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Introduction:

Scripture: James 4:1-10

Key verses:

o 4:4, Adulterers andadulteresses! Do you not know that friendshipwith the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a

friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

o 4:7, Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee fromyou.

Topic: Worldliness and Submission

Theme: Worldly lifestyle and loving God cannot mix

Outline:

1) The symptoms of their rebellion (4:1-3)2) The seriousness of their rebellion (4:4)3) The solution to their rebellion (4:5-6)4) Their devotion to God (4:7-10)5) Their departure from sin (4:7-10)

Detail:

1) The symptoms of their rebellion (4:1-3)a) Ones internal struggle (4:1)

i) Text: Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do theynotcome from your desires forpleasure that war in your members?

ii) Comments:(1)Its personal

(a)Paul expressed it in Romans 7(i) In NKJV

1. me = 5 times2. I = 31 times3. my = 4 times

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(b)Romans 7:15-20, For what I am doing, I do not understand. Forwhat I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.16

If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is

good.17

But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in

me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good

dwells; for to will is present with me, but howto perform what is

good I do not find.19

For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but

the evil I will not to do, that I practice.20

Now if I do what I will not

to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

(2)Its universal(a)Because of the universal nature of sinall have sinned(b)Its total (total depravity!)

(3)Its corporal(a)The yous and yours are plurals!(b)Gods ideal is that believers are in a local assembly!(c)Cf James 2:2, if there should come into your assembly

(4)wars and fights(a)Cf Matthew 24:6, And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars.(b)Fights Cf Titus 3:9, But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies,

contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitableand useless

(5)From a global nation to nation perspective. What causes wars?(a)Some are defensive and Biblically just! (I doubt we would have

much to debate about WW II and the US battle against Imperial

Japan and Nazi Germany!)

(b)Other causes:(i) National pride(ii)Finance(iii) Ancient hatreds(iv) Resources

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b) Leads to interpersonal struggle (4:2)i) Text: You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot

obtain. You fight and war. Yetyou do not have because you do not ask.

ii) What are the causes of family strife? Church strife?(1)Jealousies / envies(2)Miscommunication / misunderstandings(3)Selfishness(4)Pride

iii)Cf 1 Peter 2:11, Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstainfrom fleshly lusts which war against the soul,

c) Results in ineffective prayers (4:3)i) Text: You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may

spend iton your pleasures.

ii) Comment on pleasures (1,3) (KJV = lusts)(1)Greek: (2)Cognate of English hedonism = the doctrine that pleasure or

happiness is the sole or chief good in life / a way of life based on or

suggesting the principles of hedonism

iii)Their infighting and strife and purposing to fightiv)They arent praying: you do not ask (2)v) They are praying for the wrong things: you ask amiss (3)vi)How are they wrongly praying? that you may spend iton your

pleasures.

(1)Instead of the glory of God!(2)The expansion of His kingdom!(3)For self instead of others!

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2) The seriousness of their rebellion (4:4)a) Text: Adulterers andadulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with

the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of

the world makes himself an enemy of God.

b) The degree of unfaithfulnessi) Strong words! Adulterers andadulteresses!ii) Readers of Hebrew ethnicity would understand the seriousness of these

words as they echo the OT prophets

(1)Ezekiel 23:37, For they have committed adultery, and blood is ontheir hands. They have committed adultery with their idols,

iii)We understand the seriousness of the marriage commitment:(1)Sample I promise to be faithful to you(2)We understand that marital infidelity hurts the other party!(3)Loving the world hurts our God! Because He loves us and covets our

relationship!

c) The definition of worldlinessfriendship with the worldi) I John 2:15-17 is helpful: Do not love the world or the things in the

world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.16

For all that is in the worldthe lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and

the pride of lifeis not of the Father but is of the world.

17

And theworld is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God

abides forever.

ii) Hard to put arms around worldliness(1)Not directly related to goods.

(a)Ok to own things but to be warned against things owning us(b)Recognize that we live in an extremely prosperous and

materialistic culture. Not to succumb to the covetousness of

idolatry! (Colossians 3:5)(2)Related to standards?

(a)The value of standards(b) The danger of standards (theMaginot Lineillustration)

(3)Probably best to relate worldliness to affections!(a)Terms friendship and love

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_Linehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_Linehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_Linehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maginot_Line

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3) The solution to their rebellion (4:5-6)a) The graciousness of God (4:5-6a)

i) Text: Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, The Spirit whodwells in us yearns jealously?

6But He gives more grace.

ii) The ministry of the Spirit:(1)Not a direct quotation of the OT but(2)A summation of OT principles. EG

(a)Deut 5:9, For I, the LORD your God, ama jealous God(b)Zech 1:14 & 8:2, I am zealous for Jerusalem And for Zion with

great zeal

iii)The graciousness of GodHe gives more grace:(1)Question More grace than what?(2)Literally is greater grace(3)Cf Romans 5:20b, But where sin abounded, grace abounded much

more

(4)Hebrews 4:16, Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace,that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need

iv)Hiebert: When the world competes for our love for God, resulting inour divided loyalty, God does not immediately cast us off but continues

to give more grace ( p. 234)b) The responsibility of the believer (4:6b)

i) Text: God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble4) Their devotion to God (4:7-10)

a) Devotion expressed in fidelity (4:7a)i) Text: Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from

you.

ii) Parallel: 1 Peter 5:5-9iii)Note both passages quote Proverbs 3:34iv)Series of imperatives:

(1)Submit(2)Resist(3)Draw near(4)Cleanse

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(5)Purify(6)Lament, mourn, and weep! (X3!)(7)Humble

b) Devotion expressed in proximity (4:8)i) Text: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your

hands, you sinners; and purify yourhearts, you double-minded.

c) Devotion expressed in humility (4:10)i) Text: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up

5) Their departure from sin (4:7-10)a) Defeating the devil (4:7b)

i) Text: Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee fromyou.

ii) Parallel: 1 Peter 5:5-9iii)Reminder of the temptation of our Lord! Luke 4:13, Now when the

devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an

opportune time.

b) Divorcing the world (4:8,9)i) Text: Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your

hands, you sinners; and purify yourhearts, you double-minded.9

Lament

and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning andyourjoy to gloom.

c) Denying the sin nature (4:10)i) Text: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up