Gracepointe Church (Dover, OH)
Gracepointe Church (Dover, OH)
Redeeming The Time | James Kline
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Love And Moral Clarity
SPEAKER_00So loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Then he says, But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness let it not even be named among you as is fitting for saints. And it talks about filthiness, it talks about jesting. And all of these have to do with morality, off-color jokes. We shouldn't partake in that at all.
Three Walks For Christians
SPEAKER_00So there's three things that really stood out to me in Ephesians 5. And the first was, of course, walking in love. But then it says walk in light. And then he follows that up by saying that we should walk in wisdom. For you were once darkness, but now you are light. I tell you, I'm having a little struggle. I've had a dose of uh of uh allergies in my eyes. I promise I didn't drink last night. So uh and anyway, I'm struggling to read your bar if you want to. Well, I'd be worth a try. Now have contacts. I should have worn my glasses. I can see better with my glasses. I have bifocals for my contacts, but uh sometimes they just don't want to focus right. And I do hate not being able to read fluently, stammering and studying around here like a third grader. Actually, there are third graders that would read better than what I'm going. Huh? I'm I'm quite disturbed because usually I I can adjust, but but anyway, it's important that we walk
How We Receive Spiritual Light
SPEAKER_00in light. So, how do we do that? You know, how do we get light? Well, again, it's just like we talked about hungering and thirsting after righteousness. We receive light as we become closer to God and as we spend time in his word, and we believe in what we read, and then we also have our personal relationship with Jesus, and we're filled with the Holy Spirit, and that spirit comforts us and guides and directs us, and then we receive light, and we are able to discern what's right, what's wrong? And as we walk in love and as we walk in light, the inevitable outcome of that is that we will start walking in wisdom. Well, thank you. Where did you get these? I might take them home. Okay, walking in light. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth, finding out what is acceptable to the Lord, and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them, for it is shameful even to speak of things which are done by them in secret. So as we walk in love, and then we spend time in God's word, and we exercise therein and we allow ourselves to be exercised, then we start walking in light. I don't know about you, but I don't mind darkness. In fact, I I love nothing that I like better than a stormy summer night. But you know, if we walk around without light for very long, and I have appendages called toes that tend to find furniture. And it hurts. But it hurts a lot less than walking around in spiritual darkness because we're gonna stub a whole lot more than just our toes. But we're gonna suffer shipwreck for our souls. But then as we walk in light, then he also enables us to walk in wisdom. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A Picture Of Spirit Filled Worship
SPEAKER_00Isn't that a beautiful picture? You know, I enjoy many things about our fellowship here at Grace Point. And coming from someone who has absolutely zero musical ability, but I treasure the singing, I just love that. And uh why I'm even getting to be so bold as to help sing along without really throwing a great wrench in the words, but singing is a blessing, it's it's a tremendous blessing, and it's I just I'm blessed by that. So
Redeeming Time With Purpose
SPEAKER_00moving on to you know, we walk in love, we walk in light, and we walk in wisdom, but that bears out, and so living wisely is one, then recognizing opportunities is another factor, overcoming evil with good, and then urgency in action, those are offshoots of how we live our life in a way that is redeeming the time. Living wisely means living with awareness and purpose, making choices in alignment with God's will. I don't think there's any disagreement or any discrepancy of thought on that. In Colossians chapter three, in verse uh 23, and whatever you do, do it heartily, as unto the Lord and not to men. And that's not something that I generally really struggle with, because I have very little patience and very little faith with doing things halfway. Uh, if there would any of you would have any doubts as to that, you should have been at our place yesterday, because I have gotten my lawnmower stuck almost every week. Uh, well, the last three weeks it was dry enough. I actually sneaked by, but I have never yet been able to get my tractor stuck. It's a little four-wheel drive Yanmar. And uh I accomplished that yesterday with I should get a laurel wreath for it, because it was literally up to the axle. And so I was informed by a certain person sharing our household that I was on my own because it looked very dangerous to her. So I took the pickup out, and luckily I was able to get close enough and I put the chain on, but it didn't quite have enough to just pull it out, so I was just about ready to concede defeat and call my neighbor, Todd. Phone rings and Brian calls and he says, Hey, he said, Are you around? And I says, Yeah. Well, I said he had borrowed my table saw and a cutoff saw. He said, Tristan and I are gonna bring that those back. And I'm like, Well, thank you, Jesus. So anyway, we got the tractor out, and then Brian told me that I am no longer, he said, you shouldn't be left unsupervised. I think he's probably right. I do have a lot of fun getting into these scrapes, but but live life to the full. In other words, live life like you mean it. Like my other son, Brent, overheard this lady. There's a group of ladies, and they were in a fast food restaurant, and one of them told the other, he said, you know, I'm gonna splurge and get a large. Live life that way. And even that can include a milkshake now and again. But seize life, embrace it, live life like you mean it. And when we're filled with the Holy Spirit and we're living for Jesus, and we live that way, and and it becomes a magnet, pulling people to the kingdom of God. Not to me, but there is something attractive in someone who lives life to the full. If anyone has a plaint complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection, and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, in which you were also called in one body, and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord, and whatever you do in word or deed, to all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Thankfulness And Abundant Living
SPEAKER_00And there we come to another key of living abundantly and of redeeming the time and living life to the full is be thankful. I'm just amazed as I study the New Testament, and you spend time in God's Word, and there's so many different avenues you you go to, you want to prepare for a sermon, you want to dig into this, or you want to dig into that, and you always come back to things. It's full of it, the entire Bible, really, but especially the New Testament. There's so many things there. He comes circles around and give thanks. And be ye thankful. Sometimes I imagine we're all tempted to be like the fella he said that he would be more than happy to count his blessings, but he's not good at fractions. I think all of us have come to recognize that the Father, that our God is not a God of fractions, but of multiplications. He wants to have us to not only have life, but to have it more abundantly.
Strongholds And Real Victory
SPEAKER_00Where it says, For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments in every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. There's so much in there, there could be entire sermon series based on just that verse. But the thing I want to key on is that if we have strongholds in our life, God can take care of them. If we bring them to the Jesus, to Jesus, to the foot of the cross, those strongholds will crumble, and there is victory in Jesus. Like to share something I found.
God Uses Flawed People
SPEAKER_00Says that Paul learned that rival preachers had succeeded in their attempt to discredit him before some of the Corinthian believers. Paul responded to the charges and accusations raised by them. He warned that he would exercise strict discipline if that became necessary. God gives spiritual leaders to provide order and direction. Be sure to uphold and respect them. Now, coming to the Corinthian church, this is who Paul's talking about. He's not talking about the leaders, but he's talking about the body of Christ in Corinth. They aren't exactly a list of who's who in purity and sainthood. In fact, some of their antics and attitudes would make you think of the Saturday night crowd at the county jail. What few halos there are among this befuddled bunch could probably use a bit of straightening and polish. Yet, strange as it may seem, it is this very humanness that make these people refreshing. They are so refreshing that should you ever need a reminder of God's tolerance, you'd find it in these people. If you ever wonder how in the world God could use you to change the world, look at the Corinthians, and not just the Corinthians, but look at God's people down through the history recorded in the Bible. What people, the people God used to change history, a ragbag of ne'er do wells and has-bens who found hope not in their performance, but in God's proverbially open arms. What can you say about a fellow whose lust got so lusty that he got a woman pregnant, tried to blame it on her husband, had her husband killed, and then went on living like nothing ever happened. Well, you could say that he was a man after God's own heart. David's track record left a little to be desired, but his repentant spirit was unquestionable. And then we come to Jonah. You talk about a reluctant protagonist. God told him to go to Nineveh, and so he jumps on a boat, he heads a complete other direction. Pretty sure that he was gonna get away from God. We all know what happened. He was swallowed by a fish, doesn't say a whale. You know, even the fish couldn't stand to be around him very long. And after a couple days, there's a mighty belch and a burp, and he burped him up on the sand. But what did he do? He did get up, which just goes to show that you really can't keep a good man down. And on and on the stories go. You know, Elijah was the prophet who pouted. I love Elijah, and I think part of that is just the very humanness we see after all these tremendous victories for God. Then he turns tail and he runs at the threat of a vain and arrogant woman. We know the story, but he was the prophet who pouted, and Solomon the king who knew too much, the wisest man that ever lived, and yet has a sad end. Jacob the wheeler dealer, Gomer the prostitute, Sarah the woman who giggled at God, one story after another of God using man's best and overcoming men's worst. Isn't that the God we know? I've seen so many situations where people have been far removed from the perfect will of God, and yet God can use these situations to bring honor and glory to himself. That's our God. And then we come to the genealogy of Jesus. Just think of who all is mentioned there. There's Tamar, an adulteress, there's Rahab, the harlot, and then there's Bathsheba, who really was an innocent participant in these stories. So what do we see when we go through these heroes of faith? We don't see perfection, do we? But we see people gritty and granular, just the way we are, with our bumps and warts and our imperfections. And I've noticed in the people in my life, as time goes on and people age, that they either become better or they go the other way. So it matters whether our hearts are turned towards home or whether they aren't.
Aging Hearts And The Power Of Prayer
SPEAKER_00About my father. He's 96 years old, and we have become best friends. Quite frequently, there's very rarely a week that goes by that he doesn't call me. Sometimes it's just, I think, mainly the talk. He always has a little bit of business that he wants. The latest is he's got a bunch of books upstairs, and he goes upstairs every day. And it's difficult for him to move up the stairs after all, he is 96. And his mind is good, but he wants my brother Junior and I to come and help him move the books down, which is something I look forward to. Ina is trembling in her shoes because me and books are a little scary. I love books. So I look forward to adding to my collection here more than she does. But life had dealt him some curves. And there were, I think you could safely say that both of us are quite strong-willed and stubborn. And there were some epic clashes, and we went our separate ways, but you know, we stuck with it. But it's just so amazing that he could be very dogmatic and opinionated. And as he's gotten older and I see him mellow. And where sometimes he came across as judgmental, where now he's become the most accepting and compassionate person. And that's what happens. We either get better or we lose ground. So it's so important that we redeem our time. And you know, Satan doesn't really lose much of a beat when we do big things. You know, we might write books or we can give a powerful speech, and we can do a great many things that impress people, and he doesn't end up with hard prayer. But you know what Satan is terrified of? He's terrified when we get on our knees and pray. Prayer is what changes things, and that's what Satan is afraid of. So spend time in prayer, and I'm speaking to myself. So Satan's knees tremble when we get on ours. So that's about living wisely.
Seeing Open Doors For Good
SPEAKER_00And this next one is very, very important, and that is that we recognize opportunity. In my inimitable fashion, I really missed a good one this week. And uh, it's just amazing how I can think of the wittiest and the most appropriate things to say five minutes after it's no longer necessary. Look, we had a a couple coming from Cleveland area to pick up a puppy, and they're very nice people, and they talked and talked and talked. And something was said about said, oh, he said the the guy did. He said, There's no one's perfect. They said, uh, except there's a guy two thousand years ago who tried to prove that he was. And you know, that I don't necessarily process things at the speed of light. And they left. And I'm like, I don't think they were out of our drive. And it came to me what a golden opportunity I would have had to share that yes, he was perfect. And that he in fact never did sin, which he obviously didn't believe. I can stand here and really tell you what I should have said, but I didn't. I didn't recognize opportunity. It's not that I was embarrassed. I certainly am not ashamed to share what Jesus has done in my heart, and that I believe him to be real and I know he's real because he dwells within me. But I didn't recognize opportunity. It is so important as we go through life that we seize opportunity, but we can only seize it when we see it. And that's my problem so often I don't see it. So recognize opportunities, and that can be in serving others, it can be sharing the gospel, and it's any activities that we can engage in to promote the kingdom of God. That's found in Galatians 6, verses 9 and 10. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially those who are of the household of faith. And that isn't saying that we shouldn't do good to people who are not of our faith. But I love that verse. And then in 1 Peter chapter 4, verses 7 through 11. But the end of all things is at hand. Therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers, and above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. And then in Revelation, and this is so powerful, in chapter three and verse seven and eight, and to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, right? These things says he who is holy, who is he who is true, he who has the key of David, he who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens. I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it, for you have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied my name. So how do we feel this morning? Do we feel like we have the strength of Samson? Or do we feel like these saints in Philadelphia that we have little strength? But if we rely on God, he will open doors for us that we can walk through. So recognize opportunity. Show radical kindness. And just have the courage to step through the doors that God opens for us.
Overcoming Evil With Good]
SPEAKER_00Then the next step in this redeeming our time and living with wisdom is simply overcoming evil with good. And this is oftentimes, I think, for most of us, a hard one. There's times when you know we might be feeling all mellow and all is well with the world. And something as simple as someone cutting off in front of you, driving 20 miles an hour for a quarter of a mile and turning off can kind of set my tea kettle to boiling pretty good. I have no recollection of ever anybody coming up and giving me a whack. But how would I respond? But all of us have had buffets in life. We've all had things done to us that we don't appreciate or cherish. And how do we respond to that? In Romans chapter 9, verses 12 through 21, he says, Let love be without hypocrisy, abhor what is evil, cling to what is good, be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another, not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord, rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer, distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink, for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. How do we do that? Well, I would submit it is only through the anointing of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us that we can turn the other cheek. Where we confuse a radical kindness, we confuse empathy. But that doesn't mean that we can't set healthy boundaries. I don't think God expects us to live in negative situations, and it's okay to set boundaries and to remove yourself from a bad situation. And break the cycle. Choose not to meet anger with anger. And then finally, there is urgency in action.
Urgency And The Race Of Faith
SPEAKER_00In John 9, 4 and 5, these are the words of Jesus. I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming when no one can work, as long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world. So redeeming the time because the days are evil is a powerful exhortation for Christians to live wisely and with purpose in a world that often gets in our way. And I think key there is just living with purpose. When we have Jesus, we have purpose in life, and we recognize that there is something bigger than us out there that is worth living for. So in closing, I would like to share yet one of our favorite verses and another key into redeeming the time and living wisely. And that's in Hebrews chapter 12, in verse 1 and 2. It says, Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down on the right hand of God. Wow. And then in Ecclesiastes he says, Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is man's all, for this is man's all, for God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil. So that is the conclusion of the matter. Fear God and keep his commandments. And this is not a fear to where we're terrified and our teeth are jattering, but I think it's a fear of just a godly reverence and awe at the deity and the awesomeness and the holiness of our God. I had hoped to have time to get to this,
Titus 2 Homework And Prayer
SPEAKER_00but I don't. But I would like to give you just a little bit of homework for the following week. And I would encourage everyone to read Titus II. It's just another extremely practical chapter as to how we should conduct our daily lives. But that's all I have. So at this time, let us bow for a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, we come to you. We thank you for your presence. We thank you for your indwelling, and we give you the honor and glory. I just pray for the Gaylord Bartman family. Just be with them. I pray, Lord, that if it would be your will that his health could be restored, be with each and every one of them, be a comfort, be a strength to them. And we thank you that you are a master healer. I pray also for Dustin, Miller family, for Rebecca, for Daniel and Fern and for Alan and Fanny, and just the rest of the family. I pray that you would be with them and lift them up with your arms of love. Just pray that you would grant healing and comfort. And we know you will.