WEBVTT

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 Good evening everyone. Thank you Fiona. My name is Aaron and I'm a member here at Brunsfield Evangelical Church

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 and it's my privilege tonight to continue our series looking into the book of James.

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 In Germany in the early 20th century there were two brothers who owned and ran a successful athletic shoemaking company

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 called the Dazzler Brothers Shoe Factory.

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 The two brothers, Rudolf and Adolf, or Adi and Rudi as they were known,

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 they began however to have differing opinions about how they should run this company.

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 And going unaddressed it was beginning to develop into a soured relationship.

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 There are accounts of multiple incidents but apparently the final straw was during the Second World War

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 when during an air raid and Rudi's family were hiding in an air raid shelter and Adi's family came in.

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 Adi was hired to comment something that can be translated something loosely to

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 here come the pig dogs again.

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 He later claimed to be referring to the enemy above but the damage was done.

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 The company soon dissolved and they both went on to start their own companies in the same town.

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 Adi Dazzler would call his Adidas and Rudi Dazzler his Ruda, later changing it to Puma.

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 And for the next 60 years these companies were bitter rivals,

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 splitting this town in an almost sectarian way as they both grew into sporting goods giants.

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 Today these companies, which I'm sure you might have heard of,

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 are no longer run by descendants of the Dazzlers.

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 And so while they are still competitors, it's no longer personal.

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 They are both still headquartered in that same town,

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 where apparently the evidence of the long rivalry is unavoidable.

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 Now, that might seem like a trivial example depending on your point of view,

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 but what we're going to see tonight in this passage

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 is that when this happens in a church context,

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 the consequences are very real and can have a huge impact on our church family.

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 I don't know if anyone's ever been in a situation where you've maybe had a disagreement with something

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 or something that's been building up for a while,

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 which has then caused you to say something you wish you hadn't.

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 I certainly have.

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 Now, most of these situations can be resolved quickly

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 if you're prepared to accept some fault and apologize,

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 but sometimes they aren't.

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 And a little bit too much pride and hurt can let the situation develop,

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 resulting in significant consequences.

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 I hope everyone's been enjoying this series and James so far.

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 It's amazing how much practical teaching is packed into such a short book.

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 If you haven't managed to come along or tune in,

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 the recordings are all available, so I would recommend catching up.

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 But if you haven't, or just as a quick reminder for some context of where we are,

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 this book is written by James, not to James.

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 James was the brother of the Lord Jesus.

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 He's writing here to the early church, the very early church,

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 who were mostly Jews, who had now heard and accepted the gospel that Jesus brought

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 and were likely here about 20 years after the death of the Lord Jesus.

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 So still very early days for the church.

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 And so obviously they didn't have any of this rich New Testament teaching that we do.

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 This letter was them getting it firsthand.

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 And the teaching of the good news of the gospel,

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 which is that salvation can come by faith alone,

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 was only being passed by word of mouth mostly,

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 which was starting to create some gaps in understanding.

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 And serious problems were starting to form,

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 which is what James is looking to address here.

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 A couple of weeks ago, Jonathan was taking us through, in chapter 3,

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 the general problems that come from an untamed tongue.

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 And today what we're going to see is what happens when that behavior encroaches into our churches

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 and the conflicts it can create and the subsequent consequences of them.

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 And what we see here in chapter 4,

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 although it's a theme really throughout the book in this early church,

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 is that they're not displaying or living in the light of the grace that they have received.

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 They're failing to display the humility that a believer living by faith should.

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 But it becomes a helpful encouragement for us also,

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 as we can all fall short in this area.

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 And James helps us see that.

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 So while it does start with some stark warnings here

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 about the threat and the consequences of these conflicts for his people,

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 the church, as James admonishes them for it,

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 is clearly a prevalent issue in this church.

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 Please stick with me as he also gives some real encouragement and hope for the cure

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 and how to avoid it and how to keep our focus centered on the Lord Jesus.

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 We'll first see the cause of these conflicts in the church.

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 That's kind of verses 1 to 3.

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 And then we see the consequences of these conflicts in verses 4 to 5.

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 And then it's the cure for these conflicts in verses 6 to 10.

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 And then finally in verses 11 and 12,

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 James gives a helpful but challenging example of the kind of conflict that he's talking about,

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 just to give it some illustration.

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 So firstly, the cause of these conflicts.

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 In verse 1, we're introduced right away to what is causing these conflicts in the church.

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 He doesn't wait around.

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 These quarrels and fights, as it says here,

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 although there is no suggestion that they're actually physical.

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 He asks it as a rhetorical question in a sense,

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 but he answers it right away.

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 He's saying they don't have to look far.

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 The answer is right here in themselves.

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 It's their own selfish desires, their pleasures, their passions,

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 all things related to their own self-centeredness.

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 In other words, it's the sin that they hadn't let go of.

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 What's clear is that it was a problem for them

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 and it was destroying them from the inside.

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 So while everyone is susceptible to this,

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 I don't necessarily think he's saying it's everyone all the time,

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 or even a majority.

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 But that's why it's still an issue,

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 is it only takes one or two for it to start.

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 Even in my relatively short experience,

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 I have sadly seen this in churches for myself,

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 sometimes it only takes a disagreement between two individuals

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 and they can't get past it.

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 Others are then forced to choose sides,

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 families are involved, friends, fallouts,

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 and a division can become inevitable.

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 A small lapse in focus from God

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 and a little bit of disguised sin creeps in

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 and it spoils the lot.

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 Needless division caused by a lack of awareness

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 in preparation for these causes

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 and the cure which we're going to come to shortly.

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 We as a church have to be mindful of this

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 as it can affect our reputation and our testimony

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 and become a distraction from the message

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 that we're here to share

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 if we're marked by these other things

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 and these fallouts,

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 rather than being known for the good news of the gospel

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 and the hope it can bring

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 and the lives that it can change.

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 The other thing about this intro

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 is that he doesn't really go into specifics

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 about the quarrels

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 or what it's about on a surface level

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 because regardless,

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 it all comes down to giving in to our desire

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 for self-gratification and for pride

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 and for the need to be right

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 and an unwillingness to accept correction and blame.

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 This is important for us who are Christians

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 because we're all at war constantly,

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 still living in our human fleshly bodies,

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 but we have the Holy Spirit living in us.

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 So there's this constant push and pull

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 where we have to consciously choose

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 whether to obey the spirit in us

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 or the flesh that we live in.

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 For me, this sometimes looks

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 or usually looks like a flash anger moment.

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 If something has been said

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 that has really angered me or upset me

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 and it's just not sitting well,

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 and then like a flash,

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 the old life comes back

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 and I'm just looking to say

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 whatever I need to to get my way

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 and make sure that I don't look bad.

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 You know, I'm looking out for number one

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 kind of regardless of who's affected by what I say.

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 Maybe that's relatable to you too.

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 And the issue is we forget the grace of the gospel,

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 how to put our unity in Christ first

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 and the call to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.

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 How would the Lord deal with a situation like that?

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 Would he be trying to think of the best comeback

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 just to make someone else feel bad

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 and prove them wrong?

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 Or would he approach it with love

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 and a willingness to forgive?

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 When we move away from God's will,

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 it's always to gratify our own,

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 to try and satisfy our own desires

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 based on what feels good or seems appealing.

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 But it comes at the cost of not honoring the Lord

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 by putting our own sinful and selfish wants above his,

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 affecting our spiritual well-being

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 as well as the well-being of others,

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 resulting in hurt, divisions, strife and fallouts.

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 And so then in verse two,

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 James is speaking to those who are at fault for this.

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 And what he's saying here is

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 they never actually get the fulfillment

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 they want from these desires.

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 And so they chase it in vain

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 and it leaves them unfulfilled and not satisfied,

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 which is what causes them to start quarreling

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 and fighting with each other.

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 And even to kill, it says here, or murder.

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 Now, I don't think he's accusing them of outright murder,

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 but quarrels can lead to an equivalent hatred in the heart,

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 which is how the Lord Jesus described

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 the inward condition of the heart shown outwardly by anger

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 when he spoke on it in the Sermon of the Mount.

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 And then at the end of verse two,

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 he's referring to them not having what they want

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 because they didn't ask.

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 They didn't pray.

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 In taking their focus away from God

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 and only on their own wants,

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 they're feeling self-sufficient, self-reliant.

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 Maybe they thought, well, I'm saved now.

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 Why do I need God now? I'm saved.

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 They were taking their grace for granted.

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 And I think we should ask ourselves,

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 can we be guilty of that?

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 Life can get busy.

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 I'm sure we can all relate to that.

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 And maybe in a time of blessing

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 where lots of things seem to be going well

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 and it's all happening for us,

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 it's tempting to give ourselves the credit a little bit

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 and on our hard work

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 and not give thanks,

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 the thanks deserved to the provider.

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 So then, bam,

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 as soon as there's a blocker

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 and we're not getting it all our own way

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 and things aren't going how we would like

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 and we're a bit confused how that can be,

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 then we think about praying.

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 And so then in verse three,

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 it's no surprise then when they didn't receive

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 because they were asking with the wrong motives.

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 It was from a selfish place that they started to pray

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 and it wasn't in line with God's will.

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 Now this is touching on a bigger subject

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 and I don't want you to take away that

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 just because you feel there hasn't been an answer

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 to your prayer

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 or you haven't received what you've been asking for,

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 that that's God telling you your motives were wrong.

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 That's not the case.

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 Asking with the wrong motives never results in good.

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 Asking with the right ones doesn't always either.

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 It is worth checking ourselves

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 so when it comes to our partitions in prayer,

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 that's the things that we ask the Lord for.

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 And while we may not always be sure

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 what God's will is for us,

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 what I will say is what we pray for

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 should reflect the blessing that he's given us,

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 be God-honoring and be a blessing for others.

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 Then it will be truly self-fulfilling.

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 So then moving into verse four,

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 verses four and five,

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 we have the consequences of these conflicts.

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 And it starts with very strong language.

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 He's accusing them of being adulterers, adulteress.

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 It's provocative language that was typical of Jewish scripture

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 and it was used deliberately to get their attention.

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 But we should take note here as well

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 as this accusation is directly applicable to us too.

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 Obviously the word has a few meanings

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 and in the context here,

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 he isn't talking about their physical relationship behavior,

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 but he's rather using it to describe

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 their spiritual relationship with Christ.

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 What he's saying here is that the Christian

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 is in a special relationship with God.

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 The language often used throughout the Bible

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 is that he is the bridegroom

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 and his people, the church, are the bride.

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 And so these people that he's writing to

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 and where I think this is very relatable to us as well,

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 they were choosing themselves

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 and friendship with the world over him, over God.

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 It's a spiritual unfaithfulness.

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 And when you are desiring things other than God

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 first in your life,

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 choosing the gods of pleasure over the God of heaven,

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 then it makes us adulteresses in that sense.

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 It's okay to want things and have dreams.

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 That's not what I'm saying.

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 It's about checking our priorities

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 and the root of our desire for them.

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 This gets easier, the better the relationship

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 that we have with Christ.

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 It starts there and then we can look to him

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 to get the steer and the direction

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 when faced with big decisions

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 and to always look for the opportunity

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 also to give back and to serve.

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 And then so in verse 6,

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 we have the cure of the conflict.

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 From verse 6, from 6 to 10,

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 we have the cure of the conflict.

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 Verse 6 is a key verse in this section

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 and really the whole book as well.

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 These threats and temptations

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 of choosing the flesh

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 that we've been speaking about

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 are real and constant for the believer

00:13:43.599 --> 00:13:46.719
 and can overwhelm even the strongest of us.

00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:49.559
 We have all fallen at some point

00:13:49.559 --> 00:13:51.179
 to some degree to some of this,

00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:53.479
 but here is the reminder we need.

00:13:54.099 --> 00:13:56.279
 He gives us more grace.

00:13:56.979 --> 00:13:59.299
 Grace upon grace, more and more.

00:13:59.859 --> 00:14:02.099
 As long as we recognize that we need it.

00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:03.699
 That's what's key here.

00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:06.079
 Which is why we also need the reminder

00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:08.900
 that God opposes the proud,

00:14:09.340 --> 00:14:11.940
 but shows favor or gives more grace

00:14:11.940 --> 00:14:15.340
 to the humble, as the ESV puts it nicely.

00:14:16.780 --> 00:14:18.320
 We need to humble ourselves

00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:20.660
 to actually receive it and be blessed by it.

00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:24.540
 And then, when we are Christ-centered

00:14:24.540 --> 00:14:27.500
 or the closer to Christ we get,

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.900
 the more you realize you need.

00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:34.779
 The better the understanding we have

00:14:34.779 --> 00:14:35.860
 of what we have been given,

00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:39.039
 the more in awe we are of what he did

00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:40.439
 and how much we need him.

00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:44.519
 And then, so, from verse 7 through 9,

00:14:44.579 --> 00:14:46.120
 we have a clear list of actions

00:14:46.120 --> 00:14:49.259
 we must follow in order for this repentance

00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.059
 to be genuine.

00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:50.740
 He says,

00:14:50.740 --> 00:15:05.159
 And then in verse 10,

00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.060
 he gives the command,

00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:07.480
 the call to action,

00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.940
 an appointed statement

00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:10.539
 on the result of repentance.

00:15:10.779 --> 00:15:11.060
 He says,

00:15:11.060 --> 00:15:19.560
 And just as an encouragement here,

00:15:19.559 --> 00:15:22.759
 aside from the emphasis on repentance

00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:24.159
 and submitting to God,

00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:26.319
 we know these listed actions

00:15:26.319 --> 00:15:28.859
 can be difficult to do all of these things

00:15:28.859 --> 00:15:30.579
 and we can feel the opposition

00:15:30.579 --> 00:15:32.319
 sometimes strong against us,

00:15:32.439 --> 00:15:33.979
 but the encouragement here

00:15:33.979 --> 00:15:35.799
 is that the devil will flee from us

00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:36.899
 if we resist him.

00:15:38.839 --> 00:15:40.919
 Not forever, after one instance,

00:15:41.079 --> 00:15:42.379
 this is a continual thing,

00:15:43.099 --> 00:15:44.259
 but what is clear here

00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:46.019
 is the protection we get from God

00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.639
 as we draw near to him.

00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:50.120
 And then he to us.

00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:53.580
 It's when we're straying

00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.980
 out of the way

00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:56.299
 of being in his presence,

00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:59.059
 picking up our old bad habits again,

00:15:59.439 --> 00:16:00.799
 and we're walking unprotected

00:16:00.799 --> 00:16:01.980
 that we're most susceptible

00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:03.240
 to the attacks.

00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.460
 So please,

00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.679
 be weary and vigilant, friends.

00:16:08.539 --> 00:16:11.139
 True faith requires true humility.

00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:14.500
 True faith requires true humility.

00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:16.879
 It's not until we have true faith

00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:19.539
 and we realize our constant need

00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:21.080
 and we humble ourselves

00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:22.940
 that he will exalt us.

00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:28.559
 It was recognizing this need

00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:30.299
 that caused those of us here

00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:32.340
 who have made that commitment of faith

00:16:32.340 --> 00:16:32.960
 to take it.

00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:36.080
 And if you find yourself today

00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:38.360
 realizing that you have never taken

00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.539
 that deliberate step

00:16:39.539 --> 00:16:41.600
 to put your trust and faith

00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.460
 in Jesus Christ,

00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:44.300
 this is what it looks like.

00:16:45.420 --> 00:16:46.940
 You need to simply accept

00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:48.800
 that based on our own sinful nature,

00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:51.200
 that is your human condition,

00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:53.180
 that is the opposite of God

00:16:53.180 --> 00:16:54.720
 and causes us to do wrong,

00:16:55.160 --> 00:16:56.220
 we will never be able

00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:57.639
 to meet God's standards.

00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:59.560
 And the only one who did

00:16:59.560 --> 00:17:00.300
 was his son,

00:17:00.460 --> 00:17:00.980
 the Lord Jesus,

00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:01.980
 who took our place

00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:03.360
 when he gave his life

00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.240
 on the cross.

00:17:04.240 --> 00:17:06.200
 And so,

00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:06.980
 in humility,

00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:08.019
 if you put your faith

00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:08.599
 and trust

00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:10.039
 in the work completed

00:17:10.039 --> 00:17:11.420
 not only on the cross,

00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:13.359
 but also in the belief

00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:15.140
 in his subsequent resurrection

00:17:15.140 --> 00:17:15.900
 from the dead

00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:17.099
 and have genuine repentance,

00:17:18.099 --> 00:17:18.839
 then you too

00:17:18.839 --> 00:17:19.700
 can call him

00:17:19.700 --> 00:17:20.420
 your savior.

00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:23.940
 And so then,

00:17:24.160 --> 00:17:25.019
 moving on into

00:17:25.019 --> 00:17:26.880
 the final section,

00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:28.779
 verses 11 to 12,

00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.680
 where we have an example

00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:30.359
 of a conflict.

00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:32.519
 Verses 11 to 12,

00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.180
 it almost starts

00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.099
 a new train of thought,

00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:36.059
 but what he's bringing up here

00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.339
 is a very specific

00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:38.759
 but very typical example

00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:39.680
 of what he's been speaking

00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.599
 about this whole time,

00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.740
 especially at the start

00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.440
 of the passage

00:17:43.440 --> 00:17:45.000
 as a cause of quarrel

00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:45.599
 or conflict.

00:17:46.920 --> 00:17:48.259
 It is still an example

00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:48.980
 of what happens

00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:50.539
 when we become

00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:51.680
 less Christ-centered

00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:53.119
 and too self-centered,

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.539
 too concerned

00:17:54.539 --> 00:17:55.259
 with the judgment

00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.599
 and the judging of others,

00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:57.779
 and it breeds

00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:59.180
 coveting and jealousy,

00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:00.339
 which starts in the heart,

00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.799
 but it gets brought out

00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.339
 by speaking

00:18:02.339 --> 00:18:02.720
 ill

00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.879
 and slandering

00:18:03.879 --> 00:18:04.319
 each other

00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:05.179
 by talking down

00:18:05.179 --> 00:18:05.639
 to them,

00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:06.439
 backstabbing,

00:18:06.659 --> 00:18:07.559
 maybe spreading rumors,

00:18:08.179 --> 00:18:09.059
 frankly just lying

00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:11.859
 in this kind of slander.

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:14.399
 And so he continues

00:18:14.399 --> 00:18:15.220
 this thought here

00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:15.639
 by saying that

00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:16.359
 those who criticize

00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:16.919
 the law

00:18:16.919 --> 00:18:18.159
 are in a sense

00:18:18.159 --> 00:18:18.939
 making themselves

00:18:18.939 --> 00:18:20.099
 judges of the law.

00:18:20.599 --> 00:18:21.899
 This is God's law,

00:18:22.019 --> 00:18:22.579
 to be clear,

00:18:23.480 --> 00:18:25.099
 and to make yourself

00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:25.559
 a judge

00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:26.240
 is putting yourself

00:18:26.240 --> 00:18:27.179
 at the same level

00:18:27.179 --> 00:18:28.459
 or even above God.

00:18:29.720 --> 00:18:30.299
 And so then

00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:30.899
 in verse 12,

00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.820
 he is very clear

00:18:31.820 --> 00:18:32.820
 there is only

00:18:32.820 --> 00:18:33.580
 one lawgiver

00:18:33.580 --> 00:18:34.860
 and one judge,

00:18:34.860 --> 00:18:35.960
 the one who has

00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.800
 true power

00:18:36.800 --> 00:18:37.620
 over life

00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.620
 and death,

00:18:39.320 --> 00:18:40.160
 he who is able

00:18:40.160 --> 00:18:40.920
 to save

00:18:40.920 --> 00:18:42.000
 and destroy.

00:18:43.100 --> 00:18:43.840
 And then so he finally,

00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.360
 he closes

00:18:44.360 --> 00:18:46.640
 with another rhetorical question.

00:18:47.800 --> 00:18:48.940
 Who are we

00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:50.120
 to put ourselves

00:18:50.120 --> 00:18:50.980
 in this position

00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.000
 to judge our neighbor

00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:53.820
 or our fellow brothers

00:18:53.820 --> 00:18:54.900
 and sisters in Christ?

00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:58.300
 I think it's telling

00:18:58.300 --> 00:19:00.000
 that this closing example

00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:01.080
 of conflict

00:19:01.080 --> 00:19:01.820
 that he gives

00:19:01.820 --> 00:19:02.900
 of malicious talk

00:19:02.900 --> 00:19:03.960
 in the church

00:19:03.960 --> 00:19:05.280
 is still so poignant today.

00:19:06.300 --> 00:19:07.320
 I'm sure we don't have

00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:08.200
 to think too hard

00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:09.220
 to recognize

00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:10.320
 examples

00:19:10.320 --> 00:19:11.240
 that we've seen

00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:11.940
 in our church.

00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.960
 Alistair touched on it

00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:15.000
 briefly this morning even.

00:19:16.360 --> 00:19:17.500
 Differences of opinion

00:19:17.500 --> 00:19:18.780
 are natural

00:19:18.780 --> 00:19:20.360
 and can even be healthy

00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:21.220
 and helpful

00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:21.860
 for learning

00:19:21.859 --> 00:19:22.819
 when we have

00:19:22.819 --> 00:19:23.819
 a genuine love

00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.519
 and respect

00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.299
 for each other.

00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:28.719
 But we need to watch

00:19:28.719 --> 00:19:29.500
 where it becomes

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:31.179
 a genuine disagreement.

00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.199
 This might be over

00:19:33.199 --> 00:19:35.019
 or might look like

00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:36.039
 a disagreement

00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.859
 over a simple

00:19:36.859 --> 00:19:37.639
 practical issue

00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:38.159
 in the church

00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:38.859
 just because you've

00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.500
 always done it

00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.359
 one way

00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:41.819
 or someone's

00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:42.479
 family habits

00:19:42.479 --> 00:19:43.419
 and how they do things

00:19:43.419 --> 00:19:44.539
 in their household

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.859
 are just not

00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:46.899
 how you were brought up.

00:19:47.899 --> 00:19:48.819
 Or your interpretation

00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.599
 of a verse

00:19:49.599 --> 00:19:50.579
 is very different

00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.240
 to theirs

00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:52.400
 but it's over

00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:52.980
 something that

00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.740
 is very much

00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.740
 of secondary importance

00:19:54.740 --> 00:19:55.900
 to the gospel truth

00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:57.180
 and you let it

00:19:57.180 --> 00:19:57.680
 compromise

00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:58.660
 your fellowship.

00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.440
 And as the

00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.039
 disagreement

00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:02.120
 goes unsettled

00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:02.839
 it damages

00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.839
 the relationship

00:20:03.839 --> 00:20:05.220
 and it leads

00:20:05.220 --> 00:20:06.279
 to unkind things

00:20:06.279 --> 00:20:06.859
 being said

00:20:06.859 --> 00:20:08.059
 either to others

00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:08.640
 about them

00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.380
 or even directly

00:20:09.380 --> 00:20:10.019
 to themselves

00:20:10.019 --> 00:20:11.000
 without necessarily

00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.900
 thinking about it.

00:20:12.400 --> 00:20:12.920
 And that can cause

00:20:12.920 --> 00:20:13.480
 real hurt

00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.759
 and then real damage

00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.799
 to the church family.

00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.480
 Whether it's just

00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.000
 to try and make

00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.839
 one seem better

00:20:18.839 --> 00:20:19.480
 than others

00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.779
 or just to tear

00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.460
 another down

00:20:21.460 --> 00:20:22.160
 deliberately

00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:23.299
 casting seeds

00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:24.019
 of doubt

00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.700
 and suspicion

00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:26.059
 can cause cracks

00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:26.779
 that are difficult

00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.440
 to repair

00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.720
 and sadly

00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:30.220
 often aren't.

00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.319
 So the call

00:20:33.319 --> 00:20:34.339
 is to be aware

00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.059
 of the causes

00:20:35.059 --> 00:20:35.940
 and the dangers

00:20:35.940 --> 00:20:36.539
 these conflicts

00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.000
 can bring

00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:38.259
 however insignificant

00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.360
 they might seem

00:20:39.360 --> 00:20:39.799
 initially

00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:41.059
 and their potential

00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:41.740
 consequences

00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:43.099
 and the division

00:20:43.099 --> 00:20:43.579
 and hurt

00:20:43.579 --> 00:20:44.079
 that can come

00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.660
 as a result.

00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.539
 And we do this

00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.879
 by always assessing

00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:48.500
 our focus

00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.940
 staying close

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.559
 to the Lord

00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:51.879
 and striving

00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.659
 to always be

00:20:52.659 --> 00:20:53.559
 Christ-centered

00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.639
 in our actions

00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:56.700
 which will not only

00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.259
 be a cure

00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:58.159
 for these pitfalls

00:20:58.159 --> 00:20:59.319
 but will allow us

00:20:59.319 --> 00:20:59.960
 to get closer

00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.839
 to Him still

00:21:00.839 --> 00:21:03.339
 humbling ourselves

00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.240
 each time

00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.299
 so that we can

00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:06.299
 truly live a life

00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:07.159
 by faith

00:21:07.159 --> 00:21:08.579
 that is also

00:21:08.579 --> 00:21:09.019
 pleasing

00:21:09.019 --> 00:21:10.519
 to Him

00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.680
 for Him

00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.839
 but also

00:21:12.839 --> 00:21:13.819
 with Him.

00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:16.599
 Let me just

00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:17.799
 close for us

00:21:17.799 --> 00:21:18.039
 now

00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.679
 in prayer.

00:21:20.220 --> 00:21:20.819
 Our God

00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.559
 and Father

00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:22.119
 we thank you

00:21:22.119 --> 00:21:22.879
 for this challenging

00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.339
 reminder

00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:24.519
 again in this

00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.240
 book of James

00:21:25.240 --> 00:21:26.740
 of what true faith

00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.500
 really looks like

00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.700
 and then the dangers

00:21:28.700 --> 00:21:29.460
 that can come

00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:31.379
 if we don't have

00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:32.740
 such true faith

00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:33.299
 and humility.

00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:34.500
 We realize

00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.359
 how much of a challenge

00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:35.859
 this can be

00:21:35.859 --> 00:21:36.480
 when we're still

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:38.059
 living here

00:21:38.059 --> 00:21:38.579
 in this world

00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.279
 in our human

00:21:39.279 --> 00:21:40.099
 fleshly bodies

00:21:40.099 --> 00:21:40.419
 Father

00:21:40.419 --> 00:21:41.119
 but that's why

00:21:41.119 --> 00:21:41.740
 we give thanks

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:42.319
 that we do not

00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:43.019
 have to do this

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.359
 alone.

00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:45.539
 We pray that

00:21:45.539 --> 00:21:46.139
 as a church

00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:46.720
 we would always

00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.859
 be weary

00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.599
 of these dangers

00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:49.359
 and strive

00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.240
 to get closer

00:21:50.240 --> 00:21:51.039
 in our walk

00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.919
 with you

00:21:51.919 --> 00:21:53.039
 to be more

00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:53.799
 Christ-centered

00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:55.000
 in all aspects

00:21:55.000 --> 00:21:56.599
 that will lead us

00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:57.399
 to a strengthening

00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:58.799
 of our fellowship

00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:00.819
 and we're so

00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.539
 thankful that

00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:02.259
 all we have to do

00:22:02.259 --> 00:22:02.799
 is to humble

00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.299
 ourselves

00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.539
 so that we can

00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.899
 accept this grace

00:22:05.899 --> 00:22:07.000
 that is given to us

00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:08.379
 and that we might

00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:08.919
 honor you

00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:09.759
 with our actions

00:22:09.759 --> 00:22:10.539
 and our service

00:22:10.539 --> 00:22:11.339
 and so we just

00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:12.460
 pray that you

00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:12.980
 will bless

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.539
 have blessed

00:22:13.539 --> 00:22:13.980
 this time

00:22:13.980 --> 00:22:14.240
 that we've

00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.799
 spent together

00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:15.360
 in your word

00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:15.860
 as we ask

00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:16.440
 this all now

00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:17.120
 in your son's

00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:18.039
 precious and

00:22:18.039 --> 00:22:18.599
 holy name

00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:19.400
 Amen

00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:20.120
 Amen

00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:20.399
 Amen

00:22:20.459 --> 00:22:22.119
 on the future

00:22:22.119 --> 00:22:36.659
 옆 lu V