By Steve A. Hamilton

Psalm. 103:15-16 

Intro:    Look at our lives as compared to a flower.

            Man’s life cycle is found in those two verses.

                        As a flower, you have your moment in the sun - you flourish. Vs. 15

                        Then, time passes you by as the wind - and you die.  Vs. 16

                        Your place in life is remembered no more - you are forgotten.           

I.  Life is short.  Flowers “bloom but for a season.”

            1.  Isaiah understood the shortness of life (Isa. 40:6-8).

                        People are as grass, your goodness is as the flower and your life is as the Lord’s

                        breath.  One thing remains - the Word of God.

            2.  Life is a vapor (James 4:14).  We have little time.

            3.  Death can occur at any time!

                        A.  Use local paper illustration.

                        B.  I’ve flown helicopters while performing topping checks ...

                        C.  Your life could end slow and naturally or quick and traumatically.

                        D.  Old age might take us.

                        E.  I’m trying to illustrate just how short life is!  We should be as sober about our own death.  Older people are in touch with their mortality.  I’m afraid young people are not.  But a sudden death could occur to either.

                        F.  I’m sure you know of someone who died in a sudden accident.  Do you think they woke up and thought, “I’m going to die today?”

                        G.  We need to be prepared for death and realize our life is short (James 1:10-11).

II. We have our moment in the sun.  We will bloom.  What do we make of it?

            1.  Parable of the Sower (Matt. 13:3-9,18-23).

                        A.  Seed among the stones = tribulation and persecution because of the Word (James 1:12).

                        B.  Seed among the thorns = cares of the world (Luke 12:22-31).

            2.  You will not bloom unless you are baptized (Matt. 15:13).

            3.  Must do God’s will (Matt. 7:21).

            4.  We must always do God’s will as long as he gives us the ability (Gal. 6:7-10).

                        A. 2 Tim. 4:6-8:  Notice Paul didn’t say, “I quit!” or “I’m retired.” or “I’ve done my share.”

                        B.  Notice what happens if we faint, quit or retire.  We won’t reap.       

III. Are you prepared?

            A.  What impressions will you leave behind?  For example, do you remember how your flower bed looked last summer?  How about the flower bed from the year before?

                  The Rich man in Luke 16:19-31 didn’t leave a good one.  In fact, he wanted someone

                        to return and correct his relatives so they wouldn’t follow his example.

            B.  If you die today, would people have a favorable impression of you?

                        Will they say:

                        1. “She was never baptized.”

                        2. “He never would teach a Bible class.”

                        3. “Dad never went to church on the opening day of deer season.” 

Conclusion:  Our lives are short.  “We bloom but for a season.”  We have to make the most of it (1 Pet. 1:22-25). 

(Invitation song #570: “As the Life of a Flower” or #199: “Where the Roses Never Fade”)  

Last modified: 05/02/08