This is the manuscript for the fourth and final sermon in the “Thanksgiving to God and Thanksgiving for God” series.
Scripture Reading:
James 4:1-17 NIV [1] What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? [2] You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. [3] When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. [4] You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. [5] Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? [6] But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” [7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. [8] Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. [9] Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. [10] Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. [11] Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. [12] There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? [13] Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” [14] Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. [15] Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” [16] As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. [17] If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.
Introduction
The book of James is probably the most practical book of the New Testament. The author, a half brother of Jesus, stressed conduct and behavior as the true test of whether someone is a genuine Christian.
In our scripture this morning there was a section where James emphasized the uncertainty of the future, which was certainly a relevant fact in the lives of the Christians, in that day, who lived in a world that was hostile to them.
So here’s our text for today.
Text:
James 4:13-16 NIV Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
I want to share a quote from C.S. Lewis, a respected Christian author, who once said, "The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is." This simple yet profound statement reminds us that no matter who we are or what we do, we cannot escape the passage of time, and we must rely on God to guide us through it.
The Futility of Boasting about Tomorrow
The futility of boasting about tomorrow is a concept that is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of our human limitations and our utter dependence on God's sovereignty.
Our text gives us a powerful reminder that we should not be consumed with our own plans and ambitions, but rather, we should be constantly seeking God's will for our lives and trusting in His sovereignty.
James gives a warning to those who make worldly goals their aim in life. His example was a man who was confident that his plans for business would result in enough profit from it to immunize himself from any misfortune, but James then compared human existence with a mist.
James 4:14 NIV [14] Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.
James uses the word mist but there are many other figures of speech in the Scriptures that describe our journey through life.
For instance, life is referred to as a dream, and grass
Psalms 90:5-6 CEV [5] You bring our lives to an end just like a dream. We are merely tender grass [6] that sprouts and grows in the morning, but dries up by evening.
Like a shadow,
1 Chronicles 29:15 NIV [15] We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.
Like water spilled on the ground,
2 Samuel 14:14 NIV [14] Like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered, so we must die. But that is not what God desires; rather, he devises ways so that a banished person does not remain banished from him.
Like wind.
Psalm 144:3-4 GNT [3] Lord, what are mortals, that you notice them; mere mortals, that you pay attention to us? [4] We are like a puff of wind; our days are like a passing shadow.
All of these give the picture of the brevity of life
Another aspect of the futility of boasting about tomorrow is the arrogance that often accompanies such boasting. James describes those who boast about their plans as being arrogant, and he goes on to say that all such boasting is evil.
James 4:15-16 NIV [15] Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” [16] As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil.
This is a strong condemnation of the pride and self-sufficiency that often characterize our attitudes toward the future. When we boast about our plans and ambitions, we are essentially saying that we know better than God and that we can chart our own course through life without His guidance. This arrogance is not only foolish but also sinful, as it reflects a heart that is not submitted to God's sovereignty and His will for our lives.
The futility of boasting about tomorrow is also evident in the fact that our plans and ambitions are often misguided and shortsighted.
Proverbs 19:21 NIV [21] Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
We may think that we know what is best for our lives and that our plans will lead to happiness and success, but the reality is that we are often blind to the true needs of our souls and the ultimate purpose for which God has created us.
Our plans may be focused on worldly success, material wealth, or personal achievement, but these things are ultimately empty and fleeting in comparison to the eternal riches and rewards that God has in store for those who seek His will and trust in His sovereignty.
Listen to what Paul said
Philippians 3:3-9 NIV [3] For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— [4] though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: [5] circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; [6] as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless. [7] But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ [9] and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
Furthermore, the futility of boasting about tomorrow is underscored by the fact that our plans and ambitions are often subject to change. We may have a clear vision of what we want to accomplish in the future, but life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs that can derail even the most carefully laid plans. Illness, job loss, financial setbacks, and relational challenges are just a few of the many unforeseen circumstances that can force us to reevaluate our priorities and adjust our plans for the future. When we boast about our plans, we are essentially setting ourselves up for disappointment and frustration, as we are placing our hope and confidence in things that are ultimately uncertain and beyond our control.
In contrast to the futility of boasting about tomorrow, James offers a better approach to planning for the future: seeking God's will and trusting in His sovereignty. Instead of arrogantly asserting our own plans and ambitions, we should humbly submit our lives to God's guidance and direction, recognizing that He alone knows what is best for us and that His plans for our lives are far greater than anything we could ever imagine or achieve on our own. This attitude of submission and trust is beautifully captured in the phrase, from James 4 verse 15, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that." This simple yet profound statement acknowledges our dependence on God's sovereign will and our desire to align our lives with His purposes.
We should always remember the fact that our time is in God’s hands.
Any wealth, power, strength any gift or talent we have originated with and came from God.
James 1:16-17 NIV [16] Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. [17] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Even our ability to give generously comes from God.
Deuteronomy 8:18 NIV [18] But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
2 Corinthians 9:10-11 NIV [10] Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [11] You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
Everything we have, and everything else that exists, is all His.
Whether in the realm of material possessions or other investments of life, we daily face the matter of how we will use the resources God gives us.The only goals in life that have everlasting results are are those related to the advancement of God’s work in this world.
Conclusion
As Christians, our life is supposed to be Christ
Colossians 3:1-4 NIV [1] Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [2] Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [3] For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [4] When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Do we trust God to help us, and are we willing to make our plans while considering His will? Whatever decisions you make must include God. Let's consider our lives as a gift to be used to glorify God.
God’s love for us is what keeps us alive, not our own goodness. Being wise in our own eyes and relying on our own understanding is presuming on His kindness.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV [5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; [6] in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Philippians 2:13 NIV [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 NIV [11] For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Philippians 1:6 NIV [6] being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Psalms 37:4 NIV [4] Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
God loves and gives grace to those who humble themselves and turn to Him with a heart that is transformed to do His will.
So the question is “What is your life?”
Prayer
We thank you that even though we have our own idea of how our life should look, often setting out according to our plans, we thank you that your ultimate purpose prevails. We ask that you prompt us when we set out to make plans that we make them according to your will, and not our own.
We ask that you remind us to come alongside you as we surrender every detail to fulfill your greater purpose. Please align our hearts with yours, our ideas with yours, and our will with yours. For your ways are higher than ours and your plans are greater than ours, and nothing is impossible with you. Lead us every step of the way. In Jesus' name, Amen.
NEXT WEEK: GOD’S AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PROGRAM!!
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