James 4a
4:1-8
Quarrels and Conflicts – Source – Pleasures
V2-3 No ask / ask no get / ask with wrong motives (for pleasure)
A selfish attitude brings quarrels and conflict – not pleasure.
1:2 (12) My Brethern – 1:19 (3) My Beloved Bretheren 4:4 You adulteresses.
V4 Friendship with the world is hostility toward God.
What does this world offer that tempts us to be friends with “the World”?
Money, relationships, position, power, prestige, comfort, entertainment.
When we become friendly to these things, why does that affect our relationship with God?
The word Friend is a little sneaky here. Usually we think of friendship as a good thing. 4B says that if we want to be a friend of the world, we are making ourselves an enemy of God.
V5 What is God’s desire for us in V5? – The Holy Spirit to Dwell in us.
Take 6 and 7 together.
But He gives a greater grace Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God, Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.
Proud –God is opposed / Grace to the Humble / Submit to God / Devil Flee
Pride /Grace /Submit/ Flee
V8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you; cleanse your hands and purify your hearts.
That works- When we seek God does that change the way we see ourselves? How?
Skip to V13-16
If the Lord Wills … Latin Phrase Deo Volente. Meaning “Lord Willing”. Or D.V. used after a signature on a letter regarding future plans.
Vapor / Fireworks in Dallas.
The hypothetical here is very specific. City/year/business/profit. Does this verse teach us that we should not make plans for the future?
How should we plan for the future?
This morning we discussed what we think will happen during the next few months.
Are our plans “World Friendly”?
Do your plans take into account what the Holy Spirit within you is guiding you to do?
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
James 2b
James 2 Second Lesson
2:14-17
What kind of works is James talking about? (Besides helping with food and clothing).
Jesus preached about some works in Luke 6:27-45
Let’s read this passage and see how many “works” ideas we can identify in Jesus’ sermon.
Love your enemies
Bless those who curse you
-Golden Rule
Love those who don’t love you.
Be merciful
Do not judge
Give
Learn
Look at your own life
Produce good fruit
What kind of faith is James talking about here?
Saving faith is discussed in Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
and Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
18-20 – Useless
How do you know if someone has a true faith in God (v. 18)?
20 close comparisons between James and the Sermon on the Mount
Luke 6:46- 49 talks about those who have a true relationship with Jesus and those who do not.
V47-He hears my words and acts on them.
-Time Permitting-
James 21-26
Abraham / Rahab
What was the tie in (relationship) between these two’s faith in God and their works?
Their works was a demonstration of their faith.
These “works”. Can they be done without faith? Consistently?
2:14-17
What kind of works is James talking about? (Besides helping with food and clothing).
Jesus preached about some works in Luke 6:27-45
Let’s read this passage and see how many “works” ideas we can identify in Jesus’ sermon.
Love your enemies
Bless those who curse you
-Golden Rule
Love those who don’t love you.
Be merciful
Do not judge
Give
Learn
Look at your own life
Produce good fruit
What kind of faith is James talking about here?
Saving faith is discussed in Romans 5:1-2
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
and Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
18-20 – Useless
How do you know if someone has a true faith in God (v. 18)?
20 close comparisons between James and the Sermon on the Mount
Luke 6:46- 49 talks about those who have a true relationship with Jesus and those who do not.
V47-He hears my words and acts on them.
-Time Permitting-
James 21-26
Abraham / Rahab
What was the tie in (relationship) between these two’s faith in God and their works?
Their works was a demonstration of their faith.
These “works”. Can they be done without faith? Consistently?
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Easter - Mark 10:32-45
Easter – Mark 10:32-45
Much of what we study focuses on how we can improve our walk with God.
Scripture teaches us how to act, love, walk, talk, share, relate to others, and generally how we need to live in light of what Jesus has done.
But today, in this week just before Easter, instead of focusing on our own situation, our own spiritual condition, our own walk with God, I want us to look directly at Jesus. This is the perfect time of year for us to concentrate on Him, rather than “me”.
Jesus' Sufferings Foretold
32They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him,
33saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles.
34"They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again."
35James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You."
36And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
37They said to Him, "Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory."
38But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
39They said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
40"But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."
41Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.
42Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43"But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Jesus and the 12 were on the way to Jerusalem. It is clear that he is about to give his life for them.
After he tells them this, how do they respond?
Why do you think it was so hard for them to look past their own desires and see what Jesus was doing?
With the knowledge you have about what happened in the next few weeks (hindsight), what do you think a better response would have been for the disciples?
Another element in this passage is the relationship between James and John, and the other 10 disciples.
What was that problem?
Is it hard for us to change our focus from “me” to Him?
Do people around us contribute to our lack of focusing on Jesus (Like the disciples)?
What some of the things this passage tells us about Jesus?
Servant – Suffered for us – He knew it ahead of time (in detail) – He wanted to teach the disciples
He would conquer death (rise after 3 days)
Much of what we study focuses on how we can improve our walk with God.
Scripture teaches us how to act, love, walk, talk, share, relate to others, and generally how we need to live in light of what Jesus has done.
But today, in this week just before Easter, instead of focusing on our own situation, our own spiritual condition, our own walk with God, I want us to look directly at Jesus. This is the perfect time of year for us to concentrate on Him, rather than “me”.
Jesus' Sufferings Foretold
32They were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were amazed, and those who followed were fearful. And again He took the twelve aside and began to tell them what was going to happen to Him,
33saying, "Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and will hand Him over to the Gentiles.
34"They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again."
35James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came up to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You."
36And He said to them, "What do you want Me to do for you?"
37They said to Him, "Grant that we may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory."
38But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?"
39They said to Him, "We are able." And Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall drink; and you shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized.
40"But to sit on My right or on My left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared."
41Hearing this, the ten began to feel indignant with James and John.
42Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, "You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them.
43"But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant;
44and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all.
45"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many."
Jesus and the 12 were on the way to Jerusalem. It is clear that he is about to give his life for them.
After he tells them this, how do they respond?
Why do you think it was so hard for them to look past their own desires and see what Jesus was doing?
With the knowledge you have about what happened in the next few weeks (hindsight), what do you think a better response would have been for the disciples?
Another element in this passage is the relationship between James and John, and the other 10 disciples.
What was that problem?
Is it hard for us to change our focus from “me” to Him?
Do people around us contribute to our lack of focusing on Jesus (Like the disciples)?
What some of the things this passage tells us about Jesus?
Servant – Suffered for us – He knew it ahead of time (in detail) – He wanted to teach the disciples
He would conquer death (rise after 3 days)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
James 2a
James 2
1-8 V8 If you show partiality you are committing sin. Just like Murder / Adultery.
V4 (evil Motive) How do we decide what someone’s motive is?
Job 34:16-19 “Him who is righteous and mighty” is God – one reason that he shows no partiality is that he made them all.
9-13 You are a transgressor of the law.
So Speak and So act as those who are judged by the law of Liberty.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.
14-17
What kind of works is James talking about? (Besides helping with food and clothing).
List some things.
What kind of faith is James talking about here?
Saving faith is discussed in Romans 5:1 and Ephesians 2:8-9
18-20 – Useless
How do you know if someone has a true faith in God (v. 18)?
20 close comparisons between James and the Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 7:21 and Luke 6:46 talk about those who will have a true relationship with Jesus.
Doing what God wants us to do.
James 21-26
Abraham / Rahab
What was the tie in (relationship) between these two’s faith in God and their works?
Their works was a demonstration of their faith.
These “works”. Can they be done without faith? Consistently?
How can we keep up the good work?
Rich man / Poor man beginning
V17 Faith being without works is dead.
Abraham / Rahab ending
1-8 V8 If you show partiality you are committing sin. Just like Murder / Adultery.
V4 (evil Motive) How do we decide what someone’s motive is?
Job 34:16-19 “Him who is righteous and mighty” is God – one reason that he shows no partiality is that he made them all.
9-13 You are a transgressor of the law.
So Speak and So act as those who are judged by the law of Liberty.
Mercy triumphs over judgment.
14-17
What kind of works is James talking about? (Besides helping with food and clothing).
List some things.
What kind of faith is James talking about here?
Saving faith is discussed in Romans 5:1 and Ephesians 2:8-9
18-20 – Useless
How do you know if someone has a true faith in God (v. 18)?
20 close comparisons between James and the Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 7:21 and Luke 6:46 talk about those who will have a true relationship with Jesus.
Doing what God wants us to do.
James 21-26
Abraham / Rahab
What was the tie in (relationship) between these two’s faith in God and their works?
Their works was a demonstration of their faith.
These “works”. Can they be done without faith? Consistently?
How can we keep up the good work?
Rich man / Poor man beginning
V17 Faith being without works is dead.
Abraham / Rahab ending
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