Wine Skins

Proverb of Steel

Never follow the crowd it rarely know where it is going and to get there.

Verse Today

Psalm 91:13King James Version (KJV)

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

Second Beatitude.

Matt 5:4 – Second Beatitude.

                Jesus has been teaching the principles of the Kingdom of God.  This message of the Kingdom would become the focus of the majority of His teachings while here on earth.  Jesus knew His mission was and the Sermon on the Mount is God’s view on life.

                Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.  The Phillips Translation says, “You are blessed and happy when you understand what sorrows mean.”  Sorrow and tragedy comes to everyone of us.  When that time comes you will be comforted.  David found that in the valley of the shadow of death, God’s rod and staff comforted him.   The secret of overcoming sorrow is to trust God, know that this period will end eventually, allow people to minister love into your life, do not isolate yourself, allow proper time to grieve, grow from the experience and lastly know in time you will heal.

                Jesus promises here that you will not have to go through time of sorrow alone.  God is there to be your strength, help and comfort.

Thursday Thought

It is Thursday and here is your thought for today.  Never follow the crowd it rarely know where it is going and to get there.  Never accept the fact that you are like everyone else.  God has made each one of us unique.  We are called not to stand out not be like everyone else.  Seek God first and His righteousness and all things will be added unto you.  Be who God intended you to be today.

Proverb of Steel

Men rarely ask the five W`s because they associate the first W with either woman or wife.

Verse Today

Psalm 91:12King James Version (KJV)

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot 

Second Beatitude.

Matt 5:4 – Second Beatitude.

                Jesus has been teaching the principles of the Kingdom of God.  This message of the Kingdom would become the focus of the majority of His teachings while here on earth.  Jesus knew His mission was and the Sermon on the Mount is God’s view on life.

                Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.  The Phillips Translation says, “You are blessed and happy when you understand what sorrows mean.”  Sorrow and tragedy comes to everyone of us.  When that time comes you will be comforted.  David found that in the valley of the shadow of death, God’s rod and staff comforted him.   The secret of overcoming sorrow is to trust God, know that this period will end eventually, allow people to minister love into your life, do not isolate yourself, allow proper time to grieve, grow from the experience and lastly know in time you will heal.

                Jesus promises here that you will not have to go through time of sorrow alone.  God is there to be your strength, help and comfort.

Treat her well

It is the middle of the week and here is a wonderful thought.  Men rarely ask the five W`s because they associate the first W with either woman or wife.  So here is a simple exhortation for any man with a spouse.  Treat her well and do yourself a favor.  How you treat your spouse reflects your true character.

Word of the Lord

Proverb of Steel

Man`s best effort does not even come close to God`s worst mistake if He ever made one.

Sermon on the Mount

Sermon on the Mount – Matt – 5-1-3

                Jesus saw that there were many people who had come to hear what He had to say.  So He went up on a mountainside.  When the time and setting were right.  His disciples came and sat beside Him and He began to teach.  His first lesson would on 8 blessings, which later would become known as the Beatitudes.   Blessed are those who are poor in Spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of God.

                Jesus says when you know you have a need for God, when you have a contrite and humble attitude and when you are poor in spirit.  You will have the Kingdom of God with all its attributes.  The Kingdom of God as we learn has three qualities to it, righteousness, peace and joy.  Righteousness is created because we have right standing and relationship with God.  This of course leads to right living.  Peace is absence of warfare or strife in life.  Jesus promised to give us peace.  This peace is of course not as the world gives and the beauty of it is that the world cannot take it away.  The last attribute of the kingdom is joy, that deep contentment knowing that God has everything under control.  When you are humble, contrite and penitent before the Lord you will have the Kingdom of God fully working and developing in your life.

Verse Today

Psalm 91:11New International Version (NIV)

11 For he will command his angels concerning you
    to guard you in all your ways;

Tuesday Thought

It is Tuesday and here is your thought for today. Man`s best effort does not even come close to God`s worst mistake if He ever made one.  Ever since the fall man has been trying through own effort to reconnect with God.  The Lord however has provided the way back through Jesus Christ.  Today help others reconnect with God by telling them and living a life of example for them.   You may be the only Bible they read.

Hard Salvation

Proverb of Steel

Success is strickly a matter of perspective.  You may have riches and still be a failure as a person.  You can have nothing and be a success as a person.

Verse Today

Psalm 91:10King James Version (KJV)

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

The Twelve Disciples Called

The Twelve Disciples Called – Mark 3:13-19 & Luke 6:12-16

                Jesus went out into the hills and spent all night in prayer.  He was facing a tremendous decision.  He was choosing the men who were going to take His message to the world.  He saw in them much potential.  That is what I love about the Lord.  He does see as we are right now but what we shall become.  Jesus wanted to make the right choice.

1.       Jesus was a man of prayer and we must be the same.  If Jesus needed to pray how much more should we be praying.

2.       Jesus called men not according to ability but potential.  He saw in them faith and trust.

3.       He sent them out to preach.  They had authority over demons.  In His name we can overcome any foe or adversary. 

4.       His twelve disciple were:  Peter, James, John, Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the Son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.

Monday Muse

It is the beginning of the week and here is your thought.  Success is strickly a matter of perspective.  You may have riches and still be a failure as a person.  You can have nothing and be a success as a person.  Today work on your inner man and then work on being the person that God has called you to be.  Be a blessing to others around you.

Rock in August

Song of Solomon

Song of Solomon – Love Letter of Solomon – 2:1

Intro:  The Song of Solomon is a romantic series of speeches and addresses between Solomon and a country girl.  As oriental poetry it is structured differently than Western poetry.  A.G. Ward the Father of C.M. Ward of revival time fame and one of the great Pioneers of our movement, loved to preach from this book.  In fact people told him they preferred to hear him preach from it more than anything he preached. 

1.  This book depicts the beauty of love between a man and woman which ripens into

     Undying devotion.  It depicts the sacredness and purity of marriage. 

     In world of false hopes and expectations this book is needed today. 

a.  It has been written that those who love deeply never grow old, they may die of old

     Age, but they die young.  Rabbi Julius Gordon wrote, “Love is not blind, it sees more,

     Not less, but because it sees more, it willing to see less.

b..  This book actually given us a physical description of Solomon we know he had a

     Ruddy complexion like his dad, black wavy hair and was quite muscular. (5:10-16)

     We know the country girl was dark from the sun and very beautiful. (1:5-7) 

c.  Solomon wrote this book around 1000 B.C.  Now even though this book primarily and

     Account of romantic love there is also a second message about the love between

     Christ and His church.  The Theme is the marriage joy of the Bride and the

     Bridegroom.

2.  In our passage today.  We find the beloved describing herself as the Rose of Sharon

     A Lily of the Valley.  She looks at herself as a country girl being wooed to move to the

     City.  She says literally, I and out of place.  I enjoy where I am but I love this man.  So

     I will go wherever he wants me to go.  Ruth made a similar declaration in

     Ruth 1:16-18 declaration   you know what I wish is that more people would honor   

     The vows they made when they were married.  Pure love makes a conscious decision      

     To put the needs of others before their own.  Paul describes pure true agape love as

     Patient, kind, not envious, boastful or proud, rude, self seeking, or easily angered.  It

     Doesn’t keep records of wrongs, delight in evil but rejoices in truth, it always protects,

     trusts, hope, perseveres and never fails.   

a.  The young man is viewed here as a spring flower.  Spring in Israel is the mist beautiful

     Time of the year.  Wild roses and lilies are abundant.  Roses always depict beauty and

     Lilies humility and purity   Solomon says his beloved his beautiful, humble and pure. 

     As a spiritual allegory this book depicts the holy affection existing between God and

     His people.   Christ views us as His church in the same manner.  We are in his view,

     Beautiful, pure and humble. 

b.  Jesus has also because of his beauty, love, compassion humility and purity has been

      depicted as the Rose of Sharon and the Lily of the Valley.  Paul use this book as a    

      premise as he states how Christ loved his church and gave his life for it.  Eph 5:25-32       

      is a great analogy for human love and how men need to view their relationship with

      their wives.

c.   The message of this book is clearly understood by the mature spiritual mind. 

3.  The language of this book and its description of the love between the two loves are

     Quite graphic and passionate but love is passionate, graphic and deep.  The description

     Of each participant and the way they express their love was powerful for that day but

     Today would be considered silly or irrelevant. 

a.  Let us however not miss the meaning of this book. It is the account of pure passionate

     Love between two people.  It us also an allegory for a love between Christ and his

     Church.  The Key Thought:  My lover, the believer’s title for Christ.

b.  The Song of Solomon Emphasizes three things.

1.  The love of God who gave His Son to redeem sinners.

2.  The love of the Son of God who gave His life for His bride and His church.

3.  It a parable of divine love which s the background and source of all human love.

4.  What saddens me is how love has been corrupted polluted, misunderstood and taken

      To the basest of urges.  Man views it as either, physical, mental and emotional.  Love

      Is the essence of God.  It is who He is.  1 John 4:8 

a.  Love is God’s nature, character and His being.  He has communicated it to us.  We

    Have the experience love it in its fullest expression and measure.  It is more than

    Passion and physical.  It is friendship, family, emotion, intellect and will all combined.

    It is attribute that we can share with the God of the Universe and fully experienced in

    Him.

b.  You will never true understand it until you, love God with all your heart, soul, mind

     And strength and love your neighbour as yourself.  Love like worship is an attitude of

     The heart express.  There is a world out there looking for love and we have it here

     Right now.  I have heard people say the church in Hay River lacks love.  I say poppy

     Cock, I believe God is just looking to express his love through us. 

c.  Read two final quote about love.

d.  Solomon in this book expresses his love, delight and admiration for his lover.  The

     Bride speaks of her dream, admiration, delight, torment of separation and union of

     Love.  This 22^nd book of the bible with its 8 chapters. 117 verses, 2661 words. 13

     Questions, 14 commands, gives us glimpse into love and its fullest expression.

     As we close today he this little exhortation

e.  Today for us to let us come to him and be healed.  To receive His Love and

     Acceptance in this moment.  There is a fresh stream of forgiveness, flowing

     Right now.  It is pure, strong and cleansing.  Nothing will pollute it.  Wade in and

     Feel the coolness, freshness and refreshing it brings.  It will take away all pain,

     Hurt, bitterness.  All stain of sin in any form will be removed.  God is pouring out in

     This moment His Spirit in a new measure.  The old can pass away in this moment.,

     You can be new.   Look to the Lord this day and receive your complete healing and

     Touch that will change you from this moment forever.

The Creator

The Creator – Twenty Eight

     There is one mistakable fact the Lord is the Lord of creation.  Isaiah reveals that the Lord is the creator of all things.  He in fact is still creating.  Science tells us that the universe is expanding and growing all the time.  One of the greatest things is the fact that the Lord desires a friendship with us.  There is a song that says, “I am a friend with God and He calls me friend.”

     The Bible says that we are marvelous and wonderfully made.  Every cell, molecule and DNA strand the Lord knows.  He knows the number of the hairs on your head.  He knew you even before you were born.  The Lord told Jeremiah that his calling was established even before He was born.  The thought of the creator of the universe knowing all about you before you were born is an incredible thought.  He has a marvelous plan, purpose and destiny for each of us.  So never let sin, self or others derail or postpone what God has for you.

     The world, the flesh and the devil know you are a warrior and soldier and they will do everything to hold you back or even destroy the eternal purpose you have been called to do.  Refuse to listen, or even entertain for a moment evil in any form.  Be like Joseph and flee temptation.  God has a bigger plan or scheme for your life.  His dreams are actually bigger than yours.  Paul tells in Eph 3:20, that God can do exceedingly and abundantly more than we can think or imagine.  So dream and connect with the creator of the universe and see what you can do together.

    

    

LIie in Christ

Rock in August

It is Finished!

John 19:30 –

It is Finished!

     This was the phrase Jesus said before He died.  It is a Word of Triumph.

1.        Sin has been dealt with. 

2.        Satan has been defeated. 

3.        It is the announcement that Jesus’ earthly ministry has been completed.  Nothing more has to be done or said. 

4.        Jesus is anticipating resurrection.  This is a cry of victory. 

5.        A plan was fulfilled, salvation has come and love has been shown.  Jesus had taken our place. 

6.        He demonstrated both humanities weakness and God’s love. 

7.        He offered Himself as the one and for all sacrifice for mankind. 

8.        This statement is His declaration to His complete obedience to His divine purpose. 

9.        Jesus was the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world.  Nothing more is needed or added.  To do so would negate the sacrifice of the cross. 

10.   As he died, it was finished.  The greatest, noblest man who ever walked this planet, God in flesh breathed His last. 

11.   As I write this the awesome reality of what was done has fully impacted this writer.  Jesus the perfect Lamb of God died for me.  Praise God.  

Proverb of Steel

God has never hidden himself from man`s view.  Creation declares His glory and power.  Man has chosen to look in the wrong places and ways.

Jesus Heals

 Matt 12:15-21, Mark 3:7-12 and Luke 6:17-19

                Jesus went back and healed many of various diseases.  He fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah.  Jesus then went to many different places through out Galilee.  People followed him so they could be touched by Him.  Demons were also cast out.  Jesus has power over sickness and demons.

1.       Jesus healed all who came to Him.  He was a man who always met the needs of those who needed it.  He will do the same for you.

2.       Jesus was a man of prophecy.  Isaiah said that He was a chosen servant of God.

3.       Jesus is the one who the Father delights in.

4.       The Father put His Spirit on Jesus and had called Him to proclaim justice to the nations. 

5.       He will not quarrel or cry out, and no one will hear His voice in the streets.  He will not hurt anyone until He leads justice into victory. 

6.       In the name of Jesus nations will put their hope in Him.  Prov 14:34, “States that righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a reproach to any people.”

7.       Jesus can heal with just a touch.  Demons fell down and recognized Him as God and they fled from Him.  They will do the same when we come in the name of the Lord.

8.       Power came out of Him to those who needed a touch.  Jesus was full of the power of the Holy Spirit.  Allow the Holy Spirit to use you today to touch your world for Christ.

Verse Today

Psalm 91:9New International Version (NIV)

9 If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
    and you make the Most High your dwelling,

Creation

It is the weekend and here is a powerful thought.  God has never hidden himself from man`s view.  Creation declares His glory and power.  Man has chosen to look in the wrong places and ways.  Man has two witnesses that there is a God.  Creation and conscience.  Both declare there is a God.  So let us open our hearts and listen and when we do that we will find God if we look for Him.

Same Attitude as Christ

Thursday Thought

It is Thursday and here is a simple thought. The person who encourages brings life to the bones, the one who criticizes brings death to the soul. So be an encourager and touch people in their lives for God.

Proverb of Steel

The person who encourages brings life to the bones, the one who criticizes brings death to the soul.

Verse Today

Psalm 91:8New King James Version (NKJV)

8 Only with your eyes shall you look,
And see the reward of the wicked.

The Withered Hand.

The Withered Hand.  Matt 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6 and Luke 6:6-11

                Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on a Sabbath when He saw a man with a withered hand.  The Pharisees were looking for something to accuse Jesus of.  Jesus knew what they were thinking, so He asked the man to stand up and He asked the Pharisees a question.  Was it lawful to do good on the Sabbath or save a life?  They could not answer so He healed the man.  They were furious and wanted to kill Him.

1.       People were always trying to trap Jesus, they tried by asking Him if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath.

2.       Jesus put the question by to them by asking them if they would pull a fallen sheep out of a pit.  Jesus then said a man was more valuable than a sheep.

3.       It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath?  Jesus is not concerned about man made rules when it comes to helping a person.

4.        Jesus is distressed with the stubbornness and hardness of people’s hearts.

Rock in August

Made alive

Proverb of Steel

Children are the best and worst of their parents which always comes out in a parent teacher interview.

Verse Today

Psalm 91:7King James Version (KJV)

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

The Sabbath Controversy

 The Sabbath Controversy.  Matt 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28 and Luke 6:1-5

                Jesus and His disciples were walking through a grain field on the Sabbath when some of His disciples starting eating the grain.  The Pharisees saw this and complained to Jesus that His disciples were doing something wrong.  Jesus then gave them a teaching on the true meaning of the Sabbath. 

1.       The Pharisees were more concerned about their law than the law of God.  They had become legalistic and religious.  They were binding people with silly laws.

2.       Jesus proved to them that what the disciples were doing by telling them the story of David and his men eating consecrated bread to the Lord.  He also exposed their hypocrisy by reminding that priests perform their religious duties on the Sabbath. 

3.       Jesus was telling them there is one of greater standing in their midst than the law or the Sabbath.

4.       When a person has mercy as part of their lifestyle they will not condemn others.

5.       He also taught that the Lord would rather have mercy than laws or religion with all its ceremonies.

6.       Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath.

7.       The Sabbath was created for man not man for the Sabbath.

Chidlren

It is the middle of the week and here is a cute thought.  Children are the best and worst of their parents which always comes out in a parent teacher interview.  So make sure the greatest example you give them is your life in Christ.  Serve the Lord with all your heart and be a role model for your family.  Maybe this is what they will talk about this at the interview.

Proverb of Steel

Gossip is tasty to the tongue and ears until it is about you.

Verse Today

Psalm 91:6New International Version (NIV)

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
    nor the plague that destroys at midday.

Gems

John 5:1-47

                This is a rich gold mine of truth.  John reveals six more truths from the Life of Christ. 

1.       Jesus did not accept the praise of man. 

2.       He knows that many do not have the love of God in their hearts even though they claim to have it.  Jesus knows who are His own.

3.       When Jesus came many did not accept Him.  What is amazing that even now many will not accept Him but they will accept false messiah’s.

4.       The question being asked today is why do some people willing to give praise to men but refuse to give it to God who truly deserves it?

5.       It is better to get praise from God than from man. 

6.       Jesus reveals today that the Jews own accuser will be Moses who will judge them by the law.  Moses wrote about Jesus and believed.  The Jews don’t and so Moses will be their accuser.  They refuse to believe what Jesus was saying.

About you

It is Tuesday and here is a couple of thoughts.  Gossip is tasty to the tongue and ears until it is about you.  Gossip will die when it is not passed on.  So never listen or create gossip.  The other way to kill gossip is live so well that even the town gossip will vouch for you.  That starts with living for the Lord day by day.

Proverb of Steel

The issues of the heart can only be hid for a time before they surface in actions, speech or attitudes.

Verse Today

Psalm 91:5New International Version (NIV)

5 You will not fear the terror of night,
    nor the arrow that flies by day,

Jesus

ohn 5:1-47

                I trust you are not growing tired of this passage just one more day after today and we will move on.  The richness of this account is amazing.  Today Jesus talks about light, truth, the word and the Holy Spirit.  John compacts so much truth in one chapter it is wonderful.

1.       Jesus doesn’t testify about Himself but the Father testifies of Him and this testimony is greater than John the Baptist who was sent as a human witness. 

2.       John was sent to testify that Jesus is the truth.  All this so people might be saved.  John had testified to the people that Jesus would come shortly and baptised people with fire and the Holy Spirit. 

3.       Jesus revealed that John was a light that burned for a while and some people chose to enjoy the light.  Ministry is not always long term but effectiveness is determined by anointing, availability and obedience.  Jesus had the Father’s testimony and the works He was doing showed that He was the Son of God.  In the case of the Christian the inward testimony of the Spirit and the fruit we display show we are of the family of God.

4.       If people will believe in Jesus then they will have the Holy Spirit and the voice of God inside.  We have His word, form and voice inside. 

5.       Our last point this morning is people can study the scriptures and yet miss the mark because they think through them they can have life.  True life only comes through Jesus.  It is sad commentary of religious life to read the bible and miss eternal life because you did not believe and trust in Jesus.  This is also a challenge for all today.  Start with Jesus and go from there.

The Heart

It is the beginning of the week and here is your thought.  The issues of the heart can only be hid for a time before they surface in actions, speech or attitudes.  So today give your hear to the Lord and let Him give you new direction and motives in your heart.  You will have his heart which is a good thing.

Be eager to do good

Practical Faith

Practical Faith – James 2:18-19 – April 12, 2015

I like to start with something kind of funny today. 

While walking down the street one day a US senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules." And with that, St.Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress.

They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator raises.

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him. "Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing.

They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. "Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. "I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning....Today you voted."

18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”  Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

1.     James is real practical here.  He says faith has evidence.  Actions speaker louder than words. 

James then lists some evidences of faith.  First faith does not show favoritism, bias or prejudice.  Listen to what he writes in 2:1-4, 2   (My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?) 

2.      Faith does not discriminate.  Peter said in Acts 10:34 that God is no respecter of persons.  When we discriminate we are acting out an evil heart and thoughts. 

a.     Corrie Ten Boom and her family went to consecration camps because they believe that the Jewish people were worth helping and saving in WW2

b.     James goes on to say, Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he PROMISED those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor.

1.      Reality check, those who are poor in the eyes of the world are be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he PROMISED those who love him. 

2.     When we are show favoritism based on economics, social standing or appearance we dishonor the poor and God.  Faith like God looks not on the outward but on the heart.  Some of the noblest and kindest people I have know are poor.  Talk about the homeless man who helped a young beggar in Philadelphia.

c.      James continues, Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?``  The rich according to James do 3 things.  They exploit, litigate and blaspheme.  Why because they are selfish. 

3.     James then says faith loves.  8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you are doing right.  James calls love the royal law.  It is a direct command of Jesus Christ the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  When we are doing this we are doing right.  Love is faith in action.  Paul said in 1 Cor 13:13, “These three remain, faith, hope and love but the greatest of these is love.  Love is faith’s hand extended. 

a.     James then says, But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “You shall not murder.”[c] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.  Simple, direct and precise.  To show favoritism you are a law breaker of God.  You are no better than an adulterer, or murderer.  Makes you think. 

b.     He then leaves us with one more thought, “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”  There is an accounting coming.  What we speak and do matters.  When we love we walk in freedom and we receive mercy as we give mercy.  Mercy and love always triumph over judgment.  Love always, operate in grace and mercy.  Jesus did this with Zaccheaous. 

4.     James says today that faith is practical. Listen is 2:14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by ACTION, is dead.

a.      James reminds us that faith without evidence is mental ascent only.  It is words, lip service and meaningless clap trap.  You are lying to yourself, God and others. 

b.     If you don’t help others when you can your faith is useless and a lie.  Truth is you just don`t want to be bothered.  Your just being plain selfish.

c.      Your faith without works is dead.  Just like you are.   Living but dead.  Can see yet blind.  Able to hear but deaf.  

5.     18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.  20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

a.     James hits the church at that time and ours with practicality.  You say you have faith.  I have faith with actions.  You can show me your faith without deeds.  I will show you my faith by what I do.  It is like the man who says to his wife.  I love you and never shows any affection.  His words are hollow.   She wants affection, communication, love and attention.  It is action guys.  

b.      Obviously someone said to James, Ì believe in God.  His response was well so does the demons.  This dispels the phrase many people say, I believe in God.  So what.  At least the demons believe and shudder in fear.  You can believe in God and go to hell.  At recent Stats Can report says, 87% believe in heaven and God.  Yet only 28% practice some form of religion, 5% are considered born again.  That means 95 out of every 100 in Canada are going to hell.  That is both alarming and challenging.  That is why we need revival. 

c.      James then says faith without works or evidence is useless.  It is like telling the CRA you filed your taxes without the paperwork or evidence.  They will not believe you and will want their money.  It is like telling the policeman you have a licence to drive yet cannot produce your card that says you can.  It is useless.

6.     James closes with two examples.  Abraham was willing to offer his son Isaac the child of promise.  This act showed he had faith.  The result was it was credited to him as righteousness. 

      The second example was Rahab who offered protection and hid the two spies.  Righteousness here is right attitude of God, leading to right motives, and followed by right actions. 

a.      James closes off this chapter with five conclusions by Abraham and Rahab`s example.  When faith is accompanied by deeds.  It is faith that is complete.  Nothing needs to be added.

b.     Secondly, James says when faith is followed up by deeds it is credited to our heavenly account.  You are storing up treasures in heaven.  Sending material ahead for your mansion.  Your motives, attitudes, faithfulness, obedience, love and actions do count.  This is called reward for service.  Just like you getting paid when you work.  It is the law of sowing and reaping.

c.      You are a friend of God.  Abraham by what he did was called a friend of God.  True friends always show their friendship by what they do.  Talk about incident at Lakeside leader office. 

d.     A person is considered righteous by what they do not just by faith alone.  Now deeds cannot save you but they show your faith.  C.H. Spurgeon said, Morality may keep you out of jail but only the blood of Jesus Christ can save you.  James point is that faith must be shown. 

e.     As the body is dead without the spirit so faith without works is dead.