Click here for the audio message of – James 5:12-20
We conclude our look at the epistle of James this morning. Over the past couple of months we have learned from James about several aspects of the Christian’s life. We are to stay faithful during trials and temptations.
We are to live out our faith with selfless love. We are to watch what we say, control our words, control our tongues. We are to be patience. We are to be humble. And we are to trust God rather than trust in our own abilities or riches.
In verse 12, James tells us to make our yes, yes and our no, no. When you say you are going to do something, then do it. When you promise someone something, then follow through and uphold your promise, uphold your word.
This also means to say what you mean. Speak the truth in love and you won’t ever have to worry about what the other person thinks. This idea once again reinforces the idea of controlling the tongue and having patience.
Think before you speak. Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 29:8, “Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.” Be wise, be loving, be patient.
James then starts to finish up his letter by writing about prayer. Whatever your situation is, pray. Pray if you are happy. Pray if you are sad. Pray for healing or pray for continued good health. Pray for suffering, confessions, each other, petitions, praise, supplications, and thanksgiving.
No doubt most of you have had experience with prayer. We’ve discussed prayer here many times. Some people still only pray when they need something. They view God as some type of genie in a bottle or something. He’s there when you need something, but other than that you leave me alone.
I think to some extent we are all like that. Our prayer life kicks in to overdrive when we are in trouble, sick, or in need of help. But in those good times, maybe we don’t praise God enough for the wonderful things He does in our lives. What a great time to do it, now today. This week as we celebrate Thanksgiving, make sure to thank the One who makes it all possible.
Later on today or this week, read back over the scripture this morning and try to make at least one of these types of prayer more a part of your life. I know some people keep prayer journals and look back through them to see how God has answered their prayers.
Each week at our Bible study we close with prayer and prayer requests. I always write them down in my notebook and it is interesting to look back through them and see what has been done. Our prayers are not always answered the way we think they should, but God does answer them.
In verses 14-16, James discusses physical and spiritual healing. We are to tell other people about our physical needs, our spiritual needs and ask them to pray for us. We are to pray with passion and energy.
James tells us to call the elders and other church leaders together for anointing, prayer, and confession. If you remember we did that here for Joyce about a year ago or so. We gathered around her here at the alter and I anointed her with oil and we prayed for her healing.
Now, I didn’t do anything special. I don’t have any super powers and there was nothing special about the oil in this bottle up here. But God listened to us. He heard our prayers and He answered them in a way that we can rejoice in but He answered our prayers according to His will.
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. These are the energetic, passionate prayers of godly people that activate the power of God to move in their lives or the lives of others.
James gives the example of Elijah from the Old Testament. This is probably once of the most notable illustrations of the power of prayer in the Old Testament. His prayers both initiated and ended a three and a half year drought. Now that is power. That is being in tune with God.
We are the same kind of person as Elijah was. He like all of the other Old Testament characters wasn’t a superhero or something. In fact, He was a man subject to similar passions as we are. But he was also a man who prayed with passion, and that is the kind of prayer we need today.
James closes his letter by telling us that we are responsible for each other. We are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others. As they receive Christ into their lives, we are to help them grow and mature in the faith. This involves discipline and correcting them when they stray from the Word of God.
The closing words of James really express his primary objective of this letter. That is simply to confront those people that have a fake or dead faith. Rather than address these people and warn them directly, James tells the faithful believers to witness to those fellow believers that are not living in full obedience to God’s Word.
That is definitely something we need to continue to do today as well. Some believers have indeed strayed or wandered from the truth. This people are in danger and must be called back to a faithful life.
Maintaining open, sharing, praying relationships with other Christians will help keep us from getting stuck in a rut in our spiritual lives. These relationships help give us the strength that provides victory over our sin.
God has granted to all believers the ministry of reconciling wandering souls to Himself. When a so called believer’s life shows evidence that their faith is not real, it is our duty as a believer to witness and minister to them for genuine saving faith in God.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for our time studying the words of your servant James. We thank you for the many practical advice you gave us through him for our daily lives. Help us to truly implement them into our lives.
As we prepare to give our thanks this week, help us to remember to give thanks to you for all that you have done and for all that you will do for us. We thank you especially for sending your son into this world to save us from our sins.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
AMEN
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
What Awaits
Click here for the audio message of – James 5:1-11
James continues his tests of faith in Chapter 5. Now James focuses on money and the believer’s view of money. This portion of Scripture is really divided into two sections, greed and patience and is addressed to the rich and the oppressed people.
James condemns the people who profess to be Christians, but really worship money. He tells them to look at their hearts again. He isn’t condemning their wealth, simply how they are using their money.
James declares that judgment awaits rich people because of their crimes. What are these crimes? The rich have hoarded their wealth. They have committed fraud in order to get more wealth. They are greedy. They live a life of luxury while others do not even have enough to survive.
If James were writing this letter today, I don’t think he would be addressing just the millionaires here in the United States. Even the poorest people here have it much better than many places around the world.
I believe as citizens of the United States we have been blessed by God many times over, but I think as individuals of the kingdom of God we will be judge based upon what God has given to us and how we have used or abused those blessings.
Do you consider yourself rich? Most people here would probably say no and that may be true based upon American standards. However, if I describe rich as having more than you need, I suspect everyone meets that standard. That’s how James described the rich.
Piling up riches can be like not trusting God. Now, I am not saying we shouldn’t save for things like retirement or education or a home or car or whatever. God doesn’t tell us not to plan. He tells us to trust Him and make Him a big part of our plan.
God takes care of His people. Think about some of the things that Jesus said during His sermon on the mount in Matthew chapter 5 through 7.
“…do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink…. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, or reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:25-26
“…your heavenly father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:32-34
James then speaks to the poor, they were the ones being persecuted and ruled over by the rich. He starts by telling them to be patient during their trials. This too shows where they place their trust. Trust God, not man. Trust God, not riches. Trust God, not works.
It is tough to watch everyone else around you getting stuff like new cars and big screen tv’s and such. It is tough not to want those things too. It is tough to see others live in luxury while you struggle to make ends meet. We need to be patient and trust in God and use whatever He has given us to further honor Him. Trust and obey.
But part of the problem is the fact that people don’t have patience. They want what they want and they want it now. That is partially why we are having this economic meltdown. People simply bought on credit more stuff than they could afford. They were trying to live a lifestyle beyond what their income supplied. The results are not surprising to me at all.
James gives several examples of patience in his letter. He says look at the farmer. He invests a bunch of money and time in seeds. He plants them and then pretty much trusts God and waits on Him to make the crop grow. Sure today, we have pesticides, fertilizers, and irrigation systems, but whether or not the farmer acknowledges it he is at the mercy of God to make his crop grow as well.
The farmer has to wait. He has to be patient because the crops don’t grow and produce fruits and vegetables overnight. It takes many months to produce a harvest.
James also mentions the patience of the prophets of the Old Testament. They proclaimed the arrival of the Messiah, but never actually saw the birth of Christ. Many of them were ridiculed and persecuted for their words, but they patiently endured and were proven right with the birth of Christ.
Finally, of course, anytime you think of biblical patience, I am sure Job comes to mind. He was being tempted by Satan, but he never gave in. He was patient and God showed he was not being punished for his sin.
Some of us can use some patience. Even if it is just the little things in life that get to us, like traffic or waiting in the checkout lines, we still need to trust God. Wait on the Lord, His timing is best.
The words of James speak to us this morning, not just about being rich or poor or being patient through our suffering, but they speak to us about the coming of Christ. The believer rejoices at the thought of Christ’s return, while the unbelievers are fearful of death. God will set things right when He returns, but it will be on His schedule and on His terms.
Wealth can be a blessing or a curse. It simply depends on the person’s relationship with God. A right relationship produces blessings whereas a wrong relationship will be like a curse. Are you blessed or cursed?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this practical advice on being patient. Help us to be like the farmers who trust in you for their harvest. Give us the patience that we need in our everyday matters of life.
But most importantly, help us to be patient in our faith and wait for your timing as you work in our lives. Give us the things that we need for today and help us to trust in you to take care of tomorrow.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
AMEN
James continues his tests of faith in Chapter 5. Now James focuses on money and the believer’s view of money. This portion of Scripture is really divided into two sections, greed and patience and is addressed to the rich and the oppressed people.
James condemns the people who profess to be Christians, but really worship money. He tells them to look at their hearts again. He isn’t condemning their wealth, simply how they are using their money.
James declares that judgment awaits rich people because of their crimes. What are these crimes? The rich have hoarded their wealth. They have committed fraud in order to get more wealth. They are greedy. They live a life of luxury while others do not even have enough to survive.
If James were writing this letter today, I don’t think he would be addressing just the millionaires here in the United States. Even the poorest people here have it much better than many places around the world.
I believe as citizens of the United States we have been blessed by God many times over, but I think as individuals of the kingdom of God we will be judge based upon what God has given to us and how we have used or abused those blessings.
Do you consider yourself rich? Most people here would probably say no and that may be true based upon American standards. However, if I describe rich as having more than you need, I suspect everyone meets that standard. That’s how James described the rich.
Piling up riches can be like not trusting God. Now, I am not saying we shouldn’t save for things like retirement or education or a home or car or whatever. God doesn’t tell us not to plan. He tells us to trust Him and make Him a big part of our plan.
God takes care of His people. Think about some of the things that Jesus said during His sermon on the mount in Matthew chapter 5 through 7.
“…do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink…. Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, or reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” Matthew 6:25-26
“…your heavenly father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:32-34
James then speaks to the poor, they were the ones being persecuted and ruled over by the rich. He starts by telling them to be patient during their trials. This too shows where they place their trust. Trust God, not man. Trust God, not riches. Trust God, not works.
It is tough to watch everyone else around you getting stuff like new cars and big screen tv’s and such. It is tough not to want those things too. It is tough to see others live in luxury while you struggle to make ends meet. We need to be patient and trust in God and use whatever He has given us to further honor Him. Trust and obey.
But part of the problem is the fact that people don’t have patience. They want what they want and they want it now. That is partially why we are having this economic meltdown. People simply bought on credit more stuff than they could afford. They were trying to live a lifestyle beyond what their income supplied. The results are not surprising to me at all.
James gives several examples of patience in his letter. He says look at the farmer. He invests a bunch of money and time in seeds. He plants them and then pretty much trusts God and waits on Him to make the crop grow. Sure today, we have pesticides, fertilizers, and irrigation systems, but whether or not the farmer acknowledges it he is at the mercy of God to make his crop grow as well.
The farmer has to wait. He has to be patient because the crops don’t grow and produce fruits and vegetables overnight. It takes many months to produce a harvest.
James also mentions the patience of the prophets of the Old Testament. They proclaimed the arrival of the Messiah, but never actually saw the birth of Christ. Many of them were ridiculed and persecuted for their words, but they patiently endured and were proven right with the birth of Christ.
Finally, of course, anytime you think of biblical patience, I am sure Job comes to mind. He was being tempted by Satan, but he never gave in. He was patient and God showed he was not being punished for his sin.
Some of us can use some patience. Even if it is just the little things in life that get to us, like traffic or waiting in the checkout lines, we still need to trust God. Wait on the Lord, His timing is best.
The words of James speak to us this morning, not just about being rich or poor or being patient through our suffering, but they speak to us about the coming of Christ. The believer rejoices at the thought of Christ’s return, while the unbelievers are fearful of death. God will set things right when He returns, but it will be on His schedule and on His terms.
Wealth can be a blessing or a curse. It simply depends on the person’s relationship with God. A right relationship produces blessings whereas a wrong relationship will be like a curse. Are you blessed or cursed?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for this practical advice on being patient. Help us to be like the farmers who trust in you for their harvest. Give us the patience that we need in our everyday matters of life.
But most importantly, help us to be patient in our faith and wait for your timing as you work in our lives. Give us the things that we need for today and help us to trust in you to take care of tomorrow.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
AMEN
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Getting Perspective
Click here for the audio message of – James 4:11-17
How many times have you been convinced that you are in control of your life? You are the captain of your own ship. You are the commander and master of your fate. Right? I think at times we all have this type of thinking.
Sometimes only a crisis type situation will enable us to see the truth. That we are not in control and never have been and never will be. God is in control as we have studied before. In this morning’s scripture James flat out tells us that “[We] are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”
This portion of James’ letter focuses on just that fact. He clues us in to realizing what our attitude is toward God, towards others, and towards our future. Then he helps us to make them what they really should be.
James starts by telling us that we are not the judges of other people. Do not speak evil of others. How many of you have ever done that? Yeah, all of us. How many of you have actually done that today! No doubt some of us.
We are not to speak evil of others. Why? Because those who speak evil of others set themselves up as judges. God is the only judge. He is the only one that knows our hearts. Now this speaking evil of others we would translate into slander today.
James is not talking about confronting other’s sin. We are commanded to do that, but we are not judging their sin by our own rules, rather we are confronting their sin based upon the word of God. If we do in fact judge others based upon our own thoughts then we are not respecting God who is the lawgiver.
At lot of times people speak evil of others or slander them to build themselves up. We see this especially with kids, but adults do it as well. As we are building ourselves up we actually start to believe that we are better than other people.
It reminds me of the parable Jesus told of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. As Max Lucado retells the parable [Traveling Light p 74], the self righteous person prays like this,
“God, I thank you that the world has people like me. The man on the corner needs welfare – I don’t. The prostitute on the street has AIDS – I don’t. The drunk at the bar needs alcohol – I don’t. The gay [people] need morality – I don’t. I thank you that the world has people like me!”
That is the prayer of the self-righteous man. We really ought to be praying like the sinners we are.
“God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Like my brother on welfare, I’m dependent on your grace. Like my sister with AIDS, I’m infected with mistakes. Like my friend who drinks, I need something to ease my pain. And as you love and give direction to the gays, grant some to me as well. Have mercy on me a sinner.”
When we love and trust God, we will also loves others and obey God. We will know that we are no better than anyone else. We are saved by the mercy and grace of God just like others. When we truly realize and believe that, then we can more fully understand what God wants for us and from us.
That brings us back to the opening of this message. Are you living your life thinking you are in control or are you living life as if God is in control? The phrase here today, gone tomorrow is true. We have no control over how long we will live. We should be living each day for God.
Our earthly lives are only temporary, but as you receive Christ into your life you can start to enjoy eternity with Him.
Our life is like a mist, like a vapor, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan for things either. James is not saying that at all. Wise planning is very important and in fact is a gift from God. The idea here is to always make God a part of your plan.
The last thing I want to look at this morning is verse 17. I am not going to say much about it, but it really hits home to me and affects the way I live my life.
“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (NASB) Think about it. Most of us are not “bad” people at least by societies standards. But how often did you not do the right thing, when you knew what the right thing was to do.
There are a great many people sinning today and they don’t even know it. If you know the right thing to do and do not do it, that is sin. Being a Christian is not just about avoiding the wrong things in life, rather it means focusing our lives on doing what is right according to God’s plan.
Our lives are very brief, 70 or 80 years says Moses. We should not spend our time arguing over things that really won’t matter for eternity. It ruins the joy of living. We need to come to Christ and then we will truly start living.
Living the will of God is another test of a Christian’s faith. We should want to carry out the will of God with all our heart. Trying to be in control of our own life is like rejecting God’s path for us.
In John 10:10, Jesus said “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” He wants to give you that life. The question is do you want it and are you living that life today?
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for giving us the knowledge of right and wrong. Help us to do what is right. Help us to love those around us rather than judge them. Make our plans align with your plan. Strengthen our commitment and faith to you.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
AMEN
How many times have you been convinced that you are in control of your life? You are the captain of your own ship. You are the commander and master of your fate. Right? I think at times we all have this type of thinking.
Sometimes only a crisis type situation will enable us to see the truth. That we are not in control and never have been and never will be. God is in control as we have studied before. In this morning’s scripture James flat out tells us that “[We] are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.”
This portion of James’ letter focuses on just that fact. He clues us in to realizing what our attitude is toward God, towards others, and towards our future. Then he helps us to make them what they really should be.
James starts by telling us that we are not the judges of other people. Do not speak evil of others. How many of you have ever done that? Yeah, all of us. How many of you have actually done that today! No doubt some of us.
We are not to speak evil of others. Why? Because those who speak evil of others set themselves up as judges. God is the only judge. He is the only one that knows our hearts. Now this speaking evil of others we would translate into slander today.
James is not talking about confronting other’s sin. We are commanded to do that, but we are not judging their sin by our own rules, rather we are confronting their sin based upon the word of God. If we do in fact judge others based upon our own thoughts then we are not respecting God who is the lawgiver.
At lot of times people speak evil of others or slander them to build themselves up. We see this especially with kids, but adults do it as well. As we are building ourselves up we actually start to believe that we are better than other people.
It reminds me of the parable Jesus told of the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18. As Max Lucado retells the parable [Traveling Light p 74], the self righteous person prays like this,
“God, I thank you that the world has people like me. The man on the corner needs welfare – I don’t. The prostitute on the street has AIDS – I don’t. The drunk at the bar needs alcohol – I don’t. The gay [people] need morality – I don’t. I thank you that the world has people like me!”
That is the prayer of the self-righteous man. We really ought to be praying like the sinners we are.
“God, have mercy on me, a sinner. Like my brother on welfare, I’m dependent on your grace. Like my sister with AIDS, I’m infected with mistakes. Like my friend who drinks, I need something to ease my pain. And as you love and give direction to the gays, grant some to me as well. Have mercy on me a sinner.”
When we love and trust God, we will also loves others and obey God. We will know that we are no better than anyone else. We are saved by the mercy and grace of God just like others. When we truly realize and believe that, then we can more fully understand what God wants for us and from us.
That brings us back to the opening of this message. Are you living your life thinking you are in control or are you living life as if God is in control? The phrase here today, gone tomorrow is true. We have no control over how long we will live. We should be living each day for God.
Our earthly lives are only temporary, but as you receive Christ into your life you can start to enjoy eternity with Him.
Our life is like a mist, like a vapor, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t plan for things either. James is not saying that at all. Wise planning is very important and in fact is a gift from God. The idea here is to always make God a part of your plan.
The last thing I want to look at this morning is verse 17. I am not going to say much about it, but it really hits home to me and affects the way I live my life.
“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (NASB) Think about it. Most of us are not “bad” people at least by societies standards. But how often did you not do the right thing, when you knew what the right thing was to do.
There are a great many people sinning today and they don’t even know it. If you know the right thing to do and do not do it, that is sin. Being a Christian is not just about avoiding the wrong things in life, rather it means focusing our lives on doing what is right according to God’s plan.
Our lives are very brief, 70 or 80 years says Moses. We should not spend our time arguing over things that really won’t matter for eternity. It ruins the joy of living. We need to come to Christ and then we will truly start living.
Living the will of God is another test of a Christian’s faith. We should want to carry out the will of God with all our heart. Trying to be in control of our own life is like rejecting God’s path for us.
In John 10:10, Jesus said “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” He wants to give you that life. The question is do you want it and are you living that life today?
Closing Prayer
Lord, we thank you for giving us the knowledge of right and wrong. Help us to do what is right. Help us to love those around us rather than judge them. Make our plans align with your plan. Strengthen our commitment and faith to you.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
AMEN
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