WEBVTT 00:00:00.360 --> 00:00:05.120 Thank you, Alistair. My name is Bruce, if we haven't met before. 00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:11.800 But some of you may remember some weeks back in a filler sermon between sermon series in the morning. 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:16.500 I preached on the opening of James' letter, the glorious vision of the future. 00:00:16.760 --> 00:00:19.960 Absolutely stunning, stunningly encouraging passage. 00:00:20.539 --> 00:00:26.179 And I mentioned at that time that I thought James kind of lends itself to these sermon fillers 00:00:26.179 --> 00:00:30.399 for these kind of slides, because he can delve in and out of James fairly easily. 00:00:31.879 --> 00:00:36.799 James' letter is in some ways a bit like a grab bag of reflections on the Christian life. 00:00:38.060 --> 00:00:43.200 So as we grab back into James this evening for a filler sermon between two series, 00:00:43.799 --> 00:00:46.519 it's probably worth remembering that, at least to me, 00:00:46.600 --> 00:00:50.659 he seems like one of the most provocative preachers in the New Testament. 00:00:51.179 --> 00:00:55.620 I think you wouldn't have ever felt comfortable if you were among the congregation in Jerusalem 00:00:55.619 --> 00:00:57.859 with Bishop James about to preach. 00:00:58.780 --> 00:01:01.859 And I think you often find yourself wondering whether you've just heard what he said, 00:01:02.299 --> 00:01:06.159 sort of clearing your ears out, and I think there's no exception for tonight. 00:01:06.280 --> 00:01:09.379 In fact, it's probably the most shocking of these examples. 00:01:12.120 --> 00:01:16.939 In the passage we just read, and we read that little snippet out of chapter 1 00:01:16.939 --> 00:01:20.319 and then the longest snippet from chapter 2, because James kind of, 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:23.759 he comes in and out and weaves back to certain themes. 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:27.000 And so really he's talking about the same thing in both of these sections. 00:01:27.120 --> 00:01:30.560 He just gets distracted and off he goes on a tangent, as it were. 00:01:31.380 --> 00:01:35.380 But here James is asking us, is your Christianity any better than Satan's? 00:01:37.200 --> 00:01:40.920 Somewhat astonishingly, that is in fact what he's just asked us. 00:01:41.100 --> 00:01:42.939 Are you more of a Christian than Satan is? 00:01:45.320 --> 00:01:47.380 You've got to admit, that's pretty good rhetoric, isn't it? 00:01:47.379 --> 00:01:49.939 But it isn't just there for show. 00:01:50.959 --> 00:01:57.119 James is serious and he's addressing a problem which beleaguers Christian churches 00:01:57.119 --> 00:01:58.739 of any time and any place. 00:02:00.379 --> 00:02:04.579 And we don't need to take it on faith that it's a problem for churches in the present day, 00:02:04.640 --> 00:02:06.780 because I'm sure some of us would recognize it. 00:02:07.899 --> 00:02:11.819 It's this problem of a Christianity that says it's a duck, 00:02:11.819 --> 00:02:14.299 but it doesn't actually quack or waddle. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:20.299 It's a Christianity that claims to be real, but in fact it isn't. 00:02:22.039 --> 00:02:25.439 More seriously though, and this is where it really is more than just, 00:02:25.780 --> 00:02:29.459 oh, isn't he such an intriguing speaker, this brother James? 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:33.620 It's a problem of a Christianity that cannot save you. 00:02:33.620 --> 00:02:38.500 And it's this bit which actually I think gives us a good reason 00:02:38.500 --> 00:02:40.640 as to why he would speak so provocatively, 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:43.219 why he really wants to get our attention. 00:02:45.379 --> 00:02:49.879 It's a problem because if your Christianity is like that, 00:02:50.340 --> 00:02:51.640 then it cannot save you. 00:02:53.140 --> 00:02:57.939 Have a look in verse 19 again in chapter 2. 00:02:57.939 --> 00:03:03.740 James writes, 00:03:03.879 --> 00:03:06.879 You believe that God is one, you do well. 00:03:07.800 --> 00:03:10.579 Even the demons believe, then shudder. 00:03:12.199 --> 00:03:15.300 I don't know if you've ever given much thought to the faith of demons. 00:03:16.579 --> 00:03:17.439 They've got one. 00:03:18.340 --> 00:03:20.079 They believe that God exists. 00:03:20.900 --> 00:03:23.419 They believe that Jesus died, that he rose again. 00:03:23.419 --> 00:03:28.579 They even believe that he's coming back to judge the living and the dead. 00:03:29.839 --> 00:03:32.599 The demons would freely acknowledge all of this to be true. 00:03:33.500 --> 00:03:34.959 They believe this stuff. 00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:37.459 But given their allegiance to Satan, 00:03:38.199 --> 00:03:41.439 their faith isn't actually going to save them, is it? 00:03:42.359 --> 00:03:47.179 Now, if it were only demons who had this problem of a faith that cannot save, 00:03:47.439 --> 00:03:49.099 it wouldn't be so bad, would it? 00:03:49.099 --> 00:03:54.759 I think we could close our Bibles at this point and go home feeling fairly assured. 00:03:55.000 --> 00:03:56.159 The problem is it's not. 00:03:57.379 --> 00:03:59.439 Many people have this problem. 00:04:00.400 --> 00:04:02.519 Many people would believe that God exists, 00:04:03.219 --> 00:04:05.219 that Jesus died and rose again. 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:09.240 They might even believe that he's coming again to judge the world. 00:04:10.219 --> 00:04:11.840 But their faith cannot save them. 00:04:14.280 --> 00:04:16.040 I wanted to say here, watch out. 00:04:16.040 --> 00:04:21.680 It's easy to think of this problem as the problem you might recognise in other places. 00:04:22.960 --> 00:04:29.220 Perhaps the cultural Christianity that pervades some of the larger denominations in this country. 00:04:30.400 --> 00:04:36.040 The problem of a faith that maybe extends only as far as weddings, baptisms and funerals. 00:04:37.439 --> 00:04:42.100 It's easy to think that this is this kind of problem of Protestant nominalism. 00:04:42.100 --> 00:04:47.700 Church schools, perhaps, the private schools that are sponsored by churches. 00:04:48.720 --> 00:04:53.200 It's the problem that's kind of in every other place except possibly in our church. 00:04:54.540 --> 00:04:57.100 But if we start to think like that, we're going to fall into the very trap 00:04:57.100 --> 00:05:00.480 that James is so seriously concerned that we should avoid. 00:05:01.460 --> 00:05:05.660 There are, in fact, many people across Edinburgh who believe that God exists. 00:05:05.840 --> 00:05:07.860 They believe that Jesus died and rose again. 00:05:07.860 --> 00:05:11.980 Yet they do not possess a faith that can save them. 00:05:13.740 --> 00:05:18.460 And so that's why James wants us to ask ourselves this evening, am I one of them? 00:05:19.520 --> 00:05:23.360 Is my Christianity, in fact, any better than Satan's? 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:34.199 Now, the good news is that there's a basic litmus test that James goes on to tell us about 00:05:34.199 --> 00:05:37.939 to see whether we can actually answer this question in the positive or the negative. 00:05:38.139 --> 00:05:41.939 It's kind of a relief, really, a very simple litmus test, a binary. 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:44.020 I don't know if you remember back to school science. 00:05:45.620 --> 00:05:49.120 I don't even know whether they would use litmus paper anymore in school science. 00:05:49.120 --> 00:05:53.680 But at least back in the medieval era when I went to school, 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:58.220 you'd have these solutions and these small coloured pieces of paper that you'd dip in them. 00:05:58.879 --> 00:06:01.259 And if the paper turns blue, it's an alkaline. 00:06:02.420 --> 00:06:05.639 If it turns red, it's an acid. 00:06:06.220 --> 00:06:07.399 It's a litmus test. 00:06:08.259 --> 00:06:11.759 And James says that there is a test a bit like this for faith, 00:06:12.280 --> 00:06:15.959 and it's every bit as visible as a coloured piece of paper. 00:06:15.959 --> 00:06:22.060 James is saying that if your faith is better than Satan's, it can be seen. 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:28.139 The visibility, though, of a faith in Jesus that is a saving faith 00:06:28.139 --> 00:06:31.819 is a bit different to the visibility, though, of, say, other world religions. 00:06:31.919 --> 00:06:33.659 And this is a point worth thinking about. 00:06:34.359 --> 00:06:37.060 For example, it doesn't become visible according to what you wear. 00:06:38.199 --> 00:06:42.539 You can tell, for example, if a woman is a Muslim because she may be wearing a hijab. 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:47.480 You can tell a person is a Hindu if they have the red mark on their forehead. 00:06:48.740 --> 00:06:51.540 But faith in Jesus becomes visible in a very different way. 00:06:52.840 --> 00:06:55.820 Faith in Jesus becomes visible, according to the Scriptures, 00:06:56.620 --> 00:06:58.780 in what we do and say. 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:04.920 This is why James says in verse 18 of chapter 2, 00:07:04.920 --> 00:07:16.080 Now, there's another moment where we have this incredible echo of James' half-brother. 00:07:16.800 --> 00:07:18.420 When we looked at the first passage in James, 00:07:18.480 --> 00:07:22.460 there's these wonderful echoes of Jesus' teaching in James' letter. 00:07:23.700 --> 00:07:24.720 And we have one here. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:28.080 Can anyone remember where Jesus once said this? 00:07:28.980 --> 00:07:29.840 He said, 00:07:29.839 --> 00:07:43.899 What Jesus is saying in Luke chapter 6 is exactly what James is saying here. 00:07:44.839 --> 00:07:48.719 I mean, the difference is, of course, that Jesus is using a word picture. 00:07:49.419 --> 00:07:54.579 The person whose life yields briars or thorns doesn't really believe in Jesus, 00:07:54.759 --> 00:07:56.120 even if they claim to. 00:07:56.120 --> 00:08:00.519 The person who yields figs and grapes, however, they really do. 00:08:00.660 --> 00:08:02.620 And you can tell by what you see. 00:08:03.560 --> 00:08:06.480 So both Jesus and James are simply saying that 00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:09.100 even though you can't peer into someone's heart 00:08:09.100 --> 00:08:13.459 and see whether their faith is genuine or not, 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:16.720 their faith is, in fact, always visible. 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:20.579 It becomes visible in what we do and say. 00:08:20.579 --> 00:08:25.759 So, it's a very simple point he's making. 00:08:26.279 --> 00:08:28.379 He says, absolutely nothing to see. 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:33.480 No good words, no good actions on the outside 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:35.480 that can point to only one thing. 00:08:36.799 --> 00:08:39.100 That faith is dead on the inside. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:40.799 That's James' point. 00:08:40.899 --> 00:08:41.559 Very simple, isn't it? 00:08:41.559 --> 00:08:42.240 He's a good preacher. 00:08:42.539 --> 00:08:43.139 It's very simple. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:45.360 If faith is dead, 00:08:46.340 --> 00:08:48.679 well, of course, that's why it's unable to save you. 00:08:48.679 --> 00:08:51.979 And it's no better, then, than the faith of demons. 00:08:54.620 --> 00:08:56.739 And that's worth thinking a little bit, too. 00:08:57.059 --> 00:09:00.120 It's because faith in Jesus is not just this list of things 00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:01.319 that you hold to be true. 00:09:01.959 --> 00:09:03.419 It's something that is alive. 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:05.419 It's an active power. 00:09:06.299 --> 00:09:08.859 It's a bit like the batteries, I think, inside children's toys. 00:09:09.079 --> 00:09:10.379 I think that's a good way to think about it. 00:09:10.719 --> 00:09:12.859 When our eldest was a very young boy, 00:09:12.919 --> 00:09:15.579 it's hard to imagine now, he's almost as tall as I am. 00:09:15.580 --> 00:09:17.300 He was, in fact, inside a cot. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:19.740 You could keep him in there at that stage. 00:09:19.780 --> 00:09:20.960 And he had this terrific toy, 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:23.240 but I can't remember whether we bought it for him 00:09:23.240 --> 00:09:24.020 or whether it was a gift. 00:09:24.379 --> 00:09:25.379 It was absolutely fabulous. 00:09:25.580 --> 00:09:28.460 But for that thing, for all the fishes to move around inside, 00:09:28.540 --> 00:09:30.800 it needed these massive D-sized batteries. 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:34.220 And what those batteries were to the mobile, 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:36.720 which gave it such life, such a terrific toy, 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:39.259 that's what faith is to the Christian. 00:09:39.259 --> 00:09:46.299 Faith is the animating power of the Christian life. 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:50.240 It animates a Christian. 00:09:50.559 --> 00:09:51.879 It makes them alive. 00:09:53.759 --> 00:09:55.600 So if someone says that they believe in Jesus, 00:09:56.019 --> 00:09:57.120 but there's no actions, 00:09:58.100 --> 00:09:59.600 then quite simply the batteries are dead. 00:10:01.759 --> 00:10:05.720 And so this is why James says those words in verse 26, 00:10:05.720 --> 00:10:10.040 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:14.779 so also faith apart from works is dead. 00:10:16.800 --> 00:10:18.500 Now, have you seen someone who was dead? 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:22.340 Not a question you'd actually have to ask 50 years ago, 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:26.080 but nowadays that's actually an interesting question. 00:10:26.220 --> 00:10:29.600 I remember seeing my maternal grandfather shortly after he died, 00:10:29.920 --> 00:10:32.000 and I remember as a boy just being utterly struck 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:33.320 by how different he looked. 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:37.440 I actually only ever remember him having Parkinson's disease, 00:10:37.520 --> 00:10:39.600 quite severe, because he was quite old 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:40.980 and he had had it for a long time. 00:10:41.420 --> 00:10:45.660 So he's already very, very weak, very weak and very thin. 00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:48.520 But my mum remembers him as actually being quite fit 00:10:48.520 --> 00:10:49.900 and quite strong physically. 00:10:50.840 --> 00:10:53.400 But even though I'd never seen him like that, 00:10:53.460 --> 00:10:57.320 there's this enormous difference between my wise and old, 00:10:57.320 --> 00:11:01.940 weak Parkinson's grandfather and a dead grandfather. 00:11:01.940 --> 00:11:05.080 Very, very strong memory when I saw him dead. 00:11:06.140 --> 00:11:08.760 And that's actually what James is saying about faith too. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:12.460 There's quite a difference between faith being dead 00:11:12.460 --> 00:11:14.960 and it actually being very weak. 00:11:15.860 --> 00:11:17.300 A huge difference. 00:11:18.020 --> 00:11:19.340 A very visible difference. 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:23.180 So if someone says they believe in Jesus 00:11:23.180 --> 00:11:26.560 and there's absolutely no movement whatsoever, 00:11:27.560 --> 00:11:30.420 it's quite simply the active power of faith is gone. 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:35.500 Like the demons, that person might acknowledge certain things to be true, 00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:38.519 but the active power that comes from the Spirit of God 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:41.019 that makes them alive is simply not there. 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:44.820 Because if it were, it'd be something to see. 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:46.700 Very simple. 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:51.520 So the James' point is that a faith that is better than the demons 00:11:51.520 --> 00:11:54.720 is a visible faith and it's alive 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:57.560 and it's visible because it is alive 00:11:57.560 --> 00:12:00.540 and it's alive because it's animated by the Spirit of God. 00:12:00.720 --> 00:12:02.040 This is the litmus test 00:12:02.040 --> 00:12:05.400 as to whether saving faith is present. 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:11.759 So would your faith turn the litmus paper blue? 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:14.919 That's James' question. 00:12:16.539 --> 00:12:21.360 Are there actions on the outside that reveal what's there on the inside? 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:25.139 Before you answer, I want you to think again 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:28.899 and look again at the example James chooses to illustrate his point 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:31.799 because it's possible, even if you know this passage well, 00:12:31.879 --> 00:12:32.779 that you might have missed it. 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:37.159 James illustrates this point with a very specific example. 00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:40.500 James goes on to say, 00:12:40.579 --> 00:12:42.659 if a brother or sister is poorly clothed 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:44.439 and lacking in daily food 00:12:44.439 --> 00:12:45.480 and one of you says to them, 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:47.980 go in peace, be warmed and filled 00:12:47.980 --> 00:12:51.980 without giving them the things needed for the body, 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.779 what good is that? 00:12:55.720 --> 00:13:01.379 Now the specific example that James comes to land on 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:03.580 is something you may or may not have anticipated. 00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:07.480 It's love, but it's actually not just love generally. 00:13:08.080 --> 00:13:09.360 It's love for the poor, 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:12.360 but it's not just love for the poor generally. 00:13:13.439 --> 00:13:15.600 It's specifically love for poor Christians. 00:13:17.059 --> 00:13:17.639 James says, 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:22.039 suppose a brother or sister is without clothes or daily food. 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:25.139 Now you can miss this kind of specificity 00:13:25.139 --> 00:13:27.139 because in our culture, 00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:29.980 speaking of somebody who's not your biological brother 00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:34.599 as your bro suggests that you might perhaps be into hip-hop. 00:13:35.579 --> 00:13:37.459 As you can tell that I'm clearly not. 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:39.819 In the Bible, however, it refers, 00:13:40.079 --> 00:13:41.679 it's the language of being a Christian, 00:13:42.779 --> 00:13:43.919 a fellow Christian. 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:46.799 The Bible calls fellow Christians brothers and sisters 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:48.039 because when you become a Christian, 00:13:48.139 --> 00:13:48.839 you get a family, 00:13:48.840 --> 00:13:50.519 whether you like it or not. 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:52.519 God becomes your father 00:13:52.519 --> 00:13:53.879 and because of that, 00:13:53.920 --> 00:13:55.220 then you have a lot of little bros 00:13:55.220 --> 00:13:58.720 because the Lord Jesus Christ is now your big bro. 00:14:00.060 --> 00:14:02.780 That's the humbling and extraordinary truth of the gospel. 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:06.780 So when James is speaking here of a brother or sister, 00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:08.700 he's actually talking about a fellow believer. 00:14:12.280 --> 00:14:13.160 But look again, 00:14:13.159 --> 00:14:16.740 James is not just speaking of a brother or sister 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:19.219 who's short of a pound. 00:14:19.860 --> 00:14:21.620 He's talking about a brother or sister 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:23.860 who doesn't have adequate clothing, 00:14:25.600 --> 00:14:28.000 a destitute fellow brother or sister. 00:14:29.339 --> 00:14:30.500 Now how many shirts do you own? 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:34.120 I've got about six of these coloured shirts. 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:38.480 I remember particularly when I was in full-time employment, 00:14:38.600 --> 00:14:39.740 I think I had eight or nine 00:14:39.740 --> 00:14:42.779 because then you might skip the ironing or something for one week. 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:45.799 You could still be wearing the proper clothes. 00:14:45.939 --> 00:14:48.939 But that's five more than James is talking about. 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:52.299 James is talking about a fellow Christian who is cold 00:14:52.299 --> 00:14:55.139 because he doesn't own enough clothing to wear. 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:58.480 That's destitute. 00:14:59.159 --> 00:15:00.240 That's poverty on a scale 00:15:00.240 --> 00:15:01.919 that you don't really even see in Edinburgh. 00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:05.059 So how many Christians' friends 00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:06.559 do you have that are that poor? 00:15:06.559 --> 00:15:10.759 Now some of us involved in Basics Bank, 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:13.079 a terrific thing that this church does, 00:15:13.179 --> 00:15:15.019 they might actually be able to give a specific answer 00:15:15.019 --> 00:15:16.079 to a question like that. 00:15:17.059 --> 00:15:18.739 Whether or not, though, 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:20.779 we ever do actually come across Christians 00:15:20.779 --> 00:15:22.899 that are in this category here in Edinburgh 00:15:22.899 --> 00:15:25.039 is actually irrelevant. 00:15:26.159 --> 00:15:28.339 I want to suggest that it's ultimately irrelevant 00:15:28.339 --> 00:15:30.799 because we know that even in James' day, 00:15:30.799 --> 00:15:34.099 this care for destitute brothers and sisters 00:15:34.099 --> 00:15:37.859 extended much further than local congregations. 00:15:39.219 --> 00:15:41.620 One of the amazing things in Paul's letter 00:15:41.620 --> 00:15:42.819 to the Galatian churches, 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:45.159 it relates this interesting story 00:15:45.159 --> 00:15:47.279 of when he met James in Jerusalem. 00:15:47.959 --> 00:15:49.559 He was getting this spiritual check-up 00:15:49.559 --> 00:15:52.740 to see whether his gospel was in fact the real deal or not. 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:55.279 And he relates this incident 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:58.240 when James gives him parting words. 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:01.620 James is completely convinced, by the way, 00:16:01.680 --> 00:16:03.060 of Paul's orthodoxy. 00:16:03.159 --> 00:16:04.600 And as they shake hands and part, 00:16:05.060 --> 00:16:06.860 James gives him one word to remember. 00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:09.299 He says, remember the poor. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:12.220 And then Paul tells the Galatians 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:14.139 that he actually didn't need this reminder. 00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:16.799 And the proof of that, actually, 00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.060 is one of the things that comes out 00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:19.139 all through the New Testament, 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:22.440 a hallmark of Paul's apostolic ministry. 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:25.399 It was, in fact, a collection for the poor, 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:27.600 the destitute Christians 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:29.980 who are persecuted in Jerusalem. 00:16:30.940 --> 00:16:31.519 And interestingly, 00:16:31.680 --> 00:16:34.240 he seemed to have quite a bit of accounting skill. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:36.139 He'd managed all these checks and balances 00:16:36.139 --> 00:16:38.600 to give confidence to the churches 00:16:38.600 --> 00:16:40.860 around the Mediterranean Sea 00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:43.240 who are contributing to this collection, 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:45.220 protect himself, I guess, 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:46.840 from accusations of fraud. 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:49.519 And we read about this, actually, 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:50.580 all through the New Testament, 00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:53.060 that this care for the poorest of Christians 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:56.200 had almost had an international scale, 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:59.740 a transcultural scale, 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:01.580 from the very beginnings. 00:17:01.780 --> 00:17:02.620 It was amazing. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.980 And so the question we need to ask, then, 00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:07.519 thinking about what James was saying, 00:17:07.600 --> 00:17:09.380 is, is that actually a feature of ours? 00:17:10.380 --> 00:17:11.799 A feature of our Christianity? 00:17:11.799 --> 00:17:16.639 The point is, whether or not there may or may not 00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:18.899 be destitute Christians here in B.C. 00:17:18.899 --> 00:17:20.539 or even more broadly in Edinburgh, 00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:23.480 there are many brothers and sisters 00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:26.159 beyond these walls who are destitute 00:17:26.159 --> 00:17:28.119 in the way that James is describing. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:30.960 And, you know, the amazing thing 00:17:30.960 --> 00:17:32.339 that I think about at this point 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:34.680 is actually, at this point in time, 00:17:35.799 --> 00:17:38.519 more than ever in the history of the Christian church, 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:40.299 we are closer to them. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.420 With the click of a mouse, 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.879 you can send a bag of rice 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:45.519 and a copy of the scriptures 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:47.519 for a poverty-stricken Christian 00:17:48.079 --> 00:17:49.799 in the highlands of Vietnam. 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:51.859 Or with the click of a mouse, 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:54.859 you can send money to rebuild a church 00:17:54.859 --> 00:17:57.220 that the jihadists have burnt down in Nigeria. 00:17:58.500 --> 00:18:01.519 Our reach extends incredibly now 00:18:02.240 --> 00:18:04.220 than it ever has in the history 00:18:04.220 --> 00:18:05.200 of the Christian church. 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:08.240 I was reflecting on this 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:10.059 and I was reminded of the old TV show, 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:12.120 again, perhaps demonstrating my age, 00:18:12.860 --> 00:18:15.779 if that's a completely foreign image to you. 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:19.200 Just put that down to the litmus test example. 00:18:19.840 --> 00:18:21.059 But when I was a child, 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:23.059 there was a British animation 00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:25.140 called Inspector Gadget 00:18:25.140 --> 00:18:27.600 and he had these go-go gadget arms. 00:18:27.920 --> 00:18:29.000 And it makes me think 00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:31.160 that globalization has actually given Christians 00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.680 these go-go gadget arms 00:18:32.680 --> 00:18:35.620 that extend far longer 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:37.440 than even long arms will reach. 00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:40.880 We can reach Christians around the world 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:42.580 in a way that James and Paul 00:18:42.580 --> 00:18:44.279 could only have dreamed of. 00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.740 Yet I fear that many Christians, 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.460 even in this situation, 00:18:48.560 --> 00:18:49.519 have turned a deaf ear, 00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.860 not just to their teaching, 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:55.400 but especially to James' half-brother. 00:18:57.340 --> 00:18:58.900 Here again, we have another echo 00:18:58.900 --> 00:19:00.620 from Jesus' own teaching. 00:19:02.080 --> 00:19:02.960 James tells us 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:05.460 the poorest of the Christian poor 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:08.759 is what makes our faith visible, 00:19:08.940 --> 00:19:09.640 caring for them. 00:19:09.720 --> 00:19:12.080 That sounds a lot like what Jesus said 00:19:12.080 --> 00:19:13.980 at the end of Matthew's Gospel. 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.280 Jesus said, 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:19.220 When the Son of Man comes in His glory 00:19:19.220 --> 00:19:21.399 and all the angels with Him, 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.920 He will sit on His throne 00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.920 in heavenly glory. 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:26.799 All the nations will be gathered before Him 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:28.319 and He will separate the people 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.079 one from another 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:31.420 as a shepherd separates the sheep 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:32.119 from the goats. 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:34.559 He'll put the sheep on His right 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.639 and the goats on His left. 00:19:36.220 --> 00:19:37.180 Then the King will say 00:19:37.180 --> 00:19:38.059 to those on His right, 00:19:38.720 --> 00:19:41.879 Come, you who are blessed by My Father, 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:43.139 take what is your inheritance, 00:19:43.299 --> 00:19:44.539 the kingdom prepared for you 00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:46.160 since the creation of the world. 00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:47.840 For I was hungry 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:49.240 and you gave me something to eat. 00:19:49.720 --> 00:19:50.759 I was thirsty 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:52.080 and you gave me something to drink. 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:53.860 I was a stranger 00:19:53.860 --> 00:19:54.960 and you invited me in. 00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.620 I needed clothes 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.620 and you clothed me. 00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:59.160 I was sick 00:19:59.160 --> 00:20:00.300 and you looked after me. 00:20:01.060 --> 00:20:01.880 I was in prison 00:20:01.880 --> 00:20:03.740 and you came to visit me. 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:06.400 Then the righteous will answer Him, 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:08.640 Lord, when did we see you hungry 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.480 and feed you 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:10.540 or thirsty 00:20:10.540 --> 00:20:11.660 and give you something to drink? 00:20:12.360 --> 00:20:13.880 When did we see you a stranger 00:20:13.880 --> 00:20:14.680 and invite you in 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.600 or needing clothes 00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:16.519 and clothe you? 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:18.640 When did we see you sick 00:20:18.640 --> 00:20:19.240 or in prison 00:20:19.240 --> 00:20:20.299 and go to visit you? 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.740 The King will reply, 00:20:23.500 --> 00:20:24.299 I tell you the truth, 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:26.060 whatever you did for one, 00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:27.279 one of the least 00:20:27.279 --> 00:20:28.640 of these brothers of Mine, 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.680 you did for Me. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.160 Then He will say 00:20:32.160 --> 00:20:33.360 to those on His left, 00:20:33.600 --> 00:20:34.539 Depart from Me, 00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:36.240 you who are cursed 00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:37.539 into the eternal fire, 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.120 prepared for the devil 00:20:39.119 --> 00:20:40.199 and His angels. 00:20:40.199 --> 00:20:41.379 For I was hungry 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:41.959 and you gave Me 00:20:41.959 --> 00:20:42.659 nothing to eat. 00:20:43.079 --> 00:20:44.059 I was thirsty, 00:20:44.179 --> 00:20:44.559 you gave Me 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.319 nothing to drink. 00:20:45.979 --> 00:20:47.059 I was a stranger 00:20:47.059 --> 00:20:48.419 and you did not invite Me in. 00:20:49.039 --> 00:20:50.199 I needed clothes 00:20:50.199 --> 00:20:51.359 and you did not clothe Me. 00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:53.000 I was sick 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.739 and in prison 00:20:53.739 --> 00:20:54.939 and you did not 00:20:54.939 --> 00:20:55.579 look after Me. 00:20:56.819 --> 00:20:58.000 They also will answer, 00:20:59.279 --> 00:21:00.679 Lord, when did we see you 00:21:00.679 --> 00:21:01.979 hungry or thirsty 00:21:01.979 --> 00:21:02.719 or a stranger 00:21:02.719 --> 00:21:03.619 or needing clothes 00:21:03.619 --> 00:21:04.159 or sick 00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.419 or in prison 00:21:05.419 --> 00:21:06.779 and did not help you? 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:08.940 He will reply, 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.819 I tell you the truth, 00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:11.519 whatever you did not do 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.440 for one of the least 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.019 of these, 00:21:13.299 --> 00:21:14.299 you did not do for Me. 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.799 Then they will go away 00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:17.920 to eternal punishment 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.299 but the righteous 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.519 to eternal life. 00:21:22.779 --> 00:21:23.779 Again, we have this 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:25.279 amazing echo 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.480 in James' letter 00:21:26.480 --> 00:21:27.720 of Jesus' own teaching. 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.399 You can imagine 00:21:28.399 --> 00:21:29.759 He would have remembered this 00:21:29.759 --> 00:21:31.399 from what He had heard 00:21:31.399 --> 00:21:32.000 of His brother. 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.500 Jesus also says 00:21:34.500 --> 00:21:35.700 that saving faith 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.539 shows itself 00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.119 in love 00:21:37.119 --> 00:21:38.559 for the poorest 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:39.379 of one's brothers 00:21:39.379 --> 00:21:40.059 and sisters. 00:21:41.539 --> 00:21:42.659 A faith that shows 00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:43.299 no concern 00:21:43.299 --> 00:21:43.920 for the poorest 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.839 of our brothers 00:21:44.839 --> 00:21:45.319 and sisters 00:21:45.319 --> 00:21:45.859 is in fact 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:47.039 no better than Satan's 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.539 and that's why 00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.539 Jesus says 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:50.500 that those 00:21:50.500 --> 00:21:51.899 on His left 00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:52.599 are to depart 00:21:52.599 --> 00:21:53.539 for where? 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.339 For the eternal fire 00:21:55.339 --> 00:21:56.659 prepared for whom? 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.359 For the devil. 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.960 See, there's a direct 00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:02.399 connection to James' teaching. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:03.539 For the devil 00:22:03.539 --> 00:22:04.119 and his angels. 00:22:04.240 --> 00:22:04.960 A faith that is not 00:22:04.960 --> 00:22:05.900 better than Satan's 00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:07.100 brings people 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:08.059 to the same destiny 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:09.160 as Satan 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:09.880 and his angels. 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.160 Now, I know 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.140 that there are 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:15.680 many here in B.E.C. 00:22:15.680 --> 00:22:16.700 who do show concern 00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:17.220 for our brothers 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:17.740 and sisters 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:18.779 and they do it 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.019 in many meaningful ways 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:21.380 and indeed 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:22.519 in the most meaningful 00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.500 of ways in prayer. 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:25.039 It's a terrific thing 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:25.859 to uphold our brothers 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.400 and sisters 00:22:26.400 --> 00:22:27.299 in prayer 00:22:27.299 --> 00:22:28.099 because they are 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:29.259 so desperately reliant 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.039 on our prayers. 00:22:31.460 --> 00:22:32.319 The interesting thing 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.019 though is James 00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.819 is kind of a step 00:22:33.819 --> 00:22:34.339 ahead of us 00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:36.099 and his teaching 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.920 anticipates this 00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:37.279 and he goes 00:22:37.279 --> 00:22:38.200 directly to prayer. 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.980 Do our prayers 00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:41.019 resemble the prayers 00:22:41.019 --> 00:22:42.640 that James describes 00:22:42.640 --> 00:22:43.500 in chapter 2 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.220 verse 15? 00:22:44.880 --> 00:22:46.160 Do we pray, 00:22:46.880 --> 00:22:48.299 Lord, I wish them well, 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.180 keep them warm 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.920 and well fed, 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:51.900 but then don't 00:22:51.900 --> 00:22:52.820 actually do anything 00:22:52.820 --> 00:22:54.100 about their physical needs 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:56.980 because that's 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:57.980 James' illustration 00:22:57.980 --> 00:23:00.720 of a faith 00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.660 that is not visible. 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.680 In verse 15, 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:04.220 James says, 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.100 If a brother or sister 00:23:05.100 --> 00:23:06.100 is poorly clothed 00:23:06.100 --> 00:23:07.279 and lacking in daily food 00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:07.779 and one of you 00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.380 says to him, 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.120 Go in peace, 00:23:09.800 --> 00:23:10.720 be warmed and filled, 00:23:11.340 --> 00:23:12.120 without giving them 00:23:12.120 --> 00:23:12.740 the things needed 00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.279 for the body, 00:23:13.380 --> 00:23:14.180 what good is that? 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:17.160 So also faith by itself 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:18.539 if it does not have works 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.900 is dead. 00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:22.880 He gets quite a pointed 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:24.100 comment that if we only 00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:25.039 pray for our brothers 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.600 and sisters 00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:26.660 when it's in our power 00:23:26.660 --> 00:23:27.640 to actually help them, 00:23:28.600 --> 00:23:29.460 James says that that 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.680 is suggestive of a faith 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:32.200 that is in fact dead. 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:35.800 So if we really want to 00:23:35.800 --> 00:23:36.259 know the answer 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.980 to this question, 00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:38.300 and I've been drawing it 00:23:38.300 --> 00:23:39.880 out to make the point 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:41.200 that James is making 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.240 as sharp as possible, 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:45.720 we need to ask questions 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:45.940 like, 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.580 What do I give 00:23:46.580 --> 00:23:47.160 to the poorest 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.779 of Christians? 00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:51.380 Just as Paul arranged 00:23:51.380 --> 00:23:51.920 this collection 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.539 for the Christians 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.220 in Jerusalem, 00:23:54.360 --> 00:23:55.660 there are many people 00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:57.000 who give us those 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.120 go-go gadget arms 00:23:58.120 --> 00:23:59.720 to reach the people 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:01.300 that are beyond our reach. 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.660 I think one of the things 00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:03.700 that really helped me 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.320 when I realised 00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:05.000 that this truly 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.660 was the emphasis 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.320 of the scriptures, 00:24:06.880 --> 00:24:07.800 the organisation 00:24:07.800 --> 00:24:08.940 Voice of the Martyrs 00:24:08.940 --> 00:24:10.660 became such an appealing 00:24:10.660 --> 00:24:12.720 group of Christians. 00:24:13.400 --> 00:24:14.380 It was an organisation 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:15.960 formed some time ago 00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:17.180 by a Romanian pastor 00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:18.320 who spent many years 00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:18.759 in prison. 00:24:19.439 --> 00:24:20.179 And they have the most 00:24:20.179 --> 00:24:21.259 wonderful way 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.679 of actually supporting 00:24:22.679 --> 00:24:24.259 churches in a spiritual way, 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:26.039 encouraging their faith 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:27.139 and very practically 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:28.799 providing food and clothing, 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:30.460 especially to some 00:24:30.460 --> 00:24:31.399 of the hidden victims. 00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.159 So when a pastor 00:24:32.159 --> 00:24:32.939 is put in prison, 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:35.159 usually that's a dreadful 00:24:35.159 --> 00:24:36.099 burden for the wife 00:24:36.099 --> 00:24:36.740 and the children. 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.339 They have this wonderful 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:39.379 ministry. 00:24:40.319 --> 00:24:41.139 And an organisation 00:24:41.139 --> 00:24:42.960 like that is something 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.700 that has actually 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.500 encouraged me 00:24:44.500 --> 00:24:45.359 over many, 00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:46.139 many years. 00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:48.140 So if you have never 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:49.120 heard of Voice of the Martyrs, 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:50.000 let me encourage you 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:51.340 that these are one 00:24:51.340 --> 00:24:52.460 of the absolute premier 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:54.060 groups that are operative 00:24:54.060 --> 00:24:54.680 in the world 00:24:54.680 --> 00:24:56.060 who allow us 00:24:56.060 --> 00:24:57.300 to actually act 00:24:57.300 --> 00:24:58.540 on what James is saying. 00:25:00.160 --> 00:25:01.040 When I personally 00:25:01.040 --> 00:25:01.900 started to see 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:03.280 that this is such 00:25:03.280 --> 00:25:04.180 a huge emphasis 00:25:04.180 --> 00:25:05.040 in the New Testament, 00:25:05.620 --> 00:25:06.560 I began to include 00:25:06.560 --> 00:25:07.480 not just the needs 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.540 of my local church 00:25:08.540 --> 00:25:09.380 or missionaries 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:10.960 in financial giving, 00:25:11.040 --> 00:25:11.980 but also the poorest 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:13.780 of brothers and sisters 00:25:13.780 --> 00:25:15.060 around the world. 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:16.279 And Voice of the Martyrs 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.339 actually enables us 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:18.359 to direct money 00:25:18.359 --> 00:25:19.480 specifically to that. 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.919 So as some of you know, 00:25:21.960 --> 00:25:22.759 I'm a full-time student 00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.200 at the moment, 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:23.960 but I'm very blessed 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.819 with some very fat 00:25:24.819 --> 00:25:25.279 scholarships. 00:25:25.919 --> 00:25:26.700 But there have been times 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.899 when I've had very, 00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:28.559 very little income 00:25:28.559 --> 00:25:29.220 or none at all. 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.500 And so giving 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.859 will often go up 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.359 and down. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.519 Sometimes there's been 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:35.879 money for my own 00:25:35.879 --> 00:25:36.480 food and clothing, 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.599 especially as a musician 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:39.119 before I was a pastor. 00:25:39.500 --> 00:25:40.119 You can imagine 00:25:40.119 --> 00:25:41.460 that probably well. 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:42.559 Alberto has probably 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:43.379 got the same problem 00:25:43.379 --> 00:25:43.899 at the moment. 00:25:43.900 --> 00:25:46.080 But the thing is 00:25:46.080 --> 00:25:47.320 that one of the things 00:25:47.320 --> 00:25:48.320 that we can think about 00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:49.900 is modulating our giving 00:25:49.900 --> 00:25:50.960 according to our needs. 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.560 And that's exactly 00:25:51.560 --> 00:25:52.540 what Paul encourages. 00:25:53.160 --> 00:25:54.060 So one of the things 00:25:54.060 --> 00:25:55.040 that I did was keeping 00:25:55.040 --> 00:25:55.880 one of the last things 00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:56.640 off the list, 00:25:57.360 --> 00:25:58.220 one of the first things 00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:58.860 back on, 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.820 was the Christian poor, 00:26:00.960 --> 00:26:01.800 precisely because of 00:26:01.800 --> 00:26:03.980 what James and Paul 00:26:03.980 --> 00:26:06.340 and Jesus teach 00:26:06.340 --> 00:26:07.920 about what a high priority 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:10.080 it is in the Christian life. 00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:11.540 Now naturally, 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.440 I don't have any idea 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:13.799 about your finances 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:15.000 and whether you contribute 00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.799 to BEC 00:26:15.799 --> 00:26:17.240 with the obligations 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.379 that we have here 00:26:18.379 --> 00:26:20.079 to support our pastors 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:20.980 and the work here 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.299 or to the work 00:26:22.299 --> 00:26:23.259 of foreign missions. 00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:25.259 They're two stories 00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.819 that are kind of 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.639 separate sermons 00:26:26.639 --> 00:26:27.819 entirely on their own. 00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.259 I have no idea 00:26:30.259 --> 00:26:30.839 whether you're very 00:26:30.839 --> 00:26:31.839 limited financially 00:26:31.839 --> 00:26:33.220 or whether in fact 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.879 you're very wealthy. 00:26:33.880 --> 00:26:37.120 although all of that 00:26:37.120 --> 00:26:38.180 really affects 00:26:38.180 --> 00:26:39.740 in very fine detail 00:26:39.740 --> 00:26:41.300 what specifically 00:26:41.300 --> 00:26:42.820 God is telling us 00:26:42.820 --> 00:26:43.380 tonight 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:45.180 through James' message, 00:26:45.620 --> 00:26:47.100 I can make a few suggestions 00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:48.320 to help you 00:26:48.320 --> 00:26:49.580 let what James is saying 00:26:49.580 --> 00:26:50.540 move from this kind 00:26:50.540 --> 00:26:51.920 of abstract principle, 00:26:52.040 --> 00:26:53.800 the very concrete application 00:26:53.800 --> 00:26:54.800 in your life. 00:26:56.100 --> 00:26:56.980 And so the very first place 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:58.180 I need you to think about 00:26:58.180 --> 00:26:59.360 is the money that you have 00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:01.060 at your disposal 00:27:01.060 --> 00:27:02.980 and your financial obligations. 00:27:02.980 --> 00:27:05.420 that you might already have 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.720 and that includes BEC 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.380 and Christian missions. 00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:09.559 And I simply want you 00:27:09.559 --> 00:27:11.339 to ask a very simple question 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.400 is your faith visible 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:14.099 in the way that James describes 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:16.420 in the very specificity 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:17.200 of what he says? 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:21.900 Ask yourself 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:23.019 whether your faith 00:27:23.019 --> 00:27:23.960 can be seen 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:25.620 and then perhaps consider 00:27:25.620 --> 00:27:27.559 whether you can investigate 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.799 some of the ways 00:27:28.799 --> 00:27:30.279 that it can become visible 00:27:30.279 --> 00:27:31.400 if it's not visible. 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:33.060 I'd really encourage you 00:27:33.060 --> 00:27:35.640 to look at the website 00:27:35.640 --> 00:27:36.640 of Voice of the Martyrs 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:38.120 or some of the other organisations 00:27:38.120 --> 00:27:40.019 that do this amazing work 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:40.580 of giving us 00:27:40.580 --> 00:27:41.840 these go-go gadget arms 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:43.780 to reach poor brothers 00:27:43.780 --> 00:27:44.400 and sisters. 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:47.280 I take it that our Christianity 00:27:47.280 --> 00:27:48.220 is quite a bit better 00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:48.980 than Satan's. 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.880 I take it that you've gathered 00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:51.660 here tonight 00:27:51.660 --> 00:27:52.960 in the name of the Lord 00:27:52.960 --> 00:27:53.980 Jesus Christ 00:27:53.980 --> 00:27:55.440 that you don't just believe 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.820 that he exists 00:27:56.820 --> 00:27:58.680 but that you love him 00:27:58.680 --> 00:28:00.320 and that you worship him. 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.460 I take it that you believe 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:03.240 that he didn't just 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:04.400 die and rise again 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.240 but that he died 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.080 and rose again 00:28:06.080 --> 00:28:06.720 for the forgiveness 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.720 of your sins. 00:28:09.860 --> 00:28:11.080 I take it that we do share 00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:11.519 in a faith 00:28:11.519 --> 00:28:12.620 that is able to save 00:28:12.620 --> 00:28:13.320 in other words. 00:28:14.140 --> 00:28:15.220 That we've embraced 00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:16.279 Jesus for ourselves 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.259 that we've been born again 00:28:17.259 --> 00:28:18.060 by the Spirit 00:28:18.060 --> 00:28:20.240 who gives us this life 00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.480 this animating power 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.060 of faith. 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:24.360 So if that's the case 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:25.080 let me urge you 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:26.419 to make the faith visible 00:28:26.419 --> 00:28:28.319 in the way that 00:28:28.319 --> 00:28:31.379 James, Paul and Jesus 00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:32.599 is saying. 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.179 Let our faith be visible 00:28:34.179 --> 00:28:35.000 among our brothers 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:36.500 and sisters here in B.C. 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:38.299 Yes, keep doing that 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:40.279 through words of kindness 00:28:40.279 --> 00:28:41.519 deeds of service 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:43.639 even through the harder words 00:28:43.639 --> 00:28:44.379 that have to be spoken 00:28:44.379 --> 00:28:45.259 from time to time 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:47.199 but let's not forget 00:28:47.199 --> 00:28:48.119 what James is saying. 00:28:50.199 --> 00:28:51.179 Let me encourage you 00:28:51.179 --> 00:28:52.460 to put time aside tonight 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:53.359 to actually reflect 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:55.579 what James is saying 00:28:55.579 --> 00:28:56.699 time before you go to bed 00:28:56.699 --> 00:28:57.500 on whether your faith 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.139 is visible 00:28:58.139 --> 00:29:00.119 in care for the poorest 00:29:00.119 --> 00:29:00.639 of your brothers 00:29:00.639 --> 00:29:01.219 and sisters 00:29:01.219 --> 00:29:02.159 because there will come 00:29:02.159 --> 00:29:02.579 a time 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:04.179 when we shall meet them 00:29:04.179 --> 00:29:04.819 at the resurrection 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.599 of the righteous 00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:07.099 and can you imagine 00:29:07.099 --> 00:29:07.919 what it would be like 00:29:07.919 --> 00:29:09.699 to have some Vietnamese woman 00:29:09.699 --> 00:29:11.059 thanking you 00:29:11.059 --> 00:29:12.399 perhaps even crying 00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:13.539 thank you so much. 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:15.779 It was so difficult 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:17.259 for that 20 years 00:29:17.259 --> 00:29:18.859 we were so poor 00:29:18.859 --> 00:29:19.959 but those people 00:29:19.959 --> 00:29:20.699 gave us rice 00:29:20.699 --> 00:29:22.979 we would have died 00:29:22.980 --> 00:29:24.799 can you imagine 00:29:24.799 --> 00:29:25.660 what that would be like? 00:29:27.880 --> 00:29:29.799 It's certainly no hardship 00:29:29.799 --> 00:29:31.640 to share in that kind of joy 00:29:31.640 --> 00:29:33.819 and if this is absent 00:29:33.819 --> 00:29:34.319 in your life 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.440 so too will that joy 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:36.240 in the last day 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:38.620 when we are gathered 00:29:38.620 --> 00:29:40.519 with a host of brothers 00:29:40.519 --> 00:29:41.079 and sisters 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:42.360 who have paid 00:29:42.360 --> 00:29:43.460 such a heavy price 00:29:43.460 --> 00:29:44.140 for their confession 00:29:44.140 --> 00:29:44.700 of Christ. 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:46.900 It's a joy 00:29:46.900 --> 00:29:47.480 that is absent 00:29:47.480 --> 00:29:48.180 in your life 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:49.299 and it is a joy 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.900 that James 00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:51.160 seeks to share 00:29:51.160 --> 00:29:51.620 with us 00:29:51.620 --> 00:29:53.180 not a naked obligation 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:55.759 an interferer 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:56.500 like Graham 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.759 said so helpfully 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.400 this morning 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.980 is a joy 00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:00.500 that James 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:00.980 is seeking 00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:02.400 to add to our lives. 00:30:02.460 --> 00:30:03.200 So let me encourage you 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.100 to pray for wisdom 00:30:04.100 --> 00:30:05.620 to discern 00:30:05.620 --> 00:30:06.540 how you can be fruitful 00:30:06.540 --> 00:30:08.519 in the type 00:30:08.519 --> 00:30:10.200 of international concern 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:10.960 that has always 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.440 characterized 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.440 the Christian church 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.980 from its very beginnings 00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:15.160 for the very poorest 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:15.880 of our brothers 00:30:15.880 --> 00:30:16.520 and sisters. 00:30:18.280 --> 00:30:19.620 That really just takes you 00:30:19.620 --> 00:30:20.480 to I can't tell you 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:21.020 what to do 00:30:21.020 --> 00:30:22.640 because I don't know 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.440 what you are doing. 00:30:24.160 --> 00:30:24.680 But let me say 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.540 that if you are actually 00:30:25.540 --> 00:30:26.340 already involved 00:30:26.340 --> 00:30:27.280 in this kind of love 00:30:27.280 --> 00:30:28.800 please be encouraged 00:30:28.800 --> 00:30:30.140 to keep being visible. 00:30:31.080 --> 00:30:31.820 Visible perhaps 00:30:31.820 --> 00:30:32.780 not to the person 00:30:32.780 --> 00:30:33.580 sitting next to you 00:30:33.580 --> 00:30:34.540 but it's certainly visible 00:30:34.540 --> 00:30:35.080 in the eyes 00:30:35.080 --> 00:30:36.300 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:38.420 Let me encourage you 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.500 to keep going 00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:40.320 because that is often 00:30:40.320 --> 00:30:41.000 the hardest thing 00:30:41.000 --> 00:30:41.760 in the Christian life 00:30:41.760 --> 00:30:42.380 when your house 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:43.060 is in order 00:30:43.060 --> 00:30:44.760 to keep going. 00:30:45.880 --> 00:30:46.800 Take courage. 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.140 God will always 00:30:48.140 --> 00:30:49.060 provide for you 00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:50.280 in the same way 00:30:50.280 --> 00:30:51.360 as that he calls us 00:30:51.360 --> 00:30:52.720 to provide for others. 00:30:53.540 --> 00:30:54.660 So let me encourage you 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.220 to keep going. 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.820 If God's word 00:30:56.820 --> 00:30:57.300 has illumined 00:30:57.300 --> 00:30:57.880 something new 00:30:57.880 --> 00:30:58.460 for you tonight 00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.700 don't let it go. 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.680 Think further on it 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.900 and allow your faith 00:31:01.900 --> 00:31:02.680 to become visible 00:31:02.680 --> 00:31:03.560 in action. 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:05.080 Will you join with me 00:31:05.080 --> 00:31:05.660 now to pray 00:31:05.660 --> 00:31:06.840 that the Spirit of God 00:31:06.840 --> 00:31:08.800 will let our church 00:31:08.800 --> 00:31:09.300 abound 00:31:09.300 --> 00:31:10.240 in the kind of 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.940 visible faith 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:11.620 that James 00:31:11.620 --> 00:31:12.480 enjoins on us 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:13.220 in his letter. 00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:18.340 Loving and merciful 00:31:18.340 --> 00:31:18.700 Father 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.300 we thank you 00:31:19.300 --> 00:31:19.760 that you sent 00:31:19.760 --> 00:31:20.940 the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:22.000 --> 00:31:22.560 Lord Jesus 00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:23.380 we worship you 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:24.080 as you are seated 00:31:24.080 --> 00:31:24.680 at the right hand 00:31:24.680 --> 00:31:25.200 of the Father 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:27.000 restored to the glory 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:27.640 that you had 00:31:27.640 --> 00:31:29.220 with the Father 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:29.960 from before 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.500 the creation 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.060 of the world. 00:31:31.760 --> 00:31:32.660 We worship you 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:33.680 that you became poor 00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:34.780 so that we could 00:31:34.780 --> 00:31:35.380 become rich. 00:31:36.440 --> 00:31:37.640 We ask Lord Jesus 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.420 for grace 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:39.620 grace to see 00:31:39.620 --> 00:31:41.400 what it is 00:31:41.400 --> 00:31:41.860 for faith 00:31:41.860 --> 00:31:42.560 to become visible 00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:43.120 and we ask 00:31:43.120 --> 00:31:43.540 that you would 00:31:43.540 --> 00:31:44.400 stir in our hearts 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:44.800 the love 00:31:44.800 --> 00:31:45.660 for our brothers 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.320 and sisters 00:31:46.320 --> 00:31:48.420 who are hard pressed 00:31:48.420 --> 00:31:50.460 and we ask Lord 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:50.980 that you would 00:31:50.980 --> 00:31:52.280 meet their needs 00:31:52.280 --> 00:31:53.300 according to the riches 00:31:53.300 --> 00:31:54.060 of your glory 00:31:54.060 --> 00:31:55.420 and that you would 00:31:55.420 --> 00:31:56.380 give us the privilege 00:31:56.380 --> 00:31:57.560 and the joy Lord 00:31:57.560 --> 00:31:58.500 to be a part of them. 00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:00.200 Let our faith 00:32:00.200 --> 00:32:00.720 be visible 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:02.100 here in BC 00:32:02.100 --> 00:32:02.940 here in Edinburgh 00:32:02.940 --> 00:32:03.860 and indeed 00:32:03.860 --> 00:32:04.720 to the ends of the US. 00:32:04.840 --> 00:32:05.360 We ask this 00:32:05.360 --> 00:32:06.200 in Jesus name. 00:32:06.560 --> 00:32:06.820 Amen.