The Life of Christ Continues #7 (Studies in Philippians)
Text: Philippians 4:8-23
Real Christian Living #4 (Studies in James) –Windsor, September 12, 2004- a.m.
-Drew Chapados
Text: James 3:1-18
Faith without works is dead. James has written to these Christians that it takes a lot more than just saying you have faith. James has written a book that is designed to show us what Christianity practically means. What does it mean to be a Christian in the real world?
Maxie Boren….Right of center—able to change, yield or consider!
One of the characteristic traits that the Bible writers all seem to point to as a necessary component of faithful living to God is the ability to be taught! To not rely on your own intuitions or judgments but to be able to listen sound arguments and adjust appropriately.
Jeremiah 10:23- I know, O Lord, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.
Proverbs 3:5- Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Proverbs 1:7- The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
One of the biggest obstacles we have when we don’t want to listen to others or even the instruction of God is our own spiritual pride. Imagine for a moment you have a gut reaction to an issue or an idea. Nothing you personally have encountered goes against this reaction or idea. Nothing wrong with this, you have not played the part of the rebel. Even a surface study of the scriptures still goes along with you. The problem occurs when a refusal to listen to others is now in your mind. You know best and it doesn’t matter if the person speaking has years of experience behind him or years of study.
James has just finished telling these believers that only stating you have faith doesn’t make it so. That actions are important. Actions prompted by your faith are important. Someone can say God is the most important thing in the world to them, and then see their brethren in need and simply walk away assuring them their desire for them to have those needs met. Another says God is the most important thing and then witnesses a brother in need and gives them aid. Who has saving faith?
We pick it up in chapter 3 and James gets practical with us again. You know, there is a lot of meat for everyday life in this little book. Have joy in the midst of trials because endurance produces strength. Take care of those in distress, don’t show favouritism in religious judgment and then faith in God without benevolent actions towards your fellow man means no true saving faith.
3:1-18-
James begins with how to use the one part of the body that has the potential of getting us into more trouble and that is the tongue.
Vs.1- James gives a startling declaration: not many of you should become teachers! Why? Teachers will be judged with a greater strictness!
One of the curious things about James is how often he brings up the idea of judgment! 1:12- blessed the one who endures- receive the crown of life from God.
2:5- God chose the poor to inherit the kingdom
2:12- speak as those to be judged by the law of liberty
4:10-12- don’t be a judge of the law, there is one judge—able to save and destroy
5:9- don’t grumble so you won’t be judged.
Here he speaks about judgment! Reminding his readers that life is to be viewed from this vantage point. You know one day we will be judged. This should put things into perspective for us. What if we woke up each day, understanding that what I do today will make a difference on that great and final day?
With such there are no wasted days.
Judgment day suggests a different standard than what we might usually be used to in this world.
To this he warns against becoming a teacher. In what way? Many people are not prepared to teach! Words are worthless without actions. Matthew 12:36,37- every careless word, man will give an account for.
You know, every teacher must live as they speak. Influence is so important. You leave an impression on people—Matthew 5:19, Matthew 18:6,7
Some love to be a teacher, but James tells us this is not something to be entered into lightly.
3:2-12- James goes on with this into the sins of the tongue. Remember earlier, he said that we are to be quick to hear and slow to speak. Now, teachers have to speak so this next section is of extreme importance in light of what he just said.
Vs.2- we all stumble in many ways! Notice how James includes himself here. There is a big difference between those who stumble and those who deliberately sin against God. Listen, since we all stumble in many ways, only be a teacher for noble motives!
If anyone does not stumble with the tongue, you have met the perfect man. Basically if you can control your tongue you can control anything. The Book of Sirach 19:16- ‘who is the one not sinning with his tongue?’
There have been some statements made about this chapter that we need to really look at!
Vs.3-5- James brings up some illustrations to show the power of the tongue:
Small things power greater things:
Bits in horses mouths control their movements.
Small rudders control the movement of ships
A small fire can devour an entire forest.
The tongue is likened to these.
What does that tell us about how to look at our use of speech?
Vs.6- tongue can unleash great wickedness:
- world of unrighteousness
- stains the whole body
- sets the entire course of life on fire
Is the tongue the most wicked of all parts of our bodies?
Where is the origin of the tongue’s fire? Hell itself! Gehenna was a great garbage dump outside the city where trash was burned. In the same way, improper use of the tongue is like a big garbage dump.
Here is where we want to focus a little today: if the tongue is so bad, what are we supposed to do? Are we to resign ourselves to the fact that slip ups with our mouths are to be expected and therefore we just need to be ready to say sorry? Well, we should say sorry whenever we slip up with out mouths, but I would venture to say in light of the warnings this may be excusing too much.
Vs.7,8- every wild beast can be tamed but the tongue no one can—full of deadly poison and a restless evil! Basically, we can control the most vicious of animals but not ourselves.
Some have concluded that fighting the sins of the tongue is a losing battle, I don’t know if that is exactly what is being said here.
When we tame a wild beast—we can let it loose, it can roam around free.
But, never let the tongue loose, always keep it caged! Why? It is always dangerous! The sins of the tongue is like sin in general: never let your guard down—never become overconfident!
Vs.9-12- Another example:
We bless God (this really is the greatest use of our mouths we could ever do) but then we curse men (we look down on them and yet they are made in God’s likeness). It doesn’t make sense: It’s like a spring giving both fresh and salt water! Again, we see how someone claims to love God and follow Him but then curses the ones made in His image: the religion that is professed is not the same as the one practiced.
Vs.13-18- now we get to true wisdom. Spiritual pride is one of the most difficult obstacles to get over with for church growth. We don’t need to listen to others, we can flaunt our ‘knowledge’ even if it bothers others.
Who is really wise?
The one shows proper conduct with humility and wisdom. You feel you can teach? Someone says, I don’t really need this advice James, seeing I am a wise and understanding man!
Show by your conduct. Who is wise? The one who shows the life not just speaks it.
14-16- What kind of conduct shows a lack of good wisdom?
Bitter jealousy! When someone cannot stand another’s accomplishments or accolades. They must be the ones looked to. They burn with envy when another is highly complimented. (choosing elders: one brother was going to be asked and there was concern that if the other brother was not, he would be angry and leave—that already shows he cannot be asked!)
Selfish ambition! This is a person who is interested only in wages. There is a kind of pay involved. It does not necessarily mean financial: ministry done only for self glory, ect. This is the person who puts themselves ahead of others even in terms of doing a service for them.
If you have these two: don’t boast and lie against the truth. I am so wise, I am so good, I am so able: no you are not!
What happens when these are involved in our wisdom?
Disorder and vile practices. Good is not accomplished.
Where does this wisdom come from?
The earth! Unspiritual! Demonic!
Look at this: our mind is only on the world (earth), then we only want to make gains for the flesh (unspiritual- are motives are only for self-advancement) and finally we are displaying the character of a demon.
17- But, the wisdom that comes from God:
look at these 7 characteristics:
pure-
peaceable- this is so opposed to the other kind of wisdom: how? Not selfish—peace loving! (Spiritual pride: I can do this and who cares if it makes others angry)
gentle- able to endure gently. Guy N. Woods said ‘when one is sure of his opinions he does not feel the need to defend it passionately.’
Open to reason- be willing to yield. This is the wisdom that is able to hear the other’s opinion. Able to properly weigh evidence and not act out of impulse. Gut reactions don’t rule the day. Someone who has put 6 months or 6 years into a study isn’t easily dismissed because of what we instinctively think?
Full of mercy & good fruit- you may know a lot, is your mercy the filter & good will towards the other?
Impartial- towards others and others views!
Sincere- when you are not sincere you are dishonest. Don’t put on a disguise with what you are really up to. Who wants to be honest about being selfish? The solution is not to learn to be honest about it, it is to learn to not be self seeking.
18- harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who love peace. Isn’t that what we want? To accomplish righteousness? Not to be just right, not to just get our way, but to accomplish righteousness!
You can get your way, you can live only caring for yourself, you can play favourites in judgment, but righteousness is sown in peace by those who love peace! Matthew 5:9
1 Corinthians 8:1-3
What about us?
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