THE IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING
INTRODUCTION: A line adapted from the poem, “To the Mouse”, by Robert Burns is stunningly apropos today. “The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.”
This weekend is one of those “days”. For all of the planning, advertising, and preparation, snow, sleet and ice sent it all to a frigid grave! The weather made it difficult for us to get things going, and almost impossible for Dr. Sparling to get up here. Who could have thought.
So, what do we do? We plan again, and reschedule of conference for April 14th and 15th. So, mark your calendars now, and plan to be here!
This also brings up an interesting thought, “Does the Bible have anything to say about planning?” The answer is yes! So, in our time together this morning, I would like to look at what the Bible has to say about plans and planning.
I PLANNING IS GOOD PREPARATION
A Remembering the Story of Joseph
1 Joseph was characterized by pride
a Brought negative reaction from brothers
b Brought personal peril
2 Joseph learned from his past
a Permitted him to excel in his slavery
b Permitted him to excel in his prison sentence
3 Joseph planned for his future
Genesis 40:9-15 So the chief cupbearer told Joseph his dream. He said to him, "In my dream I saw a vine in front of me, 10 and on the vine were three branches. As soon as it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters ripened into grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes, squeezed them into Pharaoh’s cup and put the cup in his hand." 12 "This is what it means," Joseph said to him. "The three branches are three days. 13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will put Pharaoh’s cup in his hand, just as you used to do when you were his cupbearer. 14 But when all goes well with you, remember me and show me kindness; mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this prison. 15 For I was forcibly carried off from the land of the Hebrews, and even here I have done nothing to deserve being put in a dungeon."
Genesis 40:23 The chief cupbearer, however, did not remember Joseph; he forgot him.
4 Joseph’s planning paid off
a Joseph comes before Pharaoh
b Joseph interprets to Pharaoh
c Joseph is elevated by Pharaoh
d Joseph plans for Pharaoh
THE BENEFITS OF WISE PLANNING
• Wise planning affects our future positively
• Wise planning uses our resources best
• Wise planning prevents trouble
• Wise planning brings unseen rewards
BIG IDEA #1 – PLANNING ALLOWS US TO TRANSLATE GOD’S PLAN IN TO PRACTICAL ACTION
II PLANNING IS HEALTHY PREPARATION
Proverbs 13:16 Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly.
Proverbs 13:19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, but fools detest turning from evil.
Matthew 6:34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
A We are to act out of knowledge, not folly
B Achievement out of knowledge is “sweet for the soul”
C Action not based in knowledge is
1 Folly
2 Sour
D Knowledge allows planning for tomorrow and avoid worry for tomorrow
BIG IDEA #2 – PLANNING SWEETENS OUR SOUL AND AVOIDS TROUBLE
III PLANNING IS BIBLICAL PREPARATION
James 4:13-17 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." 14 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. 17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.
A Biblical preparation is submitted preparation
1 God plan is considered in my planning
2 God’s plan may change my plan
B Biblical preparation is active preparation
1 We know it is a good thing to do
2 We need to act and plan
C Failing to plan biblically is planning to sin
BIG IDEA #3 – PUT GOD IN THE CENTER OF YOUR PLANNING – PLAN FOR GOD
IV SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT GOD’S PLAN
A God’s plan requires our submission to Him
Joshua 1:16 Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.
1 In order for things to work, we need to know what the plan is
2 In order for things to work we need to carry out the plan daily
3 In order for things to work we need to finish the plan
B God’s plan is for our eternal benefit
1 Corinthians 2:7-9 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--
C We cannot imagine God’s plans
Isaiah 65:17 "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind.
D God’s plans cannot be realized apart from Christ
Ephesians 1:9-10 (NIV) And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment--to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
Ephesians 1:9-10 (MSG) letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, 10 a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth.
E God’s ultimate plan will one day be accepted by EVERYONE
1 Some will accept God plan in love
2 Some will accept God’s plan in fear
Philippians 2:10-11 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
BIG IDEA #4 – HOW ARE YOU DOING IN GOD’S PLAN?
• If you do not know Jesus as your Savior, God has only one plan for you, … He is willing that none should perish
2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
2 Peter 3:9 (MSG) God isn’t late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn’t want anyone lost. He’s giving everyone space and time to change.
• If you know Jesus as your Savior, God has only one plan for you, …
Romans 9:21 (NIV) Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?
Romans 9:21 (MSG) Isn’t it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans?
o Are you doing what God wants you to do, or what you want to do?
• Will we submit to His plans now in love or later in fear?
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