August 15, 2010- Finish James Chapter 1

Remember as you read James, he is writing to the early Christian church.

James states that ultimately, the key to overcoming both trials and temptations is in how we as Believers respond to God's Word:

• v. 18- Prepare and receive the Word
• v. 22- Respond to the Word
• v. 23-25 Realize the Word is essential to spiritual growth

The Word - Accept>>Act>>Abide

James goes on in verses 26 and 27 telling us to reign in our tongues. Examples of where the tongue gets us into trouble and goes against God's Word:

• Gossip
• Foul Language
• Criticism of others
• Lying
• False Teaching

The tongue can be Satan's #1 tool to use against our testimony for Christ.

Next Week: Chapter 2

August 8, 2010- James 1:19-22

James is challenging the Christians in his writing to grow up and become spiritually mature. He tells them this can be accomplished through the Word.

• Salvation comes through the Word of God (v18), but Christians must become active listeners (readers).
• One must be prepared to hear (read) the Word.
• In verse 20, James emphasizes what he is saying is of utmost importance for the new Christians of the church.

How do we prepare to receive God's word?

• James says we must rid ourselves of wrong things in our life and be quick to listen, or take in, and slow to speak, or offer response.
• We must humble ourselves and not give into anger, which doesn't produce a righteous life.

Why is being spiritually mature important for Christians?

• Very few NFL quarterbacks start in their rookie season. Why? The lack of experience and the level of play dictate a learning period to adjust. Regardless of the talent or intelligence of the rookie quarterback, mistakes are inevitable. A mature veteran not only familiar with the level of play but equipped with the experience of learning through trial and error stands a better chance of success in leading his team to victory.
• Being a spiritually mature Christian better prepares us for any potential trial or challenge in our spiritual life too. As we evangelize the world for God, we must be prepared to face any number of situation. If we are to be victorious for the Kingdom, spiritual maturity is a crucial attribute.

Listening is not enough...obedience requires action!

• Listen(reading) the Word is only the beginning. James tells us in verse 22 to do what it says.
• God isn't looking for activist who do their thing without the guidance He provides, but He's also not looking for those who are well informed but do nothing. There is a balance between the two the mature Christian will seek and find.
• Pastor Derek spends a lot of time preparing for his sermon each week. He does all the research and cross-referencing for us...his congregation. If we sit and listen, actively taking in the lesson he provides but don't put the lesson to practice is our lives, we have sold him way short of his efforts.
• God has put a tremendous plan in place for His children to return to Him one day. That plan is contained fully in His Word. If we read and understand God's plan but fail to exercise and put the plan into action in our lives, we have also sold God far short of His desires for our life.
• As Christians, we should always strive to be pleasing to God.

Next week: Finish James Chapter 1

August 1, 2010- James 1:13-18

With a full class (praise the Lord!), we briefly looked back for a review of what had been covered.

^13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹⁶Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. ¹⁷Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

• Do trials and temptations we encounter come from God? James says no.
• Can God be tempted? Again, James says it is not possible. God cannot be tempted by evil because evil is the very thing that opposes God and His will. Likewise, God cannot tempt us with evil because God is pure and holy.
• Temptation are a result of our own sin nature and pull us away from fellowship with God. Our temptation result from our own lust which can lead to sin. James restates the price for sin is death.
• Trials we encounter in life are the result of A. Our own sinful thoughts or actions, or B. The sinful thoughts or actions of someone else. But trials are beneficial to the Christian that perseveres because as they overcome those trials it builds character and maturity in their spiritual walk. As character continues to build and develop, the understanding of the true Hope that Jesus provides Christians is revealed and helps better prepare us for future trials and temptations.

Are lies sometimes easier to believe than the truth?

• There are a number of situation where a lie is much easier to believe than the truth.
• God never lies, and James again punctuates that God would never tempt us because (v18) "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth."
• God is only the giver of every good and perfect gift.

The term firstfruits in verse 18 refers to the first portion of the harvest given to God. It seems that James is referring to the fact the early Christians he is addressing are to be the beginning of all people in the future that would be born again (spiritual birth).

Outstanding class today that really was a blessing to me. Next week: Finish Chapter 1