Adrian Rogers tells of a time when a pastor search committee came to him seeking help finding their next minister. They hoped Pastor Rogers might give them a name/recommendation, and he did not disappoint. He said “I know just the man you need: he is a marvelous preacher (he had their attention); he is also an accomplished theologian, prolific writer, and possesses a fervent evangelical spirit. He has gone on several highly successful mission trips (they all had their pens/papers out, waiting for the contact information). BUT THEN Bro. Adrian said: now I must tell you he is getting on in age and has some health problems (a couple of the pens/papers went back in their pockets); and... he’s been in jail several times (nothing moral, but he did participate in and even incite some demonstrations/riots); they shook their heads: I don’t think we could consider him for Pastor of our church. NO, YOU COULDN’T: said Bro. Adrian, he is already in Heaven: his name is the Apostle Paul. Now, it’s true that several pulpit committees would not want to take a chance on Paul (not the safe candidate) but God saw the potential there when no one else did. The same was true with John Newton: God’s grace turned the old cursing blasphemer into a minister of the Gospel: turned the captain of a slave ship into a proponent for the abolition of slavery in his native England (he lived to see it abolished months before died).
We come to Stanza 3 of this great hymn:
THROUGH MANY DANGERS TOILS AND STRIFE, I HAVE ALREADY COME
THIS GRACE HATH BROUGHT ME SAFE THUS FAR, AND GRACE WILL
LEAD ME HOME
I see in this stanza the listing of the TIMES OF OUR LIVES: the past, present, and future: look at the 3rd stanza again...... the ALL THE TIMES OF OUR LIVES ARE FILLED WITH GRACE (that is the constant).
So, for next few moments, I want us to look at the TIMES of Paul and before we leave, we will consider our times as well...... and see that “to have the time of our life, we must let His Grace fill the TIMES of our lives”
PAST: the Grace of the Providence of God, the protective care of God (through many dangers...)
John Newton was protected from the physical storm, from the hatred of captain/crew
Paul: God had protected physically: 2 Cor. 11:23-27
God had protected him mentally: 2 Cor. 11:28
His testimony: Galatians 1:13-16a: I see His grace in my past.
Do you see the PROVIDENCE OF GOD?
Rembrandt worked on “Return of the Prodigal” for years, many sketches and drawings: he finally finished 2 years before his death: he painted himself as prodigal falling at the feet of a loving Father.
THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR PAST PROVIDENCE
PRESENT: the Grace of the Presence of God (tis grace hath brought...)
Acts 23: Paul before the mighty Sanhedrin :he used to be one of them, now considered a traitor; the same group that caused Jesus to be crucified and Stephen to be stoned: an angry mob: Paul pulled away
from them and was taken away for the evening: what would tomorrow bring?
THAT NIGHT: ACTS 23:11: In the presence of the Lord: you do not have to be afraid:
he puts arm around him and says “you have been faithful to me: I WILL BE FAITHFUL TO YOU: I’m standing by you now and in the future: I still have plans for you: this will not be the end: you will testify for me in Rome.
HE ENCOURAGES: ENCOURAGING PRESENCE
HE KNOWS MY NAME: PERSONAL PRESENCE
HE HAS A PLAN FOR MY LIFE: PURPOSEFUL PRESENCE
Do you feel the PRESENCE OF GOD?
Even on his deathbed, John Newton’s final words were “And best of all, God is with us
Christ be beside me, Christ be before me, Christ be behind me,
King of my heart, Christ be within me, Christ be below me, Christ be above me,
Never to part. (NEVER ALONE)
THANK YOU GOD FOR YOUR PRESENT PRESENCE
FUTURE: the Grace of the Promises of God (& grace will lead me home)
2 Timothy 4:16-18 (18)
The future is as bright as the promises of God: William Carey worked 7 yearsbefore seeing his first convert: who suffered through fire that destroyed 14 different language printing blocks for New Testament translation, who suffered the loss of his wife and the sabotage of fellow church folk who didn’t think you need missionaries: he clung to promises “clinging to the promises”
Psalm 56:3, 55:22, 23:4A, 46:1, 84:11 promises sun/shield; grace/glory; no good thing
will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.
Corrie Ten Boom said “never fear to trust a future you do not know to a God you
do know!”
Do you claim the promises of God? Then endorse the check! by faith: His account
is never overdrawn.
THANK YOU GOD FOR
YOUR FUTURE PROMISES
The times of our lives: Past, Present and Future - to have the time of your life, give to
Him the TIMES of your life
LOOK AT YOUR PAST AND SEE HIS PROVIDENCE: HE’S BEEN THERE
LOOK AT YOUR PRESENT AND SENSE HIS PRESENCE: HE IS THERE
LOOK AT YOUR FUTURE AND CLAIM HIS PROMISES: HE WILL BE THERE
All the way..... home