LIVING LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW
Below are notes to a sermon preached Sunday morning, Aug. 29, 1999, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia:
LIVING LIKE THERE IS NO TOMORROW
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Matthew 6:24-34
Text: Matthew 6:34
Matthew 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Introduction: Sometimes you hear the expression, “He lives like there is no tomorrow.” Usually that is said in a derogatory fashion. It means the person is wasteful of his health, his wealth, his loved ones, or his reputation. It means he spends everything now and has nothing left for the future.
Proverbs 21:20 There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.
Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
However, you know we may NOT have a tomorrow. Also, there is a sense in which we should live as though we do not have another chance to do the right thing. In that case, we should indeed live as if there is no tomorrow. Let me illustrate:
I. THERE MAY BE NO TOMORROW FOR YOUR SOUL’S SALVATION
2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)
Luke 12:20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
A. Death is sure – Heb. 9:27
B. Death is soon
C. Death is sudden
And, if you’re unsaved, eternal torment awaits you with no escape …
II. THERE MAY BE NO TOMORROW FOR SAVING SINNERS
Acts 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
Luke 16:27-28 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
A. There is eternal rejoicing if we win someone today
B. There is everlasting regret if someone dies, lost, who we neglected to win
C. There is an exceptional responsibility for us
* The apostle Paul felt his responsibility to witness to EVERYONE — do you?
III. THERE MAY BE NO TOMORROW FOR SERVING THE SAVIOR
Joshua 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.
1 Chronicles 29:5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?
A. Let’s adjust TODAY’S plans, to serve God
B. Let’s adjust TODAY’S priorities, to serve God
C. Let’s adjust TODAY’S pleasures, to serve God!!!