Navigating Life with Stable Faith
Notes
Transcript
A. Rapport for the time
B. Reading of the text
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.
4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
C. Review of the text
After looking at the first 4 verses last week we were challenged by the imperative verbs to take joy in trials by understanding that God is at work in our life. Joy is found in the salvation that we have received from the Lord in Jesus Christ and the understanding that he is using life events to refine us into what he desires that we be. If we are honest we know how weak we really are in our flesh the trials of this life teach us to be more dependent upon him.
D. Relevance of the text
If he tells us to go find joy and trials and leaves it at that then you and I are left with the lesson of “be better, work harder, just have more faith.” This mindset leaves our heart crushed because in the midst of a trial we have no ability to often see what the Lord is doing let alone think well. The one true God cares for you and does not leave you alone instead he says come to me and ask.
T.S. The truth that God will care for us as we seek him is found as we look into verse 5 and are told to seek wisdom steadfastly.
I. Seek Wisdom Steadfastly
I. Seek Wisdom Steadfastly
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Coming out of the trials conversation from verses 2-4 and getting asked if any of you lacks wisdom? Who has ever been in a trial and not had answers for said trial, or better yet sought your own wisdom in the midst of a trial and found yourself to be lacking? That is the correct answer, everyone in this room, no exceptions. Wisdom from the Lord is so far greater than our own earthly wisdom, they don’t even compare.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.
This is not a description of our earthly wisdom. Wisdom from the Lord bring you and I to a place that allows us to walk in the will of God, instead of seeking selfish motives.
13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.
10 for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11 discretion will watch over you, understanding will guard you,
12 delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech,
13 who forsake the paths of uprightness to walk in the ways of darkness,
14 who rejoice in doing evil and delight in the perverseness of evil,
15 men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.
16 So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words,
17 who forsakes the companion of her youth and forgets the covenant of her God;
18 for her house sinks down to death, and her paths to the departed;
19 none who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life.
We found another imperative in vs. 5 and again in 6. both being let him ask. God tells us to ask for wisdom and he will provide what we need.
ask—to ask for with urgency, even to the point of demanding. (active verb)
You mean the Lord wants me to come to him on all the small and big stuff in my life? He can’t be bothered with the little things of my life.
Well, isn't’ it good that God even answers that question. He tells us to ask and then tells us what kind of God we serve. Ask God who gives generously.
generously—freely giving more of something than is necessary or expected.
This very subject has come up in talking about grace. What kind of God do you serve this morning? Can I let you in on a secret? That is what this entire passage is talking about. Your view of God will determine how you go to him.
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.
9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?
10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent?
11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
without reproach—To reproach someone, with the implication of that individual being evidently to blame. Lay something to a person’s charge. Raise a complaint against someone.
T.S. Seeking the Lord with steadfastness to Standing firm in the faith.
II. Stand Firm in Faith
II. Stand Firm in Faith
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.
Asking in faith—trusting in the Lord
4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12 in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
Faith—out faith is based upon that we put the faith in. If we serve self then we place our faith in our abilities in the midst of trial and will lead ourselves to whatever we wish. But Faith in God is outside ourselves. Faith in Christ is knowing that he has accomplished all that is necessary for me and I rely not in my own merit but in the precious blood of Jesus Christ for my salvation.
Do you doubt the ability of God to save you this morning? Do you doubt the power of God to do all HIS HOLY Will? Do you doubt that God loves you and sent his son to die for you?
15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” And the people did not answer him a word.
16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.
There is no reason for us to doubt God who saved us.
17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.
18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.
19 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,
T.S. Doubting God has no place in a true believers life is what James is telling us. In the midst of trail we are to steady the heart with Faith.
III. Steady the Heart with Faith
III. Steady the Heart with Faith
7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;
8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
An unbeliever should expect nothing from the Lord as they want to play with Christianity and the world a the same time as though that is the way the Lord works. Come by grace to me but live however you want until you come into contact with a trial and then come running to the Lord and seek after his help.
“The Source of a believers struggle with doubt is divided loyalties to the self and to God.”
Is Jesus our Lord
Can we talk like James and acknowledge that we are servant of God. Slaves to righteousness not this world?
I’m dead to sin and alive in Jesus Christ. HE did that for me that this life I live would be different. Are you living different or do you think your opinions still matter?
No room for a double minded Christian. In fact James is telling us there is no such thing.
James tells us that the double-minded man is unstable.
unstable—pertaining to being unable to be controlled by something or someone. Not subject to.
8 putting everything in subjection under his feet.” Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.
Jesus is Lord!
Application.
