He shall lift you up!

Bible Reading

Let me get to a point of application. \ Follow us on our 5 week study on Spiritual Disciplines

Innovative idea to move to Wednesdays; Wednesdays in the Word

AWANA Open House / you will not regret the effort to get your kids to the clear, practical, on level teaching of the Bible.

Spanish LifeGroup will meet / opportunity for those of you who are bilingual to practice Spanish and fellowship with Spanish brothers & sisters

Core Seminars; made available online

Bible Reading

Giving

Church Attendance

Prayer & Fasting

Witnessing

As a response to today’s passage and because of your desire to “draw night to God” I am going to encourage you to make a commitment to the Core Seminars.

Today we look at recovering from a spiritual fall or failure.

Only listen if you have fallen, have been far from the Lord and want to remain standing, or want to know what to do if you find yourself falling away.

Remembers the SEQUENCE we saw in chapter 1 James 1:15 “15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

Now we look at how to break that cycle with a sequence of events.

This is most extended counsel to Christian people who have becomes friends with the world and need to recover.

Here is the counsel given in four statements.

Pride was the beginning of sin, so humility must be the beginning of restoration.

Submission to God involves resistance to the devil.

Intimacy with God doesn’t happen by chance, but rather, it has to be deliberately cultivated.

Humility allows us to properly understand the significance of our sin.

James 4:6–10 (KJV)

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Introduction

D. E. Hoste, was the successor to Hudson Taylor as the general director of the China Inland Mission— in regard to missionaries working as a team he said, ““I would not appoint a man to the mission field unless he had learned to wrestle with the devil. Because if he has not learned to wrestle with the devil, he will wrestle with his fellow missionaries.”

Review

We started this chapter looking at the conflict between one another that comes from the loss of an inward battle.

James 4:1 “1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”

In an exasperated frustration you struggle and fight with one another. “Why can’t we all just get along?

Life for many is the Easter Egg Hunt with 500 kids and only a few hundred eggs. To win others must lose.

Internal struggles lead to outward conflicts.

Self-centered living is the death of a meaningful prayer life.

A friendship with the world is unfaithfulness to our God.

Ended with James 4:6 “6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

We are not told to look for the resources within, to battle our desire for the things of this world.

James piled up an enormous challenge, that challenge of worldliness.

It's within you, it's around you, it's everywhere, you're struggling with it every minute of every day of every week of every month of every year,and he says, God gives greater grace.

God's grace is the source of our ability to be separated from the world, or ability to be submitted to God.

Grace freely given to us in out time of need!

Cause of celebration; Yes!

Excuse for passivity; No!

James’ answer has both a passive side and an active side.

We admit that you don't have the resources in ourselves but we are not HOPELESS.

When a person gets to the place of “I just need to know what to do Ill do.” That is v.7-10

Ill. Lunch with a man who was had made many poor decisions and was living out the consequences. Brett Broadrick asked him when he planned to do what he knew what was right. He said in a few years. Brett stood up, extended his hand, and said well let us know when you get to that place.

God’s grace comes to us in a series of commands with promises that follow.

The God who says, ‘Here is my grace to receive,’ says in the same breath, ‘Here are My commands to obey.’”

James spells that out in verses 7-10. We can sum it up in the word “obey.”

Count with me the commands in verses 7-10

submit to God

resist the devil

draw near to God

cleanse your hands

purify your hearts

be miserable

mourn

weep

let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom

humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you.

1. Pride was the beginning of sin, so humility must be the beginning of restoration.

James 4:6 “6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

James 4:10 “10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

A. We become humble by submission to our Lord.

James 4:7 “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

Arrange EVERYTHING under the Lordship of Christ.

Submit means “to align oneself under the authority of another.”

There is no submission if there is anything withheld.

Last basketball play at home court. “Just throw the ball into the rafters. I’ll explain later.” If I could trust a coach knew best for me, how could I not truth an infinitely knowing and loving God.

B. We are by nature those who oppose authority.

We don’t just outgrow it, unless we mature it and submit ourselves to God it will remain.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord places a question before us.

You just have to decide what are you willing to live without.

Andrew Murray rightfully says, “What a man is on his knees before God, that is what he is, and nothing else.”

However, after we prayer and stand up that humility will shape our lives, as we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us.

Our family will know something of it, because submission to God is revealed in a proper relationship with others.

C. Decision must be made to move forward

Repentance is a change of mind.

Only the HUMBLE are ready to receive the instruction that is next.

Promise given God gives grace to the humble. Ready to receive?

Are you willing to pray the prayer of Richard Baxter, “Lord, whatever you want, wherever you want, whenever you want.”

You cannot find rest or be perfectly blessed until..... (answer for me) all on the altar is laid.

Transition: Follow the order: You have been unfaithful to God. Now you humble yourself and SUBMIT to God. Now you are told to RESIST the Devil.

2. Submission to God involves resistance to the devil.

James 4:7 “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

A. Acknowledge the devil is a major part of our problem.

Quick overview of the story of Lucifer.

Jesus speaks of seeing Satan/the Devil/Lucifer fall from heaven. Luke 10:18 “18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.”

We see a dual condemnation: in Isaiah 14 of the human king of Babylon and the spiritual force behind him are both facing God’s judgment for their pride and wickedness.

Reference to story we read about in Isaiah 14:12-15 • he falls from heaven (verse 12) • he is cast down to the earth (verse 12) • he had destroyed nations (verse 12) • he sought to ascend to God’s throne (verse 13) • he desired to be like the Most High (verse 14) • he is relegated to the lowest part of the Pit (verse 15)

The Devil sets snared in this world. 2 Timothy 2:26 “26 And that they (those ) may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

Submission to God is resistance to the Devil . 1 Peter 5:8–9 “8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

B. How do we resist the devil so that he might flee from us?

2 Corinthians 2:11 “11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Quick crash course upon the activities of Satan

Satan lies, and is the father of lies. John 8:44

Satan blinds the minds of unbelievers. 2 Cor 4:4

Satan tempts people to sin. Matthew 4:1-11

Satan plucks the word of God out of people's hearts and chokes faith. Mark 4:1-9

Satan causes some sickness and disease. Acts 10:38

Satan is a murderer. John 8:44

Satan fights against the plans of missionaries. 1 Thess 2:17-18

Satan accuses Christians before God. Revelation 12:10

C. Every weapon given to us is given as a counter measure of the weapons of Satan

Ephesians 6 truth, righteousness, the Gospel, faith, the hope of our salvation, the Word of God, and prayer.

Admit we need Someones else’s armor. Ephesians 6:10–11 “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

Recognize the nature of our fight. Ephesians 6:12 “12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

There is no argument here about the existence and influence. It is stated as self-evident.

Always been hesitate to state I am the object of Satan’s attack. I am not sure if there is a list of Enemies of State, but if there are I don’t make the list. He is the leader of a vast army of wicked spirits. We experience SUPER NATURAL RESISTANCE to every right decision we have ever made.

Two ways of thinking in which the devil could accomplishes his goals in our lives.

We become totally preoccupied with him so that everything we see and experience is him. Removing any responsibility from ourselves.

Deny its existence entirely. Leaving you ignorant of his devices.

To be able to WITHSTAND/RESIST we must wrap ourselves in truth. Ephesians 6:13–14 “13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;”

The Spiritual Disciplines are about daily wrapping your life in truth.

Look at the promises given to us. James 4:7 “7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

If you find yourself constantly in a fight with sin consider your weaponry. Consider if you are fighting in your own strength and with your own armor.

Story of David not willing to wear Saul’s armor. It was not that he didn’t have any armor. He looked to the Lord for His protection.

Transition: Follow the order: You have been unfaithful to God. Now you humble yourself and SUBMIT to God. You RESIST the Devil. You drawn near to God.

3. Intimacy with God doesn’t happen by chance, but rather, it has to be deliberately cultivated.

James 4:8 “8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”

A. Acknowledge the distance

If we are called to “draw nigh” we must acknowledge we were standing at a distance.

Why are we standing at a distance? Could it be that because we know we are holding on to something that God is going to ask for us.

In the NT we see people chase after him, come to him without thoughts of food, people would mock them for their pursuit, roofs were cut off.

Everyone of you in here are as close to God as you desire to be. It is just some of us will not admit we are farther away than we appear.

B. Approach with clean hands and clean hearts.

Wonderful cross reference here. Psalm 24:3–4 “3 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.”

You want to draw near to the Lord, He's drawing near to you, but when He draws near to you, He will make demands on your hands, and on your heart.

This is one of the many reasons I love the consistency of gathering together on Sunday morning. This may be the only time many of you slow down long enough to really consider what you want in life. As a believer the answer should always be to know Him more.

With our hands, we commit acts of sin. And in our hearts, we hold attitudes of sin.

Some of you remember the burn barrels of your teenage years in the youth group. No music and video is in the cloud so that woudn’t really work. But in our lives we need to recreate some version of that for every season.

It is not sufficient to just stop the activities. We must ask God to search our hearts. We align our whole lives under His Lordship.

Picture comes from the OT where the priests washed their hands and changed their garments to come before the presence of God. —

Are hands and garments have been washed in God’s grace. Submit, resist, confess and draw nigh.

I hope that there's nobody here who thinks that God is literally saying you have the ability to cleanse yourself. — We needed the atonement of Jesus.

C. Address your double mindedness.

Back to the picture of the unfaithful partner.

We have been double minded. v.8

Our double mindedness is seen..

In the heart of a teenager who plans to someday go all in for God but right now they are thinking “not yet”

In the life of a father who wants to trust God today, but will wake up tomorrow and spend now time with the Lord because he believes he is capable of doing it himself.

It is seen in the person who seeks accountability to fight sin, but then goes and hides enjoying the comfort of secrecy.

Transition: Follow the order: You have been unfaithful to God. Now you humble yourself and SUBMIT to God. You RESIST the Devil. You drawn near to God. You now see sin properly.

4. Humility allows us to properly understand the significance of our sin.

James 4:9 “9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.”

A. Submission to God will dramatically reverse our attitudes toward sin.

Only when I learn to cry about my sin may I truly learn to laugh about my freedom in Christ.

Reminder the audience here is stating in v.4 - those being unfaithful to God and demonstrating a love for this world.

B. In our pride we have accepted the wrong posture toward sin.

We are not being told to live a joyless life without laughter. Job 8:21 “21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.”

This is not godly laughter.

This is the laughter of an unfaithful wife in a bar with her boyfriend. This is sinful laughter.

They are laughing behind the backs of the employees that they are treating unjustly.

They are not taking joy in God. They are not treasuring God.

C. Laughter to tears.

We, especially the men, may think this is being overstated. Are tears really necessary?

Used to say “A man who cannot cry isn’t good for much, but one that can’t stop crying is good for nothing.”

We often take pride in how few things in life can bring us to tears.

If we could get a glimpse of the results of our sin then tears certainly would seem reasonable.

The pain our sin brings to others.

Dad’s if you could see the tears that will come from your children and wife that will come from you not humbling yourself before God and continuing in your sin, you will be in tears.

If we saw the pain our sins caused to one another, today would be a day of uncontrollable mourning.

The grieving of the Holy Spirit our sin brings

Occasionally, I remember the laughter of some friends outside the window of my window on the day of my dad’s funeral. They meant no harm. But there laughter in that moment hurt me deeply. God help me not laugh in a manner that grieves Jesus.

The thought that my laughter goes to the ears of God is sobering.

Prayer: “Lord, help me to laugh at the right time and at the right things.” 2 Corinthians 7:10 “10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

Time of Response

This is a passage that is an invitation to “get back up.”

James 4:10 “10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

God knows if you are standing at a distance and He know why that you are there.

Can see how the grace extended to you today. God’s Word is exactly detailed and designed to lift fallen people right back up.

Humble yourself before a loving God.

Submit to Him.

Resist the Devil.

Draw near to God.

Confess you sins

And watch Him restore you emotionally as He lifts you up.

Revelation 3 Jesus addresses a church that has lost their love for Him. He tells them He is at the door and He knocks. I believe if you are believer and you listen you will hear Him knocking.