James (The Lord’s Half-Brother) Is Martyred

• Porcius Festus dies in office. (Roman provincial governor)
• This account comes from the Jewish historian Josephus and the church historian Eusebius.
• Albinus is slated to replace Festus.
• But it will take at least five weeks for the news to travel from Judea to Rome and at least five more weeks for Albinus to travel from Rome to Judea.
• During this three-month waiting period, Ananus the high priest convenes the Sanhedrin and brings “James the Just” (the half-brother of Jesus) and some others in Jerusalem before the council.
• Before the Sanhedrin, Ananus accuses James of blaspheming the Law.
• James is brought to the pinnacle of the temple, thrown down, and is clubbed and stoned to death.
• Since James was held in high regard in Jerusalem as being a “Torah-true Jew,” the fair-minded Jews in the city are offended by his execution.
• Albinus takes office, and Ananus is deposed for illegally convening the Sanhedrin.

 
63 AD – 70 AD

• Peter and Silas have been spending time traveling in northwest Asia bordering the Black Sea (modern Turkey)—specifically the regions of Pontus, North Galatia, Cappadocia, and Bithynia where there are churches mixed with Jewish and Gentile believers. (1 Peter 1:1)
• Peter and Silas now come to Rome where they join John Mark. (1 Peter 5:12-13)

 
63 AD

• After spending two years of house arrest in Rome, Paul is released for lack of evidence to convict him.
• Upon his release, Paul makes his long-awaited trip to Spain. (Romans 15:24)
• The visit is brief, and no churches are planted. (There are no records of Pauline origins)
• Paul travels southeast and meets Titus on the Island of Crete.
• Both men minister to the churches on the island.
• The churches are undergoing an assault of false teaching.
• As a result, they are falling apart.
• Paul leaves Titus on the island to strengthen the churches and to select overseers (elders) who will be able to care for the church when Titus leaves.
• Paul travels northeast and spends some time in Asia Minor.
• He visits Miletus where he begins preaching the gospel.
• Paul sends a message to Trophimus in Ephesus to meet him in Miletus to help with the work.
• Trophimus joins him and a church is planted in Miletus—a community who expresses Jesus Christ.
• Regrettably, Trophimus gets sick.
• Paul heads off to Colosse as he had promised, (Philemon 22)
• But he leaves Trophimus behind in Miletus. (2 Timothy 4:20)
• Timothy sends word to Paul in Colosse that the Ephesian church is being ravaged by false teachers.
• Paul meets Timothy in Ephesus and excommunicates two men from the church, Hymenaeus and Alexander.
• These men are blaspheming and teaching that the resurrection of the believers has already passed.
• They will not repent, so Paul has no other choice but to put them out of the church because they are damaging the faith of some of the believers. (1 Timothy 1:20 & 2 Timothy 2:17-18)
• Alexander, who is a metal-worker, retaliates by opposing Paul’s message and causing him great harm. (2 Timothy 4:14-15)
• A brother in the church in Ephesus named Onesiphorus is of great help to Paul. (2 Timothy 1:16-18)
• Paul leaves Timothy in Ephesus and instructs him to combat the false teachers in the church who are ambitious to teach the Law (yet know little about it).
• These men are teaching myths that pervert the creation account and they are debating over genealogies. (1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 4:4)
• Paul heads off to Macedonia.
• On his way to Macedonia, Paul visits the church in Troas and stays in the home of Carpus. Paul departs Troas, but he leaves behind his winter coat, some scrolls, and some parchments at Carpus’ home.
• Paul arrives in Macedonia and visits the church in Philippi as he had planned to do while in prison.
• Crisis in Ephesus Despite Timothy’s attempt to re-center the church of Ephesus back on Christ, the problems worsen.
• Paul’s warning to the elders in Ephesus is finally coming to pass.
• Five years earlier he forewarned the Ephesian elders that wolves would penetrate the church and draw disciples after themselves with perverse teachings. (Acts 20:28-30)
• The wolves have appeared in Ephesus. (1 Timothy 1:3-7; 6:3-5)
• The heresy they are teaching is a kind of Jewish proto-gnosticism. (Gnosticism will make its appearance in the second century. According to gnosticism, full salvation comes through special knowledge—gnosis—that only the initiated possess.
• In Ephesus, an embryonic form of the heresy has emerged.) (1 Timothy 6:20)
• Here is what they are teaching:
• 1) It is a sin to eat meat and to engage in marriage. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
• 2) Eve is both a mediator and redeemer figure who pre-existed Adam. (1 Timothy 2:5, 13-14)
• 3) Man came into existence because of a woman, and he was given enlightenment through the woman.
• 4) Since Eve was the first to take a bite from the Tree of Knowledge, she is the bearer of special spiritual knowledge (called gnosis).
• 5) Women are called to lead people to the illuminating gnosis which was represented by the Tree of Knowledge.
• Redemption completely reversed the effects of the Fall so that men are no longer subject to earthly authorities and women are no longer subject to their husbands. (Paul refutes this in 1 Timothy 2:9-15)
• Those in the Ephesian church who are accepting this heresy prefer the leadership of women over men.
• Male teachers were the first to spread the false doctrine in Ephesus. (1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:17)
• But it finds fertile ground among the women in the church. (1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 3:6-9)
• The homes of the Ephesian women provide a network by which the heresy is spread rapidly through “gossip.” (1 Timothy 3:11; 5:13-15)
• Some of the women are teaching the heresy in the church meetings and are lording it over (dominating) the men.
• They have also accepted the ideals of the “new women” of the Roman Empire.
• They are dressing in an immodest and exploitive way (like that of prostitutes) and are defying other accepted norms regarding marriage and family.
• There is also a problem with respect to how the widows are being cared for in the church.
• 40% of women between the ages of 40 and 50 are widows.
• As a group, they compromise 30% of women in the ancient world.
• The Christian community in Ephesus decided that only women who were at least 60 years old should be supported by the Church.
• Some of the widows have adopted the heresy, and others have family members who are able to care for them.
• Still worse, some of the younger widows who decided not to remarry are acting promiscuously.
• Consequently, Timothy wants to know which widows the church ought to be responsible for.
• Further, some of the rich brethren in the church are trusting in their riches and are influencing their poorer brethren to desire wealth.
• The church in Ephesus is in crisis and Timothy writes Paul about it.
• Upon hearing the news, Paul wishes to return to Ephesus. But he cannot.
• So he responds to Timothy by letter.

 
From: Philippi in Macedonia
To: Timothy who is in Ephesus
Provocation: In this letter, Paul reminds Timothy how the believers ought to behave themselves in the community (3:15).

• He encourages Timothy to be faithful to his ministry, and exhorts him to combat the proto-gnostic heresy that is spreading like a cancer in Ephesus.
• Paul gives Timothy practical instructions on how to do it.
• One solution is to forbid the women who are peddling the false doctrine from teaching in the meetings.
• He also addresses the problem of the Ephesian women accepting the ideals of the “new women” in their dress (2:9ff).
• Paul calls for the need to select new overseers (3:1ff) and exhorts the church to give respect to those overseers who are serving well (5:17ff).
• He exposes the spirit behind the present heresy and predicts that it will increase in the future (4:1ff).
• Paul exhorts Timothy to let no one despise his youth, but rather, to boldly proclaim the truth in the face of error.
• He also gives Timothy instructions on caring for the widows (5:1ff).
• Paul closes the letter by admonishing the contentious and the rich (6:3ff).
• Luke is with Paul and serves as his recorder to pen the letter.
• This letter, along with Titus and 2 Timothy, are written to Paul’s coworkers rather than to a church.
• This fact, along with Luke’s penmanship, account for the uniqueness of vocabulary and style in the so-called “Pastoral Epistles.”
• While Paul was responsible for the content, Luke shaped the vocabulary and style.

Excerpt from: Viola, Frank. “Untold Story of the New Testament Church.” Destiny Image, Inc., 2010-03-10. iBooks.
​
GREETING
1 Timothy 1
1 Paul,

• A missionary to the Gentiles and the writer of 13 NT letters. Paul’s ministry is the focus of Acts 13–28.

an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope:

• One commissioned for a particular task and given the authority to carry out the task.
• Having appointed Timothy as leader of the churches in Ephesus, Paul refers to himself as an apostle to remind those under Timothy’s leadership of his authority[1]

2 To Timothy, my true son in the faith.

• Timothy’s father was Greek
• Timothy’s mother was Jewish Christian (taught OT)
• Timothy became a believer in Lystra.
• Began traveling with Paul to Macedonia, Ephesus, Corinth & Asia Minor. Maybe even to Jerusalem.
• Was with Paul during his 1st Roman imprisonment.
• Ended up in Ephesus to deal with chaos.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
FALSE DOCTRINE AND MISUSE OF THE LAW
3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus

• At least 8 years after Paul’s 3 year stay in Ephesus.

so that you may instruct certain people not to teach false doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies.

• Don’t teach theology based upon man.
• Teach the doctrine that we have always taught.
• These false teachers have no good news for lost sinners.
• Instead of producing love, purity, a good conscience, and sincere faith, these novel doctrines were causing division, hypocrisy, and all sorts of problems.
• They seek instead to lead Christians astray and capture them for their causes.[2]
• We have no cause here at Leavener.
• We don’t need you for anything other than building community under the banner of Jesus.

These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. 5 Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

• Where does a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith come from?
• W. Hendriksen calls the love:
• 1) “a personal delight in God,
• 2) a grateful outgoing of the entire personality to him,
• 3) a deep yearning for the prosperity of his redeemed,\
• 4) an earnest desire for the temporal and eternal welfare of his creatures.”[3]

6 Some have departed from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. 8 But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.

• They were leading believers out of the liberty of grace (Gal. 5:1ff) into the bondage of legalism, a tragedy that still occurs today.
• The flesh loves religious legalism because rules and regulations enable a person to appear holy without really having to change his heart.
• Paul listed fourteen kinds of people who were condemned by the Law

9 We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral and males who have sex with males, for slave traders, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.

• The lawful use of the Law is to expose, restrain, and convict the lawless.
• The Law cannot save lost sinners (Gal. 2:21; 3:21–29); it can only reveal their need for a Savior.
• When a sinner believes on Jesus Christ, he is freed from the curse of the Law (Gal. 3:10–14); and the righteous demands of the Law are met by the indwelling Holy Spirit as a believer yields to God (Rom. 8:1–4).[4]

[1] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Ti 1:1). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 211). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 68). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 211). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

• James 1 – Patient when in trouble. (stand confidently)
• James 2 – Lives out who they are. (serve compassionately)
• James 3 – Controlling our tongue. (speak carefully)
• James 4 – Turn from selfishness, envy & Pride (seek humility)

 
WAITING FOR THE LORD
James 5:7-20
7 Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth and is patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.

• James closes up with where he started… “stay strong in your oppression… displacement.”
• This is not about theology and when Jesus is returning (rapture, tribulation, millennium), it is about their pain and suffering coming to an end.
• Those that lived immediately after the cross thought Jesus was going to return during their lifetime. Always be ready.
• We don’t live like we anticipate Jesus to come back any time soon.
• “Be patient” comes from the compound word meaning “long” and “temper”.
• Mature… get a longer fuse.
• Look ahead to the end of the race… the Lord’s coming.
• You can’t be a farmer unless you are patient.
• Parable of the sower and the seed: soil is our heart. Seed is God’s Word.
• What are we to grow? Fruit of the Spirit.
• Farmer works the fields… but is also patient.
• Be patient with others… They will grow at their own speed.

9 Brothers and sisters, do not complain about one another, so that you will not be judged. Look, the judge stands at the door!

• In relation to the farmer, they work together… cooperative.
• If we use the sickles on each other, we will miss the harvest.
• The judge… ever do something wrong in school and you realized the teacher was standing in the door watching?
• Several people have asked me about my thoughts on iTown opening up church today in the midst of this pandemic.
• I’ve only reminded them to stay focused.
• It is not my place to judge… Jesus is the ultimate judge.

10 Brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name as an example of suffering and patience.

• Satan tells the faithful Christian that his suffering is the result of sin or unfaithfulness.
• Yet his suffering might well be because of faithfulness!
• 2 Tim. 3:12 - In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.[1]
• We must never think that obedience automatically produces ease and pleasure.
• Our Lord was obedient, and it led to a cross![2]

11 See, we count as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

• Notice that James didn’t speak about Job’s patience, but he speaks about his endurance.
• Job was impatient with God but persevered.
• God was full of compassion and mercy.
• Most people talk about Job’s loss… but they rarely know or talk about Job’s restoration.
• Job 42:10-17 - GOD RESTORES JOB
• 10 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and doubled his previous possessions. 11 All his brothers, sisters, and former acquaintances came to him and dined with him in his house. They sympathized with him and comforted him concerning all the adversity the Lord had brought on him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold earring.
• 12 So the Lord blessed the last part of Job’s life more than the first. He owned fourteen thousand sheep and goats, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 He named his first daughter Jemimah, his second Keziah, and his third Keren-happuch. 15 No women as beautiful as Job’s daughters could be found in all the land, and their father granted them an inheritance with their brothers.
• 16 Job lived 140 years after this and saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. 17 Then Job died, old and full of days.[3]
• What if perseverance brought about Job’s blessing?
• Romans 5:3-5 - And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. [4]
• If we never have to “persevere” we might not ever get to experience the hope… the blessing.
• The valleys are what make the peaks so high!

 
TRUTHFUL SPEECH
12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “yes” mean “yes,” and your “no” mean “no,” so that you won’t fall under judgment.

• James jumps from “perseverance” to “taking oaths”
• How many times have you been in a difficult situation and made an oath to God?
• If words are a proof of character, then oaths would indicate that there is yet work to be done.
• When Peter poured out those oaths in the courtyard (Matt. 26:71), he was giving evidence that his character was still in need of a transformation.[5]
• A person with godly character doesn’t have to defend themselves with promises.
• Can you ever just say, “yes” or “no”?
• Or do you have to continue to talk to prove yourself?

 
EFFECTIVE PRAYER
13 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises.

• Mature Christians knows how to sing in the midst of suffering.
• Instructing them what to do because of their insensitivity level.
• I must admit that I am low on mercy.
• I say this all the time… I usually only go to the hospital if there is a newborn… or you are about to go home… and I am not talking about earthly home.
• James “should” on me.
• It has become easier to know about everyone’s afflictions thanks to social networking.
• I think about and pray for people all day long.
• I use social networking & texting & phone calls to encourage people all day long.
• Use your technology for good or bad…
• But have you ever been through a crisis/tragedy in your life and looked at your social network feed?
• At the same time you are grieving… other people are rejoicing.
• There will always be suffering and rejoicing at the same time in the world.
• Just know… when something terrible is happening in your life… something good is happening in somebody else’s life… and it is OK.

14 Is anyone among you sick (weak)? He should call for the elders of the church, and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick (weak) person, and the Lord will raise him up;

• Prayer for healing and prayer for endurance.
• Logically: James knew that not everyone would be healed or there would never be death.
• What heals the person? Elders? Oil? Anointing/massage? Faith? Or the Lord?

if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

• This last statement concludes that it is their sin that has made them sick.
• This has to be in reference to salvation of the lost.
• These are people that are walking away from their faith.
• I do know this… I have prayed for many physical healings in my lifetime… and they have not been answered according to my will.
• But I have also prayed for the salvation of many sinners. If they choose to have faith, they have received it.

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.

• For one thing, disobedience to God can lead to sickness.
• This was David’s experience when he tried to hide his sins (Ps. 32).
• Second, sin affects the whole church.
• We can never sin alone, for sin has a way of growing and infecting others.
• This man had to confess his sins to the church because he had sinned against the church.
• Third, there is healing (physical and spiritual) when sin is dealt with.[6]
• “Accountability” to who?
• Who is righteous? You are…
• We are lead to believe that others are more righteous based upon levels of “doing”.
• Interesting that during this pandemic, the Pope has allowed parishioners to go directly to God for the confession of their sins instead of the local priest.

17 Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. 18 Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit.

• Elijah had to endure too.
• 1 Kings 17-18
• King Ahab & Jezebel were persuading Israelites to follow Baal instead of Jehovah God.
• They were being led astray.

19 My brothers and sisters, if any among you strays from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let that person know that whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.[7]

• Show kindness
• Show mercy
• Show endurance
• Show grace
• Show hope
• It will be this Spirit in you… love, joy, peace…
• That leads those struggling in their faith to turn from their sin (repentance) and seek the Truth of the Gospel… That Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and wants to reign as the Lord of your life.
• In this new day, of pandemic, the sharing of the Gospel is not dependent on a Church program.
• What you have learned through your life is now being implemented.

Be the Church!

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Ti 3:12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 379). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Job 42:10–17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 5:3–5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 381). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 383). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 5:7–20). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

• Think of all that is involved in life: today, tomorrow, buying, selling, getting gain, losing, going here, going there.
• Life is made up of people and places, activities and goals, days and years; and each of us must make many crucial decisions day after day.
• Apart from the will of God, life is a mystery.
• When you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and seek to do His will, then life starts to make sense.
• Even the physical world around you takes on new meaning.[1]
• Living in this pandemic… you can either listen to the news and statistics… or listen to the Spirit.

 
OUR WILL AND GOD’S WILL
James 4:13 – 5:6
13 Come now (now listen), you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will travel to such and such a city and spend a year there and do business and make a profit.”
 

• In reference to the traveling salesman who settles in one place for a season to make a buck and then moves on to the next.
• A beauty salon ad defined a term which has long needed clarification. It read: “Permanent Waves. Guaranteed to last three months.”
• So, permanence is the quality of lasting three months![2]
• Keep this in context of James speaking to an unsettled group that is looking for a home.
• This is a group of people who are going through a major transition in their lives and trying to figure out how to maneuver through the course.
• I can sympathize with James… He’s gathering all his chicks and trying to encourage them through a rough transition.
• Some of them are doing really well in the situation and others are really struggling.
• But he is writing to a group of people who have at least one thing in common which is learning how to live out of their new heart.
• There is still a struggle to live out of their own will or live out of God’s will. (walk by the Spirit)
• In this sense, they are creating community among themselves.
• There is something to say for longevity in a community. Invest in people.
• Community helps keep you focused and grounded.
• Who you hang out with greatly impacts your life.
• Disaster Relief – Home Depot or Lowes pops up but then they also stick around.

14 Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring—what your life will be! For you are like vapor that appears for a little while, then vanishes.

• Man’s plans are always tentative.
• His plans are not his own.
• Time is not his own.
• In fact, life is not his own.[3]
• If we can zoom out on this current situation, we will see that it most likely makes the history books.
• But the reality is, most likely, in a couple of years it has already become history.
• That doesn’t mean that it didn’t change the way we did life just a couple months ago but we have moved on to a new way of doing things.
• But still… in the big picture… it is a blip on the radar screen.
• 3-4 months of “quarantine” may seem like a huge deal now… but this reboot will not be given much thought after the next reboot.
• James refers to life being a vapor/mist which is very similar to what Solomon was saying in Ecclesiastes & Proverbs.
• I tried to explain this to a family last night who is on the brink of losing one of their own.
• It is hard to see the bigger picture when reality says “look at this right here”.
• Their answers are probably more visible when they can see the bigger picture… as time goes by.
• Proverbs 27:1 - Don’t boast about tomorrow,

for you don’t know what a day might bring.[4]

• Luke 12:16-34 - 16 Then he told them a parable: “A rich man’s land was very productive. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What should I do, since I don’t have anywhere to store my crops? 18 I will do this,’ he said. ‘I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones and store all my grain and my goods there. 19 Then I’ll say to myself, “You have many goods stored up for many years. Take it easy; eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”’
• “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life is demanded of you. And the things you have prepared—whose will they be?’
• “That’s how it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

 
THE CURE FOR ANXIETY

• Then he said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, don’t worry about your life, what you will eat; or about the body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds? 25 Can any of you add one moment to his life span by worrying? 26 If then you’re not able to do even a little thing, why worry about the rest?
• “Consider how the wildflowers grow: They don’t labor or spin thread. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these. 28 If that’s how God clothes the grass, which is in the field today and is thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he do for you—you of little faith? 29 Don’t strive for what you should eat and what you should drink, and don’t be anxious. 30 For the Gentile world eagerly seeks all these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
• “But seek his kingdom, and these things will be provided for you. 32 Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.[5]

15 Instead, you should say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.

• The key to avoiding boasting is a godly perspective.
• Arrogance mentioned once again.
• Man’s boasting only covers up man’s weakness.
• Paul did not consider the will of God a chain that shackled him; rather, it was a key that opened doors and set him free.[6]

17 So it is sin to know the good and yet not do it.

• These people know the will of God but choose to disobey it.
• This attitude expresses even more pride than does the first; for the person says to God, “I know what You want me to do, but I prefer not to do it. I really know more about this than You do!”[7]
• This attitude only sees a small part of the big picture.
• “How does this affect me now?” doesn’t allow you to see the bigger picture in how it will affect you 10 years from now. Or how it will affect your generations to follow.
• Family tree… They made decisions in the heat of the moment that are reflected long after they are dead and gone.
• Selfish perspective… God perspective.
• Ephesians 6:6 - Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will from your heart.[8]
• How do you “do God’s will from your heart”?
• Know Him
• Know what He has given you
• Obey what you know

 
WARNING TO THE RICH
James 5
1 Come now, you rich people, weep and wail over the miseries that are coming on you.

• “rich” is a relevant term.
• What is rich?
• In today’s definition it could easily be defined as one without debt.
• That has changed in the last 50 years.
• A rich person could be determined by Forbes
• A rich person could be determined by material possessions: House, car, boat, etc.
• A rich person could be determined by how they share what they give away.
• James did not say it was a sin to be rich.
• Abraham was a wealthy man, yet he walked with God, and was greatly used of God to bless the whole world.
• James was concerned about the selfishness of the rich and advised them to “weep and wail.”[9]

2 Your wealth has rotted and your clothes are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have stored up treasure in the last days. 4 Look! The pay that you withheld from the workers who mowed your fields cries out, and the outcry of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of Hosts.

• Deuteronomy 24:14 - “Do not oppress a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether one of your Israelite brothers or one of the resident aliens in a town in your land.[10]

5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and have indulged yourselves. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the righteous, who does not resist you. [11]

• In the scramble for more wealth, the rich used their influence in courts of justice, and in the process were guilty of bringing condemnation and even death to innocent men who offered no resistance.
• “innocent men” is lit., “the righteous one” though it probably refers to a class of people rather than to one individual.
• What began as an interest in money ended as an insensitivity to murder.[12]
• 1 Corinthians 4:2 - In this regard, it is required that managers be found faithful.[13]
• Just in the last 8 months, you have:
  • Supported the local community financially and physically
  • Supported several families in the need of counseling
  • Supported a single mother who has MS and relies on caretakers every day.
  • Paid an electric bill for a family so they could turn their heat back on for the winter.
  • Supported local businesses that are need.
  • Several families in financial need.
  • Supported a couple of ministries (inside of Leavener) that meets physical needs of others in the community.
  • Several individuals on missions.
  • A family that is pursuing ministry and encouraging them to teach from their identity.
• Thank you for being faithful, caring and supportive.

And thank you for always taking care of my family.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 371). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Tozer, A. W., & Eggert, R. (1998). The Tozer Topical Reader (Vol. 2, p. 242). Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread.
[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. 831). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 27:1). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Lk 12:16–34). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 372). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 372). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 6:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 374). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Dt 24:14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 4:13–5:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] 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. 833). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 4:2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

James 4:1-12
PROUD OR HUMBLE
James 4:1-12
1 What is the source of wars and fights among you? (rhetorical?) Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you?

• Conflict comes out of inner sensual lusts or pleasures (hēdonōn).
• Hedonism, the playboy mindset that makes pleasure men & women’s goal.
• Fighting in the Church has gone on forever!
• Lot caused a quarrel with his Uncle Abraham (Gen. 13).
• Absalom created a war for his father David (2 Sam. 13–18).
• The disciples created problems for the Lord when they argued over who was the greatest in the kingdom (Luke 9:46–48).
• When you examine some of the early churches, you discover that they had their share of disagreements.
• The members of the Corinthian church were competing with each other in the public meetings, and even suing each other in court (1 Cor. 6:1–8; 14:23–40).
• The Galatian believers were “biting and devouring” one another (Gal. 5:15).
• Paul had to admonish the Ephesians to cultivate spiritual unity (Eph. 4:1–16).
• Even his beloved church at Philippi had problems: two women could not get along with each other (Phil. 4:1–3).[1]
• Explain the war inside… POS

2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.

• In reference to class wars (rich vs poor)
• This is not the trusting child asking for a meal but the greedy child asking for the best piece or the spoiled child demanding his or her way.
• They are asking God to bless their schemes; God will have no part of it.[2]
• But the real battle is between your focus on God and worldly things.
• First, wanting what they do not have and second, coveting what they cannot obtain.[3]
• The essence of sin is selfishness.
• Often we veil our religious quarrels under the disguise of “spirituality.”
• We are like Miriam and Aaron who complained about Moses’ wife, but who really were envious of Moses’ authority (Num. 12).
• Or we imitate James and John who asked for special thrones in the kingdom, when what we really want is recognition today (Mark 10:35–45).
• In both of these instances, the result of selfish desire rubbed hard and brought division among God’s people.
• Selfish desires are dangerous things.
• They lead to wrong actions (“You fight and war,”)
• They even lead to wrong praying (“You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.”).
• When our praying is wrong, our whole Christian life is wrong.
• It has well been said that the purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven, but to get God’s will done on earth.[4]
• Selfish living and selfish praying always lead to war.
• There is always war on the inside, but there doesn’t have to be war on the outside.
• It is called “walking by the Spirit”, rather than “walking by the flesh”

4 You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God.

• A figure of speech designating the unfaithfulness of God’s people in their relationship with Him[5]
• By the “world,” James means, of course, human society apart from God.[6]
• Friendship with the world is compared to adultery.
• James is not referring to quit talking and loving on people with worldly behaviors.
• James is referring to not doing worldly behaviors.
• James is not talking about disassociating yourself from people who do worldly behaviors.
• James is referring to disassociating yourself from worldly behaviors.

5 Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?

• Do not grieve the Spirit…
• How can you have what you have and not see this thing?

6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says:
God resists the proud,
but gives grace to the humble.

• God resists the proud… those who are not redeemed…
• I have been made humble… sometimes I walk in my flesh.
• Know who you are.
• James has taken the sword and said this is the enemy of God and this is the friend of God.
• Know the difference… know who you are.
• You can depend on your own pride… or you can depend on God’s grace.

7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

• This word is a military term that means “get into your proper rank.”[7]
• Submit… why do we have such a hard time with this word?
• Pride
• But resist the devil…

8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.

• You will have no problem with submission if this happens.
• The more you know God… the more you will feel His presence with you.
• The more you know God… the more aware you will become of the things God does around you.
• Submission becomes a fruit.

Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

• Don’t just say you believe in God.
• Believe in God.
• Pursue God!
• During this Corona Virus era, you are changing the way you do life.
• You are shedding your old habits… some that you have been doing a long time.
• Now you are having to re-think how to do life.
• You are creating new habits…even if it is subconsciously.
• Process what you are doing with your time.
• We are going to come out of this stage in life and it is going to impact you forever.
• How many times have you said, “If I just had time to pursue the Lord, I would do this or that.”?
• Now is the time.
• It is the same thing James was saying to the believers 2000 years ago.
• Think about what you are doing.
• Focus on the Lord. Pursue this living God that wants to literally help you breathe every breath.
• And wash your hands!

9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

• I imagine most people translate this as written to the believers since this is who the letter is written to.
• The previous verse is directed to non-believers… sinners.
• Be miserable and mourn about your worldliness…
• Let your laughter and joy that is based upon worldly things turn to sorrow and repentance.
• Humble yourselves… cast aside your pride.
• Let go of your old stone heart, be transformed by the grace of God and learn how to live out of your new heart.

11 Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters. Anyone who defames or judges a fellow believer defames and judges the law. If you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? [8]

• The saints were speaking evil of one another and judging one another.
• Christians are to speak “the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15); they are not to speak evil in a spirit of rivalry and criticism.
• If the truth about a brother is harmful, then we should cover it in love and not repeat it (1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, maintain constant love for one another, since love covers a multitude of sins.[9]
• If he has sinned, we should go to him personally and try to win him back (Gal. 6:1–2 - Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.[10]).
• James was not forbidding us to use discrimination or even to evaluate people.
• Christians need to have discernment (Phil. 1:9–11 - 9 And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, 10 so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.[11])
• We must not act like God in passing judgment.
• We must first examine our own lives, and then try to help others (Matt. 7:1–5).
• We never know all the facts in a case, and we certainly never know the motives that are at work in men’s hearts.
• To speak evil of a brother and to judge a brother based on partial evidence and (probably) unkind motives is to sin against him and against God.[12]
• There is a Spirit inside of you that will provide you with wisdom on when to speak and even when not to speak.
• Know God and you will learn to live out of your new heart.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 366–367). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Davids, P. H. (2011). James (p. 100). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
[3] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 174). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 367–368). 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 4:4). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 368). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 369). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 4:1–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Pe 4:8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 6:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Php 1:9–11). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 367). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

• 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.

James 1
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

• OK Google… Alexa… Give me knowledge.

• Wisdom - Refers to the knowledge of God’s plans and purposes and the ability to live accordingly.
• Wise people can identify the nature and purpose of their trials and understand how to overcome them.[1]
• Wisdom helps us understand how to use these circumstances for our good and God’s glory.
• Someone has said that knowledge is the ability to take things apart, while wisdom is the ability to put them together. [2]
• The first step of having wisdom is realizing that you don’t have enough wisdom.
• Proverbs 2:6 - For the Lord gives wisdom;
• from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.[3]
• God gives it, for God is a good giver; God gives generously, which means that he gives without mental reservations, that he gives simply, with a single heart.[4]
•  “Ungrudgingly” – no condemnation… regardless of your previous record.
• Believers seek wisdom from others.
• That is good advice.
• 3 reasons why people go to others for wisdom:

1. They go to others because they know the person has wisdom and they trust the person.
2. They go to others because it is the shorter route. It is easier to find someone who knows God than to seek out God on their own.
3. They are looking for someone to agree with what they have already determined they want to do.

• Do you really want help/wisdom or are you looking for an agreeing opinion?
• A person with wisdom will understand they can’t help the latter and move on to others.

 
6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

• “Ask in faith” – The greatest enemy to our prayers being answered is our lack of faith (unbelief).
• Wisdom is not based on “feelings”… “I feel that…”
• Emotions and feelings are not always true.
• Today’s society uses their feelings, emotions and opinions to formulate who their God is.
• I get to choose what my God would want for me.
• It is not based upon knowing the heart of God, but based upon selfish feelings & opinions.
• If those people, who are tossed about with emotions/feelings go to one who has wisdom and solid in their faith… they better be seeking help.
• The doubter will have an understanding of who God is what He does for them.
• But when they get hit with a huge wave, everything they thought they knew about God changes.
• One with wisdom, will understand that the same God who stood with them at the wedding alter is the same God who stands with them when it all falls apart.
• One with wisdom, will understand that the same God who stood with them at the birth of their child is the same God who stands with them when the story doesn’t play out like we expected it to.
• One with wisdom, will understand that the same God who stood with them at the first day of exciting new career is the same God who stands with them when that opportunity comes to an end.

7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
(A heart that wants to believe.)

• Tozer – “Probably nothing else bothers the earnest Christian quite so much as the problem of those dry spells that come to him occasionally, no matter how faithfully he tries to obey God and walk in the light. He can never predict them and he cannot explain them. And there lies his difficulty.
• It might comfort one who finds himself in the middle of an emotional desert to know that his experience is not unique. The sweetest and holiest saints whose feet have graced this earth have at some time found themselves there.… It is good to know during such an internal drought that it has been a common experience with the saints.…
• Such times demand that we exercise faith. Moments of great spiritual delight do not require much faith; if we never came down from the mount of blessing we might easily come to trust in our own delights rather than in the unshakeable character of God. When it seems that our watchful Heavenly Father withdraws His inward comforts from us sometimes, we will hopefully learn that Christ alone is the Rock upon which we must repose our everlasting trust.”[5]

9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.
(A surrendered will)

• The Message – James 1:5-11 - If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
• 9–11    When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.[6]
• When I hear it read like that, I just start thinking about people…
• Twitter is that scorching heat today.
• You quickly move from prosperity and popularity to the societal target of attack.
• But let’s stay focused on the context. What was going on here when James was writing this letter?
• The Christian Jews were being persecuted by the Jews.
• Life with Jesus… life without Jesus… the prosperous life fades to nothing.

 
12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

• The crown of life is eternity with God/Jesus.
• Achieved through belief in the Messiah.

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone.

• James asserts that God is not responsible for temptation or for the sin that might result from it.[7]
• There is nothing in God to which evil can make an appeal.[8]

14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

• Let’s get this straight.
• I sin
• It is not my nature to sin
• Born with Adam seed, given a new heart.
• I don’t think you can hear this enough. Identity.
• But it goes further.
• 1 Thess 5:23 – Body, soul spirit.
• Flesh suit contains a brain
• Flesh patterns
• Thoughts
• Choice
• Holy Spirit taken up residence - Romans 8:11

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. [9]

• God loves you and has provided a way out.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it.[10]

[1] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 1:5). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 340). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 2:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Davids, P. H. (2011). James (p. 29). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
[5] Tozer, A. W., & Eggert, R. (1998). The Tozer Topical Reader (Vol. 1, p. 156). Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread.
[6] Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Jas 1:5–11). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
[7] Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 1:13). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[8] 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. 822). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 1:5–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 10:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.