📖 LIFE IS SHORT — SERVE GOD WHILE YOU STILL CAN!
Main Text: Ephesians 5:15–16 KJV
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Supporting Text: 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”
INTRODUCTION — YOU HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE FOR CHRIST
Life moves quickly. Yesterday we were children; today we carry responsibilities; tomorrow our strength... more📖 LIFE IS SHORT — SERVE GOD WHILE YOU STILL CAN!
Main Text: Ephesians 5:15–16 KJV
“See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Supporting Text: 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…”
INTRODUCTION — YOU HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE FOR CHRIST
Life moves quickly. Yesterday we were children; today we carry responsibilities; tomorrow our strength may diminish. Eventually, unless the Rapture occurs first, physical death will come.
📖 Romans 5:12 teaches that death entered the world through sin.
But for the saved member of the Body of Christ, death is not the end. Paul says:
📖 Philippians 1:21
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Therefore, the issue is not simply:
“How long will I live?”
The greater question is:
“How will I use the life God has given me?”
In this Dispensation of the Grace of God, we are not laboring to earn salvation. We serve because we already possess salvation in Christ.
📖 Ephesians 2:8–10
Grace saves us apart from works, but the same passage says believers are:
“created in Christ Jesus unto good works…”
So:
WE DO NOT SERVE GOD TO GET SAVED.
WE SERVE GOD BECAUSE WE ARE SAVED.
1️⃣ REALIZE THE BREVITY OF LIFE
📖 Ephesians 5:15–16; Romans 13:11–12; Philippians 1:21
The first step toward faithful service is recognizing that our earthly opportunity is limited.
A. RECOGNIZE THE TIME
📖 Ephesians 5:16
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
You cannot store time.
Money lost may be earned again. Possessions may be replaced.
But yesterday can never be recovered.
Every day brings us closer either to physical death or to the catching away of the Body of Christ.
Therefore:
Don't merely count your days—make your days count for Christ.
B. REJECT THE WASTE
📖 Romans 13:11
“...now it is high time to awake out of sleep…”
A believer can be saved yet waste years spiritually.
We can waste life pursuing:
money that will remain behind,
applause that will soon be forgotten,
pleasures that quickly disappear,
arguments that accomplish nothing,
worldly ambitions with no eternal value.
Paul calls us to wake up.
DON'T SPEND YOUR WHOLE LIFE BUILDING SOMETHING YOU MUST LEAVE BEHIND.
C. REDEEM THE OPPORTUNITY
📖 Colossians 4:5
“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”
Redeeming time means using present opportunities wisely.
You may not be able to preach tomorrow.
You may not have today's strength next year.
That person you want to witness to may not always be available.
🔥 PREACHING TRUTH:
SERVE GOD TODAY—TOMORROW IS AN OPPORTUNITY, NOT A GUARANTEE.
2️⃣ REMEMBER YOUR REDEMPTION IN CHRIST
📖 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Ephesians 1:7; Titus 2:14
Biblical service must begin with grace.
We do not serve because we are trying to persuade God to save us.
We serve because Christ has already redeemed us.
A. REDEMPTION WAS PURCHASED
📖 Ephesians 1:7
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins…”
Christ paid the price we could never pay.
Our salvation rests upon:
Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
📖 1 Corinthians 15:1–4
Not religion.
Not water baptism.
Not church membership.
Not keeping the Law.
Not our good works.
Christ finished the saving work.
B. REDEMPTION PRODUCES GRATITUDE
📖 Romans 12:1
Paul says:
“...present your bodies a living sacrifice…”
Notice the order.
Romans 1–11 establishes what God has done for us; Romans 12 begins the practical response.
Grace says:
“Because God has done so much for me, I want my remaining life to honor Him.”
Christian service should flow from gratitude—not fear.
C. REDEMPTION PROVIDES PURPOSE
📖 Titus 2:14
Christ:
“...gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity…”
Salvation gives life eternal significance.
You are not merely living to:
eat → work → earn → retire → die.
The saved believer has a heavenly calling and an opportunity to represent Christ while still on earth.
🔥 PREACHING TRUTH:
GRACE DOES NOT MAKE SERVICE UNNECESSARY—GRACE MAKES SERVICE MEANINGFUL.
3️⃣ REPRESENT CHRIST WHILE YOU LIVE
📖 2 Corinthians 5:14–20; Philippians 1:20–21; Colossians 3:17
God has given the Body of Christ a tremendous privilege during this present dispensation.
We are His ambassadors.
A. REPRESENT HIS PERSON
📖 2 Corinthians 5:20
“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ…”
An ambassador represents someone greater than himself.
Our life should therefore point people toward Christ rather than ourselves.
The Christian life is not:
“Look how wonderful I am.”
It should say:
“Look what the grace of God has done through Christ.”
B. REPEAT HIS PROCLAMATION
📖 2 Corinthians 5:19
God has:
“...committed unto us the word of reconciliation.”
The world's greatest need is not merely political reform, financial prosperity, education, or social improvement.
People need reconciliation with God.
Our central Gospel proclamation today is:
📖 1 Corinthians 15:3–4
“Christ died for our sins…
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day…”
We must preach Christ according to the revelation of the Mystery.
📖 Romans 16:25
C. REFLECT HIS PRIORITY
📖 Philippians 1:20
Paul desired that:
“Christ shall be magnified in my body…”
Your career can glorify Christ.
Your family can glorify Christ.
Your resources can glorify Christ.
Your local church service can glorify Christ.
Your social media can glorify Christ.
Your ordinary daily life can glorify Christ.
The question is:
IS CHRIST BEING MAGNIFIED THROUGH MY LIFE?
4️⃣ REMAIN STEADFAST IN THE WORK
📖 1 Corinthians 15:58; Galatians 6:9; 2 Timothy 4:5–8
Starting well is good.
Finishing faithfully is better.
A. REMAIN STEADFAST
📖 1 Corinthians 15:58
“...be ye stedfast, unmoveable…”
Do not allow:
criticism,
disappointment,
persecution,
financial difficulty,
betrayal,
or discouragement
to move you away from sound doctrine.
Truth does not change because circumstances become difficult.
B. RESIST WEARINESS
📖 Galatians 6:9
“And let us not be weary in well doing…”
Ministry can become tiring.
Sometimes you preach and few listen.
You help and receive no thanks.
You teach and people misunderstand you.
You serve and someone criticizes you.
But our motivation cannot depend upon human applause.
📖 Colossians 3:23
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”
C. RUN UNTIL FINISHED
📖 2 Timothy 4:7
Paul could say:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”
Paul did not merely begin.
HE FINISHED.
Our desire should be:
“Lord, let me finish faithful to the truth entrusted to me.”
🔥 PREACHING TRUTH:
DON'T JUST START WITH ZEAL—FINISH WITH FAITHFULNESS.
5️⃣ REMEMBER THE REWARD TO COME
📖 1 Corinthians 3:8–15; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 2 Timothy 4:8
Salvation and reward must be distinguished.
Salvation is a free gift.
Reward concerns faithful service after salvation.
A. REVIEW AT THE JUDGMENT SEAT
📖 2 Corinthians 5:10
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…”
For the believer, this is not a judgment determining heaven or hell.
Our sins were dealt with by Christ at Calvary.
The issue here is our service.
How did we use our Christian life?
B. REVEALING OF OUR WORK
📖 1 Corinthians 3:13
“Every man's work shall be made manifest…”
Some things impressive to men may prove worthless before Christ.
Other things unnoticed by men may receive Christ's approval.
Therefore:
DON'T LIVE FOR APPLAUSE NOW AT THE EXPENSE OF APPROVAL THEN.
C. RECEIVING THE REWARD
📖 1 Corinthians 3:14
“If any man's work abide… he shall receive a reward.”
Paul looked forward to reward.
📖 2 Timothy 4:8
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness…”
Our labor in Christ is never wasted.
📖 1 Corinthians 15:58
“...your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
🔥 PREACHING TRUTH:
SALVATION IS RECEIVED BY FAITH—REWARD IS CONNECTED WITH FAITHFUL SERVICE.
🏁 CONCLUSION — YOUR LIFE HAS AN EXPIRATION DATE, BUT YOUR LABOR CAN HAVE ETERNAL VALUE
One day your:
career will end,
strength will fade,
possessions will belong to someone else,
earthly titles will disappear,
and earthly opportunities will cease.
But what was truly done for Christ has eternal significance.
Paul's testimony should challenge us:
📖 Philippians 1:21
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Therefore, don't say:
“I will serve God when I retire.”
Don't say:
“I will study Scripture when I'm less busy.”
Don't say:
“I will share the Gospel someday.”
Don't say:
“I will become faithful to my local church later.”
SERVE CHRIST NOW.
📣 CALL TO ACTION — FIVE S's
1. BE SAVED
📖 1 Corinthians 15:1–4; Ephesians 2:8–9
Before serving Christ, trust Christ. Believe the Gospel of Grace.
2. BE SCRIPTURAL
📖 2 Timothy 2:15
Rightly divide the Word of Truth.
3. BE STEADFAST
📖 1 Corinthians 15:58
Do not abandon sound Pauline doctrine.
4. BE SERVING
📖 Galatians 5:13
Use your liberty in Christ to serve others in love.
5. BE SERIOUS
📖 Ephesians 5:15–16
Redeem the time. Your earthly opportunity is limited.
💡 FINAL THOUGHTS
1️⃣ LIFE IS BRIEF — REDEEM THE TIME
📖 Ephesians 5:16
You cannot recover yesterday.
2️⃣ SALVATION IS FREE — REMEMBER HIS GRACE
📖 Ephesians 2:8–9
Never serve to earn salvation.
3️⃣ SERVICE IS A PRIVILEGE — REPRESENT CHRIST
📖 2 Corinthians 5:20
You are an ambassador for Christ.
4️⃣ LABOR CAN BE DIFFICULT — REMAIN STEADFAST
📖 1 Corinthians 15:58
Do not quit because ministry becomes difficult.
5️⃣ ETERNITY IS COMING — REMEMBER THE REWARD
📖 2 Corinthians 5:10
Live today in light of that coming evaluation.
✝️ LIFE IS SHORT—SERVE GOD WHILE YOU STILL CAN!
Don't serve to GET saved.
Serve because you ARE saved.
Don't serve to KEEP salvation.
Serve because you are SEALED unto the day of redemption.
📖 Ephesians 1:13–14; 4:30
Don't serve for man's applause.
Serve for CHRIST'S APPROVAL.
📖 1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord… forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
⚔️✝️✠ Lady Dinah Scivoletti ✠✝️📖⚔️
⚔️✝️✠ Turco, Joan of Arc Priory ✠✝️📖⚔️
⚔️✝️✠✠Act and God will Act (Actus et Deus Act)✠✠✝️📖⚔️
