First Baptist Church, South Haven
Thank you for joining us for worship this morning! While our place of worship has changed from the usual place and time, we are grateful to know that the Body of Christ can worship anytime, anywhere.
As a reminder If you have a need for assistance during this time (grocery delivery, meals, etc.), please do not hesitate to call/text Kim Collins on her cell phone. We have church members ready and willing to help. We can get through this together. Our God is able.
Foolish or Wise Planning
James 4:13-17
Pastor Jerry Koller
Ben Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”
Have you ever considered that there are right and wrong ways to plan?
James 4:13 NIV
James 4:14 NIV
James 4:15 NIV
James 4:16 NIV
James 4:17 NIV
James points out three aspects of the planning process.
· Two of these aspects we should avoid.
· One should be carefully followed.
· In two of the aspects, God is not included in the picture.
· In one, He is the focus.
James 4:13 NIV
· By today’s standards, verse 13 would be a very, very generic business plan.
· There is no mention of what this business is in verse 13.
The first negative element of planning is self-sufficiency.
James 4:14 NIV
Self-sufficiency leaves God out of the picture.
James 4:16 NIV
Philippians 4:13 NIV
The second aspect deals with disobedience.
James 4:17 NIV
· Sin is any thought, word or action that stands in opposition to the holiness of God.
· It does not acknowledge God as God nor does it abide by God’s standards and moral laws.
In this letter, which includes this passage, James is addressing Christians who are scattered throughout the world. He is addressing believers in Christ.
As such, one would expect those in Christ to do what is good.
Psalms 34:14 NIV
Doing good is one of the reasons why we were created in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
We cannot work our way to heaven.
Good works are the fruit we bear as a result of being in Christ.
Galatians 6:10 NIV
Good works are always directed to others.
They are done on behalf of the One we love and serve. As such, good works are an expression of love—love of God (for they are done for His glory) and love for our fellow man.
Why would someone purposely choose not to obey the will of God?
Selfishness
· Selfishness is concern for your own welfare with disregard for others.
· Selfishness does not seek to do good works for others.
Philippians 2:3-4 NIV
Arrogance
· Arrogance declares our ways are better than God’s ways.
The third aspect of planning is obedience.
James 4:15 NASB1995
In other words, your plans should include seeking and doing the will of God.
The phrase “...If it is the Lord wills…” is not just a little spiritual phrase that falls from our lips.
· It reflects an attitude of the heart.
This attitude closes the door on self-sufficiency, selfishness, and arrogance.
It is an attitude that seek first the kingdom of God—and His righteousness.
It is an attitude of the heart that reflects submission.
It is an attitude of the heart that results in obedience. It says we will live or do this or that if that is the Lord’s will.
Planning that seeks to know the will of God so that we may obey it is not foolish planning. It is wise planning. And we should always be wise planners.
Heaven forbid that we would plan to sin.
First Baptist Church
1635 76th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
269-637-1291
southhavenfbc@gmail.com