The Swiftness of Time Job 14:1-12

A New Year Another has come and gone Included all we planned to do, all we did, and all we failed to do Job and time (Job 7:6; 14:1, 2) Told to redeem the time (Ephesians 5:15, 16)

Serve God Acceptably? Proper worship Great thing to do (Matthew 4:10) Not much time in collective worship

Serve God Acceptably? Everyday lives How about that part of the year? (Hebrews 12:23-29) Acceptable service on the writer’s mind Our list of priorities? (Matthew 6:24; Luke 22:22-27)

Serve God Acceptably? Judged by the deeds of last year Whole duty (Ecclesiastes 12:13, 14) Honored one day for our service (John 12:26)

Murmur At God’s Commands? Many murmur and complain Wrong for a Christian (Philippians 2:14, 15) Not just Paul’s “suggestion”

Murmur At God’s Commands? Common problem for God’s people In the wilderness (Exodus 12, 16; Numbers 14, 16, 17) Many destroyed (1 Corinthians 10:10)

Murmur At God’s Commands? Have you been murmuring? Refusal to obey (John 14:15) Excusing your behavior by saying, “I don’t see why I can’t …?”

Follow God? Many followed their own lusts Vast majority of the world Some Christians (Titus 2:11, 12)

Follow God? Follow by obeying Ephesians were to act like saints (Ephesians 5:1-11) Imitate Paul (1 Corinthians 4:16; 11:1)

Follow God? Looking to God’s word Closely watched by those around us Make sure they see a good example As the song says, “We are the only Bible the careless world will read”

Grow and Improve? A command not to be overlooked Expected to grow Not to remain immature (1 Corinthians 3:1-3)

Grow and Improve? Growth is commanded In grace and knowledge (2 Peter 3:18) Develop a hunger for spiritual things (Matthew 5:6; 1 Peter 2:2)

Grow and Improve? Condemned for not growing Able to teach others at some point (Hebrews 5:12-14) Remember the problems at Corinth (1 Corinthians 3:1-3) Help others as we grow (Galatians 6:1; 2 Timothy 2:15)

Conclusion This year will soon be history as well Make the best use of it