Are You Feeling Loved?

A sermon for today

Are You Feeling Loved?

What is love?

A1 Most people want love, feel loved, and give love to others. Yet, do we love? Do we love our spouse? Do they know that? Do they feel loved? Do you love your children? Do they feel loved? Do you love your parents, your brothers, your sisters, your fellow Christian?

A2 Most people do not feel loved

B1 Loneliness is a growing problem.

B2 In the 2018 Cigna USA Loneliness Survey,

C1 Nearly half of Americans report sometimes or always feeling alone (46 percent) or left out (47 percent).

C2 One in four Americans (27 percent) rarely or never feel as though there are people who really understand them.

C3 Two in five Americans sometimes or always feel that their relationships are not meaningful (43 percent) and that they are isolated from others (43 percent).

C4 One in five people report they rarely or never feel close to people (20 percent) or feel like there are people they can talk to (18 percent).

C5 Americans who live with others are less likely to be lonely (average loneliness score of 43.5) compared to those who live alone (46.4). However, this does not apply to single parents/guardians (average loneliness score of 48.2) – even though they live with children, they are more likely to be lonely.

C6 Only around half of Americans (53 percent) have meaningful in-person social interactions, such as having an extended conversation with a friend or spending quality time with family, on a daily basis.

C7 Generation Z (adults ages 18-22) is the loneliest generation and claims to be in worse health than older generations.

B3 The Bible addresses this, too.

C1 Matthew 24:12 GNB Such will be the spread of evil that many people's love will grow cold.

C2 Romans 12:9 WEB Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.

C3 1 John 3:18 WEB My little children, let’s not love in word only, neither with the tongue only, but in deed and truth.

A3 What is love?

B1 It is a choice. It is a choosing that I will treat someone special.

C1 Some choose to make the choice to love money and wealth: Luke 16:13 WEL "No household servant can serve two masters, for he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and Mammon." Even though love of money is A root of evil: 1 Timothy 6:9-10 WEL Those who determine to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and into many foolish and harmful cravings, which drown men in destruction and eternal ruin. 10 For the love of money is a root of all evil, which some, longing for, strayed from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

C2 Some choose to love power: 3 John 1:9 WEB I wrote to the assembly, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, doesn’t accept what we say.

C3 Some choose to love this world, its pleasures, its lusts: 1 John 2:15-17 WEB Don’t love the world, neither the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the Father’s love isn’t in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. The world is passing away with its lusts, but he who does God’s will remains forever.

C4 Some choose to supremely love themself: 1 Timothy 3:2-5 WEL For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, braggers, arrogant, users of abusive language, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, impossible to please, false accusers, unable to control themselves, fierce, despising those who are good, 4 Traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 Having an appearance of godliness but having spurned its power.

C5 What we are to love: Luke 10:27-28 GNB92 The man answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind’; and ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’” “You are right,” Jesus replied; “do this and you will live.”

B2 Love’s actions are listed in the Bible. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a WEL Love is very patient and kind; love is not envious; love doesn't brag about itself, is not haughty, 5 Doesn't behave improperly, is not self-seeking; love isn't easily aggravated, doesn’t keep a list of wrongs, 6 Doesn't rejoice in injustice, but rejoices with the truth, 7 Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends.

B3 We choose to do these things.

B4 Choices have consequences: Proverbs 1:26-29 GW I will laugh at your calamity. I will make fun of you when panic strikes you, 27 when panic strikes you like a violent storm, when calamity strikes you like a windstorm, when trouble and anguish come to you. 28 "They will call to me at that time, but I will not answer. They will look for me, but they will not find me, 29 because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD.

A4 4 Greek words for love

B1 ἀγαπάω agapaō which refers to love is a choice. It is the deepest love. This is the love we are talking about today.

C1 John 3:16 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

C2 Matthew 5:43-44 NRSV You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' (44) But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

C3 2 Timothy 4:10 NRSV For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

B2 φιλέω phileō which refers to brotherly love, that is, the love of friends. It is a personal attachment to something (Strong’s Lexicon) and affection. Thus, it is possible to love your spouse as agapaō and phileō.

C1 John 5:20 NRSV The Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing; and he will show him greater works than these, so that you will be astonished.

C2 John 12:25 NRSV Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

C3 1 Corinthians 16:22 NRSV Let anyone be accursed who has no love for the Lord. Our Lord, come!

B3 ἔρως érōs is sexual, passionate, physical love, even infatuation. This word is not in the Bible.

B4 στέργω stergo which is to cherish. It is used in the negative use 2 times in the New Testament (ἄστοργος astorgos).

C1 Romans 1:31 NKJV Undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful. Another translation: Romans 1:31 GW Don't have any sense, don't keep promises, and don't show love to their own families or mercy to others.

C2 2 Timothy 3:3 NKJV Unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good. Another translation: 2 Timothy 3:3 GW And lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good.

A5 Some pointers, think about it.

B1 Turn media off, put the phone down, take the earbuds out.

B2 Turn your eyes, ears, and attention to your spouse. Her opinion is most likely better than yours.

B3 Your wife does NOT need a strong hand to lead her. Just. Stop. That. Kind. Of Thinking.

B4 Listen to her. This is not just looking at her and making mocking expressions pretending to listen. LISTEN!

B5 When you ask a question, wait for an answer. WAIT! In a study with teachers it was found that those who wait at least 3 seconds for an answer improved students attitude. (Source)

B6 There IS A DIFFERENCE between talking TO and talking WITH your child, your spouse, your parent, your brother, your sister, your neighbor.

B7 If you see something that needs to be done, do it. If you see your wife busy and the dishes need washing, wash, dry, and put them away.

B8 Your wife drinks coffee in the morning? Get her cup out for her.

B9 SHOW compassion!

B10 If you are a boss, a manager, a supervisor, do the same for your employees.

B11 If you are an employee, do the same, do the same for your boss.

B12 You can be kind and SHOW you love your wife.

B13 Show love every possible time to glorify God.

B14 As much as possible live in peace with all people.

B15 You will fail at times, but God gives grace.

B16 Memorize 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a and practice doing these things every single day in public and private.

Copyright © 2018 by Len Gane All rights reserved.

James 4

B1 James 4:1-10 An illustration of worldly attitude in believers

C1 Marks of worldliness

D1 Arguments and fights

E1 Due to evil attitudes

E2 Due to lust

D2 The lust leads to murder. J. Warner Wallace has written that murder is from only 3 causes—financial greed, sexual lust, and/or desire for power (control). (One source of many).

D3 Covetousness: wanting what is pleasurable to us.

D4 Impure motives in prayer

E1 Our motive can be to glorify God

F1 This is good

F2 1 Corinthians 10:31 WPNT Therefore, whether you eat or you drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

F3 It benefits others as a witness and testimony for the Gospel. Matthew 5:16 NRSV In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

F4 Moses is one example among many of putting God first: Hebrews 11:24-25 NRSV By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

E2 Our motive can be to glorify us

F1 Is following demonic desires. James 3:14-16 WPNT But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth— such ‘wisdom’ is not coming down from Above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. Because where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is unruliness and every foul practice.

F2 Yields no good fruit: Luke 8:14 MKJV And those which fell among thorns are the ones who, when they have heard, go forth and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of life, and do not bear to maturity.

F3 Life is not a joke; it is to be serious: Ecclesiastes 7:4 MKJV The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of laughter. People need to laugh and enjoy each other, but if a person’s life is only for selfish pleasure, that person is a fool.

F4 There is no satisfaction with things: Ecclesiastes 5:10 HCSB The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.

F5 There is only satisfaction in God: Philippians 4:19-20 NRSV And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

D5 Friend of the world

E1 This would be a friend of the world’s thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

E2 It is of the devil. John 8:44 "You are of [your] father, the devil, and you want to do the lusts of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he tells [it] from himself, because he is a liar and the father of it.

E3 We were delivered from this, when we believed and put our trust into Messiah Jesus. Romans 5:10 NKJV For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Are we going to become an ENEMY of God again?

E4 The grief of Christians when one turns from God’s ways: Philippians 3:17-19 NKJV Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

C2 The cure is to have thoughts, desires, words, and deeds that align with the desires of the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:16-17 NRSV Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.

D1 Living by the Spirit is not listening to some disembodied voice, a burning in your bosom, or a tingling in your leg.

D2 Do not follow your heart, because Jeremiah 17:9 WEB The heart is deceitful above all things and it is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it?

D3 A true believer will want to live life God’s way.

D4 Humility before God

E1 Why does God hate pride? Pride proclaims itself. Pride believes it is good, when it is evil. It is the opposite of God’s character and His ways.

E2 Proverbs 16:5 NASB Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

E3 1 John 2:16 NLT - For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

E4 God exalts. Our pride condemns and is debased. James 4:10 NLT - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

D5 Resisting the devil

E1 The word resist in Greek is different in verse 6 from verse 7.

E2 In James 4:6, God is arranged in battle against the proud. He resists. All know that God always wins.

E3 In James 4:7, is also stand against but it is not to fight. It is God’s grace that helps us. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

D6 Drawing near to God

E1 This is an active drawing, not passive. Many wish for the so called deeper life of contemplation, but contemplation is passive. God wants us to be active, or we will be devoured and deceived.

F1 1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

F2 Matthew 24:42-44 GW Therefore, be alert, because you don't know on what day your Lord will return. 43 You realize that if a homeowner had known at what time of the night a thief was coming, he would have stayed awake. He would not have let the thief break into his house. 44 Therefore, you, too, must be ready because the Son of Man will return when you least expect him.

B2 Judging James 4:11-12

C1 Unrighteous judgment is to judge by appearance, and then to slander them.

C2 Righteous judgment is to judge by the book—the Bible

D1 False doctrine

D2 Sin

B3 In God's will James 4:13-17 An example of pride

C1 We must be aware that God controls the future. We must have the attitude in prayer, “God your will be done.”

C2 Shows submission and acceptance of God's will

C3 A warning and definition of sin: James 4:17 NLT - Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

B4 Applications

C1 God disapproves of pride. God approves of humbleness.

C2 We can serve God and His ways, or we serve the devil and his ways.

C3 God gives the grace to resist the devil. We have the armor of God to help us.

C4 Be careful what we say and think.

C5 Accept God’s will.

James 3

A3 Chapter 3

B1 Teachers

C1 This is teachers who teach the Christian faith.

C2 They must know the Gospel, Christian doctrine, and the Christian life.

C3 If a teacher teaches falsehood, God will judge.

C4 We should be careful to know the truth.

C5 We must interpret the Bible, read the Bible, and study the Bible in its plain, normal sense.

B2 Speech James 3:1-12

C1 What we say can be very dangerous. Our tongue cannot be tamed.

C2 The perfect man is one who is a mature Christian.

D1 Perfect has the sense of complete.

D2 In this case, complete in holiness in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

D3 Verses

E1 Matthew 5:48 CSB - Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

E2 1 John 4:18 CSB - There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.

C3 The Lord Jesus is the only one who is sinless and perfect..

C4 Some things:

D1 Lying VS truth

D2 Verbal abuse VS encouragement

D3 Foolishness VS wisdom

D4 Babbling VS quiet

B3 The life that the Lord Jesus wants of us is a life of wisdom towards others. James 3:13

C1 Words and self opinions may be OK.

C2 The truth is seen in actions, not just words.

C3 The Lord Jesus lived as He preached. Hebrews 13:8 CSB - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

B4 Four things that we are NOT to have James 3:14

C1 Bitter envy The word has to do with zeal, a hot, angry jealousy, emotional passion for something. Our zeal must be for God and His ways, not for us and our ways. Notice that this and selfish ambition are a heart issue: Matthew 15:19 GNB For from your heart come the evil ideas which lead you to kill, commit adultery, and do other immoral things; to rob, lie, and slander others.

C2 Selfish ambition The Greek word implies a politician running for office making statements to get elected. These appear to be promises and truth but are not.

C3 Bragging which has the idea of having something, say an ability or talent, and shamelessly bragging about it. This bragging and lying is to oppose, negate, and hinder truth. It is implying that what I believe is truth rather than truth (reality).

C4 Lie against the truth An example of this is Paul: Acts 26:8-9 CSB - "Why do any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? "In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

B5 Different kinds of wisdom James 3:15-18

C1 Worldly wisdom James 3:15-16

D1 This is the type of wisdom, philosophy, debate, argument, science, etc. against truth, especially the Christian faith. Some have left the faith from this “scholars.” 1 Timothy 6:20-21 NASB - O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"-- which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.

D2 Labeled as earthly, sensual, devilish.

D3 Leads to

E1 Disorder

E2 Every type of evil

D4 This wisdom is foolish: 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 NKJV - Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.

C2 Godly wisdom James 3:17-18

D1 Facts, that is, based on God’s standards, truth, reality, and what is most reasonable. All these are in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

E1 God gives this wisdom: Proverbs 2:6 CSB - For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

E2 We need to ask from God: James 1:5 CSB - Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

D2 We can read and study wisdom—The Bible

C3 Table of 2 sources of wisdom

Wisdom Not From Above	Wisdom From Above
Earthly	Spiritual
Impure	Pure
Bitter jealousy	Peaceful
Selfish ambition	Gentle
Bragging	Compassionate
Lying against the truth	Reasonable
Sensual	Merciful
Selfish ambition	Produces good results (in the things we do)
Demonic	No prejudice
Confusion	No hypocrisy
Evil deeds and actions	Righteous

B6 Application

C1 We need to be careful what we teach.

C2 The Bible is the only source of 100% truth.

C3 We need to pray for God’s help so we can watch what we say.

C4 We need God’s wisdom, so we ask and study the Bible and apologetics as Cold Case Christianity.

Sermon Outline James 2

B1 James 2:1-9 Unbiased: rich VS poor

C1 The Glory. James 2:1 is literally: James 2:1 WEL My brothers, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Glory, with partiality.

D1 The Glory refers to the Shekinah Glory of God.

D2 Verses:

E1 Romans 9:4 WPNT ...the Israelites. To them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises.

E2 2 Corinthians 4:6 WPNT because the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness is He who shined in our hearts to give the light that comes from the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

E3 Hebrews 1:3 WPNT who being the projection of His glory and the very image of His essence, and sustaining all things by the expression of His[S]  own power, when He had by Himself provided purification for our sins He sat down on the highest Majesty’s right.

D3 Commentaries:

E1 Robertson’s Word Pictures: The Lord of Glory (tēs doxēs). Simply “the Glory.” No word for “Lord” (kuriou) in the Greek text. Tēs doxēs clearly in apposition with tou kuriou Iēsou Christou. James thus terms “our Lord Jesus Christ” the Shekinah Glory of God.

E2 Cambridge Greek:  In the LXX. δόξα is used of the Shekinah or glorious manifestation of Jehovah in the tabernacle, e.g. καὶ δόξης Κυρίου ἐπλήσθη ἡ σκηνή, Exo 40:35—a signification closely connected with the use of the word by St John. (Exodus 40:35 Brenton  And Moses was not able to enter into the tabernacle of testimony, because the cloud overshadowed it, and the tabernacle was filled with the glory of the Lord).

D4 For all the ultimate riches of Messiah, He choose to be poor for our sakes. 2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

D5 We are to treat all people the same, especially believers. 1 Timothy 5:21 WEB I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

C2 James 2:8 NRSV  You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

D1 If I am partial, bias, etc., then I break God’s law.

D2 Leviticus 19:33-34 GW  "Never mistreat a foreigner living in your land.  34 Foreigners living among you will be like your own people. Love them as you love yourself, because you were foreigners living in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

D3 Ezekiel 47:22-23 GNB  it is to be your permanent possession. The foreigners who are living among you and who have had children born here are also to receive their share of the land when you divide it. They are to be treated like full Israelite citizens and are to draw lots for shares of the land along with the tribes of Israel.  23 All foreign residents will receive their share with the people of the tribe among whom they are living. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken.

C2 Comment: Injustice (one gets different treatment, then another) is a sin (a transgression).

D1 The Lord Jesus experienced it: Matthew 26:59-61 WEB Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;  and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward,  and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

D2 The people of Israel did it in Jeremiah’s life: Jeremiah 6:13 WEB For from their least even to their greatest, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.

D3 Cheat people (especially foreigners, etc.): Proverbs 11:1 GNB  The LORD hates people who use dishonest scales. He is happy with honest weights.

D4 Liars (especially to foreigners, etc.): Proverbs 12:22 GNB  The LORD hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.

D5 God hates it and will condemn those who do: Deuteronomy 16:18-20 GNB  "Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the LORD your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially.  19 They are not to be unjust or show partiality in their judgments; and they are not to accept bribes, for gifts blind the eyes even of wise and honest men, and cause them to give wrong decisions.  20 Always be fair and just, so that you will occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you and so that you will continue to live there.

D6 We must not do this.

B2 James 2:10-13 Keeping the Law (the Law of Moses)

C1 Breaking of one point of the law makes one guilty. A person could keep the Ten Commandments perfectly except lied just one time in their life, but this makes them guilty.

C2 The 10 Commandments are a summary of God’s Law. Each of the 10 are a set with many subsets. The 9th commandment—You must not bear false witness—includes every type of lie. It includes deception, deceiving weights, half truths, white lies, lying before a judge, hypocrisy, etc.

C3 People can break God’s law in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C4 If we only break God’s law 5 times a day, it will be 1,825 violations a year. Over 10 years, it amounts to 18,250. There will be 91,250 violations of God’s law over 50 years. Breaking laws must be punished.

C5 Law that sets us free is the Gospel.

C6 The importance of mercy. Mercy is showing kindness when no kindness is deserved. Do you know anyone who is not kind? Today there are too many. If someone’s life is not in kindness, they will receive no mercy from God.

B3 James  2:14-17 What we say is not good enough. What we do shows the truth of what we say. It's the fruit stupid.

C1 Comment: Faith alone does not save = a belief in the truth, but it has no change in life or actions.

C2 There is a difference between what one says, writes, preaches, publishes, etc.. and what they do, support, think.

C3 There is a difference between what one does publically and does privately.

C4 Works do not save or forgive sins. There is no balance of doing more good than evil.

C5 Works show one’s beliefs.

C6 Then James gives 2 examples.

C7 This is not the social gospel, that is, social justice.

D1 God demands and acts by justice, not social justice.

D2 People love the man Jesus who healed all, feed all, and helped all.

D3 People hate the God Jesus who shined the light and exposed their evil.

B4 James 2:18-25 Faith, that is, believing something in and of itself will not save.

C1 The devils (demons) believe, but what they do shows their evil heart.

C2 A person's life will show more of what they are, then what they say they believe.

C3 Two examples: Abraham and Rehab

B5 Applications

C1 Be the same in public as you are in private.

C2 Without the Gospel of Messiah Jesus all will go to hell.

C3 Works do not save, they show the change, the trust, the repentance.

C4 Imitate those who lived a godly life before us as Abraham and Rehab.

Sermon Outline James Chapter 1

I won't be teaching Sunday School for awhile, because I resigned from teaching, so I thought I would post some sermon outlines I have done over the years.

The Epistle of James will be looked at for a few weeks.

A1 Chapter 1

B1 Introduction

C1 Self-description

D1 Servant of God

D2 Servant of Lord Jesus Christ

C2 Writing to the 12 tribes of Israel (the Christian, believing Jews, but it is applicable to all of us)

B2 Testing/Temptation (these are the trials of the Christian faith; but it may refer to the solicitation to sin, which is a trial)

C1 Attitude in: Joy

D1 Joy = cheerfulness, calmly happy

E1 An opportunity to see firsthand God's help in trouble

E2 Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience.

D3 This world/life is one of trouble, for the world is cursed because of sin.

D4 Testing/Temptation comes in many different forms

E1 Spiritual temptation: to deny Christ, to make someone bitter and blame God, etc.

E2 Emotional: to depression, to be lead astray by "voices" (in reality, demonic influence), false guilt, recurring bad memories

E3 Physical: to seek pleasure, appetites, food, sleep, sex, money

E4 The three most popular gods in the world: Honors, Riches, and Pleasures

D4 References:

E1 Matthew 5:11 HCSB You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me.

F1 Comment: This is a temptation to leave the faith and deny Christ.

F2 Three persecutions mentioned:

G1 Insult

G2 Persecute, which may be verbal, financial, economic (as in our occupation), physical, spiritual, emotional, etc. or all the above

G3 Lie in every form it might be possible to lie

F3 These come against us because we are Christians

E2 1 Peter 1:6-7 GNB92 Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed.

F1 Comment: The results and rewards are when Jesus returns.

F2 This type of testing is not good to experience but does reveal if our commitment is genuine. Remember persecution is not just physical.

C2 James 1:2 Works Patience

D1 Happily awaiting deliverance, thus a test of faith. This is a showing of faith and hope. Faith = "God will deliver me." Hope = "I hope it will be today."

D2 Don't get in a hurry.

D3 God has a purpose waiting for God’s deliverance: James 1:4 WPNT but let that endurance have a complete work, so that you may be perfect and complete, falling short in nothing.

D4 God’s grace is always sufficient to endure: 2 Corinthians 12:9 NRSV but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

C3 James 1:5 Wisdom: lack wisdom; don't know what to do; unsure of everything? Pray for wisdom. God will not belittle us for asking. There are no stupid questions. If we need to ask God for wisdom 100 times a day, it will not make God angry.

C4 James 1:6-8 Prayer

D1 In faith (God can do this)

D2 We cannot manipulate God with a formula, self abasement, etc.

D3 Don’t doubt.

D4 There is no guarantee to answered prayer. 1 John 5:14 NKJV Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

D5 Asking for wisdom is pleasing to God. He is the source of wisdom. Colossians 2:2-3 NKJV that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

C5 James 1:9-11 Be glad if you're poor

D1 Riches can disappear quickly.

D2 Don't put your trust in riches.

D3 This is a temptation, for we should put our trust in God, himself.

C6 James 1:12 A reward for endurance: the crown of life.

D1 There are two different crowns mentioned in New Testament Greek

E1 The first is στεφανος, stephanos which is similar to a trophy. It is given for victory or efficient service. In our case for the Christian life. This is word used in James 1:12.

E2 The second is διάδημα diadema and is a crown signifying the right and authority to rule. Thus, a king or queen would wear a diadem. This is the word used in Revelation 12:3, 13:1, and 19:12.

D2 The Crown of Life is specific for endurance, steadfastness, faithfulness in persecution of any sort. It is also in Revelation 2:10.

C7 James 1:13-15 God does not tempt people.

D1 The principle of sin is in us.

D2 That principle is "Everything is for my comfort and pleasure." This is happiness, not joy. Happiness is not a fruit of the Spirit, joy is.

D3 The cure

E1 Repent and trust in the Lord Jesus who suffered for our sins and paid our penalty

E2 Humility: God help me

E3 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

C8 James 1:20 Our anger does not do the will of God.

D1 Anger often comes from bitterness from injustice

D2 We seek revenge. Vengeance is up to God.

D3 Need to forgive

E1 Forgiveness does not mean that God lets them off the hook

E2 It means to turn the person, situation, to God to deal with it

F1 That person may repent

F2 You can have peace and rest

C9 James 1:21 Stop sinning. (God help us).

D1 The word "lay apart" means put or lay aside and leave it.

D2 Place yourself under God’s authority, that is, God's way is the right way. I will do this with the help of God.

D3 Engrafted is to place into or plant, which might mean the Gospel, so it brings salvation, but it could also mean a remembering of a Bible verse applicable to the present situation, which if we obey, we will be delivered.

D4 Another version James 1:21 GNB So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you.

E1 God implants a verse from the Bible in our mind. "Ah, that verse—O yes, I remember."

E2 We obey that Bible verse (with discernment).

E3 We will have deliverance.

C10 James 1:22-25, If only a hearer of the Bible, then it is nothing. It is the doer who is doing the will of God. Words are cheap; actions speak louder than words.

C11 James 1:23-27 One test of a true Christian

D1 Mouth control

D2 Visiting the needy, the fatherless and the widow.

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