How Genuine Are You? - James 1:19-27

“You may be the only Bible some people ever read.” I have no idea who I am quoting or how many times I have heard this statement. I have studied the bible some and I have studied people a lot and feel secure in stating that this is indeed truism. We all have heard statements like—“I am as good as any of those hypocrites in that church.” Now, that may be true. If so, the messages that we are spreading are far from scriptural. You are the only one that can answer the inquirer made in the lesson topic for today. Take a moment to think about your answer. Just how genuine are you? I am trying to practice what I preach, and so I have just now stopped and asked myself “How genuine am I?” The answer scares me; but I must be honest with myself and admit that if I say I am without sin, then I am not truthful.

If you are the father or mother of one or more children, answer the question with great trepidations and that means for you to be caught up in a state of nervous apprehension. Have you set the right example? More important, have you in reality lived the example? The audience changes but the results are just as important if you are a minister, deacon, teacher, or just simply claim to be a Christian. Someone is reading the actions of your life and gaining a picture of how you look through your un-written or unpublished book of life.

There was a two inch snow on the ground one Christmas morning and the farmer {you} and your six-year-old son are both at the barn feeding the animals—but there is only one set of foot-prints in the new fallen snow; do you have any problem determining how your son reached the barn? Can you truthfully say, “I am really proud that my steps marked his way? It is sad for us to have to admit it but some of you may not be “proud that he is walking in your steps” There is only one solution. You will not change his mind about where he should be stepping so you will simply need to redirect your path way.

The last seven pastors that have ministered to me have had a doctorate degree from a Southern Baptist Seminary. The first ten pastors had little or no education past the high school level and one or two may have had les than the 12th grade diploma. I have chosen the three that have had the most influence on my life. Brother John Engle, my pastor at Judson Memorial Missionary Baptist Church, Des Arc, North side, married my wife and me. Brother Earnest Anderson, Elpaso, Arkansas, and pastor at Griffithville led me to the Lord and baptized me. Brother Walter Baker, pastor at Griffithville led me to become a deacon and conducted the ordination service. None of the three were Piled High in D’s—but they lived lives that set them apart and made me want to be like them. I believed them to be GENUINE. Are you? Am I? Only God knows for sure. We must “by faith” accept God’s promises as truth. I know that I am justified—saved, but must daily pray that sanctification is in progress.

Admittedly I do not remember a single sermon that either of these men preached. However, I remember distinctly the life they lived. Genuine knowledge of the Bible can never be measured by passing a test; by filling in the blanks correctly; instead it is measured one step at a time as you walk life’s pathway. Are you walking the high road? Are your shoes muddy and in need of a spiritual shine? Just HOW GENUINE ARE YOU? And, oh Lord, I need to know—what do others see in me? Am I a stumbling block or possibly a stepping stone? The penalty for failure in this matter is very severe. “It is better for us that we have a mill-stone tied about our necks and be cast into the sea than for us to mislead one of His little ones.”

Dr. Terry Ellis writes for Lifeway an arm of Southern Baptist literature. He was profound when he stated, “God’s word is unique among all literature in that it is the very breath of God Himself and seeks to do much more than impart information. Through His Word, God imparts life and helps us grow in Christ. Being a genuine Christian means much more than knowing the contents of the Bile. Genuine Christianity is a life formed by its message.”

The first thing James tells us in today’s lesson is that we should listen a lot louder than we speak. Perk your ears and listen quietly; bridle your tongue and talk only when it is meaningful and needed. When we talk too much and listen seldom or none, we are telling others that we think our ideas are more important than theirs. I believe that you can read the last half of the first chapter of James and understand what he means when he says that “Faith without works is dead.” He says that it is important to listen to what God’s word says to us—but it is much more import to obey the word. What profit is there in knowing what God teaches us to do—if we never attempt to do what He says we should do? Paul is my hero. I know he was a man after God’s heart—equal to or even greater than King David. Even though he was the greatest of all the disciples in proving by his works that he was approved by Christ—he too was led to admit that he did those things that he should not…and that he did not do things that he knew he should do.

Do you hear a hidden question here? I think I do. He is asking us what good is accomplished when we say we have great faith but never prove it by our works. “For by grace through faith we are saved”—yes that is true but if we never do anything to show forth our faith—did we ever experience a saving grace? When you observe your image in a mirror how do you know that it is you that you see? Watch and evaluate what you are doing in daily life. What you see can only be proven by what you do.

Members of this class meet regularly, and study the word of God. James now asks you this question. What good has been done? Has the quality or quantity of your works improved as a result of your growing faith? What has been profited if you have learned to do better but failed to do it? The obvious answer is nothing because the word teaches that anyone that knows to do good and fails to do it; to him it is a sin. We simply accept another of his great promises. He promised us that “if we would ask for forgiveness of our sin—he would forgive us.

When Common Sense Isn't Enough - James 1:2-18

I will start this study by giving you a few simple facts boiled down to super nuggets of wisdom that I have found scattered through several commentaries and the bible as I opened the study on the book of James. The first is listed as a blueprint for the study. Chapter 1: 1-27 gives us James’ definition of genuine religion. 2:1 to 3:12 explains genuine faith; and genuine wisdom is found in 3:13 to 5:20.

Jewish Christians have learned no lesson greater than how to withstand persecution. At the time of this lesson, the Roman Empire has declared political control over the Jewish nation and Jewish Christians have been scattered throughout the Mediterranean world because of persecution. In their hostile surroundings they were tempted to let intellectual agreement pass for true faith. This letter can have rich meaning for us as we are reminded that genuine faith transforms lives. We are encouraged to put out faith into action. It is easy to say we have faith, but true faith will produce loving actions toward others. [At this point James declares that faith without [works] [action] is dead.]

A simple chapter by chapter explanation of James looks like this……!

Chapter 1 Confident Stand What a Christian has

Chapter 2 Compassionate Service What a Christian does

Chapter 3 Careful Speech What a Christian says

Chapter 4 Contrite Submission What a Christians feels

Chapter 5 Concerned Sharing What a Christian gives

FIVE MEGATHEMES IN THIS BOOK AND THEIR IMPORTANCE

THEME EXPLANATION IMPORTANCE

Living Faith….James wants believers to hear Living faith makes a

the truth and do it. He contrasts difference. Make sure your

empty faith with faith that works. faith is more than just a

Commitment is evidence of true statement—it should also

Faith. Result in action.


Trials ….In the Christian life there are trials Don’t resent troubles. Pray

and temptations. Successfully over- for wisdom; God will supply

coming produces maturity and strong all your needs.

character.


Law of Love….We are saved by God’s mercy, Keeping the law of love

not by keeping the law. We must love our shows that our faith is neighbor as ourselves. vital and real


What would it have been like to have been in James shoes during his boyhood days? You talk about pier pressure; the Mary and Moses household must have been like the old time pressure cookers that were sometimes dangerous when overheated. I say this because I believe that James who wrote this book was the half-brother of Jesus Christ.


It would have been much easier for a novice like me to study about family relationships if everyone had at least two names like Paul Harvey, John Jones, Matthew Henry and James Garfield. This would have helped designate a certain family in to whom each one was born. I do not know the number of men known as Paul listed in the New Testament. Nether do I know the number of Matthews; but the two we know best are more prominent and cause no problems. The third name John is also prominent but requires us to be careful in writing about them so that proper reference is made. James is somewhat different. We know of four James boys, and feel pretty sure that the author of this book was James ‘The brother of Jesus.’


Four men named James appear in the New Testament. Two of these were James, the father of Judas {Luke 6: 16} and James, the son of Alphaeus {Mark 3: 18} are not well known, and little is said of them, therefore neither is likely the author of the book of James. James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John was a prominent leader among the apostles {Acts 2: 2} but he died an early death as a martyr before the book was written. This suggests that the most likely candidate among the New Testament Jameses for authorship is the half brother of our Lord {Mark 6:3l Acts 15: 23}.

James was a younger half brother of Jesus and the son of Mary and Joseph. His name appears first in a list of full brothers which indicates that he was the oldest of Jesus’ half-brothers. John tells us in 7: 5 that James did not believe his brother to be the Messiah during his ministry, and accepted Him only after his resurrection—and after receiving the Holly Spirit in the upper room. I will now renew the thought of being one of several boys who are half brothers to the Lord Jesus Christ who was the elder son in the house.

The author of this letter gives us practically no information about himself. He says that he is just “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” We also know that James and his brothers did not accept Jesus as lord until after his ministry on earth was over. We know that soon after the ascension James had gained a place of influence in the church in Jerusalem. Paul sought his help when he was in trouble because of his stand that Salvation was by grace through faith. James may have had a hard time as a youth, growing up in the family of Christ, always having to compare his life with the perfect one. But when the chips were down, he stood the test and even gave his life a martyr for his Brother.


Are you strengthened in the spirit when a challenge comes to you that really prove that you can withstand the temptations of the devil? James says that we should consider it pure joy; when we face trials of many kinds that really test our faith. Without a test now and then, how do we know that we can and will withstand the temptations of the devil?


One last great thought here before we close. Do not believe or even think that God tempts you in any way to do evil instead of good.. He may allow the devil to tempt you, but Christ does not tempt his children to do wrong. I am sorry that I can not be more positive about the devil and his actions. He is sly and cunning and continually looking for a way to mislead you into temptation and wrong.

Be Responsible - Galatians 6:1-18

What is your responsibility as a Christian? What is mine? Are they the same? Could there be a difference in the responsibility that two different Christians have to the Lord? As students attend school each day, each one is responsible for his assignments and is graded on his quality of work. You are attending your school of Christian work and God will grade you on how well you complete your assignments. Do you prefer God to grade you on “the curve” or individually? What I mean by the curve system is explained below so study it before you make up your mind.

Some school teachers grade all their students on what is called the bell curve; and it is a figure that looks something like the roof of a metal building or a rainbow which is divided into five parts. On the left of the curve and going up, 8% of the highest scores are listed as 100 to 92 and =A, excellent. From 91 to 80 is counted as a B, and considered above average. Students that are considered as average are those that finish the curve toward the top and the grade of 60 or one half or 60% of answers as correct. Below average and barely passing are those in the range of 59% down to a score of 42 %. Any score below 42 percent is considered as failing. In this context, each student is scored in relationship to the scores made by all students in the test group.

What I am asking you is this. Would you like to be compared to all other fellow Christians when Christ gives you your final score on how well you live your life for him while here on earth? Or, would you prefer Him to compare what you do to what you are capable of doing for him? In order to answer this question with any validity you must decide the questions. First, are you doing better or worse than others? Or are you doing more or less than you are really capable of doing? Now I am talking about works and not faith. There is no grade for faith. You either believe or you do not believe. You tell me, “I am Baptist, saved by faith, and so works don’t count.” Now I remind you that we will soon study the book of James who will tell you that your faith without works is dead; and I also remind you that there is no conflict between Paul’s teaching and the teaching of James. The scripture is clear; works always come as evidence of your faith.

I don’t know whether or not you realize it but we are no longer talking about salvation by grace that requires no works, but only faith. We are now talking about the person who has salvation locked up by grace through faith—but still has the great responsibility of obeying God, doing his will, and living by his precepts. You are now a Christian, saved by grace and cannot be lost for any reason, BUT, what kind of grade are you making in the school of life? The title of this lesson today is BE RESPONSIBLE. And I am asking you just HOW RESPONSIBLE ARE YOU? How secure do you feel? Are you ready to take the test? That is are you ready to stand before God in the Judgment? I really do not know why I ask you if you wanted Him to grade you on the curve—because you do not have a choice. You and I will be judged as individuals according to how well we do with what we have to do with…HOW RESPONSIBLE ARE WE?
I know John Vandiver better than I know any of you, and so I will use him as the example of Christian that I personally worry about. I have read and studied the Bible until I feel comfortable that I recognize overt sin that confronts me. I have reached the place in my Christian life that I am able to say, “Get behind me Satan, leave me alone, I will not live my life with, in or for you;” and I have few problems dealing with him as he deserves. However, I am sometimes tired, sleepy, weak, and worn-out or just plain lazy and I realize that there is a task that needs to be done for Christ, but I fail to respond to the task. Then there are times that opportunities present themselves in such a way that I do not recognize it when it appears. I really do have problems distinguishing between problems and opportunities. I am afraid that if my heaviest load of sin is one of commission, I will bee in deep trouble. My problem will more likely be one of omission; some intended; which means that I recognized the opportunity do something that needed to be done, and did not do it. However, I believe that the most of my sins are unintended on my part. I just do not react instantaneously to problems of need; for some reason I seem to see them later, after my opportunity to react has past by. My prayer to God is that He will be able to place this failure into a category that lays less blame to the sinner.

Doing good to all the people concerned is an example of works. Helping others who are in need is works. Read Chapter 6: 1-18 and get a glimpse of what it means to do good to all.

“My brothers if someone is caught in any kind of wrongdoing [SIN], those of you who are spiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way.” Now let me warn you that you had better keep your eyes open and your prayer-life strong so that the same sin your brother has committed will not overtake you. The devil will use situations like this to tempt you to fall into sin. Remember well, this same fault may be yours to bear some day and you will need to call on others for assistance.

No Christian should ever feel so independent that they never need help from others in the faith, and no one should ever feel that they have been excused from helping others who need help. The church is the body of Christ on earth and it only functions when the members work together for the common good. Do you know someone who needs help? Is the need one of instruction? What about correction? Or is the need simply for encouragement? Read John 13: 24-25

When you do your very best, you feel good about the results. There is never any need to compare yourself with others. People make comparisons for many reasons. Some point out others’ flaws in order to feel better about themselves. Others are searching for reassurance that they are doing well. When you are tempted to compare, look at Jesus Christ and compare yourself to him for he is the only good example that is worth using. And his loving acceptance will always comfort you when you fall short of your own expectations. Remember what I said about Christ grading us on the bell-curve? You are grading yourself on the bell-curve if you are comparing your actions to those of your friends. And I believe that by now you are beginning to understand why we do not want Christ to use the bell-curve to evaluate us. We need his mercy and not justice.

Man, I really like the sixth verse! I will quote it for you from the “GOOD NEWS FOR MODEREN MAN Bible. “The people in this class who are being taught the Christian message should share all the good things he or she has with John Vandiver, Heber Springs, Arkansas.” Ok, I know the Bible tells me not to add or take away one “jot” or “tittle” and I have sinned and added the teacher’s name. Just never take my word without question…always check God’s word and see if I am misleading you. Read the sixth verse in your Bible and see what it really says. This subject is also addressed in 1 Timothy, 5: 17 -18.

We have come to the most profound message in the Bible regarding the position “works” has in the life of a Christian. It is another great teaching following verse six. “Do not deceive yourselves; no one makes a fool of God. A man will reap exactly what he plants. If he plants in the field of his natural desires, from it he will gather the harvest of death; if he plants in the field of the Spirit, from the Spirit he will gather the harvest of eternal life. So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest. So then, as often as we have the chance, we should do good to everyone, but especially to those who belong to our family in the faith.” {Good News Bible}

I sometimes wonder why people will defy nature and expect to win. It is “the law of nature”—God’s law of the harvest and it will never fail. You can not plant seed corn and reap watermelons; or tomato seed and gather pepper. This is so simple that people with weak minds can understand. This law applies to other areas of our lives…YOU WILL REAP WHAT YOU SOW. Every action has a guaranteed result. Gossip about your friends and you will loose your friends. Plant to reap only your own desires and you will reap a crop of evil and sorrow. If you plant to please God, you will reap joy and everlasting life. What kind of seeds are you sowing?

I attended the first deacon retreat held after Bro. J.R. arrived as our pastor. The study material contained a survey that asked each deacon to predict the growth of the church over the coming years. I remember with sadness that my prediction was for us to grow until we would realize a weekly attendance of 1000 or more in Sunday Morning church services. I have been and still am very discouraged that the numbers did not materialize. I am happy to say that the quality of our spiritual experiences together has surely improved. It is so wonderful to experience business meetings that are conducted without strife, bickering, and open conflict.

It is discouraging though when we try week after week to do right and receive no word of thanks or see tangible results. Paul challenged the Galatians and he challenges us to keep on doing “good works” and then trust God for the results. We must believe—in due time we will reap a harvest of blessings. It may not come in the numbers that I had hoped for in this church—but it will and has come in spiritual strength, and especially in the missionary outreach of this church. And if we remain faithful, it will come in numbers of new Christian members.

Some of the time Paul used a scribe to do his writing as he dictated, at other times he actually wrote to us in his own hand. It is obvious that the remainder of this chapter, starting with verse eleven was written by Paul in person. He must have increased the size of the print being used so that it would be obvious that he was emphasizing what he was telling them. As you read this listen carefully to the tone in his voice. It is pretty obvious that he has reached the end of his patients with his critics.

“See what big letters I make as I write to you now with my own hand! Those who want to show off and brag about external matters are the ones who are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do it, however, openly that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even those who practice circumcision do not obey the law; they want you to be circumcised so they can boast that you submitted to this physical ceremony. As for me, however, I will boast only of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ; for by means of his cross the world is dead to me, and I am dead to the world. It does not matter at all whether or not one is circumcised. What does matter is being a new creature.”

Follow the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-26

During my life as an educator I have moved several times and as a result have belonged to six different Southern Baptist churches ranging in memberships of one hundred to two thousand; and with average attendance from approximately fifty to eleven hundred. As I think about these churches where I have worshipped, several people from each church stand out in some kind of special way. At the same time there are hundreds of members that I do not even remember. I realize that my forgetfulness is the major problem here, but I also will remind those that I do not remember that they may have been the reason they are not remembered.
As I continue to think about my personal roll call of the faithful, I realize they came from different educational and economic levels or backgrounds. Since I have been a member of the First Baptist Church in Heber Springs, Arkansas for the last 34+ years, it is only natural and expected that many of these great Christians are my Heber friends. Not one of them would have thought he or she was an especially inspiring role model of faith. NOTE: {I MAY BE TALKING ABOUT YOU, SO LISTEN…}. What was the common characteristic that led them to their remarkable lives?
In light of this lesson, I believe that the common characteristic is the fact that each one has chosen to follow the Spirit’s leadership as a way of life. Instead of a self-directed life, that inevitably leads to frustration, these inspiring role models chose to follow and be led by God’s Spirit.
I hope you remember that Christ told his disciples and other followers just before he ascended into heaven following his resurrection that He would not leave them alone and without help. He said, “I will send you the Holy Spirit who will comfort you and instruct you” therefore we do not have to worry about being alone without help. The great leaders, the outstanding members of our churches today listen to the teaching of the Holy Spirit and follow the instructions they receive. These instructions do not come unless you keep your eyes and heart on God’s word.
The first five chapters in Galatians deal almost inclusively with the two exclusive ways of attempting to be righteous before God—the law and Grace. First, the law cannot make a person righteous, but there are still many that try to follow it because “good works” plays on human pride and builds our egos. If we are a doer of “good works” it can deceive us into thinking we are better than we are, and most of us like to do that. Just as it was with the Jews, the way of the law produces a combination of pride, arrogance, frustration and doubt. The second way under the new covenant is of grace through faith in Christ. Remember that our salvation is not free—Christ paid the price—but thanks are unto God, OUR ACCESS TO GRACE IS FREE JUST FOR THE ASKING.
What have you done as an individual with the freedom to this access? Have you through your faith requested this personal access? Once granted this perfect freedom do you use it as an excuse to engage in unrighteous behavior? Paul said, “Absolutely not”. The honest and sincere will acknowledge that the freedom brought with it a responsibility to draw close to Jesus and begin to imitate Him.
Do you remember that Paul once said that he did what he should not and failed to do what he should? Look at 5: 16-18. If your sinful desires are being gratified then you know that you are not living by the Spirit. Look! Listen! “For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Pick up the Sunday newspaper and read the head lines and you will find examples of the sinful nature of man in 2009. The list given in verses 19-21 will exist and be covered as a new article in just about any paper. The shocking thing about the articles you read is that many of them will give you examples of ways that people are living today as acceptable and in some case very desirable life styles.
Now use the same paper and try to find an article of any kind that will express the fruit of the Spirit. There may be a few examples but you can feel very fortunate if you find half as many as you find of about man’s sinful nature. Verse 22 describes a tree with a different desirable fruit hanging from each limb. You should read them slowly and think about your desires to have these qualities in your life. IF YOU DESIRE TO HAVE THE QUALITIES LISTED AS ‘Fruit of the Spirit’, THEN YOU KNOW THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS LEADING YOU.
How can you know that you are FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT? The process will employ at least three aspects. 1. Do you desire to hear what God has to say to you personally? Watch out! Don’t get caught with the wrong answer. Well, if you are a Christian then your answer should be YES. But if you answer me with a “yes” I will ask you how often you study your Bible with the intention of allowing God to talk to you? Is it often enough for you to prove to others that you really have a desire to hear what God has to say to you?
Following the spirit requires a 2nd aspect—are you ready and willing to obey God’s word? Are you obedient? Do you tithe your income?
No. 3, do you have the sensitivity to discern between your feelings and what God has told you to do. In other words—do you hear him speak and know what he says, but you just do not ‘feel like’ he really is talking to you, but this is for someone else?
Put all these three aspects together and you will live each day controlled and guided by the Holy Spirit.
Paul described the two forces that are conflicting within us. They are the Holy Spirit and the sinful nature. Man is equipped with physical mind that thrives on evil desires and it will take over control of your actions if it is allowed to run loose without spiritual instructions. First we must want to control these evil desires, and when we are sincere in wanting to control—then the Holy Spirit will step in and help. The Holy Spirit is infinitely stronger than we are—but He has no power at all until He is invited to help us in our control.
We all [lost sinner and saved sinner] have evil desires and we must not try to ignore them. We must recognize them and deal with them decisively. The Bible teaches that we must put Satan behind us; grind his head with our heal; and that we must get rid of our sin; crucify it—that is put it to death as on the cross. Verse 24 says “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passion and desires.” This does not mean that you will forget the evil desires that have always been with you, but it does mean that you can not continue to practice the fulfillment of the evil desire. How can you know YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE SPIRIT?
Ask yourself; “Is this the path that Jesus would follow.” Must be Yes.