The book of James is all about living the faith you profess. James is a man of action. “You say you believe? Then act like it!” Who you are is revealed by how you are. How you treat others shows the type of person you are. EX: How you treat the server at a restaurant. We tip based on the value of the person, not the quality of the service. If you want to know who someone is, just watch how they treat the “little” people.But the reverse is true as well. If you’re in awe of a famous person, then check yourself.We’re not to be people-pleasers or people-worshippers. People-worshipping leads to people-pleasing. Both become butt-kissers. Vs 1-4 - don’t remove God from the seat of the judge! Favoritism = Judgmental. Favoritism is about comparison. Comparison is a relationship killer. When you compare others to yourself it leads to: Envy - comparing up. Pride - comparing down. When you compare others to others it leads to: Favoritism - you treat others as “less than.” Why shouldn’t you do this? Vs 5 - Because God wants you to hang around those who are rich in faith! You become like the closest five people in your life. Vs 8-9 - How you treat others reveals what you think of yourself! You treat them bad because you don’t like yourself and you want to feel better than someone so you can feel better. Vs 9 - if you show favoritism you break the law. Treat everyone equal - both up and down - and you will keep the law!
James 2:1-6 (11/16/22)
Discovering Who You Are
November 16, 2022 • Benham Brothers • James 2:1
James 1:2-4 (11/21/13)
November 21, 2013 • Benham Brothers
James was writing to Jewish christians spread throughout who had fled Jerusalem because of Stephen's death James' encouragement was for them not to flee but to endure, to persevere The key to persevering in the midst of a trial is How You Receive It - as a gift from God to lead you to completeness in Christ How to receive a trial properly: 1) Consider the source of the trial - - is this trial from God or did it come from you (vs 13-15) - in either case you need to endure, but if it came from you then you need to start with repentance. Consider Cain - when anger was birthed in his heart murder crouched at his door - the sin that's crouching at your door is a product of what's in your heart. What are your temptations? 2) Ask yourself, "what is God saying to me?" 3) Focus on the reward - this gives you hope, and hope does not disappoint A trial is a "trial" and not a conviction (like in a court case - innocent until proven guilty) - God has promised victory if we simply endure If we don't endure and we quit then we lose - the trial is over and our "jail time" starts. We can stay out of jail if we just endure it
James 1:2-4 (11/19/15)
November 19, 2015 • Benham Brother
• James was writing to people who were scared because of intense persecution. • When God brings a trial it's for the testing and purification of our faith. • Strength comes through strain. • Two keys to enduring a trial: • 1) Receive it properly, as a gift from God. • 2) Focus on the reward for enduring it, like an athlete (Paul). • If you receive a trial as a gift and you focus on the reward you will endure. • Enduring a trial leads to maturity and completeness in Christ. • Two aspects of a trial: • 1) A trial is a trial - no sentence has been passed because no verdict has been given. • In court, when you're in a trial you haven't lost until you're convicted of a crime. • 2) There are two types of trials - the kind we bring on ourselves and the kind God brings. • We need to recognize the source of our trial to experience the joy of it. • vs 6 - to make it through a trial we need to shift from AM to FM - Analysis Mode to Faith Mode. • We are not to try to "make sense" of everything that happens to us. • Faith obeys God even when things don't make sense.
James 1:5-6 (11/16/17)
November 16, 2017 • Benham Brothers
* A prayer I’ve prayed every morning…… * But when you pray make sure you’re on FM and not AM. * Faith Mode vs Analysis Mode. * What God does doesn’t always make sense to us - often it doesn’t. * AM is based on human reason. * FM is based on God’s wisdom - God can throw that mountain into the sea if He wants it there! * Let’s pray in faith mode and watch God give us what we ask.