Christian Living: Making sense of our New lives

Introduction: Genesis - “In the beginning ...”

Life - Adam and Eve

Death and Rebellion

New Life - the New Adam, Jesus

Luke 24:39–41 CSB

39 Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 But while they still were amazed and in disbelief because of their joy, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”

1. Birth - The reality of this life (vv. 13-19a)

Staring into the mirror of our existence!

Trials (vv. 2-11)

Temptations (vv. 12-18)

The difference between Trials and Temptations (vv. 13-16)

testing trials are from God; we face up to it in God’s strength - and thank Him for it! (v. 3, 4)

Temptations are of the Devil, who latches on to our evil, fallen desires - and lead to death (vv. 14, 15)

Result: A New Birth, conceived of the Word of Truth. (v. 18)

James 1:18 CSB

18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

How then shall we live?

in the face of trials,

Instruction: think of it as God being busy with you … and rejoice! … (vv. 2, 3)

How? “Ask God!” (v.5)

Endure (Practise) - Grow in Wisdom (

Illustration - The surging sea!

and, in the heat of temptations

Instruction: Don’t be deceived! (v. 16, 17)

How? - Know the difference between Trials, and Temptations!

Endure. resist the Devil (Practise) - (vv. 13-15);

Do the right thing, which is of God (v.17)

Result: Blessing - grow into maturity, become invincible - the Crown of Life! (v. 12)

2. Growth (vv. 19b-25)

The “How To” and “Why?” and "Evidence” of Christian Living

There are things you need to “Know”

There are ways you need to “Be”

There is that which you will “Become”

v. 19)

James 1:19 CSB

19 My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

Know (imperative!) (this)! {By His Word of Truth}

my much Loved Ones!

Be (imperative!)(every person):

quick to be hearing

slow to be speaking

slow to become angry

v. 20) (why?)

James 1:20 CSB

20 for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.

For human anger

will not accomplish

the Righteousness of God!

v.21) Therefore,

James 1:21 CSB

21 Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

lay aside (take off)

all moral uncleanness and excessive wickedness

with humility

and, receive! (imperative!)

the implanted word which is saving your soul.

But! Importantly!

James 1:22 CSB

22 But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Be/become (imperative!

a doers (makers) of the Word,

not only hearers who

deceive themselves that they understand what the command is.

Summary, so far:

((Know the Word which declares you safe and wise in His protection

Be

good listeners

slow speaking avalanches

mind your temper

Be clothed in Godly Righteousness, (the Word)

be humble

rid/unmake worldly moral filth and sin in your life

And in so DO-ing

Become the Word!

not just hearers of the word

and not becoming (making from within) the Word

Why?

James 1:23 CSB

23 Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror.

Because, just listening to the word, even hearing it, alone

and not doing what it demands (the Law of Love)

is like:

(illustration - a man staring at the image of his existence in a mirror (what we are)!

v. 24)

James 1:24 CSB

24 For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was.

then, departing, immediately, forgets what he saw! What sort of a man is this?

v. 25)

but, looking (instead) into Word, and the summary of (what we should be) (the perfect Law of God, His Word!),

James 1:25 CSB

25 But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does.

... not only hearing and forgetting it but remembering and putting away that which we were, and being - more and more - that which we now are!

3. Development (vv. 1:26-5:6)

(Next week …)