Sermon Central
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The Voice Of Days
Contributed by Jimmy Chapman on Feb 6, 2001 (message contributor)
Summary: LESSONS WE CAN LEARN FROM YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW
The Voice of Days
In the discussion between Job and his three friends, Elihu was present, but though by far the wisest man, he remained quiet. Oftentimes, a still tongue manifests a wise head. In our text, Elihu gives his reason for refraining from speech. He felt inclined to deliver his mind, but being the younger man he modestly said, "These grey-headed men ought to know better than I." Perhaps if I did speak, I shall display my ignorance and they will say to me, "Be silent, boy, and let your fathers speak." As a result, Elihu repeatedly said to himself, "Days should speak, and multitude of years teach wisdom."
However, Elihu had been disappointed. His words plainly state that he had heard but little wisdom from the three elderly men. "Great men are not always wise; neither do the aged understand judgment." Elihu was not the only man who has been disappointed when looking to his seniors for wisdom, for it is a sorrowful truth that the lapse of years will not make us wiser apart from the grace of God. There are old fools as well as young fools.
Days should speak. Days do speak. Each day has a message, which we would do well to hear and heed!
All our days have a voice.
I. Yesterday says LEARN
Yesterday is only a time to learn from and not a time to yearn for!
A. From yesterday let us learn the ploys of Satan
1. Distorts the truth -Eve
2. Distracts the minds - Spies of Israel
3. Divide the brethren - the church at Corinth
4. Discourage the heart - Elijah
B. From yesterday let us learn the pain of sin
"The way of the transgressor is hard" (Proverbs 13:15).
C. From yesterday let us learn the promises are sure
God has never failed and will never fail to keep one of His promises.
Yesterday is a great teacher if we would only listen to its voice.
II. Today says LABOR
Today says, "Use me." Today speaks of present opportunities and tells us to make prompt use of them.
Mark 14:3-8 Mary seized the opportunity. Dead noses smell no roses. Procrastination is a thief!
Proverbs 27:1 Often lose today by presuming upon tomorrow. Far too many are tied with plans for tomorrow that they lose today.
You are foolish if you say, "To morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant."
A. Be saved today
There will not be a better time than today!
B. Be serving today
"Go, work to day in my vineyard."
Proverbs 6:6-8 - The ants does not waste opportunities. When you lose the present, we lose all time. Far too many people confuse poor management with destiny. Proverbs 30: 25 - Ants are shrewd in the use of the present.
A little girl was asked by her father what she thought the biggest problem fathers have with their children. She thought and then said, "Dads have too many ’tomorrows’. I’ll play with you tomorrow, or I talk to you tomorrow." She was right. If we wait until tomorrow, we end up wasting too many today’s.
Procrastination is my sin
It rings me naught but sorrow.
I know that I should stop it.
In fact, I will ....tomorrow.
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.
Yesterday is a cancelled check. Today is a promissory note. Today is the only cash we have.
Yesterday is in the tomb of time. Tomorrow is in the womb of time. Only now is yours.
III. Tomorrow says LEAN
Tomorrow says, "Let me alone. Trust me to God."
A. The anxieties by which our lives will be assailed
(food, drink, and clothing)
"Worry is like a rocking chair; it will give you something to do, but it won’t get you anywhere."
B. The authority to which our lives must be aligned
"Heavenly Father"
C. The adequacy of which our lives should be assured
1. Evidence from which we can learn
The frail skills (fowls and flowers)
The faithful supplier
The fortunate saints
2. Confidence with which we can live
verse 25 - no thought cause it is unnecessary
verse 31 - no thought cause it is unworthy
verse 34 - no thought cause it is unprofitable
Don’t add tomorrow’s cares to those of today
Worry about tomorrow does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows, but it does empty today of its strength. `Mark Twain once said, "I am an old man and have known my troubles, but most of them never happened."
Said the robin to the sparrow, "I should really like to know why those anxious human being rush about and worry so?"
