1. J AMES 5:7-12 Finish What Ya Started

2. J AMES Key Verse: But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves- James 1:22 (NKJ) Review - Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you- vs. 1.

3. J AMES Review Hoarding wealth Cheating workers out of their pay Living in luxury and self-indulgence when so many were starving and in need Murder

4. J AMES Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming- vs. 7a. How did James feel toward the rich? Why isn’t he advocating revenge?

5. J AMES Antidote: Parousias- Lord’s coming. The Just King who will set things right Patient= Makrothymesate- attitude of self-restraint that does not try to get even for wrongs done Willing to not act unrighteously

6. J AMES How could the people have sinned concerning the rich?

7. J AMES Bitterness Partiality Grumbling Giving up hope

8. J AMES "In your anger do not sin"- Ephesians 4:26 (see Psalm 4:4)

9. J AMES See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains- vs.7b What valuable “crop” does patience bring Christians?

10. J AMES Patience is a part of the sanctification process. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything- James 1:2-4

11. J AMES You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near- vs. 8 Patience is not passive Stand firm= “strengthen your hearts” How? Blue ice-cream cake??

12. J AMES Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!- vs. 9 Grumble= stenazate- to sigh or groan. An inner feeling of bitterness or resentment towards others …for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires- Jas. 1:20

13. J AMES “I’m losing my patience with you!” What I’ve lost is my eternal perspective

14. J AMES Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy- vs. 10-11

15. 2 Examples: Prophets (patience) Jeremiah was put in the stocks, thrown into prison and lowered into a muddy, dank dungeon by his own people Job (perseverance) Lost it all and even his wife told him to “curse your God and die”

16. J AMES The Process of Life: Suffering Perseverance Blessing

17. J AMES Above all, my brothers, do not swear-- not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned- vs. 12 Live it real and be stable so I don’t have to swear to get people to believe me

18. Takeaways: What’s my response to injustice or mistreatment? What I do with my anger determines the blessings in my life Is my perspective an eternal one? Do I trust that the King will come and set things right? Am I active in “strengthening my heart” (growing spiritually) during trials?

19. Takeaways: Is there anyone I’m quietly “grumbling against”? What do I need to do to let it go? Do people take me at my word? Am I stable, someone who’s not wishy-washy and constantly changing my mind?

20. Text Q & A