Faithfully Steward Your Time

1 Corinthians 4:1–2
[1] This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. [2] Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (ESV)

Jesus-followers are not owners, we are

(managers of all God’s given us).

A BIG question that flows from The Parable Of The Talents (Matthew 25:14-30): What were the servants ACTUALLY doing while the Master was away? We know the two faithful servants doubled their money and the wicked & lazy servant hid his talent, but…what were they doing with their

?

The last verses in this chapter answer that crucial question.

Matthew 25:31–40
[31] “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. [32] Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. [33] And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. [34] Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. [35] For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, [36] I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ [37] Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? [38] And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? [39] And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ [40] And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (ESV)

Jeff Durbin rightly remarks we should think of the Kingdom of God in two simultaneous ways:
1.

- The Kingdom of God has come into our lives through the person and work of Jesus’ earthly ministry, and continues today through Holy Spirit filled followers of Jesus (Matthew 4:17, “…Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”).
2.

Reveal Answer

- The Kingdom of God has yet to fully arrive (Jesus has not yet placed every enemy under His feet and carried out His plan for all created things).

Micah 6:8
[8] He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the LORD require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God? (ESV)

God’s Justice is not simply a list of rules or a code of honor God lives by; it is a part of His very

– and we’re to image this facet of His nature to all around us.

Judgment Day is best thought of when God “sets every wrong

again.”

Justice, according to theologian Herman Bavinck, is both:
1. Retributive: God punishes the evildoer, accomplishing appropriate retribution upon the unrepentant sinner, and…
2. Reparative: God repairs (restores) the person who has suffered at the hands of an unrepentant sinner.

The cross of Jesus Christ both satisfies the retribution we deserve (sin is judged, retribution is meted out) and heals us from the hurts we incure at the hands of other sinners (we are free to love our enemies because Jesus first loved us when we were His enemy, we trust God to right every wrong one day as Jesus trusted God’s right & good plan of salvation for us).

God desires His people to individually and as His family to be His hands & feet of restorative justice on earth.

Matthew 25:41–46
[41] “Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. [42] For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, [43] I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ [44] Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ [45] Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ [46] And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” (ESV)

Don’t miss this…
Theese people were not condemned for what they DID do, but for what they DIDN’T do! This is called committing sins of ommission.

Ephesians 5:15–17
[15] Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, [16] making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (ESV)

Some Practical Helps For Us Today:
1. Assess & repent where needed.
2. Know what your legacy will be.
3. Empty space on your calendar is a trap! It’s not really “free” time.
4. Identify habits and work to change them.
5. Make hard and unpopular decisions…and stick to them!
6. Most of all, seek to delight in God!

Your calendar & your wallet reveal what you REALLY care about.
What is your next step to obedience in this area of better managing your time?

Right Now Media is a GREAT resource to help you and your Life Group grow in the faith and knowledge of Jesus! If you’re not already signed up, please email Pastor Matt (see email address below) to receive this FREE resource today. Here’s the link: https://www.rightnowmedia.org

If you already have a Right Now Media account, look in the Harvest Church SI channel for helpful studies that go along with our Faithful series.

We’re glad you’re here today! To contact Matt & Katrina, simply email matt@harvestchurchsi.com
Thank you, and may God richly bless you as you follow Jesus!

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