Stop using Google to search the web. I’ve been using Brave Search and it’s just as good as Google. I prefer Brave Search it doesn’t censor search results (or if it does I haven’t noticed). I used to use Duck Duck Go until their CEO bragged about censoring search results.
The final chapter of the book of James contains three sections:
Verses 1-6: Do Not Trust Wealth – we should not put our hope in our worldly possessions.
Verses 7-12: Trust in God, Not Man – compares the impatience and frustration associated with trusting in our wealth with the patience and strength associated with trusting in the Lord.
Verses 13-20: Trusting Prayer – if we trust in God then we will trust in the power of prayer, finding peace, fulfillment, and giving everything over to God.
Notes from Vince Miller’s video on James 5:
Edmond Burke quote: good men to do nothing
Evil will triumph if we do nothing
This is a call for men to not be apathetic towards evil
We might not like what we’re seeing or becoming but we can do something about it.
3 Actions of Great Men
They have an eye for true prosperity
James suggests pursuing riches leads to indulging in luxury and ignores the potential for reaching an eternity of riches.
Suffering is this life is nothing compared to the riches in eternity. We need to forgo temporary happiness for the riches in eternity.
Be alert to the pull of temporary prosperity.
Live patiently
Be patient until the coming of the Lord – similar to farmers waiting for rains to enrich his crops.
We do not need more control – we need more patience.
Things outside of our control should drive us to greater dependence on God.
Patience doesn’t mean doing nothing – but we must ensure what we do is aligned with scripture.
James talks about steadfastness and refers to Job. Job lost his health, his riches and more. Despite losing all these things Job never gives up on God. God eventually blesses Job by encountering God Himself.
Confess prayerfully
James concludes Chapter 5 by calling on us to confess and pray for one another.
Confession can be difficult for men since we don’t like to admit to our weaknesses.
Confession is agreeing with God about what He already knows.
Confession and prayer results in righteous power.
Practice confession and prayer among trusted men.
James urges grate men to take action in these three ways.
James urges us to stand fast as a man of God. We need to be encouraged by his words to move past our trials.
The Perfect Law is through Christ – this means all of the tests discussed in James 4 lead to freedom.
The first 11 verses of James 5 is a test: patient endurance.
v2 talks about storing up treasure that will be useless in the last days.
The world tells us money establishes your net worth.
The truth is money doesn’t bring you security or freedom – only Christ can supply these.
God gives us options, not money.
v4 talks about how we’re amassing material goods and putting stock in pleasure and luxury – an overindulgence that fattens us up for final judgment.
v6 talks about how the rich are using their money to control politics and the courts.
v7 calls us to b patient until Jesus returns (the second coming). James compares this patience to a farmer waiting for his crops to grow so he can receive his reward.
The early rain softens the ground for planting.
The latter rain comes immediately before the spring harvest.
Just as farmers wait for crops to ripen we must wait for the great harvest.
While you wait do not put your hope in your money and resources.
Galatians 6:9 (NLT): “So letâs not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we donât give up.“
v9: don’t complain about others, take care of yourself until Jesus returns.
v10-11: urges us to consider the prophets in the Old Testament who were speaking about Jesus and were patient until He came
v12: urges us to keep our word so we don’t fall under judgment
v13: reminds us to always pray whether we are going through good times or bad times
v14-15: Verse 15 must be read in context with verse 14 to be fully understood.
In verse 14, James instructs those who are “weak” (spiritually or physically) to call for the leaders of their church to pray for them.
In verse 15, James says the Lord will raise the person up and any sins he has committed will be forgiven.
If these two verses are describing a person who is physically ill, the promise is of a physical healing. If they are describing a person struggling with a weak faith, the promise is for a restored trust in God. In either case, if the cause of the problem is because of sin in that person’s life, that sin will be forgiven.
v16: says maybe you will be healed but it doesn’t say when. You might be healed in this lifetime or the next.
v19-20: states that if we can bring back someone who wandered away from the Lord we will have ensured that person will have their sins forgiven and they have been saved from death.
The Book of James reminds us the Lord is always with us and we should never stop praying.
The tongue is unbelievably powerful, and it cannot be fully controlled.
A person who could perfectly control his or her speech 100 percent of the time would have already arrived at full control of every aspect of the entire body, and their entire life.
The tongue is small nut has a lot of control – much like a bit in a horse’s mouth, the rudder on a ship, or a spark that ignites a forest fire.
James calls the tongue a fire that sets the whole course of our lives on fire and is itself set on fire by hell. James says the tongue is a restless, unstable evil, full of fatal poison.
Speaking both blessings and curses with the same tongue is normal behavior for sinful humans.
James also discusses wisdom.
Wisdom is as wisdom does.
In chapter 2 James explained that what a person does is a strong indication of what they actually believe.
In this chapter, James says wise people lead lives full of good works done in the humility of wisdom.
Wisdom always requires humility (see Proverbs 11:2).
Worldly wisdom is a mindset that tells us to look at what other people have, decide what we want (bitter envy) and then make a plan to get it for yourself (selfish ambition). Success, according to the world, is getting what you want in life.
Believing in such a worldview leads to disorder, chaos, and evil.
Because we trust God to provide what we need, we can let go of envy and selfish ambition. We can lead lives of peace, gentleness, reasonableness, kindness, and more. We can help plant peace and help bring in the harvest of righteousness.
Group Discussion:
The group was a bit distracted by current events before we watched the video. We spent some time discussing economic issues and Trump/Harris’ plans to improve the economy.
“What comes out of you is what’s in you” – this is a very sobering thought if I consider the number of times I’ve used bad language due to road rage or some other issue.
James 1 is on patience and perseverance, James 2 is on practicing the truth, James 3 is on controlling your speech.
Verse 1 discusses how not many should be teachers because teachers will be judged more harshly if they cannot live out what they are teaching (see Hebrews 5:12).
Verse 2 admits we all stumble in many ways.
James says if we do not stumble we are considered a mature man able to control our entire body. This is, unfortunately, impossible. There was only one perfect man: Jesus Christ.
Verses 3-5 use analogies to explain the impact something small like the tongue can direct or destroy our lives:
a bit in a horse’s mouth
a rudder on a boat
a spark in a forest fire
Example: On October 8, 1871: a small barn fire grew large enough to destroy most of the city of Chicago.
In Verse 6 James writes that the tongue is a fire which pollutes the whole body, set on fire by hell.
It can spread destruction rapidly, much like a fire, ruining everything.
James writes that no man can tame the tongue – it is a restless evil filled with deadly poison. We can only control this through God.
In Verse 9 James writes that the tongue also has the power to delight (speak life)
Verse 10 is a favorite of mine: praising and cursing comes out of the same mouth – surely this isn’t right!
Verse 11 provides an analogy: a springs does not pour out both sweet and bitter water from the same opening.
If we are believers in Jesus we should sound like it. We should not be cursing.
This ties into what James was writing about in Chapter 2: if we truly love Jesus we should demonstrate it through our actions.
We ask for wisdom to help us get through the trials and tribulations of life.
As James wrote, if we are believers in Jesus we should sound like it. Speak life to others.
Many decisions in the Christian life don’t come with absolute, yes-or-no, one-size-fits-all answers.
On major issues, God’s Word is clear. But on less important subjects, Christians might find it necessary to agree to disagree. How to live out that kind of unity is the focus of Paul’s comments in Romans 14.
Some actions are clearly right such as setting ourselves aside in love and service to others and be in submission to human authorities.
Other things are clearly wrong, such as sexual immorality, jealousy, and drunkenness.
Some practices not clearly right or wrong for all people.
The debate on right vs wrong is based on some of the rules and restrictions of the law of Moses.
Christ’s followers were freed from following some of Moses’ rules, but doubts lingered.
Is it right or wrong now to eat meat that might not be kosher according to the law?
Is it right or wrong now to observe special days like Jewish festivals and the Sabbath?
Paul divides the church into two groups based on their response to such questions:
Those who follow Christ are free to eat and drink anything.
Believers who are “weak” in their faith may not feel comfortable eating or drinking whatever they want, thinking it’s still wrong for Christians to eat non-kosher meat (Romans 14:1â2).
Paul calls these concerned believers “weak in faith,” and instructs those who strong in their faith to help those who are weak.
Neither group should pass judgment on the other. God has welcomes both groups into His family.
A key component of Paul’s teaching is that we must not judge each other.
Judgment is coming for Christians when Christ will examine all our works. He will determine which of our deeds were worthwhile and which were worthless.
Though our salvation in Christ is secure, each of us must give an account of ourselves to God for how we spent our days. We will not be judged according to the preferences of other believers (Romans 14:10â12).
The group of “stronger” Christians must not brag about their strength. These stronger Christians must set aside their freedom to promote peace, unity, and building up the church.
Having the “freedom” to do something does not make that action acceptable in all times and places. It’s better to not do anything that causes another Christian to stumble.
A strong Christian’s first priority should be to avoid tripping up someone who is weaker in his or her faith.
If someone believes something is uncleanâmeaning their conscience cannot agree to partake in itâthen it really is unclean for them, individually. To violate their conscience in that case is a sin. (Romans 14:13â24).
When mature believers have a conflict with immature believers you will have a threat to church unity.
Mature Gentiles understand idols are not gods and could eat the meat that had been offered to the idols. The weaker believers refused to eat meat that had been offered to the idols even though they knew the idols were not gods.
A more modern example: some Christians will still watch R-rated films.
Verse 1: we should accept anyone who is weak in the faith
We must not judge someone who is weaker in the faith.
Example: some people smoke outside the church before going in for the service.
Example:Romans 12 talks about gifts. A new person in faith may not accept these gifts because they think the gifts are “weird”.
Verse 2: being picky about what to eat
A mature faith can eat anything,
Verse 3: Those with strong faith must not look down on those with weaker faith.
Example: Someone who doesn’t drink must not judge (condemn) someone who does.
Verse 4: God will sustain each one of us.
Verse 5: The day you worship is an individual choice – no day is better than any other day.
Verse 8-9: If we live, we live for the Lord. Whether we live or die we belong to the Lord. Christ rules over the dead and the living.
He died to free us from sin and to enslave us to Him.
We gave up ourselves for His glory.
Verse 10: Why do you look down upon your brother?
One day we will have to give an account of ourselves to God. We will be judged.
God knows and sees everything. We cannot hide anything from Him.
Verse 11: Every knee will bow to the Lord and every tongue will give praise to God.
This references Isaiah 45:23, Isaiah 49:18, and Revelation 20:11-15
Verse 12: Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Verse 13: Since God is the ultimate authority His judgment is final.
We should edify one another – don’t criticize one another
1 Corinthians 8:9 – be careful you don’t create a stumbling block to those with weaker faith
Verse 14: Nothing is unclean in and of itself – what we do with it is what makes it bad
Some may think things are still unclean – we need to respect this
Verse 15: If your brother is hurt by something you do in front of them, don’t do it
Example: Someone loves candy and is on a fast – do not tease them by eating candy in front of them
Verse 17: The kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, not restricting things we drink or eat
Peace: a loving tranquility only produced by the Holy Spirit
Joy: a consistent attitude of praise and thanksgiving
Eating and drinking is an immature perspective
Verse 18: You will see unity when you focus on righteousness, peace, and joy
Verse 19-20: Focus on what brings peace and builds up one another. Don’t tear each other down over things unrelated to righteousness, peace, and joy – this is putting stumbling blocks in your brother’s path.
Verse 23: Everything that is not from a conviction is sin.
Group Discussion
Many people use the actions of others to divide the church.
Some people think it’s sinful not to use the KJV translation. When you talk to these people you should reference KJV to avoid creating a stumbling block for them,
Some people will not consume alcohol – don’t drink around them.
Discussion of Verse 14: Nothing is unclean in and of itself – what we do with it is what makes it bad
Wine is consumed in church but some drink wine in excess outside of church to get drunk
When where and how is what creates the sin
If I read the Bible at work instead of doing my job this is a sin
Verse 23: Everything that is not from a conviction is sin.
Example: some people think playing cards is bad. If these people were to play cards then that is a sin since it goes against their conviction.
If you feel guilty about doing something then you are likely violating one of your convictions (even if it’s not a sin to God) and you shouldn’t be doing it.
Many decisions in the Christian life don’t come with absolute, yes-or-no, one-size-fits-all answers.
On major issues, God’s Word is clear. But on less important subjects, Christians might find it necessary to agree to disagree. How to live out that kind of unity is the focus of Paul’s comments in Romans 14.
Some actions are clearly right such as setting ourselves aside in love and service to others and be in submission to human authorities.
Other things are clearly wrong, such as sexual immorality, jealousy, and drunkenness.
Some practices not clearly right or wrong for all people.
The debate on right vs wrong is based on some of the rules and restrictions of the law of Moses.
Christ’s followers were freed from following some of Moses’ rules, but doubts lingered.
Is it right or wrong now to eat meat that might not be kosher according to the law?
Is it right or wrong now to observe special days like Jewish festivals and the Sabbath?
Paul divides the church into two groups based on their response to such questions:
Those who follow Christ are free to eat and drink anything.
Believers who are “weak” in their faith may not feel comfortable eating or drinking whatever they want, thinking it’s still wrong for Christians to eat non-kosher meat (Romans 14:1â2).
Paul calls these concerned believers “weak in faith,” and instructs those who strong in their faith to help those who are weak.
Neither group should pass judgment on the other. God has welcomes both groups into His family.
A key component of Paul’s teaching is that we must not judge each other.
Judgment is coming for Christians when Christ will examine all our works. He will determine which of our deeds were worthwhile and which were worthless.
Though our salvation in Christ is secure, each of us must give an account of ourselves to God for how we spent our days. We will not be judged according to the preferences of other believers (Romans 14:10â12).
The group of “stronger” Christians must not brag about their strength. These stronger Christians must set aside their freedom to promote peace, unity, and building up the church.
Having the “freedom” to do something does not make that action acceptable in all times and places. It’s better to not do anything that causes another Christian to stumble.
A strong Christian’s first priority should be to avoid tripping up someone who is weaker in his or her faith.
If someone believes something is uncleanâmeaning their conscience cannot agree to partake in itâthen it really is unclean for them, individually. To violate their conscience in that case is a sin. (Romans 14:13â24).
When mature believers have a conflict with immature believers you will have a threat to church unity.
Mature Gentiles understand idols are not gods and could eat the meat that had been offered to the idols. The weaker believers refused to eat meat that had been offered to the idols even though they knew the idols were not gods.
A more modern example: some Christians will still watch R-rated films.
Verse 1: we should accept anyone who is weak in the faith
We must not judge someone who is weaker in the faith.
Example: some people smoke outside the church before going in for the service.
Example:Romans 12 talks about gifts. A new person in faith may not accept these gifts because they think the gifts are “weird”.
Verse 2: being picky about what to eat
A mature faith can eat anything,
Verse 3: Those with strong faith must not look down on those with weaker faith.
Example: Someone who doesn’t drink must not judge (condemn) someone who does.
Verse 4: God will sustain each one of us.
Verse 5: The day you worship is an individual choice – no day is better than any other day.
Verse 8-9: If we live, we live for the Lord. Whether we live or die we belong to the Lord. Christ rules over the dead and the living.
He died to free us from sin and to enslave us to Him.
We gave up ourselves for His glory.
Verse 10: Why do you look down upon your brother?
One day we will have to give an account of ourselves to God. We will be judged.
God knows and sees everything. We cannot hide anything from Him.
Verse 11: Every knee will bow to the Lord and every tongue will give praise to God.
This references Isaiah 45:23, Isaiah 49:18, and Revelation 20:11-15
Verse 12: Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Verse 13: Since God is the ultimate authority His judgment is final.
We should edify one another – don’t criticize one another
1 Corinthians 8:9 – be careful you don’t create a stumbling block to those with weaker faith
Verse 14: Nothing is unclean in and of itself – what we do with it is what makes it bad
Some may think things are still unclean – we need to respect this
Verse 15: If your brother is hurt by something you do in front of them, don’t do it
Example: Someone loves candy and is on a fast – do not tease them by eating candy in front of them
Verse 17: The kingdom of God is about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, not restricting things we drink or eat
Peace: a loving tranquility only produced by the Holy Spirit
Joy: a consistent attitude of praise and thanksgiving
Eating and drinking is an immature perspective
Verse 18: You will see unity when you focus on righteousness, peace, and joy
Verse 19-20: Focus on what brings peace and builds up one another. Don’t tear each other down over things unrelated to righteousness, peace, and joy – this is putting stumbling blocks in your brother’s path.
Verse 23: Everything that is not from a conviction is sin.
Group Discussion
Many people use the actions of others to divide the church.
Some people think it’s sinful not to use the KJV translation. When you talk to these people you should reference KJV to avoid creating a stumbling block for them,
Some people will not consume alcohol – don’t drink around them.
Discussion of Verse 14: Nothing is unclean in and of itself – what we do with it is what makes it bad
Wine is consumed in church but some drink wine in excess outside of church to get drunk
When where and how is what creates the sin
If I read the Bible at work instead of doing my job this is a sin
Verse 23: Everything that is not from a conviction is sin.
Example: some people think playing cards is bad. If these people were to play cards then that is a sin since it goes against their conviction.
If you feel guilty about doing something then you are likely violating one of your convictions (even if it’s not a sin to God) and you shouldn’t be doing it.
This chapter concludes the section on Fulfilling God’s Promise to Israel (Past) of Paul’s letter, contained in Romans 9â11.
These three chapters ask and answer the question, “What about Israel?”
Paul begins this chapter by asking if Israel’s rejection of Christ means that God has rejected Israel.
God has not rejected Israel. Paul is an Israelite who came to faith in Christ and has been saved, showing that this is possible for all Jewish people.
Paul refers to the smaller subset of Jewish people who have turned to Christ, comparing them to the remnant of those in Israel who had not bowed to Baal in Elijah’s day.
By His grace (Romans 9:6â8), God has set aside this remnant of Jewish Christians as true Israel (Romans 11:1â5).
Paul warns about salvation by grace vs salvation based on works. They are incompatible.
If something is truly by “grace,” it cannot be in any way based on works, and vice versa (Romans 11:6).
Paul’ says God has hardened the hearts of those who refuse to believe Jesus is Messiah. God caused them to trip over the stumbling block of Jesus, but not permanently.
One reason for Israel’s unbelief is to make room on the main body (“the root”) of God’s tree.
This space is intended for Gentiles coming to God through faith in Christ.
The Gentiles are like branches of a wild olive tree grafted onto the trunk of a cultivated plant.
The old branches are the unbelieving Jews – they have been broken off for a time to make this grafting possible (Romans 11:11â16).
Paul warns Gentile Christians not to be arrogant toward unbelieving Jews..
After the right amount of the Gentiles have believed in Christ, God will remove the hardening from the unbelieving Jews.
The Jews will then turn to faith in Christ and, as a people, be grafted back onto God’s symbolic olive tree, from which they had previously been pruned.
Despite their disbelief, the Jewish people of Israel are deeply loved by God because of the promises He made to the patriarchs. God never breaks His promises.
God’s gifts and His calling on Israel can’t be taken back.
God will use His grace and mercy toward the Gentile Christians to make Israel jealous. He will use these events to bring her back to Himself as a nation, in the form of those individual Jews who eventually trust in Christ at some future time (Romans 11:25â32).
Paul concludes with a poem about the vast un-knowable-ness and independence of our merciful God (Romans 11:33â36).
Romans 9 looked at Israel’s past election (historically chosen by God)
Romans 10 looks at Israel’s present rejection of Jesus as messiah
Romans 11 looks at Israel’s future restoration by the coming messiah
God put it all in place but man says “no thanks”
They’ve been waiting on the messiah but when He came they denied Him
Reasons for their rejection:
v1: Paul prays for their salvation but they don’t see a need for it.
Many atheists believe they same – they don’t see a need
Don’t give up praying for these people. This is the least you can do for them.
v2: they have zeal for God but not for knowledge
Galations 3:24: their pride prevents them.
“Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith.”- Galatians 3:24 NLT
v3: they don’t submit to God’s righteousness
prideful and self-righteous
v4-v13: Christ is the end of the law for everyone that believes
âDonât misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” – Matthew 5:17
The Jews were rejecting the messiah because they didn’t see a need for Him.
But despite all the miraculous signs Jesus had done, most of the people still did not believe in him. – John 12:37
 The remedy for their rejection is v15-v17 (the beautiful feet spreading the news about the peace that can only come from Christ):
And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, âLord, who has believed our report?â Â
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
So the remedy for rejecting the gospel is to actually hear the good news about Christ.
What are the results of their rejection?
v18: But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: âTheir sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.â
v19: But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: âI will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.â
Paul says he will also bring the good news about Christ to the gentiles because the Jews are rejecting it.
Despite their rejection God still yearns for acceptance by His people.
This recalls Isaiah 65 v1-2:
The Lord says, âI was ready to respond, but no one asked for help. I was ready to be found, but no one was looking for me.
I said, âHere I am, here I am!â to a nation that did not call on my name.
All day long I opened my arms to a rebellious people. But they follow their own evil paths and their own crooked schemes.
v20: But Isaiah is very bold and says: âI was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.â
v21: But to Israel he says: âAll day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.â
There are four reasons why the church needs to share the gospel:
Command from above
And then he told them, âGo into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” – Mark 16:15
Share the gospel with everyone, not just the Jews.
Request from belowÂ
âThen the rich man said, âPlease, Father Abraham, at least send him to my fatherâs home. –Â Luke 16:27
The rich man was in hell and pleading for his family to hear the gospel to prevent his family from also landing in hell.
Call from without
That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, âCome over to Macedonia and help us!â – Acts 16:9
Gentiles also needed to hear the gospel.
Call from within
Either way, Christâs love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. – 2 Corinthians 5:14
Christ died for all, not just the Jews.
Group Discussion
Brief chat about reasons to share the gospel
The law was never meant to make you righteous – Jesus fulfilled the law. We are not able to do so on our own, but we can do so by acceptomg Jesus as our savior.
None of our works matter per Matthew 7:21-23 – keeping the law and our relationship with Christ are far more important than any works we will ever do.
Galatians 5:22-23 explains this clearly:
âBut the Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.â
I believe my relationship with Christ makes me want to uphold and follow the law because if I don’t follow the law I am breaking my relationship with Christ.
Christ stated there was a new covenant – all that was the old laws is wrapped up in loving God and loving others.
“In this life and this world we wonât be sinless, but we should sin less” – Charles Stanley, pastor
