Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17 June 10, 2012 Rev. David B. Hanson Deaf Liberty Baptist Church Overland Park, Kansas

A Christian Who Perseveres Under Trial  James 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  1. A Christian must be steadfast.  2. He must endure steadfastly.  3. He will receive the crown of life.  4. Love for God enables him who undergo trials to rest confidently in Him.

God Cannot Be Tempted  James 1:13  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:  1. God often tests, but He never tempts.  2. A Christian finds an easy excuse for his sinning.  3. He tries to free himself from responsibility by saying, “I am tempted by God.”

A Christian’s Own Evil Desire  James 1:14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  1. A Christian’s source of temptation is from within himself.  2. It is his own evil desire or lust.  3. His inner lust draws him out and entices him with snares.

Lust Brings Sin, and Sin Brings Death  James 1:15  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  1. Lust conceives sin.  2. Sin produces death.  3. A wrong response to lust leads a Christian to spiritual poverty and to death.

A Christian Is Warned  James 1:16  Do not err, my beloved brethren.  1. A Christian is warned not to be deceived.  2. He must have his right response to lust to have growth to full spiritual maturity.

A Christian Has Every Good Gift and Every Perfect Gift  James 1:17  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  1. God gives salvation and life.  2. God is unchanging.  3. A Christian must have a close relationship with God.  4. He must rest in the unchangeable God of light and rely on His life-giving Word.

A Christian Is One of God’s Firstfruits  James 1:18  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  1. The firstfruits are the born again Christians.  2. A Christian has no reason to yield to temptation.  3. He must learn to resist temptation.  4. He can grow into the spiritual maturity.