Draw Near to God

Yo, yo, will you open your Bibles this morning to the Book of James?

The general Epistle of the Apostle James.

We're going to be freezing in chapter 4.

We'll start reading inverse 1.

What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source, your pleasures, that Wade's war in your members. You desire and do not have so you commit murder. You're envious and cannot obtain. So you fight and coral. You do not have because you do not ask you ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives so that you may spend it on your pleasures. You adulteresses. Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God. Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the scripture speak to no purpose? He jealously desires, the spirit which he has made to dwell in US. But he gives greater Grace. Therefore it says God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands. You Sinners purify your hearts you double-minded be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter returned it to morning and your joy to Gloom humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. Let's pray.

Heavenly Father Lord, Jesus. Spirit of God. Thank you for your precious word. Lord. Your word is a light to our path. It is sustenance to our souls Lord. We come this morning acknowledging and end depending on the fact that your spirit is our teacher. We need to hear your voice this morning, and we trust Lord that you will take your word and apply it to each hard to bring encouragement to bring. Correction to bring speeding in nourishment. As you see fit little. We just give you this time and it just thank you for the minister of your spirit, as we come to your word in Jesus name. Amen.

The last several messages, which I've had the privilege of sharing with you on Sunday mornings have been on the topic of spiritual warfare. And this is a topic that has been on my heart because everyone I know and care about is involved in some kind of conflict in their lives. And whether we realize it or not. Every conflict we face has its roots in the realm of the spirit. The plane teaching of scripture is that, if you belong to Jesus Christ, there is a war being waged against you in the spiritual Realm.

And it will be. So until Jesus comes again or until the Lord calls you home. This past week, as I was in prayer, the Lord, Drew my attention to this passage in Jennings chapter 4 that we just read. Which book the book of James is actually a letter written by the Apostle James. There are actually two prominent individuals by the name of James who are mentioned in the New Testament. The first is James, the brother of John. It was one of our Lord's original 12 disciples. James was one of the earliest of those who Jesus called to follow him. It was also the first of the original 12, to be martyred. Acts chapter 12 tells us about the time when Herod the King has sung who belong to the church apprehended in order to mistreat them. And burst to go back, 12 tells us that Herod had James, the brother of John put to death with a sword.

But we also read about another prominent figure named James and the New Testament. This James was one of the sons of Mary. He was the younger half, brother of Jesus. We're told in the gospels that after the Virgin birth of our Lord. Mary went on to have four other sons and at least two daughters.

But John 7-5 makes it clear that none of the brothers of Jesus believed in him before the crucifixion.

The first time, the brothers of Jesus are mentioned among the Believers is in Acts chapter 1, verse 14 after the resurrection. And most likely they were all present on that day of Pentecost. When the Holy Spirit came, upon those who are gathered in the upper room. 1st Corinthians, 15:7 tells us specifically that the Risen Jesus appeared to his brother James. And if you wasn't a Believer before that. It certainly would have he would certainly would have been afterwards, right? Several passages in the book of Acts, reveal that James went on to become one of the main leaders in the Church of Jerusalem. And from Galatians chapter 1 verse 19. We learned that he was numbered among the apostles and it is this James, the younger brother of Our Lord. Who is the author of The this letter that were studying this morning? The first time that you read through this passage from chapter 4, it can seem like a collection of unrelated, exhortations, and instructions. The first time I read through it, this past week. It reminded me of the Book of Proverbs. And the Publishers heading in my Bible didn't help at all. I hope you realize that those little headings in italics over the various sections in the Bible are not actually part of the scripture, their added, by the publisher said that heading over. This passage in my Bible says things to avoid. Things to avoid. Thank you. That's very helpful.

I can't blame them though, because the surface reading of this passage does give the impression that these are just some random thoughts on James Park. But when we read this passage in the context of spiritual warfare, I believe we can discern a critically important message which the early church needed to hear. And that we need to hear in our day as well. So we read in verse one that our desires for pleasure, which wage war in the members of our body. Inverse poor, we read about the world's hostility toward God and about what it means to be the enemy of God. Number 7, we read about the necessity of resisting the devil. James is the first of a group of leaders in this last section of the New Testament are referred to as general Epistles because they're not addressed to any particular church, but to all Christians in general. It seems like James certainly had a particular type of Christian in mind when he wrote this letter. Especially in this passage that were looking at this morning. He seems to be specifically addressing Christians who are currently losing the battle in the experience of spiritual warfare. Turn first one we read. What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you is not the source of your pleasures that wage war in your members.

Just before going to the Cross, Jesus told his disciples by this, all men will know that you are my disciples. If you have love for one another. The Believers that James is writing too. Heavy come known not for their love, but for the fights and the quarrel that took place among them. So James spills out to them the source of all that, bitterness and dissension. These battles arise from the pleasures within your bodies and it, you're and their members which wage war against you. The Greek word that is translated, pleasure. Here is always used in the New Testament in the negative sense of a sinful self-indulgent pleasure. This is the word that Jesus uses in Luke 8:14, when he warns that the seed of God's word can be choked and made unfruitful in our lives, by the pleasures of this life.

Peter expresses, a similar warning in 1st Peter 2:11 where he exhorts us as sojourners and pilgrims abstain from fleshly desires that war against you. As we saw last week, the problem is not that we are pursuing pleasure. The problem is that we pursue the pleasures of the flesh. We pursue the pleasures of this life that are passing away rather than the Eternal pleasures. There is a pleasure that is greater than physical pleasure. And it is the pleasure of God. The psalmist testifies in Psalm 16:11. You got have made known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal Pleasures at your right hand.

This is what all people seek for. Joy and pleasure. Pool, and Without End. When I read this promise from Psalm, 16:11 and believe it. It motivates me to forsake, the pleasures of the flesh, the pleasures of this life and seek my pleasure in him. His presence is the greatest joy, the fullness of any joy, we can know in this life.

Brewstew says you desire and do not have. So you commit murder? You're envious and cannot obtain. So you fight and quarrel. It's unlikely that the Christians were literally murdering one another. So we can assume that James uses this term figuratively. As the Apostle John does, in 1st John 3:15, everyone who hates his brother is a murderer. We think also of Matthew 5, 22 and 23, where Jesus taught that we can murder one another with anger. We can murder one another, with hurtful words. In the last part of her stew, wearied, you do not have because you do not ask. Change the same here that if they were to turn to God with a different desire. The desire for that highest and Most Blessed pleasure. The fullness of joy in his presence. God would gladly give it to them. But they do not desire that. Until they do not ask and therefore do not receive. Psalm 37:4, counsels us, delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.

But instead James Wright, you ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives so that you may spend it on your pleasures. They seek and longed-for only that that which will satisfy the fleshly pleasures of this life.

In verse, for James, addresses them in the strongest possible terms, you adulteresses. Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God. Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Adulteresses turn, but true of James upon these Unfaithful Believers, the Old Testament. Provides the explanation for the term. God has joined himself with a people of Israel. He had graciously chosen them from all the nations of the earth and he had brought them into Covenant relationship with himself.

The Old Testament frequently uses the imagery of marriage to portray that Union of God, with his people, that Covenant relationship, that he brought his people into. So, when Israel betrayed that relationship by worshipping other gods, their unfaithfulness to him was labeled adultery.

James makes use of this term adulteresses to characterize, these leaders, who have been unfaithful in their relationship with God. In the same way that Israel had committed adultery by seeking after other gods. These Believers were guilty of spiritual adultery by seeking to fulfill their desires by pursuing things of this world. Whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God, James declares. 1st. John 2:15. Puts it this way. Love, not the world. Neither the things that are in the world. If anyone love the world, the love of the father is not in yet.

The John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world.

But here, in 1st John 2:15, this verse we just read, we are commanded not to love the world.

And hear James tells us in James chapter 4, that could be friends with the world is to be the enemy of God.

Obviously the world which God love is not identical with the world, which we are told not to love.

The term world has various meanings in scripture and it can lead us into great confusion. If we don't understand those different meanings. In some places, the term World refers to the earth and the physical Universe in all of its order and beauty. As when Romans 1 verse 20 says, for since the creation of the world. God's invisible attributes have been clearly seen. Having been understood through what he has made. In other places that term World refers to mankind, the human race. As in John 1:29 where we're told, Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Certainly, there's no sin in. Loving this material world. What are the greatest joys of my life is to get up every morning and to have my devotions in the backyard fishing. This time of year when the other birds are singing. And it's it's so lucky. The sun is just coming up over the mountain. I love that and there's no sin in that. There's no sin in, loving the beauty of this natural world. Even less. Is there any sin in loving one's fellow, man? In fact, we're commanded that we shall love our neighbor as we love ourselves. But very often when the New Testament uses the term World, it has a more ominous meaning. It refers to, that domain of Darkness that exist in the spiritual realm, which is utterly opposed to the rule of God. In John 7:7. Jesus says, I testify of the world that its Deeds are evil. In John 15:18 and 19 Jesus reveals that the world hates him and it hates all who follow him. In John 16:20. He says when he is crucified. The world, this domain of Darkness will rejoice.

In the 1st John 5:19, we're told that the world lies in the power of the evil one. Made it back safely is called the ruler of this world and the God of this world. This is the world about which we are admonished. Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. This is the world in which we are managed to be friends with the world. Is to be the enemy of God. I cannot Embrace both God and the world. To embrace the one. Is to be the enemy of the other. These Christians to whom James is writing, are trying to live with one foot in the world and one foot in the kingdom of God. They foolishly imagined that they can remain friends of God, even as they pursue the pleasures of this world would change is warning them. That cannot be. God declares that the choice must be made. And that choice is absolute and exclusive. James is addressing not only the church as a whole. But each individual believer. Each one of us has been joined to Christ. Each one of us has been brought in to Unbreakable spiritual union with him. And each one of us stands to Christ in the relation of a wife to her husband. In 1st Corinthians, 6:17. We have the pronouncement that the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with him. And it's 2nd Corinthians 11 verses, 2 and 3. The Apostle Paul write. I am jealous for you with a Godly jealousy. For I betrothed you to one husband. So that's to Christ. I might present you as a pure virgin. But, I am afraid that as the serpent deceived by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the Simplicity and purity of Devotion to Christ.

We have been betrothed to one, husband to the Lord, Jesus Christ, each and everyone of us. But this world seek to seduce us away from him. British silagen Alfred plumber in his commentary on this passage was written. Any wife who cultivates friendship with one? Who is trying to seduce her becomes the enemy of her husband and every Christian ought to know that friendship of the world is enmity with God.

We come the first five. There's a fair amount of disagreement between the different Bible versions about how this verse should be translated. Half of our versions of the King James, The New International Version and the New Living Translation, translate verse 5 to say that the human spirit that God has placed Within. Is filled with Envy or envies? Intensely. The other half of the translations dnase ESV and the RSV, for example, transferred it to say that jealously or jealously desires the spirit, he has made to dwell in US. I think it's clear that the key to understanding this verse is to see it in the context that we saw in the previous verse in verse 4. When we read verse five in the light of this imagery of God, as the husband of his people. End of every individual believer as being betrothed to Jesus. Then the meaning of verse 5 becomes clear. This verse is speaking about God's jealousy over his people. God's desire, that his people be holy and unreservedly his.

This is the expression of the mighty and affectionate longing in the heart of God for us for his people. He jealously Longs and yours. Over.

In Exodus chapter 20. We have the recounting of the Ten Commandments which yokwe gave to Moses on Mount Sinai. The second commandment in versus four and five of exit is 20, is the command that forbids, the worship of idols. You shall not make for yourself any Idol? You shall not worship them or serve them for I the Lord your God, am a jealous God.

We're not to make any Idols, because God is a jealous God. It may seem uncomfortable for us to think of God as being jealous. Especially if we're not sure of what jealousy really is. Jealousy does not mean Desiring. Something that belongs to someone else. That Cindy, that's covetousness. Jealousy is when a person is watchful and careful to keep and guard. What already belongs to him? Jealousy is the reaction. When someone tries to take from me. Someone or something, I value.

God's jealousy is a righteous and holy jealousy. Because it is a jealousy for us, the redeemed of the Lord. 1st Peter 1 18 and 19 for claims, you know, you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold. You were redeemed with the Precious Blood of the Lamb. The lamb without blemish or defect, the blood of Christ.

To be redeemed, means to be purchased.

Revelation chapter 5 tells us that the Heavenly Host fell down and worshipped. Before the lamb saying you were slain and you have purchased for God with your blood. People from every tribe and tongue and people in nation.

1st Peter 2:9, declares. You are a chosen race, a people for God's Own possession.

God is jealous over his people because they are his people.

Christ has purchased Us by his blood. To be God's Own possession. We belong to him. We have been joined to Christ as a bride to her bridegroom. But there are forces and influences that would draw us from him. That would seek to steal our affections away from him. The World, the Flesh and the devil.

Sir Paul says in 2nd Corinthians, 11:2 and 3. I'm jealous for you with a Godly. Jealousy. I feel the jealousy towards you. That God feels

because I'm afraid. That you will be led astray.

From the simplicity. And purity of Devotion to Christ.

And now, here in verse 5, a James of James chapter 4, we find that God himself. Jealously desires us and yearns jealously over us.

Here then. We come to the central Focus. A spiritual warfare.

Here is the heart. Of the battle. In which we are all engaged. Jesus Christ has come into this world to Ransom us and to reconcile us to God. We have been granted the inexpressible privilege of access into the holy of holies access into the very presence of God. But the enemy of our souls. We'll use every weapon in his Arsenal every influence at his disposal, to draw us away. From God's. Loving presence.

He will use the pleasures of this life. People use the pleasures of the flesh.

He will draw our affections away from God. And away from the lover of our soul. He will use friendship with the world. To separate us from the experience of that love. This is the devil's end game. This is what he is trying to accomplish in our lives. To keep us. From realizing and experiencing the one thing. That will bring fullness of joy and everlasting pleasure. That which God most wants us to enjoy. That which Christ died to purchase for us. The presence of God in our lives. And the experience of unbroken fellowship with him. This is why James uses such a passionate and forceful language in this passage. Because it is a heartbreaking tragedy. When God's people fail to enter in. to the fullness of their inheritance, which is intimacy with God.

So what must we do to Prevail in this battle? Verses 7 & 8 instructor. Give us the strategy for engagement in this Warfare. Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil. And he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

Submit therefore to God. We saw on our Study last week that we must arm ourselves with the same purpose that same life purpose that Jesus had to live the rest of our lives in the flesh. No longer for the lusts of men but for the will of God.

We must resist the devil. Jesus came to reconcile us to God, the devil's primary purpose. Is to separate us from him.

It is this separation that we must resist. And we resist that Separation by drawing near to God. And when we do, The devil will flee.

Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

When we draw near to God, the devil will flee from us and God will draw near.

To resist the devil's schemes to separate us and draw near to God that the victory. To draw near to God is the victory. The devil has no power to keep you from Drawing Near to God. If he can keep you focused on the pleasures of the flesh, if he can, keep you focused on the Allure of this world. If he can keep you focused on the trials and tribulations of your life. He can defeat you. But she is powerless when you turn your attention to drawing nearer to God.

You're the New Testament tells us over and over again, that there is no favoritism with God. That means that each and every one of us. Can cultivate the same closeness to God? That we see in the life of Moses or David or the Apostle, Paul. There is no limit to the degree of intimacy with god with which each of us can experience.

The God does not scheme. He doesn't tempt us and he doesn't track looks like the devil. Notice, he overwhelmed. You know, God could overwhelm us with his presence. Why don't you just do that? Why don't you just with your presence? And I will have the fullness of joy, and then I won't even be tempted anymore.

But God does not overwhelm us because he will not override our will.

He wants our pursuit of him to be a Pursuit Of Love. We must choose to draw near to him. We must choose to desire him above all the things. We must choose to worship him and him alone. And we must choose to love him with all of our heart, with all of our soul and with all of our strength. Let me close with a quote from Theologian and Christian counselor, Paul Tripp. Paul Tripp says life. This side of Eternity really is one big unceasing Glory Battle.

There could be no bigger issue than this. Then what? Glory will rule your heart? And then ruling your heart control. Your thoughts desires choices, words and behavior.

How can you arm yourself for this Glory War? This Glory war that will be fought on the turf of your heart.

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you draw near to God and He will draw near to you. That's what the Apostle James would instructor submit resist.