"Lord Willing"
James • Sermon • Submitted
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· 4 viewsWe must understand the priority of God's sovereignty in daily life.
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Introduction: Ant Man 2 - at the end they are planning to use the quantum realm to their advantage as ant man shrinks down to a sub-molecular size. Then te unthinkable happens: Thanos snaps his fingers and 50% of all human life evaporates leaving Scott lang trapped in the quantum realm. They never could have known that this would happen.
Similarly, we have no clue what could happen tomorrow; for the good or for the bad. So, James reminds us in this section of scripture to not put our faith in the promise of tomorrow, but instead put our faith in the Lord who holds tomorrow and governs the events of tomorrow.
Some may have a tendency to take great pride in their plans - talk about what is going to happen and when it is going to happen. I can be this way. Some can become arrogant in their own planning of the future. James calls us to be careful in this arena and encourages us to learn a pattern of submission when it comes to the future - “Lord Willing.”
This has become one of those baptist phrases, but it comes from a right understanding of this verse and it is a good saying.
Main Idea: I must consider what God wants and not take pride in what I want.
A word to dreamers and planners: No one really knows what tomorrow may hold. (v.13)
Do not place your trust in tomorrow
There is a live in the moment idea here
There is also a plan for the future idea, but it is dependent of God’s plans, not our own.
Ill: Some people plan out their lives in years married by __, kids during __, this is cute, but not realistic.
A word to the living: Your life is a mist. (v.14)
Your life in God’s timeline is like a vapor.
You last about as long as vape smoke
We must operate with a sense of urgency: don’t wait.
We must operate with a sense of trust: God gives and takes away.
A word to the submissive: You must live according to the plan of God. (v.15)
Lord willing
Are you thinking about the Lord’s will as you plan your life?
A word to the arrogant: Your boasting is evil. (v.16)
You ever meet the kids who brag about what they are going to get for their birthday or Christmas? It’s like: “how do you know?”
We don’t want to be that guy! Do not boast about your future job, car, spouse, degree, grade, friends, etc… even your talents are temporal.
A word to sinners: You are accountable for your understanding and calling. (v.17)
What we don’t do is just as dangerous as what we do
We must confess for our lack of action and response
God expects us to respond to what we know.
God expects us to respond to how he leads.
We are accountable for these things.
As we consider the future we must understand that no one’s future is secure apart from the saving work of Jesus - you must trust Christ for your eternal security as well.