James 6 Right Attitudes Series

Series: James – Let’s do it!

Thesis of Book: The message of the book is “Let’s do it – live the faith – put it into action! The half-brother of Jesus is speaking to the scattered Jewish Christians across the nations – they were scattered right after Stephen was killed. James tells these Christians and us today “You have to do more than just talk about your faith - you have to put your faith to work for the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.” In other words, what you do with your faith matters in the here and now and in eternity so put it into action! Faith with no deeds is dead!

Key verse of book: James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Summary of lessons from Chapter 1- We put faith into action when:

…We persevere through the trials and grief of life and in the midst of it get His inner joy and peace.

…We control the pressure moments of life with faith and not anger and in the process find freedom in the Spirit.

…We listen and do to be what God has called us to be and do.

Summary of lessons from Chapter 2 – We put faith into action when:

…We choose to fight against favoritism, prejudice mindsets and discrimination.

…We love, accept and forgive others.

Summary of lesson from Chapter 3 - We put faith into action when:

…We understand that our tongues wield supernatural power and if we do not keep them tamed-bridled and under control they will lead our lives right into a firestorm.

…We listen to God on how to deal with things in life correctly.

…We receive God’s wisdom from above and then put it into action by not being polluted by the world.

…We discern today which wisdom has taken root in our lives. The truth is we are adhering to one or the other.

…We allow wisdom from above to direct our life.

Summary of lessons from James 4 and part of chapter 5 – We put faith into action when:

…We stop the arguments, the fights, the division, the judgments and the self-centered mindsets!

…We submit to God in humility and embrace His wonderful ways.

…We ask God for help.

…We stop, drop and pray.

…We pray smart pivotal prayers.

Sermon: Right attitudes about work!

Thesis: We put faith in action when we approach life with a right attitude about God’s will, life and work. The truth be told our work matters to God and how we do it matters to God. The other truth I see in our texts today is where we live matters to God too and all this seems rooted in our attitude with God.

Scripture Texts:

James 4:13-17:

Boasting About Tomorrow

13Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”

14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.

15Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

16As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.

17Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.

James 5:1-12:

Warning to Rich Oppressors

1Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.

2Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.

3Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

4Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

5You have lived on earth in luxury and self–indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.

6You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.

Patience in Suffering

7Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

8You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.

9Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.