INTRODUCTION #19
1. Open your bible to James 4:4-6.
2. We’ve already discussed v. 4, but it is important to read it again. It will serve as an introduction to vs. 5&6.
3. Verse 4 warns Christians against becoming friends to the world to the extent that we become guilty of committing spiritual adultery.
4. Throughout the O. T. God is pictured as the spiritual husband of his people. In the N. T. Christ is pictured as being the spiritual husband of all that are members of the church (Rom. 7:4 & 2 Cor. 11:2).
5. Verse 4 warns Christians to not participate in the immoral and unscriptural things of the world, otherwise we become an enemy of God.
6. Let’s read verse 4, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
7. Let’s now discuss what we need to understand that will help us to guard against becoming a friend of the world.
DISCUSSION
I. FIRST, JAMES 4:5 TEACHES THAT THE SCRIPTURES NO WHERE TEACH THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE SPIRITUAL FRIENDSHIP WITH THE WORLD AND AT THE SAME TIME BE PLEASING TO OUR GOD, WHO IS JEALOUS OVER US.
1. Let’s read James 4:5, “Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?
1) If one can be friends of the world and friends with God, the scriptures are untrue. God cannot tolerate divided loyalty. In Matt. 6:24 Jesus says, “No man can serve two masters”.
2) The second part of James 4:5 means God loves men with such a passion he cannot at any time or in any way be content and allow his children to flirt with worldly activities or unscriptural teaching.
3) There is no one passage of scripture which says exactly: “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”. However, in Exodus 20:5 the scripture makes a similar statement when it says, “… For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…”
4) God, Christ and the Holy Spirit are grieved (Eph. 4:30) and spiritually “jealous” when those professing to be their spiritual children are flirting with worldly immorality and worldly teaching.
2. Let’s use an illustration to cause us to think about the type of jealously that God feels when men and women don’t show their loyalty and faithfulness to God.
1) Men, how would you feel if your wife got $200.00 from the man next door when she needed money to buy food for the children, instead of coming to you?
2) Or if, when she needed counsel or handy man help around the house, she asked for help from men in the neighborhood instead of coming to you?
3) It would break your heart. And that is what flirting with the morals and teachings of the world does to God. It breaks His heart when we go the way of the world.
4) It is as if we are saying, "Lord, you are not adequate. Your way is not the right way; it's not the best way for me.”
5) “I am going to have to get what I want from others." James says the result of this attitude is that we become adulterous and, for a good reason, God gets jealous!
The scripture in James 4:5 says, "the Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”.
3. James is teaching Christians that they must understand that, as the spiritual bride of Christ that they belong to God and Christ and to no other!
II. SECONDLY, JAMES 4:6a TEACHES THAT GOD’S JEALOUSLY HAS SUCH A STRONG DEGREE OF LOVE IN IT, THAT GOD’S FIRST DESIRE IS NOT TO CONDEMN US WHEN WE DISAPOINT HIM, BUT RATHER HIS FIRST DESIRE IS TO EXTEND MORE GRACE TO US.
1. Let’s read James 4:6, “But He gives more grace….”
(1) Despite the natural, unbelieving, worldly hearts of men, God nevertheless gives more or greater grace.
(2) It is as if those who are guilty of being friends to the world are saying, “James, you have correctly described our situation; and, it is very true that we are too often guilty of being worldly and involved in doctrinal error. Is not then our situation hopeless and helpless?”
(3) James’ answer is, ‘No! Granting that you are often worldly, there is no good reason for you to yield to such desires.
(4) The reason that you don’t have to remain worldly is because there is “grace” to assist you. There is “more than a sufficient amount of grace” to meet your needs. God’s “grace is more and greater than the worldliness and false doctrine which will try to pull you down’.
2. The point being made by James is very much like Paul’s statement in Romans 5:20&21: " 20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
3. Also, in 1 Tim. 1:14 we are reminded that the abundance of God’s grace is truly great: "And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” (1 Tim. 1:14).
4. These passages emphasize the importance of God and His grace toward our opportunity to be saved. Our next point for discussion will emphasize man’s part in salvation.
III. THIRD, JAMES 4:6B& FOLLOWING TEACHES THAT GOD’S GRACE IS ONLY FOR THOSE WHO RESPOND IN THE RIGHT WAYS TO GOD.
1. Let’s read James 4:6b, “Therefore He says: “ God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
(1) This is a quotation of Proverbs 3:34.
(2) James’ first requirement for those who will receive God’s grace is for them to get rid of all pride and instead of pride, be humble.
(3) In other words, if a person is consumed with worldly lusts, desires, ambitions, pride, false doctrine and immoral love, he has no claim on God’s greater grace.
2. The Greek word that “resist” is translated from is a military term that provides the visual picture of a whole army ready for battle.
(1) God is in full battle array, as it were, against the proud, because pride is the basic sin from which all other sins issue. “Pride” is not always manifested in ways that other men can see, but it is never hidden from God’s eyes.
(2) The basic attitude associated with “pride” is acting as if one is better than and above others.
(3) Turn to Proverbs 6:16-19. Here, we learn that God hates those who are proud. Also, God list the proud at the top of the list, of a partial list given of those that will not receive God’s grace. Let’s read Proverbs 6:16&17, “16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him:
17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies,
And one who sows discord among brethren.”
(4) God has no use for the proud, because they put themselves beyond His grace.
3. God does, however, according to James 4:6b, “give grace to the humble”. God has always responded favorably to the humble.
(1) Turn to Isaiah 66:2. Through Isaiah, God assured His ancient people Israel that he would provide grace to the humble. Let’s read Isaiah 66:2, “ But on this one will I look:
On him who is poor and of a contrite [humble] spirit, And who trembles at My word.”
(2) Turn to Matt. 5:3. Matt. 5:3 is the first Beatitude and it teaches the need to be humble. A humble attitude prepares ones to be the right kind of recipient for all the rest of the beatitudes. Let’s read Matt. 5:3. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” “Poor in spirit” refers to being humble and not full of pride and haughtiness!
(3) Just as pride is the root of all sin, so humility is the root of all righteousness.
3. It is only when the things and teachings of the world are no longer admired and sought, when self-concern is replaced with concern for God’s glory, that God’s Word can work His sovereign and gracious will in a heart, changing it from being an enemy of God to being a friend of God.
(1) Turn to Matt. 23:12. In this passage Jesus emphasizes the same truth that James does in James 4:6. Let’s read Matt. 23:12, “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
(2) Turn to Luke 18:9-14. In the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector, the Lord praises the tax collector for “beating his breast [and] saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, the sinner!’ On the other hand Jesus condemns the proud Pharisee. Let’s read Luke 18:9-14, “9 Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
CONCLUSION
1. Turn to Acts 13:6-12. This passage reports about an incident that took place on the first missionary journey that Barnabas and Paul went on. They came to the city of Paphos, located on the island of Cyprus.
2. Let’s start reading Acts 13:6&ff and make a few comments as we read along. “6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer [one that could do tricks and magic], a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man.
[The “proconsul” would have been in charge of matters for the Romans in the city in which he was living. He was also an intelligent and prudent (wise) man. The position of authority and the intelligence of the proconsul could have caused him to be full of pride. But instead we will learn that he was a very humble man and grew to respect and obey God’s word.] We continue our reading, starting in the middle of v. 7.
This man [the proconsul] called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.” And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord. [Here, Luke uses the word “believed” like he does in a lot of passages in the book of Acts. Luke is not using the word “believed” to refer to “faith only”. Luke is using the word “believed” in a broad and general and comprehensive way to refer to all the steps in the plan of salvation: hearing, believing, repenting, confessing and being baptized.]
2. Turn to Acts 16:28&ff. This passage gives an example of Luke using the word “believed” to refer to all the steps required in obeying the plan of salvation.
Understand that Paul and Silas had been put in prison. While in prison they were praying and singing praises to God. An earthquake shook the prison and opened all the doors of the prison jail cells. The Philippian Jailor drew his sword and was about to kill himself, thinking that all the prisoners had escaped.
Let’s start reading with verse 28, “28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, “Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.” 29 Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. 30 And he brought them out and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
[Understand that the Jailor was one that would have worshipped idols and false god’s. Paul tells him to “believe on the Lord” because that was the first requirement for him.
This belief in Jesus would imply repentance, the turning from the false gods and idols. It would also imply that he would be required to confess that he believed in Jesus. We will learn that it would also imply that he would obey the command to be baptized.]
[Notice, next in verse 32 Paul explained what he meant, when he told the Jailor to “believe on the Lord”.] Vs. 32-34 make it so plain that “believe” like used it demands that one also obey the command to be baptized. Let’s start with v. 32.
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.
[Notice that the “rejoicing” came, not before baptism, but after baptism. Notice also the urgency of the jailor and those of his house being baptized “immediately” & “the same hour of the night” – which would have been about midnight (vs. 25&33).
Interestingly, there was no one that had to vote on them before they could be baptized.
Notice especially the last phrase in verse 34, “….having believed in God with all his household.” Here, Luke used the word “believed” not to refer to “faith only”.
Luke used the word “believed” in a comprehensive way to refer to belief, repentance, confession and baptism.
3. If you have not obeyed the gospel plan of salvation, please remove all pride, humble yourself and be saved by obeying the same thing that those in the first century obeyed.
4. Keep in mind James 4:6b, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble”.
4. If you are a Christian and need prayers please come forward as we stand and sing!
Acknowledgments for a lot of thoughts in the development of all the sermons on the book of James are to go to:
(1) Bob Winton CD Commentary on Matthew 27:50-54. 464 Ridgewood Drive Manchester, Tennessee 37355. If interested in CD covering many O. T. & N.T. books call (866) 753-8456.
(2) Miscellaneous commentaries by numerous others.
