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TEXT: JAMES 4:1-6 | MORE GRACE FOR SELFISHNESS
INTRO
EXPLANATION: As we jump back to where we finished in chapter 3, we are reminded back in v.13 as James asked that rhetorical questions, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you?”
It was a question posed to the Christians in the church.
He immediately followed that up with the answer to his question, “Don’t tell me, show me!”
And as he gives v.14-16, he scratches the surface of a mindset that he is going to further delve into in chapter 4
Selfishness and contention in your heart is nothing to be proud of.
In fact it is an attitude the comes directly from the pits of hell itself.
And it’s fruit is nothing but confusion and evil results and God, as we know, is not the Author of confusion.
It is from this platform that we delve into v.1-3 of chapter 4
V.1-3, YOUR CONFUSED PERSPECTIVE
EXPLANATION: Once again, James asks a rhetorical question… where do wars and fightings among you come from?
He wasn’t referring to battles on a battle field, but rather contentions and disagreements.
And this was happening within the church house among Christians.
This ungodly, evil work was taking place in the very place that Christ was to reign supreme.
But instead the confusion and evil works were reigning in His stead.
James’ answer to his question is given in those first 3 verses.
V.1, You want what you want
The fighting and arguing that was taking place was because their wants were fighting for prominence in their life.
Maybe it was an argument over the color of the carpet they were installing
Maybe there was a disagreement about what color to paint the walls
Maybe there was division over a message the pastor had preached.
Maybe they were just mad because no one else was helping out.
Whatever the reason, the contention began because someone wanted what they wanted.
V.2, You fight for what you want
Things escalated because they wanted what they wanted and no one was willing to budge.
So, the heels were dug in, and the sides began to be taken.
They became direct sales employers overnight as they began to try to convince others of their position.
“That paint color would clash with the chairs.”
“Don’t you think the preacher is a little long winded?”
“Did you see what they were wearing?”
After doing there best job to pitch their position, they made there way to the ultimate pitch meeting.
V.3, You ask God for what you want
God, would you just change their heart?
They are being so mean and ugly about this whole thing and all I want is for the church to look good.
All I want is for things to be done the right way.
God if you would just change them, then we would finally be on the same page and be able to glorify You.
But no one changes… and instead their is a church split.
And both sides are pointing the finger at each other.
And there are broken pieces left all over.
APPLICATION: It is a story that can be told over and over again in the church house.
“I don’t like the way they did that.”
“I didn’t like that song.”
“I didn’t like that message.”
And I didn’t really like the way your face looked during the message either… so take that!
It can be easy to forget that this isn’t your church.
And this isn’t my church.
This is God’s church!
And what right do you or I have to decide that things have to be MY way in God’s church!
But let’s bring it closer to home… You may want to cover your toes.
“I just don’t understand why my spouse can’t see things my way.”
“I don’t understand why his family is that way.”
“I just don’t know why she always does that.”
So you call your buddy up… or ladies you call up your girlfriend, or your mom.
“I just don’t know why they are that way!”
And they love you and would never give you bad advice, so they agree with you.
And then you pull the ultimate trump card.
“God, would you just change my spouse.”
“If you would just change them, I would finally have a happy marriage.”
“I just can’t stand her parents… if they would just change...”
“I just can’t take my coworker anymore… if they would just change...”
I want what I want, So I’ll fight for what I want, And then I’ll ask God to give me what I want.
It is a confused perspective because it starts with the wrong premise… it’s all about me!
And God has nothing to do with it!
V. 4-5, GOD’S RESPONSE TO YOUR PERSPECTIVE
EXPLANATION: You are an adulterer and adulteress.
Ouch… James became the pastor at Jerusalem and his church ran over 20k
Maybe I should start speaking to you guys that way!
The Jewish believers understood what he was saying.
The OT is a cycle of the children of Israel getting right with God, then leaving God to go and serve other gods, God bringing judgement to get their attention, them repenting, and then the cycle would repeat.
James says, “Church, you’ve forgotten that you are the bride of Christ!”
And as the bride of Christ, it is no longer about you and your wants!
It’s no longer about all the little idols in you life.
It’s no longer about you living your life your way.
Your fighting amongst the bride of Christ is an ugly thing.
And what right do you think you have to get in the way of Christ and the relationships in His church?
A crucified man doesn’t have his own ambitions.
A crucified man doesn’t have his own plans.
He is held to that cross as a sacrifice and example.
APPLICATION: As a believer and the bride of Christ, that is the life you and I are called to live in Christ.
That life is one that is in direct opposition to the life lived in the world, in the flesh, and under the control of the devil!
That is what He is saying in v.4b
James isn’t telling the believers here to be rude to the world.
I have met some people that hated the sinner about as much as they hated the sin.
Jesus was straightforward about sin but He loved the sinner.
No, James is saying here that when a Christian wants what they want, and fights for what they want, and asks God for what they want… they are acting like the world!
And as Chapter 3:15 says, that thinking is “Earthly, sensual, and devilish.”
It isn’t the mind that the bride of Christ should have.
But here is the problem... according to v.5, that is the natural bend of our flesh.
ILLUSTRATION: It may surprise some of you this morning, but marriage is hard.
Before I married Tressa, the only person I had to think about what myself.
The only person I really had to concern myself with was myself.
I ate when I felt like it.
I watched movies I liked
I spent a lot of time watching ESPN, and Basketball and football games.
But when I got married, there were changes that had to happen.
I had to think of someone besides myself.
You begin to find just how selfish you are.
If I started acting like a did before we were married… stopped being concerned with her needs and only thought of my wants.
If I left my family
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