Sermon snippet – Knowing Our Limits
INTRODUCTION – The simple reality of life is that we are finite: we are limited. Of course, Philippians 4:13 reminds each of us, “I can do all things through Christ Which strengtheneth me.” There are, though, practical implications of our limits that we must consider so that we can make wise choices.
- WE ARE LIMITED IN TIME
Psalm 90:12 sounds impossible: how can we “number our days” when we do not know how many days that we have left? That uncertainty is exactly the point. We need help (“teach us”) to value (“number”) our limited time upon earth. Ephesians 5:16 commands us to use wisely the opportunities that each day provides, especially regarding our family and the Church (verses 18-33). Colossians 4:5 gives us the same commandment, with the focus being on those outside the Church. Note verse 6: “speech” is stressed in this context because it is so difficult to speak to others as we should, particularly if they are antagonistic. We can contrast our limited time with the eternality of God and with the eternal life that He offers through faith in Jesus Christ. One day, our time will be unlimited. For now, we must evaluate how to employ our limited time.
- WE ARE LIMITED IN ENERGY
Acts 6:1-7 relates an early decision in the Church. The widows needed basic care, but the apostles were expending enormous energy in preaching to the unsaved and in teaching the thousands of new converts. Thus the work was appropriately divided; if either aspect had been neglected, the excellent result of verse 7 would not have eventuated. We all have limited energy (the personal results of the Second Law of Thermodynamics in the closed system of our bodies!); let us make sure that we are not depleting that strength by trying to be someone else. I Corinthians 12 is emphatic that each Christian has a place in the body of Christ, a role in His work. We can contrast out limited energy with the omnipotence of God, Who provides extraordinary power through the Holy Spirit for what we are called to do. One day, we will each have an eternally new body, with no decline in energy (Revelation 21:4-5). For now, we must use our limited strength as our Lord directs.
- WE ARE LIMITED IN RELATIONSHIPS
We know a few of the more than 7 billion people on earth; God knows them all! II Corinthians 6:17 commands us to set boundaries (“be ye separate”) in our relationships. An unfortunately common false disjunction in the Church today is that Christianity is about relationships, not rules. However, every relationship has rules; in other words, every relationship has limits. For example, a wife should treat her husband better than her dog (or at least as well); a husband should show much more attention to his wife than to that pretty young thing at work. The Bible is clear that we must focus on those close to us. Moreover, as much as we want folks to be saved, we are warned about bad relationships. Ephesians 5:11 commands, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Proverbs 22:24 absolutely states, “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man thou shalt not go.” We cannot have a relationship with everybody, and with some we must not have fellowship or friendship.
CONCLUSION – Because we are also limited in our attention spans, it is time to conclude. We are limited, but God is unlimited and offers His full, free, and forever salvation through faith in the finished work of God the Son, Jesus Christ. May each one of us use our limited time, energy, and relationships effectively for our Lord; may we also invest much time and energy in our relationship with Him.