1. Understanding Wealth
We need to open our eyes to the reality that when most people in the world hear the word "rich," they picture us. Average, ordinary, middle-class, working Americans are extremely wealthy in a world surrounded by billions of extremely poor neighbors.
2. Convicting Judgments
The possession of wealth is not evil. Abusing wealth by selfish living and by harming people dependent on you is. James addressed rich oppressors who used their wealth only for themselves. God cares about people, and we are supposed to leverage our wealth to bless others.
3. Loving Actions
David Platt, in his book, "A Compassionate Call to Counter Culture", identifies five significant implications of the gospel for our lives in a world of urgent spiritual and physical poverty:
A. Work Diligently
B. Live Simply
C. Give Sacrificially
D. Help Constructively
E. Invest Eternally
The Economy of God
James 5:1-6
August 30, 2015 • Toby Henson
The Healing Ministry of the Church
September 13, 2015 • Toby Henson
1. Speak Truthfully (5:12) Healing requires believers to speak truthfully. "Speak truthfully" is not a license to say whatever is on your mind. It means that you are engaged in honest, real, transparent relationships. As believers, we are to search for the truth as a united body, loving, and caring for the needs of each member. 2. Pray Faithfully In times of trouble, Christians often fall victim to self-pity or anger. James directs Christians to pray rather than surrender to these wrong responses. James is quite clear that any form of suffering should lead us to pray. Prayer is to be our response in all situations of life. God delights to hear the prayers of his people and answer them, often in amazing ways. 3. Restore Lovingly (5:19-20) James describes a Christian who has strayed "from the truth" (5:19), one who has neglected his or her faith. This person is in need of spiritual restoration. Reconciliation with God can happen to anybody no matter how dark, broken, or twisted one's life may have become. God releases His power through prayer and loving ministry.
Mercy Triumphs
September 6, 2015 • Toby Henson
1. Be Patient (5:7) Patience requires waiting and enduring until the Lord takes action on our behalf. The problem is that we detest waiting. Is there as purpose in the Lord's delay? Always! We are to live with a positive, patient, eager anticipation in the Lord. 2. Stand Firm (5:8-9) The imperative "stand firm" could be literally translated "strengthen your hearts" (5:8). Trials are an opportunity to strengthen our faith. Our faith is strengthened as we: A. Stand Firm in Truth B. Stand Firm in Unity C. Stand Firm in Service 3. Be Amazed (5:10-11) There is an unseen battle raging over our heads. James uses Job as an example. The God who tested Job in the furnace of hardship finally brought him to an experience of "compassion and mercy" (5:11). This glorious reversal will be equally true of us. The final outcome will amaze us.
If the Lord Wills
August 16, 2015 • Toby Henson
1. Confess your dependence upon the Lord's will (4:13-14) All of human life is dependent upon God. We have all sorts of plans jotted on our calendars pertaining to tomorrow, next week, and next year, but they are all based on theory. God has the only day-timer based on certainty. 2. Know that the Lord's will for you is specific (4:15) We should qualify all of our plans and hopes with reference to the will of the Lord. This world is not a closed system; there is a spiritual realm that must be recognized. Know for certain that God's plan for your life is the best plan for your life. 3. Practice whole-hearted trust in the Lord's will (4:16-17) James accused his readers of boasting and bragging. Our boasting is to be in the Lord. James has told his readers what is right; if they now fail to do it, they are sinning. Only doing what is good can be whole-hearted trust in God. Living in God's perfect will guarantees perfect peace: "You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you" (Isaiah 26:3).