Vending Machine God James 4:1-3

We cannot treat God like a vending machine!

James 4:1-3 1 What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from the cravings that are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.

Main Point The Church is surrounded by a culture of __CONFLICT__; however, we must remain pure, holy, humble, and __LOVING__. Sadly, many churches and Christians will __FUEL__ the fire of conflict, even among their fellow brothers and sisters. This cannot be.

Can Desire Lead to Murder? Genesis 4:2-8 “2 Then she also gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel became a shepherd of flocks, but Cain worked the ground. 3 In the course of time Cain presented some of the land’s produce as an offering to the Lord. 4 And Abel also presented an offering—some of the firstborn of his flock and their fat portions. The Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not have regard for Cain and his offering. Cain was furious, and he looked despondent.

Can Desire Lead to Murder? Genesis 4:2-8 cont. 6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you furious? And why do you look despondent? 7 If you do what is right, won’t you be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.” 8 Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.”

Can Desire Lead to Murder? 2 Samuel 11:14-17 “14 The next morning David wrote a letter to Joab and sent it with Uriah. 15 In the letter he wrote: Put Uriah at the front of the fiercest fighting, then withdraw from him so that he is struck down and dies.

Can Desire Lead to Murder? 2 Samuel 11:14-17 cont. 16 When Joab was besieging the city, he put Uriah in the place where he knew the best enemy soldiers were. 17 Then the men of the city came out and attacked Joab, and some of the men from David’s soldiers fell in battle; Uriah the Hittite also died.

Can Desire Lead to Murder? 1 Kings 21:1-4; 8-14 “1 Some time passed after these events. Naboth the Jezreelite had a vineyard; it was in Jezreel next to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. 2 So Ahab spoke to Naboth, saying, “Give me your vineyard so I can have it for a vegetable garden, since it is right next to my palace. I will give you a better vineyard in its place, or if you prefer, I will give you its value in silver.”

Can Desire Lead to Murder? 1 Kings 21:1-4; 8-14 3 But Naboth said to Ahab, “I will never give my father's’ inheritance to you.” 4 So Ahab went to his palace resentful and angry because of what Naboth the Jezreelite had told him. He had said, “I will not give you my father's’ inheritance.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and didn’t eat any food….

Can Desire Lead to Murder? 1 Kings 21:1-4; 8-14 8 So she (Jezebel) wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal. She sent the letters to the elders and nobles who lived with Naboth in his city. 9 In the letters, she wrote: Proclaim a fast and seat Naboth at the head of the people. 10 Then seat two wicked men opposite him and have them testify against him, saying, “You have cursed God and the king!” Then take him out and stone him to death.

Can Desire Lead to Murder? 1 Kings 21:1-4; 8-14 11 The men of his city, the elders and nobles who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had commanded them, as was written in the letters she had sent them. 12 They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth at the head of the people.

Can Desire Lead to Murder? 1 Kings 21:1-4; 8-14 13 The two wicked men came in and sat opposite him. Then the wicked men testified against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth has cursed God and the king!” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. 14 Then they sent word to Jezebel, “Naboth has been stoned to death.”

What is the Main Problem? It is important to notice that the warring and fighting are not necessarily the key issue, but only the outcome of the real issue. It comes from “the cravings that are at war within you.”

What is the Main Problem? James 1:14 “But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil __DESIRES__.”

What is the Main Problem? James is talking to the Church, so there were issues in the Church with the __HEART__ of the people. It was causing war and fighting. The problem is the desires the people have is selfish and hurting others.

Why did James address this issue? Because he loves the _CHURCH_! He understands the sacrifice that Jesus made for the Church. And he knows the implications of how the Church operates, and if it is continuing in _SIN_, it cannot last; therefore, he must address this issue.

Why did James address this issue? We are living in a world that is all about the mad dash to _PLEASURE_. And maybe we can all see the deadly effects that has on our lives, how quickly we can become separated from God.

Why did James address this issue? William Barclay: “When all men are striving to possess the same things, life inevitably becomes a competitive arena.”

Why did James address this issue? Worldly pleasures, and the desires that cause the fighting, the warring, and the damage, are not from God, and not part of His desires. They are acquired _TASTES_ of our sinful side that try to show its ugly face.

How Do We Avoid It? How do we avoid falling into this pattern, or this sin? James says that, “ 2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your evil desires.”

How Do We Avoid It? Fighting and killing are _LOGICAL_ outcomes of envy and desire. I don’t believe the Church was literally killing each other; however, they may have been slandering and hated their fellow brothers and sisters, which according to Jesus, is murder in your heart.

How Do We Avoid It? James says they have but do not ask. But when they ask, they ask with wrong motives. This is why I titled the sermon “Vending Machine God”. How often do people, including ourselves, treat God like a vending machine? I put my dollar in and get exactly what I want. I say the prayer of what I want, therefore God has to deliver…oh and right away, please!

How Do We Avoid It? We have examples of prayer in Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13 “9 Therefore, you should pray like this: Our Father in heaven, Your name be honored as holy. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11Give us today our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

How Do We Avoid It? We have examples of prayer in Scripture: Psalm 51:10-13 “10 God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit. 13 Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You.

How are you doing? How are you praying? What is your prayer life like? Is it filled with requests that you know are not what God would want for you? Are you asking for things that are, not right? Or, are you praying with Godly motives? Are you truly seeking His will?

What Now? Do the desires of your heart line up with the desires of God’s heart? Thankfully, we have a God who can redeem us, who can set us free from the sin of our own desires, and help us desire His will!

Love God - Love People Live Holy