Excusing Your Ability To Serve God In Holiness

A man in a hot air balloon realized he was lost. He reduced altitude and spotted a woman below. He descended a bit more and shouted, "Excuse me, can you help me?

I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The woman below replied, "You are in a hot air balloon hovering approximately 30 feet above the ground. You are between 40 and 41 degrees north latitude and between 59 and 60 degrees west longitude."

"You must be a programmer," said the balloonist.

"I am," replied the woman, "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct, but I have no idea what to make of your information, and the fact is I am still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help so far."

The woman below responded, "You must be a manager."

"I am," replied the balloonist, "but how did you know?"

"Well," said the woman, "You don't know where you are or where you are going. You have risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise which you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. The fact is you are in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but now, somehow "it's my fault."

Historical/Cultural Context -

The book of James was written by the half-brother of Jesus. The Son of Joseph and Mary. Written in the early 40s. He wrote to primarily Jews who were Christians, as at this time it was so early in the spread of Christianity that it had not been widely adopted by non-jews, also known as Gentiles. James encouraged his readers to live consistent Christian lives in the midst of persecution for their faith in Christ.

Biblical Text -

James 5:7–12 NKJV

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

-[Prayer]-

Life Principle - Don’t Use Patience And Hardships As Excuses For Sin. Follow Through With Your Oaths.

Life Point- Patience Isn’t An Excuse To Be Lazy

Exegetical -

James 5:7–8 NKJV

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

Homiletical -

Notice this section starts with a Therefore. Therefore what? Therefore what came before.

James 5:1–6 NKJV

Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you.

These Christians were being oppressed and cheated by the richer folks that were themselves counted amongst the brethren.

God addressed the rich before and now He addresses those that have been cheated.

He says to “be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord.”

Remember what was written before in James 1:20.

James 1:20 NKJV

for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

We don’t know how this is all going to shake out yet. We don’t know how God is going to judge those doing the cheating, whether it is on earth or after their death. We Don’t know. So we are told to be patient because when the Lord comes, then we will understand and we will see His righteousness.

I personally believe that when the Lord comes, for the Christian who has been cheated, it won’t matter. Why? Because we will be with the Lord! What are the temporary trappings of this world when compared to the presence of our savior?!

The New King James Version Chapter 5

See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain.

Now, I am no farmer. But one thing I know, the farmer while he is waiting for the abundance of rain during these seasons doesn’t just sit back and do nothing. No, they are continuing to work the land, take care of the animals etc.

So is the Christian who is being patient in hard times. This Christian doesn’t just say, “I am going to take my marbles and go home.” No, they are continuing to work where God has placed them in the body. They are continuing to do evangelism, sharing the good news of peace between God and man. They continue to point out sin and salvation. They don’t give up, they don’t walk out and they don’t surrender to circumstances. They serve God until the day they die.

Speaking of working in the body where God has placed you. Let’s look into that real quick.

1 Cor. 12:12-27 (BSB)

Berean Study Bible The Body of Christ

12 The body is a unit, though it is composed of many parts. And although its parts are many, they all form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free, and we were all given one Spirit to drink.

14 For the body does not consist of one part, but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?

18 But in fact, God has arranged the members of the body, every one of them, according to His design. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you.” Nor can the head say to the feet, “I do not need you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts we consider less honorable, we treat with greater honor. And our unpresentable parts are treated with special modesty, 24 whereas our presentable parts have no such need.

But God has composed the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its members should have mutual concern for one another. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

The Greater Gifts

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of i

God has placed each of us in the body and each of us in this local body of believers. He has a job for each of us to do. We need to figure out what it is, and do it. I can’t do everything. I can’t sing, I can’t do finances, I can’t do a whole lot of carpentry. That is not my skill set nor my calling in the body. I am called as a Pastor. Jo is called to sing, Vivian & Karen are called to making sure the finances are in order. Amanda is currently called to work Children’s Church. Al is called to be a deacon, a servant of the church; and there are many others that I didn’t list.

Where are you called? Find it and do it. Someone in here may be called to do Sunday School for youth or kids. Find out what you are called to do here and do it.

Berean Study Bible (James 5:8)

8 You, too, be patient and strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.

What does it mean to strengthen your hearts?

It means to be assured, that no matter what is going on around us God is still on His throne. We don’t see the big picture of time and history, but He does. Therefore, we can rest our minds in Him and trust what He says. If He says He is going to do it, it will be done.

What should our response be?

1 Peter 1:13–16 NKJV

Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Jesus is coming back and He expects us to strengthen our hearts and minds and to be stayed on Him. This we should do with passion! Our prayer needs to be, “Lord, until you return, how can I serve you? How can I love your people? Oh God what in your Word do I need to put in to practice? Teach me what true Holiness means before you! I surrender all!”

If that isn’t the passion of your heart then are you sure you’re His? Does He call you friend?

If this used to be you, and it is not anymore then perhaps you need to follow the advice Jesus gave the church at Laodicea

Revelation 3:18–19 NKJV

I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.

Illustration -

After service, a stranger approached the pastor and said, “I’d like you to pray for my hearing.”

The pastor placed his hands on the man’s ears and said a passionate, earnest prayer.

“How’s your hearing now?” the pastor asked.

Looking surprised, the man said, “Well, it’s not until Tuesday.”

Don’t misunderstand what God is telling you today. Make sure that as you find your place in the body, that you don’t hear wrong and end up in the wrong place.

Life Point - Don’t Use Hard Times As An Excuse To Walk Away

Exegetical -

James 5:9–11 NKJV

Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

Homiletical -

James first of all tells us not to complain about one another. Not to slander one another. He is reiterating what he previously wrote.

James had just penned about judging someone’s salvation and there standing with God. Only the self-righteous would do that, because they aren’t aware of their own sin. Now James reiterates that statement. As we wait on God, let us not become self-righteous and outwardly focused as the Pharisees were. Let us remain in humility before our God.

He is the one who will judge the living and the dead. It isn’t our lane, you stay in your lane and let God be God.

Berean Study Bible (James 5:10 - 11)

10 Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Well, now God reminds us of all the afflictions the prophets suffered.

These prophets were chased, stoned to death, ran in terror for their lives and one laid naked on his side for a long period of time.

Let’s talk about specifics:

God commanded the prophet Isaiah to walk around naked for three years to symbolize Assyria's upcoming domination of Egypt and Ethiopia.

The minor prophet Micah was tasked with proclaiming prophecies against Samaria (symbolizing the Kingdom of Israel) and Jerusalem (representing the Kingdom of Judah) to the entire world (Micah 1:1 - 7). He was so grieved and devastated by what he foretold that he stripped off his clothes and publically bemoaned the punishment that was to come.

We see this kind of thing today and we call the mental health professionals. Thank God He doesn’t deal with us like this today. However, a time is coming that just by proclaim Jesus the Lord of all things we will be locked up, persecuted and martyred. It has been foretold in scripture and has happened in the past.

It’s happening right now in countries around the world, but not being reported today. It will come here eventually.

Now James bring up Job. The prophet who experienced his family die, his wife told him to curse God and die and then his friends did the same thing. He lost everything, even his health, but then God restored it back to him. This is the extreme of what God could call you too. Did you know that? For some of us in the room, He may call us to this kind of scenario. But in heaven we get to be with Him! Which is so much better.

Life Point - Don’t Excuse Yourself From Oaths. It Is A Sin.

Exegetical -

James 5:12 NKJV

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.

Homiletical -

During this time it was common for Jews to say that if they swear an oath by earth or heaven it was not a binding oath. However, if you swore by God it was binding.

This verse is not about swearing as in using curse words, though we shouldn’t do that either, Ephesians 4:29 says:

Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

It is about bolstering our claims to the truth. Have you ever heard of someone saying, “I swear to God.....” that is a way of saying I am not lying.

But you see, Jesus wants what we say to be so pure, so trustworthy, that when you say something that it can be believed without any need to bolster the truth.

When we speak and say a thing, it should be able to be trusted implicitly. i.e. no idle words.

Matthew 12:36 NKJV

But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.

During this time it was common for Jews to say that if they swear an oath by earth or heaven it was not a binding oath. However, if you swore by God it was binding.

James writes to directly contradict this kind of thinking and speaking.

We know that it used to be in our country that our word was our bond. However, that has changed. People give their word for things they have no business giving their word for. Then, if something falls through they just walk away. Even on written contracts they do this now.

Here is an example: Let’s take some peoples ideas about credit cards. Do have the money? Yes. Is there some financial reason they can’t pay what they said they would? No. At that point they have broken their oath.

You told someone you were going to do something, you call up and say you can’t do it. Has something come up? Was there sickness, death, broken down car or something else? No. Then you have broken your oath.

Remember, these examples are for those that have no good reason to do so. They shouldn’t have made a promise.

For example: I have had Type 1 diabetes now for 28 years. It takes an unfortunate toll on the body. It is a chronic illness. Thank God it doesn’t hinder me too much. I am able to minister, teach and preach as well as work full-time as a teacher, and travel pretty good distances, and be involved in my daughter’s school things as well as the Band Parent Association. I also am able to sit on our School Advisory Board representing the other teachers and have a say in what we do as a school. Without too much concern. According to my doctor, the diabetes is in the well controlled area right now with an A1C of 6.9.

I have been, at times in my life, uncontrolled and was not able to do 1/4 of the things I am doing as of this day. If God is willing, I will be able to continue this way for the rest of my life.

All of that to say, when I say I am going to do something it is always with the caveat that I am healthy and am not having, what I call an attack. Even at this time, there are days when it sticks its’ ugly head up and says, “nope not today you don’t.” I am blessed that doesn’t happen more, but it does happen.

For example, This last Wednesday was one of those days. My sugars were very high the night before and I didn’t sleep. But what did I do with Blood Glucose over 280? Something I shouldn’t have. But hindsight is 20/20. I pushed myself to go to school and spent the day completely out of it, hoping I would get better. That didn’t happen I had to call and have Al fill in for me. I felt completely out of my body and exhausted, I was dozing off while teaching. I had a headache bordering on a Migraine and I went home and slept til the next morning.

All that to say exactly what God told us through James earlier.

James 4:13–15 NKJV

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”

If it is God’s Will for me to do a thing, I will do it. If you know you won’t be able to do something, don’t tell people you can do it. It is dishonest and unrighteous.

Life Principle– Don’t Use Patience And Hardships As Excuses For Sin. Follow Through With Your Oaths.

Call to Action – altar call….