WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.800 It is wonderful to be here with you. I see some blurry eyes, which maybe means there was a football game on late into the evening last night, but it's great to be here together. 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:16.280 Folks, if you have a Bible, please would you turn with me to the book of James and to chapter 3. 00:00:18.600 --> 00:00:26.440 And just before we begin our time this morning, let's pause just for a moment, just to pray and just commit this time together to God together. 00:00:26.440 --> 00:00:27.060 Let's pray. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:41.759 Father, we would think of the words of that song that we sang, draw me close to you, never let me go. 00:00:42.359 --> 00:00:44.259 I lay it all down again. 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:48.840 Father, we pray, Lord, that you would come and bless our time together this morning. 00:00:48.980 --> 00:00:53.799 Father, as we turn to your words, Lord, I pray that my words would be your words. 00:00:54.140 --> 00:00:58.700 Father, I pray that your spirit would come and would teach us from this text. 00:00:58.700 --> 00:01:05.120 Would he illuminate, would he light up the Lord Jesus as we meet him in your word? 00:01:05.719 --> 00:01:07.000 So, Father, that's our prayer. 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:10.400 And we make it through the wonderful name of the Lord Jesus. 00:01:11.200 --> 00:01:11.540 Amen. 00:01:11.540 --> 00:01:19.520 So, my wife, Alex, as many of you know, is training to be a GP. 00:01:20.540 --> 00:01:30.160 And I remember when she was studying for her practical exams, she announced that she needed a volunteer to help her as a patient doing practice interviews. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:33.119 Now, we were just married at this stage. 00:01:33.619 --> 00:01:38.859 And I was keen for her to see that she'd married an encouraging and supportive husband. 00:01:39.479 --> 00:01:44.879 So, I put up my hand and I volunteered to act as the patients in these interviews. 00:01:45.019 --> 00:01:51.280 And we were there for hours and hours and hours as we worked our way through this textbook. 00:01:51.280 --> 00:01:56.579 And I think I must have played almost every patient that I could have imagined. 00:01:57.599 --> 00:02:02.180 I mean, I played, I wrote it down, Mr. Black, the teacher who was prone to sleepwalking. 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:08.400 And I played Mrs. Brown, the pensioner, who was struggling to read her daily newspaper. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:10.420 Now, why did we do that? 00:02:10.500 --> 00:02:13.819 Why did we spend hours and hours and hours doing that? 00:02:13.819 --> 00:02:24.079 Well, Alex, like any good doctor, she wanted to hone and develop the skills that she needed to get good at diagnosing. 00:02:25.180 --> 00:02:30.519 Friends, in our verses today, there's a diagnosis going on. 00:02:31.299 --> 00:02:34.240 This is James the doctor in full flow. 00:02:35.060 --> 00:02:38.539 And his patient is this church that he's writing to. 00:02:38.959 --> 00:02:43.379 Now, we've seen that over the last five weeks or so as we've studied this letter. 00:02:43.819 --> 00:02:44.379 Together. 00:02:44.959 --> 00:02:48.959 We've caught a glimpse of what the life of this church was like. 00:02:50.459 --> 00:02:52.620 And it isn't coming out too good. 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:56.799 This is a church behaving badly. 00:02:57.759 --> 00:03:01.419 The letter's big theme, double-mindedness. 00:03:02.359 --> 00:03:05.519 That's been James' big push in this letter. 00:03:06.240 --> 00:03:07.039 What is he said? 00:03:07.099 --> 00:03:11.560 He said, stop being people who say one thing and go out and do another. 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:16.699 Stop being people who show such blatant favoritism. 00:03:17.620 --> 00:03:25.080 Stop being people who pick and choose which ones of God's laws that you want to obey and those that you do not want to obey. 00:03:25.080 --> 00:03:34.260 And stop being people who are so blasphemy and who are so destructive with your words. 00:03:34.259 --> 00:03:39.039 But if anything, James has torn up until this point. 00:03:40.199 --> 00:03:43.599 It's been firm, but it has been gentle. 00:03:44.919 --> 00:03:47.879 I mean, look how he frames all of these things. 00:03:48.000 --> 00:03:49.359 Chapter 1, verse 2. 00:03:50.340 --> 00:03:51.159 My brothers. 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:54.359 Chapter 2, verse 1. 00:03:54.719 --> 00:03:55.399 My brothers. 00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:58.819 Chapter 3, verse 1. 00:03:59.020 --> 00:03:59.960 My brothers. 00:04:02.260 --> 00:04:09.159 But folks, what we see in our verses that we are about to read is that James well and truly turns up the heat. 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:14.379 I mean, he moves from the hug to the headlock. 00:04:16.740 --> 00:04:19.899 And chapter 4, verse 4, look at what he calls them. 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:23.639 You adulterous people. 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:28.259 You see, James here, he's got this scalpel in. 00:04:28.919 --> 00:04:31.039 The patient's skin peeled back. 00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:33.179 And he's going for the root problem. 00:04:34.539 --> 00:04:40.959 And as we look at this diagnosis, folks, what we will see is that this church isn't suffering from man flu. 00:04:40.959 --> 00:04:51.799 This church is suffering from an infectious gangrene that, if not treated and addressed, it's going to cause this church to rot away. 00:04:53.079 --> 00:04:55.799 So let's read our verses together. 00:04:57.079 --> 00:05:01.639 And as we read, I wonder if you can spot James's diagnosis. 00:05:03.000 --> 00:05:09.159 So this is James chapter 3, verses, sorry, James 3, 13 to 4, verse 12. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:15.739 Who is wise and understanding among you? 00:05:16.739 --> 00:05:23.000 Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:32.259 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:40.599 Such wisdom does not come down from heaven, but it is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 00:05:41.759 --> 00:05:48.920 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:56.420 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. 00:05:57.420 --> 00:06:08.840 Then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 00:06:10.220 --> 00:06:15.200 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:19.439 What causes fights and quarrels among you? 00:06:20.079 --> 00:06:23.339 Don't they come from the desires that battle within you? 00:06:24.199 --> 00:06:27.060 You desire, but you do not have, so you kill. 00:06:27.800 --> 00:06:32.000 You covet, but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. 00:06:32.860 --> 00:06:35.680 You do not have because you do not ask God. 00:06:35.680 --> 00:06:45.480 When you ask, you do not receive because you ask with the wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 00:06:45.780 --> 00:06:47.500 You adulterous people. 00:06:48.720 --> 00:06:52.720 Don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? 00:06:52.720 --> 00:07:00.040 Therefore, any who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 00:07:00.100 --> 00:07:07.380 Or do you think the scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:13.200 But he gives us more grace. 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:20.000 This is why scripture says God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble. 00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:23.920 Submit yourselves then to God. 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:27.259 Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 00:07:28.180 --> 00:07:30.980 Come near to God and he will come near to you. 00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:36.919 Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:40.639 Grieve, mourn and wail. 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:45.000 Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 00:07:46.319 --> 00:07:50.959 Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up. 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:55.180 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. 00:07:56.579 --> 00:08:02.459 Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. 00:08:03.959 --> 00:08:09.439 When you judge the law, you are not keeping it but sitting in judgment on it. 00:08:09.439 --> 00:08:12.399 There is only one lawgiver and judge. 00:08:12.740 --> 00:08:14.759 The one who is able to save and destroy. 00:08:15.819 --> 00:08:19.860 But you, who are you to judge your neighbor? 00:08:21.899 --> 00:08:22.459 Amen. 00:08:22.540 --> 00:08:24.980 This is God's word to us this morning. 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:31.439 So let's walk our way through this doctor-patient consultation process. 00:08:31.439 --> 00:08:37.279 What are the symptoms that this church are exhibiting? 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:44.379 Well, we see from these verses, I think, three symptoms that this church are showing. 00:08:45.379 --> 00:08:48.440 Symptom number one at verse 16 of chapter 3. 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:51.440 There is disorder and evil practice. 00:08:51.440 --> 00:08:57.820 Now, the immediate context of verses 13 to 17 is teaching. 00:08:58.760 --> 00:09:02.960 That's what James has been addressing in verses 1 to 12 of chapter 3. 00:09:04.080 --> 00:09:11.260 And he's been warning them as they clamber over each other, competing for the airtime that teaching is going to give them. 00:09:12.260 --> 00:09:14.240 He says, don't rush into being a teacher. 00:09:14.240 --> 00:09:23.799 Stop and examine your own heart before you share with everyone else your so-called wisdom and understanding. 00:09:25.180 --> 00:09:30.340 If you can't control your tongue, then who are you kidding, thinking that you can teach other people? 00:09:30.340 --> 00:09:45.740 And folks, the picture that we get is that in the background of this church, there's jealousy bubbling, rivalries developing, and there's restlessness building. 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:51.720 Symptom number two at verse 1 of chapter 4. 00:09:51.820 --> 00:09:54.100 There is fighting and quarreling. 00:09:54.720 --> 00:09:58.340 And this seems to be the real issue in this church. 00:09:58.340 --> 00:10:03.600 There is a culture of bitterness, harshness. 00:10:04.120 --> 00:10:09.740 There is finger pointing and there is folding of arms, refusing to budge. 00:10:10.700 --> 00:10:19.700 And there is talking, talking, talking, and louder talking, leading to raised voices and raised fists. 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:27.500 As people insist on their own way and as they refuse to listen and reason with each other. 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:34.120 I mean, there is just a complete lack of love and harmony in this church. 00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:41.300 This is a church folks who are currently at each other's throats. 00:10:43.040 --> 00:10:44.980 Symptom number three. 00:10:47.120 --> 00:10:49.280 Slandering and judging. 00:10:49.279 --> 00:10:52.620 These people are gossiping. 00:10:52.620 --> 00:10:57.819 They are going out of their way to start rumors about people that they don't like. 00:10:58.279 --> 00:11:00.779 And they're speaking about people behind their backs. 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:05.600 There is developing a real condemnatory church culture. 00:11:06.319 --> 00:11:13.559 Criticizing the speck in other people's eyes, all the while ignoring the log in their own. 00:11:13.559 --> 00:11:16.559 And they are judging one another. 00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:22.779 Which I think in the context means that they are deciding who is and who isn't a real Christian. 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:29.119 And they are speculating at the eternal destinies of each other. 00:11:29.199 --> 00:11:33.559 Which James reminds them is a role that only God the log ever plays. 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:39.639 The symptoms give you the picture here folks. 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:46.479 This church reeks of pride and it reeks of selfishness. 00:11:47.219 --> 00:11:50.079 This church is divided. 00:11:50.839 --> 00:11:52.279 It is fractured. 00:11:53.159 --> 00:11:55.279 And it is tearing itself apart. 00:11:55.279 --> 00:12:00.579 And if it continues on the trajectory that it's on. 00:12:01.319 --> 00:12:04.439 It's going to spectacularly implode. 00:12:06.839 --> 00:12:11.039 Now how does James diagnose those symptoms? 00:12:12.319 --> 00:12:15.699 Well if you look at verse four of chapter four. 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:22.360 You find that James the doctor is in absolutely no doubt. 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:24.740 That underneath the surface. 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:28.759 This church is suffering from worldly-itis. 00:12:30.139 --> 00:12:33.300 Now we're back to the central idea of this letter. 00:12:33.620 --> 00:12:35.120 Double-mindedness. 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:39.800 That the people in this church are talking the Christian talk. 00:12:40.300 --> 00:12:42.680 They're doing the religious stuff. 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:47.379 But their hearts are yearning after the things of the world. 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:49.320 Not the things of God. 00:12:49.320 --> 00:12:54.540 They are meant to be God's distinct people. 00:12:55.160 --> 00:12:58.480 Living as a shining light in the midst of the world's darkness. 00:12:58.640 --> 00:12:59.200 But actually. 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:03.480 When you lift the lid off their lives. 00:13:04.760 --> 00:13:06.300 They're just like everyone else around them. 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:08.600 Same ambitions. 00:13:10.140 --> 00:13:11.320 Same motives. 00:13:12.760 --> 00:13:13.800 Same desires. 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:18.319 It was interesting studying this passage this week. 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:20.179 The word desire at verse two. 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:23.959 The original Greek is the word hedonai. 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:27.699 Which is where we get our English words hedonist. 00:13:28.579 --> 00:13:29.559 Pleasure seeking. 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:34.000 But these people aren't seeking pleasure in God. 00:13:34.859 --> 00:13:38.699 The picture here is that the passions of the people in this church. 00:13:38.699 --> 00:13:42.740 Are for the things that the world has to offer them. 00:13:43.799 --> 00:13:47.620 And I think that's what James means at verse three. 00:13:47.719 --> 00:13:48.979 When he's talking about prayer. 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.659 That you do not have. 00:13:51.719 --> 00:13:53.159 Because you do not ask. 00:13:53.859 --> 00:13:57.819 So their proud and stubborn hearts simply will refuse to pray. 00:14:00.099 --> 00:14:02.740 And then the things that you do ask for says James. 00:14:02.819 --> 00:14:03.479 You don't get. 00:14:04.240 --> 00:14:05.379 Now why do you not get? 00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:08.399 Because you ask with bad motives in your heart. 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:13.019 Now I want you to think back to the time when you were a kid. 00:14:14.039 --> 00:14:15.519 And you wanted to do something. 00:14:16.840 --> 00:14:17.840 But to do it. 00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:20.659 It required the permission of your parents. 00:14:21.799 --> 00:14:24.299 And you'd had that conversation before with them. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:26.100 And it didn't go too well for you. 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:29.019 But you thought that you'd give it another shot. 00:14:29.100 --> 00:14:31.259 Just in case they happened to have changed their mind. 00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:35.080 And you were suspiciously kind to them. 00:14:36.340 --> 00:14:37.200 You mowed the garden. 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.100 You washed the dishes. 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:40.960 Your room was extra tidy. 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:44.439 Before picking your exact moment to ask your parents. 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:48.960 And then still being met with a resounding no. 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:53.740 That is what James is saying here to these people. 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:58.200 You don't ask God. 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:02.600 You don't pray to God about your heart's desires. 00:15:02.779 --> 00:15:03.840 And the things that you want. 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:07.279 Because not only do you fear the answer that you'll get. 00:15:08.399 --> 00:15:10.340 But you know what he's already said. 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:16.919 You know what he has expressly commanded. 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:19.340 But so great is your selfishness. 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:21.720 That you don't even bother to ask God. 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:24.980 Or stop yourself from doing it. 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.220 You just go ahead and do it anyway. 00:15:27.800 --> 00:15:31.040 You are the rebellious teenage boy. 00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:36.100 Who has snuck out his window to be at the nightclub with his friends. 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:41.460 You know what God has said about loving your neighbor. 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:46.759 You know what God has said about how you are to treat one another. 00:15:47.759 --> 00:15:50.720 You know what God has said to you about coveting. 00:15:50.720 --> 00:15:54.600 About jealously wanting the things that somebody else has. 00:15:55.139 --> 00:15:57.040 And yet you still go ahead and do it anyway. 00:15:58.639 --> 00:16:03.320 You are people driven by earthly wisdom says James. 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:07.800 And that's why he uses that phrase at verse 4. 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:12.420 Probably one of the strongest rebukes that we find anywhere in the New Testament. 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:15.079 You adulterous people. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:18.299 You cheating people. 00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:22.039 You two-timing people. 00:16:23.699 --> 00:16:29.399 All the way through the Bible, that's how the relationship between God and his people is described. 00:16:30.219 --> 00:16:31.519 It's like a marriage. 00:16:31.519 --> 00:16:35.879 God is the faithful, loving husband. 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:40.340 And he calls his people to be his faithful, loving wife. 00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:45.180 But history would tell us time and time and time again. 00:16:45.660 --> 00:16:51.740 That while God remains the unchanging, faithful, loving, sacrificial, gracious husband. 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:53.980 Who is the same yesterday, today and forever. 00:16:55.600 --> 00:17:01.500 His people's hearts are continually flirting and desiring the things of the world. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:08.720 You know the word adulterer that James uses there in the original Greek, it's in the feminine form. 00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:11.940 And he quite deliberately does it like that. 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:16.039 His Jewish audience, they would know their Old Testament. 00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:18.839 They would know their Old Testament prophets. 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:25.940 And so the mention of a female adulterer bring to mind Old Testament Israel. 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:30.559 And in particular, the prophet Hosea. 00:17:33.400 --> 00:17:37.660 God commands Hosea to marry a prostitute called Gomer. 00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:45.740 And Gomer's recurrent unfaithfulness so graphically and painfully illustrates 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:53.140 how God sees his people's constant spiritual unfaithfulness to him. 00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:57.420 As they give him their words of love and of flattery. 00:17:58.420 --> 00:18:01.080 But then they run off to the pagan temples down the roads. 00:18:01.580 --> 00:18:04.500 And they worship the so-called other gods that everyone else is worshipping. 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:10.020 As far as God is concerned, the message is quite clear. 00:18:10.820 --> 00:18:14.020 That idolatry is adultery. 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:19.620 Israel's divided hearts and double minds. 00:18:19.619 --> 00:18:24.179 And that's what God had said to that generation of his people. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:28.939 And James says that the comparisons between the two, 00:18:30.079 --> 00:18:32.639 between that generation and this generation, they're uncanny. 00:18:34.479 --> 00:18:37.899 Your discreet love affair with the world. 00:18:39.479 --> 00:18:43.679 Dr. James doesn't need to run any further tests. 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:46.219 He doesn't need a second opinion. 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:55.059 For him, it is so evident by the disgusting way in which this church are behaving towards one another 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:58.420 that the cause is worldly items. 00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:03.539 And folks, this is where we need to pause. 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:06.100 We just need to park the bus just for a minute. 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:11.319 And we need to sit in Dr. James' chair. 00:19:11.319 --> 00:19:15.419 Now, if he were to do a diagnosis of your life, 00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:19.019 if he were to get out his scalpel, 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:21.319 if he was to peel back your skin, 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:24.439 and he was to have a look inside, 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:27.059 what would he see in your life? 00:19:29.740 --> 00:19:31.059 If he were to examine 00:19:31.059 --> 00:19:33.119 what your life is like 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:34.480 inside these walls, 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:37.159 and compare it with your life 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:38.759 outside these walls, 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:41.059 what would he see? 00:19:42.859 --> 00:19:45.039 If he was to look at your thought life, 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:48.960 if he was to look at your personal life, 00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:51.779 and if he was to compare it 00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:53.559 to the life that everyone sees, 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:57.200 would he see a consistent life? 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.660 Would he see consistency, 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.759 or would he see 00:20:01.759 --> 00:20:03.740 compromised men 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:04.640 and women 00:20:04.640 --> 00:20:05.519 who are riddled 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:07.180 with worldly items? 00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:10.640 Now, folks, 00:20:11.160 --> 00:20:14.160 as I've studied this passage this week, 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:15.200 that is the challenge. 00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:17.160 Because, 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:18.940 when we look at this church, 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:20.140 and we see their symptoms, 00:20:20.980 --> 00:20:22.400 are we any different? 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:26.200 I don't think we are that much 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:27.440 far removed 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:29.160 from what we see going on 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:29.779 in this church. 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:32.259 And can I make the observation 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.059 at this stage 00:20:33.059 --> 00:20:36.119 that there is such a close link 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:38.839 between our relationship 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:39.599 with God 00:20:39.599 --> 00:20:41.500 and our relationships 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.259 with other people? 00:20:43.679 --> 00:20:45.579 That's been such a central idea 00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.839 in this letter of James 00:20:46.839 --> 00:20:47.720 already, 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:48.279 that there should be 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.759 a holy consistency 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:51.339 to the life 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:52.940 of God's people. 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.879 You flick back to chapter 3, 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.740 you see James saying 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.539 exactly that. 00:20:58.440 --> 00:20:59.539 That you can't be 00:20:59.539 --> 00:21:00.819 praising God with your lips 00:21:00.819 --> 00:21:01.419 one minute, 00:21:01.420 --> 00:21:03.060 and then as soon as 00:21:03.060 --> 00:21:03.820 you get outside, 00:21:04.420 --> 00:21:05.300 you go cursing 00:21:05.300 --> 00:21:06.400 the same brothers and sisters 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:07.500 that you've just been with. 00:21:08.860 --> 00:21:10.100 That's just not on. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:12.880 Because their attitude 00:21:12.880 --> 00:21:14.580 towards people 00:21:14.580 --> 00:21:16.700 and our attitude 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.700 towards people, 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:20.460 it reveals an awful lot 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:21.460 about what our attitude 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.660 is to God. 00:21:22.660 --> 00:21:25.480 You know, 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:26.320 if you find yourself 00:21:26.320 --> 00:21:27.200 exhibiting 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:29.140 any of these symptoms, 00:21:29.840 --> 00:21:30.620 can I encourage you 00:21:30.620 --> 00:21:31.880 to do a self-diagnosis? 00:21:32.820 --> 00:21:34.240 If you find yourself 00:21:34.240 --> 00:21:34.740 bitter 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.980 towards anybody 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.840 in this church, 00:21:37.340 --> 00:21:38.720 if you find yourself 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:39.740 agitated, 00:21:40.180 --> 00:21:41.480 if you find yourself 00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.380 impatient, 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:44.120 if you find yourself 00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:45.560 bad-mouthing somebody 00:21:45.560 --> 00:21:46.240 in here 00:21:46.240 --> 00:21:48.000 or having a critical spirit, 00:21:48.000 --> 00:21:50.440 then God tells you 00:21:50.440 --> 00:21:51.299 right here 00:21:51.299 --> 00:21:52.279 in his word 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.160 to stop. 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.480 To examine 00:21:55.480 --> 00:21:57.099 your own heart 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:58.859 and see that 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.500 the problem 00:21:59.500 --> 00:22:01.039 is actually 00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.140 something within 00:22:02.140 --> 00:22:03.779 that you need 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.660 to repent of 00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:07.000 and bring yourself 00:22:07.000 --> 00:22:07.380 to pray 00:22:07.380 --> 00:22:07.900 that God 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.759 in his mercy 00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:10.160 would change you. 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.500 Folks, 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:12.960 I know that 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.619 is so true 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:14.359 in my own life. 00:22:14.359 --> 00:22:17.339 that the things 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:18.479 that get me riled, 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:18.959 the things 00:22:18.959 --> 00:22:19.959 that get me going, 00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.439 actually, 00:22:21.559 --> 00:22:22.019 when I stop 00:22:22.019 --> 00:22:23.059 to think about it 00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:24.759 and when I stop 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.319 to examine 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:26.240 my own heart, 00:22:26.519 --> 00:22:27.419 I realize 00:22:27.419 --> 00:22:28.500 so often, 00:22:28.619 --> 00:22:28.879 in fact, 00:22:28.979 --> 00:22:29.500 all the time, 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:30.759 I realize 00:22:30.759 --> 00:22:31.279 that the problem 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:31.899 is in here. 00:22:33.979 --> 00:22:34.219 You know, 00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:34.879 that seems to be 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:35.439 the problem 00:22:35.439 --> 00:22:36.740 with this church, 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:38.539 that they are 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.379 nowhere with each 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.319 other corporately 00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:41.779 because they are 00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:43.339 nowhere with God 00:22:43.339 --> 00:22:44.259 individually. 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:47.559 these people 00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.399 always view 00:22:48.399 --> 00:22:49.319 the problem 00:22:49.319 --> 00:22:50.479 as being out there 00:22:50.479 --> 00:22:53.139 and never in here 00:22:53.139 --> 00:22:56.279 because worldly-itis 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.339 has well and truly 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:58.319 got under the skin 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:59.579 of these people. 00:23:00.119 --> 00:23:01.699 It is rife 00:23:01.699 --> 00:23:03.000 in the life 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:04.259 of this church 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:05.959 and if it's not 00:23:05.959 --> 00:23:06.339 treated, 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.139 it's going to 00:23:08.139 --> 00:23:08.959 kill this church. 00:23:11.679 --> 00:23:12.559 So what does 00:23:12.559 --> 00:23:13.439 James the doctor 00:23:13.439 --> 00:23:14.179 prescribe? 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:15.679 For worldly-itis? 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:17.779 What is going to be 00:23:17.779 --> 00:23:18.339 the thing 00:23:18.339 --> 00:23:19.379 that will transform 00:23:19.379 --> 00:23:20.459 the life of this 00:23:20.459 --> 00:23:20.979 church 00:23:20.979 --> 00:23:21.779 and it will 00:23:21.779 --> 00:23:22.439 transform 00:23:22.439 --> 00:23:23.879 the lives 00:23:23.879 --> 00:23:24.899 and relationships 00:23:24.899 --> 00:23:26.159 of the individuals 00:23:26.159 --> 00:23:26.919 in the church? 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:28.299 Well, 00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:28.919 the prescription 00:23:28.919 --> 00:23:30.259 that James gives 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:32.000 is found 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.979 at verse 6 00:23:32.979 --> 00:23:34.579 of chapter 4. 00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.559 God's 00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:37.159 God's 00:23:37.159 --> 00:23:38.240 God's 00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:38.899 God's 00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:39.119 God's 00:23:39.119 --> 00:23:40.659 God's 00:23:40.659 --> 00:23:41.240 God's 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:42.240 God's 00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:42.299 God's 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:46.619 God's 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.059 undeserved 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.879 favor, 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.259 God's 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.259 blessing 00:23:51.259 --> 00:23:52.559 and kindness. 00:23:53.500 --> 00:23:55.000 It is available 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.740 to them 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.599 if, 00:23:57.059 --> 00:23:57.619 and there is a 00:23:57.619 --> 00:23:58.000 massive 00:23:58.000 --> 00:23:58.899 if here folks 00:23:58.899 --> 00:23:59.579 that we need to 00:23:59.579 --> 00:23:59.919 see, 00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:06.640 if they will humble themselves before God. 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:11.660 If they will get down low on their knees 00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:14.880 and repent of their selfishness. 00:24:15.300 --> 00:24:16.820 Now, why is that the case? 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:20.920 Well, it's spelled out in such black and white language 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.000 at verse 6. 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:25.140 Now, I know memory verses have gone out of fashion, 00:24:25.600 --> 00:24:27.680 but if you wanted a memory verse for this week, 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:30.100 if you wanted a memory verse for all of your life, 00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:32.100 then can I suggest go for this one? 00:24:34.120 --> 00:24:37.380 One of the most sobering verses in the Bible, verse 6, 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:40.880 that God opposes the proud, 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:45.779 but gives grace to the humble. 00:24:49.039 --> 00:24:51.440 You see, what James calls for here 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:55.600 in the life of this church is humility. 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:58.959 Now, I think it's fair to say that humility 00:24:58.959 --> 00:25:02.799 isn't an attribute that is envied in our culture. 00:25:03.859 --> 00:25:06.980 And it certainly wasn't valued in the culture 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:08.599 that this church are operating in. 00:25:09.319 --> 00:25:11.839 It's a word that was associated with lowliness, 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:15.579 of weakness, and of grovelling. 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.500 But James says, folks, 00:25:18.559 --> 00:25:21.559 that that is exactly the heart stance before God. 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:25.079 That not only is the appropriate and right one, 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:28.099 but it's the one that if you adopt, 00:25:28.879 --> 00:25:30.700 God promises that he will see 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:33.440 and he will shower with his grace. 00:25:36.559 --> 00:25:38.139 And of course, this humility 00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:40.440 that James calls for, 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:44.659 we see it most fully in the life of Jesus. 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:48.460 That Jesus humbled himself 00:25:48.460 --> 00:25:51.740 by leaving the glories of heaven 00:25:51.740 --> 00:25:54.060 to come down to earth to save us. 00:25:54.920 --> 00:25:57.160 He humbled himself while he was here 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:59.279 by washing his disciples' feet. 00:26:00.900 --> 00:26:03.120 And he humbled himself ultimately 00:26:03.120 --> 00:26:06.300 to death on a cross. 00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:08.779 Taking the punishment, 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:11.420 dying the death that you and I deserve to die 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:13.560 because of our sin against the holy God 00:26:13.560 --> 00:26:18.960 and accrediting us with his perfect life. 00:26:19.380 --> 00:26:20.940 The Bible uses the word righteousness. 00:26:22.779 --> 00:26:25.140 And because of his life of humility, 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:27.800 because of his life of obedience, 00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:30.660 because of his life of faithfulness 00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:32.680 and single-mindedness, 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:36.860 folks, we are the recipients of amazing grace. 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:41.899 And not only has God saved us by his son, 00:26:42.699 --> 00:26:44.819 but when we gave our lives to God, 00:26:45.519 --> 00:26:47.199 the Bible would say that he adopted us 00:26:47.199 --> 00:26:47.899 as his children. 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:51.619 And he put his spirit in us. 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.579 His spirit in us, 00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:55.199 not to be a casual lodger, 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:58.559 not to be a roommate that we wave to on the stairs, 00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:00.719 but right into our hearts 00:27:00.719 --> 00:27:02.379 to be a permanent dweller. 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.859 That is the gospel. 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:08.979 And brothers and sisters, 00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:10.059 can I encourage you 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:12.019 that if we truly capture that 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.479 with our hearts and our minds, 00:27:14.179 --> 00:27:17.000 then it leaves absolutely no room 00:27:17.000 --> 00:27:17.959 for us to be proud. 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:21.059 It leaves no wiggle room 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:22.619 for self-exaltation, 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:25.699 but rather it should produce in us 00:27:25.699 --> 00:27:27.659 deep gratitude 00:27:27.659 --> 00:27:29.979 and deep humility. 00:27:32.719 --> 00:27:34.219 But James says here 00:27:34.219 --> 00:27:35.659 that God's grace, 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.860 it wasn't exhausted 00:27:36.860 --> 00:27:38.000 at salvation, 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:39.300 in salvation, sorry. 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.920 James tells his readers 00:27:41.920 --> 00:27:43.400 that God's grace, 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:46.900 it is a Niagara Falls 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:48.420 for them to sit under 00:27:48.420 --> 00:27:49.620 and swim in. 00:27:50.920 --> 00:27:53.300 Because God desires 00:27:53.300 --> 00:27:54.360 to give them 00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:55.960 more grace. 00:27:56.820 --> 00:27:58.300 And God desires 00:27:58.300 --> 00:27:59.140 to give them 00:27:59.140 --> 00:28:01.060 more of himself. 00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:03.339 even though they look 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.119 undesirable, 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:05.500 and folks, 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.579 let's be honest, 00:28:06.839 --> 00:28:07.599 even though we look 00:28:07.599 --> 00:28:08.440 so undesirable, 00:28:10.079 --> 00:28:11.220 God gives 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.879 more grace. 00:28:13.819 --> 00:28:14.839 God wants 00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:15.419 his people 00:28:15.419 --> 00:28:16.379 for himself, 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.700 warps and all. 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:20.839 How good 00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.839 is God? 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:21.980 God. 00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:24.939 I mean, 00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:25.419 this church 00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:26.220 is on the brink. 00:28:27.919 --> 00:28:28.619 But James 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.259 tells them 00:28:29.259 --> 00:28:30.779 the wonderful truth 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.559 that God's grace 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.679 is their only hope. 00:28:34.579 --> 00:28:35.459 But what a hope 00:28:35.459 --> 00:28:36.099 it is. 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:37.659 And folks, 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:37.899 listen, 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:38.519 I don't know whether 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.419 you paid attention here 00:28:39.419 --> 00:28:39.720 or not, 00:28:39.779 --> 00:28:40.619 but if you haven't, 00:28:40.659 --> 00:28:41.539 can I say that you 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:42.679 jump in here 00:28:42.679 --> 00:28:43.759 and remember 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.419 this phrase. 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:46.800 It is a wonderful 00:28:46.800 --> 00:28:47.120 hope, 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.700 God's grace, 00:28:47.820 --> 00:28:50.380 because God's grace 00:28:50.380 --> 00:28:51.160 is greater, 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:51.800 deeper, 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:52.500 and wider 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:54.380 than his people's 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:55.200 failings, 00:28:55.660 --> 00:28:56.360 unfaithfulness, 00:28:56.800 --> 00:28:57.660 and weakness. 00:28:59.140 --> 00:29:00.240 God's grace 00:29:00.240 --> 00:29:01.100 is greater. 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:03.980 Friends, 00:29:04.080 --> 00:29:05.080 can I urge you 00:29:05.080 --> 00:29:06.000 never to doubt 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:07.100 that God is willing 00:29:07.100 --> 00:29:08.420 and desires 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:10.000 to graciously 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.980 provide the things 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:11.720 that his children 00:29:11.720 --> 00:29:12.200 need. 00:29:14.420 --> 00:29:15.779 He doesn't withhold 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:17.140 any good gift 00:29:17.140 --> 00:29:19.080 that his children 00:29:19.080 --> 00:29:19.800 need. 00:29:19.860 --> 00:29:20.600 Not that they want, 00:29:20.840 --> 00:29:21.740 but that they need. 00:29:23.360 --> 00:29:24.660 But we also need 00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.480 to see the warning 00:29:25.480 --> 00:29:25.920 here 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:28.039 of how God 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:29.180 views a proud 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.460 and a stubborn 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:31.980 human heart. 00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:35.320 God opposes 00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:36.279 the proud, 00:29:36.700 --> 00:29:38.140 but he gives grace 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:39.360 to the humble. 00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.600 So what is the 00:29:41.600 --> 00:29:42.080 management 00:29:42.080 --> 00:29:43.720 of this prescription 00:29:43.720 --> 00:29:44.660 that Dr. James 00:29:44.660 --> 00:29:45.440 prescribes? 00:29:46.039 --> 00:29:47.180 So how is this 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.000 humility that we've 00:29:48.000 --> 00:29:48.559 been looking at, 00:29:48.600 --> 00:29:49.160 how is it going to 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:50.259 play out in their 00:29:50.259 --> 00:29:51.079 daily lives? 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.600 And how is it going 00:29:52.600 --> 00:29:53.660 to play out in ours 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.400 as well? 00:29:55.220 --> 00:29:56.000 Because James 00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:56.920 isn't saying, 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.360 take the grace 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:59.640 pill and kick 00:29:59.640 --> 00:30:00.100 back, 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.440 go to the armchair, 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.400 and everything's 00:30:02.400 --> 00:30:03.000 going to work out. 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.140 They're going to 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.819 have to work at 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:07.240 this. 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:09.039 And if you've got 00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:09.940 your Bibles there, 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:12.440 just follow with me 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.380 the imperatives 00:30:13.380 --> 00:30:14.460 that James lists 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:16.200 at verses 7 to 10 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:17.039 of chapter 4. 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.580 This is what it's 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:21.220 going to look like. 00:30:23.380 --> 00:30:24.340 Submit yourselves 00:30:24.340 --> 00:30:24.940 to God. 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:26.940 So James is calling 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.799 them to bow the 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.039 knee, 00:30:29.160 --> 00:30:30.220 raise the white 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:31.400 flag of surrender, 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:33.640 stop rebelling, 00:30:34.180 --> 00:30:35.420 and stop resisting 00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.259 God in the way 00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:36.960 that you currently 00:30:36.960 --> 00:30:37.340 are. 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:39.220 you know what 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:39.720 he said. 00:30:40.720 --> 00:30:42.279 You know how he 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:43.220 has commanded you 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:44.319 to behave to one 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:44.659 another. 00:30:46.359 --> 00:30:47.279 So do it. 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.959 Resist the devil 00:30:50.959 --> 00:30:51.699 and he will flee 00:30:51.699 --> 00:30:52.179 from you. 00:30:53.059 --> 00:30:53.779 Now that word 00:30:53.779 --> 00:30:54.539 resist, it's a 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.439 military metaphor. 00:30:56.699 --> 00:30:57.299 And James is 00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:57.919 telling them to 00:30:57.919 --> 00:30:59.439 say no to 00:30:59.439 --> 00:31:00.099 ungodliness. 00:31:00.959 --> 00:31:02.039 Say no to 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:02.740 gossiping. 00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.079 Say no to the 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:04.699 devil when he 00:31:04.699 --> 00:31:05.519 tries to get a 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.019 hold of your 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.419 tongue. 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.800 and of your 00:31:07.800 --> 00:31:08.380 thoughts. 00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.640 But rather to 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:12.160 resist him and 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:13.000 stand firm. 00:31:15.000 --> 00:31:15.920 Draw near to 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.940 God and he will 00:31:16.940 --> 00:31:17.980 draw near to you. 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.240 Friends, what a 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:21.060 wonderful promise 00:31:21.060 --> 00:31:21.779 that God makes 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.019 here. 00:31:23.340 --> 00:31:23.820 That God is 00:31:23.820 --> 00:31:24.740 lovingly 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:27.560 desperate 00:31:27.560 --> 00:31:28.840 that these 00:31:28.840 --> 00:31:30.000 running religious 00:31:30.000 --> 00:31:30.519 rebels, 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:32.140 they turn to 00:31:32.140 --> 00:31:33.539 him and receive 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.039 his grace. 00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:36.119 love for his 00:31:36.119 --> 00:31:38.019 returning son. 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.399 Now this is the 00:31:40.399 --> 00:31:40.980 heart of the 00:31:40.980 --> 00:31:41.920 loving father. 00:31:43.420 --> 00:31:43.899 That while his 00:31:43.899 --> 00:31:44.680 son, the 00:31:44.680 --> 00:31:45.359 running rebel, 00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:47.019 who had openly 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:48.059 rejected him to 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:50.039 his face, as his 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.039 son does a U-turn 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:51.819 and makes his way 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:53.720 back home, what 00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.099 does it say? 00:31:54.159 --> 00:31:54.960 The father sees 00:31:54.960 --> 00:31:56.359 him a long 00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:58.539 distance off and 00:31:58.539 --> 00:31:59.440 runs out to meet 00:31:59.440 --> 00:31:59.700 him. 00:31:59.700 --> 00:32:01.799 such as the 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:02.559 father's great 00:32:02.559 --> 00:32:03.220 love for his 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:04.039 returning son. 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.880 Now hear the 00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:06.640 promise this 00:32:06.640 --> 00:32:07.420 morning, folks, 00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.360 that God makes to 00:32:08.360 --> 00:32:09.400 us in his 00:32:09.400 --> 00:32:09.880 words. 00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:11.299 A word for you 00:32:11.299 --> 00:32:12.360 this morning, if 00:32:12.360 --> 00:32:13.100 you currently have 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:14.080 your back towards 00:32:14.080 --> 00:32:16.960 God, that if you 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.819 draw near to him, 00:32:19.120 --> 00:32:20.720 he will draw near to 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:20.980 you. 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:25.620 wash your hands, 00:32:25.720 --> 00:32:27.259 your sinners, and 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.720 purify your hearts, 00:32:28.819 --> 00:32:29.559 you double-minded. 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:32.980 Grieve, mourn, and 00:32:32.980 --> 00:32:33.339 wail. 00:32:34.120 --> 00:32:35.000 Change your laughter 00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:36.000 to mourning and 00:32:36.000 --> 00:32:37.120 your joy to gloom. 00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:40.319 Now what James is 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:41.880 saying here to 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:42.759 these people is that 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.420 you need to get 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:44.240 right with God. 00:32:45.380 --> 00:32:46.319 You should be 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:47.440 weeping, you 00:32:47.440 --> 00:32:48.200 should be crying 00:32:48.200 --> 00:32:49.940 over your sin-riddled 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.519 hearts. 00:32:50.980 --> 00:32:51.880 And what it's 00:32:51.880 --> 00:32:53.240 doing to this 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:53.759 church. 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:55.740 You should mourn 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:57.279 the state of 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:58.099 affairs that are 00:32:58.099 --> 00:32:59.019 currently going on 00:32:59.019 --> 00:32:59.720 in your church. 00:33:02.839 --> 00:33:03.920 And as they do 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:04.779 these things, folks, 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:06.880 as they humble 00:33:06.880 --> 00:33:07.500 themselves, 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:10.539 amazingly, God 00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:11.319 will lift them 00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:11.519 up. 00:33:12.900 --> 00:33:13.779 God will 00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:14.920 exalt them. 00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.420 And God 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:17.779 will honor 00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:18.039 them. 00:33:18.980 --> 00:33:19.819 And why? 00:33:19.819 --> 00:33:19.900 Why? 00:33:20.980 --> 00:33:22.620 Because God's 00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:24.360 grace is 00:33:24.360 --> 00:33:24.779 greater, 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:25.279 deeper, 00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:26.079 and wider 00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:27.380 than his 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:28.019 people's 00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:28.660 failings, 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:29.700 unfaithfulness, 00:33:30.160 --> 00:33:30.880 and weakness. 00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:34.460 so the patient 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:34.780 has been 00:33:34.780 --> 00:33:35.460 diagnosed, 00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:37.080 and the 00:33:37.080 --> 00:33:37.480 prescription 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:37.880 has been 00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:38.180 given. 00:33:39.400 --> 00:33:39.780 And as we 00:33:39.780 --> 00:33:40.260 draw our time 00:33:40.260 --> 00:33:40.520 to our 00:33:40.520 --> 00:33:41.020 close this 00:33:41.020 --> 00:33:41.320 morning, 00:33:41.860 --> 00:33:43.580 let's see 00:33:43.580 --> 00:33:44.160 what James 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:45.420 says health 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:46.440 is going to 00:33:46.440 --> 00:33:46.860 look like. 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:47.240 How do we 00:33:47.240 --> 00:33:47.580 know this 00:33:47.580 --> 00:33:48.920 patient is 00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:49.180 being 00:33:49.180 --> 00:33:50.380 rehabilitated? 00:33:50.380 --> 00:33:54.140 So as God 00:33:54.140 --> 00:33:54.860 pours out his 00:33:54.860 --> 00:33:55.560 grace into 00:33:55.560 --> 00:33:56.160 their lives 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:57.180 individually and 00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:57.760 corporately, 00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:59.000 what fruit 00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.480 should they 00:33:59.480 --> 00:34:00.440 see in 00:34:00.440 --> 00:34:01.000 their lives? 00:34:02.760 --> 00:34:03.500 Well, back 00:34:03.500 --> 00:34:03.960 in chapter 00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.640 one, we saw 00:34:04.640 --> 00:34:05.640 James encourage 00:34:05.640 --> 00:34:06.420 this church 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:07.960 that if any 00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:08.599 of them lacks 00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:10.079 wisdom, to 00:34:10.079 --> 00:34:11.500 pray and to 00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:12.340 ask God who 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:13.360 gives generously. 00:34:14.599 --> 00:34:15.440 Now, we so 00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.300 often read that 00:34:16.300 --> 00:34:17.760 and we read it 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.840 as asking for 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:19.579 divine wisdom, 00:34:19.579 --> 00:34:20.360 for guidance. 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.319 So making 00:34:22.319 --> 00:34:23.259 life's big 00:34:23.259 --> 00:34:23.799 decisions. 00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:25.039 Now, of course, 00:34:25.079 --> 00:34:25.460 there is an 00:34:25.460 --> 00:34:26.319 application there, 00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:28.460 but I think 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:29.259 James has much 00:34:29.259 --> 00:34:30.019 more in mind 00:34:30.019 --> 00:34:32.019 divine wisdom 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:32.759 for conduct. 00:34:34.079 --> 00:34:35.239 So wisdom 00:34:35.239 --> 00:34:35.819 for how they 00:34:35.819 --> 00:34:36.759 are to behave 00:34:36.759 --> 00:34:38.159 rightly towards 00:34:38.159 --> 00:34:39.000 one another 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:40.380 and how they 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.019 are to live a 00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:41.559 life that is 00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:42.639 pleasing and 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:43.380 honoring to 00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:43.659 God. 00:34:44.659 --> 00:34:45.319 So in 00:34:45.319 --> 00:34:46.239 contrast to the 00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:47.059 earthly wisdom, 00:34:47.699 --> 00:34:48.739 the disorder 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:49.460 and the evil 00:34:49.460 --> 00:34:50.220 practice that 00:34:50.220 --> 00:34:50.539 currently 00:34:50.539 --> 00:34:51.440 characterizes 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:52.280 this church, 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.280 here at 00:34:54.280 --> 00:34:55.139 verses 17 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:55.960 and 18, 00:34:56.980 --> 00:34:57.720 James describes 00:34:57.720 --> 00:34:58.280 for us what 00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:59.099 divine wisdom 00:34:59.099 --> 00:35:00.019 is going to 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:00.740 look like in 00:35:00.740 --> 00:35:01.340 their lives. 00:35:03.340 --> 00:35:04.179 Humble, 00:35:05.740 --> 00:35:06.960 self-sacrificing, 00:35:08.159 --> 00:35:08.559 peaceful, 00:35:10.059 --> 00:35:10.519 merciful, 00:35:11.880 --> 00:35:12.260 reasonable, 00:35:13.099 --> 00:35:13.840 and gentle. 00:35:14.840 --> 00:35:15.639 Wonderful 00:35:15.639 --> 00:35:17.320 characteristics that 00:35:17.320 --> 00:35:18.340 James encourages 00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:19.280 them to adorn 00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:20.300 and wear. 00:35:22.840 --> 00:35:23.280 And we'll 00:35:23.280 --> 00:35:23.820 finish, folks, 00:35:23.880 --> 00:35:24.640 by reading these 00:35:24.640 --> 00:35:25.400 verses together. 00:35:26.600 --> 00:35:27.420 And I encourage 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:28.360 you, just like I 00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:28.840 was challenged 00:35:28.840 --> 00:35:29.519 this week in my 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:29.920 own life, 00:35:31.200 --> 00:35:31.920 do you see 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:32.700 divine wisdom 00:35:32.700 --> 00:35:33.600 on show in 00:35:33.600 --> 00:35:33.980 your life? 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:36.480 And if you 00:35:36.480 --> 00:35:36.920 don't, 00:35:38.660 --> 00:35:39.500 can I ask you 00:35:39.500 --> 00:35:40.720 to seriously 00:35:40.720 --> 00:35:41.920 pray to God 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:43.100 who gives 00:35:43.100 --> 00:35:43.660 generously 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:44.599 and who 00:35:44.599 --> 00:35:44.980 gives 00:35:44.980 --> 00:35:46.199 graciously? 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.500 Let's read 00:35:48.500 --> 00:35:48.980 these verses 00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:49.659 together as we 00:35:49.659 --> 00:35:50.039 close. 00:35:52.839 --> 00:35:53.619 But the 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:54.159 wisdom that 00:35:54.159 --> 00:35:54.739 comes from 00:35:54.739 --> 00:35:56.099 heaven is 00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:56.839 first of all 00:35:56.839 --> 00:35:57.259 pure, 00:35:58.259 --> 00:35:59.199 then peace 00:35:59.199 --> 00:35:59.539 loving, 00:36:00.879 --> 00:36:01.699 considerate, 00:36:02.759 --> 00:36:03.480 submissive, 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:05.639 full of mercy 00:36:05.639 --> 00:36:07.000 and good fruit, 00:36:08.000 --> 00:36:09.519 impartial and 00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:10.019 sincere. 00:36:11.199 --> 00:36:11.800 Peacemakers 00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:13.259 who sow in 00:36:13.259 --> 00:36:14.900 peace reap a 00:36:14.900 --> 00:36:16.300 harvest of 00:36:16.300 --> 00:36:16.820 righteousness. 00:36:20.199 --> 00:36:20.920 Let's pray 00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.539 together, folks, 00:36:21.579 --> 00:36:22.139 as we close. 00:36:22.139 --> 00:36:36.480 these are the 00:36:36.480 --> 00:36:38.199 ones I look 00:36:38.199 --> 00:36:38.619 on with 00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:39.019 favor, 00:36:39.639 --> 00:36:40.980 those who 00:36:40.980 --> 00:36:41.539 are humble 00:36:41.539 --> 00:36:43.000 and contrite 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:43.500 in spirit 00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.799 and who 00:36:44.799 --> 00:36:45.339 tremble 00:36:45.339 --> 00:36:46.319 at my 00:36:46.319 --> 00:36:46.719 words. 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.239 Father, we 00:36:48.239 --> 00:36:48.799 come before 00:36:48.799 --> 00:36:49.359 you, Lord, 00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.440 as people 00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.980 knowing that 00:36:51.980 --> 00:36:52.260 we have 00:36:52.260 --> 00:36:52.800 unclean 00:36:52.800 --> 00:36:53.320 hearts. 00:36:54.000 --> 00:36:54.639 Father, that 00:36:54.639 --> 00:36:55.219 our thoughts 00:36:55.219 --> 00:36:56.179 are full of 00:36:56.179 --> 00:36:56.760 unclean 00:36:56.760 --> 00:36:57.760 things, that 00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:58.380 our hearts 00:36:58.380 --> 00:36:59.420 are wicked 00:36:59.420 --> 00:37:00.659 and deceitful. 00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:02.480 But Father, 00:37:02.579 --> 00:37:03.820 thank you this 00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:05.199 morning that 00:37:05.199 --> 00:37:05.900 you've reminded 00:37:05.900 --> 00:37:06.480 us in your 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:08.000 words that 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:08.639 you give 00:37:08.639 --> 00:37:09.719 more grace. 00:37:11.440 --> 00:37:11.659 And so, 00:37:11.760 --> 00:37:12.900 Father, it's 00:37:12.900 --> 00:37:13.719 that grace 00:37:13.719 --> 00:37:14.019 that we 00:37:14.019 --> 00:37:14.679 throw ourselves 00:37:14.679 --> 00:37:14.980 on. 00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:16.699 Father, we 00:37:16.699 --> 00:37:17.440 ask for that 00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:17.960 spirit of 00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:18.300 humility. 00:37:18.539 --> 00:37:19.599 We ask for 00:37:19.599 --> 00:37:20.099 that wisdom 00:37:20.099 --> 00:37:21.480 from above as 00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:22.240 we seek to 00:37:22.240 --> 00:37:22.820 witness for 00:37:22.820 --> 00:37:23.900 you, as 00:37:23.900 --> 00:37:24.380 we seek to 00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:24.820 live for 00:37:24.820 --> 00:37:25.719 you in 00:37:25.719 --> 00:37:26.199 this world 00:37:26.199 --> 00:37:26.659 this week, 00:37:26.719 --> 00:37:27.079 we pray. 00:37:27.740 --> 00:37:28.139 Amen. 00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:29.300 Amen. 00:37:29.300 --> 00:37:29.679 Amen. 00:37:29.679 --> 00:37:29.719 Amen. 00:37:29.719 --> 00:37:30.179 Amen. 00:37:30.179 --> 00:37:30.260 Amen. 00:37:30.260 --> 00:37:30.320 Amen. 00:37:30.320 --> 00:37:30.380 Amen. 00:37:30.380 --> 00:37:30.440 Amen. 00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:31.159 Amen. 00:37:31.159 --> 00:37:32.019 Amen. 00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.260 Amen. 00:37:32.260 --> 00:37:32.559 Amen. 00:37:32.559 --> 00:37:44.639 Amen. 00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:51.460 Amen.