Sermon Tone Analysis
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In (James 4:6) we find the CURE for CONFLICT in the Church: “But he gives greater grace.
Therefore he says, ‘God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
If we are proud and unrepentant, then God resists us, and we continue in conflict and strife!
However, if we humble ourselves, we receive “…greater grace!”
NOW, on the heels of this great promise of grace, James outlines a program that will enable believers to appropriate the grace of God!
In (James 4:7-12), James uses a series of IMPERATIVES/commands (eleven of them in vv.7-10) to communicate NINE KEY PRINCIPLES of God’s grace for the believer!
As we look at these principles, allow the Holy Spirit to measure your own life!
Grace Principle #1 – Relinquish Control of Your Life!– (4:7a)
“Submit…” – from a Greek word meaning, ‘to take rank under.’
This is the ultimate challenge for the proud person!
If a believer is UNWILLING to submit to the control of God in their life, they will never be open to the grace of God!
Jacob (James) adapts the words of his brother, Jesus! – (Luke 18:9-14)
“If I am so proud, I think I can earn my way to God, then why do I need the grace of God?”
Grace Principle #2 – RESIST the DEVIL!– (4:7b)
“Resist the devil…” Your resistance will cause him to “…flee from you.”
What does “resisting” look like?
(Ephesians 6:10-14a)– STAND!
Don’t budge!
Remember that Jesus is with you!
Grace Principle #3 – MAKE WORSHIP a PRIORITY!
– (4:8a)
“Draw near to God…”
The first imperative was to submit to God as servants; now we are admonished to “draw near” as WORSHIPERS!
It is a picture of a priest approaching the Holy Place!
When we “draw near” in worship, God promises to, “…draw near to you” (v.8b)
We are able to experience the very presence of God in our worship (both personal and corporate)!
Grace Principle #4 – RENOUNCE SINFUL ACTIONS! – (4:8c)
“Cleanse your hands, sinners…”
Again, this instruction is reminiscent of the terminology of the Tabernacle!
The priest had to wash his hands before he could approach the Holy Place of the Almighty God!
Grace Principle #5 – REJECT SINFUL ATTITUDES!
– (4:8d)
“…purify your hearts,” – Lit., ‘to wash off,’ or ‘wash away’
NOTE: what needs to be cleansed: “your heart!”
“…you double-minded.”–
From δίψυχοι(lit., double-souled), a term that expresses vacillation!
It pictures the person who loves God AND loves the world!
(James 4:4) – This attitude will KEEP the grace of God from flowing in the life of a believer!
Grace Principle #6 – REACT to sin with sorrow!
– (4:9a)
“Be miserable and mourn and weep…”
Jacob is like an OT prophet who calls his people to repentance by having them grieve over their sins!
When was the last time you wept over your sin?”
When we are broken, God’s grace flows!
“Those who sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy…”
Grace Principle #7 – REFRAIN from a FRIVOLOUS ATTITUDE TOWARD EVIL! – (4:9b)
“…Let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.”
Jacob is NOT saying that a Christian’s WHOLE life should be characterized by depression!
The ISSUE here is our ATTITUDE toward EVIL!
In the process of “purifying our hearts” we are to no longer delight in evil!
What used to make us LAUGH should now cause us to WEEP!
Grace Principle #8 – RESPOND HUMBLY to SUCCESS! – (4:10)
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.”
Someone has calculated that this concept appears over fifty times in the Word of God!
Grace Principle #9 – REFUSE to SLANDER YOUR BROTHER! – (4:11-12)
One of the names of Satan is the Greek term, ‘Diabolos,’ which is translated, “devil” or “slanderer!”
The chief work of the devil is to slander God’s people!
While most of us would NEVER knowingly do the work of the devil, that’s exactly what you are doing when we speak evil of our brothers and sisters in Christ!
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