1

One minute can be longer than we think it is. Now that the minute is gone

there is nothing you can do to get it back.

I stole one minute from you and you willing gave me that minute. Nothing was said, nothing was accomplished,

and nothing will ever be accomplished from that wasted minute.

REDEEMING THE TIME

2

• There are 1440 minutes in a day. • Approximately 480 minutes are spent

in sleep. • If you work, during the work week,

that leaves us with 960 minutes of which 540 minutes are generally work related, if you work regularly.

• That leaves us with 420 minutes each day. What can we do with those minutes?

REDEEMING THE TIME

3

Twice in his letters Paul admonishes us about redeeming the time.• Eph. 5:15-17 – we are to walk

circumspectly as wise, redeeming the time

• Col. 4:5-6 – redeeming the time by walking in wisdom toward those who are outside

REDEEMING THE TIME

4

The phrase redeeming the time can be understood to mean, to buy up for one’s use the opportunities that we have.

In these passages we learn that redeeming the time involves us walking in wisdom in a couple of ways.

REDEEMING THE TIME

5

15See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16redeeming the time, because the days are evil.17Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17The first is walking circumspectly, or carefully, as wise. This is a general every day walk. It is important that we think and consider the steps we take each and every day.

REDEEMING THE TIME

6

As Christians we must be the light in a dark world.• Matt. 5:13-16 – as the salt and light

of the world we must consider our walk

• Eph. 5:8-14 – Paul writes of this walk in the light

REDEEMING THE TIME

7

One of the hardest things to do is forget the past. We may remember the things we did and realize the years we wasted. We must also remember that we cannot get them back and the only thing to do now is redeem our time now. What can I do now?

REDEEMING THE TIME

8

• Phil. 4:8-9 – Paul reminds us of the things which we should emulate – Gal. 1:11-12, 1 Cor. 11:1

• Matt. 25:34-40 – even the smallest things are profitable

• Rom. 12:9-21 – Can we claim these? – Rom. 12:1-2

REDEEMING THE TIME

9

• Haggai 1:2-7 – They were not walking as wise but considering themselves first – Matt. 6:33

• Eph. 5:17 – “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”

• Eccl. 12:13 – “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.”

REDEEMING THE TIME

10

• Acts 24:22-25 – Paul reasoned with Felix about faith in Christ which involves righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.

Felix became afraid. Why?• Acts 26 – Paul offers his defense and

preaches Christ to Agrippa. vss. 26-28

• Acts 2:37; 8:12; 10:44-48; 13:48; 16:15; 16:33; 17:23; 17:34

REDEEMING THE TIME

11

Over and over again when the Gospel was preached the hearers who desired to understand what the will of the Lord is responded in obedience. This is the beginning of a circumspect walk that

redeems the time.

REDEEMING THE TIME

12

• 1 Peter 5:6-9 – we should understand that the devil is seeking to devour us

• Rom. 6:15-23 – we understand that we can be a slave of righteousness

• Eph. 4:17-24 – we put off the old man and the futility of that walk – this walk is not redeeming the time

• Heb. 10:19-26 – we encourage one another

• Eph. 4:12 – equipped and ready to edify

REDEEMING THE TIME

13

The second use of redeeming the time has a specific direction; to those who

are outside.

REDEEMING THE TIME

14

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your

speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you

ought to answer each one.”

Colossians 4:5-6

REDEEMING THE TIME

15

Redeeming the time here has the same aspect of walking circumspectly and know what the will of the Lord is.

The difference is that there is a specific direction that this redeeming the time

is directed to those of the world.

REDEEMING THE TIME

16

The song we sing on occasion is “The World’s Bible”. The song encourages us to walk in Christ every day because there are so many in the world that will only see the Bible through the life that

we lead.

REDEEMING THE TIME

17

• 2 Cor. 3:1-3 – Paul commends the Corinthians because they had written God’s word in their hearts

• Ezek. 36:26-27 – This is the new heart that God spoke of through the prophet

• 2 Cor. 6:17 – “Come out from among them…”

REDEEMING THE TIME

18

• Matt. 5:11-12 – we may be persecuted for Christ’s sake

• 1 Peter 4:12-19 – we must commit ourselves to Him

• Rom. 12:19-21 – we do not react as the world – remember Stephen

REDEEMING THE TIME

19

As we study the letters of Paul we see that he wrote concerning former conduct and present living.• 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – what you once were

you are no longer• Col. 3:1-11 – our minds must be set

above• 1 Thess. 4:1-12 – not like the

Gentiles (world)• Rom. 13:11-14 – we walk with the

armor of light• Matt. 5:43-48 – we are reminded to

love even our enemies

REDEEMING THE TIME

20

As we walk redeeming the time we realize that it is a walk inside and

outside, toward fellow saints and those who are outside.

It is a daily examination realizing the opportunities we have and seeking to take advantage of those opportunities to teach the Gospel and edify others

according to the Gospel.

REDEEMING THE TIME

21