Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Have you ever been caught out by misjudging someone?
  • Example
• It is far worse to misunderstand/misjudge God?
  • How do you view God – especially if things are going badly?
  • How do you understand God?
• James understands the Jewish believers had a misconception about God do to their trials
  • Some were starting to blame God
    • James reminds them that God was working in their trials
  • Some were starting to fall into sin
    • James reminds them not to be deceived by sin (v16)
• James reminds them that every good and perfect gift is from God (v17)
  • He never changes
  • He reminds them how we should respond (v19 – "so then" and 21 "therefore")

The Goodness of God

• God is love (though a just and Holy God)
  • He is entirely good
    • When bad things happen we must not say that God is being hard with us
    • Example
• Think of the blessings we have – examples
  • We must not charge God for bad things
  • Sin and death came into the world due to the fall of man
  • We know the devil brings destruction
  • Do you concentrate on the bad things of life?
    • Think of good and Godly things
• Sin – the abuse of God’s good gifts
  • Examples
• God – the Father of lights (v17)
  • No shadows, darkness or variation
• God – gave us new life through the gospel (v18)
  • Exposed to the preaching of the Bible
    • Example
  • We became like a first-fruit
    • We are so precious
  • Have you heard God speaking to you?
    • Have you believed on His word and been saved?
    • Have you responded to Him?
  • This is the greatest proof of God’s goodness – His salvation towards us

How should we respond?

• A readiness to listen and respond
• James speaks forthrightly but tenderly towards these believers
  • This is God’s word

A Gracious Christian

• v19 – swift to hear/listen
  • Do you want to listen to God?
  • Do you want to hear God’s word through preaching?
  • Do you want to read the Bible?
• v19 – slow to speak
  • Slow in judgments
  • Do not get annoyed at God
  • Do not judge God’s word (but test it)
  • Do not speak on doctrine with little understanding
• v19 – slow to anger
• Not just our relationship with God, but with one another
  • Are you a good listener?
  • Speak in love with graciousness
  • Do not be quick to anger – Prov 10:19, 21:23, 29:22
• v19 should be a motto for us
  • Consider Psalm 103:8, 145:8
  • Yes we must speak the truth – but in love
    • Example of the Corinthian Church

A Growing Christian

• v21 – God’s word is food to us
  • But we cannot grow if we are indulging in wickedness
  • First, lay aside this filthiness
    • You might wonder how James can say these things about Christians?
    • But it can be true – examples
    • Put these things aside once and for all – examples
    • We need the help of the Holy Spirit
  • Second, receive the word
    • We are saved but we have a continual salvation

Closing Remarks

• Listen
  • How are we listening?
  • What are we listening to? – Mark 4:24
    • Examples
  • Are we hearing God’s word?
• Grow in God’s word
• Never think that God is anything other than good
  • Live in response to this