Fellowshipmtz

Liberty of the Law - Mercy's Triumph!

James 2:12-17

It is impossible experience the Liberty of God's Law until you have first experienced the bondage of God's Law.  If however, the bondage of God's Law leads to faith in Christ Jesus, it impossible not to experience the Liberty of God's Law!

The Royal Law and Mercy's Triumph!

James 2:8-13

James adds two additional reasons explaining why partiality is wrong among believers:
#3: Partiality is against the royal law of love
#4: Partiality is opposed to the dynamic of mercy

Partiality, God, Gospel, and the Church

James 2:1-7

James makes an inseparable connection between the Lord Jesus Christ and those who are His followers.  Specifically, because Jesus did not show partiality (favoritism), therefore His followers [Christians] are not to show partiality (favoritism).
I can't rightly call myself a Christian and disdain, discriminate against, certain groups or persons.  

But wait a minute! Not so fast! Are we so sure Jesus didn't show partiality ?

Pure Religion (Is Probably Different Than What You Think!)

James 1:26-27
If someone asked you to summarize the essence of "pure religion" -- what would you answer?  I suspect a group of Christians would answer quite different from one another.  James' answer, the inspired writer, is especially surprising: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."

The Law of Liberty & Freedom!

James 1:22-25

As important as HEARING the Word of God is, it is not enough.  Hearing must necessarily be accompanied by action, by doing, by change!  James likens the person who responds thusly to a person who "looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty. and perseveres."  James' view of the Law makes some evangelicals uncomfortable; so what does he mean by the terms?

How Do You Hear?

James 1:21-22 --  "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

James provides explicit instructions to believers so that they can receive every advantage from God's implanted Word, resulting in the saving of their souls!

Man's Wrath / God's Righteousness

James 1:19-20

Today's message delves into the details of man's anger/wrath.  Why is it necessary for the Bible to contain so many warnings against anger?  Is it ever righteous? ever justified?  If so, under what circumstances?  And finally, how do these principles apply to Christ's Church?  Does the Church's commission include expressing anger at immorality?

Quick to Hear / Slow to Speak!

James 1:19-21

John Henry Jowett (1864 – 1923), British Protestant Minister:
"This is one of the wisest and most difficult sayings in Holy Scripture. Some Christian precepts can be obeyed deliberately. The propriety of obedience to them is not only felt, but can be realized at leisure, as when we resolve to help a friend, or enter some course of action made without agitation. But in the command before us the call is likely to arrive when we are least in the mood to listen to it. Thus, however plain the precept is, it is one of the hardest to be kept."

TEMPTATION - (Part 2 - It's My Desires!)

James 1:14-15

New Testament Scholar writes (in his Pillar Commentary on the epistle of James): "Every trial, every external difficulty, carries with it a temptation, an inner enticement to sin. God may bring, or allow, trials; but He is not, James insists, the author of temptation (v. 13).  Enticement to sin comes from our own sinful natures, not from God (vv. 14-15)."

This morning's teaching examines the to ROOT of our problem with temptation and sin -- namely, our own desires!

How Do You Hear?

James 1:21-25

Charles Spurgeon preached: "We cannot expect to profit much if we bring with us a swarm of idle thoughts and a heart crammed with vanity. If we are full of folly, we may shut out the truth of God from our minds. We should make ready to receive what God is so ready to bestow.  ...Can we be busy with earthly cares all the six days of the week and be ready for the holy Sabbath without a thought? I trow [think] not."