James 4:13-16 | REMINDERS ABOUT YOUR LIFE

He is looking to take away your hobbies and the things you enjoy, God created you with a desire for those things, but He wants you to view them through the lens of using them as a tool to show others Christ.

He wants to be in every part of your life!

But there’s one problem… Your pride and my pride desires to take control of our life and not only not make God our life… but we want to dictate the plans and direction of our life!

James 4:16 KJV 1900

16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

And when we take the control of our life, God says your are living from your pride and that is evil!

And I don’t want God to deem anything that I do in my life as evil.

So how do we keep from taking control of our life?

How can we keep God in the proper place and realize our life is not a billboard to show off who I am… but rather a conduit through which Christ can flow out of my life?

James through the inspiration and power of God, penned for us some reminders that will help us to intentionally focus our lives where it should be.

Not on ourselves and promoting ourselves… but on Christ and making Him known.

ILLUSTRATION: John the Baptist knew a thing or two about this very thing.

In John 3, Jesus was preaching and his disciples were baptizing in Judea.

A couple of John’s disciples came to him because they had a problem with this other guy named Jesus Who was stealing John’s thunder.

John 3:26–30 KJV 1900

26 And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him. 27 John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. 28 Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him. 29 He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

I love this… John was telling his disciples, I’m not the main attraction… I’m just the preview for the main show: Jesus.

And I love how he wrapped it up into one verse… “He must increase, but I must decrease.”

John knew that for Jesus to truly be the main focus of his life that others would see, it would have to be less about John and more about Jesus.

APPLICATION: Friend, that is what James is teaching us here today.

What is your life?

In our pride we want to make it all about us and what we want.

But that way of thinking and living is evil according to God’s Word!

No, He must increase, but I must decrease!

That means in every area of our life, we shouldn’t be asking what makes me happy and what do I enjoy…

We must ask what makes God happy, and what brings Him glory!

Because after all, that is the purpose of our lives!

So James gives us these simple reminders to help keep our focus where it should be… He must increase, but I must decrease!

V.14a, REMEMBER GOD KNOWS TOMORROW

James 4:14 KJV 1900

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

EXPLANATION: James’s point is clear… you don’t know what tomorrow holds!

But the implication that he is making is that there is Someone Who does!

ILLUSTRATION: There have been movies made speculating on what it would be like to be able to be in multiple places at once.

It would be so helpful if I could be taking care of the kids and working and taking a nap all at the same time.

Sometimes I feel like Tressa is able to be in multiple places at once with all she is able to do...

But what Hollywood can’t even fathom is what God’s Omnipresence really means.

APPLICATION: When we think of the Omnipresence of God, we usually think of it solely in the realm of spatially at this moment.

But it goes beyond that.

God in his Omnipresence is so much bigger than what we think.

We think of everything on a linear timeline, but God is outside of time.

He is in every moment that ever will be right now.

You’ve probably heard someone say, “He’s already in your tomorrow”… But have you thought of the ramifications of that statement.

He’s already in your tomorrow because He’s already in every moment of your and my linear life.

And because He is already there, He knows!

ILLUSTRATION: That’s why when Moses was speaking to God in that burning bush in Exodus 3, and Moses asked in Exodus 3:13-14

Exodus 3:13–14 KJV 1900

13 And Moses said unto God, Behold, when I come unto the children of Israel, and shall say unto them, The God of your fathers hath sent me unto you; and they shall say to me, What is his name? what shall I say unto them? 14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

God, the One Who not only always has been… not only always will be… but is already in every moment!

ILLUSTRATION: In John 8, Jesus was being confronted by the Jew about exactly Who He was.

And as they unsuccessfully tried to trip Him up with their religious questions, Jesus made clear Who He was: John 8:56-59

John 8:56–59 KJV 1900

56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

When Jesus said those words in v.58, the Jews knew exactly Who Jesus was saying He was.

He is the every present in every moment, always and forever, Great I AM!

Hebrews 13:8 KJV 1900

8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

He is the same in every moment of our linear timeline of life, because He is present in every moment!

APPLICATION: Friend, you can choose to trust your unknown future to an all knowing God!

There is so much comfort in knowing that in the midst of so much uncertainty in our world, God already knows what tomorrow holds!

You and I don’t know what tomorrow holds! Proverbs 27:1

Proverbs 27:1 KJV 1900

1 Boast not thyself of to morrow; For thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

“I don’t know how that situation is going to work out.”

“I don’t know how everything is going to work out with my health.”

“I can’t see how this terrible time we are going through could ever work out for my growth and God’s glory.”

But LET GOD BE GOD… You may not know how it’s all going to work out… but He knows!

Proverbs 3:5–6 KJV 1900

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

As James says, “You don’t know what will be tomorrow… But God does!”

So why wouldn’t we choose to depend on the God that’s already in our future, rather than simply relying on ourselves?

As Christians we are good at trusting God with our eternal life… But we really struggle with trusting God with our earthly life!

Remember, God Knows Tomorrow

V.14b, REMEMBER LIFE IS FLEETING

James 4:14 KJV 1900

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

EXPLANATION: When James wrote those words in his letter, he was likely picturing the breath that could be seen on a cold morning there in Israel.

ILLUSTRATION: Here in Montana we are all too familiar of what it looks like when your warm breath hits the cold air.

I hate the cold.

I heard one guy say that he was going to attach a snow shovel to the front of his vehicle and start driving south and he wouldn’t stop until he got to a place where someone asked him what “that” was.

For me, it’s not so much the snow, as it’s just the absolute cold.

I’m a complete weenie when it comes to the cold.

More days than not during the year out here, the air is cool enough to see your breath!

We know exactly what it was that James was talking about… more than someone from, say, Florida!

APPLICATION: The thing about a vapor is exactly what James says… It appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

It’s amazing how quickly life flies by isn’t it?

I can remember being in school and thinking I’d never get out.

Thinking I can’t wait to get married

I can’t wait to have kids

I can’t wait to get out of the “baby stage”

It can be so easy to wish life away!

There have been so many stages of life that seem like they are going so slow in the moment, but when you look back it’s seems like just a blink of an eye… a vapor!

Psalm 90:9–10 KJV 1900

9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: We spend our years as a tale that is told. 10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; And if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, Yet is their strength labour and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

According to God’s Word, 70 years is considered the span of a life… and some may even make it to 80 years!

That means, according to the metrics of God’s Word, if you have had your 35th birthday, you could be halfway past what the Bible considers a full life.

And if you have made it over the hill to 40, you are halfway past what is considered a long life.

But here is the key… Life is not lived in length… it’s lived in depth.

And the depth is determined by what you have given your life to.

ILLUSTRATION: The Gospel of Luke gives a story of a man who learned the hard way that life is a vapor.

Luke 12:15–20 KJV 1900

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. 16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

Here is something we don’t often realize from this story… the Bible doesn’t say that this man went to hell

It doesn’t say that he was an unsaved man.

In all my years, I just assumed this man was lost because he was foolish because he lived his life for things that didn’t last.

But the Bible never even hints at where he spent eternity.

It’s very possible that this man was a Christian and he went to heaven!

He had built wealth and had been profitable.

His profitability led him to his desire to expand his wealth.

But his life came to an end and God calls him a fool.

Not because he was a lost man… but because he had used up all of his “vapor” on things that didn’t matter in eternity!

APPLICATION: Friend this life is fleeting!

And so many are living their lives for things that aren’t going to matter in eternity!

If God has blessed you with success in the business world… remember the purpose of your life and use what He has given you to bring Him glory!

Luke 12:15 KJV 1900

15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Matthew 6:19–21 KJV 1900

19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:33 KJV 1900

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Live your life for those things that matter for eternity!

One of the saddest realities is that for the majority of believers, one day you will get to heaven and see the golden street, the gates of pearl, the walls of precious stones, and the face of you Savior… and you won’t have anyone there that you brought with you!

Because most believers are too busy building their kingdoms on this earth to spend any time thinking of who they can bring with them to eternity in heaven!

There should have a sense of urgency!

If you have never accepted Christ as your Savior there should be an urgency to accept Him today!

2 Corinthians 6:2 KJV 1900

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.)

Friend your life is a vapor! You have no promise of tomorrow!

To believe you have tomorrow is to boast and all such rejoicing is evil!

GET IT SETTLED TODAY!

If you have accepted Christ… where is your urgency to see others come to Christ.

We are like that unmixed chocolate milk… our Christian life and our daily life never mix… and no one ever sees Jesus in our life!

ILLUSTRATION: It was in the late 1800’s that Charles would come to faith in Christ at the age of 16.

He was an incredible athlete and if it weren’t for the sport that he played, the world would recognize him to this day.

Charles was one of the world’s greatest cricketeers.

Not only that, but he came from a family of wealth.

He had the opportunity for a luxurious life with all the fame that came with being a world renowned cricketeer.

But rather than follow the path of ease, he gave his life to God.

Most of his fortune, he gave away, and he gave his life on the mission field until he died in China at the age of 70.

Charles, better known as CT Studd, had gotten saved and made the decision to serve God, rather than the world.

CT Studd’s life and ambition could be summed up in a poem he had penned.

Many people know a small phrase from the poem, but it is the poem as a whole that truly reveals what is looks like to serve God rather than the world!

Two little lines I heard one day, Traveling along life’s busy way; Bringing conviction to my heart, And from my mind would not depart; Only one life, twill soon be past,

Only what’s done for Christ will last. Only one life, yes only one, Soon will its fleeting hours be done; Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet, And stand before His Judgement seat; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, the still small voice, Gently pleads for a better choice Bidding me selfish aims to leave, And to God’s holy will to cleave; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years, Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears; Each with its clays I must fulfill, living for self or in His will; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore, When Satan would a victory score; When self would seek to have its way, Then help me Lord with joy to say; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Give me Father, a purpose deep, In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep; Faithful and true what e’er the strife, Pleasing Thee in my daily life; Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Oh let my love with fervor burn, And from the world now let me turn; Living for Thee, and Thee alone, Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne; Only one life, “twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, yes only one, Now let me say,”Thy will be done”; And when at last I’ll hear the call, I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”; Only one life,’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last. And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be, If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee

Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last.

APPLICATION: What are you living your life for?

Your life is fleeting… it’s only a vapor!

Are you using it for something that will make an impact for eternity?

Or are you simply building your kingdom?

Are you spending all your time investing in things that may be good… but aren’t eternal?

One day your soul will be required… and on that day you will find, only what you did for Christ will last!

Remember, God Knows Tomorrow, Your Life is Fleeting

V.15, REMEMBER GOD DEMANDS PREEMINENCE

James 4:15 KJV 1900

15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

EXPLANATION: James returns to the place we began… in everything, it’s all about God.

James isn’t saying here that before we say anything, we must always preface it with “Lord willing”

God isn’t looking for vain repetition in acknowledging Him any more than He is looking for vain repetition in our prayers.

No, He is once again emphasizing the point from last weeks message, in every moment and decision of our lives, God should saturate it!

He doesn’t just want to be a consideration in our life… He want’s to be in control of every aspect of our lives!

APPLICATION: And why wouldn’t we want Him to be?

After all, He’s already in your tomorrow.

Isaiah 45:2 KJV 1900

2 I will go before thee, And make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, And cut in sunder the bars of iron:

Isaiah 43:2 KJV 1900

2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: When thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; Neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Psalm 23:1–4 KJV 1900

1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

God is never out of control… we just have to decide if we are going to submit to His control!

Because on the polar opposite of our pride is surrender and submission to God!

CONCLUSION

APPLICATION: Friend do you want to know how you can answer the question we posed last time, “What is your life?” and not respond in pride, “It’s mine.”

Remember, God already knows… You can trust Him

Remember, Your life if fleeting… so live for something that will last

Remember, God demands preeminence… It’s more than just words, it’s surrender.

Let’s purpose today to intentionally decrease, that He might increase!

Because when you live your life surrendered to the perfect plan of God, you will live for something the will matter in eternity.

“You ought to use your life, so the use of your life, outlives your life.”

What is your life?

I hope it’s daily given to the One Who knows tomorrow and will use it for something that will outlive your life!

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