Things I Cannot Have

I. Introduction:

II. I cannot have lost time

A. Often we brood over wasted time.

B. Years spent in a career that, upon reflection, seemed to be a dead end. Hours spent on a task that, upon reflection, could have been better spent on other things. We can look back on our lives, at any age, and see where we could have used our time better.

C. No matter how much we regret it, we can never recapture wasted time.

D. No amount of money can buy one additional second of time. We all must be good stewards of our time.

E. Sometimes need to waste time to make time

F. We can be so busy that we do not ever relax. Sometimes we must “waste time” and relax so we will be rested. However, we must not rest too long for there is much to be done.

III. Application

A. Redeem the time

B. Ephesians 5:16 Though we cannot buy back time, when we use our time wisely it feels like we have gotten more out of our time. Eccl 3:17 – There is a time for every purpose; we must see it.

C. Act while it is today

D. 1 Peter 4:1-5 – Spent enough time with evil, do good.

E. Like to have great Bible knowledge?

F. Start learning today. Add to your knowledge every day and you will eventually have a mind firmly grounded in the truth.

G. Do not procrastinate

H. Proverbs 6:6-11 – A little sleep and want comes over you quickly. Proverbs 24: 30-34 – The field of the lazy man We must act today, tomorrow is not promised.

I. We need to drive ourselves to greater things especially in the Lord’s kingdom.

J. I want to teach but don’t know enough – start learning today. I want to teach but don’t know when I can - start scheduling today to plan time in the future to be able to teach. Set a goal for what you want to do for the Lord and strive to achieve it. No goals? What are you going to do for Christ considering all that he has done for you?

K. Do not plan for tomorrow and forget today.

L. We do not know how much time we will have to live. James 4:13-16 – If the Lord wills

M. Some wait for retirement to travel, play golf, etc. but may die before they retire or be physically unable to do those things.

N. Do not sacrifice so much today that you do not enjoy today in hope of a better tomorrow; tomorrow may never come. Do enjoy life today and fulfill your responsibilities today.

O. We must redeem the time because another thing we cannot have are opportunities that we have missed.

P. I wanted to call/send a card/take a meal to this sick person but now they are well, and I did nothing. Can’t have that opportunity back. I wanted to do more with the young people; look, they are grown now. Can’t have that opportunity back. I wanted to spend more time with my children, teaching them how to live and developing their love for God; but now they are grown.

Q. Time will come whether we do the right things or the wrong things.

R. Getting an education: if 5 years pass, you could have the degree that you wanted or you could have nothing and still want to have it. Whether we act or not, the time will pass and if we do not act, we will have regrets instead of good memories and pride for accomplishments.

IV. I cannot have my words back

A. Things said cannot be unsaid

B. There are so many things I have said that I would love to take back. Little comments can penetrate deeper than a sword and leave long lasting scars. We can apologize but the words still echo in the mind of the hearer.

C. It is better that we have more things unsaid than a few things said that we wish we could retract.

D. Illustration: Ronald Reagan: “We begin bombing…” Jokes about things that hurt someone’s feelings.

V. Application

A. Watch your speech

B. Proverbs 10:19-21 The wise watch their speech Proverbs 15:1-2 – Wise restrains his speech Proverbs 17:27-28 – Even a fool is considered wise if he says quiet.

C. Destructive speech

D. Gossip

E. Proverbs 26:20-22 – Words are trifles but useless if we ignore them. Proverbs 11:13 – A faithful person conceals the matter Condemned in 2 Corinthians 12:20 Don’t hold back words that should be said Anger and cursing

F. Edifying speech

G. Proverbs 25:11 – A word fitly spoken Ephesians 4:29 – No corrupt words but good for edification Do not hold encouragement back from a spouse, child, or anyone whom you wish to encourage. Sad to hear of family members at a funeral, “I didn’t tell him that I loved him enough” or “he didn’t tell me he loved me/was proud of me.” Don’t hesitate to say what is good; always hesitate, pray and meditate before saying something negative and potentially damaging.

VI. I cannot have another shot at the judgment day

A. Fail in most endeavors and you can try again (school classes; sales; etc.)

B. Most failures in this world are not devastating.

C. Fail to be ready for judgment and the consequences are eternal.

D. Matthew 12:34-37 – Judged by our words John 5:24-29 – Judged by our works2 Peter 3:10-13 – Day will come like a thief so be prepared

VII. What do you have now?

A. You have the time to do what is right; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2.

B. You have the time to say what must be said and to refrain from saying what should be unsaid.

C. You have the opportunity to do what is right, Proverbs 3:27

D. You are able to prepare for the judgment day.