Category Archives: Sermon Notes & Announcements

Nov 3, 2024. James 4:13-17

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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.

Oct 20, 2024. James 4:6:10

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A TIME TO REPENT. James 4:6-10. 10/20/2024. #15.

6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

1. The grace of God

                a. James spent his letter admonishing his readers to turn away from their own wisdom, cravings, favoritism, double-mindedness, selfishness, insensitivity, corrupt speech, and worldly pleasures

                b. In harsh bold terms James impresses on them that they were at war with God, themselves, and others

                                a1. This caused divisiveness and chaos

                                a2. To bring the world inside the church is to produce a worldly church (no use to God or to others)

                c. Despite their worldliness, God still gives grace

                                a1. God offers to forgive and restore if the wayward believers will just repent

                                a2. Romans 6:8-14 the grace of God put Jesus on the cross to die for our sins

                                                b1. In gratitude and commitment we are to live for Christ and not our own lusts

                                                b2. II Corinthians 5:17 given a new life, we are to live in newness of life

                d. Grace is given to the humble

                                a1. The key battle against sin is the fight against our own pride (my wants, my credit, my things, my desires, my honor…)

                                a2. Can’t both exalt self and submit to God

2. A command performance

                a. James lists 10 commands to his readers

                b. The 1st command is to submit to God

                                a1. Submit = a military term, to line up behind, as in rank and file (used in Ep. 5:22 of wives)

                                a2. Can’t submit to self and God at same time

                c. Resist the devil and he will flee from you

                                a1. Eve did not resist the devil

                                a2. Seeking God’s will only resists the devil

                d. Draw near to God = active seeking God through word, prayer, service (removing distractions)

                e. Cleanse your hands = not using body for sin

                f. Purify your heart (Philippians 4:8) = focus on pure things

                                a1. To think on vile things is unclean and sin

                                a2. Double-minded is used differently here than in 1:8 = in 1:8, the believer is going back and forth between God and world, but here he is trying to do both at the same time

                g. Lament, mourn, weep (lit., wail) = to grieve over sin in life, not for display, but in genuine repentance

                                a1. To grieve because you feel bad about sin and its results never leads to repentance

                                a2. To grieve over broken relationship with God via violating trust and covenant, break your holy vows leads to humility and healing

                                a3. Sin is a serious matter, not to be taken lightly or frivolously (Is. 6 a land of sinners)

                                a4. Sin surrounds us (world, business, TV, radio, cell phone) = desensitization (need saturation of Word and spiritual believers)

3. From contrition to consecration

                a. Humble yourself in the sight of God = to bring oneself under submission to God

                                a1. A purposeful lowering self, not for self-loathing, but to exalt God in life

                                a2. All things come from God and he is to be glorified in and for all things

                b. I Corinthians 4:7 he gives intelligence, abilities, and ends

                c. By humbling ourselves, he will lift us up

                                a1. 1 Peter 5:7 God exalts those who exalt him

                                a2. By our humble service, he rewards us

Key passage: Romans 6:8-148 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. 10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. 11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. 13 And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.

Oct 13, 2024. James 4:1-5

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PROPER PRAYING. James 4:1-5. 10/13/2024. #14.

1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?

1. Conflict without from conflict within

                a. James continues his thought from chapter 3 that the wisdom of this world is earthly, sensual, and demonic

                b. There were conflicts among believers

                                a1. Lit., wars and battles, using military terms

                                a2. These battles are like those of the unsaved, which ruins our testimony (like with the Corinthians, Galatians, and the 2 women in Philippians)

                c. The conflicts are enumerated by James as being

                     carried away by own lusts (James 1:15), showing favoritism (James 2), not helping brothers in need (James 2), and corrupt speech (James 3)

                d. James states that these conflicts come from selfish desires in each believer

                                a1. To fulfill own pleasures (hedonon; English word, hedonism) = lusts, longings

                                a2. Proclaiming Christ while seeking own lusts

2. Petty petitions

                a. James illustrates his point by demonstrating that

                     their prayers are selfish and carnal

                                a1. Prayer is to worship God, express gratitude, pray for needs, and intercede for others

                                a2. To ask for selfish and even carnal things is evil

                b. James lists 2 errors in their praying:

                                a1. They do not ask God to meet their needs (often believers try to figure out things on their own 1st and go to God as a last resort)

                                a2. They asked amiss to fulfill their own pleasures (self-centered and carnal)

                c. Covetousness is a violation of the 10th command.

                                a1. Matthew 6 the Lord instructed us to be content

                                a2. To be carnally focused in prayer is to pray counter to the will of God (you do not have)

                                a3. Psalm 106:15 if God gives you your desires, he will send leanness to your soul (Solomon)

                d. Seeking one’s fleshly desires causes conflict in church, especially when others seek the same

3. Adulterers

                a. To seek anything other than God’s will makes us friends of the world and enemies to God

                                a1. Ephesians 5 as the bride of Christ, we are to be faithful to God alone (image in Hosea)

                                a2. Romans 7:13-20 – we must be aware of our own desires and combat them by yielding to the Spirit and the Word

                b. It is a serious offense to be unfaithful to the Lord

                                a1. I Kings 18 can’t be faithful and God and flesh

                                a2. Need to reject all things that hinder a holy walk with God

                c. Believers do not realize that being carnal makes us God’s enemies and he will oppose us

                d. James mentions a 5 step process:

                                a1. We have uncontrolled carnal desires

                                a2. We beseech God to give us our desires

                                a3. Our desires cause conflict within the body of Christ as we seek to get our own way

                                a4. We become enemies to God

                                a5. God refuses to answer our prayers and he opposes us with discipline and emptiness

                e. Exodus 20:15 God is a jealous God, seeking exclusive\covenant fellowship with us (no idols)

                f. The Spirit in us yearns for control (Ephesians 5:18)

                g. Ephesians 4:30 we grieve the Spirit and suffer when carnal

Key passage: Romans 7:13-2013 Has then what is good become death to me? Certainly not! But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me through what is good, so that sin through the commandment might become exceedingly sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

Oct 6, 2024. James 3:12-18

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THE SIN OF SELF. James 3:12-18. 10/6/2024. #13.

12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

1. 2 kinds of wisdom

                a. James brings his discussion wisdom, conduct, and the use of the tongue to a head in this passage

                                a1. James 1:5 true wisdom comes from God

                                a2. James 1:19-20 a man is to be slow to speak

                                a3. James 1:22 we are to be doers of the Word

                                a4. James 2 if a man’s faith is not seen in his action then his faith is dead and useless

                                a5. James 3:1-12 he who does not control his tongue is destructive and ungodly

                b. James contrasts two types of wisdom

                                a1. Worldly wisdom seeks to promote oneself in order to advance over other people

                                a2. Godly wisdom seeks to promote the Lord in order to draw people to Christ

                c. True wisdom is from above and can be seen in our good conduct or behavior (lit., way of life)

                                a1. Godly wisdom is meek (humble/gracious)

2. The subtle self-deception of worldly wisdom

                a. Many believers practice worldly wisdom unaware

                                a1. They want credit and envy others

                                a2. Claim doing all for Lord, while seeking to make known to others what they are doing

                b. Worldly wisdom can be seen in its fruit

                                a1. Self-seeking = self-ambition

                                a2. We deceive ourselves when we seek to advance the kingdom by advancing selves

                                a3. II Corinthians 10:12-18 Paul did not want to boast of what he did, for all glory goes to God

                c. I John 2:16 worldly wisdom comes from three sources

                                a1. EARTHLY – of the world (what the world considers wise = get ahead, gain wealth, seek glory => Solomon’s vanity)

                                a2. SENSUAL (psuches, soulish; Eng. word, psychology) – how we feel about something (emotion-based, self-indulging)

                                a3. DEMONIC (literal, devilish)-straight from the father of lies (John 8:44)

                                                b1. When we exercise worldly wisdom, we are following Satan (i.e., Eve)

                                                b2. All self-glorying, self-promotion, and self-indulgence is of the devil

                d. The results for worldly wisdom is confusion (chaos in the body of Christ; James 4:1-4) and every evil thing

3. Heaven-borne wisdom

                a. Godly wisdom produces godly results

                                a1. Purity = catharsis (cleansing, wholesome)

                                a2. Peaceable = removal of strife and tension

                                a3. Gentleness = gracious deference (a respect and honoring of others; James 2:3)

                                a4. A cooperative spirit = one who is not stubborn, obstinate, unyielding, combative…

                                a5. Merciful = slow to judge and quick to encourage others with comfort and aid

                                a6. Good fruits = works of kindness and help

                                a7. Without partiality = respecting everyone

                                a8. Without hypocrisy = no phoniness or hidden purposes

                b. Prideful wisdom produces strife, rivalry, and tension

                c. Godly wisdom produces peace, both in the body and with others outside the body

                                a1. Ephesians 5:11 there are times to oppose evil

                                a2. Galatians 2 there are times to stand your ground

                                a3. But, even in opposition, there is a peace

Key passage: II Corinthians 10:12-1812 For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, 16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment. 17 But “he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 18 For not he who commends himself is approved, but whom the Lord commends.

Sep 29, 2024. James 3:5-12

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TONGUE AMOK. James 3:5-12. 9/29/2024. #12.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or some grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.

1. The destructive tongue

                a. James had used the illustration that the tongue is small, but powerful

                                a1. Like a small bit in the horse’s mouth or a small rudder determining the ship’s course

                                a2. The tongue projects feelings, beliefs, attitudes, desires, worship, blasphemy, lies, truth, comfort, cruelty, and other things

                b. The tongue is only a tool directed by what is inside the person using the tongue (control only own talk)

                c. James speaks of a misused tongue destroying those who are the object of its venom

                d. 1st illustration is fire

                                a1. Controlled fire can provide power to heat meals, homes, or people, while also producing steam to drive mighty engines

                                a2. Uncontrolled fire can destroy forests, homes, businesses, and lives

                                a3. Wildfires started by a campfire or just a discarded cigarette can take thousands of acres

                e. An uncontrolled tongue can destroy lives, start wars, and ruin ministries (great accountability)

                f. 2nd illustration is poison

                                a1. The venom from the taipan can kill within minutes, even though a few drops are injected into a person

                                a2. The hurt caused by careless or hateful words can destroy lives and relationships

2. The uncontrolled tongue

                a. James states that the natural tongue is untamed

                                a1. Due to our fallen nature our speech is contaminated by sin and is naturally evil

                                a2. We learn from others the art of ridicule, anger, lying, manipulation, deceit, and gossip

                b. Like animals, we can learn to tame the tongue

                                a1. As a dog, parrot, or chimp can be trained, so can we control our speech

                                a2. Just as the natural tongue can harm, the controlled tongue can heal

                c. Just as removing a talebearer ends strife (Proverbs 26:20-21), so a restrained tongue can bring understanding and wisdom (Proverbs 17:27)

                d. It is the words of the wise that bring life (Proverbs 18:4; 10:11; 10:21; 12:18; 13:14)

                e. John 6:63-69 Jesus’s words give life and those who follow his words lead others to the Light (our goal)

3. The forked tongue

                a. James then speaks of the greatest deception: those who bless and curse with the same tongue

                b. Jam. 1:8 a double-minded man produces contradictory speech

                                a1. To praise God and curse man who is made in God’s image makes us hypocrites

                                a2. A spring can’t bring forth fresh and brackish water at the same time and a fig tree can’t bear olives or a grapevine bear a fig

                c. What is the source (root) of speech determines what manner of person you are

                d. Only a life completely dedicated to the Lord will be rid of corrupt thoughts that produce vile talk

                e. Matthew 12:34 what is in the heart reaches the tongue

                f. We must learn how to measure our words (testimony)

Key passage:  John 6:63-69 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who did not believe, and who would betray Him. 65 And He said, “Therefore I have said to you that no one can come to Me unless it has been granted to him by My Father.” 66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” 68 But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. 69 Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”