January 22, 2012
Morning Service

James 3

 

Review:

1.     To the 12 tribes scattered abroad.

2.     But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed.

3.     Walking in obedience to His Word is to produce the firstfruits of His creatures.

4.     But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only.

5.     We are not to show partiality toward anyone.  No favoritism.

6.     Faith proves itself by works.  Two examples, Abraham, and Rahab.

 

Ready for chapter 3, let’s begin:

 

Jam 3:1-18 KJVR  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. 

• James starts this chapter with a very challenging statement.  You want to be a teacher?  You shall receive the greater condemnation.  Why, because you will know more of what His will is, and He will hold you accountable.
• Teaching is a very high calling in the eyes of God.  It is part of the five fold ministry of the church. 

Eph 4:11-14 KJVR  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  (12)  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  (13)  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ:  (14)  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

• By this statement alone you can see how important this calling is.  However, within the body of Christ, the church, there are different groups of people that need teaching.

1. There are men.          Christians, and non-Christians.
2. There are women.     Christians, and non-Christians.
3. There are children.    Christians, and non-Christians.

• Paul is very clear on who is to teach who.

1. We all are to be taught by the Holy Ghost. 

Joh 14:26 KJVR  But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

And, 1Jo 2:27 KJVR  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

It is our responsibility, as part of this 5 fold ministry, to always point His people, and all people, to the Lamb of God, that still takes away the sins of the world, but Who will also teach you all things that pertain to life, and Godliness.   Which is an explanation of His Word.

2. Women are to teach younger women, not men.

Tit 2:3-5 KJVR  The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;  (4)  That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,  (5)  To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

1Ti 2:12 KJVR  But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

3. God’s instructions for men, taught by the Apostle Paul;

1Ti 6:3-5 KJVR  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;  (4)  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings.  (5)  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

Men teachers are to teach, the Words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which according to Godliness.

 

Remember this is a gift from God to be able to teach, and it is for the edification of the church.  And we teachers will be expected to answer to God for what we have taught.

 

Let’s go on now from teaching;

(2)  For in many things we offend all.

• Did you know that some time, some place, you are going to offend someone?  Something real serious we need to constantly work on.  Listen to Jesus;

Mat 18:6 KJVR  But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

• It is a serious matter that should be always on our list of things to improve.

Now notice;

If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. 

• One area that we offend with is our speech.

TWO EXAMPLES OF SMALL DEVICES CONTROLLING SOMETHING LARGER;

(3)  Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.  (4)  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.  (5)  Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  (6)  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity; so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 

• This is a fearful description of how we speak.   Likening our tongues to a fire.  A fire starts out really small, sometimes just a spark, then the longer it goes the larger, and more fierce it gets.  That’s the way it is with our conversations sometimes.  Just one sharp word, just one careless exclamation, and people are offended, or even hurt really bad. 
• This is something that really needs attention in our lives.  Listen to Jesus;

Luk 6:45 KJVR  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

• Which means that if I am speaking evil things, they are coming from my heart, and I need to get those things out of my heart.  WHAT ARE THE ABUNDANCE OF THE THINGS IN YOUR HEART?
• Paul taught us to think on these things; 

Phi 4:8 KJVR  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

• And if we think on these things they will be abundantly in our hearts.

(7)  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:  (8)  But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  (9)  Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. 

• Maybe no man can tame it, but God can.  Our God can do anything.  But we have not because we ask not.

(10)  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.  (11)  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?  (12)  Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.  (13)  Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 

• Oh the simple truth of God’s Word.  Who is it among us that can’t understand this kind of teaching?

(14)  But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.  (15)  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.  (16)  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 

• Thank you Jesus for these simple ways of discerning the truth.

(17)  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.  (18)  And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

 

Our heavenly Father, we thank you for these important truths this morning, that if adhered to will bring happiness, joy, and peace to our lives.  Thank you.  Amen.