The Time Is Now! Text: Rom. 13:11-14 Scripture Reading: Eph. 5:11-16

Intro The Time Is Now! We are a society and culture driven by time; we schedule our days and appointments accordingly:  We wear watches on our wrists.  We have clocks on our walls and even in our appliances!  Have you ever stopped to count how many clocks you have? What time is it?  The answers vary (with time)  In reality though, the answer is the same: The time is NOW!

Intro The Time Is Now! Time is something we all run out of sooner or later so we need to “make the most” of our time! Eph. 5: Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16. making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Eph. 5: Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16. making the most of your time, because the days are evil. The Scriptures spend a great deal of attention on the subject of time, so we will look to God’s word for the answer to, “What time is it?” The Scriptures spend a great deal of attention on the subject of time, so we will look to God’s word for the answer to, “What time is it?” “Now” is the time we have to:  Live our lives  Accomplish the Lord’s will  Prepare ourselves for eternity

“Now” Is the Day of Salvation The Time Is Now! “Now is the acceptable time, now is the day of salvation!” All things are ready!  Gal. 4:4: The “fullness” of time has come!  Mt. 11:28-30: The invitation of the Son has been extended! (Mt. 22:1-10)  Mt. 16:18: The church has been established! (Heb. 2:1-4)  The saved can be added to it – Acts 2:47  You can be in it – I Cor. 12:13; Col. 1:13, 18  The gospel has been revealed!  Put in force by the death of Jesus – Heb. 9:16-17  Power of God to save – Rom. 1:16  Contains all that pertains to life & godliness – II Pet. 1:3  Delivered once for all to the saints – Jude 3

“Now” Is the Day of Salvation The Time Is Now! “Now” may be the only time you have! Heb. 9: And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, Heb. 9: And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, No promise of a tomorrow, & no going back to yesterday!  Acts 24:25; 26:28: Some wait for that “more convenient time”  Ps. 103:15-16: Man’s life is like grass, fading Js. 4: Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." 14. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." Js. 4: Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." 14. Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. 15. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." “What time is it?” For the unbeliever, now is the time to obey the gospel! (Rom. 13:14) “What time is it?” For the unbeliever, now is the time to obey the gospel! (Rom. 13:14) How have you prepared?

“Now” Is the Time to Awaken The Time Is Now! We must know the time; now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed!

“Now” Is the Time to Awaken The Time Is Now! “Now” is the time to awake – Rom. 13:11  Not awakening from physical sleep or death, but to awaken out of sin!  How does one awaken from sin?  Eph. 5:11-16: By walking in deeds of light, not in deeds of darkness.  Eph. 5:14: “Awake, sleeper”  Walk as wise men, not as unwise, “redeeming the time” Eph. 5:15-16 (NKJ) 15. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16. redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Eph. 5:15-16 (NKJ) 15. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16. redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

“Now” Is the Time to Awaken The Time Is Now! “Now” is the time to lay aside the deeds of darkness (sin) – Rom. 13:12  To lay aside the deeds of darkness, one must:  Eph. 4:22: “Lay aside the old self…”  Col. 3:8: “Put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.”  Js. 1:21: Put aside “all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness.”  I Pet. 2:1: Put aside “all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”  The deeds of darkness must stop in the believer’s life! (Rom. 13:12)  Some try to continue in sin – Rom. 6:1  One cannot continue in sin and still be eternally saved – Rom. 6:2, 23

“Now” Is the Time to Awaken The Time Is Now! “Now” is the time to “put on the armor of light” – Rom. 13:12  This refers to the spiritual garb the Christian is to wear (Eph. 6:13-17).  The Christian is to shed evil of former life and take up the battle of God!  Must be willing to endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ – II Tim. 2:3  Must fight the good fight of faith – I Tim. 6:12 Eph. 6: Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Eph. 6: Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

“Now” Is the Time to Awaken The Time Is Now! “Now” is the time to “behave properly” – Rom. 13:13  The conduct of a Christian should be worthy of his calling  Eph. 4:1-3: Be humble & gentle to walk in a manner worthy of calling.  Phil. 1:27: Stand firm & strive for the faith to be worthy of the gospel.  Col. 1:10: Try to please Him in all respects to walk worthy of the Lord.  I Tim. 3:14-15: There is a proper behavior expected of a member of the household of God! (Phil. 2:15; Titus 2:11-12: Be lights & above reproach)  Rom. 13:13: “Let us behave properly as in the day…”)  Eph. 5:11: Light exposes activities in the darkness!  Note: “Strife” and “Jealousy” listed as sins to avoid the same as drunkenness and sexual immorality!

“Now” Is the Time to Awaken The Time Is Now! “Now” is the time to put on Christ – Rom. 13:14  Unbelievers become believers & put on Christ at baptism (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3).  Believers put on Christ in righteous living – I Pet. 2:21; Gal. 3:27; Rev. 19:8 Rev. 19: "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." 8. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Rev. 19: "Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready." 8. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. “What time is it?” For the Christian, now is the time to “behave properly!” “What time is it?” For the Christian, now is the time to “behave properly!”

Conclusion The Time Is Now! What time is it? The time is NOW!  “Now” is the time to obey the gospel (Rom. 13:14)  “Now” is the time to live sensibly, godly and righteously (Tit. 2:12)  “Now” is the time to prepare for eternity (II Pet. 3:10-12)

Conclusion The Time Is Now! Rev. 22: "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." 17. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. Rev. 22: "I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star." 17. The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let the one who hears say, "Come." And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. “All things are ready, come to the feast!” (Mt. 22:4) While it is still today, “Now” is the day of salvation! While it is still today, “Now” is the day of salvation!

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)