1. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.
James 4:13-16
Just a Vapor
"A Vapor...That Vanishes Away"
James 4:13-16 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
If life will vanish, physical things of life will also cease

2. It’s all “just a vapor.” "A Vapor...That Vanishes Away" James 4:13-16
If life will vanish, physical things of life will also cease

3. Material Possessions Are Just A Vapor
Luke 12:15-21 And he said to them, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." And he told them a parable, saying, "The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."
Material Possessions Are Just A Vapor
Around us, "keeping up with the Jones" success money, gain, wealth
Jesus tells of one trusted in riches & forgot duty to God
Luke 12:15-21
Do we learn from such warnings?
1Timothy 6:6-10
Wealth can't last longer than life, & often doesn't last as long
Jesus put material things into their right perspective
Matthew 8:20
Lived on earth without things we often take for granted.
Philippians 2:5-8
Matthew 6:20
Spiritual things are the ones that will last.
2Corinthians 4:18

4. Material Possessions Are Just A Vapor
1Timothy 6:6-10 Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Material Possessions Are Just A Vapor
Around us, "keeping up with the Jones" success money, gain, wealth
Jesus tells of one trusted in riches & forgot duty to God
Luke 12:15-21
Do we learn from such warnings?
1Timothy 6:6-10
Wealth can't last longer than life, & often doesn't last as long
Jesus put material things into their right perspective
Matthew 8:20
Lived on earth without things we often take for granted.
Philippians 2:5-8
Matthew 6:20
Spiritual things are the ones that will last.
2Corinthians 4:18

5. Material Possessions Are Just A Vapor
Matthew 8:20 And Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” Philippians 2:5-8 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Matthew 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Material Possessions Are Just A Vapor
Around us, "keeping up with the Jones" success money, gain, wealth
Jesus tells of one trusted in riches & forgot duty to God
Luke 12:15-21
Do we learn from such warnings?
1Timothy 6:6-10
Wealth can't last longer than life, & often doesn't last as long
Jesus put material things into their right perspective
Matthew 8:20
Lived on earth without things we often take for granted.
Philippians 2:5-8
Matthew 6:20
Spiritual things are the ones that will last.
2Corinthians 4:18

6. Material Possessions Are Just A Vapor
2Corinthians 4:18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Material Possessions Are Just A Vapor
Around us, "keeping up with the Jones" success money, gain, wealth
Jesus tells of one trusted in riches & forgot duty to God
Luke 12:15-21
Do we learn from such warnings?
1Timothy 6:6-10
Wealth can't last longer than life, & often doesn't last as long
Jesus put material things into their right perspective
Matthew 8:20
Lived on earth without things we often take for granted.
Philippians 2:5-8
Matthew 6:20
Spiritual things are the ones that will last.
2Corinthians 4:18

7. Popularity Is Just A Vapor
Luke 6:26 Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets. Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. John 12:42-43 Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.
Popularity, And The Praise Of Men, Are As A Vapor
It is only natural to want to be loved and recognized.
None of us will deliberately set out to make people dislike us.
Sometimes forget where approval or disapproval of others fits
When all people speak well of us, we need to be careful.
Such can lead to compromise truth & principle to retain popularity
Luke 6:26
Proverbs 16:18
John 12:42-43
Knew what they should do, but refused, because of popularity!
When we begin to think of ourselves as important, consider God's majesty
Job 38:4
1Corinthians 4:3-4
What others think is not important, compared with God's approval.

8. Popularity Is Just A Vapor
Job 38:4 Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 1Corinthians 4:3-4 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
Popularity, And The Praise Of Men, Are As A Vapor
It is only natural to want to be loved and recognized.
None of us will deliberately set out to make people dislike us.
Sometimes forget where approval or disapproval of others fits
When all people speak well of us, we need to be careful.
Such can lead to compromise truth & principle to retain popularity
Luke 6:26
Proverbs 16:18
John 12:42-43
Knew what they should do, but refused, because of popularity!
When we begin to think of ourselves as important, consider God's majesty
Job 38:4
1Corinthians 4:3-4
What others think is not important, compared with God's approval.

9. Pleasure Is Just A Vapor
Hebrews 11:24-25 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
The Pleasures Of Sin Are A Vapor
Moses understood this long ago.
Hebrews 11:24-25
Pleasure from sin is vapor soon gone; often leaving only remorse
Judas expected enjoyment spending 30 pieces of silver
Matthew 27:5
Demas must have felt tugging of "the pleasures of sin," and he departed.
2Timothy 4:10
Luke 8:14
Yes, temptations are strong, and frequent.
Satan will dress immorality in the most attractive garb he can
Before giving in, think of relationship with God: an hour after the sinful deed is done, a day after, or even a year. And finally, think of eternity.
No, no one denies that there can be pleasure in sin.
But it is only "for a season". And the season is too short.
1John 2:17
So, don't give up your soul for a "vapor that vanishes."

10. Pleasure Is Just A Vapor
Matthew 27:5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 2Timothy 4:10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke 8:14 And as for what fell among the thorns, they are those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.
The Pleasures Of Sin Are A Vapor
Moses understood this long ago.
Hebrews 11:24-25
Pleasure from sin is vapor soon gone; often leaving only remorse
Judas expected enjoyment spending 30 pieces of silver
Matthew 27:5
Demas must have felt tugging of "the pleasures of sin," and he departed.
2Timothy 4:10
Luke 8:14
Yes, temptations are strong, and frequent.
Satan will dress immorality in the most attractive garb he can
Before giving in, think of relationship with God: an hour after the sinful deed is done, a day after, or even a year. And finally, think of eternity.
No, no one denies that there can be pleasure in sin.
But it is only "for a season". And the season is too short.
1John 2:17
So, don't give up your soul for a "vapor that vanishes."

11. Pleasure Is Just A Vapor
1John 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
The Pleasures Of Sin Are A Vapor
Moses understood this long ago.
Hebrews 11:24-25
Pleasure from sin is vapor soon gone; often leaving only remorse
Judas expected enjoyment spending 30 pieces of silver
Matthew 27:5
Demas must have felt tugging of "the pleasures of sin," and he departed.
2Timothy 4:10
Luke 8:14
Yes, temptations are strong, and frequent.
Satan will dress immorality in the most attractive garb he can
Before giving in, think of relationship with God: an hour after the sinful deed is done, a day after, or even a year. And finally, think of eternity.
No, no one denies that there can be pleasure in sin.
But it is only "for a season". And the season is too short.
1John 2:17
So, don't give up your soul for a "vapor that vanishes."

12. Life Is Just A Vapor
James 4:13-16 Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit." Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that." But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.
Life, In This World, Is But A Vapor
"But we have to make a living!"
Often heard, as try to exhort one to give lives to the Lord.
Let us look again and read the context of text
James 4:13-16
Our lives belong to God, live only according to His mercy & will
Hebrews 9:27
Ecclesiastes 9:5
Ecclesiastes 12:7

13. Life Is Just A Vapor
Hebrews 9:27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, Ecclesiastes 9:5 For the living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward, for the memory of them is forgotten. Ecclesiastes 12:7 and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.
Life, In This World, Is But A Vapor
"But we have to make a living!"
Often heard, as try to exhort one to give lives to the Lord.
Let us look again and read the context of text
James 4:13-16
Our lives belong to God, live only according to His mercy & will
Hebrews 9:27
Ecclesiastes 9:5
Ecclesiastes 12:7

14. Vapor or Substance? Vapor or Substance? Romans 8:18 Colossians 3:1-3
2Peter 3:10
But the spiritual values are eternal.
2Corinthians 4:17-5:1
That is no vapor, but hope with substance.
Jim Sasser

15. Vapor or Substance?
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Colossians 3:1-3 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Vapor or Substance?
Romans 8:18
Colossians 3:1-3
2Peter 3:10
But the spiritual values are eternal.
2Corinthians 4:17-5:1
That is no vapor, but hope with substance.
Jim Sasser

16. Vapor or Substance?
2Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.
Vapor or Substance?
Romans 8:18
Colossians 3:1-3
2Peter 3:10
But the spiritual values are eternal.
2Corinthians 4:17-5:1
That is no vapor, but hope with substance.
Jim Sasser

17. Vapor or Substance?
2Corinthians 4:17-5:1 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
Vapor or Substance?
Romans 8:18
Colossians 3:1-3
2Peter 3:10
But the spiritual values are eternal.
2Corinthians 4:17-5:1
That is no vapor, but hope with substance.
Jim Sasser

18. Substance Gives Hope! Vapor or Substance? Romans 8:18 Colossians 3:1-3
2Peter 3:10
But the spiritual values are eternal.
2Corinthians 4:17-5:1
That is no vapor, but hope with substance.
Jim Sasser