James 1:13–15, "The Trial of Temptation"

As I preached this a couple of weeks ago (yes, I'm behind in posting this), I mentioned I was recovering from a sickness. That sickness made the rounds here in Darlington, and I felt sick to my stomach still (among other things) as I stood to preach. However, I could stand and speak, so God be glorified. It will take more than that for me to not preach. Right before the sermon we have offering at church, and our Youth Pastor and Children's Pastor Russ and Nichole Paul sang a beautiful song for offering about Jesus going up the hill to die for our sin. We paused and prayed. That's a great idea for you now, if you're reading this. Press "pause" on life and thank God for not being satisfied with justice, but reaching down to save us in His mercy and love.

Now we come to the topic of James 1:13–15, "The Trial of Temptation." I read a funny story. Have you heard the folk story of the bandit Jose’ Rivera, who became notorious in several little towns in Texas for robbing their banks and businesses? Finally the townsfolk, weary of the constant plundering, hired a ranger to track down Jose’ Rivera in his hideout in Mexico and retrieve the money. The ranger at last arrived at a desolate, ramshackle cantina. At the counter he saw a young man enjoying his brew. At one of the tables, hands over his ample stomach, hat over his eyes, snored another patron. With much gusto, the ranger approached the young man at the bar and announced that he was on a mission to bring back Jose’ Rivera, dead or alive. “Can you help me find him?” he asked. The young man smiled, pointed to the other patron, and said, “That is Jose’ Rivera.”
The ranger shifted his southern girth and ambled over to the sleeping bandit, tapping him on the shoulder, “Are you Jose’ Rivera? he asked. The man mumbled, “No speak English.” The ranger beckoned to the young man to help him communicate his mission.
The ensuing conversation was tedious. First the ranger spoke in English and the young man translated it into Spanish. Jose’ Rivera responded in Spanish, and young man repeated the answer in English for the ranger.
Finally, the ranger warned Jose’ Rivera that he had two choices; the first was to let him know where all the loot he had stolen was hidden, in which case he could walk away a free man. The second choice was that if he would not reveal where the money was stashed, he would be shot dead instantly. The young man translated the ultimatum.
Jose’ Rivera pulled himself together and said to the young man, “Tell him to go out of the bar, turn to the right, go about a mile, and he will see a well. Near the well he will see a very tall tree. Beside the trunk of that tree is a large concrete slab. He will need help in removing it. Under the slab is a pit in the ground. If he carefully uncovers it he will find all the jewelry and most of the money I have taken.”
The young man turned to the ranger, opened his mouth...swallowed...paused—and then said, “Jose’ Rivera says...Jose’ Rivera says...’Go ahead and shoot!’”[1]
Read James 1:13–15. To review, James started by telling us to determine it joy when going through suffering; that we are supposed to have perseverance when going through suffering so we can be mature and complete, lacking nothing; if we do lack wisdom, we can ask of God Who gives graciously and without reproach; to pray in faith for wisdom or anything else; how to handle the trial of poverty when some who are wealthier are oppressing you; and this time how to handle temptation as a trial.

So far James had focused on trials dealing with the outside. Now he changes focus, switching from external trials to internal trials. Temptation could be said to be the subtitle for the next 4 1/2 chapters in James except for a few verses. These people were suffering on the outside, but they needed to have not only a Godly attitude about the outside trials, but they had to deal with trials within the body.
We'll see in 1:19–21 to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.

In 1:22–25 we'll see how we need to resist the temptation to be hearers only of the word and lazy. We must do what we hear in God's word.

2:1–13, we'll see how we should not favor people over other people.

2:20–27, we'll see how we should avoid the temptation to have unbelief. We should believe. Jesus commanded us in Matthew 6 and Luke 12, "Do not worry . . ."

3:1–12, we will see how we should tame the tongue. James will explain that the tongue is the most divisive, dangerous part of the body.

3:13–18, careful of falling into bitterness. Don't let your circumstances control you.

4:1–12, different kinds of fighting amongst ourselves; Chapter 5 warns the rich not to use their wealth at the expense of others. Some wealthy were also within the congregation.

Temptation is a huge problem! Wherever you find a population of human beings you find temptation, and you find sin.

Why? Because we have a sinful nature. Whenever the bird of temptation lands on our head, we honestly hope it makes a nest there; but once the droppings and chaos begin, we realize we have made a mistake. People are like the richest, most fertile soil, and temptation is like throwing the best seed of sin on it. What do you expect? We are such a fertile soil for sin, because a part of us desires it. Better luck getting the spots off a leopard, or finding a cow without hooves, than to find a human who does not struggle with temptation from time to time (or more often).

In Systematic Theology we have ten (10) categories of systematic theology, give or take one depending on which systematic theology you read. We have Theology Proper (the study of God), Christology (the study of Jesus Christ). But we don't have to teach students about the category of Hamartiology (the study of sin). Why? Everyone knows how that one works already! We live it. I pray that as a pastor I can be used by God to teach us well from God's word, and I can say, "We sin less than when I came here." We won't ever be sinless, but we should always sin less (thanks Dr. Sweeting).

James doesn't say "if you are tempted," but "when you are tempted." It will happen.

The first point is to avoid the blame game, especially towards God (v. 13). When someone is tempted, God is innocent, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt.

The same word used in Luke 4 talking about Jesus being tempted is the word used here for us to be tempted; which is the same word as "trial" used earlier in James. But this time the context demands it is "tempted." Jesus was tempted from the outside by Satan, but not the inside as James explains we are. Hebrews tells us Jesus was tempted in all ways as we are, yet without sin. But only from the Tempter's point of view (read Matthew 4 and Luke 4). James will describe a process of birthing sin and death which begins inside us, which Jesus did not experience. God could not have sinned, because sin is anything opposite of the will or nature of God, so if God appeared to sin that would no longer be called sin, for sin by definition is opposite God, resulting in evil. (God being the definition of good).

The Jewish believers scattered all over should not have accused God of tempting them because God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one (v. 13). Neither should we! We should not blame God, or others--but especially God when tempted!

Sooner or later you will be tempted to blame God during temptation. "If God loves me, He would not let this happen! He would stop this! It's His fault!" James, leader of the Jerusalem church, probably pastored many people. He probably had seen one of every type of problem (pastors see one of everything, and many repeats. Hard to surprise a pastor). No doubt James wrote from experience, that we are tempted to blame everyone except ourselves when we are tempted.
How do we apply this today? When tempted, take responsibility.

Secondly, God teaches us this: Don’t let desire drag you away. James 1:14 says, (NIV) "Each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed."

See the picture of the fish. One moment he's swimming along, and then he sees the silver hook in the water, so he says to himself, "I've always wanted to eat a cold, hard metal hook!" No! A fish would never try to eat a bare hook. The fish tries to bite the lure, and is deceived into biting the hook. The audience of James scattered over the known Mediterranean world would have recognized the fishing terminology in "lured" and "dragged away."

We too are lured and enticed, and then after sampling sin a little bit we suddenly are dragged away.

Fishing can be interesting. Last year I went fishing once and caught two coolers full of bluegill in four hours. Later someone returned to the same spot and caught nothing.

I took my kids fishing at Yellowstone Lake last fall, and the first time caught a small fish, showed my daughter, let her hold the pole with the fish on there for a while. She was so excited. The next day, she wanted to go fishing again, so we loaded up the van and went to the exact same spot. After having her hold the pole for 15 min, nothing happened. She handed it to me saying, “I’m done,” and walked away.
But you always need two things to catch a fish: 1) lure, 2) hook.
Sin is like this in our life. It never shows up and says, “Hi, I’m sin, I’m gonna cost you everything, ruin your marriage, family, and friendships, and lose money you could have earned, and waste your time, and leave you feeling guilty all over! I'm going to lead you down the wrong road and make you hate yourself!” If it weren't for the enticement of sin and attractiveness of it, we would all stay away from it.

Sin is like a hand grenade hidden in a chocolate donut. We take the first bite and "boom!" it's all over.

If you have sin in your life and have said for a long time, "It's not my fault. It's God's fault! It's my wife's fault! It's my husband's fault! It's the devil's fault!" The fish swims towards the attractive lure. We can only blame ourselves when we go after that attractive desire.

We should say "No!"

How do I apply this? If you have sin in your life, confess it to God (admitting it) and take the blame. We can't blame Satan, even though he tempted Jesus from the outside.

The devil has an inside agent, the flesh, and that desire inside us (sinful nature) is the root of our desire to do what is wrong.

Paul said in Romans 7 that he did the things he did not want to do, and did not do the things he did want to do. He felt so guilty he said, "what a wretch I am!" Don't read Romans 6 or 7 without reading Romans 8, because Romans 8 tells us in Christ there is no condemnation or separation from God's love.

If you sin and are in Christ, that sin was paid for on the cross when Jesus died once for all. Does that mean we should continue in sin if we have been saved from it? No! To say you love God and to act the way you want to anyway probably means you never truly believed and follow Jesus.

Jesus came so that we could have life and have it more abundantly, and sin appears to be that abundant life, but it is not! Look at what sin does!

How do you want God to view you for eternity when you arrive in heaven?

Thirdly, "after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin when it is full grown, gives birth to death." So point #3 is Abort evil desires (v. 15)
This verse is pregnant with birth analogy words. Two different words are used for giving birth, words that were used for Jesus' and John the Baptist's birth in the Gospels. Conception and birth are gifts from God, beautiful, and a part of how we are to obey Him in “be fruitful and multiply.” But when we give into our evil desires, instead of giving birth to life, we give birth to sin, which gives birth to death.

James uses this to show us the results of our evil desire, which leads to temptation, which leads to sin, which will lead to death.

The ancient proverb says, "you can't stop a bird from landing on your head, but you can stop it from making a nest there." When the bird lands on your head, when you hear a voice saying, "Stop! Hold back! Don't give in!" That's when the desire is starting to conceive like a fetus trying to implant itself on your inner womb. It will grow, not stopping there. Sin is contagious, addictive, and once it gets a hold of you, it gives birth eventually to death.

So, Nate, you're saying I have to be bored the rest of my life, I can't have any fun? I'm saying that sin comes from three sources: the world, the devil, and here it comes from the flesh--sinful nature--evil desires. I'm saying if you follow the definition of fun according to any of those three sources, you will eventually experience death.

But, there is another definition of fun and excitement, found in following Jesus Christ, which results in eternal life and an abundant life starting here and now. If you're reading and saying, "That's boring to me." Give God a try. Otherwise, you know that your own self-serving desires will lead to sin and death. God will lead you to life.

(Gustave)

In John Milton's Paradise Lost, Satan reaches gates of hell, to exit, and two beings greet him with some hostility. First, he meets his daughter, an alluring woman from the waist up and a horribly disfigured creature from the waist down. She informs him she was born when he disobeyed God, and her name is Sin. She introduces him to her offspring, who battles Satan with overwhelming power. His name is death, and when she gave birth to him he disfigured her on his way out.[2]
This is the process of what happens. That is why we must prune it, cut it out, tear it down, deny it, refuse it, replace it with good desires--cut it or it will flower and produce death!

Does this "death" mean that if I sin I will die immediately? It says sin will finish it’s work and lead to death.
Genesis 2:16, 17 ,"The Lord God commanded the man, 'You are free to eat of any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.'" But they did eat, and they didn't die that day, did they? The Hebrew language said the same word twice in a row, strong emphasis, "Dying you will die." But Adam's longevity of 900+ years is much longer than ours.

Another passage of Scripture illuminates what "death" means in Genesis, and in James.

Out of all the sermons and writings in James, this is the most important and practical so far. It sets up the rest of the book.

Proverbs 7. Take five minutes to read it.

She promises him she has a lot of food, because she has made a fellowship offering and the meat must have been eaten right away afterwards. She has prepared a bed, her husband is away, and all the man's problems and excuses to do what was right were removed by her. Did she lead him away as a man's man, taking his woman? No, like "an ox going to the slaughter."

Proverbs 5:7 and following speaks of adultery as well. Verses 9 and following says, "lest you give your best strength to others and your years to one who is cruel, lest strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich another man's house. At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, 'How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction! I would not obey my teachers or listen to my instructors. I have come to the brink of utter ruin in the midst of the whole assembly.' Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well."

What does death mean in Scripture? You may live a long life, but you will watch everything leave you. You will suffer. In adultery you break your family, shame yourself in front of your children, have a child with someone else and give your best to someone else's family. Your life is gone, and though your heart beats and lungs breathe you live a death. God doesn't tell us to avoid certain desires because He wants us to suffer, but because He doesn't want us to suffer, and He sees more than we do. He sees the line above the water, and the lure and hook below, and he warns us loudly, "Don't be dragged away and enticed!"

God loves you and is telling you not to sin because of that. So let's act on it, and resist.
If you feel stuck in sin, read Romans 6 through 8, about presenting bodies as instruments of righteousness instead of sin. Psalm 103 says God knows our frame, is mindful that we are but dust.

I watched an interview years ago about Ted Bundy telling James Dobson that everyone he met on death row was like him, not just addicted to pornography but hopelessly addicted to it. Our culture has many spores and deadly flowers reproducing throughout it.

Stealing, lying, greed, drugs, excessive drinking, individualism creating pride and arrogance, trying to gain all of God's benefits without giving back to Him--these are all evils our culture promotes. They appear good, but they all give birth to death in the end.

I watched a video of an ant with a parasitic fungus called Cordyceps inside it. The cordyceps starts as a tiny spore, and gets inside, feeding off the ant while slowly killing it. The ants exhibit irrational behavior, and the others ants, upon seeing their behavior, take them far from the colony so the others are not contaminated. When the parasite kills the ant, it grows inside, finally bursting from the body and sprouting long stems, from which it will shoot new spores to contaminate other ants.

This is the picture of us conceiving of an evil desire, that desire giving birth to sin, and sin giving birth at last to our death.
How do we find happiness, life, fun? Jesus didn't say, "I'm here to ruin your life," but Jesus came and said, “I have come that you might have life, and have it more abundantly!” Live in Him. If you want to get the most out of your 6, 7, or 8 decades on the earth? Follow Jesus. Even now, believe in Jesus Christ nad you will be saved.
To Review: First, avoid the blame game, especially towards God (v. 13); Secondly don’t let desire drag you away (v. 14); Thirdly, abort evil desires (v. 15).

[1] Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live Without God, (Word Publ., Dallas: 1994), pp. 98-99

[2] John Milton, Paradise Lost, ……

"The Treasure of Poverty," James 1:9-12

originally from www.cartoonstock.com/.../jdu/lowres/jdun624l.jpg

What do you think of when you hear "status symbol?" Is there something in your life that you have, that you didn't have, that makes you feel more important? In some places my wife and I have lived we met many people who valued different things in life as symbols of their status. Accomplishments. What I drive, where I live, family, friends, salary, husband (my wife's problem . . .just kidding), wife, etc.

James will speak this time about status, and lack of it. Poverty is a status, and we will see how high or low. Richness is a status, and we will also see how high or low in God's eyes. Abraham Lincoln said that anyone could withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power. Thomas Carlyle said, "Adversity is hard on a man. But for everyone who can handle prosperity, there a hundred who can handle adversity."[1]
Take a moment to read James 1:9–12. Go ahead.

James will show us the following. Here's a synopsis of what to expect. Vv. 9–12: Poverty is an external trial, yet it is highly valued by God while riches are something to be humble about. In the context of rich who were oppressing poor, and Jesus’ caution that it is more difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom, the trial of poverty becomes the treasure of poverty, freeing one from relying on wealth instead of God. Both rich and poor should rely on God and not their wealth, but this is easier for the poor, so their poverty has become their treasure. The rich have a "rock in their shoe" in their wealth, or a humble status. Also, enduring a trial results in riches that far outweigh riches on earth—the crown of life.
James' word to the humble, which is translated poor. If you are poor, be proud of your high position (v. 9). James is referred to as the proverbs of the New Testament. Here is one. It takes time to think it through. At first glance, it is a contradiction. The poor have reason to be proud about their high position. Yet, James says, "The one who is poor should boast in his 'high position' (NIV). Am I to read this right, that those who lack material goods should be proud
Jesus brought reversal of social, economic, and spiritual law. Jesus said, quoted in Acts but not the gospels, "It is more blessed to give than receive," and also better to give than receive; blessed are the “poor” “meek,” “hungry” “those who suffer.”

Doesn't saying, "God bless you," or "blessings" mean the recipient is supposed to get better? Elevated status? Jesus taught a reversal of it.

The next time you say, "God bless you," be careful.

Why would He do this? Jesus devoted a whole Beatitude to the poor. In Luke 4, Jesus read Isaiah and the prophecy of Him coming to preach the gospel to the poor was fulfilled.

Maybe it will shed light to see how this fits into the whole context of James so far. Let's see:
We've seen that trials create perseverance and perseverance creates a faith not lacking in anything. Wisdom is something very important that we should not lack, but if you lack wisdom, ask of God and it will be given to you. Ask for it in faith, as with any prayer, without doubting, or you show hesitation which is the opposite of persevering faith. Doubting when asking God is guaranteed to result in receiving nothing, nada, zip, zilch.
Then, comes poverty.

Poverty is a trial, the first one James mentions. He goes from generalizing to specifics. Financial poverty for followers of Jesus is a treasure—because it forces/allows one to trust in God alone.

God has a soft spot for the poor. Doesn’t mean throw all your money to the wind to have this treasure. I knew of someone who did this once; the person emptied their bank account and threw it into a neighbor’s front yard. That's not what this means, and I would recommend to that person if I knew how to reach them that they should not do that again.

James did not instruct them to become poor, but to rejoice in the status where they found themselves. Why? What does a poor person have to celebrate?

Caution here: Jesus' teachings on the poor have been misinterpreted many, many times. It doesn't mean you should try to be poor, but if you find yourself poor, God regards you as having a high status.

Why am I in a higher status if I'm poor?

First, if you have ever been in a situation where you don't know where the next dollar is coming from, you know what it means to cling to God (or you should).

Once, when I was in junior college, I remember driving my '78 Ford Ranger King sized F250 pickup truck, rusty and held together with bubble gum and duct tape, not having enough money for gas to get to school the next day. God came through, but I was listening intently to Him and praying.

I think (Whiteside theology) that the answer to "Why does God let bad things happen to good people?" is because if it wasn't for the bad things making us look up, we would always look inwards. Sometimes, we only relate to God when we have a need. Sadly, most who read this (me too) if we're honest, by far pray when we have a need we want God to meet. We rarely pray to commune with God and know Him more.

The poor are more like the wealthy than they think; both wish they had what they don't. God's word shows us it's not about what you don't have, but about what you do have, and the poor have opportunity and a clear vision. Poverty releases you from the tentacles of money.

That should encourage the reader.

That was one of the most important points of this entry.
Also, poverty and doing without creates an attitude of gratitude.
To the poor, be encouraged, because in the world you are nothing, but to God you are highly exalted! You are able to trust in Him and He can be a part of you without the barrier of money!

Second, if you are wealthy, you are humble in status (v. 10)
Later, James will talk about internal trials (temptation, the tongue, arguing, impatience), but now he’s dealing with the external trials. Get this: the wealthy have a humble status, and therefore reason to boast. “But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position/humble status,” (v. 10).

In verse 10, see how James writes, (NIV) "But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower." Read verse 11 and see it is quick and complete in its destruction. How do you think this struck the wealthy people, sitting in the pews of the first century churches? "Great, thanks a lot James. I'm hiding out for my life, daily dodging questions about my activities so I don't get persecuted for my faith or lose my business, and this is what I get? I'm lowly or humble, and going to pass away like a wild flower?"

Is what James said true? Search the Scriptures, and see that the wealthy are the humblest of all in God’s economy. Not regarded less, but wealth is only a blessing among men, not when dealing with God. It gives us no leverage, but it can keep us from growing spiritually. The more power it brings, the less we seek the power of God.

This too is a very important point.

I have met some whose relatives were at the end of their life, still clinging to their money. Does that make sense? Don't they understand that you can't take it with you? I heard of one man who took his gold with him when he died, brought it to the heavenly gates, and St. Peter met him and said, "Bring the truck over here, we've got more pavement!" Don't forget to wipe the gold dust off your feet--don't get it on my clean floor.
There is an inversely proportional ratio of God’s wealth and our wealth. The greater our need, the more He can give us. The greater we have self-sufficiency, the less we cry out to Him, and the less we receive. Outwardly the wealthy appear powerful, but to God He longs for them to guard their hearts against the tentacles of money.

That was one of the most important points of this entry too. (let the reader understand). Did James, thus God, hate the rich? Keep reading and you will see them come up again and again in James, and you'll get a picture for the wealthy. See the following passages: in 2:6–7 James describes these people: obviously not believers in Jesus, but slanderers and persecutors of Christians and Jesus Christ’s name. See also 5:1–6, and the character of those specific rich oppressors is evident.
Though there were wealthy in the congregation (read 2:1–4). It was a very hard source of suffering externally. Wealth has never been called a sin in Scripture. If God blesses you to gain more money, go for it. Barnabas sold land and laid all the money at the apostles' feet (Acts 4:36–37). I know many fine men and women sold out for Christ, who use their wealth for the kingdom of God. Be successful, but be careful!
It’s like having a pet elephant: It will demand to be fed and cared for, and attract friends you never knew you had, and problems you never knew were there.
I have some relatives and friends who have done quite well for themselves, and even those who hated them suddenly warm up to them. Wealth can become a horrible monster, and corrupt even the godliest person! Be successful, and be careful!
Why are pride and humility important? Humility is the goal of followers of Jesus. Poor = financially humble; rich = spiritually humble.
Pride in riches creeps up quickly. Those who deal with money have to constantly struggle against lording it over others.
Proverbs 22:22 “Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, for the Lord will take up their case, and will plunder those who plunder them."
To the rich, be careful. Riches fade, but the word of God does not. God knows those who are His.

Finally, persevere through what is temporary and you will have what is eternal. All people and things on earth are vulnerable to decay, but not God’s. James is still banging the drum of "persevere," even if it is through an inner struggle that comes with having or not having money.
Riches fade as the flowers wither, but persevering through a trial results in riches that are not earthly and will not fade (v.11–12)
It is not if, but when a person’s wealth fade. Look at verse 11, and see it is not just fading away, but the wealth accumulated on earth is destroyed. The imagery here probably suggests the sirocco hot wind of the Middle East. E. F. F. Bishop, Apostles of Palestine, wrote about the sun’s ability to scorch, “no one who has lived in Palestine ever forgets as it blows continuously night and day once it has started. The temperature hardly seems to vary. Flowers and herbage wilt and fade, lasting as long as “morning glory.” Anemones and cyclamen, carpeting the hillsides of Galilee in spring, have a loveliness that belongs only to the past when the hot wind comes. Drooping flowers make fuel. The field of lupins are here today and gone tomorrow.”
Since I've moved to Darlington I've officiated 10 funerals. In Texas, I officiated 10 funerals, and before that I've attended dozens of other funerals. I have never seen a U-Haul on the back of a hearse. I've never seen someone stashing cash into the deceased pockets as they viewed the body, saying, "This is from your mother and I, you'll need this."
A comforting word to the poor, and a caution to the rich not to get too attached to earthly wealth. Two things James points out about earthly wealth and rich oppressors:

1) Gaining riches on earth may or may not happen, but

2) their complete destruction will.
If you're asking the question, "Then how do I invest my wealth in something that will not be destroyed?" The answer is "Use it for God's Kingdom!" The best thing you can do with what God blesses you with is to invest it in His Kingdom work. The Kingdom of Heaven is what the church of Jesus Christ is doing on earth, trying to help people understand and believe that Jesus died for them so they could have eternal life be believing in His death and resurrection for their sin. The Kingdom work is also trying to make those who believe into disciples who use their gifts and abilities for the Lord, and glorify God. Invest in your local Church, missions, privately helping those in need for the Gospel. Jesus Christ’s Kingdom is the only live market that guarantees high return, and has been guaranteeing it for 2,000 years! Not money, but better than money!
Note: Not just any old ministry. it is wise to consider that, though there are many good para church ministries that I too give regularly to, nothing except the church is guaranteed to withstand the gates of Hell. Jesus only said He would build His church, and all other ministries can receive above and beyond what we give to God's kingdom through what God has decided is more important.

When we die, we lose access to money. We will wish we had spent our time on what we have access to—God, His word, people.

Pause here. If God had stopped His word here and had James move onto the next topic, both the poor and the rich would be left thirsting after worldly wealth, with no good substitution. But he answers that need in verse 12.
What does verse 12 give as a word of hope? As we said above, persevere through the temporary until you get to the eternal. Enduring a trial results in riches that far outweigh riches on earth, because all the rich and their riches will pass away, but all who persevere through trials will receive the crown of life.
I'd like to give some free information here, some research on the crowns mentioned in the New Testament. There are 5 crowns mentioned in the New Testament, using the same word "stephanos."

1 Cor 9:25, “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive an imperishable wreath (stephanos), but we an imperishable.” Crowns were given for those who competed and won, also who competed and won according to the rules. It was for finishing, but for finishing well. God has crowns for us to look forward to if we persevere.
1) The crown of “glory and honor” which every human is crowned with by God; Hebrews 2:7, 2:9 (Read that). Most likely indicates the rule and dominion mankind is supposed to have under God’s authority over this earth, as the only created thing in God’s image.
2) Those we lead to Christ are a crown of saints.
1. Philippians 4:1, “Therefore my beloved brethren, whom I long to see, my joy and my crown.”
2. 1 Thessalonians 2:19, “For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you at the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”
3) 2 Timothy 4:8, a crown of righteousness is laid up for all who have loved Jesus Christ’s appearing (future).

4) 1 Peter 5:4, a crown of glory awaits faithful shepherds/pastors who finish well (not fall away). Pastors, ministers, priests who fall away do not qualify, for they do not faithfully finish. Certainly the false teachers and teachers who veer off Scripture for their own agendas or pleasures also forfeit their stephanos.
5) The crown of life, probably metaphor for salvation, which we will have if we persevere, James 1:12.
1. Rev 2:10, “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison; so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for 10 days, be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
2. Again in Rev 3:11, “I am coming quickly. Hold fast so that no one may take your crown.”
Emphasis is not on what type of crown, but that it is life, unaffected by sun, wind, heat, cold, rich who oppress the poor, or evil men who persecute followers of Jesus. It is a crown of life, eternal, given (Rev 2) after death!

Is salvation something we only receive if we do enough good works? Acts 16:31 tells us that if we believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, we will be saved from our sin. We take that in faith. Jesus also said in John 10:28-30, Jesus shows us no one can snatch us from His hand, or His Father's hand (even ourselves--no one means no one, we would not want to leave Him if we are saved, but the longer discussion of this is for another entry). Other passages lead to this too.

Why seek a crown? This is salvation! This is eternal life! You have it already, and James is saying to persevere through the “testing of one’s character” (trial) and you can expect this crown! Look in Revelation 4, the 24 elders around the throne of God cast their crowns down at His feet, as we sing, “All the saints adore Thee, casting down their golden crowns upon the glassy sea.” So you want to have a crown in that day. You want to persevere through trials!
How do I apply this? Who cares about money! We pray for what we need, but compared to the crown--salvation--that cannot perish, we will be embarrassed if all we lived for in these 7, 8, or 9 decades was for money.

Poverty is an external trial, yet it is highly valued by God while riches are something to be humble about. In the context of rich who were oppressing poor, and Jesus’ caution that it is more difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom, the trial of poverty becomes the treasure of poverty, freeing one from relying on wealth instead of God. Both rich and poor should rely on God and not their wealth, but this is easier for the poor, so their poverty has become their treasure. Also, enduring a trial results in riches that far outweigh riches on earth, because all the rich and their riches will pass away, but all who persevere through trials will receive the crown of life.
Luke 12:27-32 comforts us. Don't worry (command), either about eating or wearing clothes. He urges us to take care of His business, and He will take care of ours. Verse 31, "But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."

[1] Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart, (Nashville: Word Publishing, 1998), 22.

"Praying in Faith," James 1:6–8

Olympic gold medalist Darrel Pace was to give an archery exhibition in New York City’s Central Park, and the event received coverage by all the news stations. Shooting steel-tipped hunting arrows, Pace punctured bull’s-eyes without a miss.

Then he called for a volunteer. “All you have to do,” said Pace, “Is hold this apple in your hand, waist-high.” ABC correspondent Josh Howell took a bold step forward. He stood there, a small apple in his hand, a larger one in his throat. Pace took aim from 30 yards away as we all held our breath. Then THWACK-a clean hit that exploded the apple before striking the target behind. Everybody applauded Howell, who was all smiles—until his cameraman approached with a hangdog look. “I’m sorry, Josh,” he said. “I didn’t get it. Had a problem with my viewfinder. Could you do it again?”[1]
James calls for us to have faith when we pray. It seems like a simple thing. He's speaking to an audience who are sometimes running for their lives. This is the time when those who killed Jesus were chasing down the church trying to persecute and kill them too.

James says in 1:6, "when he asks, he must believe and not doubt." Remember he's talking about the need to determine to have joy when going through trials. Attitude is so important. Also James taught in verse 4 to persevere through trials, never giving up, gaining maturity so we are complete and mature, lacking nothing. If you go through a trial, and lack wisdom, ask of God, who gives graciously. Then comes verse 6, ". . . because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. (v. 7) That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; (v. 8) he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does."

So that's it. Easy, huh? Just pray in faith, and "walla!" If you've been following Jesus for a while you know that every time we pray God doesn't always go "walla." Some will tell you that you didn't have enough faith, and that's why you were told "no" by God. Some will say you didn't deposit enough into the holy vending machine (a.k.a. God), therefore you lost. I submit to you that faith is more than a guaranteed "yes" when we pray.

First, though, the believer must understand this: we must pray to God with faith.
We must pray to God with faith (v. 6) God’s people should pray to God with faith for wisdom and all else. Christians should have prayed in faith for wisdom during trials. It was taught to James' audience, and to us as well, not doubting.
Verse 6 expresses what Ralph P. Martin calls, “a painstaking and concentrated effort to obtain blessing for oneself or for others, material or spiritual, inspired by a confident belief that God in Jesus can supply all human need."[2]
I used to pray when I was younger for patience or humility. I used to have some of the most frustrating experiences; the most humiliating experiences. God was giving me exactly what I asked for. The ability to be patient comes through practicing patience in trying times. The ability to have humility and be humble comes from enduring humbling experiences, being reminded of how lowly we really are.

Now I ask God to help me be a humble person, like Jesus, but don't ever have to humble me please.

Re-read Martin's definition above. Philippians 4 tells us God will supply our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. But what is the difference between a want and a need?

When I was in 7th grade, I prayed that God would make a girl at school my girlfriend. I said, "God, I have a need. I need that girl." That wasn't God's will and he had a much more beautiful and a godly woman for me to meet much later in life. I thought it was a need, but it was a want. Later, in high school, I again prayed to God for a "need." I said, "God, I have a need. I must play football for the Chicago Bears one day." It happened. I was convinced that this was God's will for my life. But God showed me He had something else for me.

Later, when I was engaged, I believed God wanted me to continue in youth ministry and a position opened. I interviewed and was rejected, and was so confused. I was convinced that God wanted me in full-time vocational ministry, and had worked for several years in youth ministry, and needed to provide for my new marriage and possible family. I cried out, "God, what is happening? Is this not a need? If this is not a need, I don't know what is?" But I trusted God. I had faith that He knew something I didn't know.

Later on, I applied for youth ministry positions in Dallas in 2000, and was still convinced that God was calling me into full-time vocational ministry and to continue building on the five years of youth ministry I had. Out of seven (7) churches I applied for, only one was not youth ministry. It was pastoral ministries. I almost did not apply. They were the first ones to call, while I still lived in Chicago, and they asked, "Why don't you send us your resume anyway." That pastoral ministries position not only was a good fit, but by seeking God and accepting it, I learned that God had gifted me for pastoral ministries better than for youth ministry.

Maybe you have a similar stories. Each of those situations where we pray and don't get what I want is an opportunity to say: 1) God I tried it your way and it didn't work; I'm not going to serve you anymore. I know I can't fix things, and it doesn't seem like you can either.

2) God is good, faithful, gracious and compassionate, will not give us a rock when we ask for a loaf of bread, so obviously what I think I need is not. God must know something I don't.

This is crucial for following Jesus. The key word for Christians is "following."

The persons reading this probably can relate. Has this happened to you?

See, the prayer of faith is not claiming that I know what's best. It's not saying, "God, fill out my order and I'll pick it up." It's coming to God saying, "I know Your character is good and just. I'm coming to you saying I think I know what I need. But I have faith, not in my request, but in Your ability to supply what is best for me and what will glorify Your Name more."

I have prayed by the bed of many people suffering from cancer who eventually died. I asked for healing. More often than not, God has answered those prayers with a "no" and the person passed away. Did God answer my prayer? Of course. Just as He thought was best. I have begged and wept over people in my churches for God to heal them. Sometimes I have seen family members coming to faith in Christ because of the death of a loved one. The loved one died and went to be with the Lord, and was healed in that way. The family came to faith in Christ, and so the person was better off, and the family was too. God knew what He was doing.

This is not just with prayer, but with everything in the Christian life. We have to continue to put ourselves in position where we see things from God's point of view. Many skeptics of Christianity fail to see things from God's point of view, and so come to conclusions about God that are wrong.

God has a greater long term purpose than just the 70-80 years we walk the earth.

When we pray, we cannot doubt, which is the opposite of faith. "Doubt” means, “be at odds with oneself, to waver.” Doubt is not the same as non-belief regarding salvation; rather doubt here is disbelief in the character or capabilities of God. Doubting when we pray is to doubt the character or capabilities of God. So what is the application? Don’t pray to God with doubt.
To pray without faith is like asking someone to fix your car when you know they can’t do anything about it. Why bother? Either it’s laziness and you’re just trying to justify it, or its confusion. God knows exactly what He is doing. Pray to Him in faith.
Have faith when you pray.
Are you suffering through a trial and need wisdom? Ask God, knowing He will give it to you. What do you need God to do for you today? Ask Him in faith.

There is a repercussion to doubting. That brings us to the next point I want to make on praying in faith.

We must pray without hesitation (v. 7–8) Christians should not doubt, for that shows instability and double mindedness.

Why do I mention hesitation? Because when we doubt, we hesitate. We pray but we don't proceed because we aren't sure if God is able to answer our requests, or we aren't sure if God is aware of everything we are aware of. We're telling God, "I really don't believe You can do all that You say You can do, but here goes anyway . . ."

Verse 6 and 8 sandwich verse 7, but they speak of the same thing. Being tossed and blown and being double-minded or unstable speak of the same thing: Hesitation when praying to God.

“Blown” is a-ne-MEE-zo (still no good Greek text I've found), meaning “moved by the wind.” “Tossed” is hri-PEE-zo, meaning “to blow here and there; to toss.”[3]
Are you a wave? Are you floating without an anchor?

Are you thinking, "I know God knows best. I will have faith." Or are you thinking, "I'm not sure, God. What if I ask You for something and it doesn't happen?"
I worked day camp one year and each week we took our kids to a lake where they could swim. One of my campers wandered out too far, and I could tell he was in trouble. I waded out to him and held my arm at a distance, and reached out to him. I was standing flat footed, and as soon as I reached him he pulled himself onto me with all his weight and I nearly lost my balance, even though I was standing flat footed. If I had not been standing firmly, there is no doubt he would have drowned us both. Was there any doubt in that kid's mind that I had the ability and intention of doing what was best for him? If so, he didn't realize it. No, there was none. As soon as I touched him, he was all over me.

This is how we must view God: "God, You're in control. Sometimes You give; sometimes You take away, but blessed be the Name of the Lord all the time."

A Christian who doubts and hesitates is not a functioning Christian. God wants us to relate to Him and rely on Him.

As someone wrote in a commentary, "To waver in the presence of the Lord is to hold oneself back from Him."

My wife and I practice this with our kids. Since before our first was born, we have tried to practice good stewardship, reminding ourselves that these kids are God's, and they are loaned to us for a time to mold and shape them until they one day are released. Some days I really look forward to that time, "God, I'm ready to give them back!" Of course, I'm just kidding. I love those kids more than I could write here. One day, however, God will call those kids to serve Him somewhere in the world. If He sends one to Ethiopia, one to the west coast, or one to the far reaches of the earth. Wherever God wants to use them, that is up to Him.

When we travel, pray in faith. I traveled yesterday (2/21) through a snowstorm with Dave. We prayed for God to give us safe travels as we would end up spending an entire day traveling through a serious snow storm to attend a prototype short term missions planning meeting for the state of Wisconsin. We prayed that God would keep us safe, and in faith. If God thought that the best thing for our good and His glory was to allow us to be killed in that weather, and through our deaths many would come to faith in Him, then so be it. We trusted in Him.

This is where God wants us, and has always wanted His people. The condemnation God had for the people in Joel 2:13 (and other passages) was never for outwards acts of piety as much as for inward belief. God said in Joel, "rend your hearts, not your garments!" God led Moses, centuries earlier, to a dead end at the Red Sea, so that God could get the glory and Moses and Israel would draw closer to Him. Have that kind of faith when we pray!

What are the limits to what God can do? I've seen God take a married couple who were determined to divorce, and after their divorce reunite them so they are still married today to each other. 2nd marriage. God can do anything.

Faith is trusting more in what God has said than what I can see.

Third, let me communicate this: Doubt is the only Biblical “Name it Claim it” teaching. (v. 7)
The one who doubts receives nothing from God. Can Christians ask God for things and get a guaranteed response? Yes. If you ask without faith, and respond with hesitation, you can expect nothing.

Two very important ideas that come to play with prayer and faith are:

1) we need to have faith in God

2) but we struggle with control, and letting anyone have control over us.

We must have faith in God, and also give control over to Him. Taking control is to take things out of God's hands.

Matthew 13:53–58, (Jesus’ denounced as a local, regular man) (v. 58) “and He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.”
This doesn’t mean that he who asks in faith always receives exactly what he wants.
We can only control what we do in unbelief, not what God does through our belief.

It is possible that we go through the motions, but don't mean it. We pray the Lord's prayer at our church once a month. Do we mean it? "Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed (holy) be Thy Name." We ask Him for His kingdom to come, for His will to be done on earth. Just the same as in heaven. We ask God to provide for our daily needs, for forgiveness and to see that we have (hopefully) forgiven all who wronged us. We ask God to deliver us from all evil and not lead us into temptation. We proclaim that His is the kingdom, power, and glory forever.

A man named John Huss trusted in God to do what God would be most glorified in doing. He was promised by the government that he would not be killed for standing up for his faith in Christ. But he was killed after the government magistrate tore up the signed document. But his death sparked something: the beginnings of the reformation that Martin Luther would later pickup and spread. Because of this, the church returned to the truth of faith alone in Christ alone. I'm sure John Huss thought his work if left alive could accomplish more than in his death, and as he was tied to the stake, waiting to be burned alive, he probably had difficulty trusting God. But God used his death more than his life.

Homer wrote of Achilles, in the Iliad, that his heart was divided. This is the same wording for "double-minded" in James. Are you like that today?

Don't pray, "God, I think You can do something, so here goes. Oh well, it didn't work. Amen."

Pray like Hudson Taylor. In 1853, when young Hudson Taylor was making his first voyage to China, his vessel was delayed near New Guinea because the winds had stopped. A rapid current was carrying the ship toward some reefs and the situation was becoming dangerous. Even the sailors using a longboat could not row the vessel out of the current. “We have done everything that can be done,” said the captain to Taylor. But Taylor replied, “No, there is one thing we have not done yet.” There were three other believers on the ship, and Taylor suggested that each retire to his won cabin and pray for a breeze. They did, and while he was at prayer, Taylor received confidence from God that the desperately needed wind would be sent. He went up on deck and suggested to the first officer, an unbeliever, that he let down the mainsail because a breeze was on its way. The man refused, but then they saw the corner of the sail begin to stir. The breeze had come! They let down the sail and in a short time were on their way![4]

What faith in praying! Taylor was on his way to preach the Gospel to possibly millions in China. What is it in your life today that needs you to take the sail down? Pray to God, and put down the sail. Focus on what James says, "when he asks, he must believe and not doubt."

To start this faith journey with God, one must follow Jesus. Following Jesus Christ begins be believing what God's word says about Jesus in 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." Acts 16:31 says, "Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved."

This is the first and most important step of faith. Believe that God is Who He says He is. After that, give Him control.

[1] Taken from http://bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=526, on February 19, 2009, 3:45pm. Originally from Bob Teague, Live and Off-Color: News Biz

[2] Ralph P. Martin, James, Word Biblical Commentary vol 48 (Dallas: Word Books, 1998), 19.

[3] BDAG, s.v.
[4] Warren Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching & Preachers, (Chicago: Moody Press, ), p. 240

"Faith That Works: The Treasure of Trials, pt 2," James 1:4–5

One of the most fascinating characters in early American history has always been our 7th president, a man who went by the nickname "Old Hickory." Andrew Jackson. If you were to ask his neighborhood friends growing up, he was the least likely of all of them to become president one day. Jackson’s boyhood friends just couldn’t understand how he became a famous general and then the President of the United States. They knew of other men who had greater talent but who never succeeded. One of Jackson’s friends said, “Why, Jim Brown, who lived right down the pike from Jackson, was not only smarter but he could throw Andy three times out of four in a wrestling match. But look where Andy is now.” Another friend responded, “How did there happen to be a fourth time? Didn’t they usually say three times and out?” “Sure, they were supposed to, but not Andy. He would never admit he was beat—he would never stay ‘throwed.’ Jim Brown would get tired, and on the fourth try Andrew Jackson would throw him and be the winner.”
It’s not if you get “throwed,” or how many times; but what you do about it! (From Our Daily Bread).

The first point to observe is James 1:4, "perseverance must finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." God’s people must persevere so they may be mature and complete. The twelve tribes of scattered believers should have continued persevering so they might be mature and complete, and so should we.
What does "mature" mean? "Complete"? The word for mature in Greek means “to meeting the highest standard; perfect.” This is the same root for the word “finish” in v. 3, meaning “finish, complete, end.” Persevering during trials is not just an end in itself; but for the purpose of becoming more mature; eventually “Holy as God is Holy.”
It's like going to work everyday. Some of us do it because we like it. We’re “special.” Most people work because at the end of so many days of working they receive money. So too, persevere through trials because you will receive the reward of spiritual growth and maturity: one step closer to being like Christ Jesus.

The same way with trials. They are a means to an end, not an end in themselves. We're supposed to be more mature in the end, so if that trial comes up again we are not as affected. If someone picks on you, makes fun of you, or gossips about you everyday, and everyday it affects you terribly, then you have passed through the trial without perseverance or maturity. Ralph P. Martin, observed correctly that the idea of maturity pertains to character, not works.
Maturity = WHO YOU ARE; NOT WHAT YOU DO.
James emphasizes later in 2:14, “what good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?”

The goal of being "Holy as I am Holy" is such a high and lofty goal. I watched a martial arts instructor show his students a new form, and it was very difficult for the students to hold that stance for 15 or 30 seconds. He calmly said the goal was to hold it for 4 hours. What! The instructor did not expect them to hold that stance for 4 hours that day, or the next day, or the next week, or even the next month! Perhaps in 5 years if they were disciplined.

That's what James is telling us. Eventually, after a life of discipline and perseverance, you should be mature, complete! Lacking nothing! By God's grace it is possible! One step at a time. Just keeping taking one step.

One of my mentors in ministry used to tell me, regarding reaching the world for Christ, "How do you eat an elephant?" (I have to admit, the first time I was confused, maybe like you are right now, but stay with me). "One bite at a time. It's too big." Take maturity one step at a time. One trial at a time.
Another question comes to mind then: Isn’t perseverance performing the proper acts or actions that please God? Isn’t God happy about that? Yes! But God wants people whose hearts are changed for Him, not just their outer acts. The prophets condemned Israelites for outward acts without an inward motive towards godliness. They said to “rend your hearts not your garments." They had a habit of repenting and showing their deep repentance by grabbing their front shirt collars and ripping them in two down the center, reflecting the broken heart. In Isaiah God said, “I hate your worthless sacrifices and festivals," or in 1 Samuel "to obey is better than sacrifice."
God always has and always will desire character over all.

Ask the question: Who are you when no one else is around? Are you meeting the highest standard or perfect? Are you better than the last time you were alone? How about with others?

Have you heard of a grindstone? DEFINITION OF A GRINDSTONE: a disc-shaped stone that revolves and is used to sharpen, grind, or polish edge tools. James Hewitt said, “Life is a grindstone. Whether it grinds you down or polishes you up depends on what you are made of.”[1] What are you made of? Think about that. D. L. Moody said, “Character is who you are in the dark.”[2]

James spoke exactly about this when he said "determine it joy when you encounter various trials." The grindstone will come, but you persevere.

This concept is very important to me as a pastor. Every pastor has a different emphasis, usually one of these five: teaching/discipleship, worship, evangelism, fellowship, or service. My focus has always been the first one, on making mature believers. Jesus called us to make disciples not decisions. A mature Christian will properly worship, witness, love the other brethren, and serve the Lord. Mature Christians will understand that God is the owner, they are the manager. James' point is to become such a mature Christian.

Character and perseverance working together combine to make the great "d" word. Discipline.

Jerry West said, “You can’t get too much done in life if you only work on the days when you feel good.”[3]
Another word is here, the word for complete, which means in the original language, “being complete and meeting all expectations.”

Principle #1: Trials are guaranteed; treasures are not.

Review what James said earlier: "consider it joy whenever you encounter various trials," not "if ever," but "whenever." Trials are guaranteed.

Now he says to let perseverance finish its work so that you "will definitely" be mature and complete? No, so that "you may/might" be.

We have a choice when we come to a trial, that we don't automatically experience a trial and come out with a treasure. It is possible you're reading this, and disappointed because during a previous hardship you think you came out without anything in the end. It may not be over, but it you may have missed the treasure too.

It's not just the people who come on Sundays and show more flamboyant expressions of their faith who are more spiritual. If you're in a trial, God is interested in you, and is looking for your character and nature.

Attitude is so important enduring a trial. We have to have the attitude of persevering through it if we are to become more mature. Joe Theismann illustrates this. For twelve years he quarterbacked the Washington Redskins, and during the 1983-1984 seasons he helped lead his team to two Superbowls. He finished his career as Washington's all time leading passer. He had an interesting insight reflecting on the two Superbowls, and the two different rings. The first Superbowl he was so passionate and excited, and the team won. The second Superbowl he left with the loser's ring instead of the winner's. He said later on, "I got stagnant. I thought the team revolved around me. I should have known it was time to go when I didn’t care whether a pass hit Art Monk in the 8 or the 1 on his uniform. When we went back to the Super Bowl, my approach had changed. I was griping about the weather, my shoes, practice times, everything.
Today I wear my two rings--the winner’s ring from Super Bowl XVII and the loser’s ring from Super Bowl XVIII. The difference in those two rings lies in applying oneself and not accepting anything but the best."[4]
Can attitude make that much difference when we experience a trial? Absolutely! Fill a glass half way with water, and ask someone if it is half full or half empty, and it will reflect their attitude.

So first, we must persevere through trials in order to be mature. I pray for our church, family, friends, community of Darlington, and other family and friends spread out all over the world that they might be more mature and that they might persevere. I especially pray for our church family to persevere and become more mature.

Second, if you lack wisdom, ask of God who gives it graciously. Earlier James had said we should be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (remember, hold that stance for 4 hours!).

If a Christian finds him or herself lacking wisdom, they should ask from God.
If any of you lacks” piggybacks off of the previous conditional phrase: “you may become mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

So James, do I have the ability to persevere through the trial not lacking anything, or will I discover after my trial that I am lacking something? Which is it?

Someone may be reading this, and despite all that has been written, you have come through a trial and can't find one good reason for it.

That's why James wrote verse 5. For the times when we cry out, "What good was my suffering?"

Ask God. He gives better and more graciously than the haughty people around James when he wrote this. Many gave to be seen by men (see Matthew 5-6), but God gives without haughtiness or arrogance, or spite. He gives graciously. Aren't you glad?

Implied is that we have to realize we don't have wisdom in order to ask of it. In spite of all our accomplishments, our house, cars, kids, symbols of status, we don't have all the wisdom that we could have.

This verse has been so instrumental to me and my faith. I claim it and pray it all the time, especially as a pastor. Sometimes I cry out to God saying, "Lord, I have no idea how You want us to handle this situation! If you don't give me the wisdom, we will sink!" That happens once every two years or so (hopefully you're laughing. If not, well . . .).

Proverbs 2:6 says, “The Lord [Yahweh] gives wisdom.” Isn't that good to have memorized? Proverbs also tells us more on how to find wisdom. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom,” (Prov 1:7)

If you've decided to be god in your life, you're off to a bad start on finding wisdom. Seek God, find wisdom. If someone is crying out for help, God is listening! Asking here means prayer, talking to God. I have yet to ask for wisdom and God not provide it. The wisest people I have met are those who have suffered through a trial.

I am amazed at finding some teachers once in a while who say that if you're suffering it's because you don't have enough faith. Then I have to take out 2 Timothy 3:12 from the Bible, which promises everyone who desires to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Also tear out James 1, "whenever you encounter various trials." (by the way, all those I've known who are preachers and teach this--they all suffer greatly. I find that interesting).

Jonny Erickson Tada, 1967 driving accident left her paralyzed (CLARIFICATION; yes a DIVING ACCIDENT—updated 2/15/09 after finding out from http://www.joniandfriends.org/ I at first said she was in a diving accident, then during the audio copy of this message I had found a misinformation capsule, and changed it to "driving." However, I am sure now it was a "diving" accident.) She could have remained anonymous and paralyzed, but the treasure of her trial was to use her disability and good attitude to share the love of Christ with the world. She has done so.

Some trials in life invite perseverance, and leave us a choice. We can grow and mature if we take the initiative. For example, we can witness, attend the Contagious Christian class, and possibly find a way to share Christ with that person who we know who is lost. Or we can wonder what would have happened to them eternally if we had stepped out in faith, and how we might have matured. Part of the process of trials is the gift of wisdom.

Principle #2: Every Trial is an opportunity for a treasure

God is sovereign. James doesn't say, "God will give you wisdom," he says, "it will be given to him." It means that when you find that wisdom, you may not find it in a vision of Jesus like Paul saw on the road to Damascus, it is from God directly or indirectly.

“It will be given” is passive, even though we know it comes from God. It shows God’s sovereignty, as the Mover behind all the scenes.
We miss so much of what God wants for us because we go through trials, but don’t get the treasure.
Let me leave the reader with one last illustration that shows sometimes our trials have treasures we miss. Persevere, have a proper attitude, trust in God, look for wisdom. A boy went everyday from his cottage to the river to collect water in his bucket. He had a pinhole in the bucket so it would leak all the way home along the trail. He complained everyday because ¼ of the water in his bucket never made it home. One day in spring a long row of flowers budded, and gradually grew all along the pathway between the cottage and the river, and though the boy still complained that he had a hole in his bucket, he really liked the flowers. Their scent of honey and the swarms of butterflies and bees made the trip to the river everyday fascinating. Yet he complained even more about his imperfect bucket. Finally he was so irritated and consumed by the bucket that he threw it away and spent all he had to get a new one. His problems were solved. It cost him a lot, but he no longer felt so frustrated. Life was good. Yet, after a few days the flowers wilted by the path, and the bees and butterflies were gone. He was consumed by his own trial so much that he didn’t realize it was also a blessing to him, and to others.
Will you do me a favor, and everyone else in your life? Will you stop during your next trial and look around. Maybe there is a treasure in that trial; maybe you are suffering for a greater good; maybe God wants to use you to bring joy and happiness into someone’s life.
Maybe the very thing that is a pain in your life is a blessing in someone else's, and one day will be a blessing in yours.

Review:
We must persevere to receive the treasure of maturity (v. 4)
Principle #1: Trials are guaranteed; treasures are not
Maturity = WHO YOU ARE; NOT WHAT YOU DO.
If we lack wisdom, we can ask God who gives graciously (v. 5)
Principle #2: Every Trial is an opportunity for a treasure

[1] Charles R. Swindoll, The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart, s.v. character.
[2] Swindoll, s.v. character.

[3] The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, John Maxwell, p. 65.
[4] Reader’s Digest, January 1992, also on http://bible.org/illus.php?topic_id=98, as of 2/28/09, 6pm.

Faith that Works: The Treasure of Trials, pt 1 (James 1:1–3)

The idea of trials happening to Christians is something not every pulpit permits these days. It is a secret in some places, and in others it is denied, being covered up as "unbelief." There is no secret, however, in Scripture, that if you serve Christ you should prepare to suffer trials

A young teenager dove into the water and was paralyzed as a result of a tragic accident. After decades of using this platform to minister to others, Joni Erickson Tada was visiting a prominent pool in Jerusalem which in Biblical times had supposed healing properties. Instead of wanting to be healed, she thanked God for her paralysis, because without it she would have have had so many opportunities to share Jesus Christ and His love with people around the world.
A year ago or so I read a letter from a person who suffered from cancer. She not only was okay, but she praised God for allowing her to experience such growth and maturity through cancer, and wished everyone could experience such maturity. My first reaction was "no thanks." But think about it in light of James. If it were not for the events in life that cause us to cry out to God, where would you be spiritually?
The first question when looking at a book of the Bible is "what is the background." Why is that important? Context. Context is what makes the difference in interpreting Scripture. In English, for example, if you use the phrase "how does she run?" You could be referring to a woman running, a girl running, an engine, a faucet or sink, or many other options. The phrases before and after affect the meaning. So who was James? Who was his audience? When did he write this epistle?

The date and the author go hand in hand. There are 4 James mentioned in the NT. James the son of Alpheus, one of the twelve disciples (Mark 3:18). James the father of Judas (not Iscariot), one of the Twelve Disciples (Luke 6:16). The problem with these first two James is that they are not the likeliest candidate because they are not given much prominence after their catalog highlight. Another possibility is James the son of Zebedee, who was brother of John, and one of the three disciples in the inner circle of Jesus—the other two being John his brother and Peter. (Mk 1:19). Problems: He was martyred in AD 44 (Acts 12:2) and this letter was most likely written after AD 45, probably AD 48 (as the pew Bibles at FBC say) when believers were no longer only in Jerusalem but scattered because of Peter and Paul’s Missionary journeys. (Note: The letter was probably written before the Jerusalem council as well, in AD 49–50 mentioned in Acts 15, because it definitely should have been alluded to if it had happened). The fourth James is a likely possibility, who is James the brother of Jesus, first mentioned in Matthew 13:55 as half brother of Jesus.
What made this fourth James stand out? He has more appearances in a prominent role in the church of Jerusalem and amongst Paul's letters. Paul had a high regard for James, Jesus’ brother, because he visited only him and Peter in Jerusalem (Gal 1:19, Acts 9:26–30), after his conversion c. AD 33. James was an authoritative figure (Acts 12:17, 15:13 as leader of Jerusalem council in c. AD 49 on the role of works in salvation; 21:18, “James and the elders"). James grew up with Jesus, but did not believe his older brother was the Messiah, as John records (John 7:5, “For not even his brothers were believing in Him”). After Christ’s resurrection, the risen Jesus appeared to Peter and the disciples, then James, and then the apostles (1 Cor 15:7). So James saw Jesus risen from the dead—which most likely was what convince him that his half brother was the Messiah. We know James believed in his brother as Messiah, because Acts 1:14 records that Jesus’ brothers and mother were with the disciples after Jesus’ ascension into heaven, praying with them. What would it have been like to grow up with Jesus as an older brother? What a model of perfection to live up to! "James, Jesus would have had that done without all the complaining." "James, Jesus always cleans up his mess. Can't you be more like your brother?" How did James feel when He was crucified? If anyone knew Jesus, it would be James. If anyone could witness to the fact that Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life, it was James. If anyone experienced the full spectrum of how people respond to Jesus Christ it was James, who rejected Jesus and later was a sold out follower of Jesus. He became a strong pillar and leader of the church.
So, the James spoken of in Acts and by Paul as leader of the Jerusalem church, and who wrote this epistle was most likely the half brother of Jesus Christ. That is who we will be referring to as the author. Side note: Jude, another of Jesus’ brothers, wrote a book with his first name on it as well (before Revelation).
What was James' theology and his message? First, James leaned more towards the legalist Jewish believers than Paul did. He emphasized believers should do good works, though not for salvation. Later, James would be involved in the great debate that arose in Acts 15 where some believed “faith plus works” and others “faith without works” (the right one). You can see some of his emphasis towards faith producing good works in this letter. The Jews who believed Jesus to be their Messiah were divided. Some believed:
1. Have faith in Jesus for salvation, but still observe the entire Mosaic Law (circumcision, ten commandments, Sabbath rules, not eating unclean meat, etc). But the Law was not intended as a part of salvation, but as a covering until salvation. Doing the Law and saying you believe in Jesus is like people today saying, “Yes, I believe,” then trusting in baptism, communion, or other good works to also save. Only faith in only Jesus can save.
2. Some believed “Have faith in Jesus Christ for salvation alone, and that’s the end of it” No need to do any works at all for God (like some American Christians today). Keep the pews warm and God will be happy. WRONG! Give God everything once (me, wife, kids, TV, Internet, job, money, car, house, free time), then take it all back. Not according to the Bible. Not according to James. Faith that works is faith, then works. You can see a stronger emphasis in James on works as a proof of salvation than in Paul's writings. Many of the ideas that required compromise in Acts 15 were surfacing here in James, and reading James versus reading Paul one can see why they might lead some to think there were two factions of Christianity. However, there were not. James and Paul compliment one another.

3. Some believed, as James and Paul wrote, to be saved and have eternal life; then through the Spirit do good works. THAT’S THE MESSAGE OF JAMES = faith should be perfect, with wisdom, and endure suffering.

James didn't believe you can be saved and live like the devil because of eternal security. James believed you can be saved and live like the Lord.
Now that we've mastered that overall principle of James (ha ha) let's get into chapter one.

First, James' admonition is in v. 2: We need to look at trials as Golden opportunities to prove our faith. In other words, the treasure that comes through a trial. God’s people should determine that when testing comes it is joyful. Let's not get ridiculous, though. My wife heard of a man who broke his elbow and was asked, “You alright?” His response was, “Yeah. Praise God,” through the clenched teeth of pain. “Thank you God.” What a nut! Not what’s intended here. God doesn't expect you to pretend you have no nerve endings. James admonished the Jewish believers who were spread all over the known world to count trials as joy, and the same message applies to you and I.

What is a trial? Definition of a trial: It is when we reach rock bottom and think God has forgotten us in some way or another, or are going through a hard time. We are calling out to God, saying, “Where is God!?” “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Isn't it interesting that God allows trials in His peoples' lives? James didn't say "if ever," but "whenever." Hmmm.
God allows trials in His peoples’ lives. What is the Biblical definition of a trial? In Greek here, is means "an attempt to learn the nature or character of something."[1] 1 Peter chapter 1 and chapter 3 use this word similarly. Hebrews 3:8 and 9, God warns not to test Him as the Israelites did for 40 years and were made to wander in the desert all 40 years. Trials test faith by giving us opportunities to show what is inside of us. If you bump a cup, whatever is inside of it spills out. So too with us when we experience trials.

If you are involved in farming, and have purchased a new animal or piece of machinery, have you tested it to see how it holds up? How about a new pair of pants or blouse? How about a new car? God also looks at us and wants to show us what our nature or character is. God doesn't cause every trial, but he allows them (at least) in order to see where we are and so we can grow. James says, “Count it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.”
Count it joy, means in Greek, “consider, reckon” or (MY FAVORITE) DETERMINE IT JOY. What is the application: Too many times we get wrapped up in trials and problems as if one day on earth we will no longer have any! Verse 2, “If ever you face trials?” “Whenever you face trials.” James urges us to determine today to endure the next trial and maintain godliness. It's easy to do when we're in a state of plenty, but do it during a trial. What is your trial right now? What is your attitude about that trial? Your perspective makes all the difference in the world!

My daughter loves to draw. I asked her one day to draw a picture of me. She drew my head and my face was covered by all these lines. I asked her "what is that on Daddy's face?" "That's your gotee," she said. I guess I'm pretty hairy from her perspective. Another father took his daughter to see Westminster Abbey and the large columns and ceilings. After looking for a while, the father asked the daughter, "What do you think?" She replied, "Dad, you're a lot smaller than I thought you were." James urges us to do the opposite of what we usually do, and face a trial with a different perspective: joy—because we will prove that we have a solid faith! A joyful Christian knows that the worst trial will eventually end. When you lose your job, your wife threatens divorce, your husband threatens you, when a child become pregnant outside of marriage or rebels, when a child runs away from home, or from you, or from the Lord, when it’s been months or years since a steady, dependable income, when the car that you’re ashamed of doesn’t even run. Ouch!

What is your perspective on trials? There's a lot of bad theology out there that says "God's people will never suffer or experience hardship. If you do experience hardship, it's because you don't believe." WRONG! WRONG! WRONG! Nothing in Scripture promises 100% "hunkey dorey situations" for Christians. In fact, 2 Timothy 3 promises that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. There is a treasure of Christian maturity that can ONLY come through a trial. I'm glad for my trials in the past, though many I would never repeat. Much wisdom has come through those dark days, and finding the light at the end of those tunnels. I'm much closer to the One who has always led me through them.

Some of the darkest times in my life and my marriage were between jobs (nobody's born a pastor. I've had many other types of jobs) or when suffering a serious trial, and we didn't know when it would end, and barely made it through with our faith.

The next principle James teaches about trials is this: Every Trial should make Us Stronger (v. 3). This is because trials test the faith and develop perseverance (v. 3). Trials develop perseverance. “perseverance” means “the capacity to hold out or bear up in the face of difficulty.”[2]
These developments happen IF, we face trials with joy.
When you develop perseverance, God will see your character and move you onto better circumstances.

But you can’t handle the future circumstances until you handle the present ones with perseverance.

In weightlifting, martial arts, music, academics/school, forensics, memorizing Scripture, or any other discipline we can think of—we must push ourselves to grow, and the same with our Christian life!
We should look forward to trials like a football game, a wrestling match, a golf tournament, a music competition, or any test! It is a chance to stand up and say,
“God, I am yours and watch me display the fruit You have been cultivating in my life!”
There are many Christians who fill the pews of churches on Sunday but will do nothing more all because a trial happened. They think, "God, I know that if I try to get involved for You I'm going to face a trial and its going to hurt, and I don't want to hurt, so I'm not going to do anything more for You, Lord." If that's the deal you've made with God, you've also made a deal not to grow. You have a gas tank full of gas and the car is in park, ready to go anywhere, but parked.

I read of two setters who were being trained to hunt birds. They were interrupted by a neighbor's bulldog who entered their yard and started a fight with them. Those two setters tore that bulldog apart, and it yiped away, bloodied and bruised. A strange thing happened. The next day the wounded bulldog returned. He fought the two setters, but again they beat him and he returned wounded. The next day the bulldog returned, and again the same things happened. After a week of this happening, the stubborn bulldog returned again, and the setters decided they didn't want to fight anymore and when the bulldog chased them, they ran away. After another week the setters continued running away every time the bulldog entered the yard, because they were tired of fighting. The story ends with the owner explaining that now the bulldog comes into his yard as if he owns the place, and the setters are terrified of him.

It's not always about "can I win this fight?" God is on our side. It may seem like we're losing the battle, but we must be like the bulldog and continue, continue, continue to obey God. Continue, continue, continue to pray. Continue, continue, continue to read His word. In the end, we will persevere. "Sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Christian discipline comes into this as well. There are times when it seems like I can't get into my devotions and prayer. Sometimes I read the Scripture for the day and think, "Okay. Whatever. I don't get it." But I must continue so I can persevere and get better.

William Barclay wrote this, regarding Coleridge, a poet at the end of the 1700's and beginning of the 1800's. Barclay wrote, "Coleridge is the supreme tragedy of indiscipline. Never did so great a mind produce so little. He left Cambridge University to join the army; but he left the army because, in spite of all his erudition, he could not rub down a horse; he returned to [college] and left without a degree. He began a paper called The Watchman which lived for ten numbers and then died. It has been said of him: 'He lost himself in visions of work to be done, that always remained to be done. Coleridge had every poetic gift but one--the gift of sustained and concentrated effort.' In his head and in his mind he had all kinds of books, as he said himself, 'completed save for transcription.' 'I am on the eve,' he says, 'of sending to the press two octavo volumes.' But the books were never composed outside Coleridge's mind, because he would not face the discipline of sitting down to write them out. No one ever reached any eminence, and no one having reached it ever maintained it, without discipline."[3]
It's worth re-reading that last sentence.

President Calvin Coolidge said, "Nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent."

So where are you? Have you decided to give up anyway? Has the idea of future trials discouraged you? Are you saying, "It's not worth it just for perseverance?" Read 1 Cor 3:10–15, about how we will have either precious stones or worthless stubble (read it). Will your life survive the fire and test of trials? What will God find when He “attempts to learn the nature or character of you?”

[1] BDAG, s.v.

[2] BDAG, s.v.

[3] Taken from Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald S. Whitney, (Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1991), p. 20. Brackets mine.

Reach the Lost, Romans 1:16-17

After nearly a month (a busy one, but who isn't busy these days?), here is another post. The next three will reflect the messages on our vision statement at First Baptist Church: "Reach the Lost, Teach the Found, Glorify and Enjoy God."

The passage for today is from Romans 1, verses 16 and 17. It prompted me to ask the question: "What was my most embarrassing moment?" How about you? Have you had any embarrassing moments recently? While visiting my wife's family near Chicago over Christmas, I was carrying our infant in his carrier-seat, and escorting another of our kids over a street covered in ice. I lost my balance and fell. Before I completed the embarrassing act, I reacted normally and was about to catch myself, but I would have had to toss my infant son in his carrier. I mumbled something like, "You owe me one, boy!" and took the hard fall.

I read of some other embarrassing moments, like when the actress Billy Burke was on a cruise and saw a man sitting at a table with a terrible cold. She walked up to him and asked him, "Are you uncomfortable?" He nodded, "I'll tell you just what to do. Go back to your room, drink lots of orange juice, take two aspirins, cover yourself with all the blankets you can find, sweat the cold out. I know just what I'm talking about, because I'm Billy Burke the actress." The man smiled and warmly introduced himself, saying, "Thank you. I'm Dr. Mayo from the Mayo Clinic."

A bishop and his wife were retiring after many years in ministry. Upon reaching their home they saw a large crowd gathered on the street in front of their house. The wife was so overwhelmed that so many people had waited to say how much they appreciated the many years of service. It almost moved her to tears. She decided to thank them all publicly, telling everyone how much it meant that they would come and meet these who were retiring from so many years in ministry. The startled crowd suddenly turned around as the city bus pulled up, and they all got on board and left. That's funny, and embarrassing (and, sad, we're not heartless).

The third one takes the cake. A man wrote that when he was in high school musical car horns were popular. He said his mother's deluxe model played the first line of 48 different songs. But in the cold, the horn would develop a short and play on its own. He urged his mother to take the horn out in the winter but she wouldn't. That is, until that cold winter afternoon when they were at the funeral of their elderly aunt. As they pulled out of the cemetery, the horn blared the first line of "We're in the Money." He wrote he has never heard of that horn since. Hilarious! But embarrassing too.

Sometimes we get embarrassed in life. It starts when we are young, and there are some things to be embarrassed about. However, there are some things in life we should never be embarrassed about. One thing we should never be embarrassed or ashamed about is the good news of Jesus Christ. Yet, sometimes if we're honest, we are embarrassed to tell people about the good news of Jesus Christ. But God never meant for us sharing the good news of Jesus Christ to be one of our most embarrassing moments. He meant for it to be the greatest highlight of our lives.

Why are we embarrassed? We're afraid of rejection. But we need to remember that just because someone initially rejects us, doesn't mean they will always hold that view. It's natural for people to initially respond in a thinking manner when they hear the good news of Jesus, and how He demands to be Lord and center of their life.

Read Romans 1 starting in verse 11, through verse 17.

First, we should be unashamed of how God saves people from their sin (v. 16). Again, there is no reason for God’s people to be ashamed to share how God saved them. Paul wanted to share the Gospel with the Romans because he was not ashamed of it. The great news of Jesus should be like how quickly we heard about 9/11/2001. By noon that day, everyone in the U.S. had probably heard about what happened only a few hours earlier.

Who said Paul was ashamed of it? He was in a Roman prison for it, so he wanted them to know he did not regret the reason for his persecution. 2 Timothy 3 tells us that everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Do you believe in the Gospel enough that you want to share it with people? Do you believe in it enough that you would go to prison for it? Death?
f. Whenever we see a conjunction starting a sentence, we need to look behind it and see why it is there. Here, “For” can be translated “what I mean is” or “because” when Paul tries to explain the reason for him wanting to see the people in the city of Rome.
g. What is it explaining? V. 11, “for I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong.” Also, v. 15, “That is why I am so eager to preach the Gospel also to you who at Rome.” Paul wanted to share with the Greeks and Barbarians, since he had gained so much from them.
Are you ashamed to share your faith? Without saying the good news of Jesus, people will not be saved because they will not conclude something God has created such as Him dying on the cross in our place for our sin, and that by believing that (without working for it), our sin is covered by that act and we have eternal life.

Jesus warned all disciples Luke 9:26, “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
Paul said in v. 11, not “I am obligated,” nor “I will do my duty to share the gospel,” but “I long to see you.” Paul understood if he just showed up God would use him to impart some “spiritual gift,” or “grace” somehow. ¾ of ministry is just showing up. If God’s people show up, God will show up! The greatest witness is not knocking on doors. That works for a small percentage of people, as do bullhorns, street preaching, and similar sales-type methods. Most people will be more relational. Joe Aldrich says in his book, Lifestyle Evangelism, that the greatest witness you'll have is your marriage and family.
What is the greatest symbol of Christianity? The cross? Communion? Baptism? Preaching God’s word? ------YOU are the greatest symbol of Christianity! Your changed life showing up in the life of a lost person who needs the love of Christ. Show up! Share it with people! With the poor, hungry, needy, those who have everything material; nothing spiritual. I thank God all the time that I get to do what I get to do for a living. After the Cardinal's game the camera showed Kurt Warner kneeling, holding hands with other football players and praying.

The press was waiting to interview the winning quarterback, but the quarterback first wanted to talk with his God before anything else. He was not ashamed (Go brother Kurt!).

Being ashamed of something like the Gospel would be like winning the Nobel Prize and telling no one or trying to disprove it; killing a trophy buck and being ashamed of it; or meeting someone famous and being ashamed of it. Last summer, the city of Darlington shut down so everyone could see Johnny Depp. Kids skipped school to get a picture with him. Are they ashamed? Tim Tebow, winning quarterback of the Florida Gators, who are National NCAA Champions, said to the cameras, "I knew God would do this for us," as he faded out. His first words! Unashamed (Go Tim and Tebow family! God bless you all!)

Secondly, not only should we not be ashamed, but we have the power of salvation in our words as the Spirit works.

WE have the medicine. The only thing that has power in the spiritual world for eternal life is this Gospel (v. 16). As mentioned above, we need to use words when the opportunities come. Step out.
b. Paul wanted to share the Gospel with the Romans because it has power to save all who will believe
c. What is the Gospel? 1 Cor 15:1–4, “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 3For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,” (NASB). To whom is it power for salvation? Everyone automatically? NO—“everyone who believes.” Literally in Greek “the ones who believe."

Third, we are directly responsible for others to hear the Gospel God’s people are directly responsible for making sure other people hear the Gospel (v. 17)
Paul wanted to share the Gospel with the Romans because it is shared from one person to another. Paul saying this in v. 17 emphasizes how the Gospel is passed from “faith to faith.” It is passed from person to person, as one of us shares with another.

I am always baffled that Jesus trusted the pathway to eternity with the common people like us. Our decision not to share with someone is a decision not to show them how to find the cure for their illness, from which they will die forever. Paul understood this. Look at the text: He hoped the Romans who did not believe might hear so that (v. 13) “I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.” Paul followed Jesus’ command “Great Commission” So should we. Habakkuk 2:4 “for the just will live by faith,” means what it means here: by faith
e. Literally “the righteous” and Paul wrote that the Gospel passes righteousness from one person to another. There is a righteousness that God requires of every person who wants to be in His presence forever.

If we want to stand in God's presence forever, instead of the only alternative--hell, and want to get there based on our own works, it would be like going to the bank in town with a hand full of Mexican pesos and asking them to convert it to dollars, or using it to pay for something in town. They would reject it, because here we use American dollars. In heaven, God will only accept the act of the sinless Savior Jesus Christ to pay for sin, and if you reject Jesus' act of dying for your sin and rising again, then God will reject you too. Only Jesus pays the way to heaven.

It doesn't matter what you have done, or what you haven't done, as long as you have believed in Jesus. When God forgives the sin of the one who believes in Jesus, all of their sin of every kind is forgiven!

I love sharing this news with people--Jesus' death and resurrection--because even if someone rejects us, the gospel of Jesus is in them now. They can reject it, but they can't forget it, and the Spirit convicts them so they will be restless until they find rest in God.

Larry Berkett came to know the Lord by initially rejecting his wife's pastor. The pastor, on his way out, said, "Larry, you're going to hell!" The next week Larry was in church, and eventually trusted in Jesus, and founded Crown Financial Ministries.

We are faithful when we share, and successful when we share. Don't count who responds, but count who hears.
Rom 3:21–22, the righteousness that God requires comes to men and they are declared righteous if they believe the Gospel
Application: When you find a person who acts unrighteously, the answer to them finding the righteousness of God is in you.

Our vision for Darlington is for each of us to share our faith with one person a month. 1/month with 130 people (our church size) for 24 months = over 3,000 people in two years. Almost 800 people by June 2009; almost 1,600 people by December 2009.
If we are not ashamed of the Gospel, and people respond positively, we will run out of room in this sanctuary by December 2009.
Will you do it? Will you tell one person about Christ?
I’ve shared Christ with 3 people this week. I haven’t heard of they responded or not, but I’ve shared the gospel and I pray for them now. I hope to share Christ with 4 people this coming week.
Will you consider 1 this month? Think of one person and start praying that person would believe
Find ways to share your faith that fit your personality (relational, direct approach, writing, music, art, serving).
We haven’t shared our faith until we’ve shared our Savior, Jesus. Count who hears, and pray for them. If you've read this blog and want to do something, then if you're here locally come to our Sunday night evangelism training, or Monday night prayer (see website for times).

If you're not local, no matter where you are, get involved and start ways to share your faith in your local community and through your church. It starts by loving people, praying for them, and befriending them or helping them (sounds like Jesus, right). Talk to your pastor or leader about plans and offer help--share the love and great news about Jesus.