Out of Time
Preached on March 6th, 2005 at 11:00AM by Pastor Brian Greene - 00:31:06
Part of the "People of John" series
Listen to the sermon: Out of Time
John 9:1-4 (New Living Translation):
As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. (2) “Teacher,” his disciples asked him, “Why was this man born blind? Was it a result of his own sins or those of his parents?” (3) “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “He was born blind so the power of God could be seen in him. (4) All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned to us by the one who sent me, because there is little TIME left before night falls and all work comes to an end.
Luke 19:41 - 44 (NKJV)
Now as Jesus drew near, He saw the city of Jerusalem, and wept over it. (42) Saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in YOUR DAY, the things that make for YOUR peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. (43) For the days will come upon you when your enemies will…surround you and close you in on every side… (44) Because you did not know (recognize) THE TIME of your visitation.”
There are four things to consider as you continue to read John 9 in its entirety:
- There will always be people like Jesus who are Helpers of Sight. (John 9:1-7)
- There will always be people like the blind man who are Hungry for Sight. They are willing to take part in their own healing by going! (John 9:7; 24-38)
- There are places (such as the Pool of Siloam) which God has designated as Habitations for Sight. Go where God sends you! (John 9:7)
- There will always be people like the Pharisees who will be Hinderers (refusers) of Sight. (John 9:13-27; 40, 41)
It seems like the most important ingredient in these two Scriptures was not healing or help (visitation). The most important ingredient was the recognition of time.
On Time
The Greek language has two words for our English word “time.”
One is “chronos,” from which we derive our English word “chronology” or “chronicles.” This word defines clock time, seconds, minutes, hours, dates. Today is March 6th, this is Chronos Time.
But Christ was not talking about literal time. He was talking about “kairos” time. Our English dictionary describes it as, “A period designated (designed) for a given activity.” We call it “Our Moment.” (see Hebrews 11:15 which translates this word as “opportunity.”)
The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament states, “It is a decisive point or moment with the stress on the fact that it is divinely ordained (God ordered). With this moment comes positive, neutral (which means things just stay the same), or negative implications. The positive “kairos” called FORTUNE (as in being fortunate) is not Fate or Luck. It is a chance that must be boldly grabbed!
Two people had their moment in the Scripture. One seized it, the other wasted it! The blind man received the healing of his physical and spiritual sight. The Pharisees (whose very name has the word “see” in it) received nothing. However, receiving nothing cost them not simply the loss of opportunities, but also their very lives.
This is our moment (kairos) during this Consecration! It is the time of the Lord’s visitation (help, support, aid). For some of us, this is our pool of Siloam! Night time (darkness, lack of vision) will come after this season. If we wait too long, it will be too late. And by that time, nothing will work for us. We are running out of time! For God’s clock is ticking!
Application
What have you been putting off doing? Is there something that God seems to be indicating to you that if you do it now, He will provide His grace (favor, support, aid) to help you? Try it today! Start looking for a home. Apply for a new job. Purchase business cards for your new business. Begin putting away money for the book you’re going to write. Send away for college applications. Join a new ministry in your local church. Join the church you’ve been visiting. Ask God for the first time in your life, “What did You create me to do?” You’ll be amazed at the timing (kairos) of God to assist you.
