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Journey Through James: Chapter Five (Listening Guide)

5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.

  • Verses 1-6 are a heavy reminder that people are more important than ____________. That we are to focus more on building our faith, than our finances. It is important to remember that the Bible does not discourage wise ____________, but does denounce selfish, greedy living as we discuss these verses.
  • “rich” – This is more a general warning to the wealthy in James’ society, not necessarily (and we pray not) wealthy believers. These men were probably also mentioned in James 2:6-7. Apparently wealthy landowners were using their position in society to take ____________ of those who depended upon them for their livelihood. Instead of being a source of blessing to others, they were using their position for ____________ means.

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Journey Through James: Chapter Five (Commentary)

5 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.

  • Verses 1-6 are a heavy reminder that people are more important than pennies. That we are to focus more on building our faith, than our finances. It is important to remember that the Bible does not discourage wise planning, but does denounce selfish, greedy living as we discuss these verses.
  • “rich” – This is more a general warning to the wealthy in James’ society, not necessarily (and we pray not) wealthy believers. These men were probably also mentioned in James 2:6-7. Apparently wealthy landowners were using their position in society to take advantage of those who depended upon them for their livelihood. Instead of being a source of blessing to others, they were using their position for selfish means.

Continue reading “Journey Through James: Chapter Five (Commentary)”

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Journey Through James: Chapter 4 (Listening Guide)

4 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

  • Chapter 4.1-10 opens with 2 options for achieving joy. The way of the __________. And the way of the__________.
  • “quarrels” – The word carries the idea of ongoing hostility. In an organization that has experienced great grace we cannot afford to be unforgiving and resentful to one another.
  • Is there anything sadder than such a church? The church is to be united in love for God and love for one another. The church is to be united around the truth of God. The church is to be united in worship and service.
  • “fights” –  outburst of anger
  • “your passions” – Meaning _____________________. Each person thought themselves to be the priority. From the Gk: we get the word Hedonism, you search for pleasure/joy.

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Journey Through James: Chapter 4 (Commentary)

4 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

  • Chapter 4.1-10 opens with 2 options for achieving joy. The way of the world. And the way of the Lord.
  • “quarrels” – The word carries the idea of ongoing hostility. In an organization that has experienced great grace we cannot afford to be unforgiving and resentful to one another.
  • Is there anything sadder than such a church? The church is to be united in love for God and love for one another. The church is to be united around the truth of God. The church is to be united in worship and service.
  • “fights” –  outburst of anger
  • “your passions” – Meaning selfishness. Each person thought themselves to be the priority. From the Gk: we get the word Hedonism, you search for pleasure/joy.

Continue reading “Journey Through James: Chapter 4 (Commentary)”

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Journey Through James: Chapter 3 (Listening Guide)

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

  • A warning not just to teachers, but to all. We often want the glory of _______________ faith without putting forth the ______________ to obtain it.
  • APP: We all should focus on the ____________________ of service, not the benefits or notoriety of what may accompany it.
  • Recently, it has become far too common for notable church leaders to fall into sin.
  • James is highlighting the motives of our service.
  • “judged with greater strictness” – a motivational and scary verse.
  • “greater strictness” – this is why it is imperative to preach and teach God’s Word.

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Journey Through James: Chapter 3 (Commentary)

3 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

  • A warning not just to teachers, but to all. We often want the glory of notable faith without putting forth the work to obtain it.
  • APP: We all should focus on the qualifications of service, not the benefits or notoriety of what may accompany it.
  • Recently, it has become far too common for notable church leaders to fall into sin.
  • James is highlighting the motives of our service.
  • “judged with greater strictness” – a motivational and scary verse.
  • “greater strictness” – this is why it is imperative to preach and teach God’s Word.

Continue reading “Journey Through James: Chapter 3 (Commentary)”

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Journey Through James: Chapter 2 (Listening Guide)

THE FOLLY OF FAVORTISM

2 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

  • Behind James’ discussion is the thought that partiality is being shown to wealthy individuals who attend worship because those with less are hoping to benefit from their preferential treatment by some financial means.
  • “partiality” – God does not play favorites. Yet we do. Jesus tells us to love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12.31). However, partiality is one of the clearest examples of loving ourselves ____________ than we love others.
  • When favoritism is displayed, the nature of faith is _____________ and the display of faith is _______________.

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Journey Through James: Chapter 2 (Commentary)

THE FOLLY OF FAVORTISM

2 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

  • Behind James’ discussion is the thought that partiality is being shown to wealthy individuals who attend worship because those with less are hoping to benefit from their preferential treatment by some financial means.
  • “partiality” – God does not play favorites. Yet we do. Jesus tells us to love others as we love ourselves (Mark 12.31). However, partiality is one of the clearest examples of loving ourselves more than we love others.
  • When favoritism is displayed, the nature of faith is undermined and the display of faith is compromised.

Continue reading “Journey Through James: Chapter 2 (Commentary)”

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Journey Through James: Chapter 1 (Commentary)

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

  • Ironically, James refers to himself as a servant, where he could’ve claimed the title of church leader, or brother to the resurrected Lord. Although this self designation is often common in NT writings, we shouldn’t understand it as trite, or a sense of false humility. James had a clear biblical understanding of who he was – a servant.
  • THEOLOGY (THEO:) – God does not exist to serve us, but rather we exist to serve Him.
  • APPLICATION (APP:) – Influence and authority are best clothed in humility, not arrogance or clout.

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