Lesson 4
James 1:9-18
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Are you having trials? Are you discouraged?
Verses 2-4 tell us trials will be present in our lives
Verses 4-8 tell us we can ask God to give us wisdom; and how to ask
Verse 9-11 give us Christians reasons to rejoice in any situation
9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:
Are you sad because you are “of low degree” poor, unnoticed, not talented, weak, unlovely
Don’t be sad if you’re poor, unnoticed, untalented, weak
- God cares for the lowly
- He hears their prayer. David - Psalm 34:6 “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”
- He blesses those who help the poor Proverbs 14:21, 31 “He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the
poor.”
James 2:5 “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”
2. God gives grace to the humble
a. God lifts up, exalts and gives grace to anyone who humbles himself before God
James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
1 Peter 5:5, 6 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”
Lowliness is not a curse, it is a blessing
- God uses weak things to confound the mighty
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
God uses the weak things of this world
Examples: Joseph – a prisoner a donkey in Numbers 22 – it spoke to its rider a jawbone of a donkey – used by Samson to kill 1000 Philistines a rod – by Moses and Aaron Peter – a fisherman Jesus – poor
10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.
11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it
The rich
1. Their problems
From our view it seems they have it made in life. They live comfortably
a. He is less likely to be saved
Mark 10:23-25
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have
riches enter into the kingdom of God!
And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
The rich man feels secure in his riches. His riches make it for him to see his need of God. Less likely to humble himself before God
b. A hunger for money drives men to sin and sorrow
1 Timothy 6:9, 10
But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
Professional athletes – Tyson, Holyfield
c. People cannot take anything with them when they die
Jesus told us to lay up treasures in heaven
Matthew 6:19-20
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
Earthly riches can be stolen, will decay, wear out, be lost. Heavenly treasures will be preserved.
Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:
17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?
18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.
19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
1 Timothy 6:7 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
2. A blessing for the rich
God tells the rich Christian to rejoice in that he is “made low.” The blessing of the poor can also be for the rich man. His wealth does not disqualify him from getting to heaven. It would be terrible if it did. But praise God, the LORD can make him “poor in spirit”
3. Every man needs a Master
A rich man who comes to a humble self-image before God can have all the blessings of being used of God. He can use the money to help others.
Devin – friend; loves to buy things for others
Promise
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
The Christian going through a trial is “blessed.” There will come a day when he will receive a crown.
Revelation 2:10 “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
What happens when we are tempted – v 13-14
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
“The devil made me do it!”
- God tempts no man – v 13
God allows his people to be tried by the devil. Job 1 (7-12) & 2 (2-7)
1 Peter 1:6, 7
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Experience makes us stronger
We are not tempted beyond our capability.
1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
- Temptation works from within us (inside a man) v 14
Sometimes the devil has a part in our temptation. The “tempter” Matthew 4:3
Lust – desire
Enticed – lured
What to do when tempted
1. Quote Scripture – that’s what Jesus did. Matt 4:3
Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”
Romans 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”
Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
James 4:7, 8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Ephesians 6:10-20
What happens when we yield to temptation?
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Lust brings sin sin brings death
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
What God has given us
16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Make no mistake – God has not tempted you. Do not blame God. Instead ask Him to deliver you from temptation
God does not give evil gifts; He gives good gifts – Matt 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Best gift – gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ