James Part 4

James 1:9–11 ESV

9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

At times you will be tested spiritually with martial things.

Preaching the Word: James—Faith That Works Wisdom for the Humble and the High ( James 1:9-12 )

“a paradox is truth standing on its head shouting for attention.”

A paradox is truth standing on its head shouting for attention.

G. K. Chesterton

Preaching the Word: James—Faith That Works Wisdom for the Humble and the High ( James 1:9-12 )

G. K. Chesterton

It is a powerful vehicle for truth because it demands that we think.

The Pillar New Testament Commentary: The Letter of James C. Both Poor and Rich Christians Need to View Themselves as God Does (1:9–11)

James’s point, then, is that believers must look beyond the world’s evaluation to understand who they are

As a believers we must look beyond the world’s assessment to understand who you are in Christ.

The world says your value is in what you have.

The world says without money you are a nobody.

Willie Sutton a notorious bak robber was being interviewed and was ask why he had robbed so many banks.

“Because, That’s where the money is.”

Poverty = Failure

Wealth = Success

The Bible says in Christ your are somebody.

Your spiritual condition matters much more than your financial position.

It is a great temptation for the rich to be defined by their wealth—in their own eyes no less than in others’.

The gospel is deeply and profoundly humbling.

They have had to acknowledge before God that however rich they are materially, they are utterly bankrupt spiritually. They are only a Christian because God has been generous, not because of any of their own achievements or accumulations. Spiritually, they have what they have because God has shown them grace. They needed a spiritual handout. They’ve come to God for charity.

Allberry, Sam. James For You: Showing you how real faith looks in real life (God's Word For You) (p. 28). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

Allberry, Sam. James For You: Showing you how real faith looks in real life (God's Word For You) (pp. 28-29). The Good Book Company. Kindle Edition.

I was doing some premarital concealing and asked the groom how much money he had in the bank.

He answered, “I don’t know I haven’t shaken it lately.”

Wealth is always temporary.

James 1:10–11 ESV

10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

10,000 Sermon Illustrations Quotes

Someone asked Willie Sutton, the notorious bank robber why he robbed so many banks. “Because,” replied Sutton, “That’s where the money is.”

We tend to equate wealth with security.

“Because, That’s where the money is.”

You can depend on it to get us through difficult times.

Luke 12:16–21 ESV

16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully, 17 and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

Will I count it all joy when there’s nothing in the bank to count?

When I have more than enough will Christ still be my source of abundant life?