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One minute can be longer than we think it is. Now that the minute is gone there is nothing you can do to get it back. I stole one minute from you and you willing gave me that minute. Nothing was said, nothing was accomplished, and nothing will ever be accomplished from that wasted minute. REDEEMING THE TIME 2

There are 1440 minutes in a day. Approximately 480 minutes are spent in sleep. If you work, during the work week, that leaves us with 960 minutes of which 540 minutes are generally work related, if you work regularly. That leaves us with 420 minutes each day. What can we do with those minutes? REDEEMING THE TIME 3

Twice in his letters Paul admonishes us about redeeming the time. Eph. 5:15-17 – we are to walk circumspectly as wise, redeeming the time Col. 4:5-6 – redeeming the time by walking in wisdom toward those who are outside REDEEMING THE TIME 4

The phrase redeeming the time can be understood to mean, to buy up for one’s use the opportunities that we have. In these passages we learn that redeeming the time involves us walking in wisdom in a couple of ways. REDEEMING THE TIME 5

15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17 The first is walking circumspectly, or carefully, as wise. This is a general every day walk. It is important that we think and consider the steps we take each and every day. REDEEMING THE TIME 6

As Christians we must be the light in a dark world. Matt. 5:13-16 – as the salt and light of the world we must consider our walk Eph. 5:8-14 – Paul writes of this walk in the light REDEEMING THE TIME 7

One of the hardest things to do is forget the past. We may remember the things we did and realize the years we wasted. We must also remember that we cannot get them back and the only thing to do now is redeem our time now. What can I do now? REDEEMING THE TIME 8

Phil. 4:8-9 – Paul reminds us of the things which we should emulate – Gal. 1:11-12, 1 Cor. 11:1 Matt. 25:34-40 – even the smallest things are profitable Rom. 12:9-21 – Can we claim these? – Rom. 12:1-2 REDEEMING THE TIME 9

Haggai 1:2-7 – They were not walking as wise but considering themselves first – Matt. 6:33 Eph. 5:17 – “Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” Eccl. 12:13 – “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all.” REDEEMING THE TIME 10

Acts 24:22-25 – Paul reasoned with Felix about faith in Christ which involves righteousness, self- control, and the judgment to come. Felix became afraid. Why? Acts 26 – Paul offers his defense and preaches Christ to Agrippa. vss Acts 2:37; 8:12; 10:44-48; 13:48; 16:15; 16:33; 17:23; 17:34 REDEEMING THE TIME 11

Over and over again when the Gospel was preached the hearers who desired to understand what the will of the Lord is responded in obedience. This is the beginning of a circumspect walk that redeems the time. REDEEMING THE TIME 12

1 Peter 5:6-9 – we should understand that the devil is seeking to devour us Rom. 6:15-23 – we understand that we can be a slave of righteousness Eph. 4:17-24 – we put off the old man and the futility of that walk – this walk is not redeeming the time Heb. 10:19-26 – we encourage one another Eph. 4:12 – equipped and ready to edify REDEEMING THE TIME 13

The second use of redeeming the time has a specific direction; to those who are outside. REDEEMING THE TIME 14

“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:5-6 REDEEMING THE TIME 15

Redeeming the time here has the same aspect of walking circumspectly and know what the will of the Lord is. The difference is that there is a specific direction that this redeeming the time is directed to those of the world. REDEEMING THE TIME 16

The song we sing on occasion is “The World’s Bible”. The song encourages us to walk in Christ every day because there are so many in the world that will only see the Bible through the life that we lead. REDEEMING THE TIME 17

2 Cor. 3:1-3 – Paul commends the Corinthians because they had written God’s word in their hearts Ezek. 36:26-27 – This is the new heart that God spoke of through the prophet 2 Cor. 6:17 – “Come out from among them…” REDEEMING THE TIME 18

Matt. 5:11-12 – we may be persecuted for Christ’s sake 1 Peter 4:12-19 – we must commit ourselves to Him Rom. 12:19-21 – we do not react as the world – remember Stephen REDEEMING THE TIME 19

As we study the letters of Paul we see that he wrote concerning former conduct and present living. 1 Cor. 6:9-11 – what you once were you are no longer Col. 3:1-11 – our minds must be set above 1 Thess. 4:1-12 – not like the Gentiles (world) Rom. 13:11-14 – we walk with the armor of light Matt. 5:43-48 – we are reminded to love even our enemies REDEEMING THE TIME 20

As we walk redeeming the time we realize that it is a walk inside and outside, toward fellow saints and those who are outside. It is a daily examination realizing the opportunities we have and seeking to take advantage of those opportunities to teach the Gospel and edify others according to the Gospel. REDEEMING THE TIME 21