Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: January 4, 2008
TIME MANAGEMENT IN THE CHURCH
Ben Justice
Time is precious. Once it’s gone you can’t get it back. The use of our time has long been a frustrating
thing, for many have been known to say, “There aren’t enough hours in the day.” One writer said this about
the use of our time:
We spend, I am very certain, the half of our time among people that we do not particularly like and on things
that do not particularly amuse us, and consequently have no time for the people and things that do really
matter to us (Alec Waugh).
The Old Chinese Proverb rings true: “An inch of time cannot be bought by an inch of gold.”
The Bible also has something to say about the use of our time. Eph. 4:16 tells us, “Redeeming the time,
because the days are evil.” The word “redeeming” is from a word literally meaning “to buy up for oneself.” As
Vine said, “making the most of every opportunity, turning each to the best advantage since none can be
recalled if missed.”
The use of time will directly affect the quality of our lives. This is very true in the physical realm. If a
person doesn’t take advantage of the time God has afforded, then he shouldn’t be surprised if his quality of
life suffers. Everyone has 24 hours in a day, but many procrastinate, that is “put off” things that need and
must be done. Procrastination is one of the devil’s most potent weapons. Human nature always seems to
want to “put off” things. But, God has placed us here on this earth to make good use of our time.
Stewardship very much involves how we use our time in this life. Don’t squander it away.
Now, let’s apply time management to the church. It is sad that many members of the church use most, if
not all, of their time devoted to material and secular things and never devotes any time to spiritual
matters. Many are great workers on the job but not at church. Many devote their time to civic affairs but
not to spiritual affairs. Many are glad to work extra hours with no complaint but are not willing to give any
extra time to the Lord. Many are happy to use their time watching television and engaging in recreation but
will not use that same time assembling with the saints on Sunday night and Wednesday night. Many are
willing to attend that business seminar but never attend a lectureship or gospel meeting. What’s wrong?
What’s wrong is a misplacement of priorities. How many have said, “I just don’t have the time?” It seems
like some never have any time to do anything when it comes to the church. Friends, if we are that busy so
that we never have any time for spiritual matters, then we are simply too busy!
Time management is crucial to leadership in the church. As one author declared, “The quality of a person’s
leadership depends on what happens during time” (J. Oswald Sanders, “Spiritual Leadership,” Pg. 93).
How a congregation turns, functions, and operates is dependent upon how its leaders spend their time.
When elders and leaders in the church meet to discuss the business of the church, how is the time
utilized? Is the majority of the time used to discuss and decide on the physical or the spiritual? Leaders in
the church have the responsibility to be good stewards of precious time. So often we think only of the
money and ignore the time aspect. Sometimes a work of the church may be cheap but the time involved is
not worth it, particularly if the work is not bearing any fruit. Obviously, a new direction must be taken so as
to be good stewards of the time God has given us.
What about the worship assemblies? Obviously, it takes time to worship God. How is the time utilized? Is
it used to tell stories, jokes, and fairy tales? These things don’t belong in the worship assemblies. It is sad
beyond belief when brethren waste and squander precious time in the worship! The use of time in the
worship ought to be such that things are always done decently and in order, that worship to God is done
reverently, and that people are built up in the most holy faith.
Time is precious because once it’s gone we can never get it back. How many people look back at their lives
and realize they have wasted and squandered away time? The Christian, however, ought to look back and be
proud of how he has utilized time. Let us all strive to use time for constructive benefits physically and most
importantly spiritually!
REVELATION & INSPIRATION
Ben Justice
“Revelation” and “inspiration” are not the same things, although they are intrinsically connected.
“Revelation” is from the Greek term apokalupsis, which literally means “an uncovering.” Thayer writes, “a
disclosure of truth, instruction, concerning divine things before unknown — esp. those relating to the
Christian salvation . . .” (“Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon,” # 602, Pg. 62). One writer states concerning
revelation,
By definition, revelation designates the unveiling of facts and truths to man by God — facts and truths that man, on his own,
otherwise could not have known. Revelation has reference to the communication of information (Bert Thompson, In Defense of
The Bible’s Inspiration, “Rock-Solid Faith: How To Build It,” Pg. 190).
“Inspiration” refers to the actual guiding of the Bible writers by the Holy Spirit to either speak or write a
message or a revelation from God. “Inspiration” guaranteed the handling aright of God’s revelation with the
result being totally and completely error free and therefore infallible. Hodge explains the difference:
They differ, first, as to their object. The object of revelation is the communication of knowledge. The object or design of inspiration
is to secure infallibility in teaching. Consequently, they differ, secondly, in their effects. The effect of revelation was to render its
recipient wiser. The effect of inspiration was to preserve him from error in teaching (Charles Hodge, “Systematic Theology” —
Vol. 1, Pg. 155).
Hodge further states,
Revelation is the act of communicating divine knowledge by the Spirit to the mind. Inspiration is the act of the same Spirit,
controlling those who make the truth known to others (Ibid., Pg. 162).
With reference to revelation and inspiration, the Bible student is encouraged to study the following
scriptures: 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:19-21; Eph. 3:1-5; Rom. 16:25-26; I Cor. 2:1-13