Scripture: James 3:13-28
The book of James is a wisdom literature and focuses on practical Christian living.
James was talking about how to live wisely and successfully as followers of Jesus.
- A wise person learns from knowledge but lives with wisdom
- A wise person chooses Godly wisdom over and ungodly wisdom
- A wise person does not live with characteristics of ungodly wisdom:
- Envy or jealousy
- Self-seeking
- Boasting
- Denying the truth
- A wise person lives with characteristics of godly wisdom:
- Purity or pure
- Peace-loving
- Considerate or gentleness
- Submissive
- Full of mercy
- Producing good fruits
- Impartial
- Sincere or without hypocrisy
- A wise person sows wisely to reap successfully
Scripture: James 3:1-12
- The tongue is petite but it's powerful. What comes out of our mouth has the power to DIRECT one's life
- The tongue is perverted and polluted. What comes out of our mouth has power to DESTROY life
- The tongue is purposed for good. What comes out of your mouth has power to DELIGHT God and others
How do we control the tongue?
- Respond with honest, life changing, encouraging words, like 'God bless you'. Instead of retaliating with spiteful words
- Surrender it to God along with your heart. Instead of letting your tongue run loosely
- Choose to use your tongue to glorify, praise and bring delight God. Instead of being inconsistent
Scripture: James 2:14 - 26
As followers of Jesus, we must always act in a Christlike and Biblical manner that is proper in every circumstance.
When we do, we’re aligning our faith and actions with God’s word.
We need to be true to ourselves and to God.
- We need to DO what we know, and not SAY what we know
- We need to know WHO we trust, not WHAT we believe
- We need to respond to God in obedience and courage and not in disobedience and cowardice
Scripture: Luke 15:11-12
From this familiar passage of the prodigal son, we want to look from a different perspective, the faithful father of the prodigal son.
What are the traits of this father?
- He is a providing father
- He is a patient father
- He is a passionate father
- He is a positive father
Scripture: James 2:8-13
Our intimate relationship with God will produce love in us. Therefore, love is the dominant, principal, essential key to the Christian lifestyle.
To love God, others as ourselves is to fulfill the God's royal decree
- We need to love everyone as we would love ourselves
- We need to love everyone fairly and unconditionally
- We need to love everyone as God loves us
Scripture: James 1:19-27
As followers of Jesus our way of life ought to be real and genuine. Authentic.
What are the 3 qualities of real and genuine followers of Jesus?
- Real and genuine believers humbly accept the word of God
- Real and genuine believers are doers of the word of God
- Real and genuine believers live out the word of God
Scripture: James 1:12-18
Temptation is a challenge we face to mature and grow stronger in the Lord.
To be tempted is not a sin. To give in, is sin. How do we overcome temptation?
- When tempted, don't blame God
- When tempted, know the steps that lead us to sin
4 Steps from temptation to sinning.
- Recognise the presence of our evil desires
- Recognise we're being enticed and deceived
- Recognise our tendency to disobey God
- Sin leads to spiritual death
When tempted, resist the Devil who is the Deceiver and Tempter.
When tempted, remember God only gives good and perfect gift.
Overcoming temptation is our way of life as followers of Jesus.
Scripture: James 1:9-11
Rich or poor, we're to live with contentment in the Lord.
- Rich or poor, we can live with contentment in Christ because our true riches is in Him
- Rich or poor, we can live with contentment in Christ without discriminating
- Rich or poor, we can live with contentment in Christ without exploiting others for our benefits
This is our way of life:
- Be like the Godly poor and not ungodly poor. Be like the Godly rich and not the ungodly rich.
- Be content with our lot in life
- Be humble in your wealth. And be honoured if you lack.
- Be impartial to the rich. But respect the poor. As God is impartial and just.
- Share with those who have not (however much or little you have)
- Use your wealth for God's purposes (however much or little)
- Do justice and what is right (however much or little you have)
- Be modest, unelaborate, non-showy in your lifestyle
Scripture: James 1:2-8
We will have challenges, troubles, trials and tests. How do your face them?
- We can face them with deep joy (James 1:2)
- We can face trials with perseverance (James 1:3-4)
- We can face trials and tests with the wisdom of God (James 1:5)
- We can face trials and testing with steadfast faith in God (James 1:6-8)