"What Is Your Life?" James 4:13 I. Introduction. A. All of the efforts and plans of men are often subject to conditions and factors that man cannot control. B. Men cannot determine: 1. The date of one's birth: someone else did that for you. 2. The date of one's death(except suicide). 3. The family one is born into; the conditions of that family; etc. 4. Many outside factors beyond one's control: society mores, other people's thoughts and/or actions, etc. C. Man can determine: 1. The direction of one's life(may have to adjust to uncontrollable factors).(Psychologists often excuse people: God's word changes people so they do not have to be justified in sin.) 2. One's personal conduct and behavior. 3. The destiny of one's soul. II. Body. What Is Your Life(James 4:14)? A. The time between one's birth and one's death. 1. It is brief: James 4:14b. 2. The Psalmist observed: Psalm 37:25. 3. For some, the time is short; for others--many years. 4. Spoke with one who had outlived all friends and relatives: felt lonesome. 5. One should reflect on what is being accomplished; what one desires to leave; etc. B. The experiences one has during a lifetime. 1. For some: pleasant; for others: misery. 2. One who seeks riches will spend time pursuing: James 4:13-14. a. Is there something more important than riches? b. Heed this: James 5:1-5. 3. Remember the parable of the sower: Mark 4:18-19. 4. One's interests determine one's values and conduct: Mark 4:20. C. The effect one has upon the family, friends, neighbors, and others. 1. Everyone influences someone! 2. How I live does guide others into a certain path. 3. One's life leads children, friends, neighbors and brethren. 4. This life should lead others to the next life: Matthew 7:13-14. 5. How I treat others; how I view others; how I affect others, etc.-- "This is your life!" D. Determined by the values of a person. 1. This life is what I make it: one has that power--otherwise, gospel has no meaning. 2. If one values material items: that will be emphasis(life). a. One man: Matthew 19:22(discuss). b. "In the eager search for wealth, forgotten is the soul." c. Is this easy? Matthew 6:31. d. "I have to make a living or I have to save my soul?" must be confronted by every disciple. 3. If one values fleshly lusts, such will be one's life. a. The younger son valued pleasures of this life. b. Note: Hebrews 11:25. c. When one is too old, too sick, and too tired, "what next?" E. Should not be decided by the actions of other humans. 1. These pressures can seem overwhelming. 2. One's own family can pressure the Christian toward an unrighteous life. 3. The pressures of associates(work, business, play, etc.) can lead one on a path away from God. 4. The actions and behaviors of brethren have influenced some away from the Lord. a. Whether the actions were right or wrong(imagined or real). b. One can ruin one's own life by such conduct. 5. Let God decide how I will live my life: Philippians 3:13-17. F. The question: Mark 8:37. 1. Some have sold out for a meager farthing(1/4 of a penny). 2. Men have exchanged their "life"(soul) for: a. Pleasure. b. Wealth. c. Sensualism. d. Relationships. e. Lusts. f. ...anything Satan has to offer. 3. The majority have made a bad bargain. III. Conclusion. A. Remember where we started? James 4:14. B. When this life is over, how will you answer, "What is/was your life?"-jy