James 41316 Taking Life For Granted We are continuing our series on the book of James Tonight we pick up towards the end of James 4 No matter how many times we hear of someones death it never seems to cease to shock us ID: 298415
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Taking Life For Granted
James 4:13-16Slide2
Taking Life For Granted
We are continuing our series on the book of James
Tonight we pick up towards the end of James 4
No matter how many times we hear of someone’s death, it never seems to cease to shock usSlide3
Taking Life For Granted
We know that death is certain, and yet we still seem to think it wil
l not happen to us
It’s as if we think we can predict that time when our life will come to a close
Perhaps it’s also because we often take life for grantedSlide4
Taking Life For Granted
So James addresses this here in chapter 4
We often quote verse 14 and speak of life as a vapor
Does it have true meaning to us?
There are some unmistakable lessons that James wants us to learn here as it pertains to lifeSlide5
Taking Life For Granted
1. Presumption with God is not good
We often play the game of presuming some things to be true
in life
Sometimes it works out, other times it does not
However, most of the time if we are wrong, it’s not that big of a dealSlide6
Taking Life For Granted
1. Presumption with God is not good
That’s not always the case with God
That’s why it’s important to seek His counsel
Psalm 19:13 – “Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins”
Their plans in James 4 were presumptuous plansSlide7
Taking Life For Granted
2. Never take God’s blessings for granted
Part of the idea of presumption is assuming something that may not be true
Too often we count on things that we may currently have as though they will always be around
We often times do that with God’s blessings, especially lifeSlide8
Taking Life For Granted
2. Never take God’s blessings for granted
Many have learned just how precious life is
Jacob was thankful when he saw his son Joseph again, as well as Joseph’s offspring (Gen. 48:11)
James wants us to appreciate how precious life isSlide9
Taking Life For Granted
3. Our plans should include God
James is not saying that we should not make future plans (v. 13)
What James is saying is that we need to recognize the sustaining power of God (v. 15)
Are our plans according to God’s will?Slide10
Taking Life For Granted
3. Our plans should include God
Rich Fool – Luke 12:13-21
Jeremiah 10:23 – We need the Lord to help direct our steps!
Psalm 37:23 – “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord”
Hebrews 6:3 – “…if God permits” Slide11
Taking Life For Granted
4. Life has no guarantee
God never promises us another day
James here says that life is like a vapor
We do not know when that vapor will disappear
That is why Christ urged us not to worry about tomorrow (Matt. 6:34)Slide12
Taking Life For Granted
4. Life has no guarantee
Proverbs 27:1 – “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth”
Peter said that since we know one day things will come to an end, “what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness” (II Pet. 3:10-12)