His Time
Gtcotr/ws081104
I. Romans 4:1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?
A. What did Abraham find out?
1. He found out that faith, not works, was the key to salvation & right standing with God -- He also found that:
2. Faith required works
* Abraham was circumcised not to obtain faith, but circumcised because he had faith
* Abraham’s faith was simple, trust in who God is and what God said
B. I have a second question that was not asked in this passage:
1. I can read what Abraham found out, but - I want to know:
2. Where did he find it?
C. Abraham had a special - personal relationship with God.
1. Abraham was called The Friend of God
2. James 2:23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
D. Abraham first believed God, then he trusted God and this moved Abraham to acting on God’s commands.
1. Salvation is by grace through faith - Ephesians 2:8-9
2. Justification is the result of works based on faith
3. James 2:
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
4. If all we have is a belief system and no corresponding action, perhaps our kingdom productivity is no greater than the devil’s
5. Back to the main idea of this message
* It is evident that Abraham had a relationship with God
* Where and how did Abraham get this Friendship?
* Perhaps the same way everyone else does -
II. Time With Him
If we want a personal relationship with God, we must spend some personal time with Him.
A. Genesis 19:27 And Abraham gat up early in the morning to the place where he stood before the LORD. (KJV)
1. If God is not number one in your day, He may not be number one in your life.
2. God wants His Time with you.
* not time you are asking for something
* not time you are listening to a sermon
* not time you are focused on giving worship or praise
* Just time with Him - relationship building time
3. Just you and the voice of God walking in the cool of the day.
B. Jesus had this custom
1. Mark 1:35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
2. Jesus gave God His Time
C. Jesus also required His Time with others
1. Before Jesus gave power to the disciples, He spent time with them
2. Mark 3
14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,
15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.
3. The disciples became Jesus’ friends through the common conversations which occur by simply spending time together
* John 15:15 "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.”
III. His Time
Your Heavenly Father wants a relationship with you. He is not a spiritual Santa Claus, a Tooth Ferry, a Genie in a bottle or a Sugar Daddy - He is Father God. He wants some time with His children. Just a little time. He knows you are busy - so is He! He is running the universe and getting heaven and earth ready for its greatest day.
He has time for you - would you give Him some of your time?
God longs for His Time with you.
* Beginning Friday, October 1st, 2004, we will offer a simple format of personal devotion, centered around Giving God His Time. It will take about 5 minutes each morning, before you start your day and get all busy with life. Decide right now that you are going to give it a 30 day trial. Take the challenge.
* For some of you, 5 minutes will not be long enough. We also have planned 30 Days of Inspiration, beginning that same Friday, October 1st.
> The church will be open from 7 until 7:30 each morning, where those who gather will hear an inspiring and encouraging word for their day. For those watching, this will be aired live over the internet and we are also looking into the possibilities of broadcasting,t at least, the audio portion into our parking lot so that those who turn in can tune in for this daily bread from heaven.
Why wait until October? Plan your day to give Him - His Time!
