IF THE LORD WILLS
James 4:13-17

I. The Future
   A. Is known only by God
   B. We should be glad we do not know the future
   C. God conceals the future because he wants us to learn to trust
in him

II. Three Mistakes Christians Make Concerning Living Our Lives
   A . Going through life without God vs 13
      i) we know God but live like we don't
      ii) we make plans without including God ; not wrong to plan
but plans without God are foolish
   B. Understanding life without God vs 14
      i) we fail to comprehend the complexity of life
      ii) we fail to comprehend the uncertainty of life
      iii) we fail to comprehend the brevity of life
   C. Expressing life without God vs 16
      i) they boasted that they were in charge of their lives
      ii) we will do these things on our own

III. Alternative Plan vs. 15
   A. Each plan begins with " if the Lord wills "
   B. This means we are under his control and what ever happens
God can cause good to come from it
   C. The Apostles were powerful men and commanded great
respect but everything they did was under the control and will
of their Lord

IV. God's Will For Our Lives
   A. Not for us to perish II Pet 3:9
   B. That we repent and change our way of life Mt 9:13
   C. That we believe and are baptized to be saved Mk 16:16
   D. Worship each Lord's Day - Heb 10:25
   E. Live Godly lives faithful to the Lord Rev 2:10