Real Riches, Responding, Receiving

In one paragraph

This sermon was the second message in the series through James, covering three sections from the first chapter: real riches, responding to temptation, and receiving the word. Pastor Nathan worked through the way James strings concepts together like pearls, each one leading to the next, and held up two paths the text lays out side by side. The service closed with communion, tied directly to the...

Read together

1. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 quoted during the offertory, Paul's command to the rich to be generous and lay up treasure for the coming age
2. James 1:9-11 the lowly brother glorying in his exaltation and the rich man fading like a flower
3. Luke 6:20-21 Jesus declaring blessed are the poor, the hungry, and those who weep
4. Luke 4:18-19 Jesus reading Isaiah 61 in the Nazareth synagogue, anointed to preach to the poor
5. Isaiah 40:6-7 all flesh is grass and its loveliness like a flower that fades when the Lord's breath blows
6. Job 14:2 Job saying man comes forth like a flower and fades, fleeing like a shadow
7. Matthew 6:19-21 Sermon on the Mount warning against laying up treasure on earth and urging treasure in heaven
8. James 1:12-16 blessed is the man who endures temptation, and the progression from desire to sin to death
9. James 1:17 every good and perfect gift is from above, from the Father of Lights with no variation or shadow of turning
10. James 1:18 of His own will God brought us forth by the word of truth as a kind of firstfruits
11. James 1:19-20 be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God
12. James 1:21 lay aside filthiness and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls
13. John 17:17 Jesus praying sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth
14. Romans 1:16 referenced as Paul saying the word is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe

Talk about it

1. The pastor described James as 'bare knuckles' teaching that held up a mirror to him personally. When you read through James 1:19, being swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath, which of those three is hardest for you and why?
2. The pastor pointed out that James draws a sharp contrast between two paths: a way of joy through enduring trials and a way of death through being lured by desire. Have you seen either of those paths play out in your own life, and what made the difference?
3. James says each person is tempted when drawn away by their own desires, not by God. How does knowing that the source of temptation is your own desire, rather than something entirely outside you, change how you think about resisting it?
4. The pastor noted that James calls God 'the Father of Lights' and says every good and perfect gift comes from Him, while also warning that our good desires can be co-opted and turned toward sin. What does it look like practically to enjoy God's good gifts without letting them become a lure?
5. The pastor connected receiving the implanted word with meekness to the Lord's Supper, and said that for Christians, God has already written His law on our hearts. What does it mean to you to receive something you already know with meekness rather than pride?