Preacher’s Pulpit
Taking Your Blessings For Granted
TEXT: (James 4:13-16)
INTRODUCTION:
Oh teach me, Lord, to treasure much
The simple things of life . . . the touch
Of wind and snow, of rain and sun;
And when the hours of work are done,
The quietness of rest, the fair
And healing sustenance of prayer.
And, Lord of living, help me keep
A shining, singing gladness deep
Within for blessings yet to be
Through all eternity. . . . copied
Often we find ourselves just like these folks in thinking that our life is set and will never change.
We will just continue on day after day and as a result many times take our blessings for GRANTED.
James points out that we ought to daily be mindful of our blessings and opportunities.
I would notice some areas that most take for GRANTED:
I. WE TAKE LIFE FOR GRANTED
(James 4:14) “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
A. Life is very transient and uncertain in this life.
B. Not only does James tell us this, but also Solomon in:
(Prov 27:1) “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”
C. A Bible example of taking life for granted can be seen in:
(Luke 12:16-19) “And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: {17}And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? {18}And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. {19}And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”
D. So many times folks think that life will just go on forever this side of Heaven – Taint so!
E. Are you SAVED and LIVING for God?
(Mat 16:26) “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
II. WE TAKE OUR PHYSICAL BLESSING FOR GRANTED
(James 4:13) “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:”
A. HEALTH until it is gone!
1. Just get sick and you will know what I am saying.
2. Active and then inactive!
B. WEALTH until it is gone!
1. Good job – gone!
2. Good pay – gone!
C. A single incident and all of the a fore mention can change and change for ever!
D. WE need to remember:
(Deu 8:18) “But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.”
III. WE TAKE OUR FAMILIES FOR GRANTED
(Josh 24:15) “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
A. The HOME is battling for its life today.
B. People are searching for fulfillment outside the home.
C. Home are unstable, lacking the foundations of the Word of God.
D. 2 out of 3 will experience DIVORCE!
E. Solomon warns of taking your family for granted:
(Prov 11:29a) “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind:”
F. This is a direct warning from God against troubling one’s own HOME.
G. If we create disturbances in our home, we can expect to lose everything . . . “inherit the wind.”
H. The home suffers today from:
1. Social pressures
2. Moral inconsistencies
3. Spiritual indifference
I. One of the greatest wastes in American is the FAMILY!
J. And yet, God says that the FAMILY is:
1. Special
2. One of the dearest earthly relationships
3. Before government and Church
4. Foundation of society
K. FAMILY, it’s the apple of God’s eye today!
CONCLUSION:
(James 4:15) “For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” Please don’t take your BLESSINGS for GRANTED! In moment of the twinkling of the eye, all of life can change. And sometimes it can never be reclaimed. Therefore, seize every opportunity today to be thankful for all that God has is and will do for you. Let us be thankful today.