759 of bringing 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:12.000 things together. 00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:14.879 The idea is 00:28:14.879 --> 00:28:16.139 an understanding 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:17.500 that knows how 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.519 to practically 00:28:18.519 --> 00:28:19.980 live out the 00:28:19.980 --> 00:28:20.899 will of the 00:28:20.899 --> 00:28:21.119 Lord. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:21.859 How to put it 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:22.720 into practice. 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:25.000 How to live in 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:26.819 light of the will 00:28:26.819 --> 00:28:27.359 of the Lord. 00:28:29.519 --> 00:28:30.379 So don't you 00:28:30.379 --> 00:28:30.779 want to know 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.259 what the will 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:31.679 of the Lord 00:28:31.679 --> 00:28:32.000 is? 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.720 Well it may 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.179 not be what 00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:37.579 you think. 00:28:40.159 --> 00:28:41.299 God's word 00:28:41.299 --> 00:28:43.539 reveals God's 00:28:43.539 --> 00:28:45.240 will for God's 00:28:45.240 --> 00:28:45.559 people. 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.319 John, stop. 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.759 God's word 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.079 reveals God's 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:50.139 will for God's 00:28:50.139 --> 00:28:50.359 people. 00:28:50.439 --> 00:28:50.819 But what's 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.519 interesting about 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:53.639 Ephesians is 00:28:53.639 --> 00:28:54.839 how Paul talks 00:28:54.839 --> 00:28:55.519 about God's 00:28:55.519 --> 00:28:55.779 will. 00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:57.639 He talks about 00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:57.899 it. 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.700 Not in Ephesians 00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.139 5. 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.000 In Ephesians 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:02.439 1. 00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.720 In Ephesians 00:29:04.720 --> 00:29:05.879 1, Paul 00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:06.799 references the 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.399 will of God 00:29:07.399 --> 00:29:08.159 three times. 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:08.899 In verse 1, 00:29:08.980 --> 00:29:09.559 in verse 9, 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:10.240 in verse 11. 00:29:11.379 --> 00:29:11.960 And what he's 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.619 writing about 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.679 is different 00:29:13.679 --> 00:29:14.679 aspects of 00:29:14.679 --> 00:29:15.579 God's plan 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:17.220 of salvation 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:19.099 for the 00:29:19.099 --> 00:29:19.439 fullness 00:29:19.439 --> 00:29:20.659 of time. 00:29:21.879 --> 00:29:22.639 In other 00:29:22.639 --> 00:29:22.960 words, 00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:24.099 God's plan 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.139 for eternity. 00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:29.579 God's 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.200 eternal plan 00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.679 to save 00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:31.259 sinners 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:31.960 and to 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.559 eventually 00:29:32.559 --> 00:29:34.919 make all 00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:35.639 wrongs right 00:29:35.639 --> 00:29:37.339 and reverse 00:29:37.339 --> 00:29:38.000 the curse 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:39.200 all through 00:29:39.200 --> 00:29:39.599 Jesus. 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.439 So here's 00:29:41.439 --> 00:29:41.980 what Paul is 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.539 writing in 00:29:42.539 --> 00:29:43.339 verse 17. 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:45.200 Don't be a 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:46.480 fool and 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:46.919 think that 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:47.720 this life 00:29:47.720 --> 00:29:48.500 is all 00:29:48.500 --> 00:29:49.039 that there 00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:49.539 is. 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:52.319 live your 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.639 70-80 00:29:53.639 --> 00:29:54.240 years 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:55.359 in light 00:29:55.359 --> 00:29:56.279 of God's 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:57.079 glorious 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:58.460 eternal 00:29:58.460 --> 00:29:59.539 plan 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.519 to unite 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:02.200 all things 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.299 in Jesus 00:30:03.299 --> 00:30:04.039 Christ. 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:05.159 That's what 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:05.579 he's saying. 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:09.139 Christ 00:30:09.139 --> 00:30:10.259 lit you up 00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:10.759 to be 00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.319 holy. 00:30:12.460 --> 00:30:12.920 Now 00:30:12.920 --> 00:30:13.299 live 00:30:13.299 --> 00:30:13.879 holy 00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.740 wise 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.839 lives 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.519 in light 00:30:16.519 --> 00:30:17.200 of His 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:17.759 eternal 00:30:17.759 --> 00:30:18.399 purposes. 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:19.860 that is 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.320 the will 00:30:20.320 --> 00:30:20.600 of the 00:30:20.600 --> 00:30:20.960 Lord. 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.000 In other 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.280 words, 00:30:23.100 --> 00:30:24.580 God's 00:30:24.580 --> 00:30:25.120 plan for 00:30:25.120 --> 00:30:25.640 eternity 00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:26.700 informs how 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.560 we daily 00:30:27.560 --> 00:30:28.280 live our 00:30:28.280 --> 00:30:28.660 lives. 00:30:29.600 --> 00:30:30.019 We 00:30:30.019 --> 00:30:31.220 walk 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.240 with an 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.740 eye 00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.400 to 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:33.880 eternity. 00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.140 We live 00:30:35.140 --> 00:30:35.940 our lives 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.480 in light 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:36.980 of this 00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:37.860 greater 00:30:37.860 --> 00:30:38.700 reality, 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:40.220 God's 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:40.500 eternal 00:30:40.500 --> 00:30:40.880 plan. 00:30:44.060 --> 00:30:44.940 This is 00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.259 an eternal 00:30:45.259 --> 00:30:45.759 perspective. 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:45.879 life. 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:47.680 We don't 00:30:47.680 --> 00:30:48.059 get that 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.400 much. 00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:50.119 God's 00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:50.319 word 00:30:50.319 --> 00:30:50.599 gives 00:30:50.599 --> 00:30:50.799 it in 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.079 abundance. 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.079 God's 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.579 plan for 00:30:54.579 --> 00:30:54.940 eternity 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.599 informs our 00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:55.980 decisions. 00:30:56.140 --> 00:30:56.680 So I 00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:56.879 want to 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.140 take a 00:30:57.140 --> 00:30:57.440 shot and 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:57.640 try to 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:57.920 help you 00:30:57.920 --> 00:30:59.539 out in 00:30:59.539 --> 00:30:59.900 how this 00:30:59.900 --> 00:31:00.500 makes a 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.000 difference in 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.460 our lives. 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.319 Maybe 00:31:03.319 --> 00:31:03.920 some of you 00:31:03.920 --> 00:31:04.359 in the room 00:31:04.359 --> 00:31:04.759 are asking 00:31:04.759 --> 00:31:05.259 the question, 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:05.920 should I 00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.660 get married? 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:09.120 Well, 00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.860 here's how 00:31:09.860 --> 00:31:11.759 an eye to 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:12.140 God's 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.580 eternal 00:31:12.580 --> 00:31:13.380 plan makes 00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:13.840 a difference 00:31:13.840 --> 00:31:14.320 with that 00:31:14.320 --> 00:31:14.740 question. 00:31:16.060 --> 00:31:16.620 First, 00:31:17.220 --> 00:31:17.600 you've got to 00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:18.040 realize, 00:31:19.040 --> 00:31:19.820 marriage isn't 00:31:19.820 --> 00:31:20.200 the end 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:20.420 all. 00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:22.700 There's 00:31:22.700 --> 00:31:22.880 something 00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:23.460 greater than 00:31:23.460 --> 00:31:23.900 marriage. 00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.920 The glory 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.519 of Christ. 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:29.420 Second, 00:31:29.880 --> 00:31:30.320 you need to 00:31:30.320 --> 00:31:30.860 marry someone 00:31:30.860 --> 00:31:32.400 who understands 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:32.960 the will of 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:33.360 the Lord. 00:31:34.360 --> 00:31:34.840 Brother, 00:31:35.040 --> 00:31:35.460 sister in 00:31:35.460 --> 00:31:35.680 Christ, 00:31:35.680 --> 00:31:36.019 if you're 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.480 thinking about 00:31:36.480 --> 00:31:37.220 being married, 00:31:38.000 --> 00:31:38.480 do you 00:31:38.480 --> 00:31:39.080 share the 00:31:39.080 --> 00:31:40.000 same aim 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:40.740 in life? 00:31:42.140 --> 00:31:42.700 Living 00:31:42.700 --> 00:31:43.980 for 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.799 Jesus. 00:31:47.340 --> 00:31:48.259 For those 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:48.600 who are 00:31:48.600 --> 00:31:48.920 married, 00:31:50.400 --> 00:31:51.019 how does 00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.380 an eternal 00:31:51.380 --> 00:31:51.960 perspective 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.580 change your 00:31:52.580 --> 00:31:52.980 marriage? 00:31:54.560 --> 00:31:55.440 Are you 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:55.860 at an 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.519 impasse 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:57.019 in your 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:57.420 marriage? 00:31:58.799 --> 00:31:59.799 Are your 00:31:59.799 --> 00:32:00.840 heels dug 00:32:00.840 --> 00:32:01.259 in? 00:32:02.100 --> 00:32:02.660 Are there 00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.259 too many 00:32:03.259 --> 00:32:03.960 wounds that 00:32:03.960 --> 00:32:04.340 are too 00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:04.820 deep? 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.860 Consider 00:32:06.860 --> 00:32:07.200 your 00:32:07.200 --> 00:32:07.600 marriage 00:32:07.600 --> 00:32:08.120 in light 00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:08.400 of 00:32:08.400 --> 00:32:09.200 eternity. 00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:12.039 Wrongs 00:32:12.039 --> 00:32:12.720 done look 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.140 a lot 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:14.100 smaller and 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:14.440 less 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.360 significant in 00:32:15.360 --> 00:32:15.820 light of 00:32:15.820 --> 00:32:16.440 God's plan 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:16.820 for the 00:32:16.820 --> 00:32:17.320 fullness of 00:32:17.320 --> 00:32:17.600 time. 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:19.420 So when 00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:20.200 you look at 00:32:20.200 --> 00:32:20.820 your marriage 00:32:20.820 --> 00:32:21.500 in light of 00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:21.820 God's 00:32:21.820 --> 00:32:22.160 eternal 00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:22.560 will, 00:32:24.560 --> 00:32:25.940 step back, 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:26.620 get 00:32:26.620 --> 00:32:27.160 perspective, 00:32:28.620 --> 00:32:28.920 forgive, 00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:29.279 forgive, 00:32:30.019 --> 00:32:31.380 forgive wrongs 00:32:31.380 --> 00:32:31.620 done. 00:32:31.619 --> 00:32:34.039 don't hold 00:32:34.039 --> 00:32:34.519 a grudge, 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.299 don't become 00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:35.599 bitter. 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.659 Live for 00:32:37.659 --> 00:32:38.099 Christ. 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.759 Moms and 00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.059 dads, 00:32:42.879 --> 00:32:44.399 what is the 00:32:44.399 --> 00:32:45.119 ultimate goal 00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:45.739 for each of 00:32:45.739 --> 00:32:46.219 your children? 00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.319 children. 00:32:48.819 --> 00:32:49.720 I want my 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.460 child to get 00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.160 straight A's. 00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:53.000 I want my 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.660 child to be a 00:32:53.660 --> 00:32:54.779 D1 athlete. 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:56.600 I want my 00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.180 child to be 00:32:57.180 --> 00:32:58.140 first chair 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:58.680 cello. 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:00.779 Or maybe, 00:33:01.440 --> 00:33:02.180 hey, I really 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:02.940 just want my 00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:04.440 child to 00:33:04.440 --> 00:33:05.680 potty, be 00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:06.180 potty trained. 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:06.759 Really, that's 00:33:06.759 --> 00:33:06.900 it. 00:33:06.900 --> 00:33:06.920 That's it. 00:33:10.600 --> 00:33:11.079 Seriously, 00:33:11.079 --> 00:33:12.759 my ultimate 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.439 goal right now 00:33:13.439 --> 00:33:13.939 is that my 00:33:13.939 --> 00:33:14.679 child actually 00:33:14.679 --> 00:33:15.879 sleeps five 00:33:15.879 --> 00:33:16.819 consecutive hours 00:33:16.819 --> 00:33:17.439 so that I 00:33:17.439 --> 00:33:18.099 actually can 00:33:18.099 --> 00:33:18.539 sleep. 00:33:21.199 --> 00:33:21.819 Or maybe 00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:22.179 you're thinking, 00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:22.879 I just want my 00:33:22.879 --> 00:33:23.359 kid to be able 00:33:23.359 --> 00:33:23.819 to move out 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:24.259 and live on 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:24.599 their own. 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:30.259 Let God's 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:30.659 plan for 00:33:30.659 --> 00:33:31.159 eternity 00:33:31.159 --> 00:33:32.759 inform your 00:33:32.759 --> 00:33:33.159 parenting. 00:33:34.839 --> 00:33:35.500 Parent with 00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:36.240 eternity in 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:36.519 mind. 00:33:36.740 --> 00:33:37.039 You know what 00:33:37.039 --> 00:33:37.319 is going to 00:33:37.319 --> 00:33:37.579 happen? 00:33:37.839 --> 00:33:37.980 You know 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.119 what it's 00:33:38.119 --> 00:33:38.279 going to 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:38.480 do? 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:40.759 He will 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:41.059 help you 00:33:41.059 --> 00:33:41.400 pick your 00:33:41.400 --> 00:33:41.799 battles. 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:44.960 It will 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:45.359 help you 00:33:45.359 --> 00:33:45.920 persevere 00:33:45.920 --> 00:33:46.920 through trials 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:48.940 because your 00:33:48.940 --> 00:33:49.700 child's greatest 00:33:49.700 --> 00:33:51.480 need is 00:33:51.480 --> 00:33:52.039 Christ. 00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:58.000 Eternity 00:33:58.000 --> 00:33:59.339 informs how 00:33:59.339 --> 00:33:59.900 we see 00:33:59.900 --> 00:34:00.579 other people. 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.500 I'm sure 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:03.960 you all have 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.299 neighbors, 00:34:05.480 --> 00:34:06.039 you all have 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:07.319 workmates, 00:34:07.799 --> 00:34:08.239 family, 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.460 many of whom 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:09.760 are not 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:10.159 Christians. 00:34:10.760 --> 00:34:11.560 How do 00:34:11.560 --> 00:34:11.840 you think 00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.280 about them? 00:34:14.440 --> 00:34:14.940 Do you 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.260 think about 00:34:15.260 --> 00:34:15.540 them in 00:34:15.540 --> 00:34:15.800 light of 00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:16.140 eternity? 00:34:18.380 --> 00:34:18.880 Do you 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.220 think about 00:34:19.220 --> 00:34:19.560 them of 00:34:19.560 --> 00:34:19.920 where they 00:34:19.920 --> 00:34:20.180 will be 00:34:20.180 --> 00:34:20.480 spending 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:20.960 eternity? 00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:25.260 It's 00:34:25.260 --> 00:34:25.740 compelling. 00:34:29.020 --> 00:34:29.560 As we 00:34:29.560 --> 00:34:30.100 become more 00:34:30.100 --> 00:34:30.560 aware of 00:34:30.560 --> 00:34:31.260 eternity and 00:34:31.260 --> 00:34:31.800 where people 00:34:31.800 --> 00:34:32.360 will spend 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:32.880 eternity, 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:33.980 it's going 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:34.360 to have an 00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:34.760 effect. 00:34:34.760 --> 00:34:35.340 It's going 00:34:35.340 --> 00:34:36.600 to incline 00:34:36.600 --> 00:34:37.840 us to 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:39.160 raise a 00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:39.879 certain kind 00:34:39.879 --> 00:34:40.779 of conversation 00:34:40.779 --> 00:34:43.039 that can 00:34:43.039 --> 00:34:43.940 be uncomfortable. 00:34:44.940 --> 00:34:45.739 A conversation 00:34:45.739 --> 00:34:47.659 about spiritually 00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:49.199 significant things 00:34:49.199 --> 00:34:50.579 because we're 00:34:50.579 --> 00:34:51.559 concerned about 00:34:51.559 --> 00:34:52.219 where people 00:34:52.219 --> 00:34:52.799 will live 00:34:52.799 --> 00:34:53.519 for eternity. 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:58.619 let eternity 00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:59.940 inform what 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:00.420 you buy. 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.099 Eternity puts 00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:02.460 things in 00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:03.159 perspective real 00:35:03.159 --> 00:35:03.500 quick. 00:35:04.259 --> 00:35:04.820 Puts things in 00:35:04.820 --> 00:35:05.199 the proper 00:35:05.199 --> 00:35:05.820 place with the 00:35:05.820 --> 00:35:06.539 right perspective. 00:35:06.699 --> 00:35:07.519 It'll keep your 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.360 stuff from owning 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:08.659 you. 00:35:08.800 --> 00:35:09.239 It's going to 00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:09.619 rust. 00:35:10.000 --> 00:35:10.579 It's going to 00:35:10.579 --> 00:35:10.980 break. 00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:11.820 It's going to 00:35:11.820 --> 00:35:13.119 run its course 00:35:13.119 --> 00:35:15.239 of usefulness. 00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:19.359 It helps us 00:35:19.359 --> 00:35:20.139 to be in 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:20.659 this world 00:35:20.659 --> 00:35:21.119 but not of 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:21.539 this world. 00:35:23.759 --> 00:35:24.399 So how do 00:35:24.399 --> 00:35:24.799 we make the 00:35:24.799 --> 00:35:25.299 best use of 00:35:25.299 --> 00:35:25.739 the time? 00:35:26.959 --> 00:35:27.919 We live in 00:35:27.919 --> 00:35:28.299 light of 00:35:28.299 --> 00:35:28.659 eternity. 00:35:30.299 --> 00:35:31.019 It's real. 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:33.139 We live 00:35:33.139 --> 00:35:33.739 understanding 00:35:33.739 --> 00:35:34.159 what the 00:35:34.159 --> 00:35:34.559 will of the 00:35:34.559 --> 00:35:35.179 Lord is to 00:35:35.179 --> 00:35:35.659 unite all 00:35:35.659 --> 00:35:36.079 things in 00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:36.399 Christ. 00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.019 It's all 00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:37.839 about Christ. 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:38.319 We live 00:35:38.319 --> 00:35:38.619 for what 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.599 matters most. 00:35:41.359 --> 00:35:42.039 God's will 00:35:42.039 --> 00:35:42.819 has always 00:35:42.819 --> 00:35:43.959 been for us 00:35:43.959 --> 00:35:44.799 to be holy 00:35:44.800 --> 00:35:45.500 and blameless 00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:46.280 before Him. 00:35:46.400 --> 00:35:47.220 So living 00:35:47.220 --> 00:35:48.060 for eternity 00:35:48.060 --> 00:35:49.300 and making 00:35:49.300 --> 00:35:49.940 the best use 00:35:49.940 --> 00:35:50.560 of our time, 00:35:50.680 --> 00:35:50.900 do you know 00:35:50.900 --> 00:35:51.440 what that is? 00:35:51.700 --> 00:35:52.560 That's holiness. 00:35:53.660 --> 00:35:54.160 That's living 00:35:54.160 --> 00:35:55.100 a life set 00:35:55.100 --> 00:35:55.980 apart from 00:35:55.980 --> 00:35:56.780 everybody else. 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:57.480 It's making 00:35:57.480 --> 00:35:58.380 the best use 00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:58.920 of our time 00:35:58.920 --> 00:35:59.560 for the glory 00:35:59.560 --> 00:36:00.120 of Christ. 00:36:01.940 --> 00:36:02.660 Each of us 00:36:02.660 --> 00:36:03.060 has been given 00:36:03.060 --> 00:36:04.000 168 hours 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:04.400 this week. 00:36:04.680 --> 00:36:05.200 Lord willing 00:36:05.200 --> 00:36:05.740 as far as we 00:36:05.740 --> 00:36:05.900 know. 00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:08.180 And what 00:36:08.180 --> 00:36:08.680 will set us 00:36:08.680 --> 00:36:09.900 apart is that 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:10.880 we leverage 00:36:10.880 --> 00:36:12.160 each day 00:36:12.160 --> 00:36:13.360 for eternity 00:36:13.360 --> 00:36:15.220 is making 00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:16.099 the best use 00:36:16.099 --> 00:36:17.260 of the time. 00:36:19.140 --> 00:36:19.860 I want to 00:36:19.860 --> 00:36:20.640 close with 00:36:20.640 --> 00:36:22.460 one of my 00:36:22.460 --> 00:36:23.579 favorite poems. 00:36:25.320 --> 00:36:26.019 It's written 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:26.760 by a guy 00:36:26.760 --> 00:36:27.420 named C.T. 00:36:27.559 --> 00:36:27.960 Studd. 00:36:29.000 --> 00:36:29.880 He was a 00:36:29.880 --> 00:36:30.120 stud. 00:36:30.120 --> 00:36:32.160 As you will 00:36:32.160 --> 00:36:33.000 soon find out, 00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:34.900 the name of 00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:35.720 this poem is 00:36:35.720 --> 00:36:37.000 Only One 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:37.300 Life. 00:36:39.079 --> 00:36:39.980 Eight stanzas 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:40.680 will be about 00:36:40.680 --> 00:36:41.180 two minutes. 00:36:44.220 --> 00:36:44.980 Two little 00:36:44.980 --> 00:36:45.720 lines I heard 00:36:45.720 --> 00:36:46.220 one day 00:36:46.220 --> 00:36:47.200 traveling along 00:36:47.200 --> 00:36:47.900 life's busy 00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:48.300 way, 00:36:49.480 --> 00:36:50.440 bringing conviction 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.200 to my heart 00:36:51.200 --> 00:36:51.780 and from my 00:36:51.780 --> 00:36:52.420 mind would not 00:36:52.420 --> 00:36:52.780 depart. 00:36:53.680 --> 00:36:54.240 Here they are. 00:36:55.160 --> 00:36:56.019 Only one life 00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:56.559 which will soon 00:36:56.559 --> 00:36:57.160 be passed. 00:36:57.280 --> 00:36:57.720 Only what's 00:36:57.720 --> 00:36:58.380 done for Christ 00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:58.880 will last. 00:37:00.620 --> 00:37:01.579 Only one life, 00:37:01.680 --> 00:37:02.579 yes, only one, 00:37:02.740 --> 00:37:03.660 soon will its 00:37:03.660 --> 00:37:04.460 fleeting hours 00:37:04.460 --> 00:37:04.960 be done. 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.880 Then in that 00:37:06.880 --> 00:37:07.780 day my Lord 00:37:07.780 --> 00:37:08.460 to meet and 00:37:08.460 --> 00:37:08.960 stand before 00:37:08.960 --> 00:37:09.480 his judgment 00:37:09.480 --> 00:37:09.880 seat, 00:37:10.480 --> 00:37:11.440 only one life 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:11.980 which will soon 00:37:11.980 --> 00:37:12.539 be passed. 00:37:12.539 --> 00:37:13.119 Only what's 00:37:13.119 --> 00:37:13.900 done for Christ 00:37:13.900 --> 00:37:14.460 will last. 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.539 Only one life, 00:37:17.199 --> 00:37:17.840 the still small 00:37:17.840 --> 00:37:18.719 voice gently 00:37:18.719 --> 00:37:19.480 pleads for a 00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.159 better choice, 00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:21.159 bidding me 00:37:21.159 --> 00:37:22.019 selfish aims 00:37:22.019 --> 00:37:22.559 to leave 00:37:22.559 --> 00:37:23.320 and to God's 00:37:23.320 --> 00:37:23.920 holy will 00:37:23.920 --> 00:37:24.500 to cleave. 00:37:25.079 --> 00:37:26.199 Only one life 00:37:26.199 --> 00:37:27.019 which will soon 00:37:27.019 --> 00:37:27.519 be passed. 00:37:27.639 --> 00:37:27.960 Only what's 00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:28.639 done for Christ 00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:29.300 will last. 00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.420 Only one life, 00:37:31.840 --> 00:37:32.699 a few brief 00:37:32.699 --> 00:37:33.840 years, each 00:37:33.840 --> 00:37:34.320 with its 00:37:34.320 --> 00:37:34.679 burdens, 00:37:34.880 --> 00:37:35.099 hopes, 00:37:35.219 --> 00:37:35.699 and fears, 00:37:36.159 --> 00:37:36.699 each with 00:37:36.699 --> 00:37:37.460 its clays 00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:38.579 I must fulfill, 00:37:38.800 --> 00:37:39.759 living for self 00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:40.739 or in his will. 00:37:41.380 --> 00:37:42.360 Only one life, 00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:42.900 which will soon 00:37:42.900 --> 00:37:43.440 be passed. 00:37:43.840 --> 00:37:44.440 Only what's 00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:45.059 done for Christ 00:37:45.059 --> 00:37:45.660 will last. 00:37:46.660 --> 00:37:47.200 When this 00:37:47.200 --> 00:37:47.940 bright world 00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:48.460 would tempt 00:37:48.460 --> 00:37:49.200 me sore, 00:37:49.579 --> 00:37:50.300 when Satan 00:37:50.300 --> 00:37:51.120 would a victory 00:37:51.120 --> 00:37:51.680 score, 00:37:52.039 --> 00:37:52.720 when self 00:37:52.720 --> 00:37:53.340 would seek 00:37:53.340 --> 00:37:54.079 to have its 00:37:54.079 --> 00:37:54.539 ways, 00:37:54.660 --> 00:37:55.360 then help me 00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:56.019 Lord with 00:37:56.019 --> 00:37:56.940 joy to say, 00:37:57.800 --> 00:37:58.599 only one life 00:37:58.599 --> 00:37:59.099 which will soon 00:37:59.099 --> 00:37:59.680 be passed. 00:38:00.400 --> 00:38:01.099 Only what's 00:38:01.099 --> 00:38:01.980 done for Christ 00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:02.760 will last. 00:38:02.880 --> 00:38:03.280 Give me 00:38:03.280 --> 00:38:03.880 Father a 00:38:03.880 --> 00:38:04.620 purpose deep 00:38:04.620 --> 00:38:05.680 in joy or 00:38:05.680 --> 00:38:06.120 sorrow, 00:38:06.260 --> 00:38:06.900 thy word to 00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:07.940 keep faithful 00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:08.440 and true 00:38:08.440 --> 00:38:09.200 whate'er the 00:38:09.200 --> 00:38:09.599 strife 00:38:09.599 --> 00:38:11.480 pleasing thee 00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.159 in my daily 00:38:12.159 --> 00:38:12.539 life. 00:38:13.480 --> 00:38:14.260 Only one life 00:38:14.260 --> 00:38:14.820 will soon be 00:38:14.820 --> 00:38:15.119 passed, 00:38:15.200 --> 00:38:15.599 only what's 00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:15.860 done for 00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:16.280 Christ will 00:38:16.280 --> 00:38:16.619 last. 00:38:18.220 --> 00:38:18.599 Oh, let 00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:19.019 my love 00:38:19.019 --> 00:38:19.480 with fervor 00:38:19.480 --> 00:38:19.800 burn, 00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:21.480 and from the 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:21.900 world now 00:38:21.900 --> 00:38:22.519 let me turn, 00:38:23.360 --> 00:38:23.980 living for thee 00:38:23.980 --> 00:38:24.679 and thee alone, 00:38:24.860 --> 00:38:25.360 bringing thee 00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:26.300 pleasure on thy 00:38:26.300 --> 00:38:26.700 throne. 00:38:27.700 --> 00:38:28.519 Only one life 00:38:28.519 --> 00:38:29.179 will soon be 00:38:29.179 --> 00:38:29.539 passed, 00:38:29.679 --> 00:38:30.139 only what's 00:38:30.139 --> 00:38:30.480 done for 00:38:30.480 --> 00:38:31.039 Christ will 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.380 last. 00:38:32.420 --> 00:38:33.639 Only one life, 00:38:33.639 --> 00:38:34.739 yes, only 00:38:34.739 --> 00:38:35.259 one. 00:38:36.659 --> 00:38:37.559 Now let me 00:38:37.559 --> 00:38:38.039 say, thy 00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:38.440 will be 00:38:38.440 --> 00:38:38.739 done. 00:38:39.819 --> 00:38:40.379 And when at 00:38:40.379 --> 00:38:40.940 last I'll 00:38:40.940 --> 00:38:41.359 hear the 00:38:41.359 --> 00:38:42.599 call, I 00:38:42.599 --> 00:38:43.159 know I'll 00:38:43.159 --> 00:38:43.579 say, 00:38:43.879 --> 00:38:44.659 twas worth 00:38:44.659 --> 00:38:45.219 it all. 00:38:46.559 --> 00:38:47.119 Only one 00:38:47.119 --> 00:38:47.379 life, 00:38:47.460 --> 00:38:47.900 twas soon 00:38:47.900 --> 00:38:48.500 be passed, 00:38:49.259 --> 00:38:49.980 only what's 00:38:49.980 --> 00:38:50.359 done for 00:38:50.359 --> 00:38:51.019 Christ will 00:38:51.019 --> 00:38:51.339 last. 00:38:51.940 --> 00:38:52.500 Let's pray 00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:52.739 together.