Facing the Future

Psalm 34:8 CSB

Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the person who takes refuge in him!

INTRO—

[[First—a word about our Testiness and ‘Heartbroken, Sorrow’]]

The FUTURE…Tomorrow. What is tomorrow? [He’s the pitcher!]

Peter, regarding John, talking with Jesus [John 21.17-23]

John 21:18 “Truly I tell you, when you were younger, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”

John 21:21–22 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” “If I want him to remain until I come,” Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow me.”

So, we begin considering this challenge to our Faith & faithfulness as individuals. We also do so as Jesus’ church…

[[So today…I’m going to try and reduce my tendency to follow the Jewish rabbi ‘string of pearls’ teaching approach…& take the ‘string of a pearl’ to each aspect of our time in God’s word together. (If you think of another passage which would be fitting to any point of today’s message…I want to encourage you with a “way to go,” “good on you!”]]

The Challenge: The Future

[Turn to Proverbs chapter 27…]

“Tomorrow”

Literally, the next day [Webster’s = the day after the present]

Big Scope, eternity [Webster’s = [ALSO] time that is to come]

Proverbs 27:1 “Don’t boast about tomorrow, for you don’t know what a day might bring.”

Our Reactions: Facing with _________

[Turn to Matthew 6]

Worry

Matthew 6.25-34.

Matthew 6:25 “Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing?”

Matthew 6:33–34 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Presumption (Arrogance) [Turn to James 4.]

James 4.13-17.

James 4:13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”

James 4:16 “But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”

[[Isaiah 56:11–12 “These dogs have fierce appetites; they never have enough. And they are shepherds who have no discernment; all of them turn to their own way, every last one for his own profit. “Come, let me get some wine, let’s guzzle some beer; and tomorrow will be like today, only far better!””]]

Uncertainty [Joshua 1.9]

Anger (Hostility [How can I go on?]) [James 1.20]

Biblical Responses: Facing with _________

[Turn to Proverbs 6.]

Preparation

Proverbs 6.6-8.

Proverbs 6:6–8 “Go to the ant, you slacker! Observe its ways and become wise. Without leader, administrator, or ruler, it prepares its provisions in summer; it gathers its food during harvest.”

[[Proverbs 31.12-16. [The Woman (Wife) of Excellence]]]

Faith [Turn to Isaiah 26.]

Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.”

2 Corinthians 5.1-9. [Turn to 2 Corinthians 5.]

2 Corinthians 5:6–7 “So we are always confident and know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

2 Corinthians 5:9 “Therefore, whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to be pleasing to him.”

Confidence [Proverbs 31.25; Lamentations 3.19-24]

CONCL—

Soooo…

A starting point action point:

Hebrews 3:13 “But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.”

INVITATION:

Salvation

Presumption (Arrogance)

Preparation

Matthew 6:34 CSB

Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.