Roseavenue.org

 

Sunday, May 29, 2011 pm            Index of Songs

SERMONS IN SONG
TIME ENOUGH YET, #632

Tonight we want to examine the words of another song we sing from time to time.  Tonight we want to examine one of the songs we sing as an invitation – Time enough yet.

 This song was written by Tillit S. Teddlie.  He was born in 1885 in Swan, Texas and lived until 1987 when he died at the age of 102.  Teddlie was gospel preacher and a talented song writer.  He preached mostly in Texas.  He was baptized in 1903.  For 61 years he taught singing schools.  During his life he composed about 130 hymns and published 14 song books.   Many of his songs were about serving God.  His songs include: IN the service of my King, “The Lord’s Supper”, Singing Redemption’s Song, Worthy are Thou, Heaven holds all to me, What will your answer be?, Into our hands the gospel is given (composer) & True Worship, etc. Of interest is that he did not copyright this song.  He wanted it to be available freely and without any restrictions.  Such is the footnote in our songbook. 

 This song is the story of a call to obedience.  Teddlie often wrote such songs.  In fact, his first hymn was about an infidel who was dying.  It was entitled, “I have waited too long to prepare.” (1906).  The song we are discussing today describes one, or sadly far too many, who faced with the need to obey the gospel or to be restored to God find excuses to put it off.  It is designed to compel us to realize that our opportunities to submit to Him in obedience are limited.   As with all songs we sing, it must portray a message true to God’s word.  Let us examine its wording so that me might be able to “teach and admonish one another” with it (Col. 3:16) and so that we might “sing with the spirit and sing with the understanding.” (1 Cor. 14:15)

 I.                    Vs. 1 – O Soul of mine, be not alarmed…

a.        This verse sets the theme for the story it tells. 

b.       There is acknowledgment that the Lord warns us to be prepared.  We are continually told that the Lord is returning at a time when we do not know – 1 Thess. 5:1-2 – He will come as a thief in the night.
Matt. 24:42-44 – there is debate as to whether or not this text has reference to the destruction of Jerusalem or the second coming.  We know that substantial portions of this chapter are dealing with Jerusalem’s fall in AD 70 (24:1-3).  BOTH would apply.  Jesus said, “Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming…therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
Acts 17:30-31 warns us that God has prepared a day.  Romans 14:9-12 tells us that on that day we shall all give an accounting.

c.        Some future time, when I am old… - perhaps the best Biblical example of this is Felix who in Acts 24:25 trembled at the message of judgment to come (and righteousness & self-control) but told Paul, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

 

II.                  First Chorus – time enough yet.  The attitude that I have plenty of time.

a.        This song clearly describes someone who has heard the truth.  He knows what he needs to do but he is not willing right now to make that change in his life.  In fact, every verse shows one who has heard the truth and the warnings.
Like those in the days of Noah – Matt. 24:36-39 – they were eating and drinking and living life.  For 120 years Noah had been preaching the coming destruction (2 Pet. 2:5, cf. Gen. 6:3) and building an ark.  I can imagine the mockery of his building this huge boat and disregard for his warnings.  Did these people know of God? I am sure many of them did, but “for now” they chose to disregard their need for obedience.   That is the attitude we find in this song!

b.       Time enough yet – an attitude that we have plenty of time.  But do we?
Today is the day of salvation – Hebrews 3:12-15, 2 Cor. 6:1-2. Rom. 13:11 – now it is high time to awake.
Do not cast away your confidence which has great reward – Heb. 10:35

 

III.                Vs. 2 – I’m strong enough, I need no help. 

a.        Describes one who wants to enjoy the pleasures of this world and then later obey –
2 Timothy 3:1-5 describes the attitude of so many in this world.  Far too many are lovers of pleasure and the things of this world.  Phil. 3:18-19 speaks of the many who walk who are enemies of the cross of Christ, “whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things.”

b.       Quite often those who are young are not thinking about life beyond this world.  They see great strength and think they have plenty of time.  But life is uncertain – heed the warning of Solomon – Eccl. 12:1 – Remember God in your youth.

c.        But such attitudes are not limited to the young.  At any time in life, one can find an excuse to put off obedience to God.  Anyone who intends to LATER submit to God is saying as this song, “I don’t need God!”

d.       The sad reality is that those who put off obedience, usually do not respond later in life.  Either they drift away from Him so far that they cannot reach Him or life’s unexpected turns prevents it from happening.

e.       We often hear about “death bed confession.”  While I cannot speak for God (especially as we consider His goodness, grace and mercy), I truly wonder how He will respond to one whose has lived all his life in knowing rebellion who at the last minute begs forgiveness.  I would not want to stake eternity on that!

 

IV.                Vs. 3 – God’s word warns us of sin. 

a.        Describes one who knows the truth and is even compelled by it.   It bothers him that he is not ready but he keeps making excuses to put it off “for a more convenient season” (cf. Again, Felix)

b.       The word of God is powerful and capable of pricking the heart.  God placed within its pages sufficient warnings to move us – 1 Thess. 2:13, it works effectively within you, 1 Thess. 1:5.
 2 Tim. 3:16-17 – it can make us complete,
 Jas. 1:21 – the implanted word is able to save your soul, also vs.25
Because they have heard, they have no excuse –John 15:22, Rom. 1:20

c.        Ere I go in sin too far, I’ll turn and Him obey – do we ever find ourselves rationalizing that we will commit this sin “just one more time” and the quit it?  Often, that is descriptive of the one who has some addiction or is just plain worldly and thinks he can handle sin right now.
Sin is described as dangerous in James 1:13-15 where temptations lead to sin. 
Romans 6:23 tells us that the wages of sin is death.
Galatians 6:7-8 warns us that we will reap whatever we sow.
You may think you can handle sin, but know assuredly that as long as you think that way, Satan has you right where he wants you!

 

 V.                  Vs. 4 – Today may be your last. 

a.        We do not know how much time we have to make ourselves right with Him.  But if we put off obedience too long, it will be too late.
Heb. 9:27 – it is appointed for men to die once…
James 4:14 describes our life as a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
1 John 2:17 tells us that the world is passing away.

b.       This song is a song of exhortation because it exposes faulty reasoning that is spiritually deadly.  But it also properly warns us that we ought not put off obedience to the truth.  Such is a dangerous thing.
You do NOT want to stand before God unprepared

 

VI.                Second Chorus - Lost, lost, O what a cry, from souls along the shore.

a.        O what tragedy it will be to stand before God eternally condemned - Matthew 16:26

b.       Lost forever more – Matt. 25:46 – everlasting punishment
Rev. 20:10 describes the place where the devil will be tormented day and night forever.   This is also the place where anyone not found in the book of life would be cast (Rev. 20:14-15, 21:8, Matt. 25:41)

There is still time – you are here and the Lord has not yet returned.  But are you ready?  If now, why not respond while you have opportunity?  And for those of us who have responded, let us insure that we too are prepared as we ought to be, AND seek to warn others so that they might spend eternity with us in heaven.  May that be our priority in this life.