James 4:13-14
Adapted from R. L. Sumner by Pastor Rick Jackson
In our current world situation, we are reminded how quickly things can change. Perhaps you have run short on some supplies and found difficulty in restocking your inventories. Perhaps you have been a little more concerned when you coughed. You may have asked yourself, “Am I sick or is that just my allergies?” God uses James to ask us, “What is your life?” We would do well to take inventory of our lives. Where am I going? What am I accomplishing? What are my plans… hopes… aims? What am I achieving for God? As we focus on our lives let us look at three specific areas.
I. WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR LIFE?
1. God - Acts 17:24-28, Jonah 2:9 Salvation is of the LORD.
God that made the world and all things therein , seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
God that made the world and all things therein , seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
2. Bible - 1 Peter 1:23
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
3. Local Church - Acts 2:42, Heb. 10:25, 1 Timothy 3:15
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
II. WHAT IS THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE? 2 Timothy 4:7
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
1. Is it Primarily for Self or the Saviour? [1 Cor. 10:31, Eph. 5:10, 15-17]
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord…. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord…. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
2. Is it Primarily for Time of Eternity? [Mt. 6:19-21, 33; Proverbs 13:7]
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing: there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches.
3. Is it Primarily for Waste or Wealth? [1 Cor. 3:11-15]
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
III. WHAT IS THE FORCE OF YOUR LIFE?
1. Is it Powerful Convictions? [Dan. 1:8, 3:16-18]
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. … Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Acts 5:29 …We ought to obey God rather than men.
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. … Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
1 Samuel 17:29 And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?
2 Timothy 1:12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Acts 5:29 …We ought to obey God rather than men.
2. Is it Providential Compassion? [Ps. 126:5-6, Jude 22]
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
And of some have compassion, making a difference:
3. Is it the Personal Comforter? [Jn. 14:16-26, Eph. 5:17-20]
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
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