"Change of Plans"
Notes
Transcript
Scripture Reading: Luke 12:13–21
Have you ever had to change your vacation plans last minute?
Have you ever had to change your vacation plans last minute?
Last year’s Kelly’s Island camp site scheduling mistake
I was confident in my planning, but I was humbled when we pulled up to the check-in booth.
Five Considerations in James 4:13-17
Five Considerations in James 4:13-17
James is challenging his reader’s confidence in their plans.
This fits in with the recurring theme of riches (James 1:9–11; James 2:5–7; James 5:1–6).
But it also fits with the recent theme of humility (James 4:6-10).
Let’s look at 5 considerations in this text.
Consider Your Plans (v. 13)
Consider Your Plans (v. 13)
This could be primarily about the business endeavors of the wealthy...
Because of the parallels with the next text (5:1).
Because travel, trade, and profit is more likely for this.
But James does not limit it - it is representative of anyone with plans for the future (example).
Future Place
Future Time
Future Prosperity
What’s wrong with planning?
It’s not the planning.
It’s what’s missing - the other considerations.
Consider Your Life (v. 14)
Consider Your Life (v. 14)
You don’t know the future.
Christians should understand this better than others.
We have very little control over the future, if any.
Anything could happen to change our plans (Proverbs 27:1).
Do not boast about tomorrow,
for you do not know what a day may bring.
You don’t know how much future you really have.
Mist - vapor, steam, smoke
Our individual life is short and fleeting in the grand scheme of things.
Christians should understand this better than others.
We might not have as much time as we think we have.
Either way, life is passing very quickly.
Both of these points mean that we might not accomplish what we plan.
So our plans are constantly in jeopardy.
We can not trust solely in our plans.
But, as Christians, we know of something greater than our plans.
Consider Your Lord (v. 15)
Consider Your Lord (v. 15)
What should be on our mind more?
Our Lord’s will - the Lord God our heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
What does God want (Ephesians 5:15–17).
Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
What is God doing (Ephesians 1:11).
In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
This is always the priority - for God, and for us
Should we throw out the plan?
No, there is still a place for a plan.
But Christians should maintain a constant awareness/acknowledgment of God’s will in it all.
Consider Your Boasting (v. 16)
Consider Your Boasting (v. 16)
What is it?
Boasting - verbal pride or arrogance
Arrogance - self confidence, self centered, self exalting (1 John 2:16).
For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.
About what?
In context, about you plans.
Should we have confidence in ourselves or our plans?
The Christian is different. We should have a happy confidence in God and His plans.
Consider Your Sin (v. 17)
Consider Your Sin (v. 17)
What right thing?
What he’s telling them here.
This may have been a common Christian saying of that day.
James applies it to his subject.
It is sin
Same as all sin (murder, adultery, lying, stealing, cheating, etc.)
Sins of commission and sins of omission.
James doesn’t want us to give this a pass.
Flexible Plans/Faithful Plans
Flexible Plans/Faithful Plans
Plans that are affected by our faith
If we make our relationship with God a priority (James 4:7-10)...
We will be more mindful of God in our plans - we’re spiritually forgetful.
Benediction: Philippians 4:19–20
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.