Pastor Alan returned in June, and while we don’t have all of his messages recorded, we have his outlines for each message. So, below you’ll find his outlines and a few recordings from when he remembered to start the recorder, or it wasn’t having technical difficulties!
The Wise Use of Opportunities
The theme of Ephesians 5 is how to be followers/imitators of God. Paul gives several ways to do this. One of those ways is to “redeem the time” (KJV). So, this morning we will look at how to make wise use of opportunities which is redeeming time.
- The concept of redemption as it relates to one’s salvation and use of time.
- Two kinds of time. The idea is Ephesians 5:15 is not time as chronological but rather specific God-given moments of opportunity. That’s why “redeem the time” in KJV is translated “making the most of every opportunity” in more modern translations.
- Ways to “redeem the time”:
- Wake up out of spiritual deadness and darkness (Romans 13:11-14) vs 14a
- Live in light of the resurrection of the dead. And a time when Christ who is the only light will shine on us. vs 14b
- Live carefully (circumspect) and wisely. One way to live wisely is to know time and opportunities are passing away. vs 15. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, 12:1-8.
- Make the most of life’s opportunities. Live with God’s plan and purpose for you. vs 16
- Don’t waste life pursuing evil. That which contradicts God’s will for your life is evil. Yes, it is just that simple. The word “evil” carries with it idea of slothful life. vs 16b
- Understand God’s will for you and do it. To not do so is foolish. vs 17.
- Don’t let your life be wasted by always being wasted. Too many lives ruined by being under the influence. vs 18a
- Live life under the sober-minded control of the Spirit. A Spirit led life sees certain things as sacred. vs 18b
- Spend time with others in praise and worship. This is always a good place to hang out. vs. 19
- Live in a state of thanksgiving rather than complaining. Complaining is a waste of your time and others. vs 20
- Don’t waste time fighting over things, instead, submit to the Lord and one another to keep the unity of the faith. vs 21
- Conclusion: Time is precious. Don’t waste it on nothing but self-indulgence. Discover God’s plan and will and pursue it.
What a Father Should Give
- An understanding of what it means to be saved. Romans 5:9-10, 10:9, 10:13
- I’ve been saved (from sin’s penalty)
- I’m being saved (from sin’s power)
- I’ll be saved (from sin’s presence)
- An understanding that men have responsibilities to be met.
- Leadership (Ephesians 6:4)
- Accountability (Romans 14:12)
- Service to others (1 Peter 4:9)
- A charge to speak truth no matter how hard the consequence of doing so might be. (2 John 1:4-7)
- To instill grit in a culture that has no idea what finishing the call means. (2 Timothy 4:7)
- To teach the truth that God the Father gives gifts beyond what a human father could ever give, but human fathers are to give good gifts. (Matthew 7:7-9)
- An ode to my father: Readings from stuff pasted in his Bible. God’s Choir: E.W. Brock, 1986
The Plan of God: Grace Living
*This recording started part-way through the message.
- The propositions of the plan:
- God exists. Romans 1:18-20, Psalm 14:1
- God reveals.
- God reveals Himself and God makes sense. John 1:18, John 14:9-10
- God has a plan and is organized. Romans 8:28
- I owe God a hearing.
Maxim: God’s plan is totally opposed to manmade religion.
God’s plan = grace. What He does for you and in you.
Religion = what you mistakenly think you can do for God by your works and moral living.
- Phases of God’s plan:
- God through sending his son to die on the cross and then rise from the tomb, has made it possible for us to be compatible with God.
- (Cross)
- God’s plan for you now on earth is to live in unity with Him and in living in unity to experience His joy.
- (Blessed are the…)
- (Resurrection and Holy Spirit)
- God’s plan for you in eternity is to be able to fully experience His destiny for you that we can only experience in a limited way now.
- (Christ’s coming again)
- God through sending his son to die on the cross and then rise from the tomb, has made it possible for us to be compatible with God.
Maxim: The more our lives become disorganized and complicated is evidence we either don’t know God’s plan or we know it but often don’t follow it.
- Positioned in God’s plan:
- Our sin nature opposes God’s plan for us. The sin nature fights against being under God and in fellowship with Him.
- Dealing with the sin nature by confessing, trusting and abiding.
A Biblical Perspective on Peace, Freedom, Sacrifice, and Courage
Big Perspective: With the 4th of July on Friday, we will be hearing words such as peace, freedom, sacrifice, and courage. I want to say a few words about each of these words from a biblical persepctive.
- Peace: What is the peace scripture speaks of? How does it go beyond what the world offers? John 14:27, John 16:33
- Peace is in Christ. Luke 1:19, Acts 10:36
- We are called to be peacemakers. Matthew 5:9
- We are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:20
- Peace does not imply a lack of strength. In fact, where there is fear there is no peace!
- Freedom: In Christ there is offered freedom from enslavement to sin and fear, especially the fear of death. There is a longing in all of us to be truly free. Do you feel trapped by something? Do you feel oppressed by something? Christ came to “set the captives free.”
- Freedom to be free. John 8:31-36
- Freedom to live responsibly. 2 Thessalonians 3:1
- Free to not slip back into bondage of sin. Galatians 5:1
- Freedom is based in truth. Lies enslave us.
- Sacrifice: Many have laid down their lives to gain and protect freedoms. Liberty is always costly. Our souls’ liberty cost Jesus voluntarily sacrificing Himself for us.
- Christ’s sacrifice calls us to live sacrificially. John 15:9-14, Romans 12:1
- Christ is the one-time sacrifice for sin. Hebrews 10:12
- Courage: We are not to live in fear but to act and live with courage. Courage is necessary to do the right thing not only in dangerous situations but in easy circumstances as well.
- Courage is produced by waiting on God. Psalm 27:14; 1 Chronicles 28:20; Joshua 1:9
- Waiting on God is relying on God’s plans and provisions. 2 Timothy 1:7
- In Conclusion:
- Don’t live in fear and anxiety. Instead live in Christ’s peace.
- Don’t stay in bondage to anything but be set free in Christ.
- Don’t live a self-centered, it’s-all-about-me life. Instead sacrifice for the good of others.
- Don’t live cowardly, never getting in the arena; take your place in courage instead.
Colona Community Church 