Introduction to Ephesians - Acts 19:1-41 and Revelation 2:1-7

Greetings to everyone! Welcome to the Ephesians edition of “Chew On It.” We began this study back in June, but I think it would be good to re-start our journey, so we can all get back on the same page together.

I truly hope that it will be an encouragement to your daily walk with God. Some of you might be new to this, so let me explain. The “Chew On It” series is a way for us (teens and parents alike) to walk through a book of the Bible together as a Youth Group Family. As Christians, we need to see God’s Word as a necessary part of our life, not just an add-on to our busy day. It must be something we hunger for, instead of merely an item on our spiritual checklist.

So, my challenge to you and myself is to take a journey through the book of Ephesians together. My desire in all of this is to get us to go beyond just reading Scripture by spending quality time meditating on the Word and then seeking to apply it to our lives in obedience to Christ. In other words, I want you “chew on it” and think about what the Scriptures are really saying.

Here is how it’s going to work for this semester. I will be e-mailing all of you on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with the Scripture reading for the week, some questions to answer, and some thoughts to chew on (on Friday) that will be designed to help us dig into the Scriptures. I encourage you to begin each time in prayer, asking God to open your eyes and mind to what He has to teach you through His Word and to supply you with the courage and grace to live out the truth. Please feel free to e-mail me and let me know what you are learning or any questions you might have so we can encourage one other in this study. I truly hope that you will come to treasure the Word of God and learn to find your ultimate joy in Him.

As we study the Word this week, think of it as your daily dose of fuel that will keep you going throughout the day. Ask God to give you a hunger for His Word and a desire to spend time with Him. Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. I encourage you to follow the plan we have been doing in our prayer focus times as a youth group - Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


Passage for the week: Acts 19:1-41 and Revelation 2:1-7

Before we get into the book of Ephesians, I believe it would be beneficial for us to take a look at the church and city of Ephesus itself. Take note of the challenges that Paul faced in the city and what he faced as he went into this as a missionary. We will take time to read through Rev. 2:1-7 on Wednesday and Friday.

NOTE: If you would like to listen to the book of Ephesians, I found a website that will allow you to download the whole book for free! Check it out at http://www.listenersbible.com/free_downloads/download_now .

DIGGING DEEPER

Monday:

What was Paul’s greatest challenge in going to Ephesus?



What it a difficult place to preach the gospel in? Would you want to go there on a mission trip during that time with Paul? Why or why not?




What kind of miracles did the Lord do through Paul? How did the people respond?



Wednesday:

Read Revelation 2:1-7. What happened at the church at Ephesus?



What was Christ’s evaluation of them? Explain whether it was positive, negative, or both.



If your life was under the same examination as the church of Ephesus, what would we discover about your walk with God? Would it be any different? Explain your answer.




Friday:

What was the thing that Christ had to say against this church?



What does it mean to leave your first love? How do you know if you have left your first love – are there any signs that will show up in your life?



How can we get back to loving Christ as we should according to verse 5?




CHEW ON THIS:

Ephesus was the fourth largest city in the Roman Empire and was the home to the goddess Artemis, also referred to as Diana. The temple of Diana was one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and it stood on a hill in full view of the city. It was a place of immorality, sorcery, and devil-worship. Can you imagine coming into this city on a mission trip, like the Apostle Paul? I think it is safe to say that most of us would have been terrified! But the gospel of Christ can break through anything. God was able to do amazing things in that city for His glory to show those people who the true God really was. However, after the Apostle Paul left and the church was established, people began to drift in their spiritual walk. We see this in Revelation 2:1-7. They were doing a lot of good things, but they had neglected to do the main thing – love God! This should have been their first love, but they drifted away from it. This is so easy for us to do as well if we are not careful and intentional in our walk with God. Pray to God right now and ask Him to help you to live your life in light of who He is and to love Him with all of your heart!


I hope that by reading Acts 19 and Revelation 2 that you are now more acquainted with the people that Paul is writing to in the book of Ephesians. This will help us to understand why Paul wrote this letter and how we can apply it to our lives. It will also help us understand why the book of Ephesians deals with spiritual warfare and our secure position in Christ. We will begin next week by looking into Ephesians 1. Have a great weekend!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

Chew On It continues...

Well, I have decided to continue our "Chew On It" times in Ephesians once September begins. Since the summer began, it has been hard to keep it going with people on vacation, going on mission trips, etc. However, I hope and pray that you have still made getting into the Word your top priority! This week, I would like for each of you to post a comment on our "Chew On It" Wall on Facebook. Just take a few moments to share with us one thing God taught you this summer that has changed your life. I know that this will be a HUGE encouragement to all of us as we head into the fall semester of school.

I also thought it would be good to give you all something to chew on as we head into this week. God has been teaching me about the compassion that Christ had for the lost and it has revolutionized my thinking. I hope that this will encourage you!

VERSES ON CHRIST'S COMPASSION:

Matthew 9:36-37 “He felt great pity (compassion) for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd. He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few."

OTHER PASSAGES TO CONSIDER:

Matthew 20:30-34

Mark 1:40-42

Mark 6:34

Luke 7:12-15

COMPASSION..........DO YOU HAVE IT???

This is a topic that crosses my mind often. How in the world would the God of the universe care about me? What have I done to ever merit anything from Him but wrath, pain, torment, and judgment? Why would He even take notice of me in a pleasant or kind way? Why … above all this… would He ever do anything to me that would give me love and eternity in heaven to the point that it costs a great sacrifice? WOW … what an amazing thought. As we look at this familiar passage, the core issue is evident. Christ cared … REALLY cared about others. It was evidenced not only by the fact that He came and submitted to the will of the Father, but even more so as we see example after example of moments when the heart of Christ seems to break as he ponders the helpless and lost condition of those He created and loves.The thing that has stopped me in my tracks is the way in which I can care … REALLY care about those I love and know, but that I have so little love and compassion for everyone else. Do you know what I’m talking about? Perhaps this is truly at the root of why there are so few sharing the gospel … and even fewer desiring to go to other countries to do the same.Even though we are supposed to care, most of us don’t. When was the last time that our emotions were even the slightest bit stirred as I drove to a destination and passed HUNDREDS of people who may not know or understand the Gospel and most of whom are clearly destined for eternal torment and separation from God. How COMPASSIONATE are we for the lost souls all around us?I pray that we will put serious thought into this. I pray that we will strive to see God and others in a TRUE and BIBLICAL way that will force us to be moved with compassion. This is a burning desire and goal in my life. I pray that you will be convicted on this same issue and strive to see that it is changed. “Lord, cause us to be people that are moved with compassion for the things that MOVE You!”

I guess this brings a few questions to mind, especially in light of our mission trips for the summer:

1. Does the need of the lost have any impact on your life with any consistency, or is it simply a passing thought occasionally?

2. How will you impact the lost for Christ this month? Ask God to give you the courage to seize the opportunities He gives you to be a light in the darkness of this world!

3. What will you do to develop a greater burden for and outreach to those who need Christ and those for whom Christ cares?

4. As far as missions is concerned, what is God calling you to do? How are you fulfilling the Great Commission?

God has given us this privilege and responsibility of carrying the Light of Gospel and sharing His Word with others. May He find us serving Him joyfully and faithfully!

My desire is that you would...

Love Christ PASSIONATELY

Know Christ DEEPLY and

Enjoy Christ FULLY!!!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 5:12-20

Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. Ask God to "fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,” as the Apostle Paul did in Col. 1:9. As we learned already from James 1:5, God promises to answer this prayer and give you His wisdom! After you pray, take time to read through the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: swear, oath, suffering, sick, anointing, confess, prayer, and Elijah.


Passage for the week: James 5:12-20 (NASB)

12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.
14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;
15 And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,
20 Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.


Digging Deeper:


MONDAY


· List 5 specific things that you noticed about the passage.



· List characteristics of God that you find in the passage (what God is like, His attributes, etc.).



· How does this passage connect with the rest of the book of James? Where else does James talk about going through trials or suffering?



TUESDAY

· What does James mean in verse 12 when he says “do not swear?” Is he speaking of using foul language or in general or something specific? Explain your answer.



· James says that those who do not let their yes be yes and their no, no will fall under judgment. What does this mean and how can you avoid being under judgment? See the words of Christ in Matthew 5:33-37 for help.




· According to verse 13, how are we to deal with suffering? What should we be doing when we are cheerful?



· Read these verses to see the power of praying and singing to God: Ps. 50:15, Ps. 55:22, Ps. 100:1-5, Phil. 4:6-7, Col. 3:16, 1 Peter 5:7. Write down what you learn through these passages.



WEDNESDAY

· In verse 14, James tells his readers that if they should call for the elders of the church when they are sick. Have you ever invited the elders of the church to pray over you when you were sick? Should you have done this or is James speaking of a different kind of sickness? What type of sickness is James speaking of here?




· In verse 14, the elders of the church anoint the one who is sick with oil in the name of the Lord. What is the significance of the anointing with oil?



· Later in verse 15, James writes that “the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick.” Is he saying that if someone prays in faith, he will be cured of a disease? What is he saying here?



· According to verses 15 and 16, does prayer really accomplish anything? Explain your answer.




THURSDAY


· What is the purpose of Christians confessing their sins to one another? To what extent should this be done? How does this command affect your view of fellowship and the interaction with your brothers and sisters in Christ?



· James recounts the prayer of Elijah. Where is this story found in the Old Testament? What is the point of James including this story here?




· James says that the prayer of a righteous man avails much. What are 2 examples in Scripture (besides Elijah) of the power of prayer?



FRIDAY

· How do the final two verses of this chapter relate to Matthew 18 and Galatians 6?




· How are you demonstrating the pattern of love for the brethren that James describes in this passage?




· How are you demonstrating the dependence on God in prayer that James describes in this passage?





· Pick a verse or two from this passage that has really challenged you and memorize it.




Chew on this:

James begins this section by stressing the importance of our words. As he has done throughout this letter, James shows us that our speech will reveal to others what our spiritual condition really is. We should not swear an empty oath or vow; but instead, we should speak straightforward and honestly to one another. This means that our words have integrity and can be trusted.

The next section James gives us the antidote to suffering caused by the evil treatment or persecution that was attacking the church at this time. We are to seek God’s comfort through the power of prayer and minister to one another in singing praises. To those who are sick (could mean weakened by persecution or in to be afflicted with an unbearable disease), James directs them to call for the elders or pastors of the church for strength, support, and prayer. This was important because many of the people who were sick in the church were being neglected – just like the poor in chapter two. The anointing the sick with oil refers to a normal practice of that time period, although it could have some significance to ceremonial anointing or medical treatment. The most important thing here is NOT the oil, but that the elders of the church are praying over the sick “in the name of the Lord.” The power to heal does not come through the oil, but through the Lord! We must also keep in mind that the sick person who is being prayed for has a contrite and repentant heart, for they have confessed their sins to God and are right with Him.

Likewise, we should also be transparent with one another by confessing our sins to each other and praying for each other. For those of you who are wondering, James is not telling us to confess our sins to a priest. What he is saying is that mutual honesty, openness, and sharing of our needs will enable us to uphold each other in our spiritual struggle with sin. Some of us might feel uncomfortable with this, but we are told that the end result of this is healing! James tells us that these effective fervent prayers that we pray to God for one another will accomplish great things! And, just in case you think that prayer does not work, James gives us the illustration of Elijah. As we know, Elijah struggled just like we do, and yet God still used him and his prayers in a mighty way.

James concludes his letter by telling us to watch out for each other. It you and I see someone who is straying from the truth, then it is our responsibility to seek them out and bring them back to the truth. Rather than condemnation, restoration is the goal. And that is what James hopes will happen. For the unbeliever, this person will not just be turned from the error of his way, but will also be saved from eternal death. For the believer, Galatians 6:1 still applies here. Meekness and love acts through bringing a person as gently as possible back to repentance. That repentance will be accepted by God, who will forgive their sins. Then, the forgiven person can continue on the right way, rejoicing in their tests, for they know that their reward is coming.


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 5:1-11

Before you start your time with God today, take a moment to pray to your God. Ask God to "open the eyes of your understanding" to the wisdom of His Word, the hope of your calling, and the greatness of His power (Eph. 1:17-19)! Then read the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.


As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: riches, weep, Lord of Sabaoth, patient, farmer, prophets, and Job.


Passage for the week: James 5:1-11 (NASB)

1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.
2 Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!
4 Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.
5 You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.
7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.
8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.
9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
10 As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11 We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.


DIGGING DEEPER:


MONDAY


· List 5 specific things that you noticed about the passage.




· List characteristics of God that you find in the passage (what God is like, His attributes).



· How does this passage connect with the rest of the book of James? Where else does James talk about the rich people who were abusing the poor?



TUESDAY

· Why would the riches of those in verses 1-3 be “rotted”, garments “moth-eaten”, and gold “rusted”? How will the rust of the gold be a witness against them and consume their flesh like fire? What does James mean here?




· When will the judgment of verses 2-3 come? Is James speaking of the present or the future? Explain your answer.




· James notes that the rich have stored their treasure in the last days. Compare and contrast Jesus’ parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21 to James 5:3. Are you laying up treasure in Heaven or on earth? Remember, where your treasure is, that’s where your heart is too!



WEDNESDAY

· The laborers in this passage are the field workers for the rich. What have they done to “reach the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth”?




· In verse 4, James uses the highest name for God in the Hebrew mind. Be careful - the text says, “The Lord of Sabaoth” and not “the Lord of the Sabbath.” What does the Lord of Sabaoth mean? What is the significance of James using it here?



· In verse 5, James condemns the rich for having “fattened [their] hearts in the day of slaughter.” What is this “day of slaughter”? What is James referring to?



THURSDAY

· What is a life of “wanton pleasure”? What does that look like? Is the term “pleasure” used anywhere else by James?




· What does James mean in verse 9 by the “Judge is standing right at the door”? Why would that keep them or you from complaining against each other? Why would you complain if you were in this situation?



· Why do you think they would kill a righteous man? Why doesn’t the righteous man resist?



FRIDAY


· James mentions Job as an example of endurance. Why does he choose Job? Why is he such a great example of endurance? Read Job 42:10-17. How did God bless Job for his endurance?



· Pick a verse or two from this passage that has really challenged you and memorize it.


Chew on this:

James now turns to the wealthy outside the church. These people are not only failing the test of having wealth, but they are also the source of some of the pressure on the church as they take advantage of poor Christians. James does not waste any time telling them that they should be weeping over their sin and that their wealth will be the end of them. James takes the rich people on a trip into the future. He shows them what their great stores of possessions will look like – rotted or corroded! The “corrosion” of their wealth is evidence that they did not need it as bad as they think.

Just like the rich in this passage, our wealth is not the most important thing in our lives. James even shocks us in this verse by telling us that the riches that we believe will bring us happiness will actually eat your flesh like fire! This reminds me of the rich man in Jesus’ parable in Luke 12:13-21. The end of the world is coming, and it is time to put treasure in heaven, not store it on earth.

Far from giving, these people have done even worse in that they have failed to pay the workmen who harvested their fields. What made it worse is that no one would hear the cries of the workers. The workers, however, appealed to heaven, and the Lord Sabaoth heard their cry. The term Lord Sabaoth is the term means “Lord of Hosts or armies.” God Almighty does not hear and then do nothing as people are living luxuriously, robbing the poor, and even condemning those less fortunate; He hears and acts with awesome power. Instead of a day of harvest for the rich, it will be a day of slaughter with God’s judgment behind it! In fact, God is already standing at the door – His judgment may come sooner than we think! In the midst of all these things, however, we should be sure to not complain or grow impatient, but to trust God to make things right in His timing when He returns. Just as the farmer waits patiently from the planting of his seeds (early rain) to the harvesting of his crops (latter rain), so we should wait patiently for the Lord’s return.

James concludes by telling how we can strengthen our hearts as we persevere. We are told to remember the suffering of the Old Testament prophets who suffered as they spoke in the name of the Lord. Men like Elijah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel all went through incredible hardship, but remained faithful to the God they served so well. What is interesting to me is that the example of Job, not a prophet, but a righteous man, is tacked on to this. Even though we may not be able to relate to the Old Testament prophets, we can certainly all connect with Job. He was not always perfect, and even questioned God and doubted His promises. However, God had not forgotten him. In fact, one of the main lessons we learn from Job’s life is not his suffering, but God’s unlimited compassion and mercy!

The point of all of this is not to condemn people who have wealth. It is those who “desire to be rich” that will face ruin and destruction (1Timothy 6:9-10). Life is not about ownership, but stewardship! We have to remember that God is the source of everything we have and that He expects us to use it for His glory by investing it in what will count for eternity. James also encourages us to focus on the promises and compassion of the Lord. We can trust Him to be the righteous Judge and to be a gracious and merciful God!


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 4:11-17

Good morning! Before you start your time with God today, start by praying that God would open your eyes to the wonderful things in His Word through your study (Ps. 119:18). Then read the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: speak against, judge, Lawgiver, life, vapor, boast, sin.

Passage for the week: James 4:11-17 (NASB)

11 Do not speak against one another, brethren. He who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks against the law and judges the law; but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge of it.

12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy; but who are you who judge your neighbor?

13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.”

14 Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.

15 Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”

16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.

17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Digging Deeper:

MONDAY

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).

What is the command in verse 11? What are some ways that we can violate this command?

Who is the Lawgiver and the Judge in verse 12? What is He able to do according to this verse

TUESDAY

In light of God being the ONLY Lawgiver and Judge, how should we treat others?

What does James have to say about the man who is banking on tomorrow?

According to these verses, are we guaranteed that we will be able to do what we planned on doing tomorrow? Explain how this should change our perspective on life.

WEDNESDAY

In verse 14, what is our life compared to?

From these verses, it is evident that our lives are but vapors of smoke. What does Job 7:7 and Psalm 39:5-6 say about our lives?

According to verse 15, what should be our approach to the future? How is this perspective different from the man who thinks he is in control of what will happen tomorrow?

THURSDAY

Have you ever boasted about what you think that you are going to accomplish in the future? What does James this kind of boasting in verse 16?

This kind of boasting is also found in other passages of Scripture. Read 2 Timothy 3:2-5 and 1 John 2:16. In both of these passages, where does this boasting and arrogance come from?

FRIDAY

List all of the things that you plan on doing today and tomorrow. Then, pray that list back to God and ask Him to give you His perspective on those events. Pray by saying, “If the Lord wills, I will do this or that.” This will increase your dependence on God and help you to realize that your life is not just about what you have to do today, but rather it is about God’s plan for your life.

What is James telling us in verse 17? So, how does that change the way you are going to live today?

Pick a verse or two from this passage that has really challenged you and memorize it.

Chew on this:

The first group addressed consists of wealthier Christians. Their plans are normal plans: travel to a certain city, sell the goods they brought with them and perhaps purchase others, and make money. Is this not the way business is done? James’s criticism is that they are in fact carrying on their lives and businesses just the way every other worldly person does. As Christians, they should be well aware of not only how uncertain the future may be, but also Who actually controls the future.

The picture James paints for us is that our lives are like a puff of smoke from a camp fire. It appears over the fire for a few seconds, but then it disappears. We learn from this picture that the idea of planning without taking God’s values into account is foolishness. James’s point is not simply that we ought to just merely say, “If the Lord wills,” before we carry out our plans. This would a lip-service to God, without it being genuine. Instead, James is trying to tell us that we need to seek God’s plan and follow God’s will in their use of our time and the things God has given us. This is a contrast of boasting or bragging. What type of pride is this? 1 John 2:16 uses the same term for the boasting of (or pride in) what a person has and does. When we have this kind of pride, we think that we are laying plans that God did not make and claiming an ability to control our lives (which God actually controls!), and boasting about all the things we are going to accomplish.

When we choose to live in our pride and refuse to live according to the Scriptures, then it is sin! Many of us know these things, but we sometimes do not live this way. Why not consult God and ask Him what ought to be done with our time and possessions? Let’s remember to acknowledge God everyday and to seek to follow His will!

For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 4:7-10

April 14-18, 2008

Good morning! Before you start your time with God today, start by praying that God would open your eyes to the wonderful things in His Word through your study (Ps. 119:18). Then read the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: submit, resist, draw near, purify, miserable, humble, and exalt.

Passage for the week: James 4:7-10 (NASB)

7  Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.


DIGGING DEEPER:


MONDAY

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).



What are the 9 commands that James gives us in these verses?



List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage



TUESDAY

What does it mean to submit yourself to God?



How do you actually resist the devil? See 1 John 2:14 and 4:4 for some insight on this.



WEDNESDAY

What does God do when, in humility, you draw near to Him?



After we have drawn near to God and are close to Him, what will be our response?




How do we purify our hearts and cleanse our hands?




THURSDAY

Where else in the book of James is the word double-minded used? What does it mean?



What is the point of James telling us to be miserable, to mourn, and to weep? Why would we have a reason to do this? Read 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 for help on this.



FRIDAY

When we sin, it offends a holy God. Does your sin before God ever cause you to weep or do you just see it as no big deal?



As we repent and become humble before the Lord, what does the Lord promise to do for us?



Pick a verse or two from this passage and memorize it.



CHEW ON THIS:

James next shows us what humility looks like. Submit yourselves, then, to God. This means to “line up under.” James is using this word to describe a willing surrender to God’s authority as the One who is in control of everything. When we are truly humble, then we will then be able to be loyal to God, obey His commands, and follow His leadership in our lives.

James then tells us to “resist the devil.” This literally means “to take your stand against.” We are able to do this ONLY when we have submitted to God and are operating under His power. We need to remember that the devil is a defeated foe, and that Christ has already won the battle against him! When we take our stand against the devil in the power of God, he flees; he may threaten disaster, but it is all a lie. It only has power if believed.

In the next verse we are encouraged to come near to God. The picture is that of a person coming to offer sacrifice in the temple and coming near to God in the ceremony. We are told to wash our hands and purify our hearts. This is another OT picture (Ex. 30:19–21), illustrating the removal of sinful practices. The double-minded is the person who tries to serve both God and the world needs to have a heart that is completely devoted to God alone. These actions should be also be accompanied by a mourning and a sorrow for our sin against God. Repentance consists of sorrow for sin plus a turning from sin and, where possible, making restitution for the damage caused by one’s sin.

However, James does not leave us there in our sadness over our sin. James includes promises within his call to repentance. As we come near to God, God will come near to us. He will lift us up and will not leave a humble heart mourning! He will accept our repentant heart and respond with His love, raising us up from our mourning into the warmth of His love.


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 4:1-6

Good morning! I wanted to let you all know that I will be changing our “chew on its” a little bit to make them more effective for you. We will be focusing on one passage each week so we can really chew on what the passage is saying as opposed to just “covering the material.” The whole purpose behind this devotional is not to just stuff your inbox with tons of e-mails each week that you don’t have the time to read or digest. My desire is that all of us will truly dig deeply into the Word of God, discover its life-giving truth, and then seek to live it out in our everyday lives.

Here’s how it will work. I will send you a few questions to answer each day to get us all to dig deeper into the passage we are studying. Take your time and don’t rush! Push everything else out of your mind and focus on listening to what God is saying to you! Once we have worked through the passage, I will e-mail you the “CHEW ON THIS” section later in the week to encourage you in your study.

As we take apart one passage a week, this will allow us to post discussion topics (on Facebook) as well as encourage others with the principles that God is teaching us. This will help us to fulfill Hebrew 10:24 which says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (NLT).

Start by praying that God would open your eyes to the wonderful things in His Word through your study (Ps. 119:18). Then read the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: conflicts, war, lust, ask, motives, friendship, enemy of God, the Spirit, grace, proud, and humble.


Passage for the week: James 4:1-6 (NASB)

1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?
2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us?”
6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”


DIGGER DEEPER:


MONDAY

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).



What are the questions that James asks in the passage? What is the point of all of these questions?



TUESDAY

What does James mean by “pleasures?”




What does James mean by “you lust” or “you covet”? What were they coveting?



WEDNESDAY

James calls his readers “adulteresses.” Why does he address them in this way? (Hint: "friendship with the world")



James’ mentions fights and quarrels in his rebuke of his readers? What did this fighting look like?




THURSDAY

In James 1:6, James writes that prayer must be conducted in faith. What does he say about prayer in James 4:2-3? What two ways were his readers sinning in the area of prayer?


To whom does God give grace and why? Does your behavior reflect this reality?



FRIDAY

Read Luke 15:11-32. What insight does this give to the condition of James’ readers who asked that they might spend what God gives them on their pleasures?



James warns against being a friend of the world. Where else in his epistle does he speak about this? Where else in the Bible is this spoken of? (ex. 1 John 2)



Pick a verse or two from this passage and memorize it.



CHEW ON THIS:

James paints a picture of the church as he saw it: they were fighting and arguing, battling, killing (with words) and coveting. Wow! Does any of this sound familiar? Unfortunately, this picture is not too far from what we see in the church today! The church should be a place of love, encouragement, friendship, and service. However, it is our desires to please ourselves that get in the way of this. All of those who were fighting in James’ church probably felt like they were doing the right thing, but James tells them God’s perspective on the situation. The source of these conflicts is not found in their love of God but to their desires, the evil impulses that we have already learned about in James 1:14–15. The same goes for us as well!

All of this arguing is fruitless: they do not get what they want, because you do not ask God. “But I do pray!” might be your response. “You pray, but it is not effective, for your motives are wrong.” We are not seeking God’s will or God’s wisdom, but our own will. In other words, we come to God saying, “God bless my plans.” Instead of us focusing on God’s plans, our motives are wrapped up in our own desires and pleasures. God’s goal is not to give us what our own impulses demand. His goal is that we will learn to love what He loves. It is not that God does not want people to have pleasure, but that he wants to train them to take pleasure in what He knows is truly good.

In claiming to trust in God and yet living according to their own desires, James calls these people adulterers. They were being unfaithful to God and had been focusing their love on the world. When we try to become a friend of the world you are actually God’s enemy! Sure, we are still in the world as “salt” and “light,” but we are not to be of the world. At this point James talks about how God jealously longs for the spirit He made to live in us. That means that God gave to each person their spirit and He jealously longs for pure love in return (see Exodus 20:5–6). You cannot serve God and the world!

James’s argument might drive people to despair because of their sin. However, we find hope in verse 6! James claims that God offers more grace rather than condemnation, to the believer who is humble and repents. To back this up James quotes Proverbs 3:34, also quoted in 1 Peter 5:5: God does give grace to the humble! This grace that God gives is a grace that is sufficient for every struggle we are facing or any need we have.

So, let’s make our church a place where there is a genuine love for one another, a committed love for God, and a true heart of humility that will be ready receive God’s grace!


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen