Trusting in the Lord with Your Whole Heart - June 5, 2022

by Pastor Chuck Ryan

Trusting in the Lord with Your Whole Heart
Text: James 4:13-17
Thesis: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
1. Do not be overconfident in self, or circumstances or other people.
* “Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and
make money.” James 4:13
A. Do not be afraid of life, but be careful.
B. Be careful in where you put your trust.
1. Jesus commands us not to build our life upon the sand of life. See Matthew 7:24-27
2. The “sand” of life includes the following popular and dangerous practices:
* The pursuit of money.
* “Do not wear yourself out to get rich…”
Proverbs 23:4
* Rushing into business deals.
* “My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for another…”
Proverbs 6:1-5
* Trusting unstable people.
* “… he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.” James 1:8
C. The wisest of people cannot predict the future.
* “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.” James 4:14
1. We cannot guarantee that we will even be alive tomorrow.
* “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:14b
2. Humans at best can only make an educated guess about tomorrow’s plans.
2. We can trust in God because he is “omniscient” (He knows all things).
* God knows the future:
* “For those God foreknew…” Romans 8:29
* God knows our thoughts:
* “Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD.” Psalms 139:4
* God knows our lifestyle:
* “For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths.” Proverbs 5:21
* God knows the number of our days:
* “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalms 139:16
* God knows the date of Christ’s return:
* “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
Matthew 24:36
3. We must quit trying to convince God to come over to our side and bless our decisions.
A. Instead we must seek to know God and his will, and walk in it.
B. Instead you ought to say the following:
* “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone,
then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” James 4:15-17
C. The predecessor of Moses learned this valuable lesson from an Angel. See Joshua 5:13-15