1. PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE James 4:13-17 PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE James 4:13-17

2. INTRODUCTION A. Importance of strategic planning A. Importance of strategic planning B. First century setting B. First century setting

3. PLANNING IN LIGHT OF GOD’S ULTIMATE CONTROL A. Presumption expressed concerning: 4:13 [By ancient business persons] A. Presumption expressed concerning: 4:13 [By ancient business persons] 1. Duration of life 1. Duration of life “Today or tomorrow” “Spend a year there” “Today or tomorrow” “Spend a year there” 2. Events of life 2. Events of life “Go to this or that city” “Carry on business” “Go to this or that city” “Carry on business” 3. Success of life 3. Success of life “Make money” “Make money”

4. B. Presumption exposed as indifference to… 4:14-17 B. Presumption exposed as indifference to… 4:14-17 1. Indifference to uncertainty of life 4:14 1. Indifference to uncertainty of life 4:14 a. Brevity of life – Life a “mist” a. Brevity of life – Life a “mist” b. Right time to die – God’s time b. Right time to die – God’s time c. LESSON: URGENCY in planning c. LESSON: URGENCY in planning Don’t delay until tomorrow what we should do today

5. B. Presumption exposed as indifference to… B. Presumption exposed as indifference to… 2. Indifference to will of God 4:15 2. Indifference to will of God 4:15 a. Events of life – “do this or that” a. Events of life – “do this or that” b. “If the Lord wills” b. “If the Lord wills” c. LESSON: FLEXIBILITY in planning c. LESSON: FLEXIBILITY in planning Be prepared for God to interrupt our plans Be prepared for God to interrupt our plans

6. B. Presumption exposed as indifference to…. B. Presumption exposed as indifference to…. 3. Indifference to limitations of life 4:16 3. Indifference to limitations of life 4:16 a. Successes of life are uncertain (profit) a. Successes of life are uncertain (profit) b. “Empty boasting” = word for quacks b. “Empty boasting” = word for quacks c. Such boasting is evil c. Such boasting is evil d. LESSON: HUMILITY in planning d. LESSON: HUMILITY in planning Be cautious in projections of success Be cautious in projections of success

7. B. Presumption exposed as indifference to…. B. Presumption exposed as indifference to…. 4. Indifference to known standards of life 4:17 4. Indifference to known standards of life 4:17 a. Knowledge brings accountability a. Knowledge brings accountability b. Christians now know better than to plan presumptuously b. Christians now know better than to plan presumptuously c. LESSON: OBEDIENCE in planning c. LESSON: OBEDIENCE in planning Keep God’s sovereignty in focus in all planning Keep God’s sovereignty in focus in all planning

8. CONCLUSION Sin of omission = continuing over confident planning after this warning Sin of omission = continuing over confident planning after this warning “If the Lord wills” = not a cliché but an attitude of life “If the Lord wills” = not a cliché but an attitude of life