WELCOME TO ALL NATIONS CHAPEL 27 FEBRUARY, 2011

ALL NATIONS CHAPEL ANNEX WEEKLY BIBLE STUDIES EFFECTIVE 31 DECEMBER 2010 SUNDAY NIGHTS AT 1730 “DUST TO GLORY – AN OVERVIEW OF THE BIBLE” (START IN GENESIS AND GO THROUGH BOTH TESTAMENTS IN LESS THAN A YEAR!) “FOUNDATIONS – AN OVERVIEW OF SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY” (ALL MAJOR DOCTRINAL AREAS) (Led by CH Johnson) TONIGHT – A LOOK AT DAVID; PREDESTINATION WEDNESDAY NIGHTS AT 1900 “A STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN” (Led by CH Robinson) THIS WEEK – MORE JOHN CHAPTER 2 FRIDAY NIGHTS AT 2000 “A STUDY OF THE BOOK OF GALATIANS” THIS WEEK CONTINUES THROUGH CHAPTER 3 (Led by CPT Pittano of the 4 th BSTB) UPCOMING VIDEO TEACHING SERIES ON FRIDAY NIGHTS, 2000 IN ANNEX DAVE RAMSEY’S “FINANCIAL PEACE UNIVERSITY” WEEK 6 COMING UP JOHN GOTTMAN’S “SEVEN PRINCIPLES FOR MAKING MARRIAGE WORK” BOTH CLASSES HAVE A LIMIT OF 25 PARTICIPANTS. MATERIALS ARE FREE. POCs ARE CH JOHNSON, OR CH ROBINSON,

JAMES: THE EPISTLE OF APPLIED CHRISTIANITY ALL NATIONS CHAPEL PREACHING SERIES 1030 SUNDAY PROTESTANT SERVICE 9 JANUARY – 10 APRIL, JAN – James 1:1-12Trials 16 JAN – James 1:13-18 Tests of Faith 23 JAN – James 1:19-27Obeying God’s Word 30 JAN – James 2:1-13Faith and the Law 6 FEB – James 2:14-26Faith and Works 13 FEB – Valentine ThemeTrue Love 20 FEB – James 3:1-12The Tongue 27 FEB – James 3:13-18Earthly vs. Heavenly Wisdom 6 MAR – James 4:1-12The Source of Quarrels 13 MAR – James 4:13-17Divine Providence 20 MAR – James 5:1-6Judgment on the Rich 27 MAR – James 5:7-11Being Patient 3 APR – James 5:12Keeping Your Word 10 APR – James 5:13-20Effective Prayer

WELCOME PRAYER – CH JOHNSON

WORSHIP SONGS –

SCRIPTURE READING JAMES 3:13-18 (NKJV)

“ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”

PASTORAL PRAYER - TESTIMONIES AND SPECIAL REQUESTS

MESSAGE – CPT & FUTURE CH JOSEPH PITTANO Biblecia.com “EARTHLY AND HEAVENLY WISDOM” (JAMES 3:13-18)

Introduction What is the “Way of the world?” – It is not the wisdom spoken of in James. Do you know what name he was known by? I don’t know what extent of prologue CHs Johnson and Robinson went into at the start of the book. James is called a general epistle. It’s broad. It was written around A.D , making it perhaps the first book of the NT canon. James was martyred ca. A.D. 62. Like his younger brothers and his brother Jude, James was once a non-believer. – They were Jesus’ half brothers. Jesus returned to His glory ca. A.D. 28. James saw a lot in the church in that 18 years! (28-46)

Vs. 13 “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.” I think this is the heart of the passage. It’s as one preacher noted, “The secret to living an obedient life is not the things you don’t know.” James’ letter is about working, or working out faith. – If we’re supposed to be like Jesus, shouldn’t we be at work? – Scripture teaches that works do work. Not as justification, but in our walk (or sanctification) in Jesus. Heavenly wisdom is proven.

1 Justification (Salvation) 2 Sanctification (Holiness) 3 Glorification (Heaven)

6 ways works work 1.To the world: In Titus 2:8-9 we read: “…Exhort the young men to be sober- minded, in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.” 2.The church: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:6. 3.To Messiah: “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me.” John 10:37. 4.At your judgment. “Each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.” 1 Corinthians 3:13. 5.As cause for your salvation. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. 6.To your sanctification. “My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.” 1 John 3:18-19.

Vv “But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend [lit. is not coming down] from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.” Hebrews 4:12. Don’t lie against God. To dwell above with the saints we love, that shall be glory. To dwell below with the saints we know now that’s another story. How do we live among each other? My love for the brethren is proof of my faith.

Vs. 16 “For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” A story from Acts. Look at the church in Corinth. Here’s an interesting juxtaposition: “God…“will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth… indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil…but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good…” Romans 2:5-10. Seek for glory in the last day by your works! This is wise. Run your race so as to win.

Vs. 17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” May I present a piece of wisdom that I hope is all these things in turn, and that I pray speaks to the heart of the application of these verses in the church: Question: What is our unity? Where does it come from? Answer: John 17:11 & 20-23: “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are…I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one…” “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.” 1 Corinthians 12:13. Knowing, honoring and proving this is the heart of James’ letter.

Vs. 17 Cont’d. “…without partiality and without hypocrisy.” The wisdom of God is not at work when there are either of these things. James speaks elsewhere about the sin of partiality very strongly. – Onesimus. – Zacchaeus and Matthew. Paul withstood Peter to his face for his hypocrisy at Antioch. (Recorded in Galatians 1). – Peter’s “Wisdom” demonstrated there was not from above.

Vs. 18 “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” How’s this done in and by us? – Evangelism? – In our marriages? – With enemies? – In the church? Unless you give it away it does not grow. It is what is sown [hence has died] that the farmer reaps. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap…let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” Galatians 6:7-10. There’s a reason why there’s a book called “Acts.”

Conclusion Works make faith perfect. It is the expression. Obedience purifies the heart. Faith without such works is dead. It is in the work that the work does its work. The wise among us prove their faith by their works, thus, in expression, making it “Perfect.”

PRAISE SONG –

BENEDICTION – CH JOHNSON