5.17.49 10.29.2017 James 5.1-12 (2) The Power of Gold.
The Secret of functional faith • Sermon • Submitted
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The Power of Gold...
The Power of Gold...
James has a little bit for everyone,
• 1 Entice: James has a little bit for everyone, and more for some. At times we have to learn the principles he is teaching apart from the specific circumstances. For
and more for some of us.
instance, we are not rich. Except compared to everyone else in the world.
At times we have to learn the principles he is teaching
apart from the specific circumstances.
For instance,
We don’t live in Roman Palastine
We don’t live in Roman Palastine
Roman Palastine
Roman Palastine
We have not been exploited
We have not been exploited
2 Engage: How can we protect our hearts from what the late Dan Fogleberg called "the power of Gold"?
We have not been exploited
We have not struggled
We have not struggled
We have not struggled
We are not rich.
We are not rich.
Except compared to everyone else in the world.
Except compared to everyone else in the world.
Maybe the context is not all that unfamiliar. Maybe the Holy Spirit understood what motivates humans so well that the circumstances don’t change.
How can we protect our hearts from what the late Dan Fogleberg called "the power of Gold"?
▾ 2 Engage: How can we protect our hearts from what the late Dan Fogleberg called "the power of Gold"?
The Power of Gold
The Power of Gold Dan Fogelberg
The Power of Gold Dan Fogelberg
Dan Fogelberg
The story is told of the power of gold
And its lure on the unsuspecting
It glitters and shines, it badgers and blinds
And constantly needs protecting
Balance the cost of the soul you lost
With the dreams you lightly sold
Are you under the power of gold?
And everyone wants a favor
They beg to remind you of times left behind you
But you know the past is a loser
The face you're wearing is different now
And the days run hot and cold
Are you under the power of gold?
The power of gold
You're a creature of habit, run like a rabbit
Scared of a fear you can't name
You own…
2.1 Protecting ourselves from the power of Gold, from the magnetic pull that riches has over us begins with understanding that there is a risk, a risk that we seldom even think about as we are trying to make our pile.
seldom even think about as we are trying to make our pile.
2.2 It also requires perspective. We middle-class people in Southern Illinois do not think of ourselves as wealthy. What is called the 2/3rds world would beg to differ.
• 2.2 It also requires perspective. We middle-class people in Southern Illinois do not think of ourselves as wealthy. What is called the 2/3rds world would beg to
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.
4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
2 Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days.
4 Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.
8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation.
differ.
differ.
differ.
3 Expand: James connects two concepts that we might not. In his world, in his land, in his time the power of gold had become a central driving force for evil. His response was to reflect on the words and principles of Jesus (Laying up treasure, letting your yes be yes) and remind us that the world is in the hands of the God upon whom we wait.
• 3 Expand: James joins two concepts that we might not. In his world, in his land, in his time the power of gold had become a central driving force for evil. His
• 3 Expand: James joins two concepts that we might not. In his world, in his land, in his time the power of gold had become a central driving force for evil. His
• 4 Excite:
• 4 Excite:
response was to reflect on the words and principles of Jesus and remind us that the world is in the hands of the God upon whom we wait.
• 4 Excite:
You can rely on money and be disappointed or you can rely on God and be delivered.
You can rely on money and be disappointed or you can rely on God and be delivered.
• Explore: You can rely on money and be disappointed or you can rely on God and be delivered.
Explain: Let's look at these two alternative approaches to life.
• Explain: Let's look at these two alternative approaches to life.
On the one hand consider....
1 The Deluding Power of Riches vv. 1-6
1 The Deluding Power of Riches vv. 1-6
1 The Deluding Power of Riches vv. 1-6
▾ 1 The Deluding Power of Riches vv. 1-6
1.1 Temporary.
1.1 Temporary.
Temporary.
Temporary.
• 1.1 Temporary.
Corrupting.
Corrupting.
• 1.2 Corrupting.
Divisive.
Divisive.
• 1.3 Divisive.
Destructive.
Destructive.
• 1.4 Destructive.
Like all good preaching and teaching James reminds us of what we already know, what we have been told before. Jesus first disclosed the pervasive, intoxicating but ultimately futile reliance on riches in
19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal,
20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
On the other hand consider...
2 The Enduring Power of Patience. vv. 7-12
2 The Enduring Power of Patience. vv. 7-12
▾ 2 The Enduring Power of Patience. vv. 7-12
Patience
• 2.1 Patience perceives the presence of God at work in the normal processes of life. 7
Perceives the presence of God at work. 7
Perceives the presence of God at work. 7
Patience
• 2.2 Patience prepares the heart for the appearing of the Lord. 8
Prepares the heart for the appearing of the Lord. 8
Prepares the heart for the appearing of the Lord. 8
Patience
• 2.3 Patience promotes harmony in the Body. 9
Promotes harmony in the Body. 9
Promotes harmony in the Body. 9
Patience
• 2.4 Patience produces steadfast testimony. 10-11
Produces steadfast testimony. 10-11
Produces steadfast testimony. 10-11
Patience
• 2.5 Patience practices truthfulness. 12.
Practices truthfulness. 12.
Practices truthfulness. 12.
Not Really about money…
Not Really about money…
▾ Shut down: Not Really about money…
Sermons about money, riches or stuff are really sermons about the heart. Riches are the means by which God exposes our heart.
It’s desires & disappointments
• 1 Are you waiting patiently for God to work in your life and do you actively anticipate His eternal deliverance?
It’s victories & defeats
It’s greed & goodness
It’s lust and its life
How’s your heart?
Does your heart reflect the impatient, deluded powers of this age and it’s riches or is your heart anchored in heaven and your life here invested in the patient, productive work of Christian living?
Are you waiting patiently for God to work in your life and do you actively anticipate His eternal deliverance?