What Does A Man's Life Consist?

Introduction:

As we enter into a New Year, we once again are confronted with a specific moment in time that is precious. I am reminded of the Lord’s words to the children of Israel in Exodus chapter 12.

Exodus 12:2 “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.”

That month was a beginning of months for them. It was a reminder of their Salvation, their birth as a nation, their freedom that God had provided.

Likewise for you and I, this is a special to of refreshing.

It is a time of reflection.

It is a time of reconsideration.

It is a time of restoration.

It is a time of readiness.

We look back and reflect on what has taken place and what has not taken place.

We reconsider all that was in this past year.

During this time we often take a breath and relax. It is a time for restoration.

For some that means a restoration of Bible reading.

For some that means a restoration of prayer.

For some a restoration of family time. Perhaps some it may be a restoration of friendships.

But then we inevitable we look forward and ready ourselves for what lies ahead while we look and wait for the Lord’s glorious return.

For me while I look at what was accomplished, I can rejoice in what the Lord has done… but then I also am mourn at my own selfishness and missed opportunities.

We are confronted in this passage with a phrase that commands our attention. It is a phrase that is then explained by a parable.

Let us read together here is Luke chapter 12 in verse 13.

Luke 12:13-21

Let’s pray.

Notice with me in verse 15 the negative statement the Lord declares concerning a man’s life which begs the question, For what does a man’s life consist?

Luke 12:15 “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.”

In verse 15, the Lord tells us what a man’s life does not consist of— if that is all that we had recorded we would be left with only half the story.

But the -parable that follows shows what man’s life does consist of.

“A man’s life is not in things at all, but in God, just as there is no life in the chaff, so there is no true life in the things of the world.”

James Smith and Robert Lee, Handfuls on Purpose for Christian Workers and Bible Students, Series I–XIII, five-volume edition., vol. 5 (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1971), 260.

The Laodiceans were rich in the goods of the world, and yet according the Lord they poor, wretched and miserable.

But then what does our life consist of?

I would submit to you, that truly our lives consist of the choices that we make.

I. Consider Your Choices

In this new year, I want to make all my decisions according to God's plan for my life.

It is this idea of truly walking circumspectly.

To do so I believe first:

A. We Should Consider the Past.

We do not live in the past, but we should consider the past.

Paul expressing this very principle Philippians 3:13-14 “13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended[Paul had to look at the past and consider the present to make this determination]: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The instruction of the past if used rightly is most worthy to instruct us for the future.

The Bible tells us in the book of Romans 5:3-4 that “we glory in tribulations [also]: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, [notice the word] experience [experience is that which we have already done]; and experience, hope:”

I can give you several biblical examples.

Joshua entering into the promised land was instructed by God to set up two sets of memorial stones in Joshua chapter 4.

In verse 21 of that chapter 4 it is said that the people will ask, What mean these stones?.

And in summary verse 24 states, “That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the LORD, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the LORD your God for ever.”

Those stones were to remind the people of their dependence upon God.

They were to remind the people of how God had brought them through.

They were to show the people that with God, what was impossible, became possible.

Secondly, we think about the ordinance of baptism and that of the Lord’s supper. Why are these so important?

Both are commanded by God for the purpose of our remembrance.

In the ordinance of baptism, we are reminded that we have given our life to God. We are reminded that the old man is buried with Him in baptism unto death.

We are reminded that we have been raised up not to continue in sin and death, but to walk in newness of life.

We are reminded that we are part of the family of God.

All Christians since the time of Christ, are commanded to take part in this identification with Christ.

In the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded of our wonderful Savior. We are reminded of His death, burial and resurrection. But further we are reminded of His return…you see the Scriptures tell us that “as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.” …

They cause us to look into the past and remember, But God….

Not only do we consider this past year. But:

B. We Should Consider the Present.

As look look at each other this evening, we realize we are still here.

And what matters most is not what James Grandinetti designs or wants, but what the Lord would have me to do.

When I consider present, I measure my life not against others, but I look to the Lord.

So many get caught up with the comparison game. And because of this, they make themselves complacent.

It easy to find a Christian not serving the Lord.

It easy to identify a Christian who does not live in fellowship with the Lord.

It is easy to elevate oneself against the failures of another.

But the Bible tells us that we should not “compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (II Corinthians 10:12)

The Bible goes on to say in II Corinthians 10:13“But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, …”

In other words, the measure is that which God has given to us, not man. That measure is the grace which He has bestowed upon us. That measure is the life of Christ.

Not only should consider the past and the present, but:

C. We Should Consider the Future.

Our lives are not gauged by the world’s standards.

As a Christian, our lives should not built around fame, fortune, or a quest for worldly authority— or might I even say “church authority…”

Our lives our concerned with His commands. What choices would my Master have me make? That leads us to the Parable the Lord gave to explain this to us.

For this we secondly:

II. Consider The Consequences

In verse number 16 the Lord Jesus Christ describes to us:

A. The Advance From God v16

The Bible tells us in verse 16, “The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully,…”

This deals with an individual. It is foundational for you and me to understand this night that God deals with us. He accounts of us individually.

And here we see the advance from God. We notice that it is thr ground the Bible says, brought forth plentifully.

This man perhaps sowed the seed, he watered, but in spite of those things the germ of life within that seed grows according to God’s doing… for that matter the ground exists because God made it, the seed exists because God made it, the water exists because God made… the very laws that exist that we count on and look to are all God’s doing.

As we considered before the choices that we made this past year, we could all probably point to some abundant blessings that God has given to us. He has prospered us, He has advanced us…

And I ask the question, for what purpose has God given you these advances?

D.L. Moody in a sermon entitled ‘the Rich Fool’ made this observation— “this is a man that many parents would hold up to their sons as a model. I do not think he was a drinking man..[apparently] he did not get [his money] by acts of usury by which he drew twenty percent… he did not get it by making a corner on gold…he did not make it by betting on elections or buying stocks… he got it lawfully…No doubt he was a moralist… I do not know of a more lawful occupation than that of a farmer…”

Tonight, much the same I would expect to find is true of God’s people.

We have worked hard, we have not cut corners, we do things honest in the sight of God.

So the question stands, to what purpose has God given us such advances?

Or we might frame it with the title of the message, What does a man’s life consist of?

Notice secondly, as we consider the end of our choices:

B. The Advisement Without Counsel v17

Verse 17 shows us the beginning of trouble.

Notice what the Bible says, “And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?”

The first five words, “And he thought within himself…”… are not so concerning as the question that follows.

It is evident that the first five words mark the beginning process of a decision yet to be made. And again, we are reminded that the ball is in our court so to speak, given to us by God.

If we could insert the word Lord before, “What shall I do…” the Christian would find Himself headed in a better direction.

But that is where we find our failures is it not?

We do not seek the Lord’s will, rather we begin to rely upon our limited knowledge.

We rely upon the direction of our flesh, or perhaps we allow the world to dictate to us the best course of action.

This man as we will see, was preparing for retirement, was he not?

C. The Aim Devised For Self

When you look at verses 17-19 you will discover the personal pronoun “I” six times.

When you add with that the word ‘himself’ and ‘my’ we discover six more times.

When you add with those the soul, thine and thou we find another four times.

16 words express self…

To add to this man’s misunderstanding of truth he declares that what he possesses is his. He states, My barn, My fruits, and my goods. If that were not enough he says, My soul…

You have probably heard it from a young person this way, “This is my life…”

Oh my…as we consider this past year, I dare say that much of what I have engaged in was devised for self.

The Bible is clear, is it not, for 1 Corinthians 4:7 tells us “7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:18 concerning the child of God, “18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 “19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

The problem that lies here is a misunderstanding of what a man’s life consists of.

The Lord’s earthly example has shown us the Advance from God, the Man’s Advisement without counsel, The Aim devised for Self. But notice

D. The Account Required

It is true that everyone within the bounds that God has given us are free to choose and make choices.

It is equally true that God rains on both the just and the unjust.

But notice what the Lord tells us in verse 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?”

The Bible tells us in Proverbs 16:9 “9 A man’s heart deviseth his way: But the Lord directeth his steps.”

Every person alive has an inevitable meeting with God.

We are on an inescapable path to meet God.

Dr. Clarence Sexton on December the 12th came face to face with His Savior and is in His presence forevermore.

The first question that must be answered this night is are you ready?

Have you been born-again? Have you repented of your sin and by faith received Jesus Christ as your Savior?

The Lord Jesus plainly stated… “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

The Bible plainly declares that whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Everyone of us, if we were to meet God in our own record, because of your sin, you would be condemned rightfully to an eternal lake of fire.

We have sinned against the Almighty Holy God! But God loves us so much that He gave His only begotten Son to die for your sins.

He paid the price by His blood that you owe… and right now you can repent of your sin and by faith cry out to Him, the sinless Son of God who died was buried, rose up out of the grave and ascended back into heaven to His rightful place at the right hand of the Father.

In this time, at this moment, His offer is Salvation. You can be right with God.

For those who are saved, it is the sobering reality, that just as we know the Lord Jesus Christ is coming again at any moment, we will give an account for the choices that we make with all that He has given to us.

E. The Admonition for Holiness and Happiness

The Lord tells us that this man failed to be rich toward God and laid up for himself treasures that have wings.

In Proverbs 23:5 giving a rhetorical question, “Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.”

It is a truth that regardless of how much money any one person has it is always departing.

It is the same with stuff and things…they are always corrupting and they are never enough.

The Lord says, Be rich toward God…This is an admonition toward holiness and true joy.

Again the right measure is not what this world places an emphasis on, but rather what God defines as being rich.

How does one come by these riches? The answer is simple by making right choices.

We could make a list—but the truth is we know what we ought to do.

I wonder if God’s people tonight will make a decision to make right choices.

To live to serve Him. To obey His commandments.

To live holy lives. Pure lives.

To declare the gospel to others. To yield to the Holy Spirit.

To not only consider our choices, but consider the consequences as well.

If there is one tonight that does not Jesus Christ as Savior. Come while He is near and cry out to Him to save you “for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Let’s pray