March 14, 2010
SOVEREIGN GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH
Of Princeton, New Jersey

James 4: 15: For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

MEETING LOCATION
Rocky Hill Firehouse, 2nd floor
150 Washington Street, Rocky Hill, NJ 08553

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday 10:00 AM Bible Class
11:00 AM Morning Service
Thursday 7:00 PM Mid-week Service

WEB ADDRESSES
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MAILING ADDRESS
7 Birch Street
Pennington, New Jersey 08534
Phone: 615-513-4464
Email: mailto:clay@sovereign-grace.us

Thank You
Thank you for providing food for the Santamaria family. Jaime's mother was hospitalized recently. As God enables you by his all-sufficient grace, continue to remember this family before our Lord.

THE LORD WILLING
James 4: 13-17

Caution against Presumption
James 4: 13, 14

We fill our hearts with happiness at the prospect of our plans. But reflect on what we are saying, "Today or tomorrow WE WILL? WE WILL go into such a city? WE WILL continue there a year? WE WILL buy and sell, and get gain?"

We need to consider two things: first, you and I can not presume what we will do tomorrow because we have no idea of what shall be tomorrow; secondly, to put confidence in what "we will" is to put confidence in vapor. Would you put assurance in something that appears for a little time then vanishes away? The Spirit of God says, "Your life is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away."

If God is not in our thoughts today as we make plans for tomorrow then God will not be in our thoughts tomorrow if our plans come to pass. If today we boast in what "we will" then tomorrow if our plans come to pass our boast will be in "we" who willed it.

A Word to Remember
James 4: 15

This should always be the first word in our hearts, if not audibly because only God declares the end from the beginning and performs all his purpose (Isa 46: 10-13.) You and I do not work all things together but our God does. He does it for his people in particular. And He does it according to his purpose (Romans 8: 28-31.) All our actions and the actions of all men are under the control of the Lord. He is Almighty! He does all for the glory of his name and the good of his people. Our life is a vapor, but what peace if that vapor is in the sovereign hand of God! (Ps 31: 15; I Sam 2: 6-8.) Therefore, let all our plans and conduct be in submissive dependence upon our God.

The Offense in "I Will"
James 4: 16

It is not only presumption to put confidence in our will it is evil. Rejoicing in our boastings is evil because we speak as if we were independent from God. What pride! (Ps 10: 4.) Pride is what James is dealing with in this letter: one is your Master (James 3: 1.) There is one Lawgiver. That means there is one Word and one who is able to give his law in the heart so as to make the tongue sing of grace and mercy in Christ Jesus while destroying our destruction. Therefore be not desirous of vain glory, envious to be many masters as if we were little gods over men. Dare we who have experienced the Power and Wisdom of God use our tongues to rail, to unjustly condemn, or to presume upon our will! To do so is not to walk in the Spirit but to mind the things of this earth. It is to speak evil of the law of liberty, the law of love and grace. It is to speak evil of the Lord who is able to save or to destroy. It is to deny the power of God!

The Will of the Father
James 4: 17

This is the will of the Father that you believe on his Son, Christ Jesus the Lord. He alone is able. In him are hid all the treasures God has for his people: righteousness, justification, sanctification, eternal life! This world consists of the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. It is not of the Father and shall perish. But he that does the will of the Father shall be saved (I John 2: 15-17.) Christ the Light has come, and admit it or not, this generation knows it the world over. It is a greater offense for those--even an entire generation--who know the truth and do otherwise.

The Lord gives such simple and clear instructions that none are without excuse: submit yourselves to God (James 4: 7), ask God for wisdom (James 4: 8; 1: 5), set your mind on one object, Christ Jesus (James 4: 8), repent from all else believing on Christ Jesus expecting him to fulfill all his promise of salvation (James 4: 9, 10.) Pride says, "I will, I will, I will!" Listen to the uncertainty of your will, "For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." But get hold of how certain this word is from the able Lord of glory, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and HE SHALL LIFT YOU UP." Ask the leper! (Mark 1: 40-42.)

Are you a leper? Then say no more, "I will, I will" but humble yourselves in the sight of God, saying, "If thou wilt, thou can make me clean!" Oh, to hear these words in your soul from the Lord who is able, "I will; be thou clean!" May God exercise his irresistible will in you to make you willing in the day of his power to bow to him!

SERMONS
After clicking on the following links you will find an option at the top of the page for the audio.

How Do You Know You Are Saved?
The Lord Willing
With His Stripes
It Shall Be Said

ARTICLE
Faith and Power