Lisa Godard (Lisa)

Sermon Outline “Fully Devoted, Fully Engaged Christ-Follower: Posture (Pt.2) James 4:1-12

How’s your posture (Not physical, spiritual)?

The proper posture of the Christ-follower: Humility

James 4:1-12: Living faith is evidenced by a posture/attitude of humility, towards God and our fellow Christ-followers.

Remember Superman’s alter-ego “Bizarro?” In God’s economy, the world around us is “Bizarro World.” Our life in Christ is the true reality.

World’s view: Be proud, be tough; never let them see you sweat, never let them see you cry. Go for the gusto, be happy. It’s about you.

God’s view: Be humble, meek; weep, mourn; submit, surrender. God 1st, others 2nd, self last.

Which way leads to life? James says God’s way/view leads to life.

Vs1-5: Source of conflict - sinful passions within.

Seeking after anything/one else but God is idolatry.

Friendship with the world = enmity with God.

God is jealous for us - He has made us alive spiritually, for Himself; He has put His Spirit within us who believe.

Vs6: The same Holy Spirit who convicts of compromise and conflict offers grace to forsake sin and self.

Grace - “charis” - “that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, etc; good will, loving kindness, favor; of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting His holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge and affection, and kindles them to the exercise of Christian virtues” (Strong’s). Romans 5:1-2

Oppose - “antitasso” - “to range in battle against” (Strong’s). Who wants to be opposed by God?

Humble - “tapeinos” - “not rising from the ground” (Strong’s) Vs7-10: Wise counsel for all Vs7 - Submit to God - “arrange under, subject one’s self, submit to one’s control.”

- Resist the devil - “set one’s self against, withstand.” - Devil - “diabolos” - “prone to slander, accusing falsely; false accuser” (all Strong’s).

Vs8 - Draw near to God - wonderful promise: He will draw near to you!

- Cleanse your hands (submit to cleansing by God) - confess, repent, receive forgiveness.

- Purify your hearts - single-mindedness toward God (double-minded - divided interest).

Vs9 - Grieve, mourn and wail… - lament sin - James wrote to believers!

Vs10 - Humble yourself before God - He will exalt you!

Exalt - “hypsoo” - “lift up on high, raise to the very summit…, raise to dignity, honor and happiness” (Strong’s).

Philippians 2:9-11 Who doesn’t want to be exalted? And God will do a better job!

Vs11-12 - Being right with God must result in being right with each other!

Fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-followers assume a posture of humility before God & others. We are serious about our sin, single-minded in our approach to God, and trust Him to exalt us in His time and way.

FD, FE CF - Free Indeed John 8:31-36 Thanks be to God for the freedoms He has allowed us to enjoy as citizens of the United States of America! Yet, how free are we really? Webster's Dictionary - Freedom: "The state of being free; exemption from the power and control of another; liberty, independence." But how free are we really? Many people on foreign soil are freer than most Americans. We are encumbered by our stuff or want of stuff. 3 Weeks ago: James 1:1 - "Bondslave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ." To be fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-followers, we must surrender our all to Christ, see ourselves as bondslaves of Christ. Today, on the eve of Independence Day, let's consider what it means to be free, but not just free - free indeed. As illogical as it seems, being bondslaves of Christ and being free indeed are vitally linked. Important distinction between "freedom" as Webster defines it and being "free indeed." It a matter of the heart. Being free indeed means having the liberty to be who we were meant to be and do what we were meant to do. John 8:31-36 - Freedom comes from relationship with Christ (Savior and Lord), being His disciples, and abiding in His Word (and in Him!). Jesus was speaking to those Jews "who had believed in Him." They claimed not to be enslaved by anyone (Egyptians? Romans?) They were not slaves of the Law of God (given to reveal God, guide and protect), but slaves of sin (vs34). They were also slaves to man-made laws and traditions. You and I fall prey to the same encumbrances. Many Christians do not live free. Enslaved to sin (though set free from its penalty and power). Enslaved to many man-made laws and traditions (easier to follow than to know Christ and maintain relationship with Him). Clothing is just one example. There are not Scriptural laws about clothing except the admonishment to be modest and gender specific and what priest were to wear (you may disagree). But I was taught: Wear you "Sunday best," no hat in church - Biblical law or man-made tradition? Tradition! What are we to do? Only one correct answer. 1)Be weighed down (and weigh others down) by man-made laws and traditions, convinced that God doesn't accept us otherwise (No!). 2)Cast of restraints, thinking that will set you free (won't!). 3)Know Christ (surrender and abide), know the truth, be who you were meant to be (child of God, disciple of Christ) - correct answer! Galatians 5:1, 13 FD, FE CFs see themselves as bondslaves of Christ and enjoy the freedom He brings to be who we were made to be.

Sermon Outline “Fully Devoted, Fully Engaged Christ-Follower: Posture - James 4:1-10 Sit up straight, don’t slouch! How’s your posture?

Posture: “The position of the body; the situation or disposition of the several parts of the body with respect to each other; attitude” (Webster’s).

The proper posture of the Christ-follower: Humility

Humility: “The state or quality of being humble; freedom from pride or arrogance. Humility consists in rating our claims low, in being willing to waive our rights, and take a lower place than might be our due. It does not require us to underrate ourselves.” (Webster’s).

Review: Saving faith is living faith, faith that works(James 2:14-26). Living faith is evidenced by a bridled tongue (3:1-12) & Godly wisdom (3:13-18). James 4:1-10: Living faith is evidenced by a posture/attitude of humility, towards God and our fellow Christ-followers.

Another question: “What causes fights and quarrels among you?”

“Fights” - “polemos” - “war, battle, dispute, strife” (Strong’s)

“Quarrels” - “mache” - “fight or combat of those in arms” (Strong’s); fight between individuals The cause of all wars and personal disputes with others is the same: the war going on within us!

“Desires” - “hedone” - “pleasures, desire for pleasure”

Important note: God made us for pleasure!

James speaks in extremes, or does he? Matthew 5:21-22

God intends for us to look to Him for everything - ask Him!

Check your motives! Are you seeking what you need? Are you seeking God’s glory and purpose? Are you seeking Him? Anything before God is idolatry, which is spiritual adultery!

Friend of God or friend of the world? It can’t be both! It’s an once for all and a day by day, situation by situation choice.

Vs5 - ESV - “He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us…” Several perspectives:

I)The jealousy within us, which leads to wars and quarrels, is not from God’s Spirit, but is worldly.

II)The Holy Spirit w/in us is jealous for us - Galatians 5:17.

III)God has made us alive spiritually (Ephesians 2:4) for one purpose - His glory: that we might be His and commune with Him. He is righteously jealous for us.

IV)God put His Holy Spirit within us and jealously longs for communion with His Spirit within us. We are invited to partake in that!

God is indeed a jealous God - Exodus 20:5, Deuteronomy 4:24, I Corinthians 11:1-2 (display). This is a righteous jealousy.

Humbly recognize God’s ownership of you. Humbly recognize total dependence upon Him. Humbly look to Him for everything. Humbly receive from His hand what He knows you need and gives to you.

Fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-followers assume a posture of humility before God & others. They belong to God, look to God alone, and receive from God. There is rich, deep pleasure in knowing God!

Sermon Outline “Fully Devoted, Fully Engaged Christ-Follower: Godly Wisdom - James 3:13-18 Nobody wants to be a stooge, but everybody would like to be thought of as wise. James 2:14-22 - Saving faith is living faith, faith that works. James 3:13-18 - Living faith is evidenced by Godly wisdom. Wise - “sophos” - “wise, skilled, expert, cultivated, learned; forming the best plans and using the best means for their execution” (Strong’s). Understanding - “epistemon” - “intelligent, experienced, having the knowledge of an expert” (Strong’s). Wisdom and understanding are evidenced by behavior. Behavior/conduct - “anastrophe” - “manner of life, deportment” (Strong’s). It’s the way we handle ourselves, not in a vacuum, but with others - it’s relational! The Church/our church is a family. Families are sometimes messy! Fail, hurt each other, don’t always get along, etc. Those who have Godly wisdom navigate relationships with meekness - “mildness of disposition, gentleness of spirit” (Strong’s). Ungodly wisdom - bitter jealousy, selfish ambition, disorder (confusion), evil practice. This is not wisdom that comes down from above, from the Father of lights, from whom every good and perfect gift comes, who freely gives wisdom to those who ask (1:5, 17). Such ungodly wisdom is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. Godly wisdom - “7 characteristic peculiarities” (David Brown): Purity, peace(making), gentleness, reasonableness, mercy, fruitfulness (with good deeds), impartiality, sincerity. The result? “A Harvest of Righteousness!” Isaiah 61:3 Fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-followers have Godly wisdom which navigates relationships with Christ-likeness.

1 Cor. 3:5-8 1.God has an agenda for His creation: the whole world is to glorify and praise His Name. 2.Paul/Apollos had different tasks assigned to them --as we all have roles in God's agenda: Planting vs. Watering... which is needed more? We need both evangelism and discipleship (building up and teaching) as they are complementary. 3.Are we in line with God's agenda? Try to be obedient to His calling. 4.God gives the growth! 5.Jeff's example: a.Watering the College (OBC): Mentor Groups & Classroom results b.Watering the Church Conference (BPACCI): Pastors' Retreat c.Watering the ministry (Agape House): Quarterly prayer gatherings for leaders d.Watering the local church (Maranatha Bible Church): BE INVOLVED; BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT! ~UNITY!!! -ALL WORKING TOGETHER FOR GOD'S KINGDOM!

We have some really talented musicians in our midst. This piece was a real treat on September 18, 2011.

Sermon Outline “Fully Devoted, Fully Engaged Christ-Follower: The Tongue Tamer - James 3:1-12 That children’s song - “Be careful little eyes/ears/hands” should include “Be careful little tongues what you say!” Last week: James 2:14-22 - Saving faith is living, active faith, exhibited in what we do and how we live. Saving faith drives the believer to obedience, sacrifice, allegiance to God, lifestyle change. James 3:1-12 - “The demonstration of a living faith in controlling what we say” (Gudzik). Vs1 - A warning to teachers - accountable for what we teach. Vs2 - Our common weakness (including teachers): difficulty in taming the tongue (comes with spiritual maturity). Vs3-5a - “Bit and rudder are small, but very important. If they are not controlled,” [then neither are the horse and ship]. “Something as small as the tongue can have tremendous power, for either good or evil.” (Gudzik) Vs5b-8 - The danger of an uncontrolled tongue. “The [uncontrolled] tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness” - many have been burned! “Sticks and stones” - untrue! Lives are shaped by words spoken! An uncontrolled tongue “stain[s] the whole body” (life), “setting on fire the entire course of life!” Ephesians 4:29, Proverbs 12:18 The uncontrolled tongue “is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” You can never get back what you say, nor the hurt that is caused. Vs9-12 - The contradictory character of the tongue: Praise, blessing God - our highest calling. Cursing others - the lowest evil. “In those born-again (Christ-followers), it shouldn’t be said that out of the same mouth come [both] blessing and cursing.” (Gudzik) It should be as incongruent as a spring producing both sweet and bitter water or a tree producing 2 different kinds of fruit or a salt pond yielding fresh water. We should consistently glorify God, including with our speech - I Corinthians 10:31 Vs7-8 - The dilemma of the tongue - “no human can tame the tongue!” Note that James didn’t say the tongue couldn’t be tamed, but that we can’t do it. Note that he didn’t say we shouldn’t try to tame the tongue (we bear responsibility for what we say), but that we can’t do it ourselves. Ultimately what the tongue says comes directly from the heart. The only way the tongue can be tamed is by transformation of the heart - we need a new heart which only comes through faith in Jesus Christ. It’s out of a living faith relationship with Christ that we are changed. It’s not that we shouldn’t try, even fight to control our tongues, or overcome lust, anger, selfishness, pride, fear, etc, but we must realize the futility of that by ourselves. Living faith in the living Lord Jesus is what changes us, from glory to glory - II Corinthians 3:18. It’s knowing Him, growing in Him that changes us. Psalm 19:14 Fully devoted, fully engaged Christ-followers have a living faith in a living Lord, which changes their lives, including the taming of their tongues.