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THERE COMES A POINT IN TIME WHEN… (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    We are all familiar with various quotes about time.

1.      “Time is money.”

2.      “Time is the stuff life is made of.”

3.      “It is not that we have too little time, but more that we waste a good deal of it.”

4.      “It’s really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.”

 

B.      Another phrase that we sometimes hear is, “There comes a point in time when…”  It is this phrase that we would like to discuss in this sermon.

 

I.                   THERE COMES A POINT IN TIME WHEN ONE NEEDS SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE

 

A.    Man is not just a physical creature.

1.      He is not an evolved animal.

2.      He is not here to fulfill no purpose at all.

3.      He is not going to just return to the dust.

 

B.      Man is also a spiritual being.  Paul notes this in II Corinthians 4:16.

 

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.

 

1.      The spiritual realm and all that is in it is unseen.

2.      By ourselves, we would hardly be able to know it.

3.      We should long to understand it, embrace it, and ultimately become a part of it.

 

C.     To do these things, there comes a point in time when we need spiritual guidance. 

1.      Three Examples:

a.      The Ethiopian eunuch needed guidance (Acts 8:30-31).

 

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understand thou what thou readest?  And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me?  And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

 

b.      Saul of Tarsus needed spiritual guidance (Acts 9:6).

 

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?  And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

 

c.       Cornelius needed guidance (Acts 10:5-6)

 

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:  he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side:  he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do.

 

2.      There comes a point in time when we all need spiritual guidance.  It is why the Lord sends individuals out to preach the precious gospel of Christ (Mark 16:15).

 

D.    Some believe they have no need for spiritual guidance.  When their spiritual man separates from their physical man, they will then see the need.  The only problem is that then it will be too late.

 

II.                THERE COMES A POINT IN TIME WHEN ONE OUGHT TO OBEY THE GOSPEL

 

A.    Every individual ultimately needs the salvation of the gospel of Christ because all become sinners (Rom. 3:23).

 

B.      The point in time when a person obeys the gospel needs to be before death.  After death, one’s fate is sealed.  There is so redemption beyond the grave.

 

C.     When does a person need to obey the gospel?

1.      When he realizes he is a sinner.

2.      When he understands what God has done for him.

3.      When he comprehends the steps of salvation.

4.      When he is concerned enough for his soul to do what needs to be done.

 

D.    It is the last point that hinders so many individuals.

1.      It hindered Felix (Acts 24:25).

 

And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

 

2.      It hindered Agrippa (Acts 26:27-28).

 

King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets?  I know that thou believest.  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

 

E.      Paul gives us the real point in time when individuals should be saved in II Corinthians 6:2b.

 

…behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

 

III.             THERE COMES A POINT IN TIME WHEN WE SHOULD BE TEACHERS

 

A.    The Christian life is about growth (II Pet. 3:18).

 

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and for ever.  Amen.

 

B.      Growth involves assuming new positions in the body of Christ.  One of the positions all of us need to push toward is that of a teacher (Heb. 5:12a).

 

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers…

 

1.      Paul notes that the time eventually comes when all of us should be teachers.

2.      He rebukes his readers for not having already developed to that point in their spiritual lives.  He notes that they still needed to be taught (Heb. 5:12b).

 

…ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

C.     In every church where I have ministered, there has been an urgent need for teachers. 

1.      Some were new Christians who had not grown yet.

2.      Some were older Christians who had not grown yet.

3.      Some did not have the skills.  These, however, can be taught.

4.      Some saw it as the responsibility of others.

5.      Most just did not have the desire.

 

D.    If we never reach the point of becoming a teacher in the body of Christ

1.      We have neglected a command from God.

2.      We have done a disservice to the local congregation.

3.      We have passed up an opportunity to be like the Christ.

4.      We have passed up opportunities to impact the lives of others in positive way for God.

 

IV.             THERE COMES A POINT IN TIME WHEN ONE NEEDS HELP

 

A.    Most of us who are older have grown up to be responsible and independent.  In other words, we have been taught to help ourselves.  Thus, we will not ask for help even when we really need it.

 

B.      When God organized the church, he organized it as a body. 

1.      In a body, all the members work together to accomplish tasks (Ex., writing a letter:  fingers, hands, the arm, the mind, the eyes, the mouth, and the ears).

2.      I Corinthians 12:21-22

 

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee:  nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary.

 

C.     There are many ways in which we need help:

1.      Help overcoming sin

2.      Help with a work

3.      Help teaching a class

4.      Help scheduling a program

5.      Help in a relationship with another Christian

6.      Help with a problem at home, work, or school

7.      Help with discouragement

 

D.    Help comes by asking for it. 

1.      Can you help me?

2.      I need some help.

 

E.      One of the greatest Christians who ever labored in the kingdom had his helpers (Titus, II Cor. 8:23).

 

Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you…

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    There comes a point in time when…

1.      One needs spiritual guidance.

2.      One ought to obey the gospel of Christ.

3.      One should become a teacher.

4.      One needs help.

 

B.      Is this the point in time when you need really help to do something regarding your spiritual man?

1.      Do you need spiritual guidance?

2.      Do you need to obey the gospel?