The Reflection of Faith

A Study of the Book of James

Sermon #2 – Faith in God’s WisdomJames 1:5-6

I. A Man Centered Wisdom is Based on Empirical Evidence

Man Centered Wisdom

• For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20 ESV)

1. Man’s Wisdom is Limited under a self-imposed bubble

Man Centered Wisdom

• This “bubble” can be expanded through discovery. • This “bubble” can be expanded through

fantasy of the imagination.• This “bubble” can be expanded through

religion. • This “bubble” can be expanded through

philosophy.

2. Man’s Wisdom is an Illusion

Man Centered Wisdom

3. Man’s Wisdom is Blind

Man Centered Wisdom

4. Man Centered Wisdom Glorifies ManMan is

Glorified

Man Centered Wisdom

• RESULT OF MAN CENTERED WISDOM: THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD IS NOT WORSHIPED AND BELIEVING IN JESUS CHRIST AS SAVIOR AND LORD IS FOOLISH.• For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the

wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block for Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,.. (I Cor. 1:19-23).

Am I lacking Godly Wisdom? (James 3:17)

• 1. Is my heart pure in all situations? (Good, righteous, holy, true and fears God)• 2. Does my attitude revealing peace and love of God to those who

hate me?• 3. Do my actions consider others above myself?• 4. Does my walk of humility before God validating the opinion of

others?• 5. Does my behavior towards others showing mercy as the Lord has

shown me mercy?• 6. Is my life bearing good fruit for God’s Kingdom?• 7. Is my conduct impartial to those who show prejudices against

me?• 8. Are my words genuine to those who trust me to speak the truth?

II. God centered wisdom is based on reasonable faith

GOD Centered Wisdom

1. God centered wisdom is unlimited

Man Centered Wisdom

2. God Centered Wisdom is Real and Living

Man Centered Wisdom

2. God Centered Wisdom is Truth

GOD Centered Wisdom

• “To you, O men, I [wisdom] call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.” (Prov. 8:4)• “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I posses

knowledge and discretion.” (Prov. 8:12)• “I [wisdom] love those who love me, and those who

seek me find me.” (Prov. 8:17)• “…in order that they may know the mystery of God,

namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” (Col. 2:2-3)

3. God Centered Wisdom Glorifies GodGod is

Glorified

GOD Centered Wisdom

• AS A RESULTOF GOD CENTERED WISDOM: GOD IS WORSHIPED AND JESUS CHRIST IS HONORED AS LORD OF ALL.

The Reflection of Faith

A Study of the Book of James

Sermon #3 – A Christ Centered MindJames 1:6-8

• I. A CHRIST CENETERED MIND HAS SUBMITTED TO GOD’S WISDOM.•A. God invites us to ask us for His Wisdom.•B. Believing is the only condition to receiving

His wisdom.•C. Doubting God’s Wisdom is to embrace

man’s wisdom.

• II. A DOUBLE MINDED BELIEVER HAS SUBMITTED TO HIS OWN WISDOM• 1) The Natural Mind – Mind of the Flesh (Rom. 8:5-8) • 2) The Single Mind – Mind of the Spirit (Rom. 8:5-8)• 3) The Double Mind – Mind of Doubting (James 1:8)

• A. A double minded believer means that two lives are being lived – God’s and his/her own.• 1. Doubts come in form of thoughts that are in opposition to

the Word of God.• 2. Man’s wisdom conforms to the world’s image.

•B. Satan uses double mindedness to keep believers bound by relying on their own wisdom.•C. Double minded believers are “Christians” in

name only, but live to the pattern of Man’s Wisdom.•D. Christians can live in a secular and sacred

divide where their faith has no relevance outside of church.

SACRED/SECULAR DIVIDE

SACRED SECULARCHRISTIAN

WORLDVIEW

SECULAR WORLDV

IEW

• III. A CHRIST CENTERED MIND MEANS THERE IS ONLY ONE LIFE BEING LIVED HERE – GOD’S• 1. The believer is the temple of God. (I Cor. 3:16)• 2. The believer must develop a close relationship

with Jesus Christ. (John 15)• 3. Our minds must be devoted to Christ wherever

we go. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” (Mark 12:30) • 4. Resolve to know nothing but Christ (I Cor. 2:1-2)

The Reflection of Faith

A Study of the Book of James

Sermon #4 – The Eyes of GodJames 1:9-12

•Principle #1: No matter what the present financial and material circumstances are, the believer is to rejoice in his/her exalted position before God. • Jeremiah 9:23-24, Thus says the LORD: “Let not the

wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.

• In the eyes of this world, anyone who would serve Jesus Christ is both foolish and stupid.• In the eyes of God, anyone who would serve Jesus

Christ is both wise and blessed.

•Principle #2: No matter what the present financial and material circumstances are, the believer is to walk in humility before God and man. • In the eyes of this world, attaining riches is the

means to glorify self.• In the eyes of God, being rich towards Him is a

means to glorifying God.

•Principle #3: The pursuit of wealth and luxury is a vain desire that has no value in God’s Kingdom.• I Timothy 6:9-10, But those who want to get rich fall

into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many grief’s.

• 1. The pursuit of wealth will eclipse the importance of pursuing godly character. • 2. The pursuit of wealth will become the identity of the

soul, rather than the pursuit of identifying with Jesus.• 3. The pursuit of wealth places trust in man’s wisdom,

rather than trusting in God’s provision and faithfulness.• 4. The pursuit of wealth will destroy life, where the

pursuit of the Lord gives an abundant life.

• In the eyes of this world, the pursuit of wealth is great gain.• In the eyes of God, contentment with what one has is

great gain.

•Principle #4: Enduring trails keeps the believer focused on eternal blessing that only faith can see.• In the eyes of this world, what is most important is

the accumulation of possessions and finding happiness.• In the eyes of God, what is most important is

spiritual maturity in preparation to stand before Jesus Christ.

•Principle #5: The pursuit of living for Christ is a pathway that leads to dignity and honor.• In the eyes of this world, a worthwhile pursuit is for

fame and fortune for a moment in time. • In the eyes of God, those that pursue Christ Jesus will

have dignity and honor for eternity.

•Principle #6: The allotted heavenly inheritance of the saints is a promise from God. • In the eyes of this world, the bigger the square

footage of the house the better.• In the eyes of God, the believer is to seek a city

whose builder is God.

•Principle #7: Love for Jesus Christ will keep our hearts faithfully following him• In the eyes of this world, money is god. • In the eyes of God, Jesus is God.

The Reflection of Faith

A Study of the Book of James

Sermon #5 – The Downward Path or the Upward Path, Part I

James 1:13-18

I. YIELDING TO TEMPTATON IS FOLLOWING A DOWNWARD PATH AWAY FROM GOD WHERE DEATH

AND DESTRUCTION AWAIT (v. 13-15).

•A. Where does temptation come from?•B. Who is being tempted?•C. How does temptation work?•D. What are the consequences of falling into temptation?

•A. Where does temptation come from? (v.13)• 1. Temptation does not originate with God• 2. Temptation originates within evil.• The first entity of evil that brings temptation is Satan and his

demons. • Matthew 4:1-3 (NKJV), Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit

into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil….Now when the tempter came to Him [Jesus], he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.”• I Thessalonians 3:5 (NKJV), For this reason, when I could

no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, least by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain.

• The second entity of evil that brings temptation is the sinful nature that resides in every person. • The source of temptation often comes from

within his own heart. (v. 14, But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires (NASB: “lusts” and enticed.)

•Man longs for what is forbidden.

•B. Who is being tempted?• 1. Jesus Christ was the object of temptation. •Hebrews 4:15 (NIV), For we do not have a

high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. • 2. Humanity is the object of temptation.

C. How does temptation work? Psychosocial stressors•Negativism•Codependency•Disillusionment with others• Inadequate relational and intimacy skills•Unresolved conflicts•Blaming of or by others

• Poor time management•Devaluation/rejection• Irresponsible or over-responsible behavior patterns.• Passivity • Phobias• Parenting•Unfavorable comparisons with others.• Sexual dysfunctions

• Stress-enhancing values• Physical or emotional abuse• Perfectionism• Unrealistic expectations of others or of one’s self. • Death• Divorce• Stimulus overload• Variety of addictive conditions• Neurotic and psychotic conditions that may be triggers, amplifiers

or faulty coping responses to stress

• (Ellison, 87)• Source: Ellison, Craig. From Stress To Well-Being: Counseling to Overcome Stress. Ed.

Gary R. Collins. Wheaton: Word. 1994

Spiritual stressors• Temptations – the invitation and impulse to choose

contrary to God’s laws for living• Trials – some form of suffering or persecution related to

one’s faith commitment• Demonization – attempts by satanic forces to influence

and control the choices and lives of people.• Persistent turmoil over whether one is truly saved(Ellison, 87)

• Source: Ellison, Craig. From Stress To Well-Being: Counseling to Overcome Stress. Ed. Gary R. Collins. Wheaton: Word. 1994

•  

•When a person is at their greatest stress point, it is here that Satan attempts to intensify temptation before our eyes and heart.

 • Our sinful nature, or the false-self, deceives

us in thinking that we have everything under control.

• Temptation causes us to focus on the immediate. • Satan and the False-self attempt to convince

us to listen to our physical sense. • Satan and the False-self are offered quick fixes

to solve stress from pain and suffering.

D. What are the consequences of falling into temptation? (v. 14 -15)• 1. Sin • 2. Death or destruction. •Proverbs 11:19, the truly righteous man

attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death.•Proverbs 14:12, There is a way that seems

right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.

•Satan’s two primary weapons of temptation • Deception (Jn. 8:44, 2 Cor. 11:140)•Condemnation (Rev. 12:10)

3. Personal characteristics that make us prone to yielding to temptation:•Harmful and sinful Habits• Isolation• Pain avoidance•Deception• Immediacy

Stress

Yield to Temptation

Guilt, Shame,

Condemnation

Greater Stress

Yield to Temptation

• It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1

The Reflection of Faith

A Study of the Book of James

Sermon #6 – The Downward Path or the Upward Path, Part II

James 1:13-18

• II. YIELDING TO THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TAKING AN UPWARD PATH TO GOD WHERE VICTORY AND LIFE RESIDE. (v. 17-18)• Temptation is from evil originating from Satan or

our own sinful nature. •All good things, for our well-being, originate from

the Heavenly Father.

• A. When we yield to the Holy Spirit, we enable His power to help us to resist temptation•  Hebrews 2:18 (NIV): Because He [Jesus] himself

suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.• B. Yielding to the Holy Spirit opens our spiritual

eyes to see a way to flee temptation.• I Corinthians 10:13 (NIV): No temptation has seized

you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

•C. To “stand firm” or to yield to the Holy Spirit, we need to make “upward path choices.”•Upward path choices are in harmony with God’s

design for human functioning.•When people make upward path choices, they choose

to function within God given boundaries for healthy living.•Upward path choices are more difficult to make

because they do not rely on quick fixes to avoid pain and they go against the natural inclinations of our fallen world.

8 Key Elements that undergird Upward Path Choices1. Prayer - Enables us to make Upward Path Choices.• Ask the Lord that He would enable us to live in

obedience. • Ask the Lord that He would enable us to put off all forms

of selfishness.• Ask the Lord that He would enable us to stand against

temptation. • Aggressively seek the Lord for His help every day to

make upward path choices.

2. God’s Word – Gives us the vision to see Upward Path choices.• Immersion in the Scriptures will assure us of God’s

love and ability to redeem the whole person. •Knowing Scripture assures us of God’s grace and

mercy. • In-depth knowledge of Scripture leads to knowing

His joy and hope. •Upward Path choices occur when we know His

specific commands, standards and expectations for our lives.

3. Fellowship – Encourages us to make Upward Path Choices.•God uses His Church to give His people

strength and encouragement against yielding to temptation. •God uses sermons, teachings, testimonies,

prayer and corporate worship to convict, to encourage, to rebuke, to correct, to strengthen and to reveal the truth, which enables us to make upward path choices.

4. Faith – Believes that we can make Upward Path Choices. • We must believe that our future can be different than our past.• I Thess. 5:23-24: Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify

you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful who also will do it. • We must believe that God is committed to us and because of

that, there is a “hope and a future” (Jer. 29:11).• We must believe that we can make it through the pain of saying

no to downward path choices. • We must believe that upward path choices are good and perfect

for us.Source: Ellison, Craig. From Stress To Well-Being: Counseling to Overcome Stress. Ed. Gary R. Collins. Wheaton: Word. 1994

5. Accountability – Strengthens us to consistently make Upward Path Choices.• Those on the Upward Path are people who are not isolated. • They form nondependent and non-exploitative relationships

with others. • They do not view themselves as laws unto themselves.• They recognize that their choices and behavior have

varying impacts upon other people. • They are aware of the power of their ego-defense

mechanisms and their False Self to deceive them and encourage them to behave in ways that are not emotionally, relationally, or spiritually healthy.

• They develop relationships in which they honestly share their goals, their values, their struggles and failures, and their victories. • They give permission to those with whom they are

accountable to address concerns and apparent inconsistencies and to question them regarding their progress toward goals. • They give each other permission to express feelings

and forbidden thoughts in an atmosphere of acceptance – free from condemnation and rejection. • They pray together. Source: Ellison, Craig. From Stress To Well-Being: Counseling to Overcome Stress. Ed. Gary R. Collins. Wheaton: Word. 1994

6. Courage – Motivates us that Upward Path Choices are worth it.•Determine to act according to principled purpose,

in spite of potential or actual suffering encountered in the process.•Courage is doing what is right regardless of

possible pain. •Willingness to face the truth about one’s problems. •Courage is the willingness to experience the short-

term pain of taking up our particular cross and denying our false-self, in order to experience long-term peace.

• As we fix our eyes on Jesus, we receive strength to say no to the downward path, even though it feels like we are dying in the moment of choice. • Indeed, part of us (the false-self) is dying at the moment

that we choose the path of courage. • The truth of the matter is that it is impossible to live a

consistently upward path life without enduring pain. • Courage is saying no to egocentric urges that have

gained power over us through the formation of habits.• Be prepared for the false self to scream and throw an

emotional temper tantrum when it is told “no”. Source: Ellison, Craig. From Stress To Well-Being: Counseling to Overcome Stress. Ed. Gary R. Collins. Wheaton: Word. 1994

7. Truth – Reveals all that is good and perfect on the Upward Path.• Truth is the heart of change and upward path living.• Truth is agreement with reality. Whereas falsehood entraps

and enslaves, truth liberates the human soul and spirit.• Truth is based on comprehensive Biblical knowledge which

provides a solid basis for countering the distortions, deceptions, and delusions of Satan and the false-self. • Truth in the inward parts strengthens and guides the self in

making healthy, mature choices and alters the false controlling beliefs, self-perception, and values that enslave people.

Source: Ellison, Craig. From Stress To Well-Being: Counseling to Overcome Stress. Ed. Gary R. Collins. Wheaton: Word. 1994

8. Discipline – Resolute commitment to make Upward Path Choices. • Spiritual discipline is a commitment to grow spiritually in Christ Jesus

by relying on His strength. • A Spiritually disciplined person initiates and maintains an upward path

lifestyle through daily communion with the Lord. • Spiritual-discipline is not necessarily pleasant while it is being

exercised, but ultimately brings increased fellowship with Jesus and victory over temptation. • Spiritual-discipline to make upward path choices allows the Holy Spirit

to bear fruit in our lives which lowers anxiety and distress levels.• Spiritually-disciplined people who yield to the Holy Spirit are prudent

and give strategic thought to their ways (Prov. 14:8), rather than being highly compulsive or impulsive, compliant or reactive.

Source: Ellison, Craig. From Stress To Well-Being: Counseling to Overcome Stress. Ed. Gary R. Collins. Wheaton: Word. 1994

•Galatians 5:16 (NIV) , So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desire of the sinful nature.