I Don't Have Time For That
Notes
Transcript
“Ain’t nobody got time for that”
We all feel this don’t we?
How many times has your answer to the question, “How are you” Been “Busy”
We live in a go go go world.
We often have a hard time making things fit into our schedule. -But is that true?
We will always make time for the things that matter.
This passage deals with time (To some extent)
We are going to look at a few things that based upon this Scripture, we do not have time to do.
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—
yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
I Don’t Have Time for Confidence in the Temporary
I Don’t Have Time for Confidence in the Temporary
Verses 13-16
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—
yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
“Come now you who say...”
This shows the impending audience of this section.
If you do say this: He is talking to you.
If you don’t: Good, still take heed of the warning.
“Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—
The Arrogance of Tomorrow.
There are so many things that we do and ways that we live where our ideas and understanding are based around what we will do tomorrow.
Despite our knowledge of how temporary this life is, we tend to plan as though we will live forever.
What is our purpose in doing this?
FIRE
Financially Independent, Retired Early.
String Example
We live this part so that we can live this part really well.
“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”
We don’t have any understanding or expectation of what tomorrow holds.
Our life is a vapor.
When you blow out a candle.
We cannot have expectations of permanence in this life.
We are all painfully aware of the temporary nature of this life.
We should live our lives with such an understanding.
We know that today could be our last day. The way that we live should reflect this.
What is the sinful part of this equation?
Is planning for the future sinful?
Retirement? Saving for a house or a car?
At first glance. Planning for the future seems to be the sinful thing.
The answer to this question lies in the parallel clearly found within this passage:
“Come now you who say...”
We see a parallel to this in verse 15:
“Instead you should say...”
This is the answer to the wrong thing that was said.
He addresses those who say one thing and tells them what they should stay instead.
In comparing the differences between these two statements we can see the issue that James is comparing.
“Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
James has indicated the difference between the two scenarios.
“Today or tomorrow we will do this...”
“If the Lord wills...”
The primary issue at hand is the confidence that we put in ourselves and in this life.
Are WE establishing what will happen?
Do WE have the ability to control what will happen today? tomorrow? or in the next year?
“If the Lord wills”
We should seek to be obedient to God’s leading in our life.
We should remember to say: “If the Lord wills” before anything we intend.
This is an action of submission and humility to God.
It acknowledges his sovereignty and our dependance upon him.
It acknowledges our understanding that this life is temporary and that we will not live forever.
That our earthly lives are temporary but that we remember that we have eternal life that awaits us.
We should be able to say: “If the Lord wills” about any of our plans.
When we do this, we see if our plans are compatible with God’s will for our lives.
“If the Lord wills, I will live selfishly” doesn’t work.
Some of our plans may not be compatible with God’s will for our lives.
Taking the time to acknowledge our submission to God’s will will help us to evaluate if what we are doing is in line with God’s will for our life.
This also gives us the opportunity to change course when things are not in line with God’s will.
In June of 2021, we refinanced our house. I saw the interest rates drop and thought this was an opportunity to save money. After all I didn’t plan on going anywhere....
Within a month, God made it clear to me that it was time to take the step into being a senior pastor.
“As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.”
When we base things upon our own confidence and our own life, we are boasting in the arrogance of our life.
It is sinful to have such an attitude.
An attitude that ignores the sovereignty of God and relies on our plans.
When we read Scripture we pay attention to transitional words. the next word that comes is so… So what comes next?
I don’t Have Time to Ignore God’s Commands
I don’t Have Time to Ignore God’s Commands
Verse 17
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
Most often we think about sin as what we should not do.
The definition I think is most concise that I like to use with kids is anything we think say or do that goes against God’s law.
Most often we think of this in terms of what not to do.
Sins of Commission
These are the things that we actively do that break God’s law.
God says don’t murder, and you murder. Sin of commission. You committed an offense against God’s law.
People are very aware of these sins.
“I just try to live a good life and avoid the big sins”
This means they try not to do bad things.
When we describe the morality of a person
They don’t drink, they don’t smoke, they don’t do drugs, they don’t steal.... etc.
What they don’t do. What they do is just as important.
Sins of Omission
When we know what we should do, but we don’t.
Son I want you to mow the lawn. They don’t. They are punished.
WE SEE THIS ELSEWHERE IN SCRIPTURE
The Parable of the Talents
The Good Samaritan
Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’
Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’
When we know what we need to do, we need to do it.
This is very simple.
Sometimes the simplest things that we face in life, can be the most difficult to actually do.
I Don’t Have Time to Live Luxuriously
I Don’t Have Time to Live Luxuriously
Verses 1-6
Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.
Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.
Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
Come now- This connects this passage to the beginning section. (Come now, you who say…)
You rich- What is this talking about? Most specifically, rich landowners, as this passage shows talking about those who mowed their fields. We will also see that it is related to those who are greedy and abuse others to gain and maintain their wealth.
James has a specific people in mind when penning this. Today, we must figure out if our station aligns with theirs. If it does we should act accordingly and repent. If not, we should heed it as a warning.
Weep and howl- These words are directly invocative of the Old Testament Prophets talking about the Day of the Lord and the coming Judgement.
The rich stand in threat of judgement because of their lives. We will see why and what awaits them.
“Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.”
Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire.
What does this mean?
When does rotting and corrosion happen?
When things sit idle.
Two examples:
My grandfather had a basketball that he played with when he was in high school. He showed it to me when I was a kid. It was hard and firm and looked like it was nearly brand new. I took it to the wooden floor in the kitchen and went to bounce it and.... Thud. It was dryrotted.
In the same way, many people like to collect things. One big item people collect is shoes, particularly limited release basketball shoes. I have seen videos of people with brand new looking shoes from the 90’s that the midsoles crumble at the slightest touch. If they had been worn, they would have been in better condition.
This is what we see here: Their riches would not be rotted, their garments not moth-eaten, their gold and silver would not have corroded if it was being used. The fact that it sat idly in the is why this decay happened.
This leads to his indictment:
Storing up treasure in the last days.
Instead of this treasure being stored up, it should have been used for good.
The statement and understanding that this is the last days.
James and his contemporaries believed that. It is what Jesus said.
They thought he would return in their lifetimes.
We don’t know the day or the hour that he will return...
But we know it will be soon.
And every day we are a little bit closer.
We should live our lives as though Jesus is coming soon.
How would you live today if you knew Jesus was coming tomorrow?
A month from now?
A year from now?
5 years from now?
20?
It really doesn’t matter when he comes because he is coming.
Even if he doesnt come in our lifetimes we will all stand before him in judgement and be accountable for what we do.
This is why these people should be in fear.
“Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.”
This is why they stand condemned.
They are abusing those that work for them. They are taking advantage of others.
This is a warning for us to consider how we are living and whether the things we do are glorifying to God or not.
“You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence.”
This section is a rebuke on those who live a life of luxury and abuse others.
John Chrysostom
Born in the mid 300s.
Chrysostom meaning “Golden-mouthed” was beloved for his preaching.
Lived Ascetic Life
Became Bishop of Constantinople.
Began to sell all of the furniture and expensive things in the episcopal palace.
Opened a hospital for the sick and needy.
Preached constantly against luxury and wealth
“There is nothing more grievous than luxury.”
And you shall eat and be full, and you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.
“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today,
lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them,
and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied,
then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery,
On Wealth and Poverty (St. John Chrysostom, First Sermon on Lazarus and the Rich Man)
In this way luxury often leads to forgetfulness. As for you, my beloved, if you sit at table, remember that from the table you must go to prayer. Fill your belly so moderately that you may not become too heavy to bend your knees and call upon your God.
After thanksgiving fullness prevents us from doing anything. That is what John Chrysostom is saying. That is what James is saying. Over indulgence in luxurious living leaves us lulled into a slumber. Preventing us from doing good, and tempting us into Evil.
“You have fattened your heart in a day of slaughter.”
The rich are ignoring the situation that they are in.
Before an animal is slaughtered for meat, what do they do to it? They fatten it so it will be ready for slaughter.
The rich are ignoring their situation and impending judgement. They are fattening their hearts before the slaughter.
They are increasing their sin before the day of judgement.
They should instead repent and turn to God.
This is an example of what not to do and how not to live.
We cannot keep living ignoring the coming of Christ and the day we stand before the throne.
Because of this…
I don’t have time not to be obedient to the Lord.
I don’t have time not to be obedient to the Lord.
What do you need to do today?
Submit to God’s Sovereignty and Authority in your life?
Seek his plans for your life over your own?
Be obedient in doing what God calls you to?
Instead of just avoiding sins of commission?
To repent of luxurious living in the last days?
Storing up what should be poured out for others?
Lord’s Supper
Body
For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,
and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
Blood
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.