How can I give a message to a group of youth with the theme: TIME?
Looking back at my own youth, I can remember thinking that I had all the time in the world to accomplish all my goals. It seemed that time moved so slowly and growing old was something that took forever to achieve. My parents warned me that time really passes rather quickly and soon I would be a man, soon I would begin a career, soon I would be a husband, soon I would be a father, etc.
In my later years, I have learned the wisdom and benefit of considering time. In the Bible, time or times are mentioned over 700 times. We read of the Lord in Psalm 90:2, “…from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” God is eternal, having no beginning or end. Eternity is unending, but time is measured by a beginning and an end. We read of the beginning of time in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” At this point, time began, and the seven-day week began. (Read Genesis 1:2-2:3).
One thing about time, is that we never know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1 says, “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” At any moment, time for us may cease and eternity begin. When any of us pass away, we leave this realm of time and enter into eternity. None of us know when that time will be. I had a younger brother who lived for only one day. I knew a precious Christian lady who lived to be 106 years old. We never know!
Let us read a parable in the Bible of a man who did not properly consider time. Luke 12:16-20, “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” This rich man was consumed with his wealth and lived to increase that wealth. He spent all his time without concern for eternity. Although he was convinced he had enough wealth to last him “for many years”, he was not prepared for the moment that time stopped for him. He made much preparation for time, but none for eternity. Eternity came unexpectedly for him and he lost all his earthly gain without having any eternal gain.
Galatians 4:4 tells us, “But when the FULNESS OF THE TIME was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman…” There was an appointed time when God sent His Son into the world. God sent His Son, “…that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). It was at exactly the right time that Christ came into the world “to save sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15). God has provided a means for salvation for all. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross so that all who believe on Him will not perish (go to Hell for eternity) but will have everlasting life (and live with Him forever in Heaven).
Seeing that we do not know what a day may bring, it is imperative that we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ NOW before it is too late. 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “…behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” For those who are not saved…you cannot afford to wait another day. That day may never come for you.
For those who are already saved, we are instructed in Ephesians 5:15-16, “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, REDEEMING THE TIME, because the days are evil.” We cannot afford to waste time. Time is running out and we need to make sure that we do not waste the time we have. Our time should be spent in service to the Lord…living lives that honor Him and that point others to Him.
Considering how many times the word ‘time’ is mentioned in the Bible, there is logically so much more we could say about it. However, let us close this mediation with this valuable verse. “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” (Psalm 90:12). (473.2)