INTRODUCTION

1. In Ecclesiastes 3:1, the Scripture famously declares, "There is an appointed time for everything.  And there is a time for every event under heaven..."

   1. In the verses that follow (vv. 2-8), the passage gives a series of contrasting events.  Each pair of events listed are opposite to one another, but each event has an appropriate time.

   2. The implication of this passage appears to be that man needs to discern between the times, understand them, and respect them.

2. However, there are some things for which the people of God have no time.

   1. The context of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 is not suggesting that there is an acceptable season for sin.  Times of sin occur under heaven, but these are not the will of God.

   2. As stewards of God, we must not use His gift of time for those things that displease Him.

       

NO TIME FOR THESE

1. You don't have time to waste.

   1. Life often changes unpredictably in a single day.

      1. The Scripture says, "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth" (Prov. 27:1).

      2. Because time is unpredictable, your life is also unpredictable.  Consider James 4:14:

         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.

      3. The opportunities and abilities you have today may be gone tomorrow.  You may be gone tomorrow.  You simply do not know.

   2. Therefore, you must make the best use of the only time you are guaranteed to have, which is the present moment.

      1. The present moment of time is a precious commodity.  It is a scarce resource that can never be recovered or recreated.

      2. Hence, you should follow the directions of Ephesians 5:15-16, which says,

         ¹⁵Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

   3. If you knew that today was your last day on earth, what would you do differently?

      1. Is there something that you need to do but have neglected or procrastinated?  You may not have another chance to take care of it.

      2. Would you be ashamed if the Lord came today?  This may be your last day to change your shame to joy.

      3. Recall the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:16-21.

         1. This man had made provisions so that he could eat, drink, and be merry for years to come, but he was planning for time he would never have. He neglected the only thing that truly mattered.

         2. Don't be like the rich fool.  If you are not rich toward God, then you are foolishly wasting your time.

2. You don't have to wait for salvation.

   1. If sin is standing between you and God, then your first priority must be redemption in Christ.

      1. If you were to die while separated from God by sin, then that separation would be eternal (2Thess. 1:9).  Therefore, reconciliation to God in Christ is your most urgent need.

      2. God's offer for redemption in Christ is now, and there is no promise of tomorrow.  Consider 2Corinthians 6:1-2:

         ¹And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain -- ²for He says, "At the acceptable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is "the acceptable time," behold, now is "the day of salvation."

   2. God has waited for you to repent and be saved.  Don't disappoint His patience.

      1. God "is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance" (2Pet. 3:9).

      2. You should "regard the patience of our Lord as salvation" (2Pet. 3:15), for His patience has granted you the opportunity to obey the gospel and be saved.

3. You don't have time for sin.

   1. Enough of your time has already been wasted on sin.

      1. Notice 1Peter 4:1-3:

         ¹Therefore, since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, ²so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.  ³For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.

      2. The time already spent in sin has been utterly wasted.  Why would you waste more time on sin?  Notice Romans 6:21:

         Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed?  For the outcome of those things is death.

   2. Christians especially have no time for sin, for they have been redeemed from sin's slavery.

      1. We have been redeemed so that we can be free of sin.  Consider Galatians 5:13:

         For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

      2. When we were baptized into Christ, we died to sin.  See Romans 6:1-14, and notice verses 12-14 here:

         ¹²Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, ¹³and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.  ¹⁴For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

4. You don't have time for anger.

   1. Anger is a normal and common emotion, but you must not allow it to linger long and control you.

      1. Settle your anger quickly, just as Ephesians 4:26-27 says:

         ²⁶Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷and do not give the devil an opportunity.

      2. Anger that is allowed to linger over time swells and festers so that it becomes a prime opportunity for sin.  Don't be angry and give your time to the devil.

   2. Your time is to be spent in pursuit of the righteousness of God (Matt. 6:33), and anger cannot achieve this goal.

      1. In James 1:19-20, the Scripture says,

         ¹⁹This you know, my beloved brethren.  But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; ²⁰for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.

      2. Every moment spent in anger is a wasted moment that you cannot afford.

5. You don't have time for worry.- Matt. 6; Phil. 4:6-7

   1. The Lord gave a great discourse on worry in Matthew 6:25-34, and He showed that it is a complete waste of time and energy.

      1. In verse 27, Jesus asked, "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" No hours of life can be added by worry, but many hours are wasted and lost.

      2. In verse 34, the Lord said, "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own."  You don't have time for the extra trouble brought by worry.

   2. Worrying about the past or the future costs you the present. Prayer is a better use of your time.

      1. Rather than worrying, pray for your concerns.  Notice Philippians 4:6-7:

         ⁶Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  ⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

      2. Be confident that God hears your prayers, and He is able to do what you cannot.

CONCLUSION

1. Our time in this life is very short and precious.  We simply must not waste it on worthless endeavors.

2. Therefore, let us make the best use of our time as stewards of God's blessings.