The Trouble with Tomorrow

Philadelphia Baptist Church

6/3/2007 Sun. a.m.

The Trouble with Tomorrow

James 4:13-14

One of my favorite stories tells of an owner of a small diner who wanted to increase his business. He placed a large sign in the window announcing "Free Lunch Tomorrow". As folks saw the sign they made note of it and returned the next day only to find the sign was still in the window. One of the problems with 'tomorrow' is that it never comes!

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. -Thomas Jefferson

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow. - Mark Twain

Procrastination is my sin; it brings me naught but sorrow. I know that I should stop it…in fact I will, tomorrow.

James 4:13-14 - Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 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.

I. The Problem with 'Tomorrow'

A. Conversation with a Lost Person.

1. When sharing the Gospel message.

2. Acknowledging the truth of that message.

3. Still people say, "Not now, maybe later."

4. One of these days I will do that…one of these days I will get right with God…but not right now.

5. But it isn't just the non-believer who practices the sin of procrastination.

B. Conversation with a backslidden Christian.

1. "I need to come back to God."

2. "I am so miserable, nothing but trouble, sickness and sorrow."

3. "I need to get right with God!"

4. "Great, let's pray right now." "Oh, not today, I'll do it tomorrow."

C. Conversation with the average Christian.

1. "When are you going to totally surrender to the Lord?"

2. "Oh, I know I need to be more faithful."

3. "I am going to start tithing; I am going to come to SS and Bible study; I am going to get involved in ministry."

4. Ex. Preacher, I just want to serve the Lord!

5. How about right now?

6. Not now, but one of these days, I will!

II. The 'Tomorrow' Mentality'

Luke 9:57-62.

A. The Lord seems overly harsh in this passage.

1. You want to follow me? It will mean being homeless!

2. You want to follow me? It will take a real commitment.

3. You want to follow me? Quit making excuses, and do it!

B. Why no procrastination?

(Proverbs 27:1) Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.

1. Because contrary to what we have been led to believe, we have no promise of tomorrow.

2. Our lives are like a vapor - here one moment and gone the next!

3. Because the decisions we make today will determine where we will spend eternity.

C. Examples of the 'tomorrow' mentality.

1. Paul spoke in Athens on Mars Hill. (Acts 17)

2. There he clearly challenged the thinkers of the day with the message of the Gospel.

3. How did they respond?

a. A few believed the message. (Acts 17:32)

b. Some mocked the message.

c. Others said, "We will hear thee again of this matter."

4. Years later Paul would give his testimony.

a. Felix would tremble, but put it off.

(Acts 24:25) And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.

b. King Agrippa, would also procrastinate.

(Acts 26:28) Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

c. Many continue to think like this.

d. They say one of these days, but not today, not yet.

5. How presumptuous of us to think that we will have more opportunities to accept Jesus.

2 Cor. 6:2 "...now is the accepted times behold now is the day of salvation..."

Heb. 2:3, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation."

III. The Emphasis On "Today"

(Hebrews 3:15) While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.

A. We do not live in the past.

B. Tomorrow may not come!

C. What we are left with is today.

1. When we will trust Him? Today!

2. When will we serve Him? Today!

3. What will we do with today?

(Matthew 6:34) Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

In a moment we will have our invitation. You know that means this service is nearly over. The time to accept Jesus Christ as Savior is right now. The time to recommit and surrender your life to Christ is right now. The choice is ours. What will we do today?