The Perils of Postponement We all battle the problem of procrastination. Some things ought to be postponed (not all things are of equal value and urgency)

The Perils of Postponement

• We all battle the problem of procrastination.•Some things ought to

be postponed (not all things are of equal value and urgency).• It is unwise, hurtful,

and even sinful to postpone other things.

Acts 24:24““And after some days,

when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was

Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him

concerning the faith in Christ.”

Felix—(Acts 24:1-27)

Acts 24:25““Now as he reasoned

about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a

convenient time I will call for you.’”

Felix—(Acts 24:1-27)


“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you

do not know what a day may bring

forth.” {Proverbs 27:1}

“Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to such and

such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and

make a profit… {James 4:13}


“Whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a

vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. … {James 4:14}


“Instead you ought to say, if the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that. But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”

{James 4:15,16}


“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and

does not do it, to him it is sin.”

{James 4:17}


Demonstrates:• Arrogance – – “Do not “Do not

boast” (Proverbs 27:1). boast” (Proverbs 27:1). “Now you boast in your “Now you boast in your arrogance” (James 4:15).arrogance” (James 4:15).

• Ignorance – – You do not You do not know (Proverbs 27:1; know (Proverbs 27:1; James 4:14) James 4:14)

• Rebellion – – Is evil, knows Is evil, knows to do good . . . (James to do good . . . (James 4:16,17; 1 Sam 15).4:16,17; 1 Sam 15).

Never Put Off Till Tomorrow What You Ought To Do Today!


• You Lose Today – – Influence Influence on children, loved ones, etc. on children, loved ones, etc. Our own spiritual growth, joy, Our own spiritual growth, joy, peace, etc.)peace, etc.)

• A Hardened Heart – – Building Building bad habits makes us less bad habits makes us less receptive to truthreceptive to truth (Heb. 3:15; 4:7; Matt. 13:13-23)

• Danger of Sudden Death –– (James 4:14; Job 14:1,2; Luke 12:13-21)

• The Lord’s Return (1 Thess. 5:2-4; 2 Pet. 3:10; Rev. 3:3; 16:15)


• Learning the Truth (Eph 5:17; Psa. 119:27; Pr. 23:23)

• Obeying the Gospel (2 Thess. 1:7-9; 2 Cor. 6:2)

• Making Provisions to Grow Spiritually – Bible reading, Bible classes, regular attendance, etc. (2 Pet. 1:5-12; 2:1)

• Talking to Others About the Gospel When Opportunities Come (Acts 8:4; James 4:17)

• Using Opportunities to Edify Others (Heb 3:13; 10:24,25)


Put the Big Rocks in FirstOne day an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high powered overachievers he said, "Okay, time for a quiz." Then he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouthed Mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. Then he produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar. When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, "Is this jar full?..."

Put the Big Rocks in FirstEveryone in the class said, ‘Yes.’ Then he said, ‘Really?’ He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. Then he dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the space between the big rocks. Then he asked the group once more, ‘Is the jar full?’ By this time the class was on to him. ‘Probably not,’ one of them answered. ‘Good!’ he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, ‘Is this jar full?...’

Put the Big Rocks in First‘No!’ the class shouted. Once again he said, ‘Good.’ Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, ‘What is the point of this illustration?’ One eager beaver raised his hand and said, ‘The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!’ ‘No,’ the speaker replied, ‘That's not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in first, you'll never get them in at all…’”

Put the Big Rocks in FirstWhat are the 'big rocks' in your life? Your children; Your loved ones; Your education; Your dreams; A worthy cause; Teaching or mentoring others; Doing things that you love; Time for yourself; Your health; Your significant other? Remember to put these BIG ROCKS in first or you'll never get them in at all. If you sweat the little stuff (the gravel, the sand) then you'll fill your life with little things you worry about that don't really matter, and you'll never have the real quality time you need to spend on the big, important stuff (the big rocks). So, tonight, or in the morning, when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life? Then, put those in your jar first."

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The Perils of Postponement We all battle the problem of procrastination. Some things ought to be postponed (not all things are of equal value and urgency)