Series: JAMES July 23, 2017 10:30 AM
First Baptist Church, Earlville, NY,  J B Stopford, Pastor

TODAY’S SPECIAL: “A Medical Funny”
Patient: It’s been one month since my last visit and I still feel miserable.
Doctor: Did you follow the instructions on the medicine I gave you?
Patient: I sure did. The bottle said “keep tightly closed.”

INTRODUCTION Last week, we entered Chapter 4, and the 6 “Warnings Against Pride”.

Last week we studied WARNING #1 PRIDE PROMOTES STRIFE (4:1-6) James, in addressing the individual members of a church, warns about the battle within – the strife to pledge our wholehearted love for the Lord. When we allow pleasures and values of this world to overshadow that love – remember what he called us, “adulterous”! An OT word takes on a NT application. God is jealous (v. 5), and He wants His children to be humble before Him (v. 6).

And then we studied WARNING #2 HUMILITY CURES WORLDLINESS (4:7-10) We were given a warning against using the world’s standards to determine the success or importance of our church. If we averaged 30 people in the am service, 10 in SS, 10 in youth group, our financial obligations met, and a good testimony in the community, these could be the marks of a spiritually healthy church! And we noted those terms James used to guide that person who desires to walk humbly before his Lord: submit, resist, come, wash, purify, take one’s worldliness to a funeral, and humble yourselves before the Lord. And we concluded that God is hungry for a rich relationship between Him and us – not to settle for accomplishments but to settle ONLY for Him! How is your/our walk with the Lord?
Today we add two more warnings, and each warning will have a word to zero in on. PRAYER

WARNING #3. DO NOT JUDGE A BROTHER (4:11-12)
The word for this section is, of course, “judge”. You and I are familiar with many verses which teach us on “judging” or being “judgmental”. Remember Matthew 7:1? In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives us that most oft-quoted, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” And Asaph in Psalm 82 talks about people being “gods” or “little judges”. What does that mean? How do these passages help us understand the passage in James 4:11-12? Remember Romans 15:4 says, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” So what do these passages teach us? Both the Savior and Asaph show us that when someone judges, he is actually representing the Lord Himself! Why is a judge deemed a “good” or “fair” judge? Usually because he has been consistently honest, just like the Master Himself. Let’s apply these wonderful principles to James 4:11-12. First off, to whom is the passage addressed: one brother versus another brother! In just one fell swoop, James under the

inspiration of the Holy Spirit reminds the members of the church that the Lord Himself has elevated the body of believers of a local church to the wonderful title of “brothers” and “sisters” – the highest relationship an earthly person can have! James then reminds the reader of 2 thoughts: first, the brother is to be a doer of the law, not a judge of it; and second, any one who becomes a judge of the law is taking the place of the only Judge (Capital “J”) of the law, even the Lord Himself. How does that work out in the church? When you observe a brother or sister in Christ behaving or talking in such a way as to dishonor Christ, what is your response? To first share with someone else your disapproval so as to be more knowledgeable “prayer warriors”? To rush right up to that person and let him or her know what you think of that type of language or action – as if you are an expert? OR to come alongside that brother or sister and be just that, a brother or sister with them. Not a judge or a jury, but a brother or sister in Christ! As someone wisely observed, “When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we don’t have time to see the mistakes of others. We will reach out a helping hand to them and concentrate on our own walk with the Lord.”

Do not judge a brother. Become one with them. Walk with them, even through their shortcomings. Walk with them together back to the cross, to His Word, to His walk. Don’t judge – walk!
May I add one personal thought? We are often too busy to walk with another brother or sister. We have our own agenda for what supposedly absolutely needs to be done this day, this moment. What if your brother or sister is God’s assignment for you for this day, this moment? Would you miss God’s voice and shout over it to do your own thing? OR will you yield to God’s voice and come alongside the brother or sister who needs another hand to walk them along the path to holiness, to a fresh life in Christ?

WARNING #4. DO NOT BOAST ABOUT TOMORROW (4:13-17)
I call this section of Scripture “The Jim Deaver Rule of Life.” Not too many of you may remember Jim Deaver. He was a Marine true and true. He grew up in the Buffalo area and eventually found a job as a corrections officer for the State of NY. Throughout his life he was heavily involved in Boy Scouts and influencing young people. When I first met him, he was in his early 60’s. He and his wife had spent the month of June 1986 in California where he went to a reunion of his WW 2 Marine Corps troop. He ultimately was the last of the troop, and got to open the bottle of champagne reserved for the last surviving member. But he came under the teaching of Scripture. When he first heard this section of the Word, something amazing happened. He immediately applied God’s word to his life. From then on, he realized that there were many Scriptures that could become a vital part of his life. His life was never the same.
And what particular passage of the Word changed him? The phrase, “if it is the Lord’s will” or “Lord willing” or “God-willing”. Jim realized that he was living his life the way he wanted to. And from then on, he developed an intimacy with his heavenly Father that surrendered each day to the heavenly Father’s Lordship for that day.
But what one word changes this whole scene? The word in our NIV is the word “mist” in verse 14. Some versions call it a “vapor”. The best imagery of this word is the picture of the morning fog. The poet Carl Sandburg wrote a brief insight into this “mist”, in his majestic poem, “The Fog”: “The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on.” That’s it.
And to what is James referring to when he talks about this mist, this vapor, this morning fog? OUR LIVES!

Let’s look at 2 classic psalms that will be of great help. I trust you have become familiar with the second. The first is Psalm 62. Note the introductory verses of vs. 1-2. David then uses his position before the Lord to remind him of how the enemy often treat him, as found in vs. 9-12. Their lives are only a “breath” – a mist, a vapor, a morning fog. That should be a rich encouragement as we all struggle in a world where others seem to flaunt who they are before us or what they have accomplished more than us.

But also check out Psalm 39! David is sitting before a fire, watching the logs go from burning timber to dwindling embers. As he contemplates the dying fire, the Lord speaks to him through a heart-wrenching hunger and appeal in verse 4. And in verse 5, David comes to grips with the reality of his life: it is but a “breath” – same idea as “mist”, “vapor”, “morning fog”. Poof! It’s gone! So what am I to do with this revelation? Note verse 7 and exclaim with David, “But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.” What does David say that gives life its meaning? Life is but a dying fire. A mist. A breath. A vapor. A morning fog. Fleeting. But God gives each breath hope. He who numbers our days gives each one fulfillment.
So James says, since life is but a mist – a morning fog – then I will live each day in the Lord’s will. (v. 17) And when I do it, my life is full. And when I know what I am to do, and don’t do it – only for me is this judgment: it is sin to me.

CONCLUSION
This week, the wise Lord may do some really neat and unexpected things with you. He may bring before your path a brother or sister in Christ who is hurting. They may need a word of hope. Or they may simply need an arm or a hug to let them know that they will not be going through this season alone.
And this week the Lord may give you many options of things to do – how do you choose what is best? By seeking His will, His peace, His Lordship for that day. Living our life as a mist, a vapor, a morning fog, each day now will take on fresh purpose, fresh fulfillment.

So go live! And in living, bring great pleasure to the One Who has called you out of darkness into the light of His glorious life!

Our God is in the “Blessing Business.” He is a giver. It is His desire to bless us, His people, in every way. It has been that way from the very first moment of creation. All that is was made for our benefit. Truly we are a blessed people.

What does being “blessed” mean?

According to the Hebrew dictionary it means things such as happiness as well as good fortune. Psalm 1 is a mini seminar on being blessed.

Psalm 1

(1)Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (3) And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (4) The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. (5) Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. (6) For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

What does it mean to be blessed? Psalm 1 answers the question for us in verse 3.

And he shall be like a tree

planted by the rivers of water,

that bringeth forth his fruit in his season;

his leaf also shall not wither;

and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

To bring forth fruit in due season!

To have whatever you do prosper.

What a wonderful prospect!

Obey verse 1, practice verse 2, and verse 3 WILL be yours. It is a fact.

Let us presume you are a man. Let us have you turn aside from the things of the world that are listed in verse 1: ungodly counsel, sin, scorn for the things of God. Let us have you delight in the law of the Lord and meditate in it day and night, as prescribed inverse 2. Then you

“Shall be like a tree . . .”

In your mind, picture a tree: Strong, enduring, stable, unchanging except for growth. Trees weather storms. Trees live long, some longer than men. To be like a tree is to be strong, sturdy, long lived. A severe storm may damage a few branches, but the only real enemy that a tree cannot stand up to is extended drought. But this tree is planted, purposely placed, by the rivers of water. These are living waters that will feed and nourish without fail. Of course! What else could flow out of the Word of God?

“Shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water

That bringeth forth his fruit in his season.”

FRUIT! The very word makes you think of bright red apples, ripe oranges, sweet green pears, plump purple plums. Ummm. Fruit. In season. Sweet and pleasant. What a delightful promise.

Now, consider this question: When a tree brings forth fruit, who is it eaten by? Whom does it nourish? Not the tree.

It nourishes those among whom the tree exists.

When a man is like a tree and brings forth fruit it is not for him. It is for those whom he is among!

A blessed man blesses those about him.

A blessed man is able to feed the sheep, just as Jesus desired Peter to do. (John 21:15-17)

There once was a man who set himself to live a Psalm 1 life. We see a part of his report in verse 74 of Psalm 119, where we find the following observation as he converses with God:

“They that fear thee will be glad when they see me; because I have hoped in thy word.”

Those that fear God will be glad to see this man! Gladness certainly fits the description of a blessing. And a life that can make other lives glad is surely bearing fruit.

Notice the special reason given for the gladness. It is not because of a handsome stature, a powerful personality, a reputation for generous giving, an over-riding authority. It is none of these. It is because he has hoped in the Word of God.

Delighted, Meditated, Hoped

Yes, the leaves are for the tree, and the fruits are for others.

What are the acts in which a Blessed Man might prosper? Will he oversee a great financial empire? Probably not. Will he do great works of construction, buildings and bridges and by-ways? I imagine not. Will he occupy prominent political office, exercising authority and receiving obeisance? Not likely. Here are some of the things he may do: He may –

• Teach the Word of God to others,

• Instruct those in need of guidance,

• Pray for healing and other needs,

And many other ministries, all of which will prosper.

“. . . his leaf also shall not wither . . .”

Healthy leaves are the mark of a healthy tree. A tree with healthy leaves has received nourishment from the sun and water very day.

The man with healthy “leaves” has received nourishment from the Son, and the water of the Word every day – and every night.

Drink Deeply – Bear Fruit – Bless Others

07/17

Presented by Bro. Al Salay, Blessed Man Ministries Inc.

1093 A1A Beach Blvd. #273, St. Augustine, FL 32080-6733

www.BlessedMan.net [email protected]

Week Thirty, 2017

Sometimes True Stories

©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618

The title is a bit deceptive. It’s not about money. Or at least, it’s not just about money, although “the love of money is the root of all evil,” and bucks, bricks, and bodies seem to be the principal concern of many church leaders today.

The concept of God’s Church being “depression proof” is of a church that is not focused on its own preservation, but upon lifting up Jesus making disciples, and blessing others. It’s the concept of the New Testament Church, a concept that seems lost in the fogs of time.

The depression proof church is filled with contentment and peace because it is not a place of brick and mortar, but a spiritual building, a fellowship of believers, the Body of Christ.

When The Depression Proof Church was first published, it received praise from several seminary presidents.

Paige Patterson, President of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (https://swbts.edu/) and former president of the Southern Baptist Convention, wrote this:

“In a day of ‘how to’ manuals on church growth and effectiveness, to find a writer who tells the truth…is a breath of fresh air. Frank Becker in this book, The Depression Proof Church: The Biblical Answer to a Church in Crisis, has clearly enunciated the one essential, namely, a return to the church of the New Testament.”

Dr. John Kenzy, President of Youth Challenge International Bible Institute, called it “compelling and timely,” and added, it “exposes revelation from God.”

Admittedly, The Depression Proof Church is not prophetic in the sense that the Holy Bible is prophetic, but it certainly has proven frighteningly predictive.

Consider Houston, Texas, America’s fourth largest city. Recent events provide several examples of the attacks now being faced by Christians nationwide. Houston is a logical place for the enemies of the Church to focus their attacks because—if they can establish precedents that damage the work of God in the very heart of the Bible Belt—they can succeed anywhere.

Not long ago, the mayor of Houston—a woman who was recently “married” to another woman—demanded that local pastors provide her administration with copies of their sermons. Since this is a clear violation of the U.S. Constitution, as well as God’s higher law, she was forced to back down for the time being, but she wasn’t through.

Later, the city council that she dominated was faced with a court order that requires that the council either put a so-called Equal-rights Ordinance on the November ballot or repeal it. A week later the council voted to put it on the November ballot.

But the city of Houston has not limited itself to these two fronts in their over war against Christians. They are now determined to literally bulldoze two churches that have served their troubled neighborhood for decades, using the excuse that the city wants to condemn the property so that they can build something new and more useful.

Across America, the abuses against Christians, and the insults to God, are too numerous to list. When believers look around them at the abuses, they are asking how we can expect God to bless a nation so deeply steeped in sin, and have begun to pray “God save America” rather than “God bless America.”

Who would have imagined that there would be such seemingly concerted action—such carefully orchestrated conspiracies—to silence the voices of millions of Christians who have done nothing but good for the people of America and the world? The altering of public opinion that is made possible by social media and through false news demonstrates that we are now ruled by the voices of the left manifesting itself through public passions, and that the end of freedom of religion, and America as a democratic republic, cannot be far away.

We have long heard of the atrocities against humanity committed by Planned Parenthood, evils so great that they can only be compared with the Nazi’s laboratory “experimentation” on human beings and their mass-production genocide of millions committed during the 1930s and 40s. The so-called Planned Parenthood organization has been “harvesting” the bodies of unborn babies for profit. Not since the Holocaust have we heard of such horrific crimes against humanity. Yet, Americans do not rise up in horror at these horrors.

Joseph Stalin of the USSR probably murdered more innocents than even the Germans, and the modern left has learned their lessons from him. “A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic.” They have supported the slaughter of over 65-million unborn babies.

Now the attacks on the Church and on the principals of liberty are increasing in number and intensity. Even for far-sighted Christians, the terrible events that predicted in The Depression Proof Church are arriving years earlier than anticipated.  Many wonder whether we are beginning to witness the fulfillment of end-times prophecies recorded in Holy Scripture.

The broad attacks on Christians in general, and on the institutional Church in particular, along with the inability of Christian leaders to deal effectively with these attacks, is sobering. Far more sobering, however, is the fact that these attacks are even allowed, even welcomed, by public opinion, and not quelled by the courts.

Whether issues as frivolous as “Inflategate,” or as serious as the Benghazi slaughter, too many of our citizens seem indifferent to sin.  The attitude is, “Hey, these are not crimes. Everyone from President Obama on down does this sort of thing. Most people cheat, steal, and tell lies from time to time. Why get excited about it?” And they ask defiantly, “What are you, some kind of fanatic Christian?”

People seem interested only in their own illusions of security and comfort. Their reasoning seems to take place not in their heads and hearts, but is a matter of their lusts and passions.

Perhaps, as I wrote several years ago in The Depression Proof Church, our Christian leaders are at fault, because everything rises and falls on leadership, and our nation’s slide is ultimately a result of the failures of the Church. I can look back on my own years as a pastor and realize that I too often fell short. But self-recrimination will not bind our wounds or salve our national conscience. America has fallen on dark times.

God, save America!

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

(James 5:16)

Many are the righteous mothers and fathers who have prayed a lifetime for the salvation of their children. Their prayers have been fervent. Some have lived to see that wonderful result. Others have gone on to Heaven without ever seeing the desire of their hearts, but with an enduring hope for the future.

How can we best pray for the unsaved: our children, our relatives, neighbors, friends, or even nations? Our prayers must be “effectual.” An “effectual” prayer cannot be based on emotion, desire, hope or even love. To be “effectual” a prayer must be in keeping with the character, plan and provision of God. How then should one best pray for the salvation of a friend or relative? Let us examine some aspects of the Word that relate to this question.

If I tell God how much I love them, value them, delight in them, desire their well-being, I have done nothing. God loves them more than I ever could. He is their Creator, their Sustainer, their One True Source. My love for them is pleasant to God, but it is not a reason for Him to move.

If I tell God how wonderful a person my son is and that He really ought to save him so he can be in Heaven with me, I have done nothing. God knows my son. He knows how wonderful (or not) he really is, far better than I do. Further, my son’s salvation will never be based on my desire. It can only be based on my son’s desire.

If I ask God to give my son the desire to be saved, He will not do it. Verse after verse of the words of Jesus say plainly that the reward is for “whosoever WILL believe.” It is something the person must do themselves. It is a matter of their own WILL. It is a desire that must rise up in them in the face of the evidence of the Gospel. It is a response. It is a decision. God will not force it.

If I ask God to draw my son to Himself, He cannot do it, for it is already done. In John 12:32 we hear Jesus saying, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.” God draws everyone. The drawing is already in operation. It is not lacking. It is the response that is lacking.

If I ask God to convict my son of his sins, He cannot do it, for again, it is already done. In John 16:7-8 Jesus said,

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:”

That Comforter, the Holy Spirit came among us on the day of Pentecost and has been reproving the world of sin ever since. He is a constant laborer. There is no man, woman or child who has not been advised by the Holy Spirit that they are sinners. They have simply, willfully, refused to hear the confrontation of the Holy Spirit. While conviction must precede repentance, repentance does not always follow conviction. Very often those who are convicted by the Holy Spirit respond not with repentance but with rebellion. They choose to deny the existence of God to justify their sinful life styles.

If I ask God to send laborers to reveal the Gospel to my son, He can and will do that. But it is not certain to be effective. Where can you live in America and claim that you have never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel. Missionaries carry the Word to far places where it has not yet penetrated. Evangelists circle the 50 states giving opportunity in person, in books, on radio and on TV. No. The Gospel has already been brought, but it has been rejected. Sometimes a special emissary, a special friend or relative might break through. We can hope for that.

To summarize, we cannot achieve our goal by asking God to do what He is already doing. Also, we cannot ask God to impose Himself on the individual. If He did, that person would simply become a slave instead of a willing worshipper. God won’t do that. It would violate His character.

How then might we pray?

What God does do is this: He wrestles with the devil and his angels. This is the battlefield that is before us. This is the place where God is willing and able to operate, in power and dominion. In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 we read,

“But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.”

That’s right! We are dealing with blinded minds. The god of this world has done the blinding. Not only that, but he continues to maintain that blinding, lest any should escape his grasp and find the truth and the light. He is powerful and strong. Some among us believers may be able to come against him in the name of Jesus, in that day when our own faith is strong and powerful. But Jesus Himself is strong and powerful against this enemy every moment of every day.

If I ask God to remove the devil’s blinding scales from the mind of my son, opening his eyes to see the light and the truth, then I have asked in keeping with the possible. This is the work in which we must enlist Him. Here is a prayer He can answer without violating His nature or His works of the past. Here is a prayer He desires to hear. 1 John 3:8 says,

“For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”

Some of those works were already destroyed by His death and resurrection. Other works of the enemy are still among us today, such as blinded minds. These works remain to be destroyed. These minds wait to be set free. When they are set free, then it can be said of them also,

“The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light is sprung up.” (Matthew 4:16)

“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” (John 1:12)

Drawing, convicting, preaching, are all important. Freedom to respond is crucial. Defeat the one who keeps the bonds of blindness on his victims, and the drawing, convicting, and preaching of the gospel can bring forth their precious fruit.

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

06/17

Presented by Brother Al Salay, Blessed Man Ministries Inc.

1093 A1A Beach Blvd. #273, St. Augustine, FL 32080-6733

www.BlessedMan.net [email protected]

Week Twenty-Six, 2017

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. – Hebrews 12:1-2

A friend who is a marathon runner recently told me of a recent competition. He said there was a pacer who told all the runners behind to follow her pace and all would finish. Soon a runner who was a star athlete decided to out run ahead. As he passed the pacer she said, “We will see you again.”

Sure enough a few miles down the course the group passed the winded athlete who crossed the finish line forty-five minutes after the original group reached the end of the run. My friend commented that the race was a marathon, not a sprint.

The Christian life is not a sprint. It is a marathon. It is easy to get distracted, but we need to remain disciplined. Like the author of Hebrews says, so that we do not grow weary in the race, let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He is our pacer and we need to stick with him and not run ahead.

The Christian life is a lifelong race that entails some long hills to climb and some swampy marshes to plod through. To make it to the end we need to get in shape and run the race at the pace our Savior sets.

In a marathon, it’s not the first mile that counts. Finishing the course well is everything. It takes a sustained effort. Our spiritual life required no less. We are competing against the enemy of our souls, who opposes God’s kingdom and wants us to drop out.

In the race of our spiritual life, we must lay aside every encumbrance that holds us and lay aside every sin that so easily entangles us. We must run with endurance the course God sets for us.

This is what Jesus meant when He talked about counting the cost of following Him (Luke 14:28-33). Before you make a glib commitment to be a Christian, think it through. Are you willing to put out the effort, the sweat, the endurance, and the pain of going the distance? Jesus himself is the motivation to keep us running.

The main way to “run with endurance the race that is set before us” is, “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

“Jesus said to her, “Mary.” (John 20:16 CSB)

Say that out loud, using your name. I don’t know about you, but my stomach did a little flip when I said it because it makes Jesus’ love so personal. Jesus is familiar with me, and with you. Way back in the Old Testament Isaiah wrote God calls us by our name. It is a personal, individual relationship. “Now this is what the Lord says — the one who created you, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1 CSB

Jesus is calling you right now, by your name. You are loved and he delights in you.

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Unrepentant Disobedience Isolates Me from God – 1 Samuel 28:3
Unresolved Disappointment Isolates Me from Others – 1 Samuel 28:10, 12, 13-16
Unaltered Isolation Leads to Despair – 1 Samuel 28:20
Ken Whitten

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©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618