Preached at Straightway Bible Church on July 21, 2013. Below you will find the study notes I handed out. James gives us practical commands on how to overcome worldliness and conflict.
(Click here to see the entire series of “The Book of James – Practical Faith”)
Here are the study notes:
James 4:6-10 – Victory Over Worldliness, Conflict & Pride
Brent Riggs – www.seriousfaith.com
- James 4:6 James reveals who obtains God’s grace—the humble, not the proud enemies of God. The word “humble” does not define a special class of Christians, but encompasses all believers.
- The primary message from this verse is a NUTSHELL SUMMARY OF SALVATION
- James 4:7 Literally “to line up under.” The word was used of soldiers under the authority of their commander.
- In the NT, the same word “submit” describes Jesus’ submission to His parents’ authority (Luke 2:51), submission to human government (Rom. 13:1), the church’s submission to Christ (Eph. 5:24), and servants’ submission to their masters (Titus 2:9; 1 Pet. 2:18).
- James 4:8 Draw near. Pursue an intimate love relationship with God; It is a lifestyle, a desire, an individual effort between a Believer and God
- Cleanse your hands. The OT priests had to ceremonially wash their hands before approaching God and sinners who would approach Him must recognize and confess their sin.
- James 4:9 Lament. Be afflicted, wretched, and miserable. This is the state of those truly broken over their sin. They mourn and weep.
- Laughter. Used only here in the NT, the word signifies the flippant laughter of those foolishly indulging in worldly pleasures. The picture is of people who give no thought to God, life, death, sin, judgment, or holiness. James calls on such people to mourn over their sin
- James 4:10 “Humble” comes from a word meaning “to make oneself low.” Believers who are conscious of being in the presence of the majestic, infinitely holy God have no choice but to be humbled.
Attributes and and character of God:
- God is self-existent. Exod. 3:13-14 – eternal, uncreated
- God is self-sufficient Ps. 50:10-12 – needs nothing, & no one
- God is eternal. Deut. 33:27; Ps. 90:2 –
first and last, beginning and end - God is infinite. 1 Kings 8:22-27; Jer. 23:24 –
no limits, no shortcomings - God is omnipresent. Ps. 139:7-12 –
everywhere fully at all times - God is omnipotent. Gen. 18:14;Rev. 19:6 – all powerful
- God is omniscient. Ps. 139:2-6; Isa. 40:13-14 – all knowing
- God is wise. Prov. 3:19; 1 Tim. 1:17 –
the source of true wisdom - God is immutable. Heb. 1:10-12; 13:8 –
unchangeable by anyone or anything - God is sovereign. Isa. 46:9-11 –
100% in control 100% of the time - God is incomprehensible. Job 11:7-19; Rom. 11:33 –
beyond human comprehension - God is holy. Lev. 19:2; 1 Pet. 1:15 –
pure, sinless, without blemish or spot - God is righteous and just. Ps. 119:137 –
total goodness and justice - God is true. John 17:3; Titus 1:1-2 –
without lie, exaggeration or deception - God is faithful. Deut. 7:9; Ps. 89:1-2 –
can be trusted, will never betray - God is light. James 1:17; 1 John 1:5 –
the source of all that is good and right - God is good. Ps. 107:8 – pure goodness without lack
- God is merciful. Ps. 103:8-17
- God is gracious. Ps. 111:4; 1 Pet. 5:10
- God is love. John 3:16; Rom. 5:8 –
Commands to live the Christian life:
- Submit to God – line up your life, ie. OBEDIENCE
- Resist Satan (via God’s Word)
- Draw near to God (pursue a relationship with Him)
- Cleanse your hands (confession, forgiveness for external sin)
- Purify your hearts (confession, forgiveness for internal sin)
- Lament, mourn & weep – genuine contrition & revulsion of sin
- Humble yourselves – true growth and joy
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