Live Like You Were Dying

Live Like You Were Dying

(James 4:13-17)

I.                        Introduction

A.   Song "Live Like You Were Dying"

B.   The song makes the statement "Some day I hope you get the chance to live like you were dying."

C.   How would our lives be different?

D.   James 4:13-17 our lives are but a vapor
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:
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.
James 4.15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
James 4.16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
James 4.17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

E.    Psalms 90:10 & 12 we should number our days
Psa. 90.10 The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Psa. 90.12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

                            II.            The spouse we should be

 .       Ephesians 5:22-33

Eph. 5.22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
Eph. 5.23
 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
Eph. 5.24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Eph. 5.25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Eph. 5.26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
Eph. 5.27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Eph. 5.28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Eph. 5.29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
Eph. 5.30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Eph. 5.31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
Eph. 5.32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Eph. 5.33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

A.   Song "If Tomorrow Never Comes"

                         III.            Be A Friend A Friend Would Like To Have

 .       Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

A.   Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

                        IV.            Read the Good Book

 .       II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

A.   II Timothy 3:15-17
II Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
II Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
II Timothy 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

                           V.            Loved deeper and spoke sweeter

 .       Ephesians 4:31-32 
Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

A.   Colosians 3:8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

B.   James 4:11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge

C.   Angry Words - "Angry words, oh let them never from the tongue unbridled slip. May the hearts best impulse ever check them ere they soil the lips."

                        VI.            Give Forgiveness I Had Been Denying

 .       Matthew 18:21-35:

Matt. 18.21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
Matt. 18.22
 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Matt. 18.23 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.
Matt. 18.24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.
Matt. 18.25 But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.
Matt. 18.26 The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Matt. 18.27 Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Matt. 18.28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
Matt. 18.29 And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
Matt. 18.30 And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.
Matt. 18.31 So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Matt. 18.32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:
Matt. 18.33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Matt. 18.34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.
Matt. 18.35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

A.   Matthew 5:23-24
Matt. 5.23 Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee;
Matt. 5.24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

B.   James 2:13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.