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Scripture Reading: James 4:13-17

"What is Your Life?"

(James 4:13-17)

-Part 1-

Intro.

1. It usually takes a tragedy or death to get most people to think seriously about life and death, Eccl. 7:2-4.

2. We are immortal, made in God’s image, Gen. 1:26-27; 2:7 (Eccl. 12:7).

a. We must live for more than this physical life.

b. The way we live our mortal lives affects our immortality, Gal. 6:7-9.

3. Contrast mortal (temporary) life with immortality (never-ending):

Psa. 90:10-12; 89:47; 78:39; 2 Cor. 4:16-5:1

Mortal

Immortal

Temporary

Forever

Uncertain

Certain

Changes

Unchanging

Accountable

Outcome

4. What we value most defines our treasure and where we store it. What we treasure defines us and shapes our eternity, Matt. 6:19-21; 16:26.

5. How we view life and death shapes who we are, James 4:13-17.

I. WHAT IS YOUR LIFE? (Jas. 4:14)

A. Your Life on Earth is a Gift from God, Isa. 42:5 (Acts 17:25).

B. Your Life on Earth is a Vapor, Jas. 4:14.

1. I need to “know my end” (v. 4), since life (getting to the end) is brief and uncertain, Psa. 39:4-6.

2. We are “frail” (v. 4) – Not nearly as strong as we think we are!

C. We Show What We Think of Life by How and for What We Live:

1. For some, life is all about the money and the moment, Lk. 12:13-21. They look at the here and now: Vanity, Eccl. 1:2, 8.

2. For some, life is all about heaven and eternity, Heb. 11:13-16; 12:1-2. They trust God’s promises and live for heaven: Faith.

D. When We Try to Live for Both Earth and Heaven, We Insure Our Failure, Matt. 6:24 (16:26).

________

-Part 2-

(Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1)

II. WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR LIFE? Jas. 4:13-14

A. We Should Plan to Depend on God and Not on Ourselves, 4:13.

-Because we do not know tomorrow, and because God knows the end from the beginning, Prov. 27:1; Isa. 42:9; 46:10.

B. We Should Plan to Use Our Physical Life to Advance Spiritual Life, and Execute the Plan, Rom. 6:12-14; Phil. 1:19-22.

1. Use your health to advance godliness, 1 Tim. 4:7-8.

2. Use wealth to do good works generously, 1 Tim. 6:17.

3. Use your time as opportunities to serve God, Eph. 5:15-16.

III. HOW ARE YOU ACHIEVING YOUR PLANS FOR YOUR LIFE?

A. Seek and Do the Lord’s Will in Every Endeavor, 4:15 (Col. 3:17). (Business, education, relationships, etc.)

1. Starts by loving God with all your life, Matt. 22:37-38.

2. Continues by loving your neighbor as yourself, Matt. 22:39-40.

3. See the contrast that brings heartache / destruction, Jas. 4:1-3.

B. Humility of Heart and Conduct in Everything, 4:16.

1. Warning against pride in our own self-confidence:

a. Wisdom and knowledge, 1 Cor. 3:18; 8:2. (Acts 17:11)

b. Ability and power, Jno. 19:10-11 (Power belongs to Jesus, Matt. 28:18).

C. Do the Good Things We Know God Approves, 4:17; Micah 6:8 (Eph. 2:10; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Moral, righteous (Tit. 2:12).

1. Do justly: Just treatment of others, justice, honesty and fairness (Matt. 7:12).

2. Love mercy: Kindness (beauty) toward others, Hosea 6:6.

3. Walk humbly with God: Reverent obedience, Deut. 10:12-13.

Conclusion

1. Love life, good days that prepare us for eternity, 1 Pet. 3:10-12.

2. This is what life is all about! Eccl. 12:13-14

By: Joe R. Price

Posted: October 31, 2018