WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.580 Please take a copy of God's Word and join me in James chapter 4. 00:00:08.199 --> 00:00:08.880 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.020 of the early church. 00:00:32.799 --> 00:00:36.439 In Acts 2, verse 42 and following, we read, 00:00:36.539 --> 00:00:40.880 And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, 00:00:41.079 --> 00:00:43.700 to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:49.719 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 00:00:50.560 --> 00:00:54.159 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 00:00:54.519 --> 00:00:59.640 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing to the proceeds to all as any had. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:00.679 Need. 00:01:01.479 --> 00:01:04.840 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, 00:01:05.439 --> 00:01:08.719 they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 00:01:09.519 --> 00:01:11.879 praising God and having favor with all the people. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:17.879 And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. 00:01:18.579 --> 00:01:23.980 What a wonderful observation of the life of this early church. 00:01:24.120 --> 00:01:28.299 They found themselves, after the preaching of Peter on the day of Pentecost, 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:32.859 a great multitude of people brought to faith in Christ. 00:01:33.579 --> 00:01:38.179 A revitalization amongst God's people. 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:42.979 And we want our churches to look like this. 00:01:42.980 --> 00:01:48.400 But we must be careful that we don't idolize the early church. 00:01:48.540 --> 00:01:52.740 Some people want to put some formulaic equation to, 00:01:52.859 --> 00:01:57.100 if we would just do this, then this is what it would produce. 00:01:57.300 --> 00:02:04.659 And we have to be so careful because it doesn't take long for the early church to become a mess. 00:02:04.659 --> 00:02:11.120 The New Testament is replete with the church falling apart. 00:02:11.280 --> 00:02:17.879 The occasion for the writing of most of the epistles is because something has gone awry. 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:22.560 The letter that James wrote that we have spent the past few months studying 00:02:22.560 --> 00:02:27.359 was meant to be circulated amongst Jewish Christian churches outside of Palestine. 00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:35.019 And James writes this letter concerns that its readers were not acting according to the word of God. 00:02:35.759 --> 00:02:39.579 They were hearers, but not doers. 00:02:39.580 --> 00:02:42.160 This is the theme of this book. 00:02:42.380 --> 00:02:47.680 Be hearers and doers of God's word. 00:02:48.340 --> 00:02:52.960 And news had reached him that this wasn't the case in these churches. 00:02:53.080 --> 00:02:56.020 That there was a lot going on that wasn't okay. 00:02:56.320 --> 00:03:00.920 They had developed social conflict between the rich and the poor 00:03:00.920 --> 00:03:03.640 and between factions in the church. 00:03:03.639 --> 00:03:09.599 And we pick up these clues throughout it as he is both rebuking and exhorting them. 00:03:09.979 --> 00:03:13.519 For the sake of time, I won't go through each of those texts. 00:03:13.559 --> 00:03:16.859 But I would encourage you to read the first three chapters of James with that in mind. 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:20.599 Why is James addressing these churches in this way? 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:24.239 See specifically James chapter 2 verse 1 through 11, 00:03:24.500 --> 00:03:27.399 chapter 1 verse 19 through 26, 00:03:27.400 --> 00:03:28.960 and chapter 3 verse 1, 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:32.280 chapter 3 verse 14 and verse 16, 00:03:32.560 --> 00:03:35.580 chapter 3 verse 9 and 10. 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:42.200 All of these things pointing at this conflict that was taking place in the life of these churches. 00:03:42.960 --> 00:03:50.700 All of this varied mess leads James to the exhortation he makes at the end of chapter 3. 00:03:50.840 --> 00:03:52.580 So before we read our text for today, 00:03:52.580 --> 00:03:59.420 I'd like to read last week's text beginning in verse 13 of James chapter 3. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:01.140 He writes, 00:04:01.320 --> 00:04:04.540 Who is wise and understanding among you? 00:04:05.439 --> 00:04:07.040 By his good conduct, 00:04:07.180 --> 00:04:11.220 let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 00:04:11.920 --> 00:04:15.540 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, 00:04:15.700 --> 00:04:18.879 do not boast and be false to the truth. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:22.220 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above. 00:04:22.579 --> 00:04:23.599 But his earthly, 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:25.180 unspiritual, 00:04:26.039 --> 00:04:26.519 demonic. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:30.519 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exists, 00:04:30.719 --> 00:04:34.500 there will be disorder and every vile practice. 00:04:35.500 --> 00:04:38.240 But the wisdom from above is first pure, 00:04:38.779 --> 00:04:39.719 then peaceable, 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:40.839 gentle, 00:04:41.599 --> 00:04:42.599 open to reason, 00:04:43.079 --> 00:04:45.379 full of mercy and good fruits, 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:46.299 impartial, 00:04:47.099 --> 00:04:48.199 and sincere. 00:04:48.199 --> 00:04:56.139 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 00:04:57.139 --> 00:05:00.819 So to have churches that are healthy, 00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:06.500 churches full of people who both hear and do the word of God, 00:05:07.339 --> 00:05:11.379 will take careful attention to what our Lord has spoken, 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:14.519 and it will take work. 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:17.759 They don't just naturally, 00:05:18.259 --> 00:05:21.839 apart from God's good word and a spirit enacting it in our lives, 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:23.899 become healthy. 00:05:24.839 --> 00:05:29.120 And James is going directly at this problem as he begins chapter 4. 00:05:29.240 --> 00:05:29.339 Right? 00:05:29.379 --> 00:05:29.879 It's coming off. 00:05:29.879 --> 00:05:30.300 Remember, 00:05:30.779 --> 00:05:31.680 the chapter breaks, 00:05:31.800 --> 00:05:32.560 not inspired. 00:05:32.819 --> 00:05:32.879 Right? 00:05:32.899 --> 00:05:34.300 They help us find where we're going. 00:05:34.480 --> 00:05:34.600 Right? 00:05:34.659 --> 00:05:38.379 But his flow of logic is coming right off of this. 00:05:38.639 --> 00:05:38.779 Right? 00:05:39.240 --> 00:05:40.839 Don't present yourself wise. 00:05:41.540 --> 00:05:43.860 If you're going to be vile, 00:05:44.180 --> 00:05:45.379 have selfish ambition, 00:05:45.860 --> 00:05:46.579 be jealous. 00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:47.300 Right? 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:48.100 This is earthly, 00:05:48.319 --> 00:05:49.279 unspiritual, 00:05:49.480 --> 00:05:50.879 and demonic. 00:05:50.879 --> 00:05:57.199 Because the wisdom from above is pure and peaceable and gentle and open to reason and full of mercy and good fruits. 00:05:57.279 --> 00:05:57.360 Right? 00:05:57.480 --> 00:05:59.319 It brings forth peace, 00:05:59.899 --> 00:06:01.879 not division, 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:03.839 not conflict. 00:06:05.180 --> 00:06:06.180 So with that in mind, 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:08.180 let's read James chapter 4, 00:06:08.240 --> 00:06:09.240 verses 1 through 3. 00:06:09.339 --> 00:06:10.060 And before I read it, 00:06:10.139 --> 00:06:10.740 let me remind you, 00:06:10.819 --> 00:06:11.019 beloved, 00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:13.439 this is God's word to us. 00:06:14.120 --> 00:06:16.879 It was written for his glory and our good. 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:20.719 And so we would do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises, 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:23.360 and obey its commands. 00:06:24.480 --> 00:06:25.259 James 4, 00:06:25.339 --> 00:06:25.759 verse 1. 00:06:26.600 --> 00:06:30.659 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? 00:06:31.659 --> 00:06:32.719 Is it not this, 00:06:33.360 --> 00:06:35.939 that your passions are at war within you? 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:38.980 You desire and do not have, 00:06:39.100 --> 00:06:40.040 so you murder. 00:06:40.699 --> 00:06:43.100 You covet and cannot obtain, 00:06:43.579 --> 00:06:45.079 so you fight and quarrel. 00:06:45.839 --> 00:06:47.459 You do not have, 00:06:48.040 --> 00:06:49.420 because you do not ask. 00:06:49.420 --> 00:06:51.640 You ask and do not receive, 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:55.780 because you ask wrongly to spend it on your passions. 00:06:57.699 --> 00:07:01.160 Now this morning we have a simple three-point outline. 00:07:01.700 --> 00:07:04.379 It's astounding how many texts fall into a three-point outline. 00:07:04.700 --> 00:07:08.920 That really seems to be the inspired sermon outline. 00:07:08.920 --> 00:07:11.040 Three-point outline, 00:07:11.240 --> 00:07:12.140 and it's this. 00:07:12.319 --> 00:07:12.720 Number one, 00:07:13.360 --> 00:07:14.900 the source of conflict. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:17.340 Number two, 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:19.879 the cause and effect of conflict. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:22.060 And number three, 00:07:22.180 --> 00:07:24.980 the prayerlessness of conflict. 00:07:26.100 --> 00:07:26.840 So number one, 00:07:27.160 --> 00:07:28.300 the source of conflict, 00:07:28.500 --> 00:07:30.300 found in verse one. 00:07:31.139 --> 00:07:33.139 James begins with a question, 00:07:33.139 --> 00:07:38.000 and then he follows with the rhetorical question to give the answer. 00:07:38.719 --> 00:07:40.860 So what is it that causes quarrels, 00:07:40.919 --> 00:07:42.419 and what causes fights among you? 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:43.120 And then he answers it. 00:07:43.159 --> 00:07:43.800 Is it not this? 00:07:44.180 --> 00:07:44.459 He answers, 00:07:44.599 --> 00:07:44.860 yes, 00:07:44.919 --> 00:07:45.479 it is this, 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:48.959 that your passions are at war within you. 00:07:49.919 --> 00:07:53.860 A more literal translation of the first question could read, 00:07:54.500 --> 00:07:55.759 this is the Greek, 00:07:55.959 --> 00:07:56.759 more directly, 00:07:56.759 --> 00:07:57.839 it's not good English, 00:07:58.019 --> 00:07:58.939 but could be this, 00:07:59.519 --> 00:08:01.279 from where wars, 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:04.819 and from where fights among you. 00:08:06.039 --> 00:08:08.459 What is its source? 00:08:09.060 --> 00:08:09.939 This conflict, 00:08:10.079 --> 00:08:12.120 all of these things that he's been listing out, 00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:13.719 all this aforementioned conflict, 00:08:13.719 --> 00:08:16.800 up to the beginning of chapter four, 00:08:17.459 --> 00:08:17.939 why? 00:08:18.680 --> 00:08:21.279 Why does this happen? 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:24.539 And the answer comes immediately. 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:29.220 Your passions are at war within you. 00:08:29.879 --> 00:08:31.840 Your passions are warring, 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:33.639 and they come out, 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:36.139 and they cause wars. 00:08:37.120 --> 00:08:38.800 The immediate application, 00:08:38.980 --> 00:08:39.539 as we have seen, 00:08:39.639 --> 00:08:42.259 is for conflict within the church. 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:45.480 But there is an appropriate and broader application 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:48.019 to all of our conflict. 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:51.960 Our hearts are fickle, 00:08:51.960 --> 00:08:54.780 they get confused, 00:08:55.320 --> 00:08:58.480 we often forget where our allegiance lies, 00:08:59.100 --> 00:09:01.879 we forget the sin that we've been delivered from, 00:09:01.960 --> 00:09:04.660 and who we've been delivered to. 00:09:06.360 --> 00:09:07.460 Our sin, 00:09:07.600 --> 00:09:08.379 at its core, 00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:11.100 is most readily an identity conflict. 00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:13.040 That when I sin, 00:09:13.160 --> 00:09:14.019 I forget, 00:09:14.540 --> 00:09:15.639 that I have been redeemed, 00:09:15.759 --> 00:09:17.340 by the blood of Jesus Christ. 00:09:17.740 --> 00:09:19.560 I have been called his brother, 00:09:19.559 --> 00:09:22.599 and I'm an adopted child of God most high, 00:09:22.679 --> 00:09:25.019 who's given to me good commands, 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:26.559 that I might order my life, 00:09:26.639 --> 00:09:28.419 in a way that is both good for me, 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:30.039 and honoring to him. 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:31.419 I forget, 00:09:31.939 --> 00:09:34.379 because my heart is fickle. 00:09:35.479 --> 00:09:36.819 When this happens, 00:09:37.819 --> 00:09:40.239 conflict is often the result. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:43.480 So if you are in conflict with someone, 00:09:43.600 --> 00:09:45.039 whether within our church, 00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:46.320 or outside the church, 00:09:46.940 --> 00:09:49.740 you need to take a careful look at your heart. 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:51.720 Keep asking the question, 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:52.279 why? 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:53.680 Go a little deeper, 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:54.779 and a little deeper, 00:09:55.019 --> 00:09:56.060 and a little deeper. 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:59.820 Expose the issue of your heart. 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:01.539 Now, 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:03.120 I will say that it is possible 00:10:03.120 --> 00:10:06.180 to be sinless in a conflict. 00:10:06.940 --> 00:10:09.639 Sometimes people just invite it, 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:09.860 right? 00:10:09.899 --> 00:10:11.139 It just comes upon you, 00:10:11.179 --> 00:10:12.939 and you've done nothing wrong, 00:10:13.080 --> 00:10:14.039 but I will say, 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:14.840 quickly, 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:16.279 that it's not likely. 00:10:17.779 --> 00:10:19.039 A rare occasion, 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:20.519 that you play no part at all, 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:22.000 in some conflict, 00:10:22.199 --> 00:10:23.100 in your life. 00:10:23.879 --> 00:10:25.559 So the teaching of these three verses, 00:10:25.699 --> 00:10:27.080 is of great importance, 00:10:27.080 --> 00:10:27.699 to each, 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:28.580 and every, 00:10:29.179 --> 00:10:29.840 one of us. 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:31.539 I don't want you to sit there, 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:31.720 and go, 00:10:31.779 --> 00:10:32.779 I'm not in conflict with anybody, 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:33.340 in the church. 00:10:33.600 --> 00:10:34.379 Everything's great. 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:35.939 Our church, 00:10:36.559 --> 00:10:37.360 is generally, 00:10:37.799 --> 00:10:38.639 conflict free. 00:10:38.639 --> 00:10:40.139 There's a lot of peace and unity, 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:41.319 in our church. 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:42.539 Praise be to God. 00:10:43.059 --> 00:10:44.220 But we have all, 00:10:44.220 --> 00:10:45.220 had conflict, 00:10:45.419 --> 00:10:46.860 and we all will have, 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:47.659 conflict, 00:10:48.059 --> 00:10:49.179 in our life. 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:50.259 And so this question, 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:51.159 and this answer, 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:52.980 are extremely important. 00:10:53.360 --> 00:10:54.419 What causes this? 00:10:54.879 --> 00:10:55.340 From, 00:10:55.500 --> 00:10:56.000 where, 00:10:56.199 --> 00:10:56.740 does it, 00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:57.620 come? 00:10:58.199 --> 00:10:59.100 And the answer is, 00:10:59.139 --> 00:10:59.799 it comes, 00:11:00.439 --> 00:11:01.980 from our hearts. 00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:04.600 The word here, 00:11:04.779 --> 00:11:05.300 translated, 00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:06.080 passions, 00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:08.139 is the Greek word, 00:11:08.519 --> 00:11:08.899 hedone, 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:10.259 from which we get, 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:11.259 our word, 00:11:12.019 --> 00:11:12.600 hedonism. 00:11:13.820 --> 00:11:14.039 Now, 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:14.899 hedonism is, 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:15.879 an ethical theory, 00:11:15.980 --> 00:11:16.560 that pleasure, 00:11:17.240 --> 00:11:18.019 in the sense of, 00:11:18.080 --> 00:11:19.060 satisfying your, 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:20.019 every desire, 00:11:20.180 --> 00:11:21.519 very consumeristic, 00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:22.960 very self-focused, 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:24.759 is the highest good, 00:11:24.899 --> 00:11:25.639 of mankind, 00:11:25.860 --> 00:11:26.060 right, 00:11:26.060 --> 00:11:26.440 is this, 00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:27.420 theory. 00:11:27.920 --> 00:11:29.100 Seems that our culture, 00:11:29.519 --> 00:11:29.980 whether they, 00:11:30.080 --> 00:11:31.060 would admit it or not, 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:32.559 that's very hedonistic, 00:11:32.819 --> 00:11:33.500 in this way, 00:11:33.659 --> 00:11:33.819 right, 00:11:33.839 --> 00:11:34.719 if I want something, 00:11:35.039 --> 00:11:36.000 I should deserve it, 00:11:36.079 --> 00:11:37.039 and I should get it, 00:11:37.319 --> 00:11:37.919 now, 00:11:38.179 --> 00:11:38.419 right, 00:11:38.979 --> 00:11:40.159 pleasure on, 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:41.799 demand. 00:11:43.019 --> 00:11:43.859 John McMurray, 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:45.000 who was an early 20th century, 00:11:45.119 --> 00:11:45.779 Scottish philosopher, 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:46.119 said, 00:11:46.219 --> 00:11:47.759 the best cure for hedonism, 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:49.059 is an attempt, 00:11:49.359 --> 00:11:50.259 to practice it. 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:51.979 Because this is not, 00:11:51.979 --> 00:11:53.199 the way the world works. 00:11:53.619 --> 00:11:54.099 The world, 00:11:54.099 --> 00:11:55.219 does not revolve, 00:11:55.259 --> 00:11:55.699 around, 00:11:56.419 --> 00:11:56.779 you. 00:11:57.959 --> 00:11:58.579 Some of us, 00:11:58.599 --> 00:11:59.439 think that it does. 00:12:00.199 --> 00:12:00.759 I know that our, 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:01.259 children, 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:02.580 certainly think so. 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:03.779 And some of us, 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.519 haven't outgrown, 00:12:04.720 --> 00:12:06.220 that thought. 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:07.919 The world does not exist, 00:12:08.340 --> 00:12:09.019 to serve, 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:10.259 you. 00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:13.279 So when James here says, 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:14.539 your passions, 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:15.559 are at war, 00:12:15.720 --> 00:12:16.419 within you, 00:12:17.460 --> 00:12:18.279 he's communicating, 00:12:18.399 --> 00:12:19.100 that you desire, 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:19.980 some pleasure, 00:12:20.100 --> 00:12:21.340 that you cannot have, 00:12:21.740 --> 00:12:22.779 and this is the source, 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:24.100 of your conflict. 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:25.819 Now this word, 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:26.279 hedonay, 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:27.259 is only used, 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:28.259 two other places, 00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:29.200 in the New Testament, 00:12:29.620 --> 00:12:30.700 and in both cases, 00:12:30.980 --> 00:12:31.919 it's translated, 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:33.139 pleasures. 00:12:34.220 --> 00:12:35.000 So in Luke 8, 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:35.960 Jesus tells the parable, 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:36.600 of the sower, 00:12:36.799 --> 00:12:37.659 and in verse 14, 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:38.379 he says, 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:40.220 and as for what fell, 00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:41.159 among the thorns, 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.759 they are those, 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:43.439 who hear, 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:44.819 but as they go, 00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:45.480 on their way, 00:12:45.580 --> 00:12:46.379 they are choked, 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.340 by the cares, 00:12:47.840 --> 00:12:48.539 and riches, 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:49.960 and pleasures, 00:12:50.179 --> 00:12:50.819 of life, 00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:52.120 and their fruit, 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:53.539 does not mature. 00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:55.459 I suggest, 00:12:55.599 --> 00:12:56.740 that James intends, 00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:58.259 for his original hearers, 00:12:58.299 --> 00:12:59.019 and for us, 00:12:59.219 --> 00:13:00.000 to have our minds, 00:13:00.099 --> 00:13:01.299 drawn to this. 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:03.399 This is not the way, 00:13:03.519 --> 00:13:04.240 Christian people, 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:05.199 ought to be, 00:13:05.360 --> 00:13:06.139 controlled, 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:06.539 right? 00:13:06.620 --> 00:13:07.219 Christian people, 00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:09.039 are good soil people, 00:13:09.219 --> 00:13:10.139 where that word, 00:13:10.819 --> 00:13:11.319 is planted, 00:13:11.559 --> 00:13:12.360 and it takes root, 00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.539 and it brings forth, 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.099 the fruit, 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:15.699 of righteousness. 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.199 It's also used, 00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:18.759 by Paul, 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:20.459 in Titus chapter 3, 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.480 and verse 3, 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:22.820 speaking about, 00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:24.080 who God's people, 00:13:24.379 --> 00:13:25.600 once were. 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:26.519 He says, 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:27.420 for we ourselves, 00:13:27.560 --> 00:13:28.840 were once, 00:13:29.460 --> 00:13:30.000 foolish, 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:31.139 disobedient, 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:32.019 led astray, 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:32.980 slaves, 00:13:33.340 --> 00:13:34.420 to various passions, 00:13:34.519 --> 00:13:35.259 or think desire, 00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:37.200 and pleasures, 00:13:38.220 --> 00:13:39.360 passing our days, 00:13:39.420 --> 00:13:40.240 in malice, 00:13:40.480 --> 00:13:41.159 and envy, 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:42.940 hated by others, 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:44.460 and hating, 00:13:44.840 --> 00:13:45.620 one another, 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:46.399 right? 00:13:46.399 --> 00:13:47.460 Paul and James, 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.600 would have gotten together, 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:50.000 on this issue, 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:50.980 of the heart, 00:13:50.980 --> 00:13:51.879 causing conflict, 00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:53.460 and been in entire agreement, 00:13:53.600 --> 00:13:54.779 with one another, 00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:55.580 right? 00:13:56.399 --> 00:13:57.259 But it's who we, 00:13:57.580 --> 00:13:58.560 once were, 00:13:58.779 --> 00:13:59.700 shouldn't be characteristic, 00:13:59.700 --> 00:14:00.399 of us, 00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:01.560 anymore. 00:14:02.840 --> 00:14:03.720 Now this war, 00:14:03.779 --> 00:14:04.180 of pleasure, 00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:04.740 in our hearts, 00:14:04.779 --> 00:14:05.360 can take on, 00:14:05.600 --> 00:14:06.980 many forms, 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:07.659 and I don't think, 00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:08.360 it should be limited, 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:09.820 to the obvious things, 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:10.620 money, 00:14:11.000 --> 00:14:11.360 sex, 00:14:11.680 --> 00:14:12.080 food, 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.000 etc. 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.440 Those are kind of, 00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:15.320 on the surface, 00:14:16.120 --> 00:14:16.840 but it should also, 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:17.340 be extended, 00:14:17.480 --> 00:14:17.840 to more, 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:19.360 deceptive things, 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.039 like, 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.240 comfort, 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:22.860 or power, 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.519 or respect, 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:26.120 status, 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:26.980 of some, 00:14:27.399 --> 00:14:28.060 kind. 00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:29.240 I think, 00:14:29.360 --> 00:14:30.519 this is the way, 00:14:30.639 --> 00:14:31.399 it's going to tend to, 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:32.220 bear itself out, 00:14:32.340 --> 00:14:33.019 in the life of, 00:14:33.139 --> 00:14:33.919 our church, 00:14:34.060 --> 00:14:35.200 and amongst our friends, 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:36.899 and family members, 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:37.259 right? 00:14:37.659 --> 00:14:38.860 I want to be, 00:14:39.039 --> 00:14:39.960 respected, 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:40.600 right? 00:14:40.680 --> 00:14:41.340 I want to have, 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:42.860 status amongst you, 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:43.420 and when I don't, 00:14:43.420 --> 00:14:44.840 feel like I get it, 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:47.200 conflict may ensue. 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:48.940 Beloved, 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:49.920 we can desire, 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.140 good things, 00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:51.820 for, 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:52.879 wrong, 00:14:53.500 --> 00:14:54.100 reasons. 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:55.600 James is going to say, 00:14:55.660 --> 00:14:56.660 a little more about this, 00:14:57.100 --> 00:14:58.040 in a moment. 00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:59.660 It's altogether possible, 00:14:59.660 --> 00:15:00.780 to desire something, 00:15:00.900 --> 00:15:01.680 that is, 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:02.520 good, 00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:04.259 but make it, 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:04.920 idolatrous, 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:05.580 in your life, 00:15:05.680 --> 00:15:06.940 make it about you, 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:07.740 serving, 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:08.820 your, 00:15:09.660 --> 00:15:10.080 passion, 00:15:10.280 --> 00:15:10.680 your, 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.140 pleasure. 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.180 If the desires, 00:15:14.280 --> 00:15:14.780 of our heart, 00:15:14.860 --> 00:15:15.600 aren't producing, 00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:16.180 the fruits, 00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:16.980 of righteousness, 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:18.659 then the desires, 00:15:18.740 --> 00:15:19.460 of our heart, 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:20.759 need a very, 00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.759 careful, 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:23.240 assessment. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.360 Let me just read again, 00:15:25.480 --> 00:15:26.659 back up into chapter 3, 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.580 verse 16, 00:15:27.680 --> 00:15:28.180 and following. 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.940 For where jealousy, 00:15:29.940 --> 00:15:31.519 and selfish ambition, 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.279 exist, 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:33.680 there's, 00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.879 there's the condition, 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:35.600 of the heart, 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:37.680 there will be disorder, 00:15:38.300 --> 00:15:39.320 and every vile, 00:15:39.779 --> 00:15:40.300 practice. 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.240 But the wisdom, 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:43.040 from above, 00:15:43.160 --> 00:15:44.040 is first pure, 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:45.139 then peaceable, 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:46.279 gentle, 00:15:46.659 --> 00:15:47.899 open to reason, 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.199 full of mercy, 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:50.199 and good fruits, 00:15:50.419 --> 00:15:51.199 impartial, 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.580 and sincere. 00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:54.220 And a harvest, 00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:54.919 of righteousness, 00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:56.179 is sown in peace, 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:56.939 by those, 00:15:57.299 --> 00:15:58.120 who make, 00:15:58.939 --> 00:15:59.340 peace. 00:16:00.699 --> 00:16:01.179 These should be, 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:02.220 the characterizing, 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.019 qualities, 00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:03.779 of those, 00:16:03.840 --> 00:16:04.460 who are found, 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:05.720 in Christ. 00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:08.120 We say this often, 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.039 will we do this, 00:16:09.080 --> 00:16:09.720 with perfection? 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:11.279 Of course we won't, 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:12.220 the side of glory. 00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:13.600 But we ought to be, 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.779 ever moving, 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:16.080 in this direction. 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:17.680 And when we fail, 00:16:17.820 --> 00:16:18.460 we should be those, 00:16:18.519 --> 00:16:19.160 who are quick, 00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:19.960 to repent, 00:16:20.540 --> 00:16:21.560 to make the appropriate, 00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.360 apologies, 00:16:22.560 --> 00:16:23.279 to one another, 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:24.240 that we might, 00:16:24.300 --> 00:16:25.240 press on, 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.820 in peace. 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.580 And so we see, 00:16:28.680 --> 00:16:29.720 this source, 00:16:30.040 --> 00:16:30.879 what causes it? 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:32.120 Where does it come from? 00:16:32.660 --> 00:16:33.860 It comes from, 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:35.360 your heart, 00:16:35.700 --> 00:16:36.399 your passions, 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:37.860 making war, 00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.820 coming out, 00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:39.600 and making, 00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.539 more, 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:41.620 war. 00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.659 So secondly, 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.759 let's consider together, 00:16:44.919 --> 00:16:46.159 the kind of the cause, 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:46.700 and effect, 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:48.440 of conflict. 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.300 So this is the beginning, 00:16:49.300 --> 00:16:51.200 of verse 2. 00:16:52.519 --> 00:16:53.300 James writes, 00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:54.120 you desire, 00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:55.740 and do not have, 00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:57.379 so you murder. 00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.379 You covet, 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:00.580 and cannot obtain, 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:02.200 so you fight, 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.539 and quarrel. 00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.920 Now we do not know, 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.320 if an actual murder, 00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.220 had taken place, 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:09.680 in one of these churches. 00:17:10.640 --> 00:17:11.620 But it's possible, 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:12.580 that it had. 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.680 It may have been, 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:15.060 that kind of an occasion, 00:17:15.060 --> 00:17:16.340 for the writing, 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.360 of this letter. 00:17:17.440 --> 00:17:18.019 I don't know, 00:17:18.080 --> 00:17:19.200 that we should immediately, 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:20.759 take it figuratively. 00:17:21.600 --> 00:17:22.620 He very well, 00:17:22.660 --> 00:17:23.360 may have been saying, 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:24.539 you remember that time? 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:26.600 That time, 00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.840 that that kind of conflict, 00:17:27.840 --> 00:17:29.060 arose amongst you? 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:31.460 That somebody was killed, 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.620 as a result of it? 00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:34.300 But, 00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.860 even if that had been, 00:17:35.920 --> 00:17:36.320 the case, 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:37.200 I think that James, 00:17:37.259 --> 00:17:37.700 is doing, 00:17:38.000 --> 00:17:39.600 something more complex here. 00:17:39.920 --> 00:17:40.080 So, 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:40.940 even if there had been, 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:42.240 an actual murder, 00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:42.840 that had taken place, 00:17:42.880 --> 00:17:44.060 it wouldn't have ended there. 00:17:44.160 --> 00:17:44.900 I think he, 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.180 means, 00:17:46.340 --> 00:17:47.680 his readers minds, 00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:48.539 to be drawn, 00:17:48.759 --> 00:17:49.460 to the story, 00:17:49.640 --> 00:17:50.460 of King David, 00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:51.980 and Uriah, 00:17:52.060 --> 00:17:52.960 the Hittite. 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:53.840 Remember, 00:17:53.920 --> 00:17:55.180 this is a Jewish audience, 00:17:55.340 --> 00:17:55.720 and they would have been, 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.759 very familiar, 00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:58.440 with King David. 00:17:59.120 --> 00:18:00.259 I think he's meaning, 00:18:00.340 --> 00:18:01.259 to show them, 00:18:01.700 --> 00:18:02.779 hoping, 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.940 that they're in Christ, 00:18:04.080 --> 00:18:04.560 that they're being, 00:18:04.840 --> 00:18:05.740 followers of Jesus, 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:08.420 the heir of King David, 00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:08.740 right? 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.880 The man after God's, 00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:10.720 own heart. 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.400 That they're meant, 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:12.960 to see, 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:13.740 that they also, 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.420 ought to be brought, 00:18:14.519 --> 00:18:14.980 to repentance, 00:18:15.220 --> 00:18:15.620 the way, 00:18:15.759 --> 00:18:16.340 King David, 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:16.840 was brought, 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.580 to repentance. 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:19.800 So, 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:20.740 you can read about this, 00:18:20.800 --> 00:18:22.039 in 2 Samuel chapter, 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:23.100 11. 00:18:24.140 --> 00:18:24.820 Recall that, 00:18:25.320 --> 00:18:26.080 David wanted, 00:18:26.300 --> 00:18:27.539 Uriah's wife. 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:29.080 He saw her bathing, 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.660 on a roof. 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:31.240 He wanted her for himself, 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:32.019 so he, 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.100 took her. 00:18:34.380 --> 00:18:35.240 When he found out, 00:18:35.300 --> 00:18:35.940 that she was pregnant, 00:18:36.060 --> 00:18:37.180 he called Uriah, 00:18:37.240 --> 00:18:37.800 who was off, 00:18:38.100 --> 00:18:38.480 fighting, 00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:39.580 a battle, 00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.560 on David's behalf, 00:18:40.900 --> 00:18:41.680 to himself, 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.500 to try to get him, 00:18:42.580 --> 00:18:43.540 to go be with his wife, 00:18:43.600 --> 00:18:44.400 so that that child, 00:18:44.480 --> 00:18:45.519 could be Uriah's child, 00:18:45.580 --> 00:18:46.180 and not his, 00:18:46.340 --> 00:18:47.140 child. 00:18:47.259 --> 00:18:47.400 And, 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.380 Uriah, 00:18:48.580 --> 00:18:49.560 being a soldier, 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.980 refused to go home. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:52.100 There's this trouble, 00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.180 this war that's happening, 00:18:53.340 --> 00:18:53.480 and, 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.519 shows himself, 00:18:54.580 --> 00:18:55.120 to be a rather, 00:18:55.340 --> 00:18:56.440 upright man. 00:18:56.580 --> 00:18:56.700 So, 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.180 David tries to get him drunk, 00:18:58.240 --> 00:18:58.940 and send him home, 00:18:58.980 --> 00:19:00.200 and he still won't go. 00:19:01.100 --> 00:19:01.220 And, 00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:01.860 I think you may know, 00:19:02.039 --> 00:19:03.180 what happens next. 00:19:03.799 --> 00:19:05.039 David calls to Joab, 00:19:05.080 --> 00:19:06.120 and has Uriah, 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.720 sent out on the front. 00:19:08.580 --> 00:19:08.820 And, 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:10.180 and not only sent out on the front, 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:11.840 where he perhaps might die, 00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:13.180 but sent out on the front, 00:19:13.340 --> 00:19:14.460 and soldiers commanded, 00:19:14.580 --> 00:19:15.140 to withdraw, 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.580 so that he certainly, 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.299 would, 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.660 die. 00:19:19.580 --> 00:19:19.860 And, 00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.660 when Nathan the prophet, 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:21.880 is sent to David, 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:22.980 by God, 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:24.620 he calls what he did, 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:25.559 murder. 00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.559 I think that James, 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.160 intends for, 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:30.059 his readers minds, 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:30.759 to go there. 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:31.279 Right? 00:19:31.299 --> 00:19:31.799 For us to get there, 00:19:31.860 --> 00:19:32.019 and go, 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:32.519 oh, 00:19:33.299 --> 00:19:34.519 it's altogether possible, 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:36.580 to be God's man, 00:19:37.100 --> 00:19:38.680 put in a place of prominence, 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:40.279 and to fail miserably, 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.799 at this point. 00:19:42.220 --> 00:19:42.220 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.160 To have, 00:19:43.720 --> 00:19:44.820 the passions of, 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:45.920 our hearts, 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:46.900 cause, 00:19:47.340 --> 00:19:47.759 conflict. 00:19:48.620 --> 00:19:48.900 So, 00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:49.840 I think he's meaning to do that. 00:19:50.000 --> 00:19:51.440 I think he also is recalling, 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.920 the teaching of his, 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:53.980 half brother. 00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:54.299 Right? 00:19:54.299 --> 00:19:54.720 The Lord, 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:55.860 Jesus Christ. 00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:58.099 He's remembering what Jesus said, 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.539 in the, 00:19:58.539 --> 00:20:00.159 sermon on the mount. 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.819 Matthew chapter 5, 00:20:01.879 --> 00:20:02.779 verse 21, 00:20:02.919 --> 00:20:03.399 and following. 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.099 You have heard, 00:20:04.479 --> 00:20:05.199 that it was said, 00:20:05.299 --> 00:20:06.359 to those of old, 00:20:06.979 --> 00:20:08.039 you shall not murder, 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.619 and whoever murders, 00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.679 will be liable to judgment. 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.740 But I say to you, 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:14.799 that everyone who is angry, 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.639 with his brother, 00:20:15.819 --> 00:20:16.500 will be liable, 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.000 to judgment. 00:20:18.699 --> 00:20:19.639 So it's the, 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:21.279 murder that exists, 00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:22.159 in our, 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.199 hearts, 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:25.160 that we will also be, 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:26.519 judged for. 00:20:27.120 --> 00:20:28.660 So whether an actual murder, 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:30.299 or murder in our hearts, 00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:32.360 this is a serious, 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:33.319 matter. 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.660 James doesn't, 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:36.460 want us to miss that. 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.000 He's been building this case, 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.480 for how, 00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:39.640 Christian people, 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:40.960 ought to live together. 00:20:41.080 --> 00:20:41.819 And he gets to this place, 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:42.340 and he says, 00:20:42.440 --> 00:20:44.000 so what's causing all of this? 00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:46.279 It's your murderous hearts, 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.440 that's what's causing it. 00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:49.740 You don't get what you want. 00:20:51.019 --> 00:20:51.980 So you take it. 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:54.080 And you take it at the expense, 00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:55.740 of others. 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:56.920 And beloved, 00:20:57.039 --> 00:20:57.299 hear me, 00:20:57.400 --> 00:20:58.559 we have all, 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.880 been guilty of this, 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:01.180 at some point. 00:21:02.440 --> 00:21:03.160 We all, 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:03.880 before God, 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.480 right now, 00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.140 would stand, 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:05.960 before him, 00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:07.059 and be declared, 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.779 murderers, 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:10.259 on our own. 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.820 On our own merit, 00:21:13.580 --> 00:21:14.620 we would be sentenced, 00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:16.120 as murderers. 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.940 This is why we need, 00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.460 the loving kindness, 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.279 of our God, 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:22.200 to show us, 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:22.860 mercy, 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:24.519 in the personal work, 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:25.559 of Jesus Christ. 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:27.600 This is why we need, 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.960 the imputed righteousness, 00:21:29.080 --> 00:21:29.580 of Christ, 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.920 who never did this. 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.820 Any anger, 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.660 he experienced, 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:34.980 was righteous anger. 00:21:35.299 --> 00:21:36.220 It was good. 00:21:36.320 --> 00:21:37.680 It was well aimed. 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.460 Ours, 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:41.059 most of the time, 00:21:41.360 --> 00:21:42.759 is not. 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.279 We need, 00:21:44.400 --> 00:21:45.480 Jesus's, 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:46.539 righteousness, 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.819 a good old phrase, 00:21:47.920 --> 00:21:48.420 I think that, 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.099 Zach used it, 00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:50.799 last week, 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:51.379 we need an, 00:21:51.379 --> 00:21:52.539 alien righteousness, 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:52.879 right? 00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:53.879 A righteousness that comes, 00:21:54.159 --> 00:21:54.879 from outside, 00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:56.299 of us. 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.639 My voice snicker, 00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.139 every time, 00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.240 I say that. 00:21:59.619 --> 00:22:00.000 We need, 00:22:00.139 --> 00:22:01.680 an outside righteousness, 00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:03.299 that's granted to us, 00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:03.920 because, 00:22:04.659 --> 00:22:04.879 we, 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.659 have, 00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.299 been, 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:07.700 murderers. 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:08.399 Right? 00:22:08.879 --> 00:22:10.099 We need, 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:12.259 the penalty, 00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.399 for the sin, 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.680 we've already committed, 00:22:14.680 --> 00:22:16.240 to be paid, 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.400 for us. 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:19.100 The infinite, 00:22:19.100 --> 00:22:20.140 penalty, 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.580 to be bore, 00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.900 on our behalf. 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:23.700 So, 00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.519 our infinite Savior, 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.600 bore it on the cross, 00:22:25.880 --> 00:22:26.440 for us, 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.560 that we would be forgiven, 00:22:27.560 --> 00:22:28.680 of our murder, 00:22:29.060 --> 00:22:30.080 and we would be delivered, 00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:31.080 from the power, 00:22:31.080 --> 00:22:31.680 of our, 00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:32.600 fickle, 00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.080 and, 00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:33.880 oft, 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.860 confused, 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:35.920 hearts. 00:22:37.060 --> 00:22:37.220 So, 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.000 see this, 00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:39.200 cause and effects, 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.120 transgression, 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:40.580 that goes down. 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.279 Your desire, 00:22:41.360 --> 00:22:42.039 you do not have, 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:43.059 so you murder, 00:22:43.159 --> 00:22:43.579 you covet, 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.980 and you cannot obtain, 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.639 and so you fight, 00:22:47.180 --> 00:22:48.819 and you quarrel. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.940 It shouldn't be so, 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.339 amongst us. 00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.539 Note, 00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:54.899 finally, 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.879 the prayerlessness, 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:57.159 of conflict. 00:22:57.899 --> 00:22:59.000 It's the last part of verse 2, 00:22:59.079 --> 00:23:01.079 and on into verse 3. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:02.920 You do not have, 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.519 because, 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.740 you do not ask. 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:06.720 So, 00:23:06.759 --> 00:23:07.259 it would seem, 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.220 that some, 00:23:08.220 --> 00:23:09.539 weren't asking at all. 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.000 They weren't asking, 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:11.779 for things, 00:23:11.900 --> 00:23:12.940 but some were asking. 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:14.240 You ask, 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.480 and you do not receive, 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:17.180 because you ask, 00:23:17.460 --> 00:23:18.220 wrongly, 00:23:18.779 --> 00:23:19.680 to spend it, 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.420 on your passions. 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.160 It's a very, 00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.900 serious thing. 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.359 Very serious matter, 00:23:28.359 --> 00:23:29.480 that we understand, 00:23:29.799 --> 00:23:31.160 what the will of the Lord is. 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:32.059 That we would know, 00:23:32.319 --> 00:23:33.920 both that we ought to ask, 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.660 and that we ought to ask, 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.000 rightly. 00:23:37.000 --> 00:23:40.160 much of our asking, 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.380 is aimed, 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.440 at us. 00:23:43.039 --> 00:23:43.859 It's aimed, 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.539 at, 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.839 temporal joy. 00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:47.980 It's aimed, 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.579 at things, 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:49.480 that will never, 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:50.480 really, 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.279 satisfy. 00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.740 C.S. Lewis, 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:55.339 in, 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:57.019 The Weight of Glory, 00:23:57.519 --> 00:23:58.259 wrote this. 00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.240 It would seem, 00:24:00.480 --> 00:24:01.279 that our Lord, 00:24:01.279 --> 00:24:02.680 finds our desires, 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:04.420 not too strong, 00:24:04.420 --> 00:24:06.200 but too weak. 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:07.880 We are, 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:09.259 half-hearted creatures, 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.620 fooling about, 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.160 with drink, 00:24:11.340 --> 00:24:11.779 and sex, 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:12.340 and ambition, 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.600 when infinite joy, 00:24:15.039 --> 00:24:15.519 is offered, 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:16.300 us. 00:24:17.240 --> 00:24:18.660 Like an ignorant child, 00:24:18.740 --> 00:24:19.600 who wants to go on, 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.720 making mud pies, 00:24:20.820 --> 00:24:21.420 in a slum, 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.240 because he cannot, 00:24:22.500 --> 00:24:23.220 imagine, 00:24:23.360 --> 00:24:23.900 what is meant, 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:24.680 by the offer, 00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.920 of a holiday, 00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.460 at the sea. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.460 We are far, 00:24:29.840 --> 00:24:30.840 too easily, 00:24:31.600 --> 00:24:32.200 pleased. 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:35.519 So the temporal, 00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:37.000 passions of our heart, 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.680 things aimed, 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.299 at, 00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.860 temporal gain, 00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:42.920 respect, 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.100 status, 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:46.720 are asking, 00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.299 too little. 00:24:48.900 --> 00:24:49.480 So, 00:24:50.039 --> 00:24:50.720 what ought, 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:51.420 we ask for? 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:53.500 We ought to ask, 00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.759 for the Lord, 00:24:55.120 --> 00:24:55.799 himself. 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:58.600 We ought to ask, 00:24:58.880 --> 00:25:00.240 to spend it, 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:01.460 that we might have, 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:02.059 more, 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.440 of Christ. 00:25:03.900 --> 00:25:04.440 We ought to join, 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.059 with Paul, 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.759 Philippians 1, 00:25:05.799 --> 00:25:06.339 21, 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:07.059 for to me, 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:07.839 to live, 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.779 is Christ, 00:25:09.620 --> 00:25:10.380 and to die, 00:25:11.059 --> 00:25:11.759 is gain. 00:25:12.099 --> 00:25:12.500 Why? 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:13.980 So that he would have, 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.519 more, 00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.380 of Christ. 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.839 The Psalms are just, 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:20.059 full of, 00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.640 the same teaching. 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.700 Psalm 37, 00:25:23.779 --> 00:25:24.359 verse 4, 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.240 delight yourself, 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.079 in the Lord, 00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:28.000 and he will give you, 00:25:28.299 --> 00:25:29.359 the desires, 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:31.220 of your heart. 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:33.059 Delight yourself, 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:33.639 in, 00:25:34.199 --> 00:25:34.799 God, 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:36.679 he will be, 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:37.559 your desire, 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.240 and guess what God, 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.819 will grant you? 00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:40.619 Himself. 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:43.220 Psalm 34, 00:25:43.359 --> 00:25:44.099 in verse 8, 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:44.899 oh, 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:46.359 taste and see, 00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.379 that the Lord, 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.139 is good. 00:25:49.099 --> 00:25:50.000 Blessed is the man, 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.939 who takes refuge, 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.139 in him. 00:25:53.139 --> 00:25:54.039 Psalm 16, 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.119 in verse 11, 00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:57.079 you make known to me, 00:25:57.139 --> 00:25:58.239 the path of life. 00:25:58.959 --> 00:26:00.039 In your presence, 00:26:00.699 --> 00:26:01.719 there is fullness, 00:26:01.719 --> 00:26:02.679 of joy. 00:26:03.199 --> 00:26:04.379 At your right hand, 00:26:04.479 --> 00:26:05.179 our pleasures, 00:26:06.219 --> 00:26:07.519 forevermore. 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.500 Our greatest, 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:10.919 our highest good, 00:26:11.319 --> 00:26:11.979 is found, 00:26:12.219 --> 00:26:12.919 in, 00:26:13.619 --> 00:26:14.059 God. 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.019 Most readily, 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:16.579 in, 00:26:16.879 --> 00:26:18.239 Jesus Christ himself. 00:26:18.639 --> 00:26:18.659 Right? 00:26:18.739 --> 00:26:19.119 Because he's, 00:26:19.119 --> 00:26:20.419 been revealed to us. 00:26:20.479 --> 00:26:21.399 We can take up his word, 00:26:21.459 --> 00:26:22.059 and we can read, 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.779 and we can understand, 00:26:23.739 --> 00:26:24.719 and we can find, 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.519 the satisfaction, 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:26.759 for our fickle, 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:27.799 hearts. 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:30.000 So when we find, 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:31.079 ourselves in conflict, 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:33.039 we've forgotten this. 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:34.920 We are looking, 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.720 for something, 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.819 to satisfy us, 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.660 that will never, 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:39.319 satisfy us, 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:39.860 rather than, 00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.860 looking to God, 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.360 who will, 00:26:41.880 --> 00:26:42.400 amply, 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.539 provide, 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:45.279 for all that we need. 00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.000 What we have, 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:49.200 whether it be, 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.140 material possession, 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:50.920 or some, 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:52.039 of the other desires, 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:53.139 I previously mentioned, 00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:53.799 status, 00:26:53.960 --> 00:26:54.319 respect, 00:26:54.980 --> 00:26:55.379 etc. 00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.639 These are to be spent, 00:26:57.759 --> 00:26:58.740 that we might gain, 00:26:58.819 --> 00:27:00.599 more of the greatest, 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:02.480 possession. 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:04.920 We ought not be, 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.220 a people at war, 00:27:06.379 --> 00:27:06.920 with one another, 00:27:07.240 --> 00:27:07.819 because, 00:27:08.879 --> 00:27:09.920 wisdom from above, 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.799 is first pure, 00:27:12.059 --> 00:27:13.139 then peaceable, 00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.240 gentle, 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.420 open to reason, 00:27:15.599 --> 00:27:16.420 full of mercy, 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.920 and good fruits, 00:27:18.639 --> 00:27:19.279 impartial, 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.440 and sincere, 00:27:21.119 --> 00:27:21.859 and a harvest, 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.440 of righteousness, 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.579 sown in peace, 00:27:23.660 --> 00:27:24.279 by those, 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.259 who make, 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:26.660 peace. 00:27:28.039 --> 00:27:28.899 So set, 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.279 your heart, 00:27:30.420 --> 00:27:30.839 this morning, 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:32.519 on the goodness, 00:27:32.779 --> 00:27:33.680 of God to us, 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.180 in Christ. 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:36.799 I'll close, 00:27:36.879 --> 00:27:37.279 with a quote, 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.279 from Jonathan Edwards, 00:27:38.599 --> 00:27:39.480 on a bullet, 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.259 if you happen, 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:40.839 to get a bulletin. 00:27:41.480 --> 00:27:42.799 God is the highest, 00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:43.420 good, 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.619 of the reasonable, 00:27:44.980 --> 00:27:45.279 creature. 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.740 The enjoyment, 00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.240 of him, 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.160 is our proper, 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:49.779 and is the only, 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.259 happiness, 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.600 with which our souls, 00:27:52.100 --> 00:27:53.160 can be satisfied. 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.560 Let's pray together.