You Can Take That To The Bank Series

Series: Momma Says… (James)[#8]

YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK

James 4:13-5:12

Introduction:

I would like start off this morning by reminding you of what our Church’s vision is:

1. Lead the lost to Jesus Christ!

2. The people of Bel Aire Baptist Church live lives in the world that lead the lost to Jesus Christ!

3. The people of Bel Aire Baptist Church participate in all of the activities of the church for these purposes: 1) To worship Jesus Christ, 2) To grow stronger in Christ, and 3) To take our faith beyond the walls of this church so that lost people are led to Christ.

IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS!

With the vision in mind, I want to give you a few things that you can take to the bank, (meaning you count on these things happening).

You can bank on…

This Moment In Time

James 4:13-17

Our lives are like mist. You may be gone before this service is even over. We need to live like there is no tomorrow. How do you do that?

1. Don’t assume that you have tomorrow. Only God knows when you will leave this earth.

2. Don’t be selfish. Remember this is not about you, it is about Jesus and leading people to Him.

3. Don’t procrastinate. If the Lord is leading you to do something, do it now. Don’t put off till tomorrow something you can do today. By the way, if you don’t do it, that is sinful.

You can bank on…

There Being Accountability To God

James 5:1-6

We will have to account to God for the way we handle our money and possessions.

We will have to account for how we…

1. Save our money and possessions. Is it o.k. to save our money? Yes. Is it o.k. to stockpile it? No.

We will have to account for how we…

2. Spend our money and possessions. We are to be fair to those that serve us. For example, if you don’t tip the waitress or waiter at the restaurant you go to the appropriate amount that is sinful. Those people have to pay taxes on that and they receive a smaller wage because they get tips. You are cheating them.

We will have to account for how we…

3. Serve our money. You are probably saying to yourself, “I don’t serve my money”. If you put earning that money before God, guess what? If you put your living in luxury over helping someone in need, guess what?

You can bank on…

The Lord Returning

James 5:7-12

Jesus is coming back. It may be very soon and it may not be. I believe that it will be soon, but so did Paul. Christians we must live everyday like Jesus is coming back any moment, but while we wait we need to live lives that will please Him.

As we wait we are to be…

1. Patient. What is God waiting on? He is waiting for those who are going to get saved and have not yet done so. He doesn’t want anyone to miss out on Heaven.

As we wait we are to…

2. Stand firm. Don’t run from Satan and the world. Remember Ephesians 6:10-18. We are to stand firm, put on the full armor of God, and stand firm. We are protected from anything the Devil shoots at us as long as we stand firm. The armor covers the front, not the back. If you run, you will expose your back and get shot down. By the way, you don’t need to chase the Devil. As Michael the Archangel taught us when he was disputing with Satan over the body of Moses- Let God deal with the Devil.

3. Put up with one another. Don’t grumble and fight with one another; it hurts the Body of Christ. Be a person of your word. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Do what you say you are going to do. When you don’t, you hurt the Body of Christ.

Conclusion:

There is a 3 point invitation this morning:

1. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Today could be your last chance to respond to God’s offer of salvation through Jesus Christ. By the way, you can’t say you don’t know; because you have been told. Jesus Christ is the only way to Heaven. You must believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God raised from the dead. That means you are accountable if something happens to you.

2. Christians, the way you use your money and possessions do matter. When God blesses you with material possessions it’s not so you can brag or be selfish about it. It is so you can minister to others. How are you ministering to others with what God has blessed you with?