1. Hurricane Ian has reminded us to pay close attention to these instructions from James that relate to today and tomorrow. 2. In His Word, God has given instructions that relate to both of these days. 3. In our lesson we are examining: a. some negative instructions that relate to tomorrow b. some positive instructions that relate to today. Discussion: I. NEGATIVE INSTRUCTIONS THAT RELATE TO TOMORROW
A. We must not boast about what we are going to do tomorrow. 1. Solomon addressed this in Proverbs 27:1a -- "Boast not thyself of to morrow." 2. Solomon also showed why we must avoid this practice in Proverbs 27:1b. 3. The Lord's parable recorded in Luke 12:16-20 illustrates this principle. a. In this parable Jesus talked about a man who boasted about what he was going to do in the future; however, he never made it to the next day. b. By boasting about what he would do tomorrow, he overlooked what he could have done today. c. Imagine this man's regret throughout eternity. d. By taking advantage of today, he could have been rejoicing. e. This man should have loved God and his fellow man on a daily basis (Matthew 22:37-39). B. We must not make plans without God (James 4:13-16). 1. James confronted a situation in which people decide what they are going to do, where they are going to do it, when they will do it, and the outcome of their efforts -- throughout all of this God is left out of the picture. 2. We simply do not know what will happen tomorrow. 3. The right approach is to depend upon God, giving careful attention to His will. C. We must not be anxious about tomorrow. 1. Jesus dealt with this in Matthew 6:34. 2. In the context, Jesus was dealing with being anxious over the necessities of life [food, drink, and clothing]. 3. He presented a number of reasons why we must not be anxious over such things. 4. In vs.34 He said that we have enough to be concerned with today without worrying about tomorrow. 5. He gave us an alternative in Matthew 6:33. D. Let us turn our attention to some . . . II. POSITIVE INSTRUCTIONS THAT RELATE TO TODAY
A. God wants us to depend upon Him for the blessings that we need today. 1. Jesus taught us to do this in Matthew 6:11. 2. We must do this because every good and perfect gift comes from God (James 1:17). 3. Rather than boast about what we are going to do tomorrow, let us depend upon God for the blessings that we need today. B. God wants us to hear His voice today (Psalm 95:7). 1. This passage is quoted in Hebrews 3:7-8, 15; 4:7. 2. Hearing God's voice today will prevent "hardening of the heart." 3. Rather than make plans for tomorrow without God, He wants us to hear His voice today. C. God wants us to rejoice today (Psalm 118:24). 1. Each day is a blessing from God, and we have many reasons to rejoice. 2. Rather than worry about tomorrow, God wants us to rejoice today. Conclusion:
1. There is one other matter that we need to consider -- SALVATION. 2. Tomorrow is not the time for salvation (Acts 24:25). 3. Today is the time for salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2).
