5.1.33 7.9.2017 James 1.1-4 The Essence of Endurance
The secrets of Functional Faith • Sermon • Submitted
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The Secrets of Functional Faith
The Secrets of Functional Faith
▾ Start:
Series Introduction: This year we have been looking at some of the "secrets" of the faith. Not "secret" as in "don't tell anyone." Rather, "Secret" as in…this is the inside information on how the
Christian life works-tell everybody!" Some would try and keep a tight lock on this kind of information, to dole it out in small portions all under "control." The secrets of Christian living are in the public
domain. Let's tell everyone! Today we begin an extended study of the Epistle of James. You may not know much about this little letter. Hopefully you will get to know it well. James wanted to encourage his community in day-to-day, boots on the ground Christian living.
We begin our study today, standing awkwardly outside the door of our culture because...
• 2 Entice:
• 2 Entice:
As Christians we don’t always feel at home.
As Christians we don’t always feel at home.
It is like we are in a far-off country
We are exiled to live among the fallen though carrying a message of hope.
•ngage:
Think for a moment about the things that make you feel alienated.
Think for a moment about the things that make you feel alienated.
Exploitation of the weak and marginalized.
Sinful Pride.
Foolishness.
Anger.
It may be our native land, but when you try to life a lifestyle that pleases God…you feel like a foreigner.
• 4 Expand:
James understood.
James understood.
Living at histories inflection point he understood
Living at histories inflection point he understood
ethnic alienation
ethnic alienation
and
spiritual alienation.
spiritual alienation.
In the Jerusalem Church he helped establish what it meant to live in a world in which you were
always an outcast,
always an outcast,
an outcast,
an outcast,
always an exile,
always an exile,
always in diaspora.
always in diaspora.
• 5 Excite:
Our commitment to Christ generates the reality of our exile.
Our commitment to Christ generates the reality of our exile.
Our exiled existence requires endurance.
Our exiled existence requires endurance.
Endurance is fueled by faith.
Endurance is fueled by faith.
Endurance is fueled by faith.
• Explore: Endurance means growing gladly under pressure.
Endurance means growing gladly under pressure.
Endurance means growing gladly under pressure.
Endurance means growing gladly under pressure.
Endurance means growing gladly under pressure.
Explain: To help us understand how the essence of endurance James starts out by providing three simple requirements which are the essence of endurance.
1 Gifted Guidance.
1 Gifted Guidance.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
▾ 1 Gifted Guidance.
1.1 We need the guidance of those who understand their place.
1.1 We need the guidance of those who understand their place.
▾ 1.1 We need the guidance of those who know their place.
1.1.1 James the "Just."
1.1.1 James the "Just."
▾ 1.1.1 James the "Just."
Brother of Jesus!
Brother of Jesus!
Leader of the Jerusalem Church!
Leader of the Jerusalem Church!
Famously pious!
Famously pious!
1.1.2 James the humble servant leader.
1.1.2 James the humble servant leader.
1.1.3 What kind of Guides does the 21C Church need?
1.1.3 What kind of Guides does the 21C Church need?
▾ 1.1.3 What kind of Guides does the 21C Church need?
We need people of renowned faith.
• 1.1.3.2 We need people of profound, transformative humility.
We need people of profound, transformative humility.
1.2 We need the guidance of those who understand our place.
1.2 We need the guidance of those who understand our place.
1.2.1 Dislocated, Dispersed, Disheartened.
1.2.1 Dislocated, Dispersed, Disheartened.
1.2.2 James’ simple greeting, accepts our diaspora existence as our natural state and the place from which we minister.
1.2.2 James’ simple greeting, accepts our diaspora existence as our natural state and the place from which we minister.
1.2.3 The Church does not need leaders who think of our world as Neverland and who present themselves as the great and powerful Oz.
1.2.3 The Church does not need leaders who think of our world as Neverland and who present themselves as the great and powerful Oz.
2 Appropriate Attitude.
2 Appropriate Attitude.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,
• 2.1 The internal, personal commitment to joyfulness.
2.1 The internal, personal commitment to joyfulness.
2.1 The internal, personal commitment to joyfulness.
• 2.2 The external, impersonal, varietal, aggravating, demeaning trials of life.
2.2 The external, impersonal, varietal, aggravating, demeaning trials of life.
2.2 The external, impersonal, varietal, aggravating, demeaning trials of life.
•2.3 You cannot control external factors…you are commanded to control your reactions.
You cannot control external factors…you are commanded to control your reactions.
You cannot control external factors…you are commanded to control your reactions.
3 Strategy of Sufficiency.
3 Strategy of Sufficiency.
for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
▾ 3.1 Tested faith=Steadfast faith.
3.1 Tested faith=Steadfast faith.
3.1 Tested faith=Steadfast faith.
3.1.1 It is proven...
3.1.2 It is improving.
• 3.2 Steadfast faith=maturity and sufficiency.
3.2 Steadfast faith=maturity and sufficiency.
3.2 Steadfast faith=maturity and sufficiency.
The Essence of Endurance....Joy?
The Essence of Endurance....Joy?