Take Time to be Holy

 INTRODUCTION

1. Our songs in worship are designed to instruct as well as praise...
   a. For in them we teach and admonish one another - Col 3:16
   b. By them the Word of Christ can dwell in us richly - Col 3:16

2. A familiar song with an important message is "Take Time To Be
   Holy"...
   a. Words written by W. D. Longstaff
   b. Music composed by George C. Stebbins
   -- In "Hymns For Worship", it is song #118

3. Certainly the children of God are to be holy...
   a. We are to be holy in our conduct - 1Pe 1:15
   b. Even as our Father who calls us is holy - 1Pe 1:15-16
   -- Indeed, holiness is to be pursued, for without it one will not see
      the Lord - He 12:14

[In this lesson, we will let the words of this song serve as the basis
for our study.  Note first that the song assumes...]

I. THE NEED TO TAKE TIME

   A. THE WORLD RUSHES ON...
      1. As expressed in the beginning of the second verse
      2. Our lives are certainly hectic and fast-paced
      3. Filled with activities that consume our time
      4. And our lives are but a vapor - cf. Jm 4:13-14
      -- Before we know it, time will have slipped by

   B. IT TAKES TIME TO BE HOLY...
      1. The key presumption upon which this song is based
      2. Holiness must be pursued - He 12:14
      3. Holiness is the fruit of service to God - cf. Ro 6:22
      4. Holiness must be perfected - 2Co 7:1
      -- If we are not careful, time to develop holiness will be gone

[So we must "Take Time To Be Holy."  It needs to be a priority in our
lives.  How does one take time...?]

II. THE WAY TO TAKE TIME

   A. SPEND TIME WITH THE LORD...
      1. The song encourages us to:
         a. "Abide in Him always"
         b. "Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone"
      2. The means to do so involve:
         a. Prayer, as suggested by the song
            1) "Speak oft with thy Lord"
            2) "Forgetting in nothing His blessings to seek"
         b. The Word of God ("Feed on His Word")
      3. Do we take time to be with the Lord?
         a. Through prayer, where the Lord is ready to intercede? - cf.
            He 4:14-16; 7:25
         b. Through the Word, which testifies of our gracious Lord?
            - cf. Jn 5:39; 1Pe 2:2-3
      -- We cannot overestimate the importance of finding time to be
         with the Lord alone through prayer and the Word!

   B. SPEND TIME WITH OTHERS...
      1. This includes fellowship with other Christians ("Make friends
         of God's children")
         a. Which the early Christians continued in steadfastly - Ac
            2:42
         b. Which helps to ensure faithfulness and steadfastness - He
            3:12-14
         c. Which includes the idea of frequent assembling - He 10:24-25
      2. This includes service to our fellowman ("Help those who are
         weak")
         a. A duty enjoined upon Christians - 1Th 5:14-15; Ac 20:35
         b. Service toward all, but especially our brethren - Ga 6:10
         c. Ministering our abilities to one another - 1Pe 4:10-11
      -- We must not be so busy that we don't have time to be with
         brethren and to help others as we have opportunity!

[As one takes time to be with the Lord, His people, and in service to
them and others, a transformation slowly takes place...]

III. THE BENEFITS OF TAKING TIME

   A. YOU WILL BE BLESSED...
      1. With inner peace and happiness ("Be calm in thy soul")
         a. Through frequent prayer - cf. Php 4:6-7
         b. Through frequent meditation upon the Word - cf. Ps 1:1-3;
            119:165
      2. With renewed strength ("Each thought and each motive beneath
         His control")
         a. Through your relationship with Christ - Php 4:13
         b. Through the indwelling of the Spirit - Ro 8:12-13; Ep 3:16,
            20-21
      3. With increasing realization of God's love ("Led by His Spirit
         to fountains of love")
         a. A manifestation of the Spirit in our lives - Ro 5:5
         b. Whose fruit produces love - Ga 5:22
      -- Is this not sufficient motivation to "take time to be holy"?

   B. YOU WILL BE MORE CHRIST-LIKE...
      1. The ultimate goal of discipleship ("Like Him thou shalt be")
         a. As explained by Jesus - Lk 6:40
         b. As foreordained by God - Ro 8:29
      2. A transformation noticed by others ("Thy friends in thy conduct
         His likeness shall see")
         a. The result of spending time with Jesus - e.g., Peter and
            John, Ac 4:13
         b. The result of giving yourself to such things - e.g.,
            Timothy, 1Ti 4:15
      3. Prepared for greater service ("Thou soon shall be fitted for
         service above")
         a. For we will serve God in heaven, and in the new Jerusalem
            - Re 7:15; 22:3
         b. Indeed, we will reign with Christ and God forever! - Re
            22:5; 2Ti 2:12
      -- Is this not even more motivation to "take time to be holy"?

CONCLUSION

1. Remember the need to take time...
   a. The world rushes on, and would carry us along with it
   b. Our time in this life is short, we must have our priorities
      straight

2. Are you taking time, indeed, making time...?
   a. To spend time alone with God, in prayer and the Word?
   b. To spend time with others, in fellowship and service?

3. We must take time, if we desire to...
   a. Experience the blessed life Jesus offers
   b. Become more Christ-like in our conduct

May this song ("Take Time To Be Holy") always remind us of the need to
slow down, and to do those things so crucial to our spiritual growth and
happiness!

Have you taken the time to respond to the gospel of Christ...? - cf. Mk
16:15-16; Ac 2:38