James

James 5

March 3, 2024 • Pastor Dallas Sandoval

James 4

February 25, 2024 • Pastor Dallas Sandoval • James 4

James 4 “Authentic Faith”   ·      Re-read James 3:13-18 to catch the flow of thought. ·      Chapter 4 has 5 questions for Christians to keep close to their heart. Ø  Where do quarrels and conflicts come from? Ø  Do you know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Ø  Do you know the Spirit who lives in you yearns jealously? Ø  Who are you to judge another? Ø  What is your life? ·      In chapter 3, James wrote about a troublemaker in the Church. In chapter 4, he wrote about another troublemaker in the Church. Pride Promotes Strife 1-6 “The Problems of Pride and Self-Pleasure” 1 ”Where do wars and fights come from among you?  Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? A] What causes quarrels and conflicts among Christians? ·      Why does it seem like Christians sometimes have a difficult time getting along with each other?Selfishness! ·      The majority, if not all, the problems in the Church are simply people refusing to deny themselvesworldly lusts, refusing to deny the fallen sin nature. “Self-seeking” ·      When Christians insist upon having their own way, and fulfilling their own desires, it leads to conflicts within the church. ·      2 Timothy 3:1-5 NASB “But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.” B] Unity in the Church comes when believers aren’t selfish but instead are submitted to the purposes and will of God. C] If you hold God’s will close to your heart, the Holy Spirit will link you with those who hold God’s will close to their hearts. 2 You lust {want, desire} and do not {cannot} have.  {So then} You murder and covet and cannot obtain.  You fight and war.  Yet you do not {cannot} have because you do not ask.  A] When people don’t get what they want they resort to hateful and unloving behavior. B] When Christians jealously want what others have, it leads to problems. C] Matthew 7:7 ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” 3 You ask and do not {cannot} receive,  because you ask amiss {with the wrong, selfish motive},  that you may spend it on your pleasures.  A] The Lord desires that our prayers lineup with His revealed will. ·      1 John 5:14 ”Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.“ B] Why is it that sometimes we ask and do not receive? ·      Psalm 66:18 ”If I regard iniquity in my heart, The LORD will not hear.“ ·      1 Peter 3:7 NLT ”In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat your wife with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God’s gift of new life. Treat her as you should so your prayers will not be hindered.“ ·      Remember that “no” is an answer to prayer. God knows best. C] True and lasting pleasure is found in living out God’s plan for our lives. 4 Adulterers {NU: omits adulterers} and adulteresses {spiritual unfaithfulness to the LORD, the Bride of Christ}!  Do you not know that friendship {sharing immoral values} with the world is enmity with {hostility towards} God?  Whoever therefore wants {desires} to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  A] What is a spiritual adulterer? It is an idolater. Ø  Someone who lives for worldly pleasures to the disregard and neglect of pleasing the Lord, not living out His will for their lives. ·      Matthew 12:39 ”But He answered and said to them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.“ ·      Revelation 2:22 ”Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds.“ B] Romans 8:7 ”Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.“ C] 1 John 2:15-16 “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” ·      Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  D] Christ came to set us free from this present evil world. ·      Galatians 1:4 ”who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,“ 5 Or do you think {thoughts} that the Scripture says in vain,  “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously {He wants us for Himself}”?  ·      Exodus 34:14 “(for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),” ·      Will you be intimate with the Holy Spirit, or will you be intimate with the world that rejects Him? ·      When God breathed into mankind and mankind became a living being, God put within man the desire to live for God’s pleasure, but at the fall, mankind is now dominated by the desire to live to fulfill selfish pleasures. 6 But He gives more grace.  Therefore He says:  “God resists {opposes} the proud {selfish people, the friends of the world, who live above others}, But gives grace to the humble.” ·      What is the key to winning this war over the pride of life, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes?  ·      Micah 6:8 ”He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?“ Humility Cures Worldliness 7-10 “Purify Your Hearts” 7 Therefore {So then} submit {give yourself totally} to God.  Resist {stand against} the devil {don’t give place to the devil} and he will flee from you.  A] Grace is the motivator for submission and humility to God. B] The devil doesn’t flee from those who are un-submitted to God.  ·      The devil doesn’t flee from those who don’t resist him. (Matt. 4) C] What can we do to stand against the devil? ·      Ephesians 6:11 ”Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.“ 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts {purify your thoughts},  you double-minded {OJB: in opinion and purpose}. A] Drawing near to God in obedience is how we resist the devil. ·      How do we draw near to God? Acts 2:42 Word, Fellowship, Communion and Prayer. B] If we seek the Lord with all of our hearts, He will be found by us. C] God calls us to bear fruit worthy of repentance, cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. D] Double-mindedness is pursuing God and worldly selfish pleasures at the same time. Ø  Authentic faith is recognized by what it pursues. Ø  “It was Paul’s delight to spend his life for God’s interests in other people, and he did not care what it cost.” -Oswald Chambers 9 Lament {afflicted by your own wretchedness} and mourn and weep {be broken over your sin}!  Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom {heaviness}.  A] Sadly, we don’t hear enough messages along these lines. B] Matthew 5:4 ”Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.“ ·      Psalm 51:17 “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.” ·      Joel 2:12 NLT ”That is why the LORD says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning.“ 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of {before} the Lord,  and He will lift you up {from the mourning and brokenness}. ·      Humbling ourselves of our selfishness is the beginning of the LORD restoring us.  Do Not Judge a Brother 11-12 “Our Treatment of People” 11 Do not {stop} speak evil of {criticize, badmouth} one another, brethren.  He who speaks evil of {defames, slanders} a brother and judges {pronounces condemnation of} his brother,  speaks evil of {violates} the law and judges the law.  But if you judge the law,  you are not a doer of the law but a judge. A] It is selfish to speak evil about people. B] This verse is not prohibiting calling out false teachers. ·      This verse is not prohibiting us from talking to other Christians about their selfishness, their sin.  ·      At the end of chapter 5, James wrote about dealing with Christians living in sin. ·      Discernment is not about faultfinding, but about finding solutions. C] James 2:8 ”If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;“ 12 There is one Lawgiver {and Judge},  Who {alone} is able to save and to destroy.  Who are you to judge another?  ·      Romans 14:4 “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Do Not Boast About Tomorrow 13-17 “Perspective on Life” 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city,  spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit {make money}”;  14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life? It is even a vapor {mist, vanishing breath on a cold day} that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. A] Authentic faith keeps life in proper perspective. B] Because my life is a vapor that appears for a little time, I want to spend my time doing what God loves, and spending time with the people I love. C] How are you spending your vapor?  ·      “This is my vapor; I’ll live it how I want!” -The Selfish Person 15 Instead you ought to say,  “If the Lord wills {wants us to},  we shall live and do this or that.”  A] Our tomorrows are in the hands of the Lord. B] Even the Lord Jesus Christ, prayed to His Father, “Not My will, but Your will be done.” 16 But now you boast in your arrogance {selfish pride}.  All such boasting is evil.  ·      Man’s pride makes him pretentious, and presumptuous.  ·      Man assumes self importance as if the world couldn’t go on without him. ·      When I drive by a cemetery, I’m reminded that life will go on without me. ·      I read obituaries in the paper that have not a single mention of God and His will and it grieves my heart, but then I read those obituaries where a person served the Lord with all their heart and loved their family, and my heart rejoices in Christ. 17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it,  to him it is sin.“ A] It’s been said that this verse is a summation of the entire book of James. It does really sum up authentic faith. B] To know God‘s will, pleasure, purpose, plan, and not do it, is sin. C] Authentic Faith is knowing the will of God and living it out. ·      Are you living out authentic faith? D] What are you going to do with the rest of your life? Live it for self? Closing: The Lord is calling us to live out authentic faith. Luke 9:23-24 ”Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.“

James 3

February 18, 2024 • Pastor Dallas Sandoval

James 2:14-26

February 4, 2024 • Pastor Dallas Sandoval

“The Benefit of Authentic Faith” James 2:14-26   This next section is often misunderstood because it’s often mis-taught. ·      The writings of Paul and the writing of James do not contradict each other, they actually complement one another. ·      James was written before Paul’s writings, so it isn’t true that James was writing to contradict Paul’s teaching on salvation by grace alone, through faith alone. ·      James 1:18 ”Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.“ Ø  Christians are not to be only hearing about the faith, but we are to be living out the faith. Ø  Four times, “faith without works” is mentioned in 2:14-26. Ø  What does faith profit? What does faith benefit?   14 What does it profit {benefit, what good is it?},  my brethren {the saved family of God},  if someone says {claims that} he has faith but does not have works?  Can faith save him {NASB: “can that faith save him?”}?  A] The issue here is in regard to those who make empty claims of faith.  ·      A person can say that they are orthodox in their faith and yet still have a useless faith if it isn’t accompanied by works. (Mt 7:21-23) B] “Can fruitless faith save him?” Faith that’s all talk. ·      In Greek, the word “faith” can have different meanings based on the context. ·      In Greek, the word “save” can have different meanings based on the context. The word “save” can mean saved from sin’s penalty, it can mean rescued, or delivered, or kept from. C] This doesn’t stop with having authentic faith, but having what the application of authentic faith brings to life, specifically, active love. D] The grammar of the Greek text expects a negative response to the questions, posed in verse 14.   15 If a brother or sister {within the saved family of God}  is naked {poorly clothed}  and destitute of daily food,  A] The Apostle Paul taught that food and clothing are the 2 bare essentials in life. ·      1 Timothy 6:8 ”And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.“ ·      The Lord Jesus Christ taught His followers not to worry about food and clothing because He knows that we need them. B] Galatians 6:10 ”Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.“   16 and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body,  what does it profit {2x; benefit}?  ·      Our practical righteousness, and not our profession of righteousness will be a blessing to those around us in the Church. ·      If we profess our faith without practicing our faith, the love of God is not flowing from our lives. ·      1 John 3:17-18 ”But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.“ ·      Authentic faith will lead to a compassionate lifestyle.   17 Thus also {in the same way} faith by itself {without love},  if it does not have works {result in active love},  is dead {barren, fruitless, of no value, useless}.  ·      Authentic faith is accompanied by active love. ·      The absence of active love may be indicative of a person who has not been truly born again, has not yet come to authentic faith.    18 But someone {hypothetical skeptic} will say,  "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works,  and I will show you my faith by my works.  ·      Practical righteousness and positional righteousness are inseparable. ·      Colossians 1:6 ”which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;“ ·      What matters is faith working itself out in love. ·      The genuineness of our faith is shown by our works. ·      Don’t tell me you have faith; show me you have faith. ·      “The child of God works not for life, but from life; he does not work to be saved, he works because he is saved.” -Spurgeon   19 You believe that there is one God {that God is one}.  You do well {2x in ch.2; verse 8 “love your neighbor as yourself”}.  Even the demons believe--and tremble {from fear of the Lord}!  A] Deuteronomy 6:4 ”“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!“ ·      It’s one thing to believe that there is one God, and yet it is another thing to live like it.  B] Demons believe in God but they have no obedience, no love, no good works. ·      The Devil and his demons aren’t atheists. Even Satan and his angels know better than to believe in evolution. ·      These fallen angels also acknowledged the deity of Christ. C] The person who is showing partiality or being reluctant to help other Christians in need, lacks the fear of the Lord, and the love of God. ·      A Christian can believe and even tremble in the Church service, but without works, their faith isn’t benefiting anyone. ·      We need to be careful of believing, something intellectually, but not being convicted by it, spiritually. There is a difference between being convinced by something in our head, and not convicted by it in our heart.   20 But do you want to know {want proof},  O foolish man {he who separates works from faith},  that faith without works is dead {useless}?  ·      James offers 2 proofs; a Jewish example, and a Gentile example, he offers an example of a man of high esteem, and a woman of low esteem.   21 Was not Abraham our father {Jewish example, upper class} justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?  A] This is an example of why it’s important to keep Scriptures in their original context, to keep the author’s intended meaning in mind. Ø  Here we have a case of same word, but different meaning. James uses the word, “justified,” in speaking of validation, while Paul uses the word, “justified,” in speaking of justification. B] Abraham’s faith was demonstrated through his actions, and his actions demonstrated that he had a right standing before the Lord.   22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works,  and by works faith was made perfect {complete}?  ·      His faith was made complete by the works which proved that He trusted the LORD. ·      John 6:28-29 ”Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”“   23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says,  "Abraham believed God,  and it was accounted to him for righteousness." And he was called the friend of God {Abraham was accepted by God}.  A] James quotes Genesis 15:6 to validate Abraham’s faith, while Paul quotes Genesis 15:6 to demonstrate Abraham’s saving faith. B] Ephesians 1:3-6 ”Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.“   24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.  ·      Are people justified by works? ·      Galatians 2:16 ”knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.“ ·      Romans 4:2-4 ”For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt.“ ·      James’s point: “Faith alone saves, but saving faith is never alone.” ·      Authentic Faith expresses itself in works.   25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot {Gentile example, lower class} also justified by works  when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?  ·      Hebrews 11:31 “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.” ·      Rahab was saved by trusting the LORD. ·      Because Rahab put her trust in the LORD, she both received the spies and hid them. ·      Rahab went from living the life of a prostitute, to living the life of a proselyte.   26 For as the body without the spirit {breath} is dead {it becomes a lifeless body},  so faith without works is dead {useless, of no benefit} also. A] This transitional conjunction at the end was the main point. He was leading up to, the main point he was making. ·      Ephesians 2:8-10 ”For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.“ ·      Authentic faith, which is genuine trust in Christ, is accompanied by a lifestyle of good works, the fruit of our lives. ·      Believe and be living.  ·      You say you have faith in the LORD, who is your faith benefiting?  ·      Salvation is never earned by good works, but good works are evidence of authentic faith and genuine conversion. ·      Matthew 3:8 NLT ”Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.“ B] The Church body, without the work of the Holy Spirit, the breath of God, the wind of God is dead, useless, of no benefit. ·      Now that you’ve come to authentic faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit wants to do a work in you and through you among those in your circle of influence. ·      May our authentic faith benefit those around us, in the church, and in the world. 

James 2:1-13

January 28, 2024 • Pastor Dallas Sandoval

James 2:1-13 “Authentic Faith”  ·   What is authentic faith?  ·   How do I live it out? ·   James 1:22-25 ”But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.“ ·   Authentic faith doesn’t only hear the word of God, authentic faith lives the word of God. Ø In our trials. (1:2-8) Ø In life’s perspective of our financial situation. (1:9-11) Ø In our temptations. (1:12-18) Ø In our actions. (1:19-2:13) Ø In how we talk. (V26) Ø In how we treat the vulnerable of society. (V27) Ø In how we live in the world. (V27)   1 My brethren,  do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,  the Lord of glory,  with partiality {favoritism, respect of persons}.  A] James reminds the Believers that we are a family.  ·   The church is built upon the unity of the faith, with our Lord Jesus Christ as the Head. B] Authentic faith practices impartiality. C] Because Jesus Christ is our Lord and the Lord of glory we should treat people in a God-honoring way. ·   In a healthy Church, everyone is treated respectfully and equally.   D] God’s people are not to hold to unrighteous biases which are according to a person’s social class, clout, cash flow, or clothing. ·   1 Samuel 16:7 NLT ”But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”“   2 For if there should come into your assembly {Synagogue, Congregation, Church} a man with gold rings,  in fine apparel,  and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,  A] Immediately after Pentecost the believers of Christ started assembling at the Temple and meeting from house to house. B] The Gospel was reaching all classes of people, the rich, and the poor, and they started gathering together as a family of faith.   3 and you pay {lavish} attention to {look with favor on} the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place {preferred seating},"  and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool,"  A] The Church must show great hospitality to every person who comes through our doors. ·   As far as good places to sit, we should do our best to accommodate the elderly, or those with mobility issues, or those with small children, or babies. B] We should value people equally, regardless of their ethnicity or their economics.   4 have you not shown partiality {discrimination, distinctions, segregation} among yourselves,  and become judges with evil thoughts {prejudice motives}?  A] Giving preferential treatment to potential influential people reveals a misguided heart and is not keeping yourself unspotted from the world.  B] The color of a person’s skin, the color of their hair, the quality or style of their clothing, their tattoos, or their social class, does not reveal the content of their character, it doesn’t reveal what’s in their heart. ·   God judges the heart, we judge the actions, or the fruit. C] The Lord disregards status and regards souls, so should we.   5 Listen,  my beloved brethren {we are family}:  Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?  A] To reject whom God has chosen is never a good practice for life. Ø Remember that Jesus was born to earthly parents who were poor, and not to the richest of the land. B] To be rich in faith is to be both dependent upon the Lord, and generous in His name.  Ø The poor are generous with the little that they have, because they know God provides their needs, and they’re not living for this world but for the kingdom to come. C] Who is the Kingdom of God for? Those who love God. D] Who are those who love God? ·   John 14:15;21 ”“If you love Me, keep My commandments. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”“ ·   This doesn’t mean perfect obedience.   6 But you have dishonored {despised} the poor man.  Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts?  A] 1 Corinthians 11:22 ”What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.“ ·   The Church should not make people feel worthless, but to see their worth in the Lord Jesus Christ.  ·   You were worth dying for. B] The rich who oppress was speaking of the money lenders and the evil employers who would take advantage of people’s plight. ·   James is not making a blanket statement about all rich people.   7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? ·   Acts 11:26 ”And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.“ ·   1 Peter 4:16 ”Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter.“   8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture {8x},  "You shall love your neighbor as yourself,"  you do well {practical righteousness};  A] Romans 13:8;10 ”Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.“ B] We should remember this when we are tempted to treat the people in customer service with disrespectful attitudes. The rumor on the street is that Christians are the worst, on Sundays after Church. C] “You do well.” Showing love can open the door of a closed heart like nothing else. ·   At the heart of Christianity is taking an interest in others, which is the opposite of the self-centered world that we live in.   9 but if you show partiality {treat people according to their outward appearance, receive them by their face},  you commit sin,  and are convicted by the law as transgressors.  A] We are committing sin when we pre-judge people based upon their appearance. B] Leviticus 19:15 ”‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.“   10 For {Because} whoever shall keep the whole law,  and yet stumble in one point {in this case partiality, prejudice},  he is guilty of {accountable for} all.  A] Galatians 3:10 ”For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”“ ·   Selective obedience is dishonest and still disobedience. B] Because you and I cannot keep all of God’s law perfectly, this should stir in our hearts the desire to submit our lives to the One who kept the law perfectly on our behalf.   11 For {Because} He who said, "Do not commit adultery,"  also said, "Do not murder."  Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law {a lawbreaker}.  ·   Sin is sin to the Lord. There is no such thing as less guilty. ·   We’ve all sinned, and we all fall short of the glory of God. We are all equally guilty before God. ·   Only Christ can remove our guilt. Expungement removes my sin record entirely as if they never happened.   12 So speak and so do  as those who will be judged by the law of liberty {freedom}.  A] Our words and our actions should be motivated by what the Gospel has done for us, in other words, the law of liberty sets us free to love all people equally regardless of their social status or financial situation. ·   James 1:25 ”But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.“ ·   This is not the freedom to do what we want but what we should. B] Believers will be judged to determine our degree of rewards.   13 For judgment is without mercy  to the one who has shown no mercy.  Mercy triumphs over {rejoices against} judgment {partiality, prejudice}.  A] Matthew 5:7 ”Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy.“ B] A merciful heart is needed in the gathering of God’s people together.  ·   Sometimes Christian relationships can be strained. ·   Sometimes Christians don’t respond correctly, or politely. ·   Sometimes Christians don’t have a godly attitude. ·   We should humble ourselves and apologize when necessary. C] A merciful heart is more beneficial than a judgmental heart. ·   I thank the LORD that CCT is a compassionate Church that strives to be Christ-like in our treatment of each other and visitors. D] Lamentations 3:22-25 NLT ”The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.“

James 1

January 14, 2024 • Pastor Dallas Sandoval

James 1  “Authentic Faith” What it is, and how do we live it out. Author: Ya’akob, Jacob, James; ½ brother to Jesus.  ·      James’ journey to faith;  - Mark 3:21 ”But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.”“ - John 7:5 ”For even His brothers did not believe in Him.“ - 1 Corinthians 15:7 ”After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.“ - Acts 1:14 ”These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.“ ·      James was a leader of the Mother Church in Jerusalem made up of persecuted Jewish Christians.  - Acts 12:17 ”But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.“ - Acts 15:13 ”And after they had become silent, James answered, saying, “Men and brethren, listen to me:“ - Galatians 1:18-19 ”Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother {Mt.13:55}.“ - Galatians 2:9; 11-12 ”and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision.“ Date: AD45-50 or AD60, James was killed in AD62. ·      If AD46, then it was the first epistle written. Written to: The 12 Tribes of Israel who are scattered among the Gentiles. The apostle Peter also wrote to the diaspora. ·      It appears to be written to Jewish Christians but there’s no doubt that it was also intended to reach Jews everywhere. The letter has a Jewish flavor to it. ·      Much of the letter of James mirrors, the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ found in the Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5-7) ·      We also see some of the wisdom of the Proverbs in the letter of James. ·      The letter contains 12 short teachings in chapters 2-5, these teachings reveal what authentic faith is and how to live it out. Application: Authentic faith will produce Christlike character and conduct. ·      Positional righteousness should lead to practical righteousness. ·      How do we keep our faith useful? ·      The Christian faith is not just about surviving, it’s about thriving. ·      This letter deals with real issues that take place in the church.   Greeting to the 12 Tribes (1)            1 James,  a bondservant {slave by choice} of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,  To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad {like seeds} Greetings.  ·      The Jews have been scattered over time; by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Romans; in AD63, AD70, AD135. Profiting from Trials (2-11) 2 My brethren {15x},  count {consider} it all joy  when {not if} you fall into {encounter} various trials,  A] Going through various trials are a part of having authentic faith.  ·      “God never sharpens a knife on a stick of butter.“ -Unknown  ·      I went through a heavy trial this week, and I cried out to God, and when He brought me through it, His Joy strengthened me again. B] Trials have a way of making people bitter and causing them to let go of their joy in the LORD, becoming irritable, agitated, aggravated. C] The word trial here means, “testing to prove.” ·      The Devil’s goal in the testing of our faith is to get us to fail, either morally, or to get us to throw away our faith completely. 3 knowing that  the testing of your faith produces patience {not passive waiting, stay under, steadfastness, the ability to suffer long}.  ·      We must continue to be learning this important reality. “Oh that’s what’s happening.” ·      God often uses our trials to do a work in us. ·      God can allow discomfort to develop character in our lives. 4 But let patience {endurance} have its perfect work {don’t bail prematurely},  that you may be perfect {mature} and complete {whole},  lacking {KJV: wanting} nothing {not deficient}.  ·      The process of maturity involves enduring hardship. ·      We must endure to mature. ·      Trials have a way of exposing our maturity, or immaturity. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom {V3, “knowing that”},  let him {continually} ask of God,  who gives to all liberally {generous} and without reproach {shame, criticizing, ungrudgingly},  and it will be given to him.  A] You must first admit that you lack wisdom. ·      1 Kings 3:5&9 5 “At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?” 9 Therefore give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”” B] James was called old camel knees because of his prayer life. ·      We are to acknowledge God in all of our ways. C] Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” D] God is not going to shame you for what you’re lacking and that He knows you need. 6 But let him ask in faith {trusting},  with no doubting {in God’s generosity},  for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind {wavering}.  7 For let not that man suppose {expect} that he will receive anything from the {generous} Lord;  8 he is a double-minded {indecisive} man {facing 2 ways, undecided},  unstable in all his ways.  9 Let the lowly brother {of humble circumstances} glory in his exaltation {rejoice in the Lord when He lifts them up},  10 but the rich in his humiliation {rejoice when the Lord keeps them humble},  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 {in the same way} the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits {achievements}.  Loving God Under Trials (12-18) 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation {remains faithful under trials};  for when he has been approved {stood the test},  he will receive the crown of life {abundant and eternal} which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  A] Temptation is a part of life.  Temptation itself is not sin.  The Lord Jesus Christ was tempted, yet He didn’t sin. ·      Hebrews 4:15-16 “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” ·      1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” B] One of the keys to overcoming temptation is to be in a continual state of falling in love with the Lord. ·      Do you love the Lord? 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil,  nor does He Himself tempt anyone.  ·      Holy God will never give a solicitation to sin. He is never the source of temptation. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away {lured} by his own desires {appetites/lusts, evil inclinations} and enticed.  A] This is how temptations come. ·      1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.” B] Luke 4:13 ”Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.“ C] Another key to overcoming temptation is to get new desires. Develop new passions.  ·      You must be proactive in that area of your life where you are frequently enticed to give into sin. 15 Then, when desire has conceived,  it gives birth to sin;  and sin, when it is full-grown {accomplished},  brings forth death.  ·      A person may choose to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a season, but the wages of sin remain the same, death. 16 Do not be deceived {misled}, my beloved brethren.  ·      Don’t be fooled by your own desires. ·      Don’t fool yourselves by making excuses or placing the blame for your compromise with sin on others. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,  and comes down from the Father of lights,  with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning {Immutable}.  A] Proverbs 14:14 ”The backslider in heart will be filled with his own ways, But a good man will be satisfied from above.“ B] The Father isn’t fickle or change like shifting shadows. 18 Of His own {sovereign} will He brought us forth by the word of truth,  that we might be a kind of firstfruits {crown} of His creatures.  A] John 1:13 “who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” B] Genesis 6:5-6 “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart.” ·      Ephesians 2:8-10 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Qualities Needed in Trials (19-20) 19 So then, my beloved brethren,  let every man be swift to hear,  slow to speak,  slow to wrath {get angry};  A] The LORD gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth. B] We do not speak very well when we speak hastily. C] We do not hear very well while we are enraged. 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  Doers-Not Hearers (21-27) 21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness {KJV: superfluity of naughtiness, prevalent evil},  and receive with meekness the implanted word,  which is able to save your souls.  A] Authentic faith is laying aside all filthiness. B] Authentic faith involves a humble teachable heart.  ·      Let the word of God be rooted in your heart.  C] Romans 1:16 ”For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.“ ·      Acts 20:32 ”“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.“ 22 But be doers of the word,  and not hearers only {passive listener, in one ear and out the other},  deceiving yourselves {attendance without application}.  ·      Authentic faith involves being a doer of the word, and not a hearer only. ·      If we are only hearing, or only reading our Bibles, and not applying the teachings to our lives, we are not practicing authentic faith, but living under the delusion that we are benefiting from only going to Church. ·      Matthew 7:24&26 ”“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:“ 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer,  he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror;  24 for he observes himself, goes away,  and immediately forgets what kind of man he was {identity & integrity; V18}.  ·      This is why we desire to teach the word of God, because the word of God acts as a mirror before our hearts to reveal to us what kind of people we are.   25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty {the free life} and continues in it {continue to live it out},  and is not a forgetful hearer {in one ear and out the other; 10%?} but a doer of the work,  this one will be blessed in what he does.  ·      Authentic faith leads to faithful action, and faithful action leads to blessings. 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious {observant; has authentic faith},  and does not bridle his tongue {more in chapter 3} but deceives his own heart,  this one's religion {supposed faith} is useless {worthless, hot air, shallow and empty}. ·      Authentic faith is going to have an impact on the way we talk. 27 Pure and undefiled religion {authentic faith} before God and the Father is this:  to visit {care for} orphans and widows in their trouble,  and to keep oneself unspotted {unstained, unpolluted} from the world. ·      Authentic faith is manifested in active love and steadfast holiness. ·      Good works and personal holiness are the byproducts of genuine Christian faith. ·      Genuine faith is not validated merely by what we say, but authentic faith is demonstrated by what we do. See chapter 2.