• James 1 – Patient when in trouble. (stand confidently)
• James 2 – Lives out who they are. (serve compassionately)
• James 3 – Controlling our tongue. (speak carefully)
• Wisdom was an important thing to Jewish people.
• They realized that it was not enough to have knowledge.
• You had to have wisdom to be able to use that knowledge correctly.[1]

James 3:13-18
13 Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness (meekness) that comes from wisdom.

• Here is an original “show and tell.”
• “Wise” (sophos) describes one with moral insight and skill in the practical issues of life.
• Wisdom is not measured by degrees but by deeds.
• People demonstrate wisdom if their deeds reflect God’s Word.[2]
• Wisdom knows the good and knows how to do the good.[3]
• Gentleness/Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23);
• The phrase, “meekness of wisdom,” is an interesting one.
• Meekness is the right use of power, and wisdom is the right use of knowledge. They go together.
• The truly wise person will show in his daily life (conduct means “behavior”) that he is a child of God.
• Attitude and action go together.[4]
• It is not a matter of acquiring truth in lectures but of applying truth to life.
• The truly wise man is humble.[5]

14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth.

• Bitterness and selfishness… get me away.
• Selfishness will always rise to the top.
• You may want something to turn out your way… So you take God’s Word and start beating people over the head with it.
• It’s God’s agenda over your agenda.

 
15 Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition (strife), there is disorder and every evil practice.

• Envy and strife are clear indicators that one’s so-called wisdom is not from above (James 1:17 - 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.[6]),
• but is earthly, unspiritual (“natural, sensual,”), and of the devil (“demonic,”).
• Envy and selfish ambition, or rivalry, can only produce disorder, or confusion, and every evil practice.

 

• The Bible contains many examples of the folly of man’s wisdom.
• The building of the Tower of Babel seemed like a wise enterprise, but it ended in failure and confusion (Gen. 11:1–9).
• It seemed wise for Abraham to go to Egypt when famine came to Canaan, but the results proved otherwise (Gen. 12:10–20).
• King Saul thought it was wise to put his own armor on young David for the lad’s battle with Goliath, but God’s plan was otherwise (1 Sam. 17:38ff).
• The disciples thought it was wise to dismiss the great crowd and let them find their own food; but Jesus took a few loaves and fishes and fed the multitude.
• The Roman “experts” in Acts 27 thought it was wise to leave port and set sail for Rome, even though Paul disagreed; and the storm that followed proved that Paul’s wisdom was better than their expert counsel. They lived to regret it, but they lived![7]

 

• The unspirituality of worldly management, if not reigned by the wisdom from above, will dominate the church and cause it to be led into a myriad of evils.[8]
• A truly wise person does not seek glory or gain; he is gracious and giving.[9]
• Ephesians 2:1 - 1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins 2 in which you previously lived according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient.[10]
• -The world’s system of values and perspective of things vs - spirit – way of thinking.
• Heavenly wisdom vs earthly wisdom.
• Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.[11]
• “Counseling” is the practice of seeking wisdom.
•  A “secular” counselor will generally process behaviors (past/present/future) with a client.
• These processes will be dependent upon one’s self-discipline (strength)
• A “Christian” counselor – WARNING!!!! Be careful where you step… may do the exact same thing based upon using the Bible as LAW.
• A “wise – heavenly wise” counselor will process behavior experiences with you and disciple/teach you that the best way is to submit to the Spirit that resides in your mortal body.
• They will disciple you out of heavenly wisdom.
• I believe in professional counseling… but I have great reduced my recommendations over the years.
• I would trust most of you (Leavener people) in discipling others than most counselors.
• Satan has power in this system according to the ruler of the atmospheric domain
  - Ruler = prince, chief of the atmosphere
  - We are in a battle and natural tendency is to protect our child.
• There is only one way to protect your child…
• 1) Know Jesus
• 2) Trust Him.
  1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.[12] (Simba-pounce)
  2 Corinthians 11:14 – And no wonder! For Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.[13]
• James has listed the negative:
  • Envy
  • Strife
  • Boasting/bragging
  • Deceit

17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.[14]

• James has listed the “fruit of righteousness”
  • Purity - God is holy; therefore the wisdom from above is pure.
  • Peace (unity) - The peace of the church is not more important than the purity of the church. If the church is pure, devoted to God, then there will be peace.

Fruit of the Spirit

• Meekness/Gentleness – James 3:13

The gentle person does not deliberately cause fights, but neither does he compromise the truth in order to keep peace.

• Compliance - God’s wisdom makes the believer agreeable and easy to live with and work with. Man’s wisdom makes a person hard and stubborn. The compliant person is willing to hear all sides of a question, but he does not compromise his own convictions. He can disagree without being disagreeable.
• Mercy - God in His grace gives us what we do not deserve, and in His mercy He does not give us what we do deserve.
• Good Fruits - People who are faithful are fruitful. God’s wisdom does not make a life empty; it makes it full. The Spirit produces fruit to the glory of God
• Decisiveness - When you have God’s wisdom, you need not waver; you can be decisive and not be afraid. Wisdom from above brings strength from above.
• Sincerity - Faith is living without scheming.[15]

• Worldly wisdom produces trouble (v. 16).
• Isaiah 32:7 - The scoundrel’s weapons are destructive; he hatches plots to destroy the needy with lies, even when the poor person says what is right.[16]
• God’s wisdom produces blessing (v. 18).

God’s ways and God’s thoughts are far above us! 1 Corinthians 2:12 - Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who comes from God, so that we may understand what has been freely given to us by God.[17]

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 362). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 3:13). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[3] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 162). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 364). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 828). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 1:17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 362). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 168). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[9] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, pp. 828–829). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 2:1–2). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 14:12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Pe 5:8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (2 Co 11:14). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[14] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 3:13–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[15] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 365). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[16] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Is 32:7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[17] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 2:12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

• James 1 – Patient when in trouble.
• James 2 – Lives out who they are.
• James 3 – Controlling our tongue.
• Obviously was an issue worth repeating:
• James 1:19 - “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger”
• James 1:26 - “If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself.”
• James 2:12 - “Speak and act as those who are to be judged by the law of freedom.”
• James 4:11 - “Don’t criticize one another, brothers and sisters.”

CONTROLLING THE TONGUE
James 3
1 Not many should become teachers, my brothers, because you know that we will receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is mature, able also to control the whole body.

• James’ complaint was simply that too many believers were overly anxious to speak up and show off
• Don’t get the teachers James is speaking to vs the teachers Jesus was speaking to: New Jewish Christians vs Pharisees & Sadducees.
• Jesus spoke of great warnings against teachers who led astray (Jesus is not the Messiah).
• James is speaking to spiritually young teachers whose morals were not lining up with what they were teaching. Too many teachers.
• A teacher’s condemnation is greater because, having professed to have a clear knowledge of duty, he is all the more bound to obey it.[1]
• Not the duty of the Christian Life but the duty of the teacher position.
• “’We’ all stumble in many ways…”
• You can tell the more spiritually mature people by the public decisions they make.
• This is not the goal!!!
• This judgment James speaks about for the teaching believer is not about a heavenly judgment later.
• This judgment is by the world, both believers and non-believers.
• James concentration was on what was being said... or not being said… controlling the tongue.
• The power of speech is one of the greatest powers God has given us.
• We are not perfect in our speech… or behavior… We are perfect in who we are!

3 Now if we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we direct their whole bodies. 4 And consider ships: Though very large and driven by fierce winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.

• During World War II they were accustomed to seeing posters that read LOOSE LIPS SINK SHIPS!
• But loose lips also wreck lives.
• A person makes an unguarded statement and suddenly finds himself involved in a fight.
• Twitter is a spark that starts a roaring fire.
• His tongue has forced the rest of his body to defend itself.
• The tongue is a small member in the body, and yet it has the power to accomplish great things.
• The sense of “guide” here is important, for it not only implies the curbing of evil action but also the directing of the body into good action.[2]
• Both the bit and the rudder must overcome contrary forces.
• The bit must overcome the wild nature of the horse, and the rudder must fight the winds and currents that would drive the ship off its course.
• The human tongue also must overcome contrary forces.
• We get thoughts through the power of sin (noun) dwells in our flesh and wants to control us and make us sin (verb).
• Sin on the inside and pressures on the outside are seeking to get control of the tongue.[3]
• Spiritual maturity says, “Know the Father (Creator), be able to hear the Spirit that lives inside of you, obey when to speak and when to listen.
• When you are listening… you will probably say “I” less.
• A runaway horse or a shipwreck could mean injury or death to pedestrians or passengers.
• The words we speak affect the lives of others.
• A judge says “Guilty!” or “Not Guilty!” and those words affect the destiny of the prisoner, his family, and his friends.
• The President of the United States speaks a few words and signs some papers and the nation is at war.
• Even a simple yes or no from the lips of a parent can greatly affect the direction of a child’s life.[4]
• This small piece of meat in your mouth has much power to direct many lives.
• The tongue is just another piece of meat that is connected to your body.
• It is not evil or good.
• It can only respond because you tell it to.
• It does what you choose to tell it to do.
• Someone controls both the horse bit and the rudder.
• The tongue is used as a metaphor for the choice you make… walk according to the flesh or to walk by the Spirit.
• The tongue gives DIRECTION.

5 So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

• James just switched gears here and went from the direction of the tongue to the results of what the tongue can do.
• In a dry and barren land, there was fear of great fires.
• Fires leave a lasting impression. Fire memories?
• You always remember a fire.
• Untamed beast…
• If James would have written this letter today, he would have compared this small Corona Virus that is unseen by the naked eye as illustration of how something bad could travel so fast and infect and affect so many lives.
• Like the poison of a serpent, the tongue is loaded with the venom of hate and death-dealing gossip.[5]
• Have you ever been bitten by an animal?
• I avoid getting bit at all costs.
• You won’t ever see any snake-handling going on at Leavener… that is for sure.
• The tongue isn’t evil… the results of the tongue can be evil.
• No man can tame his tongue.
• In a circus, you can see that man has tamed elephants, bears and lions… but just get on line or watch some media for a minute or two and you will see that man struggles with taming a tongue.
• Living in your own strength, you will not be able to control that small piece of meat in your mouth.
• Living your life by another… your tongue no longer needs to be tamed.
• I have a friend who this week told me they dreaded talking to their own family members.
• It was exhausting and didn’t want to debate.
• Good! Give up the battle! Answer the phone and trust the Spirit inside of you to speak.
• The tongue can easily DESTROY.

9 With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. 10 Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. 11 Does a spring pour out sweet and bitter water from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree produce olives, my brothers and sisters, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a saltwater spring yield fresh water.[6]

• With the tongue, man can praise God, pray, preach the Word, and lead the lost to Christ. What a privilege!
• But with that same tongue he can tell lies that could ruin a man’s reputation or break a person’s heart.
• The ability to speak words is the ability to influence others and accomplish tremendous tasks; and yet we take this ability for granted.[7]
• Prov. 18:4 - “The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters, a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.”
• Prov. 10:11 - “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,”
• Prov. 13:14 - “A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life, turning people away from the snares of death.”
• Water is life-giving, and our words can give life.
• But yet we have been under flood warnings all week.
• Think about when you have been so hot and thirsty… a bottle of water never sounded so good.
• Water was used to cleanse the hands & feet of the Jews for purification reasons. It cleanses.
• Instead of contrasting what is useful with what is not, the argument stems from the natural order of living things: grapevines produce grapes, not figs; and fig trees produce figs, not olives.[8]
• James is speaking about a person’s “nature” now.
• Your nature will naturally produce the correct fruit.
• If you have a sinful nature… you will produce sin (evil).
• If you have a new nature… you produce beneficial fruit.
• What will your tree produce? It depends on the seed… How deep are your roots? Soaking up water?
• It all comes down to knowing and living out of who you really are.
• It can’t be both good and bad… It is either good or bad.
• You have to know who you are!
• The tongue gives DIRECTION
• The tongue can easily DESTROY
• The tongue has power to DELIGHT.

This is a metaphor… you know it is based upon the Holy Spirit working inside of each believer.

[1] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 827). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 148). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 358). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 359). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 828). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 3:1–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 358). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 159). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

• A coin has 2 sides to it…
• What kind of faith really saves a person?
• Is it necessary to perform good works in order to be saved?
• How can a person tell whether or not he is exercising true saving faith?
• Demonstrating the authenticity of faith is the primary focus of this section.
• James’s deeds of faith are not at all what Paul meant by “works of the law.”
• The question James placed before his hearers is very different from the issues before Paul.
• James was concerned with the demonstration of faith in Jesus through works of mercy.
• Paul was concerned with justification through Christ alone and not by ritual works of the law, such as circumcision, apart from faith in Christ.[1]
• James answers these questions by explaining to us that there are three kinds of faith, only one of which is true saving faith.[2]

 
FAITH AND WORKS
James 2
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him?

• It is a rhetorical question? No answer is expected.
• “works” – ergon – any kind action or deed.
• This is where you get into the question of judging one another.
• The emphasis is not on the true nature of faith but on the false claim of faith.[3]
• The first faith James speaks about is a “dead” faith.
• People with dead faith substitute words for deeds.
• Merely claiming to have faith is not enough.
• They know the correct vocabulary for prayer and testimony, and can even quote the right verses from the Bible; but their walk does not measure up to their talk.
• They think that their words are as good as works, and they are wrong.[4]
• I can’t tell by their actions if they are truly saved.
• Faith that does not affect behavior is superficial and cannot save.[5]
• Genuine faith is evidenced by works.[6]
• Faith is a key doctrine in the Christian life:
• The sinner is saved by faith (Eph. 2:8–9)
• The believer must walk by faith (2 Cor. 5:7).
• Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).
• Whatever we do apart from faith is sin (Rom. 14:23).[7]

15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.

• The rhetorical question is followed by a hypothetical but realistic illustration.
• James may describe internal strife within the Church due to selfishness.[8]
• Elvis is alive… but there is no evidence that Elvis is alive.
• Workless faith is worthless faith; it is unproductive, sterile, barren, dead![9]
• A word of blessing without an act of blessing is like the promise of salvation without the saving act of God in Christ[10]
• A poor believer came into a fellowship, without proper clothing and in need of food. The person with dead faith noticed the visitor and saw his needs, but he did not do anything to meet the needs. All he did was say a few pious words! “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed”.
• But the visitor went away just as hungry and naked as he came in!
• Food and clothing are basic needs of every human being, whether he is saved or unsaved.
• 1 Timothy 6:8 - If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.[11]
• Matthew 6:31–32 - So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.[12]
• Jacob included these basic needs in his prayer to God: Genesis 28:20-21 - Then Jacob made a vow: “If God will be with me and watch over me during this journey I’m making, if he provides me with food to eat and clothing to wear, 21 and if I return safely to my father’s family, then the Lord will be my God.[13]
• As believers, we have an obligation to help meet the needs of people, no matter who they may be.
• Galatians 6:10 - Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.[14]
• Matthew 25:40 - “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ [15]
• To help a person in need is an expression of love, and faith works by love (Gal. 5:6). The Apostle John emphasized this aspect of good works.
• 1 John 3:17-18 - If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him—how does God’s love reside in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.[16]
• The priest and Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan each had religious training, but neither of them paused to assist the dying man at the side of the road (Luke 10:25–37). Each of them would defend his faith, yet neither demonstrated that faith in loving works.
• The person with dead faith has only an intellectual experience.
• In his mind, he knows the doctrines of salvation, but he has never submitted himself to God and trusted Christ for salvation.
• He knows the right words, but he does not back up his words with his works.
• Faith in Christ brings life (John 3:16), and where there is life there must be growth and fruit.
• Three times in this paragraph, James warns us that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:17, 20, 26).
• Beware of a mere intellectual faith.
• Warren Wiersbe said: “No man can come to Christ by faith and remain the same any more than he can come into contact with a 220-volt wire and remain the same.”[17]

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works.

• “someone” - an imaginary person is introduced.
• The Message: “I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.”[18]
• In other words the respondent is saying, “Faith is not the key; what counts is works.”
• Thus the respondent has gone too far.
• James did not say that works are essential to faith, or that faith is unimportant.
• His argument was that works are evidence of faith.[19]

19 You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe—and they shudder.

• Demonic faith – 2nd kind of faith
• Deuteronomy 6:4 -  “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[20]
• This was the daily affirmation of faith of the godly Jew. “You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder”
• The man with dead faith was touched only in his intellect.
• But the demons are touched also in their emotions. They believe and tremble.
• But it is not a saving experience to believe and tremble.
• A person can be enlightened in his mind and even stirred in his heart and be lost forever.
• True saving faith involves something more, something that can be seen and recognized: a changed life.
• How could a person show his faith without works? Can a dead sinner perform good works?
• Impossible! When you trust Christ, you are Ephesians 2:10 - For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do. [21]
• James has introduced us to two kinds of faith that can never save the sinner:

1) Dead faith (the intellect alone)
2) Demonic faith (the intellect and the emotions).[22]
20 Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?

• The adjective “foolish” is usually translated “vain,” “empty,” or “hollow”
• You may be intellectual but you lack understanding.
• “useless” - The Greek word translated “dead, barren or idle,” like money drawing no interest.
• Faith that is barren is not saving faith.
• Spiritual works are the evidence, not the energizer, of sincere faith.[23]

21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac his son on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend.

• This question is often held to be directly opposed to Paul’s statement that Abraham’s faith, not his works, caused God to declare him righteous (Rom. 4:1–5).
• Paul, however, was arguing for the priority of faith.
• James argued for the proof of faith.
• Paul declared that Abraham had faith, and was therefore justified, or declared righteous (Gen. 15:6), prior to circumcision (Gen. 17:11; cf. Rom. 4:9).
• James explained that Abraham’s faith was evident in his practice of Isaac’s sacrifice (Gen. 22:12), and he was therefore justified, or declared righteous.
• James looked to the Abraham story to show how genuine faith operates; Paul looked to the Abraham story to show how God forgives sinners.[24]
• Works serve as the barometer of justification, while faith is the basis for justification.[25]
• The mind understands the truth; the heart desires the truth; and the will acts upon the truth.[26]
• Dynamic faith is not intellectual contemplation or an emotional experience; it leads to obedience on the part of the will.
• And this obedience is not an isolated event: it continues throughout the whole life.
• It leads to works.[27]

24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route?

• Rahab (Joshua 2 &6) was the harlot in Jericho when Joshua sent spies into the land to take their promise land.
• She believed God and helped the Israelites overtake her own people.
• Abraham and Rahab. You could not find two more different persons!
• Abraham was a Jew; Rahab was a Gentile.
• Abraham was a godly man, but Rahab was a sinful woman, a harlot.
• Abraham was the friend of God, while Rahab belonged to the enemies of God.
• What did they have in common? Both exercised saving faith in God.[28]
• Rahab had skin in the game… Abraham had skin in the game.

26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. [29]

• James 2 emphasized that the mature Christian practices the truth.
• He does not merely hold to ancient doctrines; he practices those doctrines in his everyday life.
• His faith is not the dead faith of the intellectuals, or the demonic faith of the fallen spirits.
• It is the dynamic faith of men like Abraham and women like Rahab, faith that changes a life and goes to work for God.[30]

 
Welcome to the New…
Got to live right just stay in line
You've heard it all at least a million times
And like me you believed it
They said it wasn't works
But trying harder wouldn't hurt
It sounds so crazy now
But back then you couldn't see it
 
But now here you are
Eyes open wide
It's like you're seeing grace
In a brand new light
For the first time
 
Let us be the first to welcome you
Welcome to the
Life you thought was too good to be true
Welcome to the new
Welcome to the
Welcome to the new
 
You broke your back kept all the rules
Jumped through the hoops
To make God approve of you
Oh tell me was it worth it
The whole time you were spinning plates
Did you stop to think that
Maybe He is okay with just you
There's no need to join the circus

[1] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, pp. 128–129). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 354). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 825). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 354). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 2:14). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[6] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 825). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 353). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 2:15). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[9] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 825). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[10] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, pp. 130–131). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Ti 6:8). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 6:31–32). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ge 28:19–21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[14] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 6:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[15] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 25:40). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[16] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Jn 3:17–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[17] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 354). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[18] Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Jas 2:18). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
[19] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 826). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[20] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Dt 6:4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[21] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eph 2:10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[22] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 355). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[23] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 826). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[24] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 140). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[25] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 826). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[26] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 355). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[27] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 355). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[28] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 356). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[29] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 2:14–26). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[30] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 357). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

• James transitions from seeking wisdom to confronting poverty.
• Wherever wisdom is the goal, hearing will be a first virtue.[1]

HEARING AND DOING THE WORD
James 1
19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, 20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

• “dearly loved brothers” – the small group of Jewish Christians who have come to understand Jesus was the Messiah.
• Context – Matthew 12:31-32 - Therefore, I tell you, people will be forgiven every sin and blasphemy, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the one to come.[2]
• Two generations of Jews would not have ears to hear.
• Imagine trying to have a discussion with a person who can’t hear what you are saying… no matter how simple you make it!
• Having “brothers” who understand what you are teaching is a huge deal!
• Religious works may be manufactured, but they do not have life in them, nor do they bring glory to God.
• Real fruit has in it the seed for more fruit, so that the harvest continues to grow fruit, more fruit, much fruit[3]
• One who is listening rather than lambasting is the one who is slow to anger[4]
• Romans 10:17 - So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.[5]
• Proverbs 10:19 - “but the one who controls his lips is prudent.”[6]
• Proverbs 17:27 - “The one who has knowledge restrains his words”[7]
• In the Garden, Peter was slow to hear, swift to speak, and swift to anger—and he almost killed a man with the sword.[8]
• One may not be able to control their emotion of anger but they can control their tongue & action.
• Passion can lead to anger.
• Sometimes there is a fine line between passion & anger.
• Kids or spouse will say, “Stop yelling at me.”
• There is a fine line between being passionate and yelling as well.
• “righteousness” – Is this behavioral acts or a state of being?

21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

• This can quickly be interpreted as “it is your works that save you.”
• What actually “saves” you?
• Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?[9]
• Ezekiel 36:26-31 - I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will place my Spirit within you and cause you to follow my statutes and carefully observe my ordinances. 28 You will live in the land that I gave your fathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will summon the grain and make it plentiful, and I will not bring famine on you. 30 I will also make the fruit of the trees and the produce of the field plentiful, so that you will no longer experience reproach among the nations on account of famine.
• “‘You will remember your evil ways and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and detestable practices.[10]
• Christian obedience is never fully habitual. It requires a daily “putting on Christ” for its realization.[11]
• Wednesday Night – Christian obedience… obedience to the Spirit.
• I still have habits… but I also have room to hear the “implanted word”.
• “implanted word” – John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.[12]

22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

• “word” is God
• James’ audience would have probably heard this message in the context of public worship[13]
• Believers have become skilled at sitting in the pews on Sundays and never experience the life Jesus intended for them.
• 2005 – Hurricane Katrina… woman got up to share… “I realized after sitting in my pew for all these years that I had become spiritually constipated, so I came to help.”

23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was.

• Looks in the mirror and the mirror shows him something about himself but he doesn’t do anything in return.
• Checks his identity briefly and walks away… quickly forgetting who he really is.
• James is telling the man to look more closely at who he really is… so that you may remember.
• Those who know their identity and remember it… can’t help but act out of it… You will tell everyone!
• FedEx

25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

• Bought a new used car this week.
• Had to stoop down to study it intently.
• “perfect law of freedom” – No capital “L”
• This is the Good News!
• Christians are weary of sharing their faith with nonbelivers because they have been taught to teach them the Law… or have even interpreted James as Law when he clearly is saying that we are FREE!!!!
• Why are they blessed? Not things received… not even joy from what they have done…
• But blessed because of what they have… what they know… and what God has already done in them!

26 If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself.

• “religious” – external observances
• Satan has even crafted war on the word “religion”
• Pure religion has nothing to do with ceremonies, temples, or special days.
• Pure religion means practicing God’s Word and sharing it with others, through speech, service, and separation from the world.[14]
• If the heart is right, the speech will be right.
• Matthew 12:34-35 - Jesus said, “For the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. 35 A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.”[15]
• Tozer - When religion loses its sovereign character and becomes mere form, this spontaneity is lost also, and in its place come precedent, propriety, system—and the file-card mentality.…

Here’s how the file card works when it gets into the Christian life and begins to create mental habits: It divides the Bible into sections fitted to the days of the year and compels the Christian to read according to rule. No matter what the Holy Spirit may be trying to say to a man, still he goes on reading where the card tells him, dutifully checking it off each day.
Every Spirit-led saint knows that there are times when he is held by an inward pressure to one chapter, or even one verse, for days at a time while he wrestles with God till some truth does its work within him. To leave that present passage to follow a prearranged reading schedule is for him wholly impossible. He is in the hand of the free Spirit, and reality is appearing before him to break and humble and lift and liberate and cheer. But only the free soul can know the glory of this. To this the heart bound by system will be forever a stranger.[16]
27 Pure and undefiled religion before God the Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained from the world.[17]

• Deuteronomy 14:29 - Then the Levite, who has no portion or inheritance among you, the resident alien, the fatherless, and the widow within your city gates may come, eat, and be satisfied. And the Lord your God will bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.[18]
• Ezekiel 22:7 - Father and mother are treated with contempt, and the resident alien is exploited within you. The fatherless and widow are oppressed in you.[19]
• Acts 6:1 -  In those days, as the disciples were increasing in number, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.[20]
• “unstained” - This is not a definition of religion but rather a contrast to mere acts of worship and ritualistic observances that are commonly called “religion.”[21]
• It is our way of life… naturally.
• James wasn’t legalistic…
• He taught what the law of freedom looks like!
• If you hear the “word” and are obedient to the “word”, you will bear the mark of a believer.
• This is totally opposite of today’s definition of religion… If we claim to be Christians we must act.

I can act out of my own self will (sin) or I can act out of obedience to the “word” (Spirit).

[1] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, pp. 88–89). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 12:31–32). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 346). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 823). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 10:17). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 10:19). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 17:27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 346–347). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Je 17:9). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eze 36:26–31). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 91). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 1:1). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 1:22). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[14] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 349). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[15] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 12:34–35). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[16] Tozer, A. W., & Eggert, R. (1998). The Tozer Topical Reader (Vol. 1, p. 22). Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread.
[17] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 1:19–27). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[18] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Dt 14:29). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[19] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Eze 22:7). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[20] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 6:1). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[21] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 824). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

James 1
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

• OK Google… Alexa… Give me knowledge.

• Wisdom - Refers to the knowledge of God’s plans and purposes and the ability to live accordingly.
• Wise people can identify the nature and purpose of their trials and understand how to overcome them.[1]
• Wisdom helps us understand how to use these circumstances for our good and God’s glory.
• Someone has said that knowledge is the ability to take things apart, while wisdom is the ability to put them together. [2]
• The first step of having wisdom is realizing that you don’t have enough wisdom.
• Proverbs 2:6 - For the Lord gives wisdom;
• from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.[3]
• God gives it, for God is a good giver; God gives generously, which means that he gives without mental reservations, that he gives simply, with a single heart.[4]
•  “Ungrudgingly” – no condemnation… regardless of your previous record.
• Believers seek wisdom from others.
• That is good advice.
• 3 reasons why people go to others for wisdom:

1. They go to others because they know the person has wisdom and they trust the person.
2. They go to others because it is the shorter route. It is easier to find someone who knows God than to seek out God on their own.
3. They are looking for someone to agree with what they have already determined they want to do.

• Do you really want help/wisdom or are you looking for an agreeing opinion?
• A person with wisdom will understand they can’t help the latter and move on to others.

 
6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

• “Ask in faith” – The greatest enemy to our prayers being answered is our lack of faith (unbelief).
• Wisdom is not based on “feelings”… “I feel that…”
• Emotions and feelings are not always true.
• Today’s society uses their feelings, emotions and opinions to formulate who their God is.
• I get to choose what my God would want for me.
• It is not based upon knowing the heart of God, but based upon selfish feelings & opinions.
• If those people, who are tossed about with emotions/feelings go to one who has wisdom and solid in their faith… they better be seeking help.
• The doubter will have an understanding of who God is what He does for them.
• But when they get hit with a huge wave, everything they thought they knew about God changes.
• One with wisdom, will understand that the same God who stood with them at the wedding alter is the same God who stands with them when it all falls apart.
• One with wisdom, will understand that the same God who stood with them at the birth of their child is the same God who stands with them when the story doesn’t play out like we expected it to.
• One with wisdom, will understand that the same God who stood with them at the first day of exciting new career is the same God who stands with them when that opportunity comes to an end.

7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
(A heart that wants to believe.)

• Tozer – “Probably nothing else bothers the earnest Christian quite so much as the problem of those dry spells that come to him occasionally, no matter how faithfully he tries to obey God and walk in the light. He can never predict them and he cannot explain them. And there lies his difficulty.
• It might comfort one who finds himself in the middle of an emotional desert to know that his experience is not unique. The sweetest and holiest saints whose feet have graced this earth have at some time found themselves there.… It is good to know during such an internal drought that it has been a common experience with the saints.…
• Such times demand that we exercise faith. Moments of great spiritual delight do not require much faith; if we never came down from the mount of blessing we might easily come to trust in our own delights rather than in the unshakeable character of God. When it seems that our watchful Heavenly Father withdraws His inward comforts from us sometimes, we will hopefully learn that Christ alone is the Rock upon which we must repose our everlasting trust.”[5]

9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.
(A surrendered will)

• The Message – James 1:5-11 - If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.
• 9–11    When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.[6]
• When I hear it read like that, I just start thinking about people…
• Twitter is that scorching heat today.
• You quickly move from prosperity and popularity to the societal target of attack.
• But let’s stay focused on the context. What was going on here when James was writing this letter?
• The Christian Jews were being persecuted by the Jews.
• Life with Jesus… life without Jesus… the prosperous life fades to nothing.

 
12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

• The crown of life is eternity with God/Jesus.
• Achieved through belief in the Messiah.

13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone.

• James asserts that God is not responsible for temptation or for the sin that might result from it.[7]
• There is nothing in God to which evil can make an appeal.[8]

14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

• Let’s get this straight.
• I sin
• It is not my nature to sin
• Born with Adam seed, given a new heart.
• I don’t think you can hear this enough. Identity.
• But it goes further.
• 1 Thess 5:23 – Body, soul spirit.
• Flesh suit contains a brain
• Flesh patterns
• Thoughts
• Choice
• Holy Spirit taken up residence - Romans 8:11

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. [9]

• God loves you and has provided a way out.
• 1 Corinthians 10:13 - No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide a way out so that you may be able to bear it.[10]

[1] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 1:5). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 340). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 2:6). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Davids, P. H. (2011). James (p. 29). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books.
[5] Tozer, A. W., & Eggert, R. (1998). The Tozer Topical Reader (Vol. 1, p. 156). Camp Hill, PA: WingSpread.
[6] Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Jas 1:5–11). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
[7] Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible (Jas 1:13). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
[8] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 822). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 1:5–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (1 Co 10:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

50 AD
Crisis in the Jewish Churches of Palestine

• In Palestine, the dispersed Jewish believers are suffering persecution from unconverted Jews and Gentiles in their cities.
• They are particularly being oppressed by the affluent.
• The limited agricultural land cannot support a growing population. So those deprived of land are forced to become hired laborers.
• As a result, rich landowners are robbing some Christians of their land.
• Some are being hauled into court by wealthy men who scorn their faith.
• At the same time, the influx of Hellenistic goods is causing a class of wealthy merchants to emerge.
• Consequently, some of the Christians are seeking opportunity to become wealthy as traders.
• Those in the church who are wealthy are being shown undue favoritism because the poor are afraid of offending them.
• In addition, the Jewish Christians hear vague rumors about the council in Jerusalem.
• They hear that the Gentiles and the Jews have positioned themselves against the Law of Moses, under the influence of Paul of Tarsus.
• They hear a very corrupted version of Paul’s teaching.
• They are told that Paul is preaching that good works have nothing to do with salvation.
• Believing that this is now the position of the Twelve, some of the Jewish Christians begin to live loose and worldly lives.
• They are hurting one another with uncontrolled and critical speech, discriminating against the poor, and giving preferential treatment to the rich.
• Some of the worldly believers are ambitious to be teachers.
• There is also sickness in the churches.
• The crisis reaches the ears of James (the Lord’s half-brother), and he is burdened to address it.[1]

James 1
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ:
Which James is this?

• James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John. He was one of the most prominent to bear the name. He was a fisherman called by Christ to follow and become a disciple (Matt. 4:17–22). He and his brother John were nicknamed by Christ “sons of thunder” because of their impulsiveness (Mark 3:17; Luke 9:51–56). James was the first of the disciples to give his life for Christ. He was killed by Herod in 44AD (Acts 12:1–2).
• James, the son of Alphaeus. He was another of the disciples (Matt. 10:3; Acts 1:13), but very little is known about him. Matthew (Levi) is also identified as “the son of Alphaeus” (Mark 2:14), and some students conjecture that the two men might have been brothers. There is no indication that this James wrote the letter we are about to study.
• James, the father of Judas the disciple. He is an even more obscure man (Luke 6:16, where “brother” ought to be “father”). This Judas was called “the son of James” to distinguish him from Judas Iscariot.
• James, the brother of our Lord. He seems to be the most likely candidate for author of this letter. He does not identify himself in this way; humbly, he calls himself “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
• What qualified James to write such a letter was not his physical relationship to Jesus but his spiritual relationship.[2]
• That Jesus had brothers and sisters is stated in Matthew 13:55–56 and Mark 6:3, and one of His brothers was named James. (By “brother,” of course, I mean half-brother. Joseph was not our Lord’s father since He was conceived by the Holy Spirit of God.)[3]​
• James and the other brothers did not believe in Jesus during His earthly ministry (Mark 3:31–35; John 7:1–5).
• Yet we find our Lord’s brethren in the Upper Room praying with the disciples (Acts 1:14).
• What effected the change from unbelief to faith? First Corinthians 15:7 indicates that Jesus appeared to James after His resurrection!
• This convinced James that Jesus truly was the Savior, and he, in turn, shared this knowledge about Jesus to the other brothers.[4]

 

• This letter is attributed to James, the half-brother of Jesus –
• Mark 6:3 - Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t his sisters here with us?” So they were offended by him.[5]
• Galatians 1:19 - But I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother.[6]
• James had a different mission than Paul. Whereas Paul was considered to be a church planter in the Gentile regions, James was ministering to the Christian Jews that were scattered outside of Palestine.

 

• In Acts the brothers of Jesus were among the disciples awaiting the Spirit at Pentecost (1:14).
• When Peter was delivered from prison, he requested that this James be alerted (12:2–17).
• James became dominant in the Jerusalem church in Acts.
• He seems to be chief among the elders in Jerusalem at the first council of the church (Acts 15:12–21).
• At his initiative the letter to the Gentile Christians was drafted (Acts 15:23–29).
• By taking Paul’s side in the controversy, James thwarted the Judaizing opinions prevalent in the Jerusalem church.
• Indeed, James is shown as Paul’s ally here and was among the elders who affirmed the results of Paul’s last missionary journey (Acts 21:18–19).
• The problem of Paul’s apparent “law-breaking,” however, was broached by James, not as something James believed but what others believed who were zealous for the law. This conservative movement was threatening the unity of the church.
• The accounts in Acts show James’s prominence in the early church and his fascinating and positive relationship with Paul.
• The situation at Galatia was tense, but nothing in the story should be taken to imply a rift between Paul and James or the Jerusalem church.[7]
• There were many Christian Jews in Jerusalem who still held to the Old Testament Law (Acts 21:20).
• The temple and its services were still in operation, and the full light of the Gospel of God’s grace had not yet dawned.
• We who have read Romans, Galatians, and Hebrews might be prone to judge these early believers; but we must not.
• They were saved people, but they were still in the shadows of the Law, moving out into the bright light of God’s grace.
• While there may have been differences in degrees of spiritual knowledge and experience, there was no competition between Paul and those who directed the Jerusalem church (Gal. 2:1–10).
• We have no record in the Bible, but tradition tells us that James was martyred in 62AD.[8]
• The story is that the Pharisees in Jerusalem so hated James’ testimony for Christ that they had him cast down from the temple and then beaten to death with clubs.
• The story also relates that James died, as did his Savior, praying for his murderers, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[9]
• All of these problems had a common cause: spiritual immaturity.[10]

Imperatives of James:

1. We must be born again
2. We must examine ourselves with God’s Word
3. We must choose to walk by the Spirit (obey)
4. We must be prepared for trials & suffering

We must measure our spiritual maturity through the Word of God.
 
James 1
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ:

• Since an attitude of service is what distinguishes biblical leadership, there is no contradiction between service and leadership.[11]

To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad.
Greetings.

• The Dispersion – “scattering of seeds”
• When the Jewish believers were scattered in that first wave of persecution (Acts 8:1, 4), it was really the sowing of seed in many places; and much of that seed bore fruit (Acts 11:19ff).
• Acts 8:1-3 1 Saul agreed with putting him to death. On that day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout the land of Judea and Samaria. 2 Devout men buried Stephen and mourned deeply over him. 3 Saul, however, was ravaging the church. He would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison.[12]
• Christian Jews scattered throughout the Roman Empire would have needs and problems of their own.
• Being Jews, they would be rejected by the Gentiles; and being Christian Jews, they would be rejected by their own countrymen.[13]

 

• There are four essentials for victory in trials:
  1) A joyful attitude
  2) An understanding mind
  3) A surrendered will
  4) A heart that wants to believe.[14]

TRIALS AND MATURITY
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,

• Trials are coming…
• John 16:33 – 33 “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” [15]
• I’ve got news for you: Satan fights us, the world opposes us, and this makes for a life of battle.[16]
• James did not say that a believer should be joyous for the trials but in the trials.[17]
• If we value comfort more than character, then trials will upset us.
• If we value the material and physical more than the spiritual, we will not be able to “count it all joy.”
• If we live only for the present and forget the future, then trials will make us bitter, not better.[18]

 
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

• Romans 5:3-5 - 3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. [19]

4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

• (A surrendered will)
• “Mature” (teleioi), often translated “perfect” or “finished,” is coupled with “complete” (holoklēroi, from holos, “whole,” and klēros, “part”) to give the idea of perfected all over or fully developed in every part.[20]
• God wants to make us patient because that is the key to every other blessing.
• The little child who does not learn patience will not learn much of anything else.
• When the believer learns to wait on the Lord, then God can do great things for him.
• Abraham ran ahead of the Lord, married Hagar, and brought great sorrow into his home (Gen. 16).
• Moses ran ahead of God, murdered a man, and had to spend forty years with the sheep to learn patience (Ex. 2:11ff).
• Peter almost killed a man in his impatience [21]
  
  
• In dealing with crisis… I have discovered that urgency is not always the answer.
• I am not the answer to your problem. We may help you with a solution, but I am never the answer to your problem.

Call me… but know that your faith is being tested and you grow in maturity and wisdom through your patience.

[1] Viola, Frank. (2004). The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. (p.87). Shippensburg, PA: Destiny Image Publishers.
[2] Moo, D. J. (2000). The letter of James (p. 48). Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: Eerdmans; Apollos.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 335). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 335). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mk 6:3). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 1:19). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 41). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 335). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 335). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[10] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 336). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[11] Richardson, K. A. (1997). James (Vol. 36, p. 53). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[12] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ac 8:1–3). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[13] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 335). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[14] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 337). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[15] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jn 16:33). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[16] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 338). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[17] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 820). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[18] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 338). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[19] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ro 5:3–5). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[20] Blue, J. R. (1985). James. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 821). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[21] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 339). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Power of Sin Thoughts for a Teacher:

1. Am I really prepared enough to teach this today?
2. Am I really connecting? 
3. How much pain is sitting in these pews?
4. Who’s living in secret sin?
5. Are they surfing the net rather than reading the Word on their phone?
6. Why is that person sleeping?
7. Will (name) finally turn to Jesus today? 
8. I don’t see (name). 
9. We need to fix that by next week. 
10. How much time do I have left to finish the sermon?
11. This microphone’s driving me crazy!
12. Do they know they are distracting everyone around them?
13. I’m not sure that point (or that illustration) worked.
14. Why’d that person leave the service? 
15. I’m hungry. 
16. I can’t believe I get to do this work!

​DISPUTE IN ANTIOCH
50 AD
Acts 15
1 Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved.”

• Unauthorized according to verse 24.

2 After Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, Paul and Barnabas and some others were appointed to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem about this issue. 3 When they had been sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria (map), describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and they brought great joy to all the brothers and sisters.
4 When they arrived at Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, the apostles, and the elders, and they reported all that God had done with them. 5 But some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to command them to keep the law of Moses.”
 
THE JERUSALEM COUNCIL
6 The apostles and the elders gathered to consider this matter. 7 After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them: “Brothers and sisters, you are aware that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the gospel message and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he also did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. 10 Now then, why are you testing God by putting a yoke on the disciples’ necks that neither our ancestors nor we have been able to bear? 11 On the contrary, we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus in the same way they are.”
12 The whole assembly became silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul describe all the signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they stopped speaking, James responded: “Brothers and sisters, listen to me. 14 Simeon has reported how God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for his name. 15 And the words of the prophets agree with this, as it is written:
16 After these things I will return
and rebuild David’s fallen tent.
I will rebuild its ruins
and set it up again,
17 so the rest of humanity
may seek the Lord--
even all the Gentiles
who are called by my name--
declares the Lord
who makes these things 18 known from long ago. (Amos 9:11-12)
19 Therefore, in my judgment, we should not cause difficulties for those among the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For since ancient times, Moses has had those who proclaim him in every city, and every Sabbath day he is read aloud in the synagogues.”

• It is beautiful to see that this letter expressed the loving unity of people who had once been debating with each other and defending opposing views.
• The legalistic Jews willingly gave up insisting that the Gentiles had to be circumcised to be saved, and the Gentiles willingly accepted a change in their eating habits.
• It was a loving compromise that did not in any way affect the truth of the Gospel.
• As every married person and parent knows, there are times in a home when compromise is wrong, but there are also times when compromise is right.[1]

 
THE LETTER TO THE GENTILE BELIEVERS
22 Then the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, decided to select men who were among them and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas, called Barsabbas, and Silas, both leading men among the brothers. 23 They wrote:
“From the apostles and the elders, your brothers,
To the brothers and sisters among the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia:
Greetings.
24 Since we have heard that some without our authorization went out from us and troubled you with their words and unsettled your heart, 25 we have unanimously decided to select men and send them to you along with our dearly loved Barnabas and Paul, 26 who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 Therefore we have sent Judas and Silas, who will personally report the same things by word of mouth. 28 For it was the Holy Spirit’s decision—and ours—not to place further burdens on you beyond these requirements: 29 that you abstain from food offered to idols, from blood, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. You will do well if you keep yourselves from these things.
Farewell.”

THE OUTCOME OF THE JERUSALEM LETTER
30 So they were sent off and went down to Antioch, and after gathering the assembly, they delivered the letter. 31 When they read it, they rejoiced because of its encouragement. 32 Both Judas and Silas, who were also prophets themselves, encouraged the brothers and sisters and strengthened them with a long message. 33 After spending some time there, they were sent back in peace by the brothers and sisters to those who had sent them. 35 But Paul and Barnabas, along with many others, remained in Antioch, teaching and proclaiming the word of the Lord.
 
Crisis in the Jewish Churches in Palestine
        - Believers are being oppressed by the affluent
        - Confusion about Paul’s message (corrupted version)
        - They are being very critical of one another
        - There is a lot of sickness in the church
 
James pens a letter to the dispersed Jewish believers in Palestine.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 464). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

CONCLUDING EXHORTATION
Galatians 6:11-18
11 Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting.

• Amanuensis – Paid scribe or secretary
• The large letters were either because
• 1) Paul had issue with his eyes and it was easier for him to see himself or
• 2) Paul was making an emphasis on his final statement.
• DON’T MISS THIS
• It’s not a matter of 2 different doctrines… It’s a matter of 2 different “ways of life.”
• Bondage or Liberty
• Legalism or Freedom
• Walking by the Flesh or Walking by the Spirit
• Living for self or Living for others
• Now Paul adds to this list:
• Receiving praise from men or giving glory to God
• He is dealing with motive, and there is no greater need in our churches today than for an examination of the motives for our ministries.
• We know what we are doing, but do we know why we are doing it?
• A good work is spoiled by a bad motive.[1]
• In this paragraph Paul presents three “marked men”
  1) The legalist (Gal. 6:12–13)
  2) The Lord Jesus Christ (Gal. 6:14–16), and
  3) The Apostle Paul himself (Gal. 6:17–18).[2]

12 Those who want to make a good impression in the flesh are the ones who would compel you to be circumcised—but only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

• Salesman vs Ambassador
• Politicians vs Sincerity
• Campaign vs Missions
• What were the tactics of the salesmen (Judaizers)?
• Their argument might have run something like this: “Yes, of course, Jesus died on the cross, and that is a great example of God’s love.
• But if you want to be saved and really belong to the true Israel, then you must do something more than merely rely on that past event.
• Yes, Jesus was the Messiah, and he did a lot for us.
• But now it is up to you to complete what he began.”[3]

13 For even the circumcised don’t keep the law themselves, and yet they want you to be circumcised in order to boast about your flesh.

• He is condemning them for their dishonesty.
• They had no intention of keeping the Law, even if they could.
• Their reverence for the Law was only a mask to cover their real goal: winning more converts to their cause.
• They wanted to report more statistics and get more glory.[4]
• 1 Samuel – David wanted to marry Saul’s daughter Michael. The price was 100 Philistine (gentile) foreskins. (1 Samuel 18:27)
• David brought 200 foreskins to Saul.
• Paul’s opponents were doing the same thing David and his soldiers had done of old: presenting Gentile “foreskins” as a mark of their own success and ingenuity as representatives of the Jewish Christian establishment.[5]
• Paul describes the Judaizers as:
• 1) Braggarts
• 2) Compromisers
• 3) Persuaders
• 4) Hypocrites

14 But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world.

• I “hate” the question, “How many people attend your church?”
• Jesus mentioned 45 times in Galatians.
• That is 1/3 of the passages in Galatians contain a reference to Jesus.
• Wounds of circumcision vs wounds of the cross.
• Cross as a symbol of Paul’s faith.
• We wear crosses and collect crosses.
• It was a way of death.
• Actually the Latin word crux was regarded as an expression so crude no polite Roman would utter it in public.
• In order to get around this difficulty, the Romans devised another expression, “Hang him on the unlucky tree” (arbori infelici suspendito).[6]
• But what the world regards as too shameful to whisper in polite company, a detestable object used for the brutal execution of the bottom of society, Paul declared to be the proper basis for exultation.[7]
• Why would Paul put glory in the cross?
• Because the cross is empty…
• Christ defeated the cross.
• Not only was Jesus crucified… but the world was crucified…
• The earth groaned… the god of this cosmos is the evil one… notice had been served.
• We have been crucified… even we are aliens to this world system.
• It’s not supposed to make sense to us.
• Don’t get so worked up… stay focused on your calling.

15 For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.

• If you are going to be a marked man… be marked as a new creation!
• “The new creation implies a new nature with a new system of desires, affections, and habits, all wrought through the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer.
• No spiritual gymnastics, no twelve-step program on the deeper life, no quick-fix “How-to-Be-a-Better-Christian” seminar can produce this kind of transformation.
• Paul’s emphasis was on the act of God in effecting a new thing.
• This is the result of faith working by love leading to holiness culminating in a life filled with the Spirit.”[8]
• You take circumcision… Paul took the cross.
• I prefer the empty tomb… Leavener Logo

16 May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel of God!

• Paul: “I know I get a little worked up talking about this stuff… but really… I only am passionate about you and Christ in you. I want you to have peace.”
• Paul knew the Church stood in great conflict with society.
• Not much has changed today.
• We will always be in conflict.

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

• Ricky Gervais – Golden Globes (1/5/20) – “So if you do win an award tonight, don't use it as a platform to make a political speech. You're in no position to lecture the public about anything. You know nothing about the real world. Most of you spent less time in school than Greta Thunberg.

So if you win, come up, accept your little award, thank your agent, and your God and take (f*%#) off, OK? It's already three hours long. Right, let's do the first award.”

• “If your religious celebrities have any scars to show for the glory of Christ, then let them be shown. Otherwise—stop bothering me!”[9]

18 Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.[10]

• Band of Brothers
• GRACE! Not “the Law of Moses,” but THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST!

No more need be said, because that says it all.[11]

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 725). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 725). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, pp. 436–437). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 726). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[5] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 434). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 436). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[7] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 436). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[8] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 438). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[9] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 727). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[10] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 6:11–18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 728). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

CARRY ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS
Galatians 6:1-10
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each person will have to carry his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher. 7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. [1]
 
Galatians 6:6-10
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher.
- Paul is talking about sharing material goods for those who are teaching the Gospel.
 - Not a tax like the Jews were required to pay to their rabbis.
 - Leavener is not interested in taxing you a percentage or pressuring you to buy a ticket to the show.
 - If the teacher is sharing “good news”, people will gladly share their good things.
7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
 - Goods… not just money… are given to “Leavener”.
 - Once they are given… there are no strings attached.
 - Even the government understands that principle. (designated gifts vs unrestricted gifts).
 - I have a pre-determined salary just like you do.
 - The goods that come into our ministry do not determine my take home pay.
 - The passage says to share goods with the teacher.
 - It doesn’t say the counselor, the crisis manager, the burden carrier.
 - My desire is to focus on the Word and teach the Word.
 
Galatians 6:1-5
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.
- “caught” – 2 points of view
 - Either caught by someone else doing something wrong.
 - Or caught by the sin itself… Like a cheetah on a gazelle.
 - Either way, the “brother” is surprised or overtaken.
 - “spiritual” – Those who are walking with and by the Spirit vs those who are acting “religious”.
 - James 3:13 - Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.[2]
 - “gentleness” – A product of the Holy Spirit. (5:23)
 - “tempted” – 2 points of views
 - Either that the person restoring falls into the same temptation.
 - Or that person becomes completely judgmental and places their self above the wrong doer.
 

• They have to have ears to hear.
• Like a teenager wearing headphones.
• Proverbs 25:11-12 - A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.
• A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold. [3]

 
2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each person will have to carry his own load.

 - Not the Law given to Moses but Jesus’ interpretation of the Law of Moses.
 - “Love the Lord… Love your neighbor as yourself.”
 - “burden” – Heavy load

• The legalist adds to the burden by adding more rules and restrictions.
• Matthew 23:4 – “They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them.”[4]​
• It is all about perspective…
• Line up – From the most positive person in the room to the most negative person in the room.

 
When you are struggling and you are seeking advice, you will do 1 of 3 things:
1) You will find someone (it may take you a few 
people) to sympathize with you and They will say 
what you want to hear. Someone that agrees with 
you no matter if you are right or wrong.
2) You will go to someone for wisdom in a situation and you will receive good advice but you come up with every excuse not to pursue that advice. You 
continue down the same path of destruction. 
3) You will go to someone for wisdom, understanding and comfort and they will walk with you through the situation.

 - Wisdom – See life from God’s perspective.
 - Therefore it would make sense to know God.

 - Advice for a successful marriage…
 - Magic trick – Advice - “Walk by the Spirit”
 - You either walk by the flesh or walk by the Spirit.
 - Galatians 5

 - So when people contact me it usually because of unwise behavior… otherwise known as foolishness… otherwise known as chasing selfish desires.
 - So if they contact me, they are confessing their foolish pursuit.
 - And I am going to point out to you that you are acting foolish by it being about yourself.
 - I will encourage you to pursue God and walk by the Spirit in you.
 - I will do this for a season…

 - Some falsely believe freedom is for the flesh rather than the spirit

 - I expect to go through ups and downs with you… I get that we still have a flesh suit and bad habit patterns.
 - My prayer is that you will see others around you that can do the same.

“The First Time” - MercyMe

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 6:1–10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 3:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 25:11–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 23:4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

How do you deal with people that hurt you?
-       I rarely give direct suggestions on what to do…

THE SPIRIT VERSUS THE FLESH
Galatians 5:16-26
16 I say then, walk (live) by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.
- Flesh vs Sinful Nature (* NIV 84 & New Living)
- NIV changed sinful nature to flesh in 2011 version
 - The Message - My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.[1]
- “the flesh” does not mean “the body”

• It is a far more encompassing term involving the mind, will, and emotions as well as the physical body.
• According to R. Jewett, the flesh was Paul’s term for everything aside from God in which one placed his final trust.
• Everything outside of faith
• Only the Spirit of God who has made us free from sin and given us new life (regeneration) can keep us truly free as we walk in him through the power of sanctification.
• Sanctification – Knowing that you are vs trying to attain it.
• Here in Gal 5 Paul used four distinct verbs to designate the Spirit-controlled life of the believer, all of which are roughly equivalent in meaning:

1. to walk in the Spirit (v. 16)
2. to be led by the Spirit (v. 18)
3. to live by the Spirit (v. 25a)
4. to keep in step with the Spirit (v. 25b).

Each of these verbs suggests a relationship of dynamic interaction, direction, and purpose.

• In Paul’s vocabulary, to walk in the Spirit or be led by the Spirit means to go where the Spirit is going, to listen to his voice, to discern his will, to follow his guidance.[2]
• It is not only the Spirit’s direction… but His empowerment!
• So if that is the case it becomes:
• The Spirit’s direction vs our Selfish direction
• The Spirit’s empowerment or our own selfish power. (self-help)
• This is where you have to be careful.
• Society does a wonder in making things of the flesh seem like the “right thing”.
• Think about the acceptance of things today as compared to 10 years ago… 50 years ago.
• You can have a new heart and still live out of your flesh.
• Learn to live out of your new heart. Know God.

17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want.
- The Spirit and the flesh are not in a stalemate.
 - The flesh does not frustrate the desires of the Spirit; rather, the Spirit frustrates the desires of the flesh.[3]
 - Here is the bad news/good news:
 - Bad news: So long as we remain in this present life, we never outgrow or transcend the spiritual conflict Paul was describing in this passage.
 - There is no spiritual technique or second blessing that can propel the believer onto a higher plane of Christian living where this battle must no longer be fought.[4]
- Good news: Knowing this is the case… allows you to walk on in victory.
- I will not become a judge of qualifying grace.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

• If you don’t completely grasp this battle, it is difficult to walk in victory… in fact, it could destroy you.
• Paul now states the obvious. Let me show you what it looks like as you walk on a daily basis.
• As we read through these lists, we not only filter our own sin issues, but we begin to attach names to the others.
• It is easy to become judgmental to others while at the same time justifying our own issues.
• I am sure Paul did not make a list (that is not exhaustive) for the purpose of analyzing each of your faults.
• This list indicates whether you are a believer or not.

 
19 Now the works (plural) of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before

• More than half of this list causes conflict with other people.
• Those putting selfish needs before others.

—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

• The Greek participle here, prassontes, is used in the present tense, referring to people who continually orient their lives toward deeds of the flesh[5]

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.

• It is not about having each item in this list...
• It is about grasping that we have the Spirit who produces these items in us.
• I am not responsible for producing the fruit.
• I am responsible for choosing to walk with the Spirit.

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
- There is no stalemate in this battle between flesh and spirit.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.[6]
- We must encourage one another!

[1] Peterson, E. H. (2005). The Message: the Bible in contemporary language (Ga 5:16). Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress.
[2] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 386). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:17). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, pp. 387–388). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[5] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:21). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 5:16–26). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.