Teague Bible Church

 

James 1:13-18

Intro:  Me-Ma’s TeaKettle

 TODAY’S TEXT:  READ James 1:13-18   *********************************************

 Background:  James wants to counter the idea that since God allows trials and temptations that He must be the author of them.

 A way to say, “The Devil made me do it!”

 A way to excuse yourself of any responsibility concerning sin.

 In your own strength you have no chance to overcome your enemy.  No amount of religious ritual,stoic discipline; no amount of emotional fervor, will overcome what you face.

(Colossians 2:16-23)

 

But if you know Christ which is to be “born-again”, you receive a new nature and the Holy Spirit comes in to give all the power you need to endure trials (1:2, 12) and grow from them; and to resist temptations (1:13-14) that arise “within you,” from the old nature.  Now you have a new nature that can overcome.

 

If not “born-again” the pattern of James 1:15  is inevitable.  READ AGAIN

 

Romans 6;23       “For the wages of sin is death (spiritual), but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

 

What you are up against?  Satan (James 4:7)/the World (Romans 12:2)/ the “Flesh” (Romans 5:7)

 

Will focus today on what works “inside” you; the “flesh”. *********************************

 

It is shocking to realize the enemy has an avenue to you from the “inside.”

 

Ex. Movie where the call comes from inside the house!

 

Ex. Me and Rich decide that we can stop all vices.  First time I realized sin had me as its own.  I was a prisoner.

 

Romans 7:5     “For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were arounsed by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.”

 

James 1:13-14    READ

 

“carried away” = ( greek- exelkomenos)  to be “subtly” drawn away

                                                         from a  safe place.

 

“being lured” =  ( greek= deleaxomevos) to entrap/to catch with bait

“Lust” = nothing wrong with this word “desire.” The context of the passage lets you know if it is good desire or bad desire. Two examples below of the good meaning of the word

 

Philippians 1:23   “I desire to depart”

Luke 22:15  “I desire to eat this meal with you.”

 

Ex.  1 John 2:15-17

 

Ex.  The picture of a fish going in a straight course and then

               led away as the lure passes by.

 

Ex.  Oklahoma trout fishing

            Water clear, and you can see the fish following the lure.  If too slow they lose interest; if too fast it gets away from them.

 

James 1:15  READ

  LUST brings about a birth, and the child grows up to become uncontrollable!

 

Ex.  Dr. McGorman-rat trap- “Cleam the traps son – only one creature will return to the same bloody trap and walk over the bodies of fallen comrades to take his turn at death!”

 

James 1:17   READ

            Far from being the one tempting you, God gives only good gifts and perfect gifts.

            He gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.  First happens when you become a Christian, then as you daily surrender to Him, you overcome by the power of the Holy Spirit already abiding inside of you.

 

“Father of lights (plural) “The star and the moon and sun.  But they appear to come and go; whereas the Creator of light, God Himself, never cast a shadow.

 Ex.  Song – “Great is Thy Faithfulness”

            “Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh God my Father.  There is no shadow of turning with thee; Thou changeth not, Thy compassions they fail not; as Thou hast been Thou forever will be.”

 James 1:18  READ  This verse about the new birth in Christ that removes the judgment of sin that would have trapped  and condemned you for eternity (Romans 8:1).  And about a nature you have so that the Holy Spirit can work in you to overcome daily the effects of the old nature.  It is a process that gives daily hope and victory.  No more living in perpetual guilt or shame!

 

“word of truth” – gospel message (Romans 10:17)

 

“first fruits” – first in reference to the glorified resurrected body of Christ (1 Corinthians 15), but then referring here to us, and the same thing happens to us. (Philippians 3;20-21).

 Final:  You have to have a daily plan or you will continue to get lured away 

                         by lust residing inside of  you.  “Just taking life as it comes”

                                will not work!

 

QUESTION:  What is your daily plan?

 

Great Scripture to build your daily plan:  Hide these in your heart!

 

Romans 12:1-2                       Daily surrender

Romans 8;12-14         How the process works

I John 5:4-5                We overcome because He overcame

I John 4:4         Greater is He that is in you, than he (Satan) that is in the world

Hebrews 2:14-18        Draw near with confidence

I Corinthians 10:12-13      Nothing unusual happening;

                                                                 God will give you power