James Series 09 - Let God Rule

Reading: James 4:13-17
Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:15 (NIV)

I.   We’re not in charge of Tomorrow

     A.  Don’t Say it

           1.  Don’t speak arrogantly about our future.

                 a.  Do we tell others by what we say that God’s will isn’t important?

                 b.  This kind of talk may come out of the arrogance of our hearts.

           2.  Don’t speak carelessly about our future.

                 a.  Christians in Latin America always say “Si Dios quiere.” “If God wills.”

                 b.  If we aren’t arrogant, we are careless.

           3.  Don’t say what we don’t believe.

                 a.  Can we do what’s outside God’s plan?

                 b.  Acknowledge that in how we talk.

     B.  Don’t even Think it

           1.  Remembering who’s in charge.

                 a.  We can get ourselves in such a tizzy.

                 b.  But remembering that God is good and in charge of the future gives peace.

           2.  Do we believe that we’re in charge?

                 a.  We know how to answer on a test.

                 b.  What does our planning, our dreams, our hopes say about what we believe?

           3.  Is God’s rule integrated into our thoughts?

                 a.  Usually we make our plans and ask God to bless them when they’re done.

                 b.  Is our first assumption about the future: God already has a plan? Let it be!

     C.  Who are we Planning for anyway?

           1.  Are our plans simply to please ourselves?

                 a.  We can set our hearts on silly things.

                 b.  We’re short-sighted, foolish, and selfish

                 c.  Even Church plans can be that way!

           2.  Do our plans acknowledge God’s plan?

                 a.  God has a plan for each of us.

                 b.  Do we plan according to His plan?

                 c.  Let’s leave our future in God’s hands

II.  God rules the Future

     A.  Who do we think we Are?

           1.  It’s time for a healthy dose of humility

                 a.  We aren’t nearly as smart as we think!

                 b.  We can only do what God allows.

                 c.  We aren’t puppets, but we are limited!

           2.  We’re like a mist, or grass of the field

                 a.  Our lives are so short.

                 b.  We leave such a small impact.

                 c.  Here today, gone tomorrow.

           3.  We’re too limited to even understand our future, let take charge of it!

                 a.  We don’t have a clue what tomorrow will bring, let alone next week/year, etc

                 b.  We don’t know how we will grow up into the “us” God wants us to be.

     B.  Embrace God’s future for us

           1.  God has a path for each of us.

                 a.  God put everyone here for His purpose.

                 b.  For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Eph.2:10)

                 c.  Every believer has a calling, a vocation.

           2.  No plan is better than His.

                 a.  Whatever that is, you won’t find any greater happiness than that purpose.

                 b.  Even if you think your plan is better!

           3.  Let’s embrace His plan for us.

                 a.  God’s plan isn’t always obvious.

                 b.  God gives us enough for today.

     C.  Praise God for His Blessings

           1.  Don’t brag about what we think we did!

                 a.  Just presenting these plans is bragging: Look how smart we are to have plans!

                 b.  We make and carry out our plans and suffer from the illusion that we did it!

                 c.  All such boasting is evil

           2.  Boast about what God has done!

                 a.  Go ahead, tell people what God has done for you!

                 b.  Let them know how good He is!

           3.  Thank and praise Him for his blessings!

                 a.  Instead of seeking credit, praise him!

                 b.  The inverse of bragging about yourself is giving God all the credit.

III. Do the good we Can

     A.  Don’t Ignore God’s call

           1.  God calls and we respond

                 a.  God gives us some choice about His calling–we can choose to not follow

                 b.  God doesn’t direct us by “fate.”

           2.  Look for what God is calling you to do.

                 a.  Look at how He made us–what do we do well–God designs us for our calling

                 b.  Listen to how believers affirm us.

                 c.  Pray: at first, a lot in process, at the end

     B.  Do the good in Front of us

           1.  You may not have to go off to a far off city!

                 a.  It isn’t always Timbuktu. Why not Alger!

                 b.  It could be Mexico! Or Mt. Vernon!

           2.  Often the best we can do, is what God puts in our laps to do!

                 a.  God often gives us these opportunities

                 b.  We sometimes can’t avoid them.

                 c.  There’s nothing better to do!

           3.  Deeds do not have to be hard to be good

                 a.  It doesn’t have to be a noble sacrifice.

                 b.  An act of kindness can change a life.

     C.  Be satisfied with what God gives us to do

           1.  When God shows us the good we ought to do, let’s do it!

                 a.  Sometimes it’s good to find someone with the gifts to do it better.

                 b.  Usually, God puts a good deed in our path He expects us to do it!

           2.  Don’t go looking for a good greater than the one God gives you to do.

                 a.  God gives us enough to do without us going out trying to impress people.

                 b.  Don’t go running off to Tarshish when God is calling you to Nineveh.

           3.  Be content to let God rule your future.

                 a.  He’ll do a better job than you anyway!

The Bottom Line:

Hymn: #606 He Leadeth Me v.2

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