In this message, Pastor Scott continues our journey through the New Testament book of James and teaches about the war inside each of us for what we want and God’s passionate gracious response
Sermon Notes
THE BOOK OF JAMES
At War for What You Want
“What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passionsare at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:1-7
WE WANT WHAT IS WRONG
All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. BUT GOD is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)” Ephesians 2:3-6 (NLT)
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.” Galatians 5:16-17
“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23
GOD WANTS WHAT IS HIS
You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? James 4:4-5
What friendship with the world looks like practically?
My truth takes priority over God’s truth
I lose my sensitivity to the Spirit of God
My glory becomes ultimate and God’s glory becomes optional
“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” James 4:6
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” James 4:7
