We often joke about procrastination. "Why do today what you can put off till tomorrow." There's even a procrastinators club, and as you can imagine, the meetings purposely never start on time, people show up late, etc. Yet, spiritually speaking, there's nothing funny about this very important topic. 2 Corinthians 6:2 is what we will examine this morning.
1) WHAT DAY SHOULD WE BE CONCENTRATING ON? TODAY!
a. "putting off" is a common "disease"
b. There's so much to do right now - Hebrews 3:13 - "But encourage one another day after day, as
long as it is called Today" vs.15 "Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as when
they provoked me."
c. Procrastination is not a modern problem - notice the ancient encouragement - Isa 55:6
1. Pro 27:1 - more encouragement
2) THE LONGER YOU WAIT...
a. Every business person knows if a potential client puts off making a decision, the chances are
they won't, and the opportunity is lost.
b. How many have heard the Gospel and have put off obeying for another time? What can happen?
1. You might not be here tomorrow -
a. Jas 4:14 - "Yet you do not know what your life will be like
tomorrow, you are just a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away."
b.1 Cor 15:22. Sometimes people are rendered mentally or physically incapable.
2. You might not be this close again - Acts 24: 25-27
3. The desire might go away - Eph. 4:19
a. 1 Thess 5:19
4. Before the next occasion Christ might return - Mk 13:32
a. 2 Pet 3:10 - "but the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the element will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be
burned up."
5. How do you know there will be a "next time?' - Mt 25:1 ff - the parable of the wise and foolish
virgins.
a. Eccl 9:10- "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no
activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going."
b. Jeremiah 8:20 - "harvest is passed, summer is ended, and we are not saved"
6. Do you want your children to grow up in a home without Christ? Eph 6: 1-4
a. Pro 22:6- "Train up your children in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from
it."
7. Your negative influence will perpetuate, which cannot be undone
a. The example of Mannaseh - 2 Chron 33
1. Notice God's attitude about this
8. We really don't have much time
a. Job 14:1
b. Eph 5: 15-16
3) EXCUSES, EXCUSES
1. A very effective tool of Satan
a. Here's are some excuses from all ages
1. 12 years old - "I'm much too young to think about God"
2. 18 years old - "I'm much too smart to think about God"
3. 22 years old - "I'm much too happy to think about God"
4. 25 years old - "I'm much too busy to think about God"
5. 30 years old - "I'm much too satisfied to think about God"
6. 40 years old - "I'm much too tired to think about God"
7. 50 years old - "I'm much too worried to think about God"
8. 60 years old - "I'm much too old to think about God"
2. "I don't know enough yet" - How much do you need to know? Acts 8 - Ethiopian eunuch
3. "What will my family think?" - Mt 10: 34-37
4. "There are hypocrites in the Church" - yes, also at school, work, etc, but you still can worship
the Lord. As someone once said,"better to worship with some now than spend eternity with
all of them."
5. There are many more excuses, but in reality, there are no valid excuses..
Don't wait, don't make excuses, don't "put off" until tomorrow. Obey today!