Life Described

LIFE DESCRIBED James 4:13-17

I. THE PLANS OF LIFE (Vs 13)

A. Go

B. Grow

C. Gain

Illustration: There is a Chinese proverb, "A gem is not polished without rubbing,

nor a man made better without trials."

Sure it doesn't feel good to go through abrasive moments of trials and problems. Sometimes they are recurring.

Remember this, my Christian friend; life is full of rubbing shoulders and exchanging words. Every time life would seem to cut you and grind you, it means God is working in you to make you a better you.

i. Samson-Judges 16:21 But the Philistines took him, and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza, and bound him with fetters of brass; and he did grind in the prison house.

a. Blinded by the Enemy

b. Binded (Bound) by the Enemy

c. Grinding for the Enemy

d. All of these are a part of life, but Samson had more victories in his death than he ever did in his life.

ii. Job

a. Job 1:13-19 Job lost his farm, his family, his friends.

b. Job Job 42:12-13-Job ended up with twice what he had in the beginning.

1. His Faithfulness

2. His Fervency

3. His Father in Heaven

iii. Simon Peter-Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

II. THE PICTURE OF LIFE (Vs 14)

A. The Mystery of Life

B. The Measure of Life

C. The Message of Life

Illustration: LIFE IS SO SHORT, AND THOUGH WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE WHO? WHAT? WHEN? WHERE? WHY? AND HOW? WE NEED TO

JUST TRUST THE LORD!

The Spirit’s message and power can only be understood by the help of the

Spirit (1 Cor. 2:11-16).

1 Corinthians 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of

man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of

God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is

of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but

which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But

the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are

foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually

discerned. 15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged

of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?

But we have the mind of Christ

i. His wisdom is what brings us understand of confusing messages.

ii. His wisdom is what helps us to see in the darkness of this world.

iii. His wisdom is what helps us to see if something is true or false.

iv. His wisdom illuminates our minds to deception and danger.

v. His wisdom see’s the trap of the enemy and exposes it to us.

vi. His wisdom guides us down the narrow path of life.

vii. His wisdom tells us we are right when others say we are wrong.

David Wilkerson noted in a message: “I believe there is nothing more dangerous to a Christian than to carry a resentment against God. Yet I am shocked by the

growing number of believers I meet who are peeved at the Lord. They may not

admit as much-but deep inside, they hold some kind of grudge against him. Why?

They believe he’s not interested in their lives or problems! They’re convinced he

doesn’t care – because he hasn’t answered a particular prayer or acted on their

behalf.” LIFE IS TOO SHORT FOR AN ATTITUDE SUCH AS THIS.

III. THE POWER OF LIFE (Vs 15)

A. The Lord Jesus Christ is our Power

B. The Love of the Lord is our Power

C. The Life that is pleasing to the Lord is Powerful

IV. THE PLEASURES OF LIFE ( Vs 16)

A. Are Enjoyable

B. Are Enchanting

C. Are Evil

V. THE PRODUCT OF LIFE (Vs 17)

A. Sin

B. Submission

C. Shame

VI. THE PERSON OF LIFE (John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.)

A. Came to Give Life

B. Came to Give Abundant Life

C. Came to Give Eternal Life

Conclusion:

The Gospel of Salvation is that Jesus came to this World to Die on an old Rugged Cross to Give us Life.