“The Time Has Come – For What’s Coming to You”

Jan.1, 2012 Gal.4:1-7  Play AUDIO (32 kbps mp3)

2012 – THE END, OR A NEW BEGINNING?

•    doomsday predictions questionable
•    what is the Bible’s view of time?

TIME SCRIPTURALLY UNDERSTOOD: CAN WE DISPENSE WITH DISPENSATIONS?

•    ‘dispensations’ related to God’s promises
•    not for us to know exact times / dates
•    but Scripture clearly describes ‘new’ covenant
•    angels long to look into the times / circumstances relating to Christ
•    don’t be preoccupied so as to be irrelevant

THE TIME OF SLAVERY: GUARDED BY BASIC PRINCIPLES

•    law was our guardian to lead us to Christ
•    legalism imprisons in principles of “don’t handle / taste / touch!”
•    only Christianity provides cleansing and power to keep ‘natural law’ / ‘Tao’ (CS Lewis)

THE TIME OF SONSHIP / HEIRDOM

•    Jesus redeems us to receive full rights of sons
•    heirs of eternal life, salvation, righteousness, new creation
•    most special inheritance: Holy Spirit - as promised to Abraham
•    experience of “Abba, Papa”: love poured out in our hearts

REDEEMED FROM LAYAWAY: TIME TO GET OFF THE SHELF

•    department store generosity blossoms at a time of hardship
•    Jesus redeems us from being stuck on the shelf
•    ‘active’ waiting: not just sitting around, but deploying spiritual gifts