• James 1 – Patient when in trouble. (stand confidently)
• James 2 – Lives out who they are. (serve compassionately)
• James 3 – Controlling our tongue. (speak carefully)
• Wisdom was an important thing to Jewish people.
• They realized that it was not enough to have knowledge.
• You had to have wisdom to be able to use that knowledge correctly.[1]

James 3:13-18
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness (meekness) that comes from wisdom.

• Here is an original “show and tell.”
• “Wise” (sophos) describes one with moral insight and skill in the practical issues of life.
• Wisdom is not measured by degrees but by deeds.
• People demonstrate wisdom if their deeds reflect God’s Word.[2]
• Wisdom knows the good and knows how to do the good.[3]
• Gentleness/Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23);
• The phrase, “meekness of wisdom,” is an interesting one.
• Meekness is the right use of power, and wisdom is the right use of knowledge. They go together.
• The truly wise person will show in his daily life (conduct means “behavior”) that he is a child of God.
• Attitude and action go together.[4]
• It is not a matter of acquiring truth in lectures but of applying truth to life.
• The truly wise man is humble.[5]

14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth.

• Bitterness and selfishness… get me away.
• Selfishness will always rise to the top.
• You may want something to turn out your way… So you take God’s Word and start beating people over the head with it.
• It’s God’s agenda over your agenda.

 
15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition (strife), there is disorder and every evil practice.

• Envy and strife are clear indicators that one’s so-called wisdom is not from above (James 1:17 - 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.[6]),
• but is earthly, unspiritual (“natural, sensual,”), and of the devil (“demonic,”).
• Envy and selfish ambition, or rivalry, can only produce disorder, or confusion, and every evil practice.

 

• The Bible contains many examples of the folly of man’s wisdom.
• The building of the Tower of Babel seemed like a wise enterprise, but it ended in failure and confusion (Gen. 11:1–9).
• It seemed wise for Abraham to go to Egypt when famine came to Canaan, but the results proved otherwise (Gen. 12:10–20).
• King Saul thought it was wise to put his own armor on young David for the lad’s battle with Goliath, but God’s plan was otherwise (1 Sam. 17:38ff).
• The disciples thought it was wise to dismiss the great crowd and let them find their own food; but Jesus took a few loaves and fishes and fed the multitude.
• The Roman “experts” in Acts 27 thought it was wise to leave port and set sail for Rome, even though Paul disagreed; and the storm that followed proved that Paul’s wisdom was better than their expert counsel. They lived to regret it, but they lived![7]

 

• The unspirituality of worldly management, if not reigned by the wisdom from above, will dominate the church and cause it to be led into a myriad of evils.[8]
• A truly wise person does not seek glory or gain; he is gracious and giving.[9]
• Ephesians 2:1 - 1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously lived according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.[10]
• -The world’s system of values and perspective of things vs - spirit – way of thinking.
• Heavenly wisdom vs earthly wisdom.
• Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.[11]
• “Counseling” is the practice of seeking wisdom.
•  A “secular” counselor will generally process behaviors (past/present/future) with a client.
• These processes will be dependent upon one’s self-discipline (strength)
• A “Christian” counselor – WARNING!!!! Be careful where you step… may do the exact same thing based upon using the Bible as LAW.
• A “wise – heavenly wise” counselor will process behavior experiences with you and disciple/teach you that the best way is to submit to the Spirit that resides in your mortal body.
• They will disciple you out of heavenly wisdom.
• I believe in professional counseling… but I have great reduced my recommendations over the years.
• I would trust most of you (Leavener people) in discipling others than most counselors.
• Satan has power in this system according to the ruler of the atmospheric domain
  - Ruler = prince, chief of the atmosphere
  - We are in a battle and natural tendency is to protect our child.
• There is only one way to protect your child…
• 1) Know Jesus
• 2) Trust Him.
  1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.[12] (Simba-pounce)
  2 Corinthians 11:14 – And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.[13]
• James has listed the negative:
  • Envy
  • Strife
  • Boasting/bragging
  • Deceit

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.[14]

• James has listed the “fruit of righteousness”
  • Purity - God is holy; therefore the wisdom from above is pure.
  • Peace (unity) - The peace of the church is not more important than the purity of the church. If the church is pure, devoted to God, then there will be peace.

Fruit of the Spirit

• Meekness/Gentleness – James 3:13

The gentle person does not deliberately cause fights, but neither does he compromise the truth in order to keep peace.

• Compliance - God’s wisdom makes the believer agreeable and easy to live with and work with. Man’s wisdom makes a person hard and stubborn. The compliant person is willing to hear all sides of a question, but he does not compromise his own convictions. He can disagree without being disagreeable.
• Mercy - God in His grace gives us what we do not deserve, and in His mercy He does not give us what we do deserve.
• Good Fruits - People who are faithful are fruitful. God’s wisdom does not make a life empty; it makes it full. The Spirit produces fruit to the glory of God
• Decisiveness - When you have God’s wisdom, you need not waver; you can be decisive and not be afraid. Wisdom from above brings strength from above.
• Sincerity - Faith is living without scheming.[15]

• Worldly wisdom produces trouble (v. 16).
• Isaiah 32:7 - The scoundrel’s weapons are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the needy with lies, even when the poor person says what is right.[16]
• God’s wisdom produces blessing (v. 18).

God’s ways and God’s thoughts are far above us! 1 Corinthians 2:12 - Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God.[17]

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 362). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:13). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[3] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 162). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 364). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 828). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 1:17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 362). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 168). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[9] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 828–829). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 2:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 14:12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Pe 5:8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Co 11:14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[14] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 3:13–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[15] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 365). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[16] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Is 32:7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[17] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 2:12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

• James 1 – Patient when in trouble.
• James 2 – Lives out who they are.
• James 3 – Controlling our tongue.
• Obviously was an issue worth repeating:
• James 1:19 - “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger”
• James 1:26 - “If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself.”
• James 2:12 - “Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom.”
• James 4:11 - “Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters.”

CONTROLLING THE TONGUE
James 3
1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.

• James’ complaint was simply that too many believers were overly anxious to speak up and show off
• Don’t get the teachers James is speaking to vs the teachers Jesus was speaking to: New Jewish Christians vs Pharisees & Sadducees.
• Jesus spoke of great warnings against teachers who led astray (Jesus is not the Messiah).
• James is speaking to spiritually young teachers whose morals were not lining up with what they were teaching. Too many teachers.
• A teacher’s condemnation is greater because, having professed to have a clear knowledge of duty, he is all the more bound to obey it.[1]
• Not the duty of the Christian Life but the duty of the teacher position.
• “’We’ all stumble in many ways…”
• You can tell the more spiritually mature people by the public decisions they make.
• This is not the goal!!!
• This judgment James speaks about for the teaching believer is not about a heavenly judgment later.
• This judgment is by the world, both believers and non-believers.
• James concentration was on what was being said... or not being said… controlling the tongue.
• The power of speech is one of the greatest powers God has given us.
• We are not perfect in our speech… or behavior… We are perfect in who we are!

3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

• During World War II they were accustomed to seeing posters that read LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS!
• But loose lips also wreck lives.
• A person makes an unguarded statement and suddenly finds himself involved in a fight.
• Twitter is a spark that starts a roaring fire.
• His tongue has forced the rest of his body to defend itself.
• The tongue is a small member in the body, and yet it has the power to accomplish great things.
• The sense of “guide” here is important, for it not only implies the curbing of evil action but also the directing of the body into good action.[2]
• Both the bit and the rudder must overcome contrary forces.
• The bit must overcome the wild nature of the horse, and the rudder must fight the winds and currents that would drive the ship off its course.
• The human tongue also must overcome contrary forces.
• We get thoughts through the power of sin (noun) dwells in our flesh and wants to control us and make us sin (verb).
• Sin on the inside and pressures on the outside are seeking to get control of the tongue.[3]
• Spiritual maturity says, “Know the Father (Creator), be able to hear the Spirit that lives inside of you, obey when to speak and when to listen.
• When you are listening… you will probably say “I” less.
• A runaway horse or a shipwreck could mean injury or death to pedestrians or passengers.
• The words we speak affect the lives of others.
• A judge says “Guilty!” or “Not Guilty!” and those words affect the destiny of the prisoner, his family, and his friends.
• The President of the United States speaks a few words and signs some papers and the nation is at war.
• Even a simple yes or no from the lips of a parent can greatly affect the direction of a child’s life.[4]
• This small piece of meat in your mouth has much power to direct many lives.
• The tongue is just another piece of meat that is connected to your body.
• It is not evil or good.
• It can only respond because you tell it to.
• It does what you choose to tell it to do.
• Someone controls both the horse bit and the rudder.
• The tongue is used as a metaphor for the choice you make… walk according to the flesh or to walk by the Spirit.
• The tongue gives DIRECTION.

5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

• James just switched gears here and went from the direction of the tongue to the results of what the tongue can do.
• In a dry and barren land, there was fear of great fires.
• Fires leave a lasting impression. Fire memories?
• You always remember a fire.
• Untamed beast…
• If James would have written this letter today, he would have compared this small Corona Virus that is unseen by the naked eye as illustration of how something bad could travel so fast and infect and affect so many lives.
• Like the poison of a serpent, the tongue is loaded with the venom of hate and death-dealing gossip.[5]
• Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
• I avoid getting bit at all costs.
• You won’t ever see any snake-handling going on at Leavener… that is for sure.
• The tongue isn’t evil… the results of the tongue can be evil.
• No man can tame his tongue.
• In a circus, you can see that man has tamed elephants, bears and lions… but just get on line or watch some media for a minute or two and you will see that man struggles with taming a tongue.
• Living in your own strength, you will not be able to control that small piece of meat in your mouth.
• Living your life by another… your tongue no longer needs to be tamed.
• I have a friend who this week told me they dreaded talking to their own family members.
• It was exhausting and didn’t want to debate.
• Good! Give up the battle! Answer the phone and trust the Spirit inside of you to speak.
• The tongue can easily DESTROY.

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.[6]

• With the tongue, man can praise God, pray, preach the Word, and lead the lost to Christ. What a privilege!
• But with that same tongue he can tell lies that could ruin a man’s reputation or break a person’s heart.
• The ability to speak words is the ability to influence others and accomplish tremendous tasks; and yet we take this ability for granted.[7]
• Prov. 18:4 - “The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.”
• Prov. 10:11 - “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,”
• Prov. 13:14 - “A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.”
• Water is life-giving, and our words can give life.
• But yet we have been under flood warnings all week.
• Think about when you have been so hot and thirsty… a bottle of water never sounded so good.
• Water was used to cleanse the hands & feet of the Jews for purification reasons. It cleanses.
• Instead of contrasting what is useful with what is not, the argument stems from the natural order of living things: grapevines produce grapes, not figs; and fig trees produce figs, not olives.[8]
• James is speaking about a person’s “nature” now.
• Your nature will naturally produce the correct fruit.
• If you have a sinful nature… you will produce sin (evil).
• If you have a new nature… you produce beneficial fruit.
• What will your tree produce? It depends on the seed… How deep are your roots? Soaking up water?
• It all comes down to knowing and living out of who you really are.
• It can’t be both good and bad… It is either good or bad.
• You have to know who you are!
• The tongue gives DIRECTION
• The tongue can easily DESTROY
• The tongue has power to DELIGHT.

This is a metaphor… you know it is based upon the Holy Spirit working inside of each believer.

[1] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 827). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 148). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 358). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 359). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 828). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 3:1–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 358). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 159). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

• A coin has 2 sides to it…
• What kind of faith really saves a person?
• Is it necessary to perform good works in order to be saved?
• How can a person tell whether or not he is exercising true saving faith?
• Demonstrating the authenticity of faith is the primary focus of this section.
• James’s deeds of faith are not at all what Paul meant by “works of the law.”
• The question James placed before his hearers is very different from the issues before Paul.
• James was concerned with the demonstration of faith in Jesus through works of mercy.
• Paul was concerned with justification through Christ alone and not by ritual works of the law, such as circumcision, apart from faith in Christ.[1]
• James answers these questions by explaining to us that there are three kinds of faith, only one of which is true saving faith.[2]

 
FAITH AND WORKS
James 2
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?

• It is a rhetorical question? No answer is expected.
• “works” – ergon – any kind action or deed.
• This is where you get into the question of judging one another.
• The emphasis is not on the true nature of faith but on the false claim of faith.[3]
• The first faith James speaks about is a “dead” faith.
• People with dead faith substitute words for deeds.
• Merely claiming to have faith is not enough.
• They know the correct vocabulary for prayer and testimony, and can even quote the right verses from the Bible; but their walk does not measure up to their talk.
• They think that their words are as good as works, and they are wrong.[4]
• I can’t tell by their actions if they are truly saved.
• Faith that does not affect behavior is superficial and cannot save.[5]
• Genuine faith is evidenced by works.[6]
• Faith is a key doctrine in the Christian life:
• The sinner is saved by faith (Eph. 2:8–9)
• The believer must walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7).
• Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).
• Whatever we do apart from faith is sin (Rom. 14:23).[7]

15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.

• The rhetorical question is followed by a hypothetical but realistic illustration.
• James may describe internal strife within the Church due to selfishness.[8]
• Elvis is alive… but there is no evidence that Elvis is alive.
• Workless faith is worthless faith; it is unproductive, sterile, barren, dead![9]
• A word of blessing without an act of blessing is like the promise of salvation without the saving act of God in Christ[10]
• A poor believer came into a fellowship, without proper clothing and in need of food. The person with dead faith noticed the visitor and saw his needs, but he did not do anything to meet the needs. All he did was say a few pious words! “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed”.
• But the visitor went away just as hungry and naked as he came in!
• Food and clothing are basic needs of every human being, whether he is saved or unsaved.
• 1 Timothy 6:8 - If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.[11]
• Matthew 6:31–32 - So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.[12]
• Jacob included these basic needs in his prayer to God: Genesis 28:20-21 - Then Jacob made a vow: “If God will be with me and watch over me during this journey I’m making, if he provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, 21 and if I return safely to my father’s family, then the Lord will be my God.[13]
• As believers, we have an obligation to help meet the needs of people, no matter who they may be.
• Galatians 6:10 - Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.[14]
• Matthew 25:40 - “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ [15]
• To help a person in need is an expression of love, and faith works by love (Gal. 5:6). The Apostle John emphasized this aspect of good works.
• 1 John 3:17-18 - If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.[16]
• The priest and Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan each had religious training, but neither of them paused to assist the dying man at the side of the road (Luke 10:25–37). Each of them would defend his faith, yet neither demonstrated that faith in loving works.
• The person with dead faith has only an intellectual experience.
• In his mind, he knows the doctrines of salvation, but he has never submitted himself to God and trusted Christ for salvation.
• He knows the right words, but he does not back up his words with his works.
• Faith in Christ brings life (John 3:16), and where there is life there must be growth and fruit.
• Three times in this paragraph, James warns us that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17, 20, 26).
• Beware of a mere intellectual faith.
• Warren Wiersbe said: “No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same any more than he can come into contact with a 220-volt wire and remain the same.”[17]

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.

• “someone” - an imaginary person is introduced.
• The Message: “I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.”[18]
• In other words the respondent is saying, “Faith is not the key; what counts is works.”
• Thus the respondent has gone too far.
• James did not say that works are essential to faith, or that faith is unimportant.
• His argument was that works are evidence of faith.[19]

19 You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.

• Demonic faith – 2nd kind of faith
• Deuteronomy 6:4 -  “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[20]
• This was the daily affirmation of faith of the godly Jew. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder”
• The man with dead faith was touched only in his intellect.
• But the demons are touched also in their emotions. They believe and tremble.
• But it is not a saving experience to believe and tremble.
• A person can be enlightened in his mind and even stirred in his heart and be lost forever.
• True saving faith involves something more, something that can be seen and recognized: a changed life.
• How could a person show his faith without works? Can a dead sinner perform good works?
• Impossible! When you trust Christ, you are Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. [21]
• James has introduced us to two kinds of faith that can never save the sinner:

1) Dead faith (the intellect alone)
2) Demonic faith (the intellect and the emotions).[22]
20 Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?

• The adjective “foolish” is usually translated “vain,” “empty,” or “hollow”
• You may be intellectual but you lack understanding.
• “useless” - The Greek word translated “dead, barren or idle,” like money drawing no interest.
• Faith that is barren is not saving faith.
• Spiritual works are the evidence, not the energizer, of sincere faith.[23]

21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.

• This question is often held to be directly opposed to Paul’s statement that Abraham’s faith, not his works, caused God to declare him righteous (Rom. 4:1–5).
• Paul, however, was arguing for the priority of faith.
• James argued for the proof of faith.
• Paul declared that Abraham had faith, and was therefore justified, or declared righteous (Gen. 15:6), prior to circumcision (Gen. 17:11; cf. Rom. 4:9).
• James explained that Abraham’s faith was evident in his practice of Isaac’s sacrifice (Gen. 22:12), and he was therefore justified, or declared righteous.
• James looked to the Abraham story to show how genuine faith operates; Paul looked to the Abraham story to show how God forgives sinners.[24]
• Works serve as the barometer of justification, while faith is the basis for justification.[25]
• The mind understands the truth; the heart desires the truth; and the will acts upon the truth.[26]
• Dynamic faith is not intellectual contemplation or an emotional experience; it leads to obedience on the part of the will.
• And this obedience is not an isolated event: it continues throughout the whole life.
• It leads to works.[27]

24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route?

• Rahab (Joshua 2 &6) was the harlot in Jericho when Joshua sent spies into the land to take their promise land.
• She believed God and helped the Israelites overtake her own people.
• Abraham and Rahab. You could not find two more different persons!
• Abraham was a Jew; Rahab was a Gentile.
• Abraham was a godly man, but Rahab was a sinful woman, a harlot.
• Abraham was the friend of God, while Rahab belonged to the enemies of God.
• What did they have in common? Both exercised saving faith in God.[28]
• Rahab had skin in the game… Abraham had skin in the game.

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. [29]

• James 2 emphasized that the mature Christian practices the truth.
• He does not merely hold to ancient doctrines; he practices those doctrines in his everyday life.
• His faith is not the dead faith of the intellectuals, or the demonic faith of the fallen spirits.
• It is the dynamic faith of men like Abraham and women like Rahab, faith that changes a life and goes to work for God.[30]

 
Welcome to the New…
Got to live right just stay in line
You've heard it all at least a million times
And like me you believed it
They said it wasn't works
But trying harder wouldn't hurt
It sounds so crazy now
But back then you couldn't see it
 
But now here you are
Eyes open wide
It's like you're seeing grace
In a brand new light
For the first time
 
Let us be the first to welcome you
Welcome to the
Life you thought was too good to be true
Welcome to the new
Welcome to the
Welcome to the new
 
You broke your back kept all the rules
Jumped through the hoops
To make God approve of you
Oh tell me was it worth it
The whole time you were spinning plates
Did you stop to think that
Maybe He is okay with just you
There's no need to join the circus

[1] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, pp. 128–129). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 354). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 825). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 354). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 2:14). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[6] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 825). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 353). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 2:15). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[9] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 825). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[10] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, pp. 130–131). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Ti 6:8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 6:31–32). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ge 28:19–21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[14] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 6:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[15] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 25:40). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[16] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Jn 3:17–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[17] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 354). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[18] Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Jas 2:18). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
[19] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 826). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[20] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Dt 6:4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[21] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 2:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[22] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 355). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[23] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 826). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[24] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 140). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[25] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 826). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[26] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 355). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[27] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 355). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[28] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 356). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[29] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 2:14–26). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[30] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 357). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

• Show random pictures people that will cause others to pass judgment on them based upon who they are what they have done.
• Show James 2:1-4
• Did you journey through a series of emotions as you watched these pictures?
• How many of you passed judgment on these people as their pictures scrolled by?
• Of these people… who would you talk to and who would you ignore if they walked into Pinheads and sat down among us?
• Who would you show favoritism to and who would cause you to quit coming to Pinheads?
• Would it make a difference if they were believers or not?
• Would it make a difference if they were cruel to others?

THE SIN OF FAVORITISM
James 2
1 My brothers and sisters (fellow believers), do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. (not of) 2 For if someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor person dressed in filthy (dirty, shabby) clothes also comes in, 3 if you look with favor on the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here in a good place,” and yet you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,”

• The imagery of providing comfortable elevation of feet above the filth of the floor and then assigning the poor man a place on that floor is as crass as could be.

4 haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

• Can favoritism or partiality coexist with the glorious Christ of faith? Impossible.
• Special respect of persons based on their high social standing is antithetical to faith in God.
• Believers must never mix faith with partiality.
• If they do, it is just another case of double-mindedness.
• When favoritism dominates, the obedience of faith is compromised and undermined.[1]

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Didn’t God choose the poor in this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him?

• God does display preferential treatment, but toward the poor (2:5) with the intent to demonstrate the greatness of his grace.
• The emphasis here is on God’s choosing, and this involves the grace of God.
• If salvation were on the basis of merit, it would not be by grace.
• Grace implies God’s sovereign choice of those who cannot earn and do not deserve His salvation (Eph. 1:4–7; 2:8–10).
• God saves us completely on the basis of the work of Christ on the cross and not because of anything that we are or have.[2]
• Always the pressing question remains: Is the community of believers united around the principles of Christ rather than those of the fallen world?
• 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 - Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one may boast in his presence. 30 It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, 31 in order that, as it is written: Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.[3]

6 Yet you have dishonored the poor. Don’t the rich oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Don’t they blaspheme the good name that was invoked over you?

• If James is having to bring this concept to their attention, it is obviously something they have done in the past.
• Seems like common sense if you have a new heart.
• But sometimes you have to teach common sense…
• Look at these instructions…
• Warning label on a wheelbarrow: "Not intended for highway use"
• Warning label on a baby stroller: "Remove child before folding"
• Warning label on a thermometer: "Once used rectally, the thermometer should not be used orally"
• Warning label on a jet ski: "Never use a lit match or open flame to check fuel level"
• Warning label on underwear tag: “Always wash your butt”

8 Indeed, if you fulfill the royal law prescribed in the Scripture, Love your neighbor as yourself, you are doing well.

• James reached back into the Old Testament for one of God’s laws, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Lev. 19:18).
• “royal law” - it rules all the other laws. “Love is the fulfilling of the Law” (Rom. 13:10).
• There would be no need for the thousands of complex laws if each citizen truly loved his neighbors.[4]

9 If, however, you show favoritism, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the entire law, and yet stumbles at one point, is guilty of breaking it all. 11 For he who said, Do not commit adultery, also said, Do not murder. So if you do not commit adultery, but you murder, you are a lawbreaker.
12 Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom.

• “law of freedom” is different than the law mentioned in vs. 9-11.
• “law of freedom” – Be obedient to the Spirit.
• “Obey” means to act according to the Spirit.
• Make a choice… it’s still you having to do something.
• Submit to the Spirit in you to actually do it for you.
• You’ve already proved you can’t do it in your own strength.
• When you walk away and say, “What just happened here?”

13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has not shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.[5]

• Failure to show mercy to those in need calls into question whether there has been any true act of repentance in face of God’s mercy.[6]
• The importance of mercy in human relationships is so essential because mercy is a direct indicator of repentance toward God.[7]
• Christian love does not mean that I must like a person and agree with him on everything.
• I may not like his vocabulary or his habits, and I may not want him for an intimate friend.
• Christian love means treating others the way God has treated me.
• It is an act of the will, not an emotion that I try to manufacture.
• The motive is from the new heart and leads to submission.
• The means is the power of the Spirit within (“for the fruit of the Spirit is love”).
• As I act in love toward another, I may find myself drawn more and more to him, and I may see in him (through Christ) qualities that before were hidden to me.[8]
• The true heart of others may be hidden in their own journey… but in your journey, the Spirit will lead you to love all without judgment.

Justin Bieber Video

[1] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 108). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 351). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 1:26–31). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 352). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 2:1–13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 126). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[7] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, pp. 125–126). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 352). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

• James transitions from seeking wisdom to confronting poverty.
• Wherever wisdom is the goal, hearing will be a first virtue.[1]

HEARING AND DOING THE WORD
James 1
19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

• “dearly loved brothers” – the small group of Jewish Christians who have come to understand Jesus was the Messiah.
• Context – Matthew 12:31-32 - Therefore, I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the one to come.[2]
• Two generations of Jews would not have ears to hear.
• Imagine trying to have a discussion with a person who can’t hear what you are saying… no matter how simple you make it!
• Having “brothers” who understand what you are teaching is a huge deal!
• Religious works may be manufactured, but they do not have life in them, nor do they bring glory to God.
• Real fruit has in it the seed for more fruit, so that the harvest continues to grow fruit, more fruit, much fruit[3]
• One who is listening rather than lambasting is the one who is slow to anger[4]
• Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.[5]
• Proverbs 10:19 - “but the one who controls his lips is prudent.”[6]
• Proverbs 17:27 - “The one who has knowledge restrains his words”[7]
• In the Garden, Peter was slow to hear, swift to speak, and swift to anger—and he almost killed a man with the sword.[8]
• One may not be able to control their emotion of anger but they can control their tongue & action.
• Passion can lead to anger.
• Sometimes there is a fine line between passion & anger.
• Kids or spouse will say, “Stop yelling at me.”
• There is a fine line between being passionate and yelling as well.
• “righteousness” – Is this behavioral acts or a state of being?

21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

• This can quickly be interpreted as “it is your works that save you.”
• What actually “saves” you?
• Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?[9]
• Ezekiel 36:26-31 - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances. 28 You will live in the land that I gave your fathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will summon the grain and make it plentiful, and I will not bring famine on you. 30 I will also make the fruit of the trees and the produce of the field plentiful, so that you will no longer experience reproach among the nations on account of famine.
• “‘You will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and detestable practices.[10]
• Christian obedience is never fully habitual. It requires a daily “putting on Christ” for its realization.[11]
• Wednesday Night – Christian obedience… obedience to the Spirit.
• I still have habits… but I also have room to hear the “implanted word”.
• “implanted word” – John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.[12]

22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

• “word” is God
• James’ audience would have probably heard this message in the context of public worship[13]
• Believers have become skilled at sitting in the pews on Sundays and never experience the life Jesus intended for them.
• 2005 – Hurricane Katrina… woman got up to share… “I realized after sitting in my pew for all these years that I had become spiritually constipated, so I came to help.”

23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was.

• Looks in the mirror and the mirror shows him something about himself but he doesn’t do anything in return.
• Checks his identity briefly and walks away… quickly forgetting who he really is.
• James is telling the man to look more closely at who he really is… so that you may remember.
• Those who know their identity and remember it… can’t help but act out of it… You will tell everyone!
• FedEx

25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

• Bought a new used car this week.
• Had to stoop down to study it intently.
• “perfect law of freedom” – No capital “L”
• This is the Good News!
• Christians are weary of sharing their faith with nonbelivers because they have been taught to teach them the Law… or have even interpreted James as Law when he clearly is saying that we are FREE!!!!
• Why are they blessed? Not things received… not even joy from what they have done…
• But blessed because of what they have… what they know… and what God has already done in them!

26 If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself.

• “religious” – external observances
• Satan has even crafted war on the word “religion”
• Pure religion has nothing to do with ceremonies, temples, or special days.
• Pure religion means practicing God’s Word and sharing it with others, through speech, service, and separation from the world.[14]
• If the heart is right, the speech will be right.
• Matthew 12:34-35 - Jesus said, “For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. 35 A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.”[15]
• Tozer - When religion loses its sovereign character and becomes mere form, this spontaneity is lost also, and in its place come precedent, propriety, system—and the file-card mentality.…

Here’s how the file card works when it gets into the Christian life and begins to create mental habits: It divides the Bible into sections fitted to the days of the year and compels the Christian to read according to rule. No matter what the Holy Spirit may be trying to say to a man, still he goes on reading where the card tells him, dutifully checking it off each day.
Every Spirit-led saint knows that there are times when he is held by an inward pressure to one chapter, or even one verse, for days at a time while he wrestles with God till some truth does its work within him. To leave that present passage to follow a prearranged reading schedule is for him wholly impossible. He is in the hand of the free Spirit, and reality is appearing before him to break and humble and lift and liberate and cheer. But only the free soul can know the glory of this. To this the heart bound by system will be forever a stranger.[16]
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.[17]

• Deuteronomy 14:29 - Then the Levite, who has no portion or inheritance among you, the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow within your city gates may come, eat, and be satisfied. And the Lord your God will bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.[18]
• Ezekiel 22:7 - Father and mother are treated with contempt, and the resident alien is exploited within you. The fatherless and widow are oppressed in you.[19]
• Acts 6:1 -  In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.[20]
• “unstained” - This is not a definition of religion but rather a contrast to mere acts of worship and ritualistic observances that are commonly called “religion.”[21]
• It is our way of life… naturally.
• James wasn’t legalistic…
• He taught what the law of freedom looks like!
• If you hear the “word” and are obedient to the “word”, you will bear the mark of a believer.
• This is totally opposite of today’s definition of religion… If we claim to be Christians we must act.

I can act out of my own self will (sin) or I can act out of obedience to the “word” (Spirit).

[1] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, pp. 88–89). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 12:31–32). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 346). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 823). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 10:17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 10:19). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 17:27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 346–347). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Je 17:9). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eze 36:26–31). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 91). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 1:1). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 1:22). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[14] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 349). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[15] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 12:34–35). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[16] Tozer, A. W., & Eggert, R. (1998). The Tozer Topical Reader (Vol. 1, p. 22). Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread.
[17] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 1:19–27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[18] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Dt 14:29). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[19] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eze 22:7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[20] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 6:1). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[21] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 824). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.