James 4:1-10 | Part 12
James, Part 12
All sin is about God
Rape is about God
Abortion is about God
Lying is about God
Why? Because God is our creator, therefore anything in defiance of His Headship of us is sin
James 4:1-10
What is the source of wars and fights among you? Don’t they come from your passions that wage war within you?
The older I get, the more I dislike violence
I don’t like fighting. Physical or verbal
I enjoy peace
Most fights of any kind come from a passionate place
Harsh disagreement. Violent responses
That doesn’t mean we aren’t called to defend and protect
2 You desire and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and wage war.
Worldly wisdom and understanding DEMAND we have our way
It’s all about us and our agenda for SELF
Godly wisdom and understanding has us under the authority of our King Jesus. Are passions and desires are lined up with His
What does Jesus want in this situation? What is Jesus calling me to do? How would King Jesus want me to respond?
Convicted this week about loving certain people in my life
1st John 4:9-10
God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his one and only Son into the world so that we might live through him. 10 Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.
You do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and don’t receive because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
You don’t have because you don’t ask (for the right things)
You ask and don’t get it because you have wrong motives
4 You adulterous people! Don’t you know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God?
Adultery is a heavy claim. It’s super painful, but forgivable and redeemable
When you and I prioritize our worldly desires, we are adulterers
When we prioritize our worldly desires it is an act of HOSTILITY against our heavenly Father
So whoever wants to be the friend of the world becomes the enemy of God. 5 Or do you think it’s without reason that the Scripture says: The spirit he made to dwell in us envies intensely?
Relationships matter in other relationships
Priority of friends over spouses
Priority of work over family
6 But he gives greater grace. Therefore he says: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Even though we cheat on God, He gives greater grace
Do you give greater grace to those who have hurt you?
Two kinds of people in this scenario:
1.) Proud
No grace given to others
Therefore God will resist you
He will break you down
2.) Humble
Grace and mercy given to others
Therefore, God will give you grace
Added bonus, He will build you up
Practical steps of putting God first:
1.) Time
We show what we love by how we spend our time
2.) Talent
I want to use my talents, my skill set for God’s glory and for my family. For you
3.) Treasure
Malachi 3:10
Bring the full tenth into the storehouse so that there may be food in my house. Test me in this way,” says the Lord of Armies. “See if I will not open the floodgates of heaven and pour out a blessing for you without measure.
first fruits is a command
It's the only way we are allowed to test God
Giving is a blessing to do and a blessing received
Mike’s story
7 Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Mike Frisbie -
1. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” NIV
a. Another word for “believe” is “trust”– do we trust Jesus in all life’s aspects?
Q - Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?
- It may be easier for you to call him “Savior” than “Lord”
Q. Is Jesus, king of your life? time, talents, finances?
- True freedom is when we can answer “yes” to all aspects of life
2. God has done, is doing, and will do great things through Mission Church!
a. It takes $850,000 annually to operate Mission Church - $16k/wk
3. Self assessment: are you giving freely?
a. God owns it all and provides money to us to be good stewards
b. Firstfruits – we receive from God, we give to God’s work - Proverbs 3:9 “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops”
c. God is more interested in your heart and first-fruits giving than amount
d. Some give very generously, some could give more, and some don’t give
4. My wife Lisa & I – married 32 years
a. Here’s pic from date night a couple weekends ago
b. When we got our start, we were not in the habit of giving to God’s work
c. Through reading Bible and discipleship we learned the importance of firstfruits giving.
d. We started small, grew it over time. Hard at first, but freedom over time.
5. Isn’t it good to be needed? We at Mission need your time, talents, and giving.
a. If you give regularly, thanks & consider increasing the amount
b. If you don’t give regularly, make King Jesus king of your finances (He owns it all anyway) and start giving from your first fruits. Receive, give, receive, give….
c. Go to missionchurchsa.org, “GIVE”, and sign up for auto giving.
d. If you are married, strive for unity with your spouse
6. Malachi 3:6 “For I the Lord do not change.” vs. 8 Do not rob God of His rightful place in your life. vs. 10 “bring the full tithe” – again, % is not as important as making sure it’s the first fruit (story of family who gave 90%).
If you are giving – thanks and consider giving more.
If you are not giving, please start. Malachi 3:10 “Test the Lord” to see how he works in your life. Start experiencing His freedom and joy more and more in your life.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for:
a. being our Lord and Savior
b. allowing us to be stewards of time, talents, and finances
c. your Word, The Bible, “which is a lamp to our feet and a light to my path” Psalms 119:105
d. thank you for your blessings and help us all to be channels for your Holy Spirit to work through.
Amen