Fellowship Bible Church - Mullica, Hill N.J.

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.

Steps to Spend your Time on what Really Matters

Step 1: ANALYZE
Step 2: PRIORITIZE
Step 3: BIBLICIZE
Step 4:EXERCISE

Step 1 – ANALYZE: Am I wasting time without realizing it?

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.

Colossians 4:5-6
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Step 2 – PRIORITIZE: Am I investing time in what is truly important?

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.

"Paul did not use here chronos, the term for clock time, the continuous time that is measured in hours, minutes and seconds. He rather used kairos, which denotes a measured, allocated, fixed season…God has set boundaries on our lives, and our OPPORTUNITY for service exists only within those boundaries."

John MacArthur, Ephesians Commentary

"Martha also wanted to hear Jesus, but the tyranny of the urgent prevented her from doing this. Martha was too easily distracted by less important things. […] There is a need to focus on what is most important, for although serving is good, sitting at Jesus’ feet is best."

R.H. Stein

Especially whenever our affairs seem to be in crisis, we are almost compelled to give our first attention to the urgent present rather than to the important future.

-- Dwight D. Eisenhower

"Getting things done is not only a matter of managing your time, but also a matter of managing your energy. In many vocations and in many places in life it is energy, not time, that is the more valuable commodity. Like time, energy is limited and needs to be used strategically. . . Know yourself. At one times of the day are you at your peak? Are you a morning person, a night-owl, or a mid-afternoon warrior?"

-- Tim Challies

Step 3 – BIBLICIZE: Am I determining what is truly important from biblical values?

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.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.

Psalm 90:12
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.

Roles and Responsibilities

· I am a Christian
· I am a husband
· I am a father
· I am an employee
· I am a student
· I am a mentor

As a CHRISTIAN, I am to love God and love the people around me (Mat. 22:36-40).

As a HUSBAND, I am to love my wife sacrificially (Eph. 5:25) and live with her in an understanding way (1 Pet. 3:7).

As a FATHER, I am to instruct my kids in their relationship with the Lord (Deut. 6:4-7), discipline them as necessary, and avoid provoking them to anger (Eph. 6:4).

As a PASTOR (employee), I am to spend time in the Word, in prayer (Acts 6:4) and in community with those in our church (1 Cor. 12:14-20).

As a STUDENT, I am to discover and apply God’s truths to my life (Ezra 7:10; Jam. 1:22).

As a MENTOR, I am to seek out, instruct, and encourage the next generation (2 Tim. 2:2).

It is only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth – and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up – that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had.

-- Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

Step 4 – EXERCISE: Am I applying self-control with the use of my time?

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, Exercise self-control by doing the hardest task
first.but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Exercise self-control by doing the hardest task
first.

Exercise self-control by doing what you do in
moderation.

[Self-control is] control of one's desires, cravings, impulses, emotions and passions. It is saying no when we should say no. It is moderation in legitimate desires and activities, and absolute restraint in areas that are clearly sinful.
-- Jerry Bridges

Exercise self-control to persevere when you are discouraged.

Galatians 6:9
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Steps to Spend your Time on what Really Matters

Step 1: ANALYZE
Step 2: PRIORITIZE
Step 3: BIBLICIZE
Step 4:EXERCISE