DEALING WITH YOUR FUTURE

Sermon Notes, October 5, 2014

Rev. Jan Sinozich

Pastor Jan’s sermon was titled “Dealing With Your Future,” and was based on James 4:13-17.  We plan for the future, but there are mistakes and pitfalls to avoid.

The first pitfall to avoid is making a plan without God.  That is presumptuous.  We should not make plans then ask God to bless them.  We don’t even know if we will have a tomorrow!  (v. 14)   If we plan without God, we are practical atheists.  Instead we should include God in our goal-setting, wait for His wisdom, and be a part of his plan.  The attitude of our life should be “The Lord willing,” Deo valente.

Another mistake we make is presuming about the future.  Life is unpredictable; we need to trust God.  Life is brief, in comparison to eternity; a mist or vapor. (v. 14)  What is our motivation?  Is it trust in God, or the arrogance of trust in ourselves?  Matthew 6:34 advises us to live in the present.  Plan for the future, but live in the present —it’s all we have.  (Psalm 31:15)

Procrastination is another pitfall; putting off what should be done. (v. 17)  There are two kinds of sin: sins of commission—lying, cheating, stealing, etc.; and sins of omission—knowing what to do and not doing it. (Proverbs 3:27)  Life can be wasted, spent, or invested.  Invest in something that will last beyond your life—things of God, and people.  Love God TODAY.  Love people TODAY.

Remember the parable of the talents: two men doubled the money their master entrusted to them, and one did nothing with it.  The master called him “You wicked servant.”  And the story of the successful farmer in Luke 12 who decided on his own to build more barns.  God said, “You fool!” and required his soul that night.  Plan with God—it’s presumptuous not to.  Live today—as if Jesus is coming back tomorrow.  Don’t procrastinate, as King Felix did with Paul.  Don’t be practical atheists!