16 December 2007
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
Ord Military Chapel
Seaside CA
BIG IDEA: Believers are encouraged to love and support one another, during this Christmas Holiday Season, by refusing to sneer and judge fellow believers.
REFERENCES: John 7:5 (NIV) For even his own brothers did not believe in him;
James 5:7-11 (NIV); Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him; 1 Corinthians 15:7 (NIV) Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles; Romans 14:23 (NIV) But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin; Acts 1:4 (NIV) On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. James 1:1 (NIV) 1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings; Jude 1:1 (NIV) 1Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James,
To those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept by[a] Jesus Christ; Additional References: Josephus – First Century Church Historian … discussed “James the Just” which was James the brother of Jesus’ nick-name; Eusebius – Fourth Century Church Historian … indicates James was pushed off the pinnacle by the Jews, but the fall didn’t kill him … he managed to stumble to his knees to pray for his murders. So they finished the job by stoning him; Hegesippus – 2nd Century Church Historian … reference James the Just; Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: James 5:7-11 (NIV)
II. READ THE PERICOPE: James 5:7-11 (NIV)
III. READ THE TEXT: James 5:9 (NIV) Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to love and support one another, during this Christmas Holiday Season, by refusing to sneer and judge fellow believers.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “All Rise: A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE!”
VI. INTRODUCTION: In the American Judicial System of the 21st Century, as it has been in centuries before, prior to a judge exiting his chambers and entering the courtroom – the bailiff (an officer of the courts) makes the following pronouncement: “All Rise for His Honor ….!”
Then he – the bailiff - states the name of the Judge who will preside over the legal proceedings. Afterwards, upon entering through the door which stands between the Judges Chambers and the Courtroom, the judge makes a verbal gesture which is indicative of his authority by saying to all standing, “ You maybe seated”.
At which time, the judge proceeds to hear and see all evidence pertinent to the case at hand. Upon the conclusion, and hearing the closing augments of both the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney - the judge entertains the opinions of the jurors; and finally the judge decides what type of sentence or punishment is appropriate for the crime that has been committed.
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MOVE 1: Now, my brothers and my sisters, in studying our passage of Scripture for this morning – several questions came to mind:
a. First, how can someone who has never been through what I’m going through suggest to me NOT TO THROW IN THE TOWEL OF MY FAITH when difficulties occur?
b. Second, How can someone who has never experience doubt and the lack of faith suggest to me to be STEADFAST in the midst of the tough times?
c. And finally, how can someone who has never truly experience the Christmas Season – because of their own foibles - …
d. … tell me how to hold on to my faith when other believers are doubting my faith during Christmastide?
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MOVE 2: Well, my brothers and my sisters, the answers to my questions are also in our Scripture today.
a. For instance, James the younger brother of Jesus – who himself according to Church History (and it’s historians) didn’t become a believer himself until after the resurrection of Jesus Christ (TELL THE STORY OF JAMES AS A CHILD).
b. Yet, James encourages us during this Christmas Season to remain STEADFAST – and firm in our faith in Jesus Christ.
c. In other words, as believers we should be firm in our belief in spite of our circumstances … which ISN’T always easy.
d. Still, as believers, we should “hold out to the end”.
e. Trials and tribulations should NOT dictate our faithfulness and love for our Savior.
f. Trials and tribulations don’t come to break-us; but to make us stronger representatives for the Lord.
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MOVE 3: My late Bishop (and founder of Philippian Community Church of Jacksonville, Florida – Dr. Lawrence Charles Callahan, Sr.) once said, and I quote, “If I should suddenly discover that the Christian faith and living (as Christ suggest in Scriptures) has all been a lie; it’s been worth it.”
a. In other words, staying free from becoming an alcoholic and the trouble that comes with it – is worth having been a Christian;
b. Being faithful to my wife in both words and deeds and avoiding diseases such as AIDS has all been worth having a Christian;
c. And doing my best to love and care for my fellow brothers and sisters has been worth living as a Christian.
d. An old Chinese Expression, descriptive of a man who turns back after he has put his hand to the plow or started the race may be translated, “Before half the road is traveled he runs away.”
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MOVE 4: The temptation to give up before the goal is reached comes inevitably to all the followers of Christ.
a. But, HOLD ON AND DON’T GIVE UP. The devil is a liar, because God does love us.
b. In fact, God says, in Jeremiah 29:11 that his plans for us are good and not evil.
c. For the Scripture reads: “ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
d. In our Scripture this morning, James is trying to strengthen our Christian hearts and minds in the midst of difficulties and disappointments.
e. Whatever happens, to us, James suggest that we don’t surrender to evil (and give up) because the Lord is going to triumph, and he is soon to return.
f. Like a Judge leaving his chambers through “the door” which leads to the “courtroom” … the real JUDGE who knows everything about you and me is soon to return … so be prepared “spiritually” to Arise.
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MOVE 5: This is often easier said than done, especially when you have fellow believers that are cynics – and are amongst your doubters.
a. Our doubters should NOT be fellow believers. But, our doubters aren’t always outside the walls of the church. Sometimes our worse critics are those we see and work with everyday.
b. But, our doubters shouldn’t be fellow believers.
c. Because, fellow believers should encourage and love one another by refusing to sneer and judge each other.
d. As fellow believers, we should be able to confess our faults one to another, and pray one for another … that we may be healed (James 5:16).
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MOVE 6: Webster Dictionary.com defines cynic as “a person who believes that only selfishness motivates human actions and who disbelieves in … selfless acts…
a. Likewise, who can ever forget the cynical appraisial of Satan that Job’s devotion to God was not genuine, …
b. … but rather the result of the material favors which he enjoyed. For don’t you remember in Job 1:10-11, Satan says to God:
c. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, …
d. … so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
e. In other words, the only reason Job is worshipping you is because you have blessed him;
f. … the only reason Job is worshipping is because you have promoted him;
g. the only reason Job is conducting Bible Studies is because you have protected his resources;
h. And the only reason Job is praying is because you have put your arms of protection around him, so that I can’t “TOUCH HIM”.
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MOVE 7: The Bible shows us in Job 42:10-17 … what happens when we do hold out for God.
a. In spite of who our doubters maybe (Friends or Foes; family or fellow employees). For don’t you remember, the Scriptures says:
b. After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.
c. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house.
d. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver [a] and a gold ring.
e. The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 1
f. And he also had seven sons and three daughters.
g. The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch.
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CELEBRATION: (Job 42:15-17)
Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers.
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation.
And so he died, old and full of years.
”The Judge is standing at the door.”
Be prepared … during this Christmas Season to “Rise” .. if He returns!
