IN THE FULLNESS OF TIME
Intro:
We buy watches and alarm clocks; we even are here tonight because it is time for church
We have heard many people in church talk about the signs of the times…
Today we stand on the crossroads of the destiny of this church.
God’s timing is of the uttermost importance as we move to the next level of ministry for the Kingdom!
In Ecclesiastes 3 we read:
3:1
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
3:2
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3:3
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
3:4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
3:5
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
3:6
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
3:7
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
3:8
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
What is this thing we call time? Where do we fit as Christians in the scheme of time?
Reference:
Galations 4:4-7
4:4
But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
4:5
To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
4:6
And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
4:7
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.
History Galations – (Lystra, Paul not on own time but God’s time)
Body:
I. Time – What is it?
A. Webster - the measured or measurable period during which an action, process, or condition exists or continues
B. COG- a succession of moments one after another
II. God Eternal – In and out of time!
A. If we were destroyed right now and humanity was done away with would there still be a need for time?
B. God is:
1. God is omnipresent; God is everywhere at once.
Psalm 139:8
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
Jeremiah 23:23,24
Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.
Ephesians 2:22
In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am I in the midst of them.
2. God is omniscient; God knows all things which can be known past, present, and future!
Psalm 147:4,5
He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Acts 15:18
Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world.
Psalm 33:13
The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.
3. God is omnipotent; God is all powerful.
Matthew 19:26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Genesis 17:1
And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Job 42:2
I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
Jeremiah 32:17,27
Ah Lord God! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Luke 1:37
For with God nothing shall be impossible.
Revelation 19:6
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth
C. GOD OWNS TIME – Say it!
D. Volunteers 2 holding rope as time line
(explain how God is in and out of time)
III. Timeless – Without Time!
A. If I were to ask you to name something timeless without being spiritual
you would probably be synonymous with priceless, or ageless something that last through the ages.
- families
- history
B. There is only thing that you can receive on this earth that is truly timeless, SALVATION.
IV. Fullness – The finish line!
A. Webster - being at the highest or greatest degree : MAXIMUM
B. King James - that which is (has been) filled
Galations
4:4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,
C. How can time be full? We can be full with food, etc…
1. There is stuff that has to take place before Time can be full and for an event to take place
2. You can’t force it, GOD OWNS TIME!
D. Circumstances & Signs
Luke
2:1
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.
2:2
(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)
2:3
And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
2:4
And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; * (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
2:5
To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
2:6
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
2:7
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
E. Jesus was a product of bad circumstances with supernatural signs and that is the way God works!
1 Corinthians1:27
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Joel 3:10
Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I am strong.
2 Corinthians
12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
12:8
For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
V. Today – Bring it home!
A. Personal – circumstances & signs
B. Church – circumstances & signs
Conclusion:
We must ask ourselves these questions:
Is time full In our situation?
Are we trying to “force feed” time before God has ordained it to be full?
What are the repercussions of moving before God says move?
Am I in tune enough with God to know when time is full?
