Sermon Tone Analysis
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James opened his letter with the theme of trials:
2
We studied these verses.
We saw that they were true.
We saw the blessings that were there for those who stand strong during trials.
However, James never told us how.
How do we persevere through trials?
What are we supposed to do!
In these verses that we just read, while calling his readers brothers and sisters, he gives them a Biblical perspective on the world and on judgment.
He hands them a set of Biblical glasses, telling to look through them when they experience hard times.
This perspective will help them do certain things.
James gives his readers 4 imperatives in the face of hard times.
An imperative is a command.
What James tells his readers, they have no option but to follow.
All four imperatives comes back to the concept of patience, which is the first imperative.
All four imperatives comes back to the concept of patience
Be patient
James tells his readers to be patient through all the things that are happening to them.
We who live now, who have our own hardships, know that this is easier said than done.
Just for the sake of review: James is writing to a group of Christians who were kicked out of their homes because of their faith in Christ.
They were forced to move to another location.
At this new location, they are persecuted because of their poverty, in addition to their faith.
Rich folks are withholding just wages.
They are being hauled to court for no reason.
Their livelihood is taken away without recourse.
They are left to starve, because they have nothing left.
What does James tell these folks, as a way of encouragement and comfort?
He says, be patient!
Not helpful, James!
This word, patience, can have two meaning, both of which are combined here.
First, having patience can mean: remaining tranquil while waiting.
Consider Abraham.
Heb
Abraham waited patiently.
He remained tranquil while waiting.
Abraham waited over 20 years until God finally gave him the son of the promise, Isaac.
Even then, he did not see his family grow into a family of 12 tribes.
Abraham waited, receiving what was promised after death.
His wait wasn’t perfect, but his wait was focused on God’s provision.
Second, having patience can mean: bear up under provocation without complaint.
This is the harder meaning of patience.
Waiting is hard enough, but waiting while being beat up physically or emotionally and not complaining…Well, how many of us has a hard time complaining when our internet has slowed down.
How many of us are truly willing to follow the example of our Savior:
James tells these Christians, and he tells us, no matter what is going on: be patient, wait with tranquility through anything that is going on, without complaint.
How can we wait patiently through hardships?
How can we wait patiently when we see injustice around us? How can we wait patiently when we see horrible abuse?
How can we wait patiently when we feel like we are alone in living a moral life, alone in our Christian faith?
We are able to be patient because we have an expectation.
This patience we are called to have is the same patience that a pregnant woman has.
A woman can go through crazy discomfort, massive changes in their body, and horrible pain, because they are waiting for and looking towards an expected event: a new baby.
This is the same patience that farmers have, as James relates to us.
They plant their corn or soybeans, or whatever the crop is, and then they wait for their crop.
They have an expectation of what is to come.
This expectation carries them through the uncertainty until the time of God’s provision comes and they can bring in their precious harvest.
We have an expectation: Jesus’ return.
The word that James’ uses here is rich in meaning: parousia: coming.
It speaks of one’s arrival as the first stage of presence.
This word was normally used of a king coming back to live in his country.
James reminds us that our King is coming, not just to visit, but to live with us forever.
James told the rich oppressors to weep and wail because the King is coming.
Now, he tells those who have place their faith in Christ to seize this as their hope.
Early and late rains are a sign of God’s faithfulness, ; Hos 6:3
The only real comfort that anyone has is when Christ comes in glory and as judge, bringing his perfect eternal kingdom with him.
Knowing that he is coming, that everything that is wrong will be made right, allows us to wait, without complaint.
Now, I have to say, in James’ viewpoint, waiting (patience) doesn’t mean not doing anything.
Abraham definitely took part in necessary activities, consistently waiting until those activities provided a son.
The farmer while he waits for the crop does his part in fertilizing, cultivating, watering, weed control.
In the same way, we take part in the work of waiting, or as one commentator called it: militant patience.
We are waiting for the Lord’s return, waiting for the perfect to come, waiting for the Lord’s vengeance, but we can still denounce injustice and promote fair treatment, as James has just finished doing.
We can still call those around us to God’s moral standard and to repentance.
Christ is coming.
That knowledge gives us the gumption to have patience, to wait through provocation without complaint, and to wait actively for Christ.
James tells us: Be patient!
Those who are not living for Christ: his coming is to be dreaded.
Those who are living for Christ: his coming is comfort
Those who are not living for Christ: his coming is to be dreaded.
Those who are living for Christ: his coming is comfort
Stand firm
After James repeats this imperative, telling us to be patient as the farmer is patient.
He tells us to stand firm.
This is an interesting command.
Now, the NIV uses the phrase: stand firm.
To my knowledge, this is the only translation that uses that phrase for what is in the original language.
The phrase literally means: “strengthen your hearts.”
Most of the translations say “strengthen your hearts,” “establish your hearts”, and such like.
This is the same phrase that is used in .
In this verse, Paul is telling the Thessalonians that God is the one doing the strengthening.
The purpose of the strengthening is that they will be able to stand blameless and holy before God in the last day.
The context of these verses is the suffering of the Christians and the pull to leave sound doctrine and godly living.
“Now may God strengthen your hearts so that you can stand firm.”
The situation is the same in the letter by James.
Both groups needed strengthening of their hearts, so that they could stand blameless and holy before God in the last day.
Notice what James says:
James
Strengthen your hearts means: have a firm adherence to the Faith in the midst of temptations and trials.
When hard times hit, we all are easily swayed away the truth that we know.
We want relief.
We want vindication.
We want help from whatever avenue is easiest.
Unfortunately, the easiest path before us most often seems to be the path of the world, rather than the path of faith.
Jesus said: “Wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” .
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