Stewardship Series:
TIME
Preaching Portion: Selected Scriptures
Subject: Time
Theme: Spiritual Evaluation of Time
INTRO: There is no certainty as to the original meaning of
the word TIME (κάίροσ). The development of the word over the ages has come to
refer to a specific place that is crucial or a point of time that is
significant.
- Time
only has meaning when we apply it to the material world as we know it.
Therefore we refer to our existence in terms of time i.e. “I am 51 years
old,” “Our church has existed 30+ years,” My wife and I have been married
30 years,” Our earth is thousands of years old.”
- Time
is not an abstract concept. Its’ most powerful meaning is in the present
tense. To look back in time is to only review history past. The past can
persuade us for decisions in the present – the future is not a guarantee
so we cannot act upon what we do not have. Only this moment in time
matters.
- The
Bible is not silent regarding the study of time. In the Old Testament
alone there are 2,274 references to time. One of the startling discoveries
in the Old Testament is to see that God made time. This is seen in the
Genesis account by virtue of God’s creative work in epics of activity.
- Time
in the Old Testament has great theological implication. Realizing that God
transcends time (He is not bound by time limits – He supra-cedes it), the
Psalter declares; “For a thousand years in your sight is but as yesterday
when it is past or as a watch in the night” Psa. 90:4.
- The
New Testament is equally out-spoken on the subject of time. There are 85
occurrences in the New Testament. The heaviest usage occurs in the gospel
of Matthew, Luke and in Acts.
- The
theological significance of time in the New Testament becomes quite
personal and challenging. With Christ’s coming time has a whole new
meaning and sense of urgency. Christ brought clarity and commitment to
religions mission, vision and values. Until
we develop the perspective that religion only has meaning from Christ’s
perspective will lasting change occur.
PROP: Time must be viewed from Christ’s perspective.
T.S: Time can be viewed from Christ’s perspective by
evaluating the two perspectives found in Luke 12:54-56
1) The
Perspective of the Natural World – vv.54,55
a) 54 He
also said to the crowds, g “When you see ha cloud
rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens. 55 And
when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be iscorching
heat,’ and it happens.[1]
b) If
people were as discerning about spiritual things as they are about the weather,
they would be better off! The crowd could predict a storm, but it could not
foresee the coming judgment. It knew that the temperature was about to change,
but it could not interpret the “signs of the times.” The Jewish nation had the
prophetic Scriptures for centuries and should have known what God was doing,
but their religious leaders led them astray.[2]
c) How
is it that we can determine the perspective of the world around with such ease
and comfort? We seem to be empowered by our knowledge, it gives us a sense of
control. There is a sense of superiority about our knowledge. We tend to feel
that our judgments on a matter are always correct and precise.
d) How
tragic that men today can predict the movements of the heavenly bodies, split
atoms, and even put men on the moon; but they are blind to what God is doing in
the world. They know how to get to the stars, but they do not know how to get
to heaven! Our educated world possesses a great deal of scientific knowledge
but not much spiritual wisdom.[3]
2) The
Perspective of the Spiritual World – v.56
a) 56 You
hypocrites! jYou know how to interpret the appearance of
earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?[4]
b) Since words really matter in
the interpretation of scripture, I would draw your attention to two occurrences
of a word translated, “know how.” (δοκιμάξώ). In other words what Jesus was
implying was they knew how to prove and give approval to their conclusions
regarding the earth and sky. However, by the same word Jesus states they could
not prove and give approval of the present time as it relates to spirituality.
c) What
Christ just did in this verse was to make time more urgent. Not all things are
evaluated equally and not all things are evaluated as urgent. Jesus was driving
the discussion to cause us to think about the priority of this present time.
Look deeper into this day and see if there are not some things that weigh more
in terms of importance as opposed to others.
i) Such
as the development of Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Community, Spiritual
Giftedness
d) Christ’s
declaration that the people were “Hypocrites” is a serious term. It implies
that people can pretend, wear masks, be something or someone they are not. This
is not for the purpose of name calling, but for the purpose of shock! Wake up,
not all things are deemed as urgent and correct from our vantage point. There
is another perspective on life.
i) The
Messiah was in their midst.
ii) God
was with them.
iii) Hope
was alive.
Conclusion
- There
are two ways of viewing our world.
- We
can see our world from our perspective and interpret it from this stance.
- We
can see our world from the perspective of Christ.
- One of
these vantage points is more urgent and accurate. The other is limited.
- The
challenge in our 2013 Stewardship emphasis on TIME is; “How do you see
this present time? How does it motivate your lifestyle choices? What will
we do to change our hypocrisy?
[1]The
Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Lk 12:54-55). Wheaton:
Standard Bible Society.
[2]Wiersbe,
W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An
exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt.
(Lk 12:54). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[3]Wiersbe,
W. W. (1996, c1989). The Bible exposition commentary. "An
exposition of the New Testament comprising the entire 'BE' series"--Jkt.
(Lk 12:54). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.
[4]The
Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Lk 12:56). Wheaton: Standard
Bible Society.
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