Thanks to everyone who pulled together and made this Easter service a success. approx. 300 people total from the service to the fellowship event… 17 re-commitments for Christ… > 13 born again believers > over 200 Kingdom seed was planted
THE LIFE OF JAMES (pt. 2)
MATTHEW 17:1-8 = Read & pray
Who could have ever explained to James what he was about to witness? Who could put into words the glorious manifestation that would unfold before his eyes? One minute Jesus stood on the mountain by Himself; and the next He was shining like the mid-day sun, and on His right and left stood Elijah and Moses.
No human had ever witnessed such a sight before, unless perhaps Moses or Abraham, but none in recent history.
James and John stood in absolute awe, but Peter, who was always quicker than the others, made a suggestion. Why not build three tabernacles: one for Moses, one for Elijah and, of course one for Jesus… Then out of the Heavens came the voice of the Father, “This is my beloved Son, Listen To Him”
James learned a valuable lesson that day, a lesson that has been taught many times throughout the Bibles pages… (Cornelius, the people of Lystra before Paul & Barnabus, and James’ brother John would learn later upon receiving the revelation…
LIFE LESSONS FROM THE LIFE OF JAMES:
1. ONLY THE MESSIAH IS TO BE WORSHIPED.
No one, regardless of how holy or famous, is to be worshiped or held on equal plane with Jesus. Even the best that earth can offer falls short of the glory of the Son of God.
the words spoken to Moses centuries before must have reverberated in James’ spirit this night, “The Lord thy God is a jealous God, Jealous is His name.” He will not share His glory with any other, and never should a believer’s knee bow to any but God.
many voices vie for loyalty in today’s world, and numerous are the opportunities to bow at the idols of destruction, but the true believer hears only the voice of God.
I want you to know God; that’s more important than burnt sacrifices. Hosea 6:6
some worship at the false god of materialism, others at the idols of power, but only at the name of Jesus is the Christian to fall in adoration. (OLP or OTB) do we enter daily into the heavenly palace or into Ceasers Palace of gambling… to place hopes on the unsurity of a bet or do you place them on the surety of Christ.
In this generation, as in every generation, God is seeking children who will serve Him with an undivided heart. Will He find you?
Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts. 1John 5:21
many are the voices that clamor for your attention, but it is only the voice of the Master that you are to obey.
2. GREATNESS IS ACHIEVED ONLY THRU HUMILITY.
Matthew 20:20-28
An argument had arose among the twelve disciples concerning who was the greatest. (This still takes place in many churches today) James and his brother thought they should be candidates for this celebrity status.
After all, they had been present at so many of the great events so far in Masters Ministry. He (James) saw nothing wrong with securing his place in eternity at the right or left hand of Jesus.
the words of Jesus cut through the room like a sharp two-edged sword as He taught His disciples concerning greatness. the path to greatness passes through the valley of humility, and to reign you must serve.
That night the enemy called pride closed his cold fingers around the heart of James the follower of Christ, injected his mind and mouth full of self-importance… this still happens today, when pride steps in we think we are more important than we are… that we can do better than those above us… WHY HASN’T GOD PLACED YOU THERE???
we are never told how the James or the others reacted to Christ’s words, but one must assume that conviction rested on each of them and repentance followed.
1Peter 5:5-8
As James traveled the dusty roads of Israel with the Son of God, he was completely unaware of the enemy lurking in the shadows. This antagonist of all Christian virtue stalked the disciple around every corner.
He was there watching at the transfiguration, he was in the shade in Jairus’ house, and now he was about to reveal himself openly for all to see as he worked this argument to a frenzy.
James was not the last saint to fall prey to the enemy of pride; he stalks every Christian and his prey is godly humility. God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
Jesus came to serve, leaving us an example to follow…. Greatness will always find the HUMBLE HEART…
Are you wrestling with pride today? Then submit your heart to Jesus and walk in the steps of your Master. Take your stand and defeat the enemy called pride.
3. SOW TO THE SPIRIT AND NOT TO THE FLESH.
Matthew 26:36-46
It had been a very long day for James, with the preparations for the Passover and the cleaning of the upper room, culminating with the meal itself. This had not been an ordinary Passover meal, with Jesus washing Peter’s feet and the humiliation felt by each of the twelve for failing to serve in that capacity.
not to mention the confusing interchange that took place between Judas and Jesus. All in all it was a full day, and all James wanted to do was rest.
The Master made His way from the upper-room, down through the Kidron valley and up to the garden of Gethsemane, on the Mount of Olives.
It was here He asked Peter, James and John to pray with Him as He knelt near a rock on the other side of the garden. James began strong, but the busyness of the day caught up with him; his spirit was willing but his flesh was weak.
He was awakened by a sharp rebuke but quickly fell asleep again and again until he heard the Roman soldiers come to arrest his Master.
For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. Romans 8:7-8
James was in a battle between his spirit and his flesh, a battle that every Christian faces each day of his life. The mind set of the flesh will never please God, but the mind set on the spirit will yield the peaceful fruit of righteousness. The key to this battle is knowing how to win.
So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit… they are in conflict with each other so that you do not do what you want. Galatians 5:16-17
We never win by fleshly effort, but only as we yield to the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. By the Spirit we put to death the deeds of the flesh, and by the Spirit we win the battle against the old man and it’s hinderances.
James fell asleep because his body was taking orders from his flesh and not from his spirit. SOW TO THE SPIRIT AND REAP SPIRTUAL BENEFITS
