making the most of today james 4:13-15

Making the Most of Today

James 4:13-15

13 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.“

James 4:13-15

Life is Brief

Life is Brief• Like a vapor, morning fog

14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.

James 4:14

Life is Brief• Like a vapor, morning fog• Like a story that is told

9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

Psalm 90:9

Life is Brief• Like a vapor, morning fog• Like a story that is told• Like water poured out on ground

14 For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground . . .

2 Sam. 14:14

Life is Uncertain

Life is Uncertain• The folly of living in the past

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have appre-hended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Phil. 3:13-14

Life is Uncertain• The folly of living in the past• The folly of living in the future

7 And He said to them, It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

Acts 1:7

Life is Uncertain• The folly of living in the past• The folly of living in the future• You know nothing about the future

Life is Uncertain• The folly of living in the past• The folly of living in the future• You know nothing about the future• You know nothing even about tomorrow

Life is Uncertain• The folly of living in the past• The folly of living in the future• You know nothing about the future• You know nothing even about tomorrow• Rich farmer was a fool – “this night . . .”

16 Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. 17 And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?' 18 So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." ' 20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?'

Luke 12:16-20

Life is Uncertain• The folly of living in the past• The folly of living in the future• You know nothing about the future• You know nothing even about tomorrow• Rich farmer was a fool – “this night . . .”• Making most of today

Making the Most of Today

Making the Most of Today• Prepare today for Paradise

41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong." 42 Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom." 43 And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

Luke 23:41-43

Making the Most of Today• Prepare today for Paradise • Be zealous today

Act 22:3 "I am indeed a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, taught according to the strictness of our fathers' law, and was zealous toward God as you all are today.

Acts 22:3

Making the Most of Today• Prepare today for Paradise • Be zealous today • Exhort others to obey today

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, "Be saved from this perverse generation.

Acts 2:40

Making the Most of Today• Prepare today for Paradise • Be zealous today • Exhort others to obey today • Exhort and encourage other Christians

13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Heb. 3:13

Making the Most of Today• Prepare today for Paradise • Be zealous today • Exhort others to obey today • Exhort and encourage Christians • Live for Him and not deny Him

34 Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."

Matt. 26:34

Making the Most of Today• Prepare today for Paradise • Be zealous today • Exhort others to obey today • Exhort and encourage Christians • Live for Him and not deny Him • Remember how sin deceives

Heb 3:13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Heb. 3:13

Making the Most of Today• Prepare today for Paradise • Be zealous today • Exhort others to obey today • Exhort and encourage Christians • Live for Him and not deny Him • Remember how sin deceives • Be saved today

2 For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6:2

Making the Most of Today• Prepare today for Paradise • Be zealous today • Exhort others to obey today • Exhort and encourage Christians • Live for Him and not deny Him • Remember how sin deceives • Be saved today • Make today the best, it may be the last

His Plan for Your Salvation Today

His Plan for Your Salvation Today• Believe John 3:16

His Plan for Your Salvation Today• Believe John 3:16• Repent Luke 13:3

His Plan for Your Salvation Today• Believe John 3:16• Repent Luke 13:3• Confess Faith Matt. 10:32

His Plan for Your Salvation Today• Believe John 3:16• Repent Luke 13:3• Confess Faith Matt. 10:32• Be Baptized Acts 22:16

His Plan for Your Salvation Today• Believe John 3:16• Repent Luke 13:3• Confess Faith Matt. 10:32• Be Baptized Acts 22:16

Added to His church, His body, His kingdom

His Plan for Your Salvation Today• Believe John 3:16• Repent Luke 13:3• Confess Faith Matt. 10:32• Be Baptized Acts 22:16

Added to His church, His body, His kingdom• Be Faithful Rev. 2:10