James 1:4-12, June 7, 2014

June 7, 2014                               Book of James           James 1:4-12

Introduction 

Jas 1:4-12 NKJV  (4)  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  (5)  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.  (6)  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  (7)  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;  (8)  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.  (9)  Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,  (10)  but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away.  (11)  For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.  (12)  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 

Short review: 

Jas 1:1 NKJV  James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

Jas 1:2 NKJV  My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

Jas 1:3 NKJV  knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 

We talked about how Faith is throughout this whole book of James and Deals with, The nature of Faith; 

We saw and will see that James stress upon practical Christian living, rather than doctrine.   

Paul told us in Rom 10:17 how we receive Faith, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” 

Paul also said in Heb 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” from last session. 

Faith is just the starting point for a Christian in our Walk with our Lord and Creator, Jesus, the Messiah. 

Pick up where we left off. 

Jas 1:4 NKJV  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 

Perfect: teleios, tel'-i-os;  complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.);  completeness:--of full age. 

Work: ergon, er'-gon; toil (as an effort or occupation); by impl. an act:--deed, doing, labour. 

We are, by nature, fretful and impatient. We rebel against the Ways of God and want our own way. But he who learns to be submissive to whatever God permits glorifies Him who orders all things according to His own will. 

The goal of a Christian is maturity and the development of a strong Christian character. Becoming mature and whole, no longer craving for what God sees fit to withhold: this is real victory, but it requires wisdom and strength of the Holy Spirit living in us. 

We need to be fully instructed, in every part of the doctrine of God, and in his whole will concerning us. 

Why, so that our knowledge and holiness may be complete. 

We need to always Ask in Faith 

Jas 1:5 NKJV  If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 

We all lack wisdom. All we have to do is ask for it.  Knowing our need is the first step to receiving what we need. Wisdom is not just acquired information but practical insight with spiritual implications. 

The best means of attaining wisdom; thorough the practical knowledge of God and of the Savior in the Scriptures, the Book of Proverbs is an example. 

We must apply this wisdom or principles to problems as they arise day by day. This is why we need wisdom. Spiritual wisdom is the practical application of our Lord's teachings to everyday situations. 

Let him ask of God - Because God is the only teacher of this wisdom.

Jas 1:6 NKJV  But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 

Jas 1:7 NKJV  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 

Jas 1:8 NKJV  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 

But if we make a request in a formal manner without the confidence in His readiness to answer, we dishonor Him. 

If we are not thoroughly persuaded that if he ask of God, we shall receive, we become like a wave of the sea and always in a state of continual movement; driven by the wind, and tossed: our attitude is rose by hope, then drops like a anchor by despair. 

To ask in faith requires knowing that our petition in is accordance to His will.

If this person prays for something or someone, but not having faith, will they get answer. 

Double Minded Man 

The man of God is not given to change. Continuously veering from one course to another reveals instability in our lives that lacks being under divine control.

This ties in all his thoughts and his deeds and their life is directed towards God, the other to something else.  There are just two ways of life, The Way of Life or the way of death. 

Jer 21:8 NKJV  "Now you shall say to this people, 'Thus says the LORD: "Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death.

The double-minded man  heart is not simply given up to God. 

“He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” 

Pro 24:21 NKJV  My son, fear the LORD and the king; Do not associate with those given to change; 

I have seen this is close friends over the years, where they hear something and say it is right, then hear from someone else, they then say it is right, then hear from someone else and change again.  They had not really proved what the Word of our Lord said in the Scriptures.  They become like the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 

Paul wrote to the Galatians 

Gal 5:7-9 NKJV  You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?  (8)  This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.  (9)  A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 

There are many distorted teachings and heresies that would easily throw the Christian off course.  Those who draw people away from the Christian faith are not innocently misguided but deliberately deceitful and evil.  

Samson is an good example. 

We have an good example in the Scriptures about a double minded man, that is Samson.  I think we know about the story about Samson. Samson was a Nararite.  

Like John the Baptist, Samson would be a Nararite from his mother’s womb (Luke 1:13-15). Normally, a Nazarite vow was for only certain amount of days. 

Only Samson, Samuel, and John the Baptist were perpetual Nazarites; John the Baptist and Samson would be a Nararite from his mother’s womb

A Nararite Vow. 

• They abstained from drinking wine and strong drink;
• They avoided touching dead bodies; 
• They allowed their hair to grow 

As a side, It is so easy to confuse Nazarite with Nazarene.  Nazarene is a city.  Jesus was not a Nazarite: He drank wine and He touched dead bodies.  His hair did not make him to stand out.  

Two different things. 

Why Samson, with the Philistines

·      He didn’t take his gifts from God or his work, seriously.

·      Was bold before men but weak with regards to women

·      Empowered by the Spirit of God, he yielded his body to the appetites of the flesh. 

·      Called to declare war on the Philistines, he fellowship with the enemy

·      Tried to marry a Philistine woman.

·      He fought the Lord’s battles by day

·      Disobeyed the Lord’s commandments by night.

·      He ended up in darkness, blinded by the enemy he was supposed to conquer.

·      Samson was a man of faith, but he wasn’t a faithful man, big difference

·      he wasn’t faithful to his parent’s teaching; or his Nazarite vow, of the laws of the Lord.

·      His strength was a weapon to fight with and a tool to build with, not a toy to play with. 

·      He was a loner

·      He never “rallied his troops” to unite Israel to throw off the Philistine yoke. 

·      For 20 years he played the champion, but not the leader.

1Tim 4:1-2 NKJV  Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons,  (2)  speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 

1Th 5:21-22 NKJV  Test all things; hold fast what is good.  (22)  Abstain from every form of evil. 

Changeableness is evidence of a weak (and, perhaps, an inflated ego.)

The man who looks to God all the time for guidance will be certain of his path. 

The source of wisdom is God; it is obtained by prayer; it is available to everybody; it is given liberally and without reproach; the crucial condition is that we ask in faith, with no doubting. 

Jas 1:9 NKJV  Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 

Jas 1:10 NKJV  but the rich in that he is made low: because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 

This is another example of a trial for a Christian. 

When lowly brother finds himself dissatisfied and discouraged, he can always rejoice that he is an heir of God, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ and rejoice in his high position that is coming, being a King and Priest when Jesus returns to the earth during the Millennium. 

The lowly brother will be exalted - To be a child of God, and an heir of glory. 

Psa 25:9 NKJV  The humble He (God) guides in justice, And the humble He teaches His way.

We should rejoice being in the hand of Him who makes no mistakes. 

Jas 1:11 NKJV  For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

All outward glory is only as the flower of the field, and, like that, will wither and perish.  Earthly riches are destined to pass away, like the flower of the field  

Isa 40:6-8 NKJV  The voice said, "Cry out!" And he said, "What shall I cry?" "All flesh is grass, And all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.  (7)  The grass withers, the flower fades, Because the breath of the LORD blows upon it; Surely the people are grass.  (8)  The grass withers, the flower fades, But the word of our God stands forever." 

If a man has nothing but material wealth, then all his plans will end at the grave. 

He will fade away in the midst of his pursuits. The point is, of course, that neither sun nor scorching wind can affect spiritual values 

Jeremiah 9:23-24 NKJV  Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;  (24)  But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD. 

We know Personal property can burn up. 

If our wealth takes too much of our time, then we have less time for God. 

Why, because they have their desires on things other than the Way of Life Jesus teaches, instruction and how Jesus lived his life. 

Crown of Life 

Jas 1:12 NKJV  Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 

How do we show we love him, by obeying His commands, we cover earlier. 

Rev 2:10 NKJV  Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.  The Martyr’s Crown. 

There are (at least) five Different Crowns: 

Crown of Life  

(here) James 1:12; and also in  Rev 2:10. which we just read. 

Crown of Rejoicing         

1Th 2:19 NKJV  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? 

Crown of Righteousness 

2Tim 4:8 NKJV  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 

Crown of Glory 

1Peter 5:4 NKJV  and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away. 

Incorruptible Crown 

1Co 9:24-27 NKJV  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.  (25)  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable (Incorrutible) crown.  (26)  Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.  (27)  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. 

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