The Epistle of James Practical Christian Living Christ Baptist Church Fall 2014

Friendship with the world is enmity with God The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12 Warning against Worldliness Friendship with the world is enmity with God James 4:4 How do you define worldliness? Give some examples of activities that some Christians might typically view as “worldly?” How do we live “in” the world but not “of” the world? We’ve seen James examine a number of everyday behaviors that can service to authenticate one’s claim to faith or highlight the absence of true saving faith. Now he address one’s attitude toward the world. Theme for the chap is 4:4 Friendship with the world is enmity with God. James argues we need to be set apart from the world and its contamination of us. Wiersbe focuses on the actions, while MacArthur focuses on the underlying cause Prayer: God to help put away any remaining vestiges of worldly living that might be impeding our spiritual growth.

James 4:1, 11,12 - War with each other The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12 Warning against Worldliness James 4:1, 11,12 - War with each other What were some of the disagreements causing Christians to war with each other in James’ day? What are some of the reasons Christians war against each other today? Why are these wars particularly sad commentary on Christians today? (John 13:34-35) Early Church Disagreements 1 Cor 6:1- 8 Gal 5:15 Eph 4:1-16 Phil 4:1-3 Love each other Phil 1:9-10 John 13:34-35 1. Causes Class wars (2:1-9) Rich gets treated better than the poor man Employment wars – (5:1-6) wages are kept back from the poor Church fights - (1:19-20; 3:13-18) be slow to speak, slow to anger Personal wars – (4:11-12) do not speak evil against one another 2 Reasons for today’s Christian w Phil1:9-10 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, 10 so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, 3 Christians today John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Why is James so adamant about not slandering and judging others? The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12 Warning against Worldliness James 4: 11,12 Why is James so adamant about not slandering and judging others? 4. What is the difference between the kind of judging encouraged in Matt 7:15-20 and the kind of judging discouraged in James 4:11-12 and Matt 7:1-5? Rom 1:29 2 Cor 12:20 Tim 3:3 Rom 1:29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 2Cor12:20 For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. 1 Tim3:3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4. Judging Matt 15-20 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. James 4:11-12 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers.[a] The one who speaks against a brother orjudges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? Matt 7:1-5 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

James 4:1-3 - War with ourselves The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12 Warning against Worldliness James 4:1-3 - War with ourselves 5. Why does Dr. Wiersbe say that the essence of sin is selfishness? Personal Question: How can you relate to this? How is it possible to spiritually rationalize our quarrels with other Christians? How can a Christian pray wrongly? 5. Leads to wrong doing, envious of authority, selfish desires, THOU SHALL NOT COVET. Selfishness leads to wrong actions. They lead to wrong prayer? People who are at war with themselves because of selfish desires are always unhappy people. Mark7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” 6. Disguised as spirituality 7. The purpose of prayer is not to get man’s will done in heaven but to get God’s will done on earth. Prayer is the secret to peace and contentment. But I prayed about it …. Biggest excuse a Christian can use. <- Wiersbe Instead of asking for God’s wisdom/will, we tell God what he is suppose to do. Matt 7:21-22 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Phil4:6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12 James 4:4-10 - War with God Warning against Worldliness James 4:4-10 - War with God Why do you think Wiresbe states that the first two wars are really caused by a third war – a war against God? How do People declare war against God? Why do you think it is often easy for the Christian to be drawn into friendship with the world? Root cause is rebellion from God. Everything was in perfect harmony till sin entered the world? Three enemies to be at peace with God: the World - (society apart from God); Abe vs Lot The Flesh - Old nature never leaves - Gal 5:7 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. The Devil – Satan wants us to be proud, to be like God. God wants us to depend on his grace. Church celebrities – not enough servants Rom 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. Friendship with with the world leads to loving the world leads to condemnation with the world Friendship with the world Rom12:2 Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. John2:15-17 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables.16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father's house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 1 Cor 11:32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined[a] so that we may not be condemned along with the world. 1 Cor 3:11-15 For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—13 each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Friendship with the world James 4:4 Loving the world John 2:15-17 Conforming to the world Rom 12:2 Condemnation with the world 1 Cor 3:11-15

What should be the Christian relationship with the world? The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12 Warning against Worldliness Thought question: Why does James address some of his readers as “adulterous people?” What does the phrase mean? What should be the Christian relationship with the world? 10. In James 4:6 what is the relationship between grace and pride? Summarize the remedy James gives for being restored to God?

The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12 Going Deeper Psalm 63:1-11 Psalm 24:2-3 Warning against Worldliness Going Deeper Psalm 63:1-11 Look at all the actions and verbs used here to describe the psalmist’s relationship with God. What does this passage teach you about drawing near to God? In what ways is the passion and desire for God displayed in this psalm a mark of a true believer? Psalm 24:2-3 What are the prerequisites to drawing near to God?

The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12 Challenges: Warning against Worldliness How do your actions reveal where your true affections lie? In what ways are you too enamored with the things of this world? In vs 2 & 3 James addresses the issue of improper motives in the prayers of unbelievers. Examine your own prayer life. How much of your prayer life is focused on selfish desires? How can you change this? Spend a few mins meditiating on James 4:11 -1 2 Spend a few minutes meditating on James 4:11-12. How careful are you when speaking about others?