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WELCOME: Elder Higgins Reflections Group Thursdays @ 7:30 pm

Reflections Church Service

July 3rd, 2022

Pastor Straker

1 Corinthians 3:10-16

“Fireworks”

We live in a age of no moral absolutes. Relativism, and personal truth guide the mind and heart. People put feelings over facts.

When you are in a position of power you will always have haters.

Sometimes the very people that plot against you suffer the consequences of their own hate.

We dear not compromise as His church we are supposed to be lit.

God will be with us in the fire.

If you don’t have fire in your life you may already be compromised.

It’s in the midst of the fire God shows up and gets us through. In the midst of our persecution He leaves the door open so other can see how He brings us through.

[Therefor you should not be ashamed of the things you’re facing your story can help others, and be an inspiration to many.]

Q #1: What do you think of the supreme courts ruling overturning Roe v. Wade?

Q #2: What if any response do you think the church should have?

James 1:1

Introduction to James:

Most likely the author is James the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3; Act 1:14; 12:17; 15:13; 21:18; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 2:9).

Though no a follower of his brother during His earthly ministry (see John 7:3-5), James came to believe in Jesus after His resurrection (Act 1:14; 1 Corinthians 15:7). He was a leader in the Jerusalem church and exerted significant influence. (Acts 15:6-21)

James is the in-your-face, no-holds-barred apostle. He’s saying in essence, “if you’re going to be a Christian, be a real one.” This book explains what practical Christianity looks like. It’s about living out your faith in everyday situations with everyday people, and doing it victoriously.

He opens talking about trials that affect ever area of life. He then exhorts his readers to stop whining and keep going because there is a crown waiting for each of us, not only in heaven, but here on earth. Then he tackles discrimination in the church and tells God’s people to stop honoring the wrong folks.

He urges God’s people to quit fighting and fussing with each other, to submit themselves to God. James says that if God’s people will get right with God, they will have His power at their disposal. But if we aren’t using our faith, it is dead (useless).

James 1:2-4

Question: What does it look like for a follower of Jesus to be “mature and complete”?

(v. 2) Notice James said “whenever,” not “if”. But regardless of the form your trials take (physical, emotional, relational, financial), God wants you to be joyful because one of the primary means He uses to make us like Christ is by sending trouble our way.

Definition: A trial is a divinely ordained difficulty that God causes or allows so that He may grow us and conform us into the image of His Son (see Roman 8:28-29).

Believers in crisis are undergoing an extreme makeovers. Hardships can transform us into something beautiful. That is cause for unspeakable joy, not because of the pain, but because of the purpose behind it. In God’s providence, you have bad days on purpose. God uses trials to develop us spiritually.

(vv. 3-4) It’s one thing to tell your teacher you know the material; it’s another thing to write the correct answer on a test. Similarly, you may claim to believe and follow God, but how do you respond when He tests your faith and pushes your buttons?

God is working to produce endurance in you. Don’t try to short circuit a trail by illegitimately seeking to exit it. God is trying to make you spiritually mature and complete

[The conflict you experience in the physical world in s means he uses to draw you attention to something in the spiritual world. God applies the hot irons of trials to the wrinkles of our lives so that we look good representing Jesus Christ.

James 1:5-8

Question: Have you ever experienced the truth of Jame’s instructions on handling trials?

(v. 5) What we should do when trouble begins. Pray. Ask God for wisdom, which is the ability to apply spiritual truth to life’s circumstances. He promises to give you wisdom to respond to your trials with maximum spiritual benefit.

Question: How does God communication this wisdom?

(vv. 6 - 8) Primarily through His word and secondarily through godly counsel.

Pray

Go to the Scriptures and see what God says about your problem.

Then ask for help from spiritually minded people who can teach you how best to apply biblical truth to it.

You must, however, approach with faith not doubting or double mindedness (1:6,8). You cannot respond to your issue with both a divine, and human perspective. Because in that case you should not expect to receive wisdom from God. You cannot conflate human and divine answers.

James 1:12

Everyone is looking for a blessing. Unfortunately, what they often mean by “blessing” is a car, house, a mate, job, etc..

A true blessing, however, is a God-given capacity to experience , enjoy, and extend His goodness in life. Regardless of whether God’s blessings include external components, they are intended to bring about internal change so that our lives display His kingdom relationship and rule.

Trials open the door to God’s blessings, so receive them with joy, pray for wisdom, and grow in Christlikeness. A temptation is a solicitation to do evil.

In the same event both God and the devil can be at work one to test you and the other to to tempt you.

James 1:13

Let’s be clear: God does not tempt anyone. And any temptation hatched by Satan must pass through God’s hand first even though God is not the source (see Job 1:6 - 12).

Satan desires your downfall; God desires your development.

James 1:14-15

Temptation leads to sin when you yield to it. If you are a Christian, the devil cannot make you sin. But he studies your game film. He knows your distinctive weaknesses and tendencies. He knows how to appeal to your evil desire so that you’ll be drawn away to sin (1:14). And sin leads to death --separation (1:15). When we sin, we break fellowship with God.

James 1:16-18

When faced with temptation, you must shift your focus.

First, focus on the goodness of God: Look to all the kindness God shown you rather than at the temptation confronting you.

Second, focus on the faithfulness of God’s character: He’s “the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (1:17). God never changes and always shines. Why does a portion of the earth become dark even though the sun always shines? Because earth keeps turning. God is consistently shinning forth his goodness, truth, and grace. Turn to Him, not away from Him.

Third, focus on God’s Word: (1:18) For many, the Bible is like the queen of England. It’s held in high esteem but wields no power over them personally. What Scripture accomplished for our salvation , it can accomplish for our sanctification.

Face temptation, like Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11), with the spiritual power or the Word. After all, if the living Word needed the written Word to defeat the enemy of the Word, we certainly do.

Finally, focus on God’s plan: you are the firstfruits of his creatures (1:18). As God’s “firstfruits,” you are of highest value to Him. Your are a son of daughter of the living God. Do not succumb to temptation and lower your dignity.

James 1:19-21

God’s Word will confront you, but getting angry with Him will not achieve His righteous plan for your life (1:20). So instead confess and repent of your sin and humbly receive the implanted word. We have everything we need for spiritual growth. But we have to receive it, humbly placing ourselves under its authority so that it can save us (1:21) -- that is deliver and transform us.

James 1:22-25

Without application, there can be no spiritual transformation. A mirror shows the reality. It exposes what you look like, but it cannot change you. It won’t comb your hair or brush your teeth. To look in a mirror is a call to action.

The Bible calls us to true freedom, which is submission to God’s perfect Word. To live this way requires going to the Word intently - not casually - in prayer and meditation. The on who submits to transformation by the Word and is a doer will be blessed (1:25).

James 1:26-27

If anyone thinks he is religious, his Christianity must be practical (1:26). Vertical worship must have horizontal expression. Your faith must be seen in your conversation, your compassion, your conduct, and your attitude.

First, you conversation ought to demonstrate mastery of your tongue (1:26). Talk less bless more. Second, of your religion is to be pure and undefiled, it must express itself in compassion. Provide for those who can do nothing for you in return because that’s what your heavenly Father did for you. Third, practice in in-the-world-but-not-of-the-world religion (John 17:15-16). Don’t let the world rub off on you. Instead, rub off on the world and leave behind a trace of grace.