Living in the Wisdom of God - Expository Messages from the Book of James

* This is the final segment of our study of James' letter ... * Over the past two weeks we have considered how the Wisdom of God (Heavenly Wisdom) applies to our lives - examining what James declares regarding the Will of the Lord and the Treatment of Others. Today, we look at what James declares regarding The Prayer of Faith. * This section brings us full-circle to where James began his letter exhorting the brethren to call upon the Father of Lights - the giver of every morally good gift and every perfect bestowment - for wisdom in the midst of troublesome situations. * James concludes his letter with the same exhortation. * This message was presented on November 26, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Having considered the Contrast and Conflict between Worldly Wisdom and Heavenly Wisdom. We began last week considering the application based upon Wisdom of God (Heavenly Wisdom). In that message, we considered The Finiteness of Man and the Sovereignty of God. As created beings, we are both Limited in Our Knowledge and Limited in Our Days upon the earth. We saw that the Word of God declares that when we learn to number our days, we will gain a heart of wisdom. * Today, we will be looking at the second of these applications - the Treatment of Others. As Jesus declared, the greatest commandment given is to love YHWH with all of our heart, soul, and mind. Doing so, the second is like unto it: loving others as ourselves. As is James pattern, he will begin with a negative declaration and then give instruction as to how we ought to live. * This message was presented on November 19, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Over the past two weeks, we considered James' proclamation of the Contrast of, and Conflict between, the Wisdom of God (Heavenly Wisdom) and the Wisdom of the World (Earthly Wisdom). * We are entering the final section of James' letter which contains applications to our lives based upon choosing the Wisdom of God over the wisdom of the world. * Last week, as we considered the Prescription for Heavenly Wisdom it began with the command to Submit to God - voluntarily placing yourself under the authority of God. Additionally, we were told to humble ourselves in the sight of YHWH and He would lift us up. * Today, we begin looking at three of the applications of Heavenly Wisdom by considering our humble submission to the will of YHWH. * This message was presented on November 12, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Last week, we transitioned in James' letter to discussion of the Perfect Way of Wisdom. * James initially reveals the Contrast between Worldly Wisdom and Heavenly Wisdom. He declares that World Wisdom is of a earthly, sensual, and demonic nature, and is evidenced by envy, self-seeking, and confusion. Heavenly Wisdom, on the other hand, was Wisdom that comes from God and is evidenced in purity, peace, gentleness, submission, mercy, and good fruits. * Clearly, these two forms of wisdom ARE NOT compatible. James next addresses the Conflict that exists with believers following worldly wisdom. He first presents arguments AGAINST the wisdom of the world and then instructions FOR Walking in the Wisdom of God. * This message was presented on November 5, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Four weeks ago we began to consider the Perfect Law of Liberty - summed up in our call to love our neighbors as ourselves - and then, subsequently, the application of that Law of Liberty in our lives. * As we transition into the next section of James' letter, we will see him transition from the Application of the Perfect Law of Liberty to the Perfect Way of Wisdom. Yet, as we transition, we will note that James' assertion that TRUE FAITH is evidenced by TRUE WORKS is also true regarding when it comes to a consideration of WHICH WAY of Wisdom you are following. * Last week, as part of our study of the Importance of Words, saw that those who set themselves up as teacher would receive the stricter judgment (assessment). As we considered the wording of that warning, we turned to Romans 8:1 where we are told, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus ..." But, the verse continues as does the flow of thought. Consider Paul's statement in Romans 8:1-9 * Those who "are in Christ Jesus" will not -as a practice- walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. This statement is evidenced as well in James' declaration regarding The Contrast of the Wisdoms from which we choose. * This message was presented on October 29, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Three weeks ago we began to consider that ultimate expression of truly comprehending that God is the giver of every good gift and every perfect bestowment will be: that we will want to BE doers of His Word and not hearers-only; we will want to Receive, Apply, Study and Continue in - the Perfect Law of Liberty. That Perfect Law of Liberty is our call to love our neighbors as ourselves. * Two weeks ago we began to consider how James applied this truth within the realm of our practical theology ... how we live out what we believe. * First we considered James exhortation regarding Loving without Partiality. Last week, we considered how True Faith will be revealed in True Works - such that faith without works is dead. * Today, we want to consider James' teaching regarding the importance of words revealed in three different aspects. * This message was presented on October 22, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* This is now the sixth week that we have been studying the letter of James to the twelve tribes which were scattered as a result of the persecution of the church. * James opened his letter to them by exhorting them to consider their troublesome situations as joyous events which have been allowed in their lives to strengthen their endurance and prove the genuineness of their faith. He instructed them that our troublesome times are not caused by God - who is the giver of every good gift and perfect bestowment - but ultimately arise as a result of our misguided burning passions. James challenged them to be doers of the word - the Perfect Law of Liberty - and not to deceive themselves by being hearers only. * James then begins to apply this exhortation to our practical theology ... how we live out what we believe. * Today, we will consider the second of these applications: Faith vs. Works. This portion almost prevented the letter of James from being included in what was accepted as the inspired Word of God. * This message was presented on October 15, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Last week, toward the end of the message ... we began to consider ultimate expression of truly comprehending that God - the Father of Lights - is the giver of every good gift and every perfect bestowment. If we truly believe this, we will want to be DOERS OF THE WORD and not hearers-only. We will want to Receive, Apply, Study and Continue in - the Perfect Law of Liberty. * That Perfect Law of Liberty is our call to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is the Freedom that we have to serve others without the fear of making ourselves unclean in the process. * As troublesome situations come into our lives, causing us to either to grow in our faith or exposing our need to repent of sin, we are provided opportunities to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Christ! (Luke 9:23ff) * James now begins to build upon this theme by applying this Pearl of Wisdom to three different areas. * We will consider the first of those today - Loving without Partiality. * This message was presented on October 8, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Over the first three weeks of our study of this book of James, we have seen that God is the giver of every good gift and perfect bestowment. As such, He does not trouble (try/tempt) any person but rather only allows the troublesome situations that He knows that you can handle and will help conform you into the image of Christ by perfecting your endurance against the troublesome situations that the world will present you. * We saw last week, that our intense desires are generally what draw us away from God. These desires and passions lead to sin, and then sin leads to death. * When we humbly recognize that we cannot handle the troublesome situation, we are exhorted to ask God (the giver of good gifts) for wisdom who will give all liberally. * What then is the natural result of this information. What should I do as a result? I should turn to Him for wisdom and ... DO what God is calling me to do, and BE what God is calling on me to be! * James immediately applies this to our relationship with the Perfect Law of God. * This message was presented on October 1, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Last week, in our study of the book of James, we considered what it meant to "Count it all joy WHEN you fall into various trials." We saw that the word for "joy" actually DOES mean to be gleeful and happy. We saw that the term for "testing" means to be tested and proven as genuine, real, or legitimate. We also discussed that the Greek word for "patience" used here is the word "hupomonae" which literally means "to remain under." Hence, the assaying of our faith, through trials which determine it's genuineness, actually help to cause our faith to be matured and complete in order that it is not lacking in any manner. * If, as we are engaging the trial, we recognize that we lack the wisdom to deal with it, we are instructed to ask God for wisdom in how to handle it because He has promised to liberally give wisdom to all who seek it! * Last week, we purposefully skipped over a critical word in our study in order to deal with it more fully in this message. It is the word translated as "trial" in verse 2. The Greek Word is peirasmos. It is literally, "a troublesome situation." These situations, as we see in this passage, can either strengthen your faith or reveal your need for confession, cleansing and sanctification. Most translators choose to translate the word two different ways in this passage - trials and temptations; but, it is the SAME word! * God has much to say, through James, in a short space, regarding His and our relationship to the peirasmoi with which we meet. * This message was presented on September 24, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Last week we began a study of the book of James by considering James' declaration that God (the Father of lights) is the giver of good, moral gifts and every perfect bestowment. * This statement was made at the end of James' opening words, and immediately after the exhortation for the Jews of the Dispersion not to be led astray. * What was it then that James had declared? What was subject which we should be careful of not being led astray about ... and should be regarding as a good, moral gift and perfect bestowment? * We find the answer to that question immediately after his introduction. "Count it all joy WHEN you fall into various trials." * The early believers were facing extreme trials of their faith, how should they respond? Why were seemingly bad things happening to good people? * We will be considering this portion over the space of two weeks. For today, we want to consider our response and reaction to trials - WHEN YOU FALL INTO TRIALS. * This message was presented on September 17, 2023 by Bob Corbin.

* Today, we begin a study of the book of James. * This is thought to be the earliest written New Testament book (44-49 AD) ... written only 15-20 years after the death of Jesus. The next is considered to be Paul's letter to the Galatians in 49 AD; then Matthew and Mark in the 50-60 AD range. * Today, we want to consider the author of the letter, his intended audience, and the general theme of the book. * This message was presented on September 10, 2023 by Bob Corbin.