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Weekly Message | February 1st, 2009
Passage: James 1:1-27
Key Verse(s): 5
For the next five weeks we will be studying the book of James. This is about Christian practices. In his first major sermon, Jesus’ conclusion was clear: The rise and fall of Christian life is practices. Jesus said, “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock."(Mt 7:24-27). The opposite of this is non-practices—merely hear the words and do not put them into practice. The results! Building a house on sand!
The central idea of today’s passage is wisdom. This is about seeking wisdom from God. Wisdom is the combination of knowledge, experiences, prudence, judgment, insight and fortitude. This wisdom is from God in that wisdom is the gift from above—not merely from what we gain through our natural learning.
First, wisdom is to have right perspective (1-3, 16-18). Look at verse 1: “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.” James introduces himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is writing to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations”. This may refers to Jewish Christians or Christians in general. The Church tradition affirms that James, the brother of Jesus, who presided the Jerusalem Council, was the author of this book (Acts 15:13). His leadership was widely accepted by the Jewish and non-Jewish Christians. This is the first element of right perspective—it is a clear sense of identity. James defined himself by name and in his relationship with Jesus Christ. He also addressed the Christians as the scattered tribes among the nations. Our Christian perspective comes from Christ Jesus who calls us by name. The beginning is Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who loves us.
Look at verse 2 and 3: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” He could have written with other encouraging words. Yet, he starts with trials of many kinds. Why? Christians were suffering. Their lives were hard. Their difficulties were in multiple dimensions—emotional, spiritual, social, political and economical. They were scattered among many nations—aliens and strangers in foreign countries. They were lonely and helpless. Their lives were uncertain. To these people James in facts was saying, “Consider it pure joy in trials of many kinds!” He did not say to “Complain about, escape from and endure in trials”. Rather, think and consider it pure joy! This is about perspective! In trials keep your perspective.
In trials of many kinds, right perspective makes huge difference. 39 years ago, I was a college freshman. I had very little perspective about life. Now I have some perspective in life. So if college students ask, “What do I do to prepare for my future during college years?” I would say, “Do not hurry! Study the Bible, master disciplines of excellent work, and do at least one year for a mission outside of USA”. Last week Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao blamed the turmoil on the “inappropriate macroeconomic policies of some economies”, as well as those countries’(mostly referring to USA) acceptance of “prolonged low savings and high consumption” not to mention a “lack of self-discipline among financial institutions and rating agencies” and a failure of financial regulators to keep up with what Wen called “financial innovation”. Wen emphasized that China’s economy remains “on the track of fast and sustainable growth” with 9% GDP growth and stable consumer prices. How could he come so strong and defiant? This reflects the changes in global economy. China has become a major creditor nation while US is major debtor nation. Soon Chinese firms plan to acquire some business lines of GM, Ford and Chrysler. Increasingly, USA is not afford to pay attention to the matters of other nations while we struggle to keep our house in order with huge deficit spending. Even so, will the vitality and resilience of this country go away? The right perspective is to face trials of many kinds! With sense of optimism and determination we face our challenges—personally and nationally.
Look at verses 16 and 17: “Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” This is perspective! Every good and perfect gift is from above. This is the essence of the right perspective. We carefully take advices of experiences experts. However, Our real help is from above. The gift of humility, fighting spirit, joy under enormous pressures and wisdom to deal with hardships and prosperity are all from God. Seek his favor and blessings. Seek his mercy and grace for our needs. God’s greatest gift is the spiritual rebirth and makes us to be a part of firstfruits of all he created.
Second, wisdom is to persevere (4, 12-15). Look at verse 4: “ Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” Perseverance is the combination of endurance and patience. Most of all, perseverance is to stay on the right course in spite of enormous temptations to quit, give up and strop trying. Perseverance must finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.
Look at verses 13-15: “When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Trials can be temptations. We are tempted in hardships. Trials are tests. If we do not take tests well, they become temptations for evil. Temptations lead people into evil. On the other hand, passing test is for strength and maturity. People by their evil desires are dragged away and enticed. After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. This is what happens if we fail to persevere in times of trials.
Look at verse 12: “ Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” This wisdom of life is not gained by having right perspective for one day and perseveres two days. Wisdom requires us to persevere under trial. God honors those who remain faithful in time of hardships. Those who have stood the test will receive the crown of life. God promises the crown of life to those who love him. By staying the right course in spite of hardships we pass the test, experience victories and receive the crown of life. Therefore, in times of trials we all the more faithfully walk with God and humbly depend on him. In times of trials, if you cannot persevere alone, seek help. Do not give up on your good fight. Seek others who encourage you to continue your journey! Persevere together by the grace of God.
Third, wisdom is to pray (5-8). Look at verses 5 and 6: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him ho gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James gives a clear prayer topic: First, if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God. God is everywhere. Seek God and he will provide wisdom from many sources—not necessarily directly from him but even indirect ways. Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Jesus’ promise is clear. Ask and it will be given to us. Seek and we will find. Knock and the door will be opened. This is about life. Numbers of years ago I have received this advice how to complete important projects in this life. One is to choose your life topic that your mentors or bosses or those who can help you know what you do. Invest in relationships for effective work. This is about ask, seek and knock—search, involve and make it work.
Look at verses 6 and 7: “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. ” But the real wisdom is about resolute prayers. When we ask for wisdom, we must believe and now doubt. This is about resolution. With resolution, we do not doubt like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. A person who doubts is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. Why do people pray and doubt? No resolution!
In this life we experience breakthroughs and real accomplishment in resolution. This resolution has tremendous power. In the book of Esther, the people of the Jews were in grave danger—systematic annihilation by a powerful man named Haman. Mordecai advised Esther to meet the king and seek his help. Esther was not sure at first because the law at that time was clear: “Anyone that approaches the king without his invitation shall be put to death”. Esther was not invited at all. She was afraid of her life for a while. Finally, she said, “If I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16). Do you know what she did afterward? She did not rush to the king. She prayed for days. She prepared. She was ready to meet the king with strength and courage. When we face real challenges of life, we wonder if we are up to the challenges, thinking, “Can I really do this? What if I fail? What if people reject me? What if all laugh at me?” But after this stage we must pray whether this particular challenge of life is something we can escape or face? Then, with God’s help we pray and face it. It is O.K. to have many prayer topics but for important matters, it is better to have a few resolute priority prayer topics.
This year based on Luke 18:1, “Always pray and not give up” I am committed to always for important issues and not give up. This year we pray: (1) student ministry. We pray for raising up twenty four student leaders who grow strong in the grace of Jesus; (2) renovation and expansion project. By God’s help we secured interest-free loan from Central Chapter of $200,000. We seek God’s wisdom so that this project may inspire and strengthen us. We are resolved to pray for this.
Fourth, wisdom is to take pride in God’s promise and blessings (9-12). Look at verses 9-12: “The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.” These days people pay attention to President Barack Obama. He deserves attention and our payer support. This week I read this statement, “No one may stay on the top of a mountain too long. When one feels that she left a mark on it, the wind soon blows and erases all the traces”. What a fitting statement of this life. The sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plans. Its blossoms fall and its beauty is destroyed. All the glory of people is like the flowers of the field. It all passes away. Only the glory of God remains forever.
What do we take real pride in? We take pride in our positions by the grace of God. We are sinners by faith and choice. But by the precious bloods of Jesus our sins are forgiven. We are passed from death to life. We are transferred from the perishable kingdom of this world to the indestructible kingdom of heaven. Our glorious position as God’s children does not change by time and circumstances. We take pride in this. The wisdom is in take pride in our positions of grace through Christ Jesus our Lord. The positions we have earned or occupy in this world have their short time. They all pass away. The glory of all people will pass away. But the words of God—his promises—stand forever. So we take pride in this.
Fifth, wisdom is to practice (19-27). From verses 19-27 are about vital practices. Look at verses 19-20: “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. For man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” First important Christian practices are listening, speaking and anger control. These are Christian practices! We pray and practice so that we may be perfect in all three areas—listening, speaking and anger management. Leaders listen. Followers listen. Parents listen. Children listen. Chinese people listen. American people must listen, too. How wonderful this world would be if we practice to listen better. What would be Christian church be like if we listen one another better—as we converse one another. .
Then speak clearly, slowly and prayerfully. These days I encourage one leader to speak slowly and clearly. His habits have been formed for years. He is a very humble man and takes steps to correct his particular speech habits. Our words may damage, ridicule and irritate or encourage, inspire and comfort others. How many of us have mastered this speech? Do we need to more practices in this?
Next, practice to control anger. In a sense we become angry for one reason or another. There is no distinction—young and old, men and women. We are all angry. In anger we write e-mails. In anger we speak. In anger we hastily decide. Learn to stay cool in even in very stressful situations. Practice control of anger--by God’s help.
Look at verse 21: “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humble accept the word planted in us. What are the sources of moral filths? All the convenient technologies for information and good life are also sources of moral filths! Internet! Magazines! TV! Books! Finally, from verses 22 and 27 are about importance of our practices in good works. This topic will be repeated in the next few lessons. So we stop here.
Remember in trials of many kinds seek wisdom from God. Remember five “P”s of wisdom—perspective, persevere, prayer, pride and practice. Similar practices are found in Chinese classics, Moslem writings, and Hindu books and even secular books. What then is the Christian wisdom? It starts with Christ Jesus. It grows through Christ Jesus that gives us strengths. It completes for the glory of Christ Jesus. We do all to become more like Christ Jesus. The differences are therefore in beginning, the process and the end—from Christ, through Christ and for Christ Jesus. May God help us to be saved through Christ and become more like Christ as we seek wisdom from God.
February 1, 2009. Toledo UBF
Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
