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James
Matt Sickon
Fairfax Church of Christ - January 12, 2014
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Book of James
Proverbs of the New Testament
Written between 40 to 50 A.D.
Represents one of the earliest writings on the New Testament
Likely to be written by Jesus’ brother, James
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New Year’s Resolution
Promises, Promises and Promises
Diet
Physical Being
Spiritual Being
Mental Being
Status Quo
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Proverbs of New Testament
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Short Book...
FILLED with many and many advice
Derived from many different areas in the Old Testament
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James 1:12-15
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for
when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one
say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for
God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no
one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and
enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has
conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown
brings forth death.
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Storms...
Blessed is the man
who remains
steadfast under trial,
for when he has
stood the test...
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Flashback
Matt. 7:26 But
everyone who hears
these words of mine
and does not put
them into practice is
like a foolish man
who built his house
on sand.
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James 1:12
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for
when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life,
which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one
say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for
God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no
one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and
enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has
conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown
brings forth death.
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Choices, Choices and Choices
“I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be
tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But
each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed
by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived
gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings
forth death.
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Favoritism...James 2:2
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James 2:2
2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes
into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also
comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the
fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you
say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at
my feet,”
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James 2:6-7
6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones
who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they
not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you
were called?
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Row, Row and Row!
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James 2:14-16
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but
does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister
is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to
them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the
things needed for the body, what good is that?
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Examples
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Abraham
Rahab the prostitute
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Watch out...
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Horses
James 3:3-4
If we put bits into the mouths of horses o that they obey us, we
guide their whole bodies as well 4 Look at the ships also:
though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they
are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot
directs.
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Carpe Diem!
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James 4:12-15
Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into
such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and
make a profit”- yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring.
What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little
time and then vanishes.
Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do
this or that.”
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Reminders...
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James 5
Don’t become lured by money
Patience
Importance of Prayer
Confess sins and pray for each other for healing
Elijah - no rain for three years and six months - the
power of his prayer
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Summary
Remain committed to God and promises you make
Be aware of your choices you make
Be Kind and considerate of ALL individuals
Act on what you believe in
Seize the day as if it would be your last day
PRAY, PRAY & PRAY! :)