1. Genuine Gifts (V) (James 1:16-18) Weighty Word Wholesome Word Worthy Word

2. Review Wonderful woes James 1:1-4 Winning wisdom James 1:5-8 Withering wealth James 1:9-11 Warring wishes James 1:12-15 Worthy Word James 1:16-18

3. I. Confusion, 16

4. Deception: cause someone to believe something that is not true  “Do not be deceived”: God does not entice to sin; He gives only good gifts  Four times: “Do not be deceived” – 1. 1 Co.6:9, live in sin and go to heaven 2. 1 Co.15:33, bad company & character 3. Ga.6:7, sow one thing, reap another 4. Ja.1:16, excuse sins by blaming God

5. Deception: deceiving others  Worse deception: deceive oneself 1. Ja.1:16, wrong idea of God (15 [16] 17) 2. Ja.1:22, wrong idea of obedience 3. Ja.1:26, wrong idea of religion

6. I. Confusion, 16 II. Consumption, 17

7. God offers good gifts to all, 17 (5)  Every gift (act of giving). Blessings  Good gift. No bad gifts  Perfect gift (what is given). 18; Ro.5:16  Finishes w. good result; saves (ct. 15)  From above... Father of lights (Giver)  Lights – Gn.1:3, 14-19  No variation. Hb.13:8  No shadow of turning.

8. Shadows  Not caused by sun –always shining  Long shadows –sun’s angle  Night –our part of earth away from sun  Dark day –clouds block light  Eclipse –moon Ph.2:15 Only good comes from God

9. Summary: If God is always the same, His gifts are always good  Physical: Mt.5:45 (= Ja.1:17). Gn.1:31; Ac.17:25  Spiritual gifts (miracles): 1 Co.12-14  Spiritual: Mt.7:7-11 Son, Jn.3:16; Tit.2:14 Salvation, Ep.2:8 Salvation, Ep.2:8

10. Summary: If God is always the same, His gifts are always good ▪ Physical: Mt.5:45 (= Ja.1:17). Gn.1:31; Ac.17:25 ▪ Spiritual gifts (miracles): 1 Co.12-14 ▪ Spiritual: Mt.7:7-11  Surprise: Ja.1:2-4 Ac.8 Stephen’s death Ac.12 James’s death Ac.16 Paul & Silas beaten

11. Gifts must be received Some refuse / misuse God’s gifts  David, 2 Sm.11-12  Steward, Lk.12:47 (1 T.4:14)  Elder brother, Lk.15:29 Job valued Giver over gifts, Job 1:21

12. I. Confusion, 16 III. Conception, 18 II. Consumption, 17

13. 15: the fatal chain 18: the first fruits chain lustsindeath Love 3x World 3x Lust 3x Will of God Word of truth Will of man

14. His will brought us forth: new birth ▪ His will → salvation of all, 1 T.2:4 ▪ Brought forth: give birth to o NOT an improved old life. 2 Co.5:17 ▪ By word of truth (Jn.3:5; 1 Pt.1:23) ▪ Kind of first fruits (first portion) Harvest Animals People Dedicated to God. 1 Co.15:20, 23

15. First fruits 1. Consecrated to God, belonging especially to Him, Ro.8:22-23. 2. New Israel of God, Jer.2:3; Rv.14:4 Christians are choice offerings to God. The rest of the harvest meets His wrath, Rv.14:19