The disciple’s use of time The disciple’s use of time.

The disciple’s use of timeThe disciple’s use of time

A time for everything – Ecclesiastes 3A time for everything – Ecclesiastes 3

There is a time for everything,There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens:and a season for every activity under the heavens:

a time to be born and a time to die,a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,a time to kill and a time to heal,

a time to tear down and a time to build,a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,a time to weep and a time to laugh,

a time to mourn and a time to dance,a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,

a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

a time to search and a time to give up,a time to search and a time to give up,

a time to keep and a time to throw away,a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,a time to tear and a time to mend,

a time to be silent and a time to speak,a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,a time to love and a time to hate,

a time for war and a time for peace.a time for war and a time for peace.

OutlineOutline

PrinciplesPrinciples

PracticePractice

You were dead in your sins, You were dead in your sins,

You followed the ways of this worldYou followed the ways of this world

All of us lived…gratifying the cravings of our All of us lived…gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature, following its desires and thoughtssinful nature, following its desires and thoughts

We were by nature objects of wrathWe were by nature objects of wrath

But God has made us alive But God has made us alive with Christ, saved by grace with Christ, saved by grace through faith (and this not through faith (and this not from yourselves, it is a gift from yourselves, it is a gift of God) – not by works…of God) – not by works…

created in Christ Jesus to created in Christ Jesus to do good works do good works

What is a disciple?What is a disciple? Ephesians 2Ephesians 2

A radical change in heart, A radical change in heart, mind and outlookmind and outlook

What is a disciple?What is a disciple?

Ephesians 2:6:Ephesians 2:6:

And God has raised us up with And God has raised us up with Christ and seated us in the Christ and seated us in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesusheavenly realms in Christ Jesus

What does God want disciples for?What does God want disciples for?

Hebrews 10:19-22:Hebrews 10:19-22:

Since we have confidence Since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus…let by the blood of Jesus…let us draw near to God with a us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith full assurance that faith bringsbrings

Jesus came to them and said, Jesus came to them and said,

““All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore me. Therefore go and make disciplesgo and make disciples of all nations, of all nations,

baptising thembaptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 20 and and teaching themteaching them to obey to obey

everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20Matthew 28:18-20

What is the church for?What is the church for?

Where do I fit in?Where do I fit in?

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. and proper worship. 2 2 Do not conform to Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:1-2Romans 12:1-2

Three pictures of discipleshipThree pictures of discipleship(2 Timothy 2: 3-6)(2 Timothy 2: 3-6)

Some instructions (1) Some instructions (1)

• Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved…Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved…who correctly handles the word of truth who correctly handles the word of truth

2 Timothy 2 Timothy 2: 152: 15• Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the

name of the Lord Jesusname of the Lord Jesus

Colossians 3: 17Colossians 3: 17• Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the

most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. to answer everyone.

Colossians 4: 5-6Colossians 4: 5-6

Some instructions (2) Some instructions (2)

• Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise, but as Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunitywise, making the most of every opportunity

Ephesians 5: 15Ephesians 5: 15• Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who

asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respectdo this with gentleness and respect

1 Peter 3: 151 Peter 3: 15• Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls

around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faithResist him, standing firm in the faith

1 Peter 5: 51 Peter 5: 5

Two testsTwo tests

1.1.Does it please God and help my relationship with God?Does it please God and help my relationship with God?

2.2.Does it build up the church and further the church’s Does it build up the church and further the church’s mission?mission?

Practical questionsPractical questions

Secular v ChristianSecular v Christian

Fit, young, energetic v old, infirmFit, young, energetic v old, infirm

Identifying giftsIdentifying gifts

Self disciplineSelf discipline

Getting preparedGetting prepared

““Busyness” and burnoutBusyness” and burnout

Avoiding time wastingAvoiding time wasting

I’m discouraged I’m discouraged

SummarySummary

• We are saved to enjoy a new relationship with GodWe are saved to enjoy a new relationship with God• We all have a missionWe all have a mission• We need to be wise in how we liveWe need to be wise in how we live• We need to be preparedWe need to be prepared• We need to know the Word and how to correctly We need to know the Word and how to correctly

handle it handle it • We need to be self controlled and self disciplinedWe need to be self controlled and self disciplined• It’s a team eventIt’s a team event