Sermon - April 26, 2015 - James Week 2 - Love is a Verb!

As I was preparing this weeks message one thing that came to mind was that James does not shy away from some challenging topics. Last week we looked at the trials we face as Christians and how we are supposed to face them with joy. I doubt James received many invitations to visit, teach, or speak from that lesson and I am not sure the rest of chapter 1 would have increased it any.

James wrote the truth regardless of the cost. That alone is a lesson that each of us should learn.

Zechariah 8:16

“These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another; make true and sound decisions within your gates.”

We know the Bible is the true Word of God. We spend time learning God's teachings. We need to stand up for what it teaches, regardless of the cost. That means voting for people who will support Christian values, taking a stand on Biblical values, and even showing our family and friends the truth when they are heading down the wrong path. James was stoned to death for speaking the truth., but he did it regardless of the consequences. Persecution is going to happen and we need to speak the truth no matter what. Not always easy and not always fun, but speaking the truth is something we need to do.

Let's see what else James has for us today.

James 1:19-20

“19 My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.”

'Quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger.' there are so many applications to these words. It is the right way to deal with our family and friends or people we work with, that irate customer, and that rude person on the road.

Proverbs 10:19

“When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is wise.”

We are going to have disagreements with other people, there is no way around it. Even amongst believers we are going to disagree now and again. James is telling us to simply be quiet and let the other person speak. Here their opinion, think it through, and then together calmly come up with a solution.

Lot's of different applications in our daily lives, but how about when studying God's Word.

Quick to hear - We need to be quick to listen to God's Words, think about them, study them, and understand them.

Slow to speak, and slow to anger – only after we fully understand what God's Word is teaching us should we speak. We do not want to spout off something when we do not fully understand it.

Our jumping to conclusions or becoming angry because we do not understand something only causes problems for us as individuals and reflects poorly on all Christians. Think about that Westboro church. They obviously do not understand scripture and have jumped to the conclusion that they can stand on the corner being angry and shouting hateful things at people they do not agree with. Not sure where they find that in scripture, I see the opposite.

Do I agree with them that this country is falling deeper into sin? Yes. The difference is I remember that somewhere in the Good Book, Jesus told us to love God and to love others. When I see Westboro on TV I do not see love, I see an angry group of people. Are they accomplishing God's righteousness? Absolutely not.

We are to be thoughtful listeners to others and study God's Word so we can respond as God would want us, in Love.

James 1:21

“Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you.”

If we do what it says in the last 2 verses and study God's word, listen to others, and think about our response before we speak that is one step in getting rid of the junk in our lives. If you listen to others and consider what they are saying are you going to get in as many arguments? If you study what God's Word is telling you and learn how to apply it to your life, are you going to make better choices?

Ephesians 1:13

“13 When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.”

God's Word will save you if you know it and apply it to your life!

James 1:22-25

“22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but one who does good works—this person will be blessed in what he does.”

'be doers of the word and not hearers only' – these words are a reminder of something Jesus told us.

Matthew 7:24-27

“24 “Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them will be like a sensible man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the rivers rose, and the winds blew and pounded that house. Yet it didn’t collapse, because its foundation was on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of Mine and doesn’t act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 The rain fell, the rivers rose, the winds blew and pounded that house, and it collapsed. And its collapse was great!”

James started out in this section telling us to be quick to hear and slow to speak. Now he is telling us to not get so bogged down in thinking and understanding that we don't act on what we have learned. Coming to church is Great! It helps us to learn about God's Word as we discuss our readings in Sunday School and hear what is shared from the pulpit. The question is what are we going to do with it.

“Let’s pretend that you work for me. In fact, you are my executive assistant in a company that is growing rapidly. I’m the owner and I’m interested in expanding overseas. To pull this off, I make plans to travel abroad and stay there until a new branch office gets established. I make all the arrangements to take my family and move to Europe for six to eight months. And I leave you in charge of the busy stateside organization. I tell you that I will write you regularly and give you directions and instructions. I leave and you stay. Months pass. A flow of letters are mailed from Europe and received by you at the national headquarters. I spell out all my expectations.

Finally, I return. Soon after my arrival, I drive down to the office and I am stunned. Grass and weeds have grown up high. A few windows along the street are broken. I walk into the Receptionist’s room. She is doing her nails, chewing gum and listening to her favorite disco station. I look around and notice the wastebaskets are overflowing. The carpet hasn’t been vacuumed for weeks, and nobody seems concerned that the owner has returned. I asked about your whereabouts and someone in the crowded lounge area points down the hall and yells, "I think he’s down there." Disturbed, I move in that direction and bump into you as you are finishing a chess game with our sales manager. I ask you to step into my office, which has been temporarily turned into a television room for watching afternoon soap operas.

"What in the world is going on, man?" "What do you mean?" "Well, look at this place! Didn’t you get any of my letters?" "Letters? Oh yes! Sure! I got every one of them. As a matter of fact, we have had a letter study every Friday since you left. We have even divided the personnel into small groups to discuss many of the things you wrote. Some of the things were really interesting. You will be pleased to know that a few of us have actually committed to memory some of your sentences and paragraphs. One or two memorized an entire letter or two - Great stuff in those letters."

"OK. You got my letters. You studied them and meditated on them; discussed and even memorized them. But what did you do about them?" "Do? We didn’t do anything about them." (Improving Your Serve, Chuck Swindoll)”

Matthew 28:19-20

“19 Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Jesus clearly gave us more to do that to study His words and the teachings of His followers. We are supposed to put our faith into action. Ok, so what does that mean for each of us sitting here are we all supposed to head off to other parts of the world to share the gospel? No. Each of us are gifted in different ways.

For some of us it will be giving where we can. We have been blessed with finances and we can give to the different missions offerings. Our gifts support missions locally and around the world.

Some have been called to serve in the missions field and go off and spread the gospel to places that most of us would only dream of or be scared to visit.

Each and every single one of us are called to spread the gospel. Most of us will not go on long term missions trips. For most of us, being a 'doer' of the Word means we are living it daily and sharing God's Love and amazing gift with everyone we know. That is what each of us here this morning have been called to do. Share God's Love and amazing gift!

Romans 2:13

“For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous.”

When your judgment day comes and Jesus asks you what you did, how are you going to answer?

James 1:26-29

“26 If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, then his religion is useless and he deceives himself. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”

The outward actions or rituals are really useless. God does not care if you only come to church in your Sunday best. He is more interested in your heart. Your heart is what truly guides your words and actions. If your words are used to lift yourself up at the expense of another, your heart is not where God wants it.

God is looking for our actions and our character to be pure and to honor Him.

1 John 3:10

“This is how God's children – and the devil's children – are made evident. Whoever does not do what is right is not of God, especially the one who does not love his brother.”

If you are loving others your actions show it. James is not telling us that to be truly pure we have to literally serve orphans and widows, but that our actions show our character. If we are being 'doers' of the Word people will be able to see it.

If someone were to look at the things you do, are they going to know that you are a Christian?

What can we take home from the second half of James chapter 1?

We need to listen more, listen to what we learn in God's Word and listen to others. Their will be less conflict in our lives.

We need to make sure that we let God's Word drive us to action! Yes, we need to spend time to learn what God wants from us, but we also need to make sure we are doing the things that He has called us to do. Mainly to Love God, Love Others, be His witnesses, and make disciples. Knowing God's Word should lead us to be doers.

Love is a verb! Let it grow into actions that show that love to others!

 

 

 

Thank you for reading and may the Lord Bless you immensely!

 

Robert

Sermon - April 19, 2015 - James Week 1 - Sucked In, Washed Up, and Blown Over!

Let's start with an excerpt from Max Lucado's book 'In the Eye of the Storm.'

Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over.

The problems began when Chippie’’s owner decided to clean Chippie’’s cage with a vacuum cleaner. She removed the attachment from the end of the hose and stuck it in the cage. The phone rang, and she turned to pick it up. She’’d barely said "hello" when "ssssopp!" Chippie got sucked in.
The bird owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and opened the bag. There was Chippie -- still alive, but stunned.

Since the bird was covered with dust and soot, she grabbed him and raced to the bathroom, turned on the faucet, and held Chippie under the running water. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do . . . she reached for the hair dryer and blasted the pet with hot air.

Poor Chippie never knew what hit him.

A few days after the trauma, the reporter who’’d initially written about the event contacted Chippie’’s owner to see how the bird was recovering. "Well," she replied, "Chippie doesn’’t sing much anymore -- he just sits and stares."

It’’s hard not to see why. Sucked in, washed up, and blown over . . . That’’s enough to steal the song from the stoutest heart.

Sucked in, washed up, and blown over.... sums up how I feel some days. Can the rest of you relate? ''

James the brother of our Lord Jesus seems to be able to relate. He starts off his letter talking about the real 'popular' topic of trials and tribulations.

James 1:1

“James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings.”

When anyone starts out a letter calling themselves a slave that should be a warning sign. Something has happened and it was not spending a vacation on the beach in Hawaii. James was in good company though. Paul and Jude also refer to themselves as slaves or servants to the Lord.

James tells us right up front who he was writing to. His primary audience of the early church was fellow Jewish people who were part of the 12 tribes of Israel.

James 1:2-4

“2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.”

This may be hard to swallow, but we are to find joy in our trials. I guess this might be something to expect from someone who calls himself a slave. But the truth is, we are supposed to find joy in our struggles. I know the logic does not make sense, it does not compute. How can someone really find joy in going through a trial. The point here is that we are not to allow our trials to drag us down into despair. We are to remember who we serve. We are to remember that our trials help us to grow in our dependence on God. Especially if we are suffering in Jesus name over something. That means we are taking a stand for Him and being persecuted.

To be clear we are not just talking about the simple struggles we have in our life or the challenges we are faced when we share our faith. We are talking about those life changing and extremely challenging trials. We are talking about Abraham being told to sacrifice Isaac his only son type of trials. Abraham endured the trial and passed the test and His faith and trust in God grew. As we make it through our life changing trials if we hold onto Jesus our faith grows, we learn that He has our back, and trial by trial we find it easier and easier to have joy as our endurance increases.

 We must truly believe in the teachings of Christ and His followers and be determined to follow them as we go through trials. It is only through faith in the power, Word, and promises of God that we grow through our trials.
We cannot do it on our own, we cannot do it with only a little knowledge about God. It is only through spending time talking to God, studying His Word, that we can even begin to understand His power, Word, and promises. Having a strong faith based on knowing God and His Word allows us to endure through our trials, to not worry about them, and to have joy.

James 1:5-8

“5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.”

We spent some time talking about Prayer last week and we know that it is something that we should be doing constantly. Here we are being told that if we are going through a trial we should not only pray for what is needed, but more importantly to pray for wisdom on how to deal with it.

Remember Abraham went and gathered the supplies and was set to sacrifice Isaac as He was told. Why did he do that? He trusted in God's promises and power. God promised to make a nation out of his son Isaac, so it was going to happen. If God was going to ask for Isaac to be sacrificed, He must have the power to bring him back. Abraham had the wisdom he needed to deal with his trial.

When we are going through something we do not understand, we need to be praying for God to show us how to navigate through it and how we can use it to further His kingdom. I don't know how many times I have heard someone ask why they are going through something or why someone had to suffer. It may not always seem like it but even the darkest of times can be used by God to help others. I have read stories of people who lost a child, one of the most agonizing things to endure, who were able to comfort others who went through the same.

This wisdom that James is talking about is not given only to pastors, or super saints. It is given freely to all who ask. Whether you have been a Christ follower for 5 minutes or 50 years, whether you are living the best life you can or just walked in from the bar, if you ask, God will give you the wisdom you need.

These verses go on to point out that you need to ask in faith. If you are a doubter you question every choice, thought, and are constantly second guessing yourself or your last decision. Remember Daniel and his buddies? They had faith that God would protect them in the fiery furnace and in the lions den. Their was not doubt in their minds. They KNEW that God would be with them during their trials.

How about you? As you sit here this morning do you know beyond any doubt that God will be with you? That He will give you wisdom? That His power is greater than your trial?

Spend time with God and you will have faith in His Word, promises, and power.

James 1:9-11

“9 The brother of humble circumstances should boast in his exaltation, 10 but the one who is rich should boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will wither away while pursuing his activities.”

James is reminding the 12 tribes that it does not matter if you are poor or rich you are brothers. It is a reminder that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. The thickness of our wallets or the balance in our check books do not make one worth more than another in the eyes of God. To often in this world the poor are shunned and the rich are viewed as 'Sunday' Christians who do not live in reality. Everyone, rich or poor, are equal. Wealth does not increase or limit our ability to serve God and rejoice in His amazing gifts.

Those who are without much can rejoice in that they are heirs in the kingdom of God, this life and any suffering is only temporary. Those with a lot are to be humble in their actions and faith as their blessings are temporary. We are also told here that those who are more worried about the things they have or the pursuit of money than following God are headed for a fall. The things of this world do not last and we do not get to take them with us. No matter how much wealth you have accumulated it really does not matter, it does not last. A relationship with Jesus Christ is the only thing that matters and the only thing that lasts.

James 1:12

“A man who endures trials is blessed, because when he passes the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”

Trials are a fact of life, we read about them throughout Scripture.

Matthew 10:22

“You will be hated by everyone because of My name. But the one who endures to the end will be delivered.”

We as Christians will face persecution.

Philippians 1:29

“For it has been given to you on Christ's behalf not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him,”

We will deal with trials, we will suffer, but in the end we will be rewarded. If we have suffered in the name of Christ, endured our trials, grew in faith, we will receive life not only in this world but also in the next. James is not talking about a literal crown here, but the gift of life. The life we are living and the everlasting life that we get to spend with our King.

Trials are real, they are going to happen, and we need to have faith as we endure them. They may be hard, but the joy comes from knowing that God is in control and He has given and will give us an amazing gift. New life in this world, and an everlasting life in His kingdom.

James 1:13-15

“13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God.” For God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desires. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.”

Today people question why God let's them go through something or may blame satan for the struggle they are faced with. First off we need to know that God Does Not Tempt Us! Why would He do that? His original plan was for humankind to spend time with Him, not to be trapped in sin. Temptation leads to sin, so the things we struggle with are not God tempting us. That is completely against God's character.

What James is telling us here is that we do not sin because of an outward influence, but by our reaction to what is going on around us. A perfect example is that the smell coming from a bar can be an overwhelming temptation for an alcoholic, but for others it would small gross. The smell did not change, it is the reaction that changes.

God does not bring things into our lives to pull us down, His gifts are always good. If we are tempted that is on us and our inner desires, that is the ultimate struggle we need to overcome or the desire will turn into sin. Sin is part of our nature, not Gods.

James 1:16-18

“16 Don’t be deceived, my dearly loved brothers. 17 Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning. 18 By His own choice, He gave us a new birth by the message of truth so that we would be the firstfruits of His creatures.”

What does God give us? Perfect gifts!

Do you believe the Word of God? If you do, these words alone should let you know that none of the struggles or trials you are facing come from God. None of the medical issues you are dealing with were caused by Him. None of the financial struggles were His idea. None of things driving families apart started with Him.

Everything that comes from God is perfect and exactly what we need. Even to the point that He has given us His son Jesus Christ. It is through His death and resurrection that we are given a 'new birth'. It is this new birth and the perfect gifts from God that allow us to fight our tendency to sin.

Trials are nothing fun and we do not enjoy going through them. Whether they are a struggle with sin or something that changes our life,they are challenging.

James tells us a few things we need to remember when we feel sucked in, washed up, and blown over.

Faith in the Word, promises, and power of God will allow us to have Joy as we endure our trials.

Spending time with God will allow us to have Faith, so that we can have that Joy.

Praying for Wisdom while spending time with God will bring about that Faith that is needed to have that desired Joy.

God has given you the tools you need to endure your trials. Remember every gift from God is Perfect!


Thanks for reading and God Bless!

Robert