Author Archives: campspringscommunitychurch_mfry1e

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THE RESCUERS. James 5:19-20. 12/01/2024. #21.

¹⁹ Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

1. Wandering from the truth

                a. James ends his epistle by exhorting believers to help rescue those who wander from the truth

                                a1. The truth is the Word of God

                                a2. The specific truth is the gospel (save a soul from death)

                b. It seems that James is speaking of those who claimed to be Christians, but were not

                c. There are several kinds of those who wander (err) from the truth

                                a1. GAL. 6:1-5  the believer who falls into sin

                                                b1. I John 1:9-10 those who confess their sins receive forgiveness

                                                b2. Paul went to Jerusalem against God’s will (Acts 21), Peter backed away from the Gentile believers (Galatians 2), the carnal believers in Corinth

                                a2. Heb. 6:4-6 false believers who never possessed true faith to begin with

                                                b1. These are either PRETENDERS (in rocky soul with no depth) who embraced Christ as an idea, but not in true faith or DOUBLE-MINDED (thorny soul consumed by the lust of the world, as with Demus)

                                                b2. There are also IMPOSTERS (those who are wolves that come in sheep’s clothing to destroy and confuse)

                                                b3. 1 John 2:19 those who are true believers remain true to the end

                                a3. 1 Cor. 3 the carnal Christian who never matures in faith, but remains fleshly, uninformed, and weak

                                                b1. Can’t tell if this one is saved

                                                b2. II Corinthians 13:5 leaves salvation in doubt

                                a4. James 4:1-4 the backsliding Christian who continues to fall back into sin (Galatians 5:15 this believer is argumentative, adversarial, self-willed, and slow to repent, but can be redeemed)

2. Turning the sinner back

                a. The approach to the wanderer is similar whether he is unsaved or backslidden

                                a1. Need to approach with the truth of the gospel and the Word of God

                                a2. Matthew 18:15-18 those who refuse to repent are treated as if they are unsaved and in need of coming to Christ

                b. Since one can’t tell if a wanderer is truly saved or not, the basic truths of faith must be applied

                c. A person may reject being corrected (turned back)

                                a1. Prayer and openness to help him needed

                                a2. Can’t force repentance

                d. Love covers a multitude of sins

                                a1. Christ’s atonement not only saves sinners, but provides forgiveness for the erring believer

                                a2. Once forgiveness is received, the sins are buried with Christ

3. The importance of the rescuer

                a. James mentions the rescuer last because it is our most important function

                                a1. Isaiah 52:7 those who carry the good news to others, whether for repentance of sins or reclaiming a believer are blessed

                                a2. Love demands that we live for Christ and bring his message to others

                b. Love causes us to care for others, continually seeking to help restore, encourage, and support

                c. Rescuers are God’s first responders

Key Passage: Galatians 6:1-5¹ Brethren, if a man is [a]overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. ² Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ³ For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. ⁴ But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. ⁵ For each one shall bear his own load.

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PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS. James 5:13-18. 11/24/2024. #20.

¹³ Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. ¹⁴ Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. ¹⁵ And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven^{. 16} Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. ¹⁸ And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.

1.  Prayer for the sick

                a. This is one of the most abused passages in the New Testament

                                a1. It does not teach that everyone who has elders pray for them will be healed

                                a2. It does not teach that if we keep praying as Elijah did we get what we want

                b. Begins by telling people who are suffering (afflicted) to pray and those who are cheerful to sing

                                a1. Praying and praising are both a part of honoring and worshipping God

                                a2. Though prayer is to be a continual activity of believers (I Thessalonians 5), specific prayer for illness is in view here

                c. Many times God will not heal for his reasons

                                a1. Paul left Trophimus at Troas because he was very sick

                                a2. II Corinthians 12 Paul kept the thorn in his flesh

                                a3. Matthew 26 the cup did not pass from Jesus

                                a4. Hebrews 9:27 death is appointed to all

                d. Those who are suffering should call for the elders to pray over them

                                a1. The elders are to anoint (daub or wipe) oil on the sick (a medicinal act)

                                a2. The elders are to pray for the sick

                e. The prayer of faith produces healing

2. Healing of the repentant

                a. Verses 14 and 15 go together

                b. If the reason the sick is ill is due to disciplinary   action by the Lord, then he will be healed…

                                a1. If he confesses his sin

                                a2. If he repents

                                a3. If the elders pray for him

                c. Guaranteed healing is promised if the sickness is due to punishment for sin (1 JN. 5:14-17)

                                a1. God at times gives confidence in a positive answer to prayer so assurance is given

                                a2. We can never demand of God or claim to engender faith in our will to be done

                d. 4 principles in prayer:

                                a1. Matthew 26 praying for the Lord’s will to be done

                                a2. James 1, praying in faith that the Lord hears and will answer our prayers (not vacillating)

                                a3. James 4 not praying selfishly or carnally

                                a4. II Corinthians 12 accepting and submitting to God’s answer to prayer

                e. Confess sins to those whom you have offended

                                a1. Not confessing to everyone

                                a2. Matthew 5:22-24 seek forgiveness from the one you have affronted

3. Effective praying

                a. Elijah prayer for a drought and then for rain

                                a1. Elijah prayed in the will of God (led by him)

                                a2. It did not rain for 3 ½ years

                                a3. Notice that Elijah prayed 7 times before rain came upon the earth (persistent praying as God leads is different than pestering God for one’s own will to be done)

                b. Fervent (lit., energized) prayer is not praying harder, linger, or desperately

                                a1. A prayer that seeks the will of God

                                a2. Pray until God gives you peace that he hears and will answer in his perfect will

                c. Daniel 10 some prayer is intense spiritual warfare, battling against evil forces (Ephesians 6:11-12)

Key passage: 1 John 5:14-17

¹⁴ Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him. ¹⁶ If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. ¹⁷ All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

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GRUMBLINGS & GROANINGS. James 5:9-12. 11/17/2024. #19.

⁹ Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! ¹⁰ My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. ¹¹ Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. ¹² But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

1. Enduring each other

                a. James enters a section on patience

                                a1. He gives the admonition to not to grumble against each other

                                a2. He uses the prophets and Job as examples of endurance during trials

                                a3. He expresses the hope of reward for enduring the irritations of life

                b. The word grumble here means to groan or to sigh

                                a1. Unlike Php. 2:14, the word refers to an internal bitterness or impatience (Jn. 11)

                                a2. We often wear on each other’s nerves and so there is a tendency to become weary with each other and be indignant, even if we do not openly express it

                c. The Lord knows our hearts = to be cordial openly while grousing internally is unacceptable

                                a1. The Lord knows and will judge the heart

                                a2. Eph. 4:32 the grace of the Lord to us is to be passed on to our brethren

                                a3. 1 Cor. 3:11-15 though a believer does not lose his salvation, he loses his reward

2. Endure like Job and Jeremiah

                a. James uses the examples of the prophets and Job

                b. JOB 1:13-22 Job lost all he had in one day

                                a1. Job lost his children, wealth, and most of his servants all at once

                                a2. Eventually, he lost his health and the respect of his wife

                                a3. His 3 neighbors falsely accused him

                                a4. God gave him no reason for his afflictions

                c. Job still did not blame God or lose his faith

                d. The prophets (Daniel, Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Elijah, Hosea, Isaiah…) suffered greatly for the Lord

                e. The test of endurance was passed by God’s men

                                a1. They suffered (kakapathios, “bad passions or agony”) greatly for their faith

                                a2. They endured (hypomenos, “to remain under) the suffering

                                a3. They persevered, triumphing over the provocations and affliction (makrothymia, “to greatly heat up”)

                                a4. They trusted that the ends of God were for the best

                                                b1. God is full of compassion and mercy

                                                b2. God greatly rewards his saints when they endure suffering with faith and as a praise to God (Acts 5)

                f. 1 Cor. 13:12 though Job did not know the reasons for his suffering, he trusted the God who allowed it

3. A clear testimony

                a. Finally, James admonishes that not only are we not to complain, we are to show great integrity

                                a1. Not just enduring suffering, but giving a clear positive testimony through it all

                                a2. No oaths (Jews swore by the temple, altar, Jerusalem, their own heads…)

                                a3. Mt. 5 reputation of honesty requires just a yes or no (nothing else is needed)

                b. Our testimonies should be so pure, that people see us suffer without complaint, gracious when provoked, and honest in all things (only by Holy Spirit)

                c. Believers have a higher calling and responsibility, for we represent the Lord of the universe (expect more)

Key passage: Job 1:13-22

¹³ Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; ¹⁴ and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, ¹⁵ when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

¹⁶ While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

¹⁷ While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

¹⁸ While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, ¹⁹ and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

²⁰ Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. ²¹ And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,

And naked shall I return there.

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;

Blessed be the name of the Lord.”²² In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

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OF RICHES & RIGHTEOUSNESS. James 5:1-8. 11/10/2024. #18.

¹ Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! ² Your riches are corrupted, and your garments 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 heaped up treasure in the last days. ⁴ Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. ⁵ You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. ⁶ You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. ⁷ Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. ⁸ You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

1. A rant against the rich

                a. It appears that James labels all wealthy people as evil, but such is not the case

                                a1. Abraham, Joseph, and Job were all wealthy

                                a2. Wealth is not the issue, but its usage is

                b. There is a debate whether the rich were believers

                                a1. James 2 James admonished wealthier saints to help their poorer brethren

                                a2. I Corinthians 11 Paul condemned wealthier saints for not sharing with their poorer brethren

                                a3. Since these rich men are not addressed as brethren, many believe that this is a condemnation against rich pagans and a warning to believers not to imitate them

                c. James calls upon the unrighteous rich to weep for themselves for the judgment to come (Luke 12)

                d. 4 charges are laid against the selfish rich:

                                a1. HOARDING – they can’t keep their wealth (gold will tarnish, crops rot, garments will be eaten by moths, and all will vanish)

                                a2. FRAUD – the rich cheated their employees (withholding what is owed is sin)

                                                b1. We owe our offerings to God, taxes to the government, provision to our families, payment to those who owe $ by loan or services and help to those in need)

                                                b2. To withhold in any area of our obligations is sin

                                a3. LUXURY – self-indulgence is sinful

                                                b1. We are stewards of what God has allowed us to possess

                                                b2. There is nothing wrong with having quality things or enjoying diversions

                                                b3. Overindulgence robs from God, for he has given us control over our wealth to use for his glory, not waste

                                a4. MURDER – whether literal or figurative, it is the corrupt wealthy who cheat the poor, take them to court, and abuse them (James 2)

                                                b1. The poor can’t resist the powerful

                                                b2. Via lack of compassion, the self-indulgent rich allow abuse and are guilty

2. Payment on the way

                a. James warns the decadent that judgment comes

                                a1. As with the rich man in Jesus’s parable

                                a2. Their wealth testifies against them

                                a3. The rich young ruler left Jesus

                                a4. The soul of the man tested in Luke 12 was required of him as he hoarded his bounty

                b. The decadent are to be pitied; not envied

3. Patience rewards the faithful

                a. Jam. urges believers to be patient

                                a1. We don’t reap eternal rewards on earth

                                a2. Romans 8:18-25 – the trials, indignations, pain, abuse, persecution, injury, suffering, and grief we suffer now will be worth it

                b. The farmer waits patiently for the crop through flood, drought, and blight for an expectant harvest

                c. Rewards of the faithful can’t tarnish, mold, or rot

                d. To suffer loss for Christ is great gain in eternity

Key passage: Romans 8:18-25 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of [a]corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now. 23 Not only that, but we also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body. 24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

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VAPORS & VANITY. James 4:13-17. 11/3/2024. #17.

¹³ Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow [a]we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; ¹⁴ whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. ¹⁵ Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” ¹⁶ But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. ¹⁷ Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

1. Arrogance on display

                a. James moves from the topic of judging one another to making plans without seeking God’s will

                b. Scriptures are replete with examples of willfulness

                                a1. Jacob tricked his father into blessing him

                                a2. Joshua attacked Ai without God’s direction

                                a3. David stayed home from battle

                                a4. Paul went to Jerusalem

                c. James addresses the businessmen

                                a1. They are very confident that they will be able to go to a select city, transact business for a year, and then make a nice profit

                                a2. These businessmen don’t know the future and have no control over their destiny

                d. On top of the arrogance of assured planning, they boast of what they will accomplish

                                a1. Notice that James declares such boasting is evil

                                a2. Nothing can be accomplished apart from the permission and will of God (Jn. 15:5)

                e. I Corinthians 10:31 unless God receives both the credit and glory for what we do, all of it is in vain (Ecclesiastes 2)

2. Advice to the haughty

                a. James starts with an undeniable truth: life is but a vapor, a short appearance and then a disappearance

                b. Psalm 90:1-12 Moses advised that we need to learn to number our days (make them count)

                                a1. If man survives his youth his days are no more than 70-80 years on average

                                a2. The days go by swiftly

                                a3. Isaiah 65:17 all that is accomplished on this earth will not be remembered

                b. James also admonishes that we should seek the Lord’s will in our plans

                                a1. Matthew 26 Jesus preferred that the cup he had to drink pass from him, but he desired that God’s will be done and not his own

                                a2. Mary submitted to God’s will

                c. Humility and realism go together

                                a1. We have no control over our lives, events, length of days, completion of our plans…

                                a2. Only by submission to God’s plans can our paths be certain, productive, and fruitful

                                a3. Matthew 6-7 only through seeking the Lord and his will can we find fulfillment and purpose

                d. We have nothing in which to boast

                                a1. Our lives, opportunities, talents, and time are gifts from God and not our own doing

                                a2. Only by seeking the Lord’s will are our lives not wasted and futile

3. To do or not to do

                a. James admonishes his readers that they know what to do (not a mystery)

                                a1. EVERYDAY DOING – morality, worship, sub mission, study, prayer, fellowship, love, and grace are all obviously the will of God

                                a2. EXISTENTIAL DOING – as we go through life the Spirit leads us to people who need help, care, instruction, encouragement…

                                a3. ELECTIVE DOING – God chooses each believer to do certain tasks for his kingdom

                b. The will of God is mostly clear and to those who seek him truly it will always become clear

                c. Those who refuse to do the will of God or even seek it, it is sin (sin is more than just doing evil, it is also not doing good)

Psalm 90:1-12

¹ Lord, You have been our [a]dwelling place in all generations.

² Before the mountains were brought forth,

Or ever You [b]had formed the earth and the world,

Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.

³ You turn man to destruction,

And say, “Return, O children of men.”

⁴ For a thousand years in Your sight

Are like yesterday when it is past,

And like a watch in the night.

⁵ You carry them away like a flood;

They are like a sleep.

In the morning they are like grass which grows up:

⁶ In the morning it flourishes and grows up;

In the evening it is cut down and withers.

⁷ For we have been consumed by Your anger,

And by Your wrath we are terrified.

⁸ You have set our iniquities before You,

Our secret sins in the light of Your countenance.

⁹ For all our days have passed away in Your wrath;

We finish our years like a sigh.

¹⁰ The days of our lives are seventy years;

And if by reason of strength they are eighty years,

Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow;

For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

¹¹ Who knows the power of Your anger?

For as the fear of You, so is Your wrath.

¹² So teach us to number our days,

That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

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