Faith, the Brother, and the Neighbor
Notes
Transcript
ILLUST:
ILLUST:
INTRO: This follows “humble yourself” and traces back to 3:13, finishing up a big thought.
INTRO: This follows “humble yourself” and traces back to 3:13, finishing up a big thought.
So, with that in mind...
1) Slander (speaking false, to harm)
1) Slander (speaking false, to harm)
“Brothers” - now return to term of endearment, not “adultresses”
Not same as “gossip”
Applies to:
questioning authority, especially God ()
Slandering in secret ()
Incorrect accusations (, )
“Speak against” - running someone down, not fair debate
*Establish your own measure, and then find others lacking
James’ emphasis still on the community of the church, community of believers
‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
2) Proper Judging (see )
2) Proper Judging (see )
Verse known well by atheists and weak believers
Proper discernment is necessary (gotta know the swing to not cast the pearls there) - not prohibited
RIGHT - speak truth, God’s Word
WRONG - assume to know another’s heart
3) Understand who you are not
3) Understand who you are not
“Judging” here is referring to eternal life
God knows the heart, and He alone judges one’s soul
God will bring to light the deeds of the evil, the hypocrite
So we are not to focus on that
Don’t let slanderers and hypocrites affect YOUR walk with God
God will deal with them
“Keeping the law” - we fail to do so when we stand in judgment over another, as though we were God
The law demands mercy, not judgment
We have no right to make some claim about God’s ultimate judgment on people
(He gives hints, there will be shocked people at judgment)
(And we can warn people, based on His truth, but…)
Divine judgment affects the eternal destiny of people, and that is all God’s prerogative
‘You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the Lord. ‘You shall not hate your fellow countryman in your heart; you may surely reprove your neighbor, but shall not incur sin because of him. ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.
‘You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people, and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the Lord.
4) Now, live in community, in your church
4) Now, live in community, in your church
REM: The law - Jesus is asked about the “greatest commandment” - and He says....
(Repeating) “Keeping the law” - we fail to do so when we stand in judgment over another, as though we were God
Don’t slander
Don’t receive it, don’t listen to it!
See God’s authority - Love Him supremely, and top priority
Quarrels - usually end up including personal attacks and judgmental attitudes
And people who are judgmental are typically ignoring their own apathetic “faith” - build self up by tearing others down. “Brothers, it shouldn’t be this way.”
Treat Brother/Sister:
Treat Brother/Sister:
And this commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also.
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
Prov. 17:17
Prov. 17:17
Pray for
Encourage
Treat Neighbor:
Treat Neighbor:
Etc.
Who is my neighbor?
Good Samaritan ()
Look around - “neighbors” all around
people feel unwelcome, and need to hear of Jesus and His love
When you criticize your brother, or your neighbor, you violate God’s law, and sin against Him.
Focus on your relationship with God:
Focus on your relationship with God:
Then, see the brother/sister - how do you connect?
Then, see the neighbor - how does God look as seen through you?
Then, the rest will follow
James, again, is focused on obedience as that outward measure of faith, and he is calling for an attitude check
Be humble, enjoy the grace God gives, then share it
CLOSING SUMMARY
CLOSING SUMMARY
“IDENTITY”
“IDENTITY”
How do we “identify” ourselves?
Lowly, poor self-image?
“God” - as in the case here in James, setting ourselves over the law?
DIsciples?
How do we identify others?
Past problems?
Current troubles?
Current strengths?
Future heir/inheritance (children of the King)?
We let the world “speak against” us
And we believe the lies, the slander
We let the world “play God.”
Remember, there is ONE GOD, and just as we cannot set ourselves above Him in judging, neither can the world
SO DON’T LET IT!
We get discouraged - a HUGE area of “speaking against”
Worse, we can discourage
REM: the power of the tongue
REM: break one law, guilty of all - we are not God
So....ENCOURAGE, judge properly when necessary,
LAST
LAST
How do you “speak against” yourself”
Don’t lie to yourself
Speak what God speaks
Boast of Him (more on that next week)
SO…ENCOURAGE, PRAY, BUILD UP, EDIFY, HELP, SPEAK TRUTH (learn truth if you don’t know it)
We help others when we know God, and decide to follow
REM: James just finished reminding us that God gives grace to the humble
Be humble, enjoy the grace God gives, then share it