Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, May 04, 2003, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia. For more outlines, including a zipped file of all of my 1999, 2000, and 2001 sermon outlines, click on the link at the bottom of this note, and go to our website:

TODAY, NOT SOMEDAY

By Michael D. O'Neal              Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church              Albany, Georgia

Scripture Reading: Genesis 21:25-32

Text: Genesis 21:26

Genesis 21:26 And Abimelech said, I wot not who hath done this thing: neither didst thou tell me, neither yet heard I of it, but to day.

Introduction: Today is actually two words, "to day," in our Bible. Our text is the first occurrence of the expression in scripture. I want to bring you a message this morning called, "Today, Not Someday."

The main reason that many of our goals are not achieved is that they are not begun or worked on TODAY.

The procrastinator's motto: Never do today what you can put off until tomorrow.

Here are some things that you had better NOT put off until someday, but do TODAY:

I. BE SAVED TODAY, NOT SOMEDAY

2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)

Trust Christ TODAY:

A. Because of the shortness of life

B. Because of the suddenness of death

C. Because of the sentence upon you NOW - John 3:18

D. Because of the sorrows of hell

Man in service who died jumping from ship to the dock. He had fought my witness the whole time I was on ship. Agrippa - "almost" - Acts 26:28 Felix - "when I have a convenient season" - Acts 24:25 NEGLECT is the shortest road to hell.

II. SERVE GOD TODAY

Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

If you DON'T serve Him today

A. Today you are out of the will of God

B. Today you are out of the work of God

Baptism, church membership, teaching, working on a bus route, faithful attendance, tithing, participating

III. SEEK THE LORD TODAY

Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

A. Seek Him today privately

B. Seek Him today prayerfully

IV. STUDY THE SCRIPTURES TODAY

1 Kings 22:5 And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.

A. You need strength today - Acts 20:32

B. You need sanctification today - John 17:17

V. STRENGTHEN YOUR BROTHER TODAY

Hebrews 3:13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

A. Before he gets hardened

B. Before he gets hurt

VI. BE A SOUL-WINNER TODAY

1 Chronicles 16:23 Sing unto the LORD, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation.

Matthew 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

A. Because of personal responsibility

B. Because of painful regrets later

VII. SUBMIT TO THE LORD TODAY

Psalms 95:7-8 For he is our God; and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. To day if ye will hear his voice, 8 Harden not your heart, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness:

Every day's delay

A. Is disobedience

B. Is destructive

Conclusion:

Exodus 32:29 For Moses had said, Consecrate yourselves to day to the LORD, even every man upon his son, and upon his brother; that he may bestow upon you a blessing this day.
SOMEDAY

(Author Unknown - Taken from "Don't Look Now, But Your Attitude Is Showing," by Raymond Barber, Sword of the Lord, p. 127)

Someday -- I'm going down the street
And sit and chat with one whose feet
Have had to pause and rest awhile
Before they travel that last mile:
Well -- someday.

Someday -- a cake or pie I'll bake,
And with a cheery smile, I'll take
It to a home where there is need
Just folks of quite a different creed:
Well -- someday.

Someday -- a letter I will send
To that distant, lonely friend;
I'll tell her every little thing
That will joy and comfort bring;
Well -- someday.

Someday -- a quiet place I'll seek
Where I can hear my Father speak,
Where I can listen undisturbed
To His precious, guiding Word;
Well -- someday.

Someday -- I'll surely take the time
To tell some soul of love divine,
Of salvation full and free
Meant for them as well as me;
Well -- someday.

Someday -- I said it long ago.
The days slip by, and well I know
"Someday" will never come until
Today bends to my Father's will.
Why not today?


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