DATE: 5-17-26

As always, it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

PASTORAL PRAYER

INTRODUCTION

We’re continuing our series in the book of James this weekend as we learn from the younger brother of Jesus, who believed that his older brother was God. And — in his letter — James has taken some teachings from his older brother and is showing us how to apply what Jesus taught to everyday life. Thus — when we listen to James — we’re learning what it means to be wise — for wisdom is taking God at his Word and applying it to our lives.

And in our verses for today, James is returning to two themes we’ve already encountered in his letter. Speech — meaning our words — and God’s law.

About the words we speak, James has said…

James 1:13 ESV

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

And…

James 1:19 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

And…

James 2:14–16 ESV

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

And…

James 3:1–2 ESV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

And…

James 3:5–6 ESV

5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

And…

James 3:8–10 ESV

8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.

And…

James 3:14 ESV

14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth.

And…

James 4:2–3 ESV

2 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. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

James has already said much about the words we speak. And about the royal — or the perfect law — James has said…

James 1:25 ESV

25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

And…

James 2:8–13 ESV

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

So James has already written much about our speech — the words we say — as well as the royal or perfect law — meaning the Law of God.

Now, before we get to our verses for today, I want to ask you a question. What part of God’s law do you think doesn’t apply to you? What part of God’s law do you think doesn’t apply to you?

If you’re a Christian, my guess is you may have responded with, “Well, all of it applies to me. Sure, there are some ceremonial laws in the Old Testament that don’t apply to us today, but the law that James is referring to — as we’ve already seen — is the royal law — the big Ten — the Great Commandment — whatever you want to call it — and it applies to Christians today.” Hold on to that thought for a moment.

Now, if you’re here — and you wouldn’t call yourself a Christian — my guess is you probably responded to my question with, “I’m not sure.” There are probably parts of the law that you do think apply to people today, like “Don’t murder,” but there are other parts you’re just not sure about — or you’re sure that some parts of the law definitely don’t apply to you — like those pesky parts of the law that tell us who and who not to have sex with.

Now James’ goal is to teach us how to be wise. And, by wise, he means not just taking God at his Word, but applying God’s Word to life. Thus, we know we’re being wise or foolish — for example, when it comes to the law — not by simply saying, “All of the law applies to me today” — but we’re being wise when we take that truth — that all of God’s law applies to me today — and live accordingly. Being wise means we don’t say “This is what I believe about God’s law” and then go on to live as if we’re above God’s law.

We’ll see how all of this works itself out in a moment — but first, we need to turn to our verses for today. We’ll be in James chapter four today. James chapter four — looking at verses eleven and twelve. We’re in James chapter four — beginning in verse eleven. There we read…

James 4:11–12 ESV

11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. 12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?

Christians, don’t speak evil against one another. That’s the command — the only command — in our verses. Don’t speak evil against one another, brothers. 

A few observations.

First, the word brothers is James’ way of referring to the Christians he’s writing to. And the only reason he’d need to command a group of Christians not to speak evil against one another is because — guess what they were probably doing? Speaking evil against each other!

Can you imagine? Christians speaking evil about other Christians? Unbelievable. Oh, wait, pretty believable.

Our second observation is that the kind of speech James is referring to is slander. He uses a similar phrase three times in verse eleven — speak evil, speaks against, and speaks evil. This is when we speak degradingly or defamingly of a fellow believer. It’s where we make malicious charges against someone else, attacking their good name and reputation. And, obviously, this is something Christians can do to other Christians as well as to non-Christians. This is also something that non-Christians can do to Christians. Slander is a sin that doesn’t care whose mouth it comes out of. Thus, God’s people are warned not to be slanderers — and not just here in James.

About those who serve in the church, we’re told…

1 Timothy 3:10–11 ESV

10 And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. 11 Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.

Just as…

Titus 2:3–5 ESV

3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

Christians are not to be slanderers. However, we’re to anticipate being slandered. This is why the apostle Peter writes…

1 Peter 2:12 ESV

12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you (or when they slander you…) as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

And…

1 Peter 3:14–16 ESV

14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

And the reason why Christians are not to slander others, while expecting to be slandered, is because our enemy — Satan, who’s also known as the Devil — his name in the Greek language means “slanderer” and “false accuser.” Thus, to be a slanderer of others is to imitate the Devil, for his name means “the slanderer.”

Slander is the opposite of godly speech — words of love and blessing. In fact, slander destroys fellowship among God’s people because slander is devilish speech. Thus, James wants us to know how to be wise in our speech so that we don’t follow Satan’s lead by speaking evil against one another. And the way of wisdom — the way of not speaking evil against one another — begins by, one, thinking biblically about each other, two, thinking biblically about God’s law, three, thinking biblically about God, and — finally — thinking biblically about ourselves. 

So let’s learn how not to slander one another by thinking biblically about each other, thinking biblically about God’s law, thinking biblically about God, and thinking biblically about ourselves.

THINK BIBLICALLY ABOUT EACH OTHER

First, thinking biblically about each other. We’re in verse eleven where James writes…

James 4:11 ESV

11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother…

As one person has said, when “fellow believers are viewed as those chosen by God before the foundation of the world, for whom Christ died, who are loved and honored by God, and with whom we will spend eternity in heaven, we will seek to honor, love, and protect them. [Thus] the first step in avoiding the sin of slander is not keeping one’s lips sealed, but keeping one’s thoughts about others right.” 

Biting one’s tongue isn’t the solution to the sin of slander; having a biblical view of each other is the solution to slander.

I wonder what your view is of those who are in the room with you right now? There are probably a lot of people in the room you don’t know. What do you think about them? Do you think biblically about them? How we think about one another — biblically or not — shapes what we say about one another.

Now, James, as you probably saw, also highlights judging one another. He doesn’t stop with slander — he also mentions judging, which is another topic he brought up earlier when he wrote…

James 2:4 ESV

4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

In both this verse and our verse for today, James isn’t making a universal statement about judging — there are plenty of places in Scripture where we’re told to judge one another. What James is saying is that we’re not to use God’s law to make judgments that result in us slandering others.

THINK BIBLICALLY ABOUT GOD’S LAW

Which leads us to the law and how we’re to think about it biblically. We’re back in verse eleven again.

James 4:11 ESV

11 Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.

As we’ve seen, by law, James wants us to remember what Jesus taught about the law. And — as we saw in a previous sermon — in knowing what Jesus taught about the law, James has told us that the fulfillment of the law is summed up by the command to love others. And here’s what that means. 

The law — all of the commands and rules — is love codified. The law tells us how to love. Thus, to disregard, ignore, or disobey the law is to be an unloving person. 

One Bible scholar explains…

“An examination of the Ten Commandments reveals them to be ten features of love verbalized. [We don’t have time to look at all ten, but a few will suffice.] The first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me”, shows that love is not fickle, but single-minded, devoted, loyal…The third command, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain”…reveals love to be respectful toward its object…The fifth commandment, “Honor your father and your mother”, reveals love to be submissive to authority…The sixth commandment, “You shall not murder”, expresses the value love places on others… The seventh commandment, “You shall not commit adultery”, shows love to be pure and [that] love would never defile another person. The eighth commandment, “You shall not steal”, manifests the unselfish nature of love. Love seeks to give, not to take.”

God’s law shows us how to love him and each other. Back to one of the first questions I asked today: I wonder what part of God’s law you’re disregarding, making you less loving than God has created you to be? Where — in disregarding God’s law — you’re not a doer of the law, but its judge.

THINK BIBLICALLY ABOUT GOD

But there is only one who is judge — and to him we turn, as we think biblically about God. We’re in verse twelve.

James 4:12 ESV

12 There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy.

When we slander others, we put ourselves above God’s law and attempt to put ourselves above God. Do you know who else tried to put himself above God? The one whose name means slanderer. But there’s only one lawgiver and judge — the God of Heaven above. The one who is able to save and to destroy.

God is the only one able to save. Meaning, God is the only one who can deliver us from sin and save us from evil. This is why Jesus, God in the flesh, came to earth.

Luke 19:10 ESV

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

For…

Titus 3:4–7 ESV

4 when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

And in response to this news…

James 1:21 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

God is the only one who can save — and — he can destroy.

The word destroy means “to utterly destroy.” It has a sense of spiritual destruction. This destruction is the eternal judgment and condemnation that those — who don’t believe in Christ — will experience for all eternity. As Jesus said…

Matthew 10:28 ESV

28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

And as the apostle Paul says about the return of Christ…

2 Thessalonians 1:6–10 NLT

6 In his (God’s) justice he will pay back those who persecute you. 7 And God will provide rest for you who are being persecuted and also for us when the Lord Jesus appears from heaven. He will come with his mighty angels, 8 in flaming fire, bringing judgment on those who don’t know God and on those who refuse to obey the Good News of our Lord Jesus. 9 They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power. 10 When he comes on that day, he will receive glory from his holy people — praise from all who believe. And this includes you, for you believed what we told you about him.

Think biblically about God. For he is the one who gave us the royal law. He alone is the perfect judge. And he is the only one who is able to save and to destroy.

THINK BIBLICALLY ABOUT YOURSELF

And, finally, think biblically about yourself. We’re in the last half of verse twelve, which says…

James 4:12 ESV

12 But who are you to judge your neighbor?

James essentially asks, “Just who do you think you are? I mean, who in the world do you think you are that you’re perfectly comfortable with slandering others?” 

Whoever you think you are — and this is true for me too — when we slander others, we’re not thinking biblically about ourselves.

Who are you?

2 Corinthians 4:7 NLT

We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves.

We’re fragile clay jars through whom the light of Christ shines forth in a world that’s clothed in darkness.

Who are you?

Luke 17:10 NLT

In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”

Even when we’ve obeyed God’s commands — maybe even receive an award for doing so — we’re unworthy of his grace.

Who are you?

2 Corinthians 5:16–17 ESV

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Having believed in Jesus, you’re a new creation.

Who are you?

Galatians 2:20 NLT

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

If you believe in Jesus, he lives in you.

Who are you?

1 John 3:1 NLT

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him.

You are a beloved child of God.

Who are you?

Ephesians 1:3–5 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. 5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

You are chosen. Blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. United with Christ. Adopted into God’s family. Holy and without fault in his eyes.

Who are you?

Romans 5:8 NLT

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

You are someone for whom Christ died.

Who are you?

Romans 8:38–39 ESV

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

You are someone who will never be separated from the love of God.

Who are you?

1 Peter 2:9–10 ESV

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Who are you?

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Who are you? 

Jesus says to you…

John 5:24 NLT

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.

Who are you? 

Having believed in Jesus, you are someone for whom…

Romans 8:1–2 NLT

There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

CONCLUSION

All that you’ve just heard can be true for you, regardless of what you thought about Jesus, or the law, or if slandering other people was something you excelled at before you came here today — all that you just heard — and more — can be yours, if you listen to the advice of the wisdom that’s from heaven above. 

And if you listen and respond to God’s wisdom, you will be loved by God, saved by God, cherished by God, eternally secured by God, and will be forever changed by God. Including the words you say about others — as words of slander become words of your past — and words of blessing are now the words of your present and future. For God’s Word — his Word of his love for you — will change you down to the very words that you say about others. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father in Heaven, thank you for your Word to us today. What words of blessing, even as we tackled the topic of slander. 

Holy Spirit, continue to sanctify us, to perfect our words, to radically transform them from words of cursing to words of blessing, from words of slander to words of grace and truth. 

And, Jesus, we pray all of this because our desire is that our whole being — down to every word we speak — would be a life that brings you glory and honor. For you gave your whole life for us — and in recognizing how you’ve loved us — we want to give our whole lives back to you.

Father, Son, and Spirit — for any who hear my voice who came here today without the new life that only you can give — may you open their eyes, give them ears to hear, and hearts that long for the peace, joy, hope, and love that’s found only through faith in you. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

Having heard and responded to God’s wisdom, may you go speaking words that honor him and others. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 5-3-26

As always, it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

PASTORAL PRAYER

INTRODUCTION

We’re continuing our series in the book of James this weekend. We’re learning from the younger brother of Jesus, who believed that his older brother was God. In his letter, James has taken some teachings from his older brother and is showing us how to apply what Jesus taught to everyday life. Thus — when we listen to James — we’re learning what it means to be wise — for wisdom is taking God at his Word and applying it to our lives.

And today, James will be helping us understand where division comes from. In a world that’s divided — in a culture that seems to pride itself on groups, tribes, and an “us versus them” mentality — James is going to explain to us where this division comes from.

So — if you have your Bible — please turn with me to James chapter four. We’ll be in James chapter four — looking at verses one through three together today. We’re in James chapter four — beginning in verse one. There we read…

James 4:1–3 ESV

1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 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. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

Where division comes from — this is what wisdom is going to teach us today. And we’re going to discover wisdom’s answer by looking at the cause of division, the results of division, and the cure for division. The cause, the results, and the cure.

THE CAUSE OF DIVISION

Beginning with the cause of division. In verse one, James writes…

James 4:1 ESV

1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?

Though what we’re about to learn has application to the division we see in the world around us — James is specifically wanting us to understand the cause of division among us — meaning the division we so often see among followers of Jesus. 

Before we get to the answer James gives, what would you say is the cause of the division we experience in the church?

Is it biblical illiteracy? If only Christians knew their Bible as well as you do, then we’d all be on the same page.

Is it theological shallowness? If only Christians knew their theology as well as you do, then there’d be no division.

Is it political influence? If only Christians kept politics out of their faith as well as you do, then there’d be no division.

What would you say is the cause of the division we see in the church of our day?

Well, here’s James’ answer to our question: It’s our passions that are at war within each of us. James is going right for us. He’s saying that our problem is that each of us is selfish and arrogant enough to believe that our desires should come first. And — when others don’t agree — our desires convince us that it’s worth making war with our fellow Christians. And when you put a bunch of people who all struggle with selfishness and arrogance together in one group — even if you call the group a church — well, you’re gonna have some problems. 

One of the most cleverly titled books on marriage that I’ve come across is When Sinners Say I Do. Someone should write a book on the church that’s titled When Sinners Say We Do.

Are there some things worth dividing over? Yes! We call these the Essentials of Our Faith here at Gateway. It’s been some time since I’ve reminded us of our Essentials, so it’d be good for us to remember them.

Every member of Gateway has agreed to these Essentials. If you’re a follower of Jesus, these Essentials should easily be something you can agree with. In fact, if you’re here today and you’d call yourself a follower of Jesus, I’m going to ask you to do something for me. I’m going to read our Essentials, and after each one, I’m going to ask if you agree with these statements by saying “I do.” Again, this is for anyone who follows Jesus — not just members of Gateway.

Here’s the opening statement — the preface — to the Essentials.

All Scripture is self-attesting and being Truth, requires our unreserved submission in all areas of life. The infallible Word of God, the sixty-six books of the Old and New Testaments, is a complete and unified witness to God’s redemptive acts culminating in the incarnation of the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible, uniquely and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit, is the supreme and final authority on all matters on which it speaks.

And — now — the Essentials.

We believe in one God, the sovereign Creator and Sustainer of all things, infinitely perfect and eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. To him be all honor, glory and praise forever!

Do you believe this? If so, say “I do.”

Jesus Christ, the living Word, became flesh through his miraculous conception by the Holy Spirit and his virgin birth. He who is true God became true man united in one Person forever. He died on the cross, a sacrifice for our sins according to the Scriptures. On the third day, he arose bodily from the dead, ascended into heaven, where, at the right hand of the Majesty on High, he now is our High Priest and Mediator.

Do you believe this? If so, say “I do.”

The Holy Spirit has come to glorify Christ and to apply the saving work of Christ to our hearts. He convicts us of sin and draws us to the Savior. Indwelling our hearts, he gives new life to us, empowers and imparts gifts to us for service. He instructs and guides us into all truth, and seals us for the day of redemption.

Do you believe this? If so, say “I do.”

Being estranged from God and condemned by our sinfulness, our salvation is wholly dependent upon the work of God’s free grace. God credits his righteousness to those who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation, thereby justifying them in his sight. Only such as are born of the Holy Spirit and receive Jesus Christ become children of God and heirs of eternal life.

Do you believe this? If so, say “I do.”

The true Church is composed of all persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ and the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit are united together in the body of Christ. The Church finds her visible, yet imperfect, expression in local congregations where the Word of God is preached in its purity and the sacraments are administered in their integrity; where scriptural discipline is practiced, and where loving fellowship is maintained. For her perfecting, she awaits the return of her Lord.

Do you believe this? If so, say “I do.”

Jesus Christ will come again to the earth — personally, visibly, and bodily — to judge the living and the dead, and to consummate history and the eternal plan of God. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

Do you believe this? If so, say “I do.”

The Lord Jesus Christ commands all believers to proclaim the Gospel throughout the world and to make disciples of all nations. Obedience to the Great Commission requires total commitment to “Him who loved us and gave himself for us.” He calls us to a life of self-denying love and service. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

Do you believe this? If so, say “I do.”

Can we acknowledge that followers of Jesus rarely divide or fight with one another because of differing views of the Essentials? So I gotta ask, “If we agree on the Essentials, why so much division among Christians?”

This reminds me of something Paul wrote in his letter to Christians living in Rome. He said…

Romans 7:15 NLT

15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

He goes on to write…

Romans 7:19–24 NLT

19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 21 I have discovered this principle of life — that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?

I wonder if you see this in your life? A desire to do good, yet there are still times when you don’t do what is good. A desire not to do what’s wrong, but times when you still do what’s wrong. Being baffled with yourself — frustrated even — because of this inconsistency — or maybe it’s a consistency? Are you able to get past the noise of our culture, which tells us to blame others for all that’s wrong in the world — including divisions within the church — and instead are you able to notice the not-so-subtle ways you contribute to the division?

What’s the cause of the division among Christians? We may have an answer, but James says it’s the ungodly passions and desires that are within each of us.

THE RESULTS OF DIVISION

Now we turn to the results of division. We’re in verse two where James writes…

James 4:2 ESV

2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.

Now I know — murder? Really James? Fight and quarrel, sure. But murder! We’ll get to murder — in a moment — but let’s talk fighting and quarreling first.

To quarrel means to make war. Where you view the moment you’re in as if it’s active warfare. And — to fight — here — has the sense of a verbal fight. So the idea James wants us to have is a division characterized by verbal fighting, but those involved act as if they’re at war with each other. Nothing like what we find going on today, right? 

Seventeenth-century Jewish philosopher Spinoza observed: ‘I have often wondered that persons who make boast of professing the Christian religion — namely love, joy, peace, temperance, and charity to all men — should quarrel with such rancorous animosity, and display daily towards one another such bitter hatred, that this, rather than the virtues which they profess, is the readiest criteria of their faith.’ 

Ouch!

So if anyone thinks that all of this infighting and division among Christians is a twenty-first-century problem — well — apparently — at least to Spinoza — it’s been an issue for a few hundred years. I bring his quote up because one of the results of division is that our witness — our testimony of what Christ has done in our life — loses its power. Unbelievers rightly look to our lives as evidence of the Christian faith’s compellingness. And when they see infighting and division in the church — well, they can find that anywhere. Division hurts our witness.

What are some other results of division? Earlier in his letter, James wrote…

James 1:14–15 NLT

14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.

The ultimate result of division is death. For the desires within us will go to rather extreme lengths to get what they want. And the Bible is full of examples of what happens when we allow our sinful passions to lead us towards divisiveness, including examples of people willing to murder to get what they want.

When two angels visited the city of Sodom, they were welcomed by Lot to stay in his house for the evening. A quick warning about what I’m about to read from the Bible: This is a bit graphic. But it shows us where sinful desires can lead.

And…

Genesis 19:4–11 NET

4 Before they could lie down to sleep, all the men — both young and old, from every part of the city of Sodom — surrounded the house. 5 They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!” 6 Lot went outside to them, shutting the door behind him. 7 He said, “No, my brothers! Don’t act so wickedly! 8 Look, I have two daughters who have never had sexual relations with a man. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do to them whatever you please. Only don’t do anything to these men, for they have come under the protection of my roof.” 9 “Out of our way!” they cried, and “This man came to live here as a foreigner, and now he dares to judge us! We’ll do more harm to you than to them!” They kept pressing in on Lot until they were close enough to break down the door. 10 So the men inside reached out and pulled Lot back into the house as they shut the door. 11 Then they struck the men who were at the door of the house, from the youngest to the oldest, with blindness. The men outside wore themselves out trying to find the door.

Even when blinded, the men of Sodom still tried to find their way in so they could satisfy their sinful passions.

Later in Genesis, we come to the story of Joseph and his brothers. Admittedly, Joseph was a bit of a punk of a brother, but because of their sinful passions and desires…

Genesis 37:18–20 NLT

18 When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. 19 “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. 20 “Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!”

Brothers are willing to murder their sibling because of passions within them — like jealousy and envy.

In the book of First Kings, we find the story of King Ahab. Ahab’s a wicked king married to an evil woman named Jezebel. 

1 Kings 21:1–19 NLT

1 Now there was a man named Naboth, from Jezreel, who owned a vineyard in Jezreel beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. 2 One day Ahab said to Naboth, “Since your vineyard is so convenient to my palace, I would like to buy it to use as a vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or if you prefer, I will pay you for it.” 3 But Naboth replied, “The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance that was passed down by my ancestors.” 4 So Ahab went home angry and sullen because of Naboth’s answer. The king went to bed with his face to the wall and refused to eat! 5 “What’s the matter?” his wife Jezebel asked him. “What’s made you so upset that you’re not eating?” 6 “I asked Naboth to sell me his vineyard or trade it, but he refused!” Ahab told her. 7 “Are you the king of Israel or not?” Jezebel demanded. “Get up and eat something, and don’t worry about it. I’ll get you Naboth’s vineyard!” 8 So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, sealed them with his seal, and sent them to the elders and other leaders of the town where Naboth lived. 9 In her letters she commanded: “Call the citizens together for a time of fasting, and give Naboth a place of honor. 10 And then seat two scoundrels across from him who will accuse him of cursing God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death.” 11 So the elders and other town leaders followed the instructions Jezebel had written in the letters. 12 They called for a fast and put Naboth at a prominent place before the people. 13 Then the two scoundrels came and sat down across from him. And they accused Naboth before all the people, saying, “He cursed God and the king.” So he was dragged outside the town and stoned to death. 14 The town leaders then sent word to Jezebel, “Naboth has been stoned to death.” 15 When Jezebel heard the news, she said to Ahab, “You know the vineyard Naboth wouldn’t sell you? Well, you can have it now! He’s dead!” 16 So Ahab immediately went down to the vineyard of Naboth to claim it. 17 But the Lord said to Elijah, 18 “Go down to meet King Ahab of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He will be at Naboth’s vineyard in Jezreel, claiming it for himself. 19 Give him this message: ‘This is what the Lord says: Wasn’t it enough that you killed Naboth? Must you rob him, too?”

“You desire and do not have, so you murder” would be a pretty good summary of what we just read. The cause of division is our ungodly passions and desires. The results of division — as we’ve just seen — are not good.

CONCLUSION: THE CURE FOR DIVISION

Which leads us to the cure for division. Obviously, we need a cure. We’re in the last half of verse two where James writes…

James 4:2–3 ESV

2 You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.

What’s the cure for division? To ask God. It seems as if James is returning to an idea he began his letter with, for early on he wrote…

James 1:5 NLT

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

The cure for our division is for us to ask God for the wisdom we need and to trust that he’ll give it to us. And we do so while we remember that God will not give us what we ask for when what we ask for comes from ungodly, sinful, evil, or selfish desires. The cure for division is for us to ask God for help.

This leads us to the teaching of Jesus that may have been on James’ mind when he wrote these words. This is only speculation — maybe James was thinking of something else Jesus taught — but because he returns to the topic of asking God — or what we call prayer — I couldn’t help but think of the time when Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. He said…

Matthew 6:9–13 NLT

9 Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. 10 May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today the food we need, 12 and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. 13 And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.

When it comes to prayer, our top priority is to ask God that his name would be kept holy — that’s a cure for division. Meaning, the priority isn’t us getting what we want. It’s not them getting what they deserve. But keeping God’s name holy and revered is our ultimate desire. 

And we’re to pray that God’s will be done in our specific situation. Not my will. Not your will. But his will be done. And only those who are selfish or arrogant would think that their will and God’s will are always the same. Just as only the humble and those who desire God to be glorified in their life will know that there are times when their will and God’s will are not aligned. And, in these moments, they will desire for God’s will to still be done. A cure for division.

Another time, Jesus said this about asking. He said…

Matthew 7:7–11 NLT

7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “You parents — if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

When we ask our Father in Heaven, we must remember that he knows what’s best for us. We may think we’re asking him for bread — but he knows the bread we really need. We may think we’re asking him for a fish — when he knows that we’re actually asking him to give us a snake. We may think we’re asking him to end the division — when he knows what ending the division will really take. 

So we ask, yes! But we ask as we trust that our Father in Heaven is good and will give only good and perfect gifts to his children — including the cure for division, which is a gift to his people.

Earlier, I had us look at what Paul wrote about himself and the division he experienced. I intentionally left off how he ended his thought. I’ll re-read what we looked at earlier, but this time I’ll let Paul finish his thought.

Romans 7:15 NLT

15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate.

And…

Romans 7:19–25 NLT

19 I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. 21 I have discovered this principle of life — that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God’s law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Now, if we take what James has taught us — to ask God — and what Paul says — that the answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord — we find that the ultimate cure for division is a prayer life that’s fully submitted to the will of God, which is only possible through faith in Christ. Meaning, the only way that your passions and desires will be tamed and brought under control — the way you find victory over those division creating agitations when life doesn’t go the way you want it to go — resulting in you pushing and fighting and shoving — or in extreme cases — even killing and making war with others — the cure to division in your life is to submit yourself to God’s authority and to find greater joy and satisfaction in Christ and what he’s done in love for you — and in him being glorified in your life — than in having the sinful desires and pleasures of your flesh fulfilled.

• And this posture will only come by knowing God’s will as revealed to you in his Word.
• This posture will only come by knowing how God has defined holy desires versus unholy desires.
• This posture will only come when God’s people realize that the war we’re in is not with one another — it’s not a war against unbelievers — it’s not a war against the other political party or people from that foreign nation — but is a war against our sin, our flesh, and our Enemy who wants to keep us divided and warring with one another so that we don’t unite — by the power of the Spirit of God — with locked arms and with feet planted firmly in God’s Word as we stand our ground against he and his demonic army. 

Dear Christian, stand your ground. Stand your ground by being rooted in truth. Stand your ground by being rooted in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stand your ground with your brothers and sisters in Christ. For then, and only then, will unity — not division — be what we’re known for. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, Son, and Spirit — unite us together, we pray. Keep us grounded in your Word. Empower us by your Spirit. And may the passions and desires of each of our hearts be for your name to be kept holy and for your will to be done — in each of our individual lives — and in our life together as a faith family. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

COMMUNION (JOSH WILL MOVE TO TABLE)

Leader: Lift up your hearts.

Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord.

Leader: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

Congregation: It is right for us to give thanks and praise.

Leader: With joy we praise you, gracious God, for you have created heaven and earth, made us in your image, and kept covenant with us — even when we fell into sin.

Congregation: We give you thanks for Jesus Christ, our Lord, who by his life, death, and resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. Therefore, we join our voices with all the saints and angels and the whole creation to proclaim the glory of your name.

We give thanks to God the Father that our Savior, Jesus Christ, before he suffered, gave us this memorial of his sacrifice, until he comes again. At his last supper, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this in remembrance of me.” For whenever we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes. – 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Leader: Therefore, we proclaim our faith as signed and sealed in this sacrament.

Congregation: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

INSTRUCTIONS

At this time, I’d like to invite those who will be serving us to come forward. And — while they make their way forward — know that as the bread and cup are passed down your rows, you’re to take the bread on your own — but save the cup — which we’ll drink together. Also — in the bread trays — there’s a gluten-free option in the center.

If you’re NOT taking communion today, know that no one is judging you. We’d appreciate it, though, if you could pass the trays to the next person in your row. And if you have any questions about communion, or what it means to follow Jesus, please stop by the resource center before you leave today.

Finally, to any of our homebound members — who are watching this from home — know that your shepherding elder is available to bring communion to you in your home. Please reach out to him if you’d like to have communion brought to you.

Eat the bread on your own — but save the cup — which we’ll drink together.

COMMUNION PASSED OUT

The blood of Christ, shed for you.

PRAYER (TRANSITION FOR WORSHIP TEAM)

Father, we give you thanks for your Son, Jesus Christ, for his willing obedience and suffering during his life on earth, and especially for his giving up of his body and blood on the cross. Give us assurance that our sins are forgiven through his blood, and may your perfect love drive out all fear. Fill our minds with your peace and turn our eyes to Heaven, where Christ is at your right hand interceding for us. Give us the strength and faith we need to offer ourselves in service to Christ, and may no trouble or sorrow distract us from this loving service. And unite us with each other through your Spirit, so we continue in the living hope of our Savior’s return, which is sure to come. Hear us now through our Lord Jesus, who taught us to pray, saying these words — which are on the screens if you need them…

Congregation: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.” (Matthew 6:9-13 ESV)

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May you go committed to living in unity with your fellow Christians. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 4-26-26

As always, it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

PASTORAL PRAYER

INTRODUCTION

And we’re continuing our series in the book of James this weekend. We’re learning from the younger brother of Jesus, who believed that his older brother was God. So — if you’re here today and you’re not sure about the validity of the Christian faith — take what I just said into account. Jesus’ younger brother — someone who grew up with Jesus — believed he was God. That’s quite an argument in favor of the truthfulness of Christianity. 

Now — in his letter — James has taken some teachings from his older brother and is showing us how to apply what Jesus taught to everyday life. Thus — when we listen to James — we’re learning what it means to be wise — for wisdom is taking God at his Word and applying it to our lives. And wisdom is actually the topic James has for us today. And if you caught the title for this sermon — Godly Wisdom, Demonic Wisdom — you can probably tell that this is not only going to be a sermon about wisdom — but we’re going to discover a truth that doesn’t just lend itself to writing provocative sermon titles — but is a truth that’s going to open our eyes and minds to seeing the world in a whole new light.

So — if you have your Bible — please turn with me to James chapter three. We’ll be in James chapter three, looking at verses thirteen through eighteen today. We’re in James chapter three — beginning in verse thirteen. There we read…

James 3:13–18 ESV

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Godly wisdom and demonic wisdom. These are the two categories — or types — of wisdom that James puts before us. Before we get to them, I want us to remember something we saw months ago in one of our first sermons from this book. In the fifth verse of the first chapter, James writes…

James 1:5 ESV

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

In that sermon, one of the first things I did was give us a definition of wisdom because — if wisdom is what we lack — then we need to know what wisdom is. And in that sermon, I mentioned that there are two definitions of wisdom commonly used today. The first definition is something like “applying knowledge to a situation,” which doesn’t sound all that bad. And — it’s not — except for one significant aspect. Often — with this definition — morality and theology are not taken into consideration. For this view of wisdom is human-centric — it puts the power and responsibility for determining what is wise in our hands.

Then I pointed us to a second definition of wisdom, which is nearly identical to the first — but with one significant change. If definition one is “applying knowledge to a situation,” the second definition of wisdom is “applying biblical and theological knowledge to a situation.” And this tells us that wisdom — foundationally — is theological. And theology has to do with God. Thus, wisdom is understanding our proper place in relationship to God and — here’s the application part — responding to that relationship accordingly.

Another way of thinking of these two definitions is this: Wisdom — under definition number one — asks, “What works?” Wisdom — under definition number two — asks, “What honors God and reflects his character?” In that sermon from months ago, I went on to say, “Even in the church, the wisdom of ‘what works’ continues to dominate — at least in the church in the US. We’re such pragmatic people that the wisdom of ‘what works’ — and the success it often brings — in relationships, in business, in politics, even in the church — really excites us. But the wisdom of what works will not produce righteousness, which is the goal of biblical wisdom.  And — righteousness — as you may know — means to be right with God. And there are many people who call themselves Christians today — and many organizations that call themselves churches — who are very successful and yet are not right with God. 

Many have discovered what works — again, in relationships, in business, in politics, even in the church — and they think this makes them right with God. But our works — what we do — have never made us right with God — even works that bring about great success — and those who are biblically wise understand this. For it’s not our works — but the works of the One who’s called the Wisdom of God — that make us righteous. Which is why, according to God, wisdom means not just understanding what works, because what works and what pleases God are not always the same thing. And we who claim to follow Jesus need to be very careful of which definition of wisdom we allow to influence the decisions we make, because God will not bless the wisdom of ‘what works’ when it does not bring him honor and glory.”

And — now — two chapters later — James returns to the topic of wisdom. And he’s going to show us another reason why the wisdom we choose — ‘what works’ or ‘what glorifies God’ matters. For James tells us that one is a wisdom that is godly — or from God — while the other is demonic — or from the devil.

DEMONIC WISDOM

We’ll begin with demonic wisdom and end with godly wisdom. We’re in verse fourteen. There, James writes…

James 3:14–16 ESV

¹⁴ But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. ¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

James begins by describing the evidence of demonic wisdom: Bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. But he warns — by way of a command — the only command in our verses, by the way — when he writes, “Don’t boast and be false to the truth.” Another Bible translation says, “Don’t cover up the truth — that you’re bitterly jealous and have selfish ambition — with boasting and lying.” Another says, “Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom.”

So, there’s evidence of demonically inspired wisdom. And one piece of evidence is bitter jealousy. A harsh, cruel, hostile rivalry towards others. Where you’re greedy and longing for something that others have, which causes you to be harsh and cruel towards them. This is bitter jealousy.

James used the word bitter earlier in this chapter, when he wrote…

James 3:11 ESV

¹¹ Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?

Salt water is bitter water. Fresh water has no bitterness to it. Godly wisdom — which we’ll get to in a moment — has no bitterness to it. But demonic wisdom — well — it produces bitter jealousy in those who follow its lead. Just like it produces…

Romans 13:13 ESV

¹³ orgies and drunkenness…sexual immorality and sensuality…quarreling and jealousy.

This kind of wisdom entices our flesh — our sinful desires — to give into all kinds of bitter and ungodly behaviors. As Paul writes to the Christians in Corinth…

1 Corinthians 3:2–3 ESV

² And even now you are not yet ready, ³ for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

And to the Galatians he writes…

Galatians 5:19–21 ESV

¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Fruit of the flesh, which are in opposition to the fruit of the Spirit that Paul goes on to list, is evidence as to which wisdom a person is following.

Unfortunately, bitter jealousy is just one piece of evidence of demonic wisdom. The second is selfish ambition. Selfish ambition means to be self-seeking. It’s a strong drive for personal success without any moral guardrails. This is the person who will do whatever it takes to be successful — as they define success — and rarely is God glorified in our lives when personal success is our ultimate goal. In fact, God can’t be glorified in a person’s life when personal success is their ultimate goal. Because either personal success or God’s glory will be ultimate in your life and — whichever is ultimate — will lead to the wisdom you follow.

In contrast to selfish ambition, we’re told to…

Philippians 2:3 ESV

³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

Why? Because we’re to…

Philippians 2:5–11 NLT

⁵ …have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. ⁶ Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. ⁷ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, ⁸ he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Christ — in being your Savior, if you believe in him — is also your example. And the reason why he’s your Savior is because — instead of acting out of selfish ambition — he selflessly gave his life on the cross for you. And in being loved this way — when you taste and see the love Jesus has for you — you follow his example of what it means to be wise by living selflessly instead of selfishly.

So that’s the positive reason not to practice selfish ambition. The negative reason — the warning — is this.

Romans 2:6–8 NLT

⁶ He (God) will judge everyone according to what they have done. ⁷ He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. ⁸ But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness.

Those who live for themselves are those who live with selfish ambition — it’s the same phrase in the original language. And those who listen to the demonic wisdom of our enemy will display a selfish ambition in their life. Which — Paul warns — will result in them experiencing God’s anger and wrath for all eternity.

And what does this bitter jealousy and selfish ambition produce? In verse sixteen, James writes…

James 3:16 ESV

¹⁶ For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.

Disorder and every vile practice are the outcome of demonic wisdom in one’s life. Disorder’s an interesting word. It has the sense of an insurrection — think of a violent group causing a disturbance. It’s a word often used to describe what life will be like in the end times. For example, Jesus said…

Luke 21:9 NLT

⁹ And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.”

But James is saying that this is an insurrection — not out there — but that jealousy and selfish ambition cause an insurrection within you. Sure, this will have consequences to your relationships, your health, potentially your finances — those may be a result of the vile or evil practices you end up doing — but all of this is self-inflicted because of the wisdom you’re following. An inner war — an internal insurrection — a disorder in one’s life.

Let’s return to how James describes this demonic wisdom. In verse fifteen, we read…

James 3:15 ESV

¹⁵ This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.

So he describes this wisdom not solely as demonic — he also calls it earthly and unspiritual. It’s a wisdom — not characterized as coming down from heaven — but as coming from here on earth. It’s unspiritual — as opposed to spiritual. And all of this is James’s way of saying that this is wisdom that comes from our fallen world.

Earthly versus heavenly are contrasted in a variety of places. For example, Paul says…

1 Corinthians 15:40 ESV

⁴⁰ There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.

Our earthly bodies — these bodies subject to disease, decay, and death are different than the heavenly bodies God’s people will experience for all eternity.

But earthly versus heavenly isn’t just a contrast of physical material. It also includes philosophies, thoughts, and motivations that drive us. For example, Paul also writes…

Philippians 3:18–19 NLT

¹⁸ For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.

The desires of those who oppose Christ are earthly, not heavenly. Resulting in them only thinking about their life now — here on earth — and not the life that is to come.

Paul also writes…

1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV

¹⁴ The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

The opposition of earthly and heavenly — of the natural versus the spiritual — goes so far that those who are “natural” — meaning those who don’t have spiritual life — can’t accept the things of the Spirit of God. They need spiritual life given to them first — in order to discern and accept spiritual — or heavenly — truths.

There’s much more that God’s Word says about the earthly versus the heavenly — the natural versus the spiritual — but I think you get the point. This wisdom — wisdom that is earthly, unspiritual, and demonic is not from God and doesn’t please him. Instead, it leads to ruin and destruction. It leads to evil thoughts and actions. It leads to misery and — ultimately — to one’s eternal death.

So — don’t lie to yourself. That’s James warning to all of us. Do an honest evaluation of the wisdom you’re following.

GODLY WISDOM

Which leads us to godly wisdom. This is wisdom from above — wisdom from our Father in Heaven. And — I’ll remind us of this later — but keep in mind that James is trying to help us apply what his older brother — Jesus — taught. So see if you can think of what Jesus said that James may have been thinking of with these words. I’ll get us all there — but see if anything comes to mind. We’re in verse thirteen. There, James writes…

James 3:13 ESV

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom.

And skipping to verse seventeen, we read…

James 3:17–18 ESV

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

James begins by telling us that the wisdom from above — that is, wisdom from God — displays itself in one’s life as good conduct. Meaning — being wise leads to good works — a topic James has already touched on in his letter. 

So if you think you’re wise, what good works do you have to show for it? And — to be wise — in the present — would mean to have good works — and these are good works according to God — that are also in the present. Meaning past good works may validate past godly wisdom, but present godly wisdom in your life will be accompanied with present good works.

But — as I said — we’ve already touched on faith and good works in a previous sermon, so let’s focus on the characteristics of godly wisdom. We spent quite a bit of time on demonically inspired wisdom — let’s spend some time on godly inspired wisdom. James says…

James 3:17–18 ESV

¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. ¹⁸ And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

What are the characteristics or qualities of godly wisdom? Godly wisdom is…

• Pure
• Peaceable
• Gentle
• Open to reason
• Full of mercy
• Full of good fruits
• Impartial
• Sincere
• And godly wisdom results in a harvest of righteousness — or right living — that’s sown in peace by those who listen to it.

Godly wisdom is pure — meaning — it’s holy. It has no faults. For the God who gives this wisdom is pure and holy himself.

Godly wisdom is peaceable. It promotes a state of wholeness, well-being, and happiness. It’s free from a quarrelsome attitude.

Godly wisdom is gentle. It’s kind, tolerant, fair, and fitting. It’s lenient and merciful towards differences of opinion. It’s thoughtful and respectful of other people’s feelings.

One of my favorite sections of the Bible highlights the importance of gentleness in the life of those who follow godly wisdom. The apostle Peter writes…

1 Peter 3:14–16 NLT

¹⁴ But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. ¹⁵ Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. ¹⁶ But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.

Even when you experience suffering, for following Jesus and his wisdom from heaven, be ready to explain why you’re willing to suffer to those who oppose you and do so in a gentle and respectful way. Of all the characteristics of godly wisdom we can display to the world, this one — gentleness — may be the biggest opportunity to distinguish godly wisdom from the natural, unspiritual, and demonic wisdom that runs rampant in our culture today.

Godly wisdom is also open to reason. As Christians, we believe in objective truth. Yet, godly wisdom — in being open to reason — reminds us that we’re not all-knowing — only God is. And we may have faults in our reasoning — though God doesn’t — thus we need to be open to reason. We need to be open to being wrong. Open to adopting or changing our position or belief about something, given sufficient reason or evidence. Instead of quickly responding with the “wrong meme,” which is the way of our culture, godly wisdom is open to reason. To say it another way, those who follow godly wisdom know that they’re not right about everything. And being a “know-it-all” is an indicator that one is not following godly wisdom.

Godly wisdom is full of mercy — it’s compassionate. As Jesus said to his religious opponents…

Matthew 23:23 NLT

²³ “What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things.

Or as James previously told us…

James 2:13 NLT

¹³ There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.

Godly wisdom is made evident by the mercy it shows to others.

Just as godly wisdom is also full of good fruits. Good fruits are the consequences of the wisdom from heaven. Whereas disorder and every evil practice are the consequences of demonic wisdom, godly wisdom produces godly results. And as James earlier told us…

James 1:18 NIV

¹⁸ He (God) chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Our lives are to be the firstfruits of God’s saving and restoring work to his creation. And — in following his wisdom — more good fruits will be produced in our lives.

Godly wisdom is impartial — it’s nonjudgmental. Where demonic wisdom causes division, godly wisdom produces unity. Godly wisdom fights against our natural, unspiritual tendency to divide.

Additionally, godly wisdom is sincere. It’s without hypocrisy. It’s genuine.

And godly wisdom leads to a harvest of righteous living — resulting in peacemaking being a characteristic of those who follow God’s wisdom.

CONCLUSION: JESUS ON GODLY WISDOM

And it’s this final result — this harvest of righteous living — that leads us to the teaching of Jesus that James may have been thinking of. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said…

Matthew 5:3–12 ESV

³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. ⁵ “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. ⁷ “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. ⁸ “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ⁹ “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. ¹⁰ “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Though James doesn’t address everything Jesus says here, did you notice quite a bit of thematic overlap?

• Godly wisdom is pure. And Jesus said, “God blesses those whose hearts are pure.”
• Godly wisdom is peaceable. And Jesus said, “God blesses those who work for peace.”
• Godly wisdom is gentle. And Jesus said, “God blesses those who are meek” — another word for gentle.
• Godly wisdom is full of mercy. And Jesus said, “God blesses those who are merciful.”

I’m sure we could find even more connections — but that’s enough to show us that the godly wisdom that James speaks of — will lead to the godly living that Jesus taught in his Sermon on the Mount. For — remember — James wants us to apply wisdom to life — for just knowing the wise thing to do isn’t enough. Wisdom leads to action. And we’re all guided by some wisdom that leads to the actions we choose. The question — that James is forcing us to ask — is this: Does the evidence in your life show godly wisdom or demonic wisdom to be your guide? And if you’re not satisfied with the evidence in your life, which wisdom do you need to start listening to and following?

As I prepared for this sermon, I came across some words that I thought would help us all take what we’ve heard and begin applying it to our lives.

One author said, “These characteristics [of godly wisdom]…are hard to acquire and hard to maintain. They can only be sustained at great personal cost. They only appear where there has been a steady habit of prayer and self-discipline; even then, they may take a while to show themselves. It would be worth spending the time to work through the words in [James’s] list one by one. Do it slowly. Review your life in the light of them. You might want to make a note of the times, the places, and particularly the people, that make it hard for you to live in this way — and then pray for strength, and for this wisdom from above, to hold firm when the challenge comes round once more. Some of the people you meet every day are people who follow godly wisdom, and others are people who follow demonic wisdom. Which one would you rather see coming towards you down the street? Which one would you rather have as a neighbor? [Which would you rather work with or be married to?] The question answers itself. The challenge is to become that person yourself. Someone who listens to, submits to, and follows the wisdom that comes from above.”

May we all be committed to listening to the wisdom that’s from above. The wisdom that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. For then — and only then — will a harvest of righteousness be sown in peace through our lives — as individuals — and as a church. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father in Heaven, by wisdom you founded the earth; by understanding you created the heavens. O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. True wisdom and power are found in you; counsel and understanding are yours. Only you can tell you the future before it happens. Everything you plan will come to pass, for you do whatever you wish.

Spirit of God, when it comes to grasping all of this — of truly understanding what we’ve heard today — we admit that our minds seem so incapable. We say with the psalmist, “How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!” We confess that “Your thoughts are nothing like our thoughts. And your ways are far beyond anything we can imagine.” So help us, we pray. Help us to trust that you will use the wisdom from above to change our lives.

And, Jesus, all of this is possible because you not only lived a life full of godly wisdom, but are the wisdom of God come in the flesh. The evidence in your life is clear. All that you do or say is pure and peaceable. You are gentle and full of mercy. You’re sincere, and a harvest of righteousness is being produced in the lives of your people because of your transforming love.

For your glory — Father, Son, and Spirit — we commit to following your wisdom. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

As you go, may you commit yourselves to listening to and following the wisdom from above. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 4-19-26

As always, it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

PASTORAL PRAYER

INTRODUCTION

We’re continuing our series in the book of James this weekend. In his letter, James has taken some teachings from his older brother and is showing us how to apply what Jesus taught to everyday life. Thus — when we listen to James — we’re learning what it means to be wise — for wisdom is taking God at his Word and applying his Word to our lives. So let’s see what James has for us today.

If you have your Bible, please turn with me to James chapter three. We’ll be in James chapter three — looking at verses one through twelve together today. We’re in James chapter three — beginning in verse one. There we read…

James 3:1–12 ESV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

Years ago, someone said, “Direction, not intention, determines your destination.” What the person was pointing out is that — often — we give our intentions way more credit than they deserve. 

• We may intend to improve our health. 
• We may intend to have a loving marriage. 
• We may intend to raise our children to know and love Jesus. 

There are lots of things that we intend — or have the intent to do — but direction, not intention, ultimately determines our destination.

Our intention is to improve our health, but for many, our direction is towards an inactive lifestyle and foods that are full of sugar and other highly processed ingredients that aren’t great for us. And, our direction determines our destination — not being as healthy as we intend to be.

Our intention is to have a loving marriage, but our direction — working extra late hours to impress our boss, coming home and gluing ourselves to screens, not praying together as husband and wife — leads to a marriage that resembles having a roommate rather than a spouse.

Our intention is to raise our children to know and love Jesus, but our direction — not having family devotional times, not regularly attending church, allowing sports and other activities to control our calendars — leads to children who are disinterested in Jesus.

Direction, not intention, determines your destination.

But what determines our direction? What causes us to go this way instead of that — to make this decision instead of that one? If direction, not intention, determines our destination — what determines our direction? James is going to tell us that it’s our words. The words we say out loud and the words we say to ourselves in our heads, are what determine our direction in life. And — to make this personal — your words are determining the direction of your life.

Earlier in James, we read…

James 1:19 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

James also told us…

James 1:26 ESV

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

So the tongue and our words aren’t a new topic for James. He’s just going to show us a bit more about this very practical topic — the power of our words.

But there’s one more question for us. If direction, not intention, determines our destination. And our words are what determine our direction — what determines our words? I mean, if our words are this important — if they determine our direction, which leads to the destination our lives are headed to — what determines our words? This is the question we’ll let Jesus answer.

But before we get to his answer, let’s return to our verses, where we find a warning about our words. Then we’ll look at both words of cursing and words of blessing, before we turn to Jesus’ answer to our final question.

A WARNING TO TEACHERS (AND TO ALL OF US)

So, first, a warning. We’re in verse one.

James 3:1 ESV

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.

So James starts with a warning directed at teachers. And, to be clear, he means teachers of God’s Word. And his point is this: Those of us who teach God’s Word use words to do so. And, because we use words, we’re going to be judged with greater strictness because the words we say — one — usually have a much bigger audience than what most people experience — and two — when one teaches God’s Word, you are saying words of eternal importance. 

Now, with this warning, James isn’t trying to get Bible teachers to quit. He doesn’t want to stop people from becoming Bible teachers. He’s just warning us that the more words you speak, and teachers speak more words than most, the more evaluation God is doing of what you say. And, unfortunately, the more you speak, the more you can become careless with the words you say — especially when we fail to heed the warning James gave earlier about being quick to listen and slow to speak. 

On Tuesday, I was at BGSU to do a Q&A session with students. I’ve been doing this for a few years now. And college ministries always start past my bedtime. We spent over an hour on questions and answers, with follow-up questions sent in response to something I said in my answer to a previous question — it was a great time, and I love seeing how eager the next generation is to understand how the Christian faith applies to life. 

This is just one example of how teachers of God’s Word are often asked to give their opinion on something or answer an individual’s question, meaning they speak, speak, speak into all kinds of situations. And more words usually — not always — but usually more words mean more errors — especially when it’s past your bedtime. Thus, those who teach — and not just preach on a big stage like this — but those who take on any form of teaching the Bible to others — are warned: Be careful with your words.

But James’s warning isn’t solely for those of us who teach. In fact, his warning to teachers is meant to grab our attention — so that we hear his general warning that’s for all of us. James continues in verse two with…

James 3:2 ESV

2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

Notice that he doesn’t say that teachers stumble in many ways. Nor does he say that “only teachers” stumble in many ways. The verse says, “We all stumble in many ways.” And “we” is inclusive. It includes teachers and non-teachers. It includes men and women. Young and old. Christians and non-Christians. His point is simple: All of us have stumbled when it comes to the words we’ve said.

The word “stumble” means to be defeated. Defeated by what? Sin. This is the word James used in the previous chapter when he wrote…

James 2:10 ESV

10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it.

“Fails” is the same word as “stumble.” Remember, when it comes to being right with God by the law, the standard is perfection. You must obey all of the law, or you’ve failed. And now — in our chapter — James acknowledges that we’ve all failed — or stumbled — in many ways when it comes to the words that come out of our mouths. For if you hadn’t stumbled — or failed — with your words, you’d be a perfect man or woman. You’d be able to control your entire being when it comes to sin and its temptations. He explains it this way.

James 3:3–8 ESV

3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

By way of illustration, James shows us the power of our words. Though we’ve got some folks in our church with farms and animals, horses and bits aren’t used by as many of us as in James’s day. The same goes for rudders of a ship. If we were to use a twenty-first-century illustration, we’d say the tongue is like the steering wheel in your car. The steering wheel is a small part of the car, but it determines the direction the car is headed. And that’s what your words are like.

In contrast to our tongues, James first brings up animals. And he reminds us of how we’ve tamed all kinds of animals and creatures. We can go to a zoo, see all kinds of dangerous animals behind glass, and be amazed by their beauty without fearing their power. That’s what the word tame means in our verses. It means to subdue or make something your subject. And, what James is saying, is that though we’ve tamed and made subject all kinds of beasts and animals — this little part of our body — the tongue, representing our words, can’t be tamed. We can’t subdue it, we can’t break it in, we can’t make it our subject. Even those of us who “bite our tongues” still say some awful things to other people or to ourselves.

James goes so far as to say that the tongue is set on fire by hell, and the tongue sets our lives on fire. I wonder if you’ve experienced this? 

You don’t have to live very long to be burned by the fire of hell coming out of the mouth of someone else, do you? Just like it doesn’t take long in life to see how your words can cause destruction and pain, not only to others, but to your own life. 

• Our lives can be suddenly on fire because of some words that came out of our mouths. 
• Relationships are no more because words of fire came out of your mouth. 
• Unemployment because words of fire came out of your mouth. 
• Self-hatred because of words of fire that — even if they’ve never been spoken out loud — are on repeat in your mind constantly — setting your life on fire. And not a holy refining fire — but the destructive fire that comes from hell.

James — being familiar with the Old Testament — probably had passages in mind like…

Proverbs 16:27 NLT

27 Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze.

He may have been thinking of…

Proverbs 26:21 NLT

21 A quarrelsome person starts fights as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

People who like to quarrel and fight use their words like hot embers, igniting a fire. And though fire isn’t mentioned, James could’ve been thinking of these words of King David.

Psalm 140:1–3 NLT

1 O Lord, rescue me from evil people. Protect me from those who are violent, 2 those who plot evil in their hearts and stir up trouble all day long. 3 Their tongues sting like a snake; the venom of a viper drips from their lips.

Which is quoted by Paul when he writes…

Romans 3:10–14 NLT

10 As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous — not even one. 11 No one is truly wise; no one is seeking God. 12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.” 13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.” 14 “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

• Foul talk — words that have a stench to them like decaying flesh. We once had a mouse die in the wall of our home. The stench — from such a small creature — was awful. 
• Our tongues are filled with lies — like venom dripping from our lips. We put labels on bottles to make sure we avoid ingesting poison. If only we had labels to warn people that poison was about to be spewed at them from our mouths.
• And our mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. 

What an indictment about our words — about your words — about my words. 

I wonder how you’re responding to what God’s Word is saying to you about your words? 

• Are you dismissing what you’re hearing — “none of this is true of me.” 
• Are you pointing the finger — “So and so needs to hear this.”
• Are you ashamed — “Man, I’ve said some horrible things.” 
• Or are you hoping for an answer — “What am I supposed to do about this?” 

How are you responding to what God is saying to you about the words you speak?

Something important for all of us to see is what James says in verse eight. He says…

James 3:8 ESV

8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

About this verse, Augustine — who lived in the fourth century — said, “James does not say ‘no one came tame the tongue’, but ‘[no human being],’ so that, when it is tamed, we admit that it was done by the mercy of God, the assistance of God, the grace of God.” 

So, first, know that it’s impossible for you to tame your tongue. That’s the bad news. Now, the good news. Though it’s impossible for any human to tame their tongue, it’s not impossible for God. In fact, God’s power over our tongues is seen in an incredible moment in the early life of the church. Forty days after Jesus’ resurrection…

Acts 2:1–4 NLT

1 On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. 2 Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. 3 Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. 4 And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

These tongues of ours — which can spew fire from hell that burns others and sets destruction to our lives — God — as we just saw — is able to use for his own purpose. He can set his people’s tongues ablaze with a message of holy fire — the gospel — the news of what Jesus has done in his life, death, and resurrection. And when God’s people submit their words to God’s authority, the gospel message will go forth like a fire setting a forest ablaze. 

And the question for each of us is this: Which fire will come out of our mouths? Words that come from the fire of hell or words that come from the fire of Heaven?

WORDS OF CURSING AND BLESSING

Which leads us to words of cursing and words of blessing. Let’s briefly look at the difference between the words from hell and the words of Heaven. We’re in verse nine. There, James writes…

James 3:9–12 ESV

9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

In the beginning God spoke, and he said, “Let there be light” — and there was light. God speaks, and blessings follow. Whether it be life to all that exists or a wife for Adam, who was alone in the Garden. God speaks, and blessings follow. 

And a truth that James emphasizes is how all people are made in the likeness of God. Part of our being made in God’s likeness — or image — is that God created us to use our words in a way that images — or reflects — or is like the way he uses words. And how are we to reflect — or imitate — how God uses words? By speaking words of blessing.

But — after God speaks — we come to Genesis chapter three, where Satan speaks. And do you know what Satan got Adam and Eve to doubt? God’s word of blessing to them.

Genesis 3:1–4 NLT

1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” 2 “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. 3 “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’ ” 4 “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.

Now the woman spoke back to Satan with information that wasn’t accurate. And Satan both uses her inaccurate words — and twists God’s words — resulting in the man and the woman disobeying God, leading to sin entering God’s creation and us all living under a curse. The snake of hell spoke words from hell to deceive the man and woman into inviting hell into God’s perfect creation. And ever since, we’ve all used our words to curse each other.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never”…how does it go? That’s right. “But words will never hurt me.” What a lie. One person has said, “It’s a terrible thing that children have gotten hold of this nursery poem. Let me tell you what the poem should say. [It should say…} ‘Sticks and stones can only break my bones, but words can pollute and distort and destroy my very soul.’ [But that] doesn’t rhyme.”

With our words, we curse people who are made in the likeness — or image — of God. And, we do so, as Christians. We curse people with our words while we use our words to bless our God in Heaven. And, about this reality, James says…

James 3:10 NLT

10 Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right!

Though a freshwater spring does what God created it to do — it produces fresh water. And though a fig tree produces figs, as God created it to do. And an olive tree produces olives, and a vine produces grapes, and an apple tree produces apples, and so on — though all of these creations do what God made them to do — our tongues don’t. Our tongues are like a banana tree producing apples. Yet our tongues — which were created to produce words of blessing — which demonstrate our being made in God’s image — instead produce words of cursing in the image of our Enemy. So, yes, James. This isn’t right!

CONCLUSION: JESUS THE TEACHER TO LISTEN TO

Which leads us to our only hope. His name is Jesus. And Jesus said quite a bit about our words. To some religious leaders, he said…

Matthew 12:34–37 NLT

34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say. 35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. 36 And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. 37 The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.”

Another time he said…

Mark 7:20–23 NLT

20 And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”

Ultimately, the words of cursing that we speak — whether to ourselves or to others — reveal something about the condition of our hearts. It reveals to us the curse we all live under because of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God’s words of blessing to them. And we’re incapable of changing the condition of our hearts. Thus, we need a word spoken to us by Someone whose words can change us — and our hearts — forever. 

As someone has said, “We need words. Words are powerful. We don’t have a self without words. You can say all you want, ‘All that matters is how I feel about myself.’ No. Somebody from the outside has to tell you you’re valuable. Somebody from the outside has to tell you you’re great. Somebody from the outside has to tell you you’re acceptable, or you won’t believe it. The Bible tells us God said to his Son, “You are my beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased.” The Bible tells us that if we believe in Jesus, the Father loves us in the same way as he loves his own Son. Until you hear over and over and over in your own heart through prayer, through reading the Word of God, through a variety of ways, unless you hear God saying to you, “You are my beloved child in whom I’m well pleased”…Until you hear a word from the outside that tells you who you are, you’re going to be trying desperately, through all kinds of duplicity and all kinds of deception, to create a self by getting people to tell you how great you are…[You see,] underneath it all, we know we’re unacceptable until [a] word from the outside [says…] “This is my beloved child in whom I’m well pleased.” That’ll heal your tongue. It’ll set your tongue on fire with a different kind of fire, the fire that came down at Pentecost, [a fire] not from hell but from heaven.”

I wonder if, even right now, you’re hearing that life-changing word from Someone else? A word from the God who created you. A word from Jesus, who came to live and die for you because he loves you. A word from the Spirit of God who is saying right now, “Receive my word: You are loved. You are forgiven. You are set free from the curse. You are mine.” I wonder whose word you’re listening to right now? The word of the Serpent, who wants to keep you enslaved under his curse, or the word of the God who is in Heaven, who created you, and who wants to set you free?

Later this year, my friend and fellow pastor, Alan Wright, will be with us. Alan has written many books, including The Power to Bless: How to Speak Life and Empower the People You Love. I was so impacted by Alan’s book that I bought all the staff and elders a copy for Christmas last year and invited Alan to come speak on the topic so we can all learn to use our words to be better blessers of others. 

So if you want to be someone who uses your words to bless God and others — and even yourself — grab a copy of Alan’s book — again, it’s titled The Power to Bless. There’s a QR code at your campus’s Resource Center if you forget the title. If your Life Group is looking for something to study, it’d be a great option. And be sure to block off your calendar for the weekend of October 18th when Alan will be with us. He’s going to teach a Saturday seminar on blessing others with our words and preach for us during our worship services that weekend. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for being a God who speaks. Who speaks words of blessing over your people and creation. As Creator, you have made each of us in your image — creating us to use our words to mirror your words — which are words of blessing.

Spirit, we confess that because of the curse and our own sinful choices, we’ve often used our words to curse others instead of blessing them. We’ve even used our words to curse ourselves. We confess this, ask for forgiveness, and Spirit, we ask you to lead us in a new direction with our words. Teach us how to bless. Guide us in what we say. All so that we reflect our God who blesses others with his words as we bless a world full of people who are desperate to hear some good news.

And, Jesus, you are God’s Word in flesh. The perfect Word of blessing to your people. And you continue to speak words of blessing to us. May we have ears to hear, so that our hearts and lives are forever changed, so that we head in a new direction. A direction of blessing others — for that is who you have called, created, and saved us to be. Thank you for this purpose. And we pray all of this in your name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available / Resource Center for QR to book)

May you go imitating the God who had created you in his image by using your words to bless others. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 4-5-26

He is risen! He is risen indeed. As always, it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

PASTORAL PRAYER

Each week, here at Gateway, we spend some time praying for people, circumstances, and situations going on in our congregation, community, country, and world.

Today, we’ll be praying for the individuals being baptized. Not every worship service will have baptisms, but know that sixteen people are being baptized this Easter Sunday. So — we’ll pray for them — and we’ll pray for the world and that there may be a great response of people believing in Jesus on this Easter Sunday. 

Please join me in prayer.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

Heavenly Father, these are the marching orders that your Son gave to us, your people. To go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of you — the Father — Jesus — the Son — and the Holy Spirit. Throughout our services today, we’ll be obeying this command. Yet, there’s still more work for us to do in the lives of those we’re baptizing today. We’re to teach them to obey all that you’ve commanded. We’re to remember that you are always with us.

Spirit of God, help us to teach well. Help us to remember that our God is always with us. Help those we baptize today to remember that — in being baptized today — they are clothed in Christ — meaning — their primary identification is now that of one who follows Jesus, who has been saved by Jesus, who submits themselves to the authority of Christ in all areas of their life. And one whose life will be marked by confession and repentance because none who are baptized practice perfect faithfulness.

Which is why we remember and are thankful that baptism, first and foremost, is a sign of your faithfulness to those baptized. For when we are faithless, you remain faithful — for faithful is who you are to your people. When we are forgetful, you remember your promises to us — and your promises never fail. And when the last day of our life comes upon us — we have no reason to fear — for just like we went down into the water — signifying our death — you’ve guaranteed that we will rise again. 

May those being baptized today — and all of us who are witnesses — be in awe of what we see. For today — in baptisms — we see your everlasting commitment to your people. 

And, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as people around the world continue to celebrate Easter and Jesus’ resurrection. I first pray for protection for our brothers and sisters who live in countries where gathering together can cost them their lives. I pray that, even in these countries, great joy in Jesus would be experienced. And may many who started off today hating Jesus or were apathetic towards him — be saved by him. For he is the only Savior, and he is the Risen Savior. 

And we pray all of this in his name. Amen.

INTRODUCTION

For two Sundays, we’re taking a break from our series in the book of James to reflect on some of the events that took place during the week leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Today — like last Sunday — we’re looking at the same passage from the Old Testament — Isaiah chapter fifty-three — if you want to open your Bibles — that’s where we’ll be — we’ll be in Isaiah chapter fifty-three this Easter Sunday.

And the goal of this short series is to show you how the Old Testament predicted — the biblical word is prophesied — how the Old Testament foretold about Christ and all that he would accomplish in his life — including what happened during the final week leading up to his death on a cross and his resurrection three days later.

Now, you may be someone who’s here today because someone else put the pressure on you to come to church. You’re not sure about Jesus and this whole Christianity thing — or maybe you are — you’re sure you think it’s all a bunch of baloney. If this is you — know that this is exactly why we’re spending time in the Old Testament today — because long before Jesus walked here on earth — God gave news of what Jesus would do and accomplish through his prophets. Prophets were individuals who wrote down what God told them would happen someday in the future.

And — again — if you’ve got your doubts about Christianity — know that these prophecies were perfectly fulfilled by Jesus. Not one or two — we’re talking hundreds and hundreds of prophecies — predictions about what Jesus would do while here on earth. And he did them all — proving that he is indeed God’s promised Savior of the world, which I understand may not sound all that impressive to you. 

Well, one mathematician did the math. And he calculated that you’ve got a better chance of picking out one specific atom in all of the universe than Jesus did in fulfilling just forty-eight prophecies. “Well, Josh. One atom compared to forty-eight prophecies doesn’t seem a very fair comparison. Do you have any idea how many atoms there are?” I have no idea, but I did some Googling and found that the average human has about seven octillion atoms. I’d never heard of octillion before. Million, sure. Billion, yup. Trillion, even heard of it. Quadrillion — I thought that was just a word kids made up on the playground. Well, apparently, numbers just keep getting bigger. You’ve got quintillion, sextillion, septillion, and then Octillion. And there are seven octillions worth of atoms in the human body.

We don’t have a word for the number of atoms in the room you’re in right now — much less the entire universe. So — back to the comparison — what are the odds that you’d be able to select one specific atom out of all the atoms in the universe? It ain’t gonna happen. You’ve got a better chance of being struck by lightning on your way to buying the Jackpot-winning lottery ticket — no, I’m not promoting gambling — only to be eaten by a shark on your way home.

But — even against odds greater than all of that — Jesus fulfilled all that had been prophesied about God’s promised Savior in the Old Testament. So maybe — just maybe — you should consider what you’re about to hear today.

So let’s turn to Isaiah chapter fifty-three. We’ll begin in verse one.

Isaiah 53:1–12 ESV

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

As I mentioned last week, this chapter is full of prophecies that are related to Jesus. Writers of the New Testament clearly saw the fulfillment of these verses in Jesus, which is why we find eleven of the twelve verses in this chapter referred to or quoted in the New Testament. 

For example — and this will be a review for you, if you were here last week — verse one says…

Isaiah 53:1 ESV

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

This verse is quoted in the gospel of John, where the apostle writes…

John 12:37–38 ESV

37 Though he (Jesus) had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Or take verse six of our chapter in Isaiah, which says…

Isaiah 53:6 ESV

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Which is quoted by the apostle Peter when he writes…

1 Peter 2:25 ESV

25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Or take verses seven and eight, which state…

Isaiah 53:7–8 ESV

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?

Which was the passage being read by a man whom Philip, a follower of Jesus, prompted by the Holy Spirit, to go and talk to the man reading our verses, resulting in this happening.

Acts 8:30–35 ESV

30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

We could go verse by verse through our chapter and see how the New Testament authors saw — in Jesus — the fulfillment of Isaiah chapter fifty-three. But we’re not going to do that. Instead — like last week — we’re going to focus on one verse today. Just one verse showing us how Jesus demonstrated that he was God’s promised Messiah — which means Savior — during his last days here on earth.

And the verse we’ll focus on today is verse nine, which says…

Isaiah 53:9 ESV

9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.

In this verse, we find promises about an innocent sufferer, an honored servant, and a victorious Savior. An innocent sufferer, an honored servant, and a victorious Savior — who all happen to be the same person.

AN INNOCENT SUFFERER

First, an innocent sufferer. We’re in the middle of verse nine, which says…

Isaiah 53:9 ESV

9 Although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth.

So this person — whom Isaiah is prophesying about in our verse — will come some day in the future and — when he comes — he won’t be violent or deceitful. He’ll suffer punishment for crimes committed — but he won’t be the one who’s committed them. He’ll be innocent. Pure. Holy. Perfect.

The apostle Peter quoted this verse when he wrote these words about Jesus.

1 Peter 2:21–24 NLT

21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed.

And as the apostle John writes…

1 John 3:5 NLT

5 And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him.

Jesus is the innocent sufferer. He never did an act of violence or deception — he’s the only person who’s never sinned — and yet — he suffered on the cross for crimes he didn’t commit as he carried our sins in his body. 

Jesus was an innocent sufferer.

AN HONORED SERVANT

He was also an honored servant. Again, our verse in Isaiah says…

Isaiah 53:9 ESV

9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death…

Jesus was crucified between two thieves. That’s the fulfillment of “they made his grave with the wicked.” Jesus — though innocent — suffered, as we just saw. And, in the New Testament, we learn that his suffering took place between two other men who were also executed that day. 

They were guilty — he was not. They were getting justice for their crimes — he was being punished for ours. They made his grave with the wicked…

…and with a rich man in his death.

If you’re unaware — while here on earth — Jesus was poor. The Son of God — who has the infinite riches of heaven at his disposal — became the Son of Man — born to a poor couple — who died without anything to his name. Yet — his Father in Heaven — pleased with the faithfulness of his Son — called a rich man — Joseph of Arimathea — to loan his burial tomb to Jesus.

Matthew 27:57–61 NLT

57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. 61 Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.

Though poor, Jesus was honored in his burial by being laid in a rich man’s tomb. But — as I said a moment ago — the tomb was just on loan. It was only needed for three days. Joseph of Arimathea didn’t realize this, of course. He didn’t know he’d be getting his tomb back — usually the dead stay dead, after all.

CONCLUSION: A VICTORIOUS SAVIOR

Which leads to our final observation about Jesus. But — for this observation — we have to see what happened three days later. We’re in John’s gospel. Chapter twenty, where we read…

John 20:1–18 NLT

1 Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. 10 Then they went home. 11 Mary was standing outside the tomb crying, and as she wept, she stooped and looked in. 12 She saw two white-robed angels, one sitting at the head and the other at the foot of the place where the body of Jesus had been lying. 13 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” the angels asked her. “Because they have taken away my Lord,” she replied, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” 14 She turned to leave and saw someone standing there. It was Jesus, but she didn’t recognize him. 15 “Dear woman, why are you crying?” Jesus asked her. “Who are you looking for?” She thought he was the gardener. “Sir,” she said, “if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.” 16 “Mary!” Jesus said. She turned to him and cried out, “Rabboni!” (which is Hebrew for “Teacher”). 17 “Don’t cling to me,” Jesus said, “for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father. But go find my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” 18 Mary Magdalene found the disciples and told them, “I have seen the Lord!” Then she gave them his message.

The hope of the Christian faith — what Christianity rides on — is that three days later, that borrowed tomb was empty. As another gospel writer records it…

Luke 24:1–9 NLT

1 But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 3 So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes. 5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” 8 Then they remembered that he had said this. 9 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened.

Jesus isn’t here! He’s risen from the dead! And his rising from the dead was his defeat of our sin. His rising from the dead was his proof that he is the only Savior. His rising from the dead demonstrates to the world that he is the victorious Savior.

May the innocent sufferer, the honored servant who borrowed a rich man’s tomb — only to rise from the grave three days later — be not just a Victorious Savior. May he be your Victorious Savior. For he is risen! He is risen indeed!

Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we thank you for the news we’ve heard today. Though innocent, Jesus suffered for sins he did not commit. He suffered for our sins. Though poor, he was honored by being buried in a rich man’s tomb. Yet — because of his faithfulness to his Father — the tomb was only needed for three days. For on the third day, that first Easter morning, Jesus rose as our Victorious Savior. The one who has defeated Satan, sin, death, and Hell so that all who turn to him in faith might be given eternal life, eternal hope, eternal joy, and the eternal victory that he earned for them.

God, may this good news be received by many who hear my voice. May the lost be found. May the dead be raised. Bless many with new life in Christ. And we ask all of this in his name. Amen.

BELIEVER’S BAPTISM CONGREGATION VOW

If you’re newer to Gateway — or a guest with us today — we have a tradition around here of celebrating baptisms on Easter Sunday. These are folks whose lives have been changed because of Jesus. But — before we celebrate God’s faithfulness to them and us — if you’re a member of Gateway, would you please stand — if you’re able — as I have a question for you.

Do you, the members of this congregation, take responsibility for the continued Christian nurture of those being baptized today, and do you promise to set a godly example by your own life?

If so, say “We do.”

And now I’d like to invite everyone to stand as we respond to God’s faithfulness in worship.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May you go believing that Jesus — the innocent sufferer and honored servant — is your victorious Savior. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 3-29-26

As always, it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — whether you’re worshiping with us for the first time or are joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

INTRODUCTION

Today we’re taking a break from our series in the book of James to spend time this week — and next — reflecting on some of the events that took place during the week leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Today and next Sunday, we’ll be looking at the same passage from the Old Testament — Isaiah chapter fifty-three — if you want to open your Bibles, that’s where we’ll be — we’ll be in Isaiah chapter fifty-three today and on Easter Sunday. And — on Thursday — Matt Heft — one of your elders — will take us to another Old Testament passage that connects to this week of Jesus’ life.

The goal of this short series is to show you how the Old Testament predicted — or pointed forward to — the biblical word is prophesied — about Christ and all that he accomplished in his life — including what happened during the final week leading up to his death on a cross and his resurrection three days later. That’s why we’ll be in the Old Testament, because — long before Jesus walked here on earth — God gave news of what Jesus would accomplish through his prophets — individuals who wrote down what God told them would one day happen. And Jesus perfectly fulfilled these prophecies — and we’re talking hundreds and hundreds of prophecies — proving that he is indeed God’s promised Savior of the world.

So — now that you know where we’re headed for the next week or so — let’s turn to Isaiah chapter fifty-three. We’ll begin in verse one. There we read…

Isaiah 53:1–12 ESV

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed? 2 For he grew up before him like a young plant, and like a root out of dry ground; he had no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people? 9 And they made his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth. 10 Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief; when his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

This chapter — if you don’t know — is full of prophecies that are related to Jesus. Writers of the New Testament clearly saw the fulfillment of these verses in Jesus, which is why we find eleven of the twelve verses from Isaiah chapter fifty-three referred to — or quoted — in the New Testament. Some of these verses are even found in multiple places in the New Testament.

For example, verse one — which says…

Isaiah 53:1 ESV

1 Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Is quoted in the gospel of John — where the apostle writes…

John 12:37–38 ESV

37 Though he (Jesus) had done so many signs before them, they still did not believe in him, 38 so that the word spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Lord, who has believed what he heard from us, and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

Or take verse six of our chapter in Isaiah — which says…

Isaiah 53:6 ESV

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Which is referred to by the apostle Peter when he writes…

1 Peter 2:25 ESV

25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

The Shepherd and Overseer of our souls is Jesus. Or take verses seven and eight — which state…

Isaiah 53:7–8 ESV

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth. 8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away; and as for his generation, who considered that he was cut off out of the land of the living, stricken for the transgression of my people?

Which was the passage being read by a man whom Philip — a follower of Jesus — was prompted by the Holy Spirit to go and talk to, resulting in this happening.

Acts 8:30–35 ESV

30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. 32 Now the passage of the Scripture that he was reading was this: “Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter and like a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he opens not his mouth. 33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. Who can describe his generation? For his life is taken away from the earth.” 34 And the eunuch said to Philip, “About whom, I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?” 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.

I could take you verse by verse and show you how the New Testament authors saw — in Jesus — the fulfillment of Isaiah chapter fifty-three. But we’re not going to do that. Instead, we’re going to focus on one verse today. Just one verse. One prophecy fulfilled. One way in which Jesus demonstrated that he was God’s promised Messiah — which means Savior — during his last days here on earth.

And the verse we’ll focus on today is verse twelve, which says…

Isaiah 53:12 ESV

12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

In this verse, we find multiple prophecies — or promises — about Jesus. We find the promise that he would die, the promise that he would be identified with transgressors, the promise that he’d bear the sins of many, the promise that he would intercede for sinners, and — finally — the promise that he will share the reward of his victory. We’ll briefly look at each of these promises.

A PROMISED DEATH

First — a promised death. In our verse, Isaiah says…

Isaiah 53:12 ESV

12 Because he poured out his soul to death…

For the Jewish people of Isaiah’s day, the idea that God’s Messiah would die would’ve been unthinkable. For the Jews, the Promised Messiah was an undefeatable Warrior King who would come and return the Promised Land back to the Jewish people. The Messiah was going to come and defeat all of their enemies that had been oppressing them — for theirs was a history of war and defeat. In fact — not too long in the future — during Isaiah’s lifetime — the nation of Israel would be conquered by the Assyrians. And — in another hundred years or so — Judah would fall to the Babylonians. More defeats that the Jewish people will experience while they waited for the Messiah to come.

So the Messiah’s death was unimaginable to them — he’s a victorious conqueror, not someone who will die. Yet — Jesus experienced death. For as the apostle Peter writes…

1 Peter 3:18 ESV

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

If you’ve been around Gateway for some time, you’ve heard me talk about Bible journaling before. This is a practice where I read slowly through the Bible — maybe a verse a day — and write down my personal reflections on each verse.

I wrote this in my journal as I reflected on the verse we just read by Peter. I wrote, “Physical suffering and death, yet spiritual victory. The Spirit of God applied God the Father’s pleasure with his Son in raising him from the dead in a victorious new life. A new life that’s promised to all who believe in Jesus, trusting in his perfect life and death for the payment of their sins and the fulfillment of their joy and hope.”

The first prophecy of our verse is that of a promised death, which Jesus fulfilled.

A MISTAKEN IDENTITY

Next — a mistaken identity. Again, Isaiah says…

Isaiah 53:12 ESV

12 Because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors…

The phrase “numbered with the transgressors” is the mistaken identity I’m referring to. This prophecy is saying that the Messiah — for some reason — will be numbered with — or mistaken as — a transgressor — or someone who’s sinned and broken God’s law.

Throughout Jesus’ life and ministry — time and time again — false accusations and mistaken identities were thrown his way. Religious leaders accused him of breaking God’s law — even though he never did — not even once. At one point, they were so angry with Jesus that they accused him of working for Satan. Talk about a mistaken identity: The Son of God was accused of working for the Devil!

Yet, our focus is on the last week and the final moments of Jesus’ life. And when we turn to Matthew’s gospel — and how he records the crucifixion of Jesus — we read this.

Matthew 27:35–44 NIV

35 When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 Above his head they placed the written charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. 38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

This is even more than a mistaken identity — it’s a false identity given to Jesus. He’s crucified with rebels as if he’s a rebel himself. The people mocked him — while he was dying on the cross — with words like, “Come down from the cross, if you really are the Son of God! Then we’ll believe in you.” They heaped insults on him. They had no clue who they were in the presence of — who they were murdering — all because of a mistaken identity they’d put on Jesus.

Now the verse from First Peter — that I read earlier — alludes to how this mistaken identity was fulfilled in a different way.

1 Peter 3:18 ESV

18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

In my journal, about this verse, I wrote, “Christ was both sinless and our sin substitute on the cross. He who never sinned became sin for us so that we might be made right with God — that’s a quote from the apostle Paul. This loving substitution is more than enough motivation to live a loving, obedient life in return. God, help my life and my love for what Jesus has done become more pure, holy, and devoted. Amen.”

Jesus was mistaken for a sinner — he was falsely called a rebel — he was numbered with the transgressors as he was crucified between two thieves.

SINS TO BEAR

Third — promised sins to bear. Again — Isaiah says…

Isaiah 53:12 ESV

12 Yet he bore the sin of many…

To bear sins means to carry them. When I was in the military, there was a moment on a combat mission when two of my soldiers experienced heat exhaustion. We were in the middle of nowhere in Afghanistan — an hour or more helicopter ride from the nearest base. My medic got an IV in both guys, but we had to move — it wasn’t safe to stay where we were.

The problem was that the two soldiers could barely move, much less move with all of the gear they’d been carrying. We were each easily carrying a hundred or so pounds of gear. So I started to divide up their gear among the rest of my soldiers so we could get moving. And as I started dividing up gear from the first soldier’s rucksack, my platoon sergeant came over — hooked a metal clip onto the other soldier’s rucksack — attached it to his rucksack — and — to this day, did one of the most impressive things I’ve ever witnessed — he got the two rucksacks up on his back and said, “Let’s go.”

My platoon sergeant bore the soldier’s rucksack by himself.

Isaiah tells us that the Messiah would bear the sins of many. To which the author of Hebrews — in looking back at what Jesus accomplished — writes…

Hebrews 9:26–28 ESV

26 But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Now, you may be taken aback by the phrase “of many.” That sounds quite exclusive — which is the point God makes throughout his Word to us. Jesus bore the sins — carried the sins — paid for the sins — of many people. Not for all people — only for those who turn to him in faith. You see, Scripture tells us that either Jesus paid for your sins or you will pay for your sins. Either way, your sins will be paid for.

We won’t turn to it again — but that verse from First Peter also mentions that Christ suffered once for sins. And — something we’ll reflect on in a few days — when we come together to celebrate Maundy Thursday — the night when we remember the Last Supper of Christ — as he was sitting around the table with his disciples…

Matthew 26:27–28 ESV

27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.

Even Jesus himself said that his sacrifice on the cross would be for many, not for all. This is why the invitation to believe is so important — for when the invitation to believe is extended, people will respond. Not everyone will respond, but many will. And — when they do — when you respond to the news of what Jesus has done — and believe in him — your sins are forgiven, which means your sins are not yours to bear any longer, but were sins carried by Christ — paid for in full — on the cross.

INTERCESSION FOR SINNERS

We’re to our fourth promise — intercession for sinners. Isaiah prophesies that this individual, who would die, have a mistaken identity, and bear the sins of many, would also intercede for sinners. Here’s how Isaiah says it.

Isaiah 53:12 ESV

12 Yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.

Intercession is a priestly role. It’s the role of an intermediary. Where the priest stands between the people and God and intercedes on their behalf — asking God to forgive their sins — to answer their prayers — to heal them, and so on. And Isaiah says that the Messiah will intercede for the transgressors. To which the author of Hebrews writes…

Hebrews 7:25 ESV

25 Consequently (because Jesus is our permanent High Priest), he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

And as the apostle Paul tells us…

Romans 8:34–39 NIV

34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus — the Savior and Lord of his people — is also their Intercessor. He mediates between our Father who is perfect in Heaven and us. He stands between us — not because he’s warding off an angry Father — but because of the holiness and justice of our God. Jesus intercedes on our behalf — protecting those who are his own — who he bore the sins of — who he so identified with that he’s guaranteed to us that his Father — when he looks at us transgressors — will see his beloved Son standing in our place.

CONCLUSION: A SHARED REWARD

Finally — a shared reward. Back to our verse one last time.

Isaiah 53:12 ESV

12 Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong…

As if all that we’ve encountered isn’t enough beauty and grace for us — as if it’s not been an overabundance of goodness and mercy — now we discover that the Messiah will divide the reward that he earned by living faithfully for God — a reward that came at the cost of his life — a reward that’s both eternal and infinite in value — this Promised One will divide his rightfully earned reward with the people he gave his life for.

And this is cause for rejoicing. This is reason for us to praise God. This is why we’re to join the apostle Peter who said…

1 Peter 1:3–5 NLT

3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, 4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. 5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

Those who believe in Jesus are recipients of an inheritance that’s priceless and pure — undefiled and beyond the reach of change and decay. For God is protecting those who believe in his Son, by his almighty power. And he’ll do so until the last day — when our salvation is complete — and our inheritance received.

This is the hope of the Christian faith — a hope that Jesus secured during the final week leading up to his death and resurrection. This hope is why he came to earth. This hope is what Isaiah prophesied about hundreds of years before Jesus was born. And this hope can be yours — if you turn to Jesus in faith. Believing that he died in your place — bearing your sins on the cross. Believing that he’s interceding for you — right at this very moment — telling his Father, “This one too. This one is mine. I gave my life for him — for her.” And believing that all that Jesus earned — his eternal inheritance — he’s promised will be yours. Including eternal life, eternal victory, and his loving presence with you forever and ever. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for speaking to us through your prophets. Individuals you called to write down your words of promise to your people, including us today. 

Holy Spirit, may you open up spiritually blind eyes, spiritually deaf ears, and give life to spiritually dead hearts, so that many respond to the news they’ve heard today. You are the Giver of life — I’m just sharing the Good News that you use to give people the faith to believe.

And, Jesus, that faith is in you and all that you did in your life, death, and resurrection on behalf of your people — the many — who will believe. Those who’ve been promised your inheritance. Those who’ve been promised that you will intercede for them. Those who’ve been promised that you’ve paid for their sins in full. Those who’ve been promised a new identity. Those who believe that you died and have risen from the grave for their eternal hope.

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, may many respond to what they’ve heard and receive the hope you’re offering to them today. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

May you respond to Jesus’ love for you and the hope he’s offering to you. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 3-22-26

As always, it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

PASTORAL PRAYER

Each week, we spend some time praying for people, circumstances, and situations going on in our congregation, community, country, and world. Today we’ll be praying for our team headed to Cuba tomorrow. We’ll also pray for Pastor Travis Johnson — he’s the pastor of Bible Methodist Church here in Findlay and was hospitalized for a few days this past week with some health issues. We’ll pray for Southport Church — a fellow EPC Church who’s going through a challenging season. And then we’ll pray for some of our ministry partners in Beirut, Lebanon and all that they’re facing with the war going on in that area of the world.

Please join me in prayer.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his loyal love endures! 2 Let Israel say, “Yes, his loyal love endures!” 3 Let the family of Aaron say, “Yes, his loyal love endures!” 4 Let the loyal followers of the Lord say, “Yes, his loyal love endures!” 5 In my distress I cried out to the Lord. The Lord answered me and put me in a wide open place. 6 The Lord is on my side, I am not afraid! What can people do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side as my helper. I look in triumph on those who hate me…14 The Lord gives me strength and protects me; he has become my deliverer.”…24 This is the day the Lord has brought about. We will be happy and rejoice in it…28 You are my God and I will give you thanks! You are my God and I will praise you! 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good and his loyal love endures! – Psalm 118:1-7, 14, 24, 28-29 (ESV)

To you — our good and loving God — we lift up our team headed to Cuba tomorrow to serve the people living in a nation desperate for good news. Give them safe travels. Give them attentive ears. Give them eyes to see. And may their spirits be led by you — Spirit of God — so they do good and loving acts of service to all they encounter in the coming week.

As we turn to our local community, I want to lift up my friend and fellow pastor in Findlay — Travis Johnson. Spending days in the hospital isn’t at the top of any of our “here’s how I hope my week goes” list. As he continues to recover — I pray that the congregation he serves will serve him well. May they come alongside him and his family and lovingly care for them. May you heal him — restore him to wholeness. And may he allow this season of slowing down to be a reminder that it’s not by his strength or might — but by your strength and might — that things of eternal importance are accomplished.

Turning to our nation — God we’re so thankful for the thousands and thousands of churches that are proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. Regardless if they’re Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Assemblies of God, Nazarene, Evangelical Free, non-denominational, or whatever — like Paul — wherever your gospel is proclaimed is reason for us to rejoice. 

Yet often your churches experience challenging seasons because we — your people — are far from perfect. For Southport Church, we pray for the Spirit of unity to bind them together in a deep love for one another. We pray for the leadership to display godliness, wisdom, courage, and holiness. We pray for repentance — where repentance is needed — and forgiveness — where forgiveness is needed. And we pray for the powerful light of Christ to shine brightly in, among, and through this local church whom you love.

And — finally — as we turn to the world — we once again can’t help but be grieved when we hear of what’s happening around the world due to the many wars that are raging on right now. For our ministry partners in Beirut, Lebanon — for Resurrection Church and the Philemon project — we pray for great hope and wisdom in how to minister to the nearly one million refugees that have entered their country. We pray for the resources they need to provide care to so many people. We pray for rest for our ministry partners — may they trust that you are working at all times so they don’t have to. And — ultimately, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — we pray for peace in their land.

And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

INTRODUCTION

We’re continuing our series in the book of James this weekend. Once again — we’re learning from the younger brother of Jesus, who believed that his older brother was God. So — if you’re here today and you’re not sure about the validity of the Christian faith — take what I just said into account. Jesus’ younger brother — someone who grew up with Jesus — believed he was God. That’s quite an argument in favor of the truthfulness of Christianity. Imagine what it’d take for you to convince your siblings that you’re God — or for one of your siblings to convince you the same about them. Probably not gonna happen, right? Yet that’s exactly what we find with James and Jesus’ other siblings.

Now — in his letter — James has taken some teachings of his older brother — and is showing us how to apply what Jesus taught to everyday life. Thus — when we read this letter — we’re learning what it means to be wise — for wisdom is taking God at his Word and applying it to life. So let’s see what words of wisdom that James has for us today.

If you have your Bible — please turn with me to James chapter two. We’ll be in James chapter two — looking at verses one through thirteen together today. We’re in James chapter two — beginning in verse one. There we read…

James 2:1–13 ESV

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

The wisdom that James has for us today will cover a variety of topics — including the sin of being prejudiced, the obedience that God requires of us, and our merciful God who shows no favoritism. That’s where we’re headed today. The sin of being prejudiced. The obedience that God requires. And our merciful God, who shows no favoritism. 

THE SIN OF BEING PREJUDICED

So let’s begin. First, the sin of being prejudiced. 

James uses the word partiality — but — in our language today — we’d use the word prejudice or showing favoritism. Let me show you. We’re in verse one again.

James 2:1 ESV

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.

If you believe in Jesus — show no partiality, James says. Now the reason why I said prejudice is a better word to help us understand what James is saying — is because of the illustration he uses to make his point. It starts in verse two where he writes…

James 2:2–4 ESV

2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

I appreciate how Eugene Peterson translates the scenario.

James 2:2–4 MSG

2 If a man enters your church wearing an expensive suit, and a street person wearing rags comes in right after him, 3 and you say to the man in the suit, “Sit here, sir; this is the best seat in the house!” and either ignore the street person or say, “Better sit here in the back row,” 4 haven’t you segregated God’s children and proved that you are judges who can’t be trusted?

Now — if you look around Gateway you won’t see men in expensive suits — “men in Lululemon pants” — most definitely — but no expensive suits — but I think you get the point. What James is talking about is making judgments about people based solely on external circumstances — such as physical appearance, social status, or race. Nothing any of us struggle with, right?

Have you seen the articles about the physical features of political candidates and who ends up getting our vote? It’s not always the case — but the data shows that often we’re not voting for the candidate with the best policies — we vote for the person who we think looks the part of a politician.

One person has said, “The world is always assessing people, sizing them up, putting them down, establishing a pecking order. And God, who sees and loves all alike, wants the church to reflect that generous, universal love in how it behaves.” Those of us who believe in Jesus are to reflect God’s generous love — while recognizing that we’re caught up in a culture where prejudice reigns.

This is why we care about how many cameras are on the back of our iPhone — two or three? Most of us aren’t doing anything with our phones that requires the best-of-the-best iPhone — yet we justify purchasing the pro version because of an underlying cultural pressure in which we’re being sized up by each other. We feel pressured to meet others’ prejudices — even when it comes to our phones.

Do you wanna hear a ridiculous story? When the iPhone first came out — I didn’t have one. But I did have an iPod Touch. For those not born in the nineteen hundreds — the iPod Touch was basically an iPhone without the phone part. It looked exactly like an iPhone even though it wasn’t an actual iPhone. Well I was at a conference and it seemed like everyone else had an iPhone. So you know what I did? I held that iPod Touch up to my ear like I was talking on an iPhone just to look like I had one. 

Ridiculous, right? Silly? What lengths we’ll go to climb the cultural prejudiced pecking order. Since I know I’m not the only one who’s done something like that — I thought we’d spend some time sharing personal stories of trying to keep up appearances. Who wants to go first? I’m totally kidding — save your stories for Life Group.

Social media’s an entire industry built on our sinful desire to compare ourselves with others — even to be prejudiced towards others — and it’s having negative effects on all of us — especially the youngest in our nation.

And — let me lovingly warn you — this is a sin much easier to see in the lives of others than it is to spot in your own life. It’s the Democrat who sees bias and prejudice in Republicans — after all, all Republicans are fascists who favor the wealthy and don’t care about the poor, right? It’s the Republican who sees bias and prejudice in Democrats — after all, all Democrats are Marxists who want to rob from the rich to give the poor undeserved handouts, right?

Living in a world that operates on partiality and favoritism has influenced all of us. Yet — the point James is making — is that — especially in the church — we’re not to demonstrate such partiality or prejudice. And his reasoning is this: When we do this, we’re practicing judgment that comes from evil thoughts. Which takes us back to a point James made in the last chapter — when he told us where the temptation to sin comes from. It comes from within us.

And look at where such prejudice leads. We’re in verse six.

James 2:6–7 ESV

6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called?

And skipping to verse nine, we read…

James 2:9 ESV

9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

The irony in James’ illustration is better understood when we realize that the early church was predominantly made up of those who were poor. There were some wealthy people who believed in Jesus — but for the most part — the message of the gospel was welcomed by the poor to a greater degree than those who were wealthy. Thus — the irony I was speaking of — is that one could easily conceive that the poor person — in James’s illustration — was a fellow Christian — while the rich person — in the illustration — was not a believer. Thus — the sin of favoritism — was actually pushing fellow followers of Jesus to the side to make room for a person who — for no other reason than their wealth — was given top-notch service.

Now — James — in using the rich and poor in his illustration — probably had some Old Testament passages on his mind when he wrote these words. Such as…

Leviticus 19:15 NLT

15 “Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.

Notice how this Old Testament passage warns against showing favoritism to the poor and the rich. Statuses — like rich and poor — are not justification for sinful partiality or favoritism. So too categories like Black and White. As well as male and female. And dare I even say — Ohio State or Michigan — which may be crossing a line for some of you. 🙂

THE OBEDIENCE THAT GOD REQUIRES

Which leads us to the obedience that God requires. We’ve been told what not to do — don’t show partiality or favoritism — but what are we to do? We find our answer in verse eight.

James 2:8 ESV

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.

The royal — or supreme — law of God is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. This commandment is first found in the Old Testament.

Leviticus 19:18 NLT

18 “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against a fellow Israelite, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.

And Jesus affirmed this commandment when he was asked…

Matthew 22:36–39 ESV

36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

This is often referred to as the Great Commandment — and yes — it’s a two-parter: Love God and love your neighbor. And — as some of you may know — in Luke’s gospel — this commandment was brought up to see if there was any wiggle room when it comes to showing favoritism in who we’re willing to love. Here’s how Luke records the moment.

Luke 10:25–37 NLT

25 One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?” 27 The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” 29 The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. 31 “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. 32 A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side. 33 “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. 34 Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. 35 The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’ 36 “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked. 37 The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”

The expert in religious law — the equivalent of a religious lawyer — like the majority of the Jewish leaders of his day — was prejudiced towards the Samaritan people. The history of Jews and Samaritans went back centuries — leading to a prejudice in Jesus’ day that resulted in things like Jewish people refusing to even cross through the land where the Samaritans lived. And the Jewish people saw no conflict in their prejudice towards the Samaritans and their faithfulness to Yahweh. I wonder how many Christians today see no conflict in their prejudice towards certain groups of people and their faithfulness to Jesus?

But this conflict is what Jesus went right for — Jesus went straight for the lawyer’s prejudiced jugular when he made the Samaritan the hero of his story. The Samaritan is the one who loves the Jewish man who’d been left for dead. It wasn’t the priest who demonstrated love to his fellow Jew — neither was it the Temple assistant — a Levite — which was the tribe of Israel specifically called to a life of service to Yahweh. Neither of these Jewish men demonstrated love for his fellow Jew. It’s the despised Samaritan — he’s the one who loved his neighbor as himself.

Yet there’s even more for us to learn from this commandment. For the commandment — to love our neighbor — helps us understand that showing favoritism and showing honor are not the same. For example, when we read…

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 NLT

12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work.

We’re not showing partiality — or showing favoritism — when we honor, respect, and demonstrate love for those who lead us in the church. Just as we’re simply obeying God’s word when we…

Romans 13:7 NLT

7 Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

I bring this up because — sometimes in the cry of “don’t show favoritism” — we may intentionally or unintentionally justify disobeying other commands that God’s given to us. And we may even judge others for showing favoritism when that’s not the case. 

All that to say: Be careful about playing the favoritism police in other people’s lives. Examine your own life first — and the areas where you’re prone to show favoritism or not love your neighbor. Become an expert in your own heart’s sinful desires and pursue spiritual growth and obedience to all of God’s commands. For if we — those who follow Jesus — spend more time focused on our own spiritual growth — we’d all be pleasantly surprised to discover that everyone else is making good progress right along with us.

CONCLUSION: THE MERCIFUL GOD WHO SHOWS NO FAVORITISM

Which leads us to the motivation James gives us — what should motivate us to obey the commands he’s given us? We’re in verse five.

James 2:5 ESV

5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?

And in verse ten we read…

James 2:10–13 ESV

10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Earlier, the command was to show no partiality. And — in addition to all that we’ve already encountered — another reason — really the most compelling reason as to why we’re not to show partiality — is because the God we worship is an impartial God.

And this isn’t just James’ idea. The apostle Paul made this comment about some people in the church who were considered important by others. He said…

Galatians 2:6 NLT

6 By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.

About God’s just judgment — to the Christians in Rome — Paul wrote…

Romans 2:6–11 NLT

6 He (God) will judge everyone according to what they have done. 7 He will give eternal life to those who keep on doing good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers. 8 But he will pour out his anger and wrath on those who live for themselves, who refuse to obey the truth and instead live lives of wickedness. 9 There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 10 But there will be glory and honor and peace from God for all who do good—for the Jew first and also for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

To other Christians, Paul writes…

Colossians 3:23–25 NLT

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. 25 But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.

If you believe in Jesus, you believe in a God who judges you — not according to what you deserve — but according to his mercy. For what do you deserve? Eternal death. Why? Because you’ve broken God’s commandments. And James makes it clear — it doesn’t matter if you haven’t broken the big ones — maybe you’ve never murdered anyone — but, James says, “If you’ve broken one commandment, you’ve failed.” The standard — when it comes to the law — is perfection. There’s no wiggle room with the law. You either obey all of God’s commands or you fail the test. For it’s all or nothing when it comes to being right with God by the law.

Thus — if God were to judge you based on external appearances — he would’ve found you guilty just like every other human to have lived — because you’ve broken his law. And a guilty verdict is his just judgment for all of humanity. God doesn’t overlook the external factors of some of us. Those who are saved aren’t saved because God winks an eye at the sin we’ve committed, while he punishes others because of what he sees — if he did so, that would be God showing partiality. But God’s not partial!

So, how is anyone saved? For we’ve all sinned — we’ve all broken God’s law and have failed to meet the standard set by his law. If we’re all lawbreakers, how is anyone saved?

We’re saved not because God overlooks what we’ve done — we’re saved because he — in love — looks to what his Son did in our place.

2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT

21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Here’s what this means. On the cross — what the Father saw — when he looked at his Son on the cross — was our sin. Though Jesus was the rich man — to use James’ illustration — he became the poor man on our behalf. And God judged Christ in our place accordingly. But that’s not all. Now — because of our faith in his Son — when God looks at us, what he sees is Christ — he sees us as the rich man — the perfect man. How amazing and baffling and unbelievable — yet it makes your heart sing — believably true is that?

At this point, someone may respond with, “Well, how is any of that fair? If — as James says — God’s done the choosing of who will receive salvation — how isn’t all of this just favoritism on God’s part?” And my response is, “Mercy and favoritism are not the same. In fact, they’re complete opposites.” 

Mercy is God giving to someone his good favor — even though they don’t deserve it. And everyone who receives his mercy doesn’t deserve it. And what God has revealed about himself — throughout the Bible — is his plan to be merciful to people of all classes, races, nationalities, genders, ages, and languages — including men who wear expensive suits or Lululemon pants and those who prefer Levi jeans. He’s as unbiased in distributing his mercy as one could ever be.

And — yet — the fact that God isn’t merciful towards everyone makes us think that somehow he’s impartial. Why wouldn’t he just give mercy to everyone? If I had that answer, I’d write a bestseller. But what I do know is this: God isn’t required to be merciful towards any of us. And the fact that he is merciful towards some isn’t a reason for us to demand that he must be merciful towards all. Mercy isn’t mercy if it must be given. For though mercy triumphs over judgment, mercy doesn’t negate God’s just judgment towards those who reject what Christ has done.

But let’s end — not in theological theory — but in real life. As it stands right now, which are you the recipient of? God’s mercy or his judgment? 

God’s mercy is being offered to you today — for you’re hearing the voice of God call out to you. God’s words of wisdom are telling you to turn from your sin and turn to Jesus in faith. And that’s undeserved — just hearing this news is an act of God’s mercy towards you. But his judgment will come for those who think there’s no need for God’s mercy in their life. For those who reject his mercy — who hear his voice of wisdom and say, “I’d rather not — I know a better way” — will experience his judgment. 

Mercy triumphs over judgment. Which will prove triumphant in your life? Let’s pray.

PRAYER

God, thank you for being merciful. Where your mercy is undeserved — your judgment is what we all deserve. For we’ve all sinned — we’ve all demonstrated prejudice — we’ve all failed to love our neighbors — we’ve all rebelled against you — we’ve all disobeyed your commands. May we — who’ve received your mercy — marvel at this gift that’s been given to us.

Holy Spirit, may you stir in the hearts of many listening to me to respond to your mercy. For they are hearing your voice — right now — saying, “Turn from your sin. Turn from your pride. Turn from doing life your way. And turn to Christ and the mercy of God.” Spirit, do the work of salvation that only you can do so that mercy might triumph over judgment in many lives today.

And — Jesus — our hope in the promise — that mercy triumphs over judgment — is because of the sacrifice you made in our place on the cross for our sins. You — the rich man of Heaven — the One deserving honor and the best seat at every table — humbled yourself. Became poor. Gave up your seat at the table, pulled back the chair, and invited us to sit down in your place. What grace. What mercy. What favor. What blessing to all who respond to your offer and take the seat offered to us and rest — trusting you alone for our salvation.

Father, Son, and Spirit — as you offer us all a seat right now — the seat of faith — the seat of mercy — the seat of eternal forgiveness leading to eternal life — we thank you and now praise you in song. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available)

As you go, remember that God’s mercy triumphs over his judgment for all who obey his words of wisdom. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 3-8-26

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time or if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

PASTORAL PRAYER

Each week — during our worship services — we set aside some time to pray for people, circumstances, and situations going on in our congregation, community, country, and world.

Today we’ll be praying for our church elders — those who lead us here at Gateway. We’ll pray for our local police officers and a Bible study recently started for them. And we’ll pray for the wars going on around the world.

Please join me in prayer.

Heavenly Father, in your Word to us — you show us the kind of men you call to lead your people. 

1 Timothy 3:2-7 NLT

A church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach. 3 He must not be a heavy drinker or be violent. He must be gentle, not quarrelsome, and not love money. 4 He must manage his own family well, having children who respect and obey him. 5 For if a man cannot manage his own household, how can he take care of God’s church? 6 A church leader must not be a new believer, because he might become proud, and the devil would cause him to fall. 7 Also, people outside the church must speak well of him so that he will not be disgraced and fall into the devil’s trap.

And you give them this mandate:

1 Peter 5:2-4 NLT 

Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. 3 Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example. 4 And when the Great Shepherd appears, you will receive a crown of never-ending glory and honor.

Father, we thank you for the men who serve us as your shepherds. For Matt Buttermore, Dana Fought, Ed Grable, Matt Heft, Terry Jolliff, Scott Sharpe, Kevin Snyder, Justin Stiles, and Jim Tomlinson. Thank you for their faithfulness to you and to the call you have on their life as elders of your people. Thank you for their care for your people. Thank you for their eagerness to serve you and your people here at Gateway. Thank you for their leadership — and for leading by a good example. Remind them of the crown of never-ending glory and honor that will be theirs.

As we turn our attention to our local law enforcement — we want to pray specifically for the Bible study that’s recently been started in our community specifically for them. Thank you for the many officers and staff who have shown up to learn about you through your Word. Thank you for their openness and curiosity about who you are. Spirit, lead, guide, and direct more officers to come to the Bible study so that more of the men and women who serve our community in this way would be people who know the one and only living God. Thank you for the hope that your Word gives — may your Word give the officers the eternal hope that’s found only in Jesus Christ.

And as we pray for our world — Father — we can’t help but think of the warring going on halfway around the world. Pakistan and Afghanistan. Israel, Iran, and our nation — and many others getting involved or experiencing attacks. War was never your intention for your creation. Peace was — and is — your intention for your creation. Yet we are a people who war with one another. Father, forgive us. Jesus — our Prince of Peace — bring peace to our world. Holy Spirit, change our hearts — from hearts that desire rebellion, death, and destruction to hearts that — because of faith in Christ — desire and live for faithfulness, and life, and restoration, and reconciliation. This work — that only you can do — is a work for people of all nations — including those in Pakistan and Afghanistan — in Iran and Israel — as well as the hearts of people here in the US.

Father may you be glorified as the message of Jesus Christ continues to go forth to all people by the power of the Holy Spirit. And may we be found to be faithful goers and sharers of your News until Jesus returns. And we pray all of this in his name. Amen. 

SERIES INTRO

We’re continuing our series in James this weekend. Learning from the wisdom section of the New Testament. And boy do we have something to learn from wisdom today. What’s that — you may wonder — what does wisdom want to teach us today? That simply hearing God’s Word is insufficient — for we must do God’s Word.

But don’t take my word for it — here’s what we find in our verses from today. We’re in James chapter one — beginning in verse twenty-one. There we read…

James 1:21–25 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Here’s where we’re headed today. We’re going to see what it means to be a doer of God’s Word by looking at what a life of repentance and faith looks like. Then we’ll see what a life of self-deception looks like. Then we’ll see what a life of true faith looks like. And — I know — “Josh, the first and third points sound the same.” Yes, they both include faith — but you’ll see that faith has two aspects to it which James highlights in our verses.

The life of repentance and faith. The life of self-deception. And a life of true faith. Together — these will show us the difference between being someone who merely hears God’s Word versus someone who hears and does the Word of God. And — as I said a moment ago — hearing God’s Word is insufficient — we must be people who do God’s Word.

A LIFE OF REPENTANCE AND FAITH

So let’s begin by looking at a life of repentance and faith. We’re back in verse twenty-one. There we read…

James 1:21 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Our verses for today build on what’s come before — that’s what the word “therefore” tells us. Anytime you find a “therefore” in Scripture — pause and ask yourself, “What’s the therefore, there for?” 

Therefore is a connecting word. It connects what comes after it with what comes before it. So what comes just before our verse? These words from James that Joe Sherrieb had us look at last week.

James 1:19–20 ESV

19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

Which leads to our verse…

James 1:21 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Here’s another way of seeing the relationship between these verses. Ask the question “why”. Here’s what I mean. Our verse again is…

James 1:21 ESV

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

And our question is, “Why, James? Why are we to put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and so on…?”

Because — that’s another way of saying “therefore” — because…

James 1:20 ESV

20 The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

To which we ask another question — “Where — one of those famous W’s we’re taught to use in English class — where does the anger of man come from James?”

This kind of ungodly anger comes from within — and it shows up when we’re not…

James 1:19 ESV

19 quick to hear, slow to speak, [and] slow to anger;

I hope that’s helpful — me showing you how to ask questions and not just simply droning on while reading the Bible. For we’ll never be doers of God’s Word if we don’t understand it. And understanding — often comes when we slow down and ask questions.

So — back verse twenty-one. What is James telling us? He’s telling us — in his own words — to repent and believe. For a life of repentance and faith is the first step away from a life that doesn’t produce the righteousness of God. And it’s also the first step towards the life that does produce the righteousness of God.

Repentance means to turn away from — and faith — is what we turn towards. What do we repent of — or turn away from — according to James? All filthiness and rampant wickedness. “Put it away,” James says.

Filthiness — in the original language — is a word that means moral impurity. Wickedness — again, in the original language — means evil or depravity. And — to wickedness — James adds the word “rampant” — which means an overabundance of wickedness — or an excessive amount of evil and depravity.

The word translated as “filthiness” is only found here in the New Testament — but the word translated as “wickedness” is used quite often in the New Testament. And — when it’s used — we find it used similarly as in our passage — where wickedness is something to put away or put off or to turn away from. Here are some examples.

Ephesians 4:31 ESV

31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.

And…

Colossians 3:8 ESV

8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

In these examples the word “malice” is the same word translated as wickedness.

1 Peter 2:1 ESV

1 So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.

And…

1 Peter 2:16 ESV

16 Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.

Evil’s the same word as wickedness.

Finally — and in about as clear of a statement as we could ask for — in showing how repentance is turning away from wickedness — in the book of Acts — Peter says…

Acts 8:22 ESV

22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.

We’re to repent — or turn away from — filthiness and rampant wickedness. And that’s all of us. Christian or not. Remember — James is writing to followers of Jesus — he’s not writing to those who don’t believe — but repentance is for everyone — Christian or not. And James is reminding his readers to keep turning away from filthiness and rampant wickedness. And why does he do this?

Because — unfortunately — following Jesus doesn’t rid us from choosing to do such God dishonoring activities. And we shouldn’t pretend otherwise. For those who pretend — or deny that they’re capable of making such filthy and wicked sinful decisions — are those who usually destroy their lives — or the lives of others. Or they’re the proudest and most obnoxious people you know. Often they’re the most intolerable people to be around. Not only do they forget that…

Titus 3:3 ESV

3 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

They act as if this was never the case for them — much less the case for them presently. And they do all of this while claiming to follow Jesus — giving Christ — and his followers — a terrible reputation. We’ll get to these folks a bit more in a moment.

Now — if you’re not a Christian — you may be all like, “That’s right Josh. Get ‘em. Those people are the worst!” But I want to take your eyes off of them — and ask you to do some self-reflection. You see, the first step in following wisdom — which we saw weeks ago — is repentance. For the God who created everyone and everything — including you — has spoken. And he’s given his Word on what is good and what is wicked. He’s told us what is pure and what’s filthy. And wisdom is asking you, “Will you take God at his Word?”

But here’s something both counterintuitive and incredible: Us taking God at his Word is a work of God. This is how gracious and good and kind God is to us — to you. For he knows that none of us will take him at his Word if left on our own — so God does a work in us — so that — we’re awakened to the truthfulness and reliability of his Word. James tells us this in the last half of our verse when he writes…

James 1:21 ESV

21 and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Here James tells us wonderful news: The Word of God has been implanted in our hearts. And who put God’s Word in our heart? The Spirit of God did. For the Spirit implants God’s Word in the hearts of God’s people. And the implanted Word will do its work — the work’s guaranteed to happen. What work? The work of salvation. Where the Spirit of God takes the message of the Word of God — the gospel — and through the gospel gives new life. Meaning a spiritual resurrection takes place — this is a death to life experience — when the Spirit uses the Word to awaken us to the truth.

At this point — a great question for us to ask is, “What is the gospel?” The gospel is this: In the beginning God created everything. And it was good — meaning — it was whole, perfect, without the pains and sorrows we now experience — like cancer and war, the heartache of relational turmoil and the death of those we love. 

The cause of these pains and sorrows is found all the way back to a decision that our first parents — Adam and Eve — made when they distrusted God and believed the lies of our Enemy. As a result — sin — which means “missing the mark” — entered God’s creation. Adam and Eve missed the mark — they did not trust God — they didn’t take him at his Word much less do his Word. And ever since — all humans have sinned — missed the mark — and have distrusted God — not taking him at his Word — not doing his Word. This includes you — and this includes me.

Sin resulted in our relationship with God being destroyed. For God — who is holy and pure — cannot be in the presence of the unholy and impure — or in the presence of filth and wickedness. So we were cast from his presence — kicked out of the Garden — and sent out into the wilderness as our punishment. And — not only that — but death entered creation. Physical death — and all of the aging, and disease, and illnesses, and stresses, that comes with it — and spiritual death — separation from God. Spiritual death is probably the best way to describe our natural relationship with God. For he is Spirit and Life and — because of our sin — our spiritual life was killed.

But God…two of my favorite words in all of the Bible, by the way.

Ephesians 2:4–10 NLT

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 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!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

God — in love for his people — sent his Son, Jesus Christ — to seek and save those who were lost. Jesus came to save sinners. And the way he ensured our salvation was by giving his life — on a cross — in our place — for our sins — for the wages of sin is death.  Yet during his life — Jesus lived perfectly. He always trusted God the Father — he always took God at his Word — he always did what God’s Word required. And on the cross — though sinless — he took the punishment we deserve for our sin — the punishment of death. And in his resurrection — he defeated Satan, sin, death, and Hell and promised a new and abundant life — he guaranteed a resurrection empowered life to all who turn to him in faith — this is a guarantee to all who take Jesus at his Word.

That’s the Good News — that’s the gospel — that’s the message all need to hear. Whether it be your neighbor — or your coworker — or your child — or your spouse — or a group of people halfway around the world who’ve never heard the name Jesus before. The gospel is the only message that saves — for Jesus is the only Savior.

A LIFE OF SELF-DECEPTION

Returning to our verses — next James says…

James 1:22–24 ESV

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

And — at this point — I can’t help but wonder if James had one of his older brother’s parables in mind. I say this because — what James just wrote is basically a very short parable. A parable — if you’re unfamiliar with the term — is a short story that’s meant to teach a lesson. Here’s a parable that Jesus once used to teach some folks.

Luke 8:4–15 NLT

4 One day Jesus told a story in the form of a parable to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5 “A farmer went out to plant his seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds ate it. 6 Other seed fell among rocks. It began to grow, but the plant soon wilted and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that grew up with it and choked out the tender plants. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables to teach the others so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they look, they won’t really see. When they hear, they won’t understand.’ 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is God’s word. 12 The seeds that fell on the footpath represent those who hear the message, only to have the devil come and take it away from their hearts and prevent them from believing and being saved. 13 The seeds on the rocky soil represent those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they believe for a while, then they fall away when they face temptation. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns represent those who hear the message, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life. And so they never grow into maturity. 15 And the seeds that fell on the good soil represent honest, good-hearted people who hear God’s word, cling to it, and patiently produce a huge harvest.

What kind of soil is your heart like? Those whose hearts are like the good soil — are hearts that are gentle towards God’s Word. If you’re here today — and you wouldn’t call yourself a Christian — what’s your attitude towards the Bible? Is it gentle or hostile? Are you open to learning or are you closed-minded? Can the Bible critique you or are you the only one allowed to be the critic?

Though we can’t do anything to save ourselves — salvation is in God’s hands — there’s much we can do when it comes to the receptivity and sensitivity of our heart. Often it takes a crisis in life to soften our hearts — maybe that’s why you’re here today and are more open to hearing from God and his Word. But I pray that — even if you’re not in a crisis — that you’d pause and consider the attitude that you’ve brought with you today. And that you’d be open — that’s all — just open to what God is saying to you through his Word.

But for those of us who say we’re a Christian — who claim to be a follower of Jesus — this is where James is really challenging the status quo Christianity that’s prevalent in our country. You see — James is calling out the group of people who call themselves Christians in the US — yet whose lives and behaviors make it clear that they’re not taking Jesus at his Word.

Now hear me out: We need to be very careful in making behaviors — of any sort — the litmus test of proving whether or not a person’s faith is genuine. Right now — my concern isn’t for those who are spiritually proud and full of themselves — my concern is for those who are genuine believers in Jesus and have very sensitive spirits. Who are prone to beating themselves up or tearing themselves down — who view God as if he’s not pleased with them because they’re all too aware of their ongoing sin and shortcomings. And — for these folks — I want you to know that God loves you. If you believe in Jesus — as difficult as this may be to believe — I want you to know that God is delighted in you. He can’t think any more highly of you because — when he thinks of you — he thinks of you with all of the Fatherly affection that he has for Jesus.

I hope that’ll cause you to marvel, and be in awe, and to rejoice, and to be happy — for the God of Heaven sees you — and you give him joy.

Now — with that caveat — a way to test the genuineness of your faith — not a foolproof test, but a test that’s a tool to measure yourself against — and to examine where self-deception may’ve ensnared you — is our discipleship process here at Gateway. Think of this as the mirror that James mentions — a mirror you agreed to when you became a member of Gateway. And I especially want to speak to those of us who are members of Gateway because — as a member — you’ve given your word that you’d be committed to growing in obedience as a follower of Jesus. And our discipleship process is our mirror. It’s how we spiritually grow together as a church. For we’re members of a local church — not solo Christians doing our own thing.

So let’s all take a look in this mirror and see if we’ve forgotten what we look like — what we committed to — when we became members of this church.

Worship is the first step in our discipleship process. And — by worship — we mean regular worship with your faith family. And — I’ll just say it — weekly is best. Where you have a weekly event on your calendar to gather with your faith family to worship God. Some questions that may reveal self-deception or encourage your obedience are…

• How regularly are you worshipping with your faith family?
• Is worship a priority for you and your family?
• What other activities easily keep you from gathering with us for worship?
• What would happen if the rest of us imitated your worship attendance? Would we be attending more or less than we already are?

Our nature — right now — is to have a lot of justification going on in our heads. “Here’s why I’m not here weekly and it’s all very justifiable, Josh, thank you very much.” I’m not asking you to defend yourself to me — I’m asking you to take a look in the mirror of what you committed to and have a talk with the person whose reflection is staring back at you.

The second step in our discipleship process is connect. And we connect with one another in Life Groups. Life Groups are where we apply the Bible to life and care for one another. Yes, there are many great opportunities to learn, study, and discuss the Bible outside of Life Group — but as members of this church — we make it a priority to do this with our faith family — just like we want to care for our fellow church members. Some questions that may reveal self-deception or encourage your obedience — as you look in the mirror — are…

• Am I in a Life Group? If not, why not?
• If you are, how often are you attending?
• Are you coming prepared?
• How are you caring for your fellow group members? Life Groups aren’t the only way care happens around here — but they are the primary place where care takes place in our church. So how are you caring for your faith family members — and how are you allowing your church to care for you through our Life Group ministry?

The next step in our discipleship process is serve. And — by serve — we mean serving those in our faith family. Some questions that may reveal self-deception or encourage your obedience are…

• Are you serving your fellow church members?
• If so, how often?
• If not, why not?
• Since I liked this question so much I’m going to reuse it: What would happen if the rest of us imitated your serving? Would we be serving each other more or less than we already are?

Finally — we go — go is the final step in our discipleship process. Where we go to proclaim the gospel — both here in our local community — as well as in our country and around the world. Some questions to reveal self-deception or encourage your obedience — as you look in the mirror — are…

• How are you going?
• If you’re physically unable to go — how are you supporting those who are going?
• If overseas missions isn’t your thing, how are you serving with our local partners here in Findlay or our national partners? If you don’t know who they are, go to our website — gatewayepc.org/ministry-partners for more information.

And — remember — “and” is the key word. It’s not worship or connect or serve or go. Not “or” but “and.” Just like it’s not going locally or going globally — it’s “and”. And I get it — you may be thinking, “Well this sure seems like a lot! It sure seems like a sacrifice. It sure seems like somebody else is in charge of my life because I’ve got all kinds of reasons to not do all of this.” And you’re absolutely right — Somebody else is in charge. For you are not your own — but have been bought at a high price. 

CONCLUSION: A LIFE OF TRUE FAITH

Now — worshiping, connecting, serving, and going are no guarantee that you’re not living a life of self-deception — but I’ve found it to be a principle that most people can only keep up appearances for so long before they give into whatever their heart really desires — which leads us to the life of true faith. We’re in verse twenty-five.

James 1:25 ESV

25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

Here James says that when we look into the perfect law — a law of liberty — a law of freedom — which is James’ way of saying “the gospel” — James says when we believe the gospel we’ll persevere as someone who does the Word of God. What he’s saying is that those who look to the perfect law won’t forget the message. They’re no mere hearers of the Word — but are the people who live in response to the gospel — who do the Word. And these are the men, women, and children who will be blessed. For — what they do — in response to what they believe — pleases God. And they do the Word because the soil of their heart is producing a huge harvest of righteousness — an abundant harvest of obedience and of joy in Jesus and of hope — because they-re looking to — and not forgetting — the One who died so the seed of the gospel would be planted within them.

This is the life of true faith. It’s not a perfect life. It’s often a life of tripping and stumbling and full of reasons for much repentance. But it’s a life with a holy stubbornness to it. A stubbornness that refuses to forget — that refuses to turn from the mirror — it’s the life that keeps looking to Jesus. For he’s the mirror to which our eyes are to be fixed — and when we look to him — we will be doers of his Word. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Father, thank you for your Word. Thank you for not leaving us dead in our sins. Thank you for your plan to rescue and save your people — to set us free — to raise us up from the dead.

Spirit, may you — right now — take the gospel and implant it into the hearts of those who hear my voice. May you soften their hearts so that — like good soil — a harvest of righteousness will be the result. 

And — Jesus — the hope we have is because you did for us what we can’t do for ourselves. You were no mere hearer of the Word — but a doer. And you obeyed — never wavering or distrusting your Father — on our behalf. And you gave your life of perfect obedience on a cross — so that we might be given life. 

So as we look into the mirror — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — help us not to forget what you’ve done for us so that we live for you — as doers of your Word. And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available / Faith in Jesus = Resource Center)

May you go with your eyes fixed on Jesus — for then — what you do — will be in obedience to his Word. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

DATE: 2-22-26

As always it’s a joy to be with all of you this weekend at Gateway Church. And there’s one thing I want you to know — and this is true if you’re worshiping with us for the first time — if you’re joining us at our North Main Campus or are with our friends in Bucyrus — I want you to know that God loves you and that I love you too.

PASTORAL PRAYER

A few weeks ago, we reintroduced an ancient practice to our worship services — a time of pastoral prayer. Where — each week — we’re being more intentional about praying for people, circumstances, and situations going on in our congregation, community, country, and world. 

Today we’ll be praying for our friends in Bucyrus. This is their last Sunday with us — as their new pastor begins next week. We’ll pray for those who serve our community as emergency medical responders. We’ll pray for those who serve in the military. And we’ll pray for our Christian witness around the world as this is the first Sunday of Lent. 

Please join me in prayer.

Heavenly Father, what a gracious God you are. For every good and perfect gift comes from you — including the gift of fellowship with our friends in Bucyrus. And how thankful we are that they’ve found a pastor to lead them. May you bless them in the weeks and months ahead as they and their new pastor get to know each other. May you forge a sweet relationship between him and the elders. Spirit, may you unite the congregation together in a common purpose — and that purpose isn’t finished now that a pastor has been called — for the purpose you’ve called your church to — wherever she is found — is to go and make disciples of all nations. So may the arrival of their new pastor be the beginning of a new and fruitful season of making disciples of Jesus Christ. 

As we turn our attention to our local community, we lift up to you those who serve as emergency medical responders. Spirit of God, give them quick thinking, wisdom, and steady hands as they help those in need of their service. And we ask you to help them to not only live trying to save the lives of others — but may you help them to live life themselves. To live the abundant life that’s only possible through faith in Jesus Christ.

For our nation’s military — first — we thank you that they’re willing to serve us by protecting our freedom as a nation. As someone who’s served — the further I’m removed from my time in the military — the more I see how precious a thing it is to have others who are willing to give their life so that we can experience the freedoms we have in our country. Even the freedom to disagree with the decisions our military makes is a freedom they’ve secured on our behalf. May you protect them. May you give those in leadership wisdom from on high. And may all of us — no matter our political views — be grateful for those who protect the freedoms we have.

And — finally — as many Christians around the world participate in the season of Lent — the forty days between now and Easter symbolizing the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness before being tempted by Satan — may those who participate — and even those who don’t — recognize and respond to what Jesus accomplished on our behalf during those forty days. Jesus, thank you for denying yourself and overcoming the temptations you faced. The times that we’ve done the opposite are countless — and it’s only by your grace that we find forgiveness when we come to you in repentance and faith. 

May all of us — who believe in Christ — recognize what a gift it is to repent of our sins. What a gift it is to believe in Jesus Christ. What a good and perfect gift salvation is — and may we show the world what wonderful gifts these are — during Lent — and throughout the entire year.

And we pray all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

INTRODUCTION

We’re continuing our series in the book of James this weekend. Learning from the younger brother of Jesus who believed that his older brother was the Son of God. And James seems to have taken Jesus at his word — for much of what we read in James — appears to be mini-sermons — explaining, illustrating, and applying what Jesus had taught. So there’s much wisdom for us to gain from what we find in this book — including what James has for us today.

So — if you have your Bible — please turn with me to James chapter one — we’ll be looking at verses sixteen through eighteen together today. We’re in James chapter one — beginning in verse sixteen. There we read…

James 1:16–18 ESV

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. 18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

This is going to be a very theological sermon. But the goal isn’t for this to just be a sermon for our minds — the goal is for this to be a sermon that penetrates our hearts. For what we’re going to discover today — about God and salvation — is meant to stir not only our minds — but is to excite our hearts as well. Let me explain what I mean.

If you were here with us last week — when we saw God’s purpose in the trials we experience in life — we uncovered a truth about where temptation comes from — and it was a sobering truth. For temptation — we saw — comes from within us — from what’s called our sin nature. In and of ourselves we’re not pure — we’re tainted by sin. It’s the condition we’re born in because of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God in the Garden.

Yet we also saw how — one of the habits of our sinful hearts — is to find someone else to blame for the temptation we give into — for we stubbornly refuse to acknowledge that temptation comes from within us — so we look outside ourselves. And it’s quite common to throw blame right at God. But James told us that — not only is God not tempted by evil — he also doesn’t tempt us with evil. Meaning — the temptations we face don’t come from God.

We also learned that temptation — when given into — leads to sin. And sin always takes from us — ultimately taking away life — for sin — James tells us — leads to death. And — death — is the ultimate taking away from.

So — in arguing against the belief that God’s the one tempting us and — instead — arguing that temptation comes from within us — James now says…

James 1:16 ESV

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers.

Don’t be deceived. That’s the only command in our verses. So — if you want to know what you’re to do today — this is it: Don’t be deceived. Don’t be misled from having a true and proper belief about where temptation comes from.

The Bible gives us many warnings about being deceived. For instance, why are we deceived? According to Jesus…

Matthew 22:29 NET

29 “You are deceived, because you don’t know the scriptures or the power of God.

While others will be deceived by…

Matthew 24:24 NLT

24 False messiahs and false prophets [who] will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones.

Or — in a quite memorable way — Paul warns…

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV

33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

And the consequences for being deceived are severe.

1 Corinthians 6:9–10 ESV

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

And none of us are above being deceived. In fact — especially those of us who believe in Jesus should remember how…

Titus 3:3 NIV

3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

So…don’t be deceived! Don’t be fooled! Don’t blame God for tempting you to do evil when what’s to blame is the sin within you.

ON GOD

That’s the command James uses to transition us from last week’s text to our verses for today. And — now — he’ll show us how great God is. We’re in verse seventeen.

James 1:17 ESV

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

In this verse we find incredible truths about God. We find that he’s generous, unchanging, and is light.

First, God is abundantly generous to us. James tells us this in saying that “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” 

Now — when I read this verse — the question that came to my mind was, “What’s the difference between a good gift and a perfect gift?” And I don’t know that I discovered any great difference other than what’s pretty obvious: a good gift is something with positive qualities whereas a perfect gift — is just that — perfect — complete — without any deficiency.

Good gifts are something we humans can give. As Jesus says…

Matthew 7:11 ESV

11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

Obviously Jesus is helping us to question something we so often doubt — something James is reiterating to us: Is God good? Will he be good towards me? 

What Jesus and James are saying is that — because our Father in Heaven is good — he only gives good gifts to his children. To stress his point — Jesus mentions how we humans — as imperfect as we are — have managed to figure out how to give good gifts to our children. And then he says — how much more so does your perfect God know how to give good gifts to his children?

Now the perfect gift — that James refers to — is something we’ll come back to. But our first truth about God is that he is gracious.

Second, God is unchanging. About God — James says — “There’s no variation or shadow due to change.”

Variation is a word that means “mutation or a change of position” — and change means a “turning around or reversing course.” So what great news! God doesn’t change. As Scripture tells us…

Malachi 3:6 ESV

6 “For I the Lord do not change…

And…

Hebrews 13:8 ESV

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

God doesn’t change — which means — when you read of God — in the Bible — you’re reading about who God is today — and who he’ll always be. God doesn’t waver in who he is — like we do. Who he is isn’t a response to anyone or anything else. 

• He’s not loving because we’re worthy of his love. He’s loving because he is love. 
• He’s kind because he’s kind. 
• He’s merciful because he’s merciful. 
• He’s just because he’s just. 
• He’s good because he’s good.

With God you get exactly who he says he is — every single time. That’s why we must take him at his word — which means you have to know his word. Let him tell you who he is — to do anything else — is the ultimate act of foolishness.

God is gracious. And God doesn’t change. And — third — he’s the Father of lights. As the apostle John also tells us…

1 John 1:5 ESV

5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

God is light and in him is no darkness — which is why he’s the Father of lights. Light represents purity — holiness — being completely separate and untainted by evil. And God’s purifying light is so bright and powerful and holy that nothing can block — or interfere with — his light. Nothing stands between God’s light and where he wants it to shine — which is why his light never casts a shadow. For a shadow is what happens when something interrupts light — but nothing can stop God’s light from shining wherever he wants it to shine.

In his gospel — John begins his words about Jesus this way.

John 1:1–5 NLT

1 In the beginning the Word (that’s Jesus) already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.

John goes on to say…

John 1:9–14 NLT

9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn — not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

The Father of lights sent his Son — who is the light of the world — to shine the message of salvation — so that a world clothed in darkness might have hope.

God is gracious. God doesn’t change. And God is light.

ON SALVATION

But there’s one more truth about God that we discover in the next verse — verse eighteen — which is also where we’ll discover the perfect gift that God gives to his children.

James 1:18 ESV

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Here James focuses on the topic of salvation. But — before we get to salvation — let me explain what’s about to happen. A few weeks ago — I had some guys in my office — and I was showing them how I prepare my sermons — how I take a few verses — like our three verses for today — and end up with a sermon. 

Quite often — a lot of the work that I do in sermon preparation — is actually in my sermon — if you know what to listen for. But I’m going to make it even more clear for you all today as we talk about salvation. So imagine — if you will — that I’ve invited you into my office to show you how I prepare a sermon.

When I’m preparing a sermon — and this can apply to any time you read the Bible — but preparing a sermon is a time when I slow things way down. And while I’m reading the Bible passage — I’m constantly asking questions about the text. And when I tell you the questions I ask you’re going to think, “There’s no way it’s that simple.” I promise — it’s really as simple as what I’m about to tell you. Of course there’s an anointing by the Holy Spirit that makes what one person does — with this process — and spiritually multiplies it to be used for others through preaching — but any follower of Jesus can look at a text, ask the questions that I’m about to share with you, and better understand the Bible.

So here are the secret, mysterious, “got you on the edge of your seat” questions that I ask when I’m preparing a sermon. Are you ready? Got your pen and paper — or your notes app open? Here they are:

• Who?
• What?
• When?
• Where?
• Why?
• And how?

Anybody’s mind blown right now?

That’s right — who, what, when, where, why, and how — questions you learned to ask back in elementary school! Some of you can’t believe that what I’m saying is true — so let me show you.

Here’s our verse again — and then we’ll ask it some questions. About salvation — James writes…

James 1:18 ESV

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

So let’s ask a question: Who? Who’s will is James referring to? Who’s will is it for people to be saved? James writes…

James 1:18 ESV

18 Of his own will…

Who does the word “his” refer to? God the Father. How do we know? Because the Father is the last “who” referred to in our verses.

So look at what James is telling us: God is the one doing the action in our salvation. This is one way to describe God’s sovereignty in our salvation. God’s sovereignty means that God’s in control of all things. And what James is telling us is that — the act of salvation — is an act done to us — it’s not something we do. And — to prove his point — James uses a phrase that’s meant to bring to mind an illustration.

James 1:18 ESV

18 Of his own will he brought us forth…

The phrase “brought us forth” is the same phrase he used in verse fifteen when he said…

James 1:15 ESV

15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

So what does “brings forth” mean — what is James describing? He’s describing what theologians have called regeneration — or the new birth — or being born again. This is the moment where the Spirit of God gives life to our spiritually dead and stone-like hearts — awakening us to the truth of who Jesus is — leading to our repentance and faith. And — remember — this is of God’s own will and he’s the one bringing us forth — this is an act of God.

Now — I did say that — regeneration does lead to repentance and faith. Repentance is our turning away from sin and rebellion against God — and faith is our turning to Jesus — trusting in him alone for our salvation. Repentance and faith are our choice — we make the decision to repent and believe — this is what is called conversion. But prior to our repentance and faith is a work of God — where he transforms the condition of our heart — so that we can repent and believe in Jesus.

Here’s what Jesus had to say on this topic when he spoke to a man named Nicodemus.

John 3:1–8 NLT

1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.” 3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” 4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?” 5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”

“You must be born again,” Jesus says. “And humans can’t do this — only the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” For — just as sin “brings forth death” — God is the one who “brings forth spiritual life.”

Often — at this point — many people — including many Christians — have a strong reaction against the idea that God — according to his own will — is the one who brings forth new life in those who believe. This is why the illustration of giving birth is so helpful — because — in the illustration that Jesus gives — we’re the baby being born. 

The mom gives birth — the baby is born. No one says, “The baby gave birth to itself” — the mom gives birth. And James and Jesus both say that God is the one who gives spiritual birth to his people. We don’t spiritually birth ourselves — we can’t. But we do respond to the spiritual birth that God gives. And — just like a baby in the womb — there’s nothing that baby can do to stop itself from being born. It may fight. It may fuss. It may even turn itself around and force the doctors to do a C-section — but — it’s gonna be born. So too when it comes to God giving new life to his children.

OK. So God the Father is the “who” — and “what” he’s doing is giving us spiritual birth — but “how” — “how” does this new birth take place? Back to our verse again?

James 1:18 ESV

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth…

God the Father gives us new life by the word of truth. And what’s the word of truth? The word of truth is the Word that is truth. As the apostle Peter says…

1 Peter 1:23 NLT

23 For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.

Notice how Peter uses the same born again language. And how being born again leads to a new and eternal life. And this new life is eternal because it comes from where? It comes from the eternal, living word of God. And what is the word of God?

That’s a bit of a trick question. For we learn in the Bible that the word of God is both Jesus — as we saw in the gospel of John — and Scripture. But — here — James is referring to the Bible — the written word of God. 

The Bible is God’s Word and it is both true and truth. And the message of salvation — what’s called the gospel — is found in this book. Yes — the gospel can be shared to a friend over lunch without a Bible present — but the message being shared comes from the Bible. And the message of the Bible is the means by which God brings forth new life and saves his people.

As you heard me say in a sermon a few weeks ago — God’s Word to us is his generosity on display — it’s one of his good gifts to us. And it’s a gift — not only to those who believe — but to those who’ve yet to believe.

Hebrews 4:12 NLT

12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

And what’s the result of the word of God being alive and powerful? One result is that…

2 Timothy 3:16–17 NLT

16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

And one way that God’s word accomplishes this purpose is when pastors…

2 Timothy 2:15 ESV

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

And pastors are to rightly handle the word of truth because they’re called to…

2 Timothy 4:2 NLT

2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

And — through the preached Word — God calls people out of spiritual death and darkness — and into new life that’s found in his marvelous and saving light.

So God the Father uses the word of truth — the gospel — to give us new life. But why does God do this? Back to our verse one last time.

James 1:18 ESV

18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

Why does God save us? So that we’d be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. So what does that mean?

If you’re thinking, “OK, Josh. We get it. You’re laying all of the who, what, where, when, why, and how on pretty thick right now” — I’d encourage you to take note of how often you hear them in future sermons — or go listen to some past sermons if you’re up for it. For — not only am I preaching a sermon — I’m modeling for you how to read the Bible so that you get the most out of it when you do. And the sermons you hear should make you a better interpreter of the Bible when you read it — which is why I’m taking time to show you how to understand God’s Word when you read it.

So back to us being firstfruits of God’s creatures — what does James mean by that? It means that we’re God’s choice offering — meaning — God considers us the first of all of his creation. 

Paul uses the term this way in writing to Christians in Thessalonica.

2 Thessalonians 2:13 ESV

13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

Notice — again — who’s doing the act of salvation here? God is. “God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved,” Paul says. The Bible’s quite consistent and clear when it comes to salvation. Yet I think firstfruits — in addition to meaning God’s choice offering — gets a bit clearer in its meaning — in another of Paul’s letters. In a section where he also writes about our salvation.

Ephesians 2:1–10 NLT

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil — the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 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. 4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 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!) 6 For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. 7 So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. 8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Though we were once spiritually dead because of our sins — living just like the rest of the unbelieving world as children of the devil — following the desires of our sin nature — subject to God’s wrath and just judgment like everyone else — “but God,” Paul says. There’s God in action once again. “But God” — this God who is abundantly generous, who never changes, and who’s sovereign — “but God, who’s rich in mercy and love, gave us life” — and he raised us up from the dead by the power of Christ’s resurrection. And this is all by grace — it’s undeserved — it can’t be earned — it’s a total and completely free gift from God to his people.

And now we get to the firstfruits part: Why did God do all of this? So that he can show the rest of his creation how gracious and kind he is towards his people. So that he can show all of his creation what he’s done — through Christ — for his beloved children. That’s what it means for his people to be his firstfruits. This is what it means for you — if you believe in Jesus. 

It means that God is lavishing his grace and kindness and favor and mercy and power and love on you — so that the world may know how generous he is — and will always be — to his people — for he is the unchanging God. To be God’s firstfruits means that you’re his masterpiece — and it means he has a specific plan for you — a life to live — a mission to accomplish — so that the world may know of his great and never-ending love for his people.

CONCLUSION

Friends, do you see where James has taken us today? As one person has said, “Far from enticing [us] to evil, God is the source of every good gift, one of the greatest of which is the new birth.”

When you hear me say, “God loves you” — know that this is what I mean by those three words. May you rest in God’s generous, unchanging, and saving love towards you. May you soak it in. May you embrace his love. May you enjoy him and his love for you. May you respond to his love. May you have hope because of his love. And may you show the world what it means to be loved by the God who saves. For he’s the giver of every good and perfect gift — and he is lavishing gifts on you so that the world may know how generous he is to his children. Let’s pray.

PRAYER

Gracious and generous Father, we marvel at who you are. We’re in awe. We feel the holy weight of your love towards us right now — and it feels good.

Holy Spirit, may you take your word preached — and use it to give new life to some who are listening. And may you do so at this very moment. For that woman who came here today feeling hopeless — give her eternal hope. For that man who came here today feeling dead inside — may you raise him from the grave and give him new life. For that college student who’s been overwhelmed — may you draw them to the Prince of peace. Spirit, whoever they are — those who — according to God’s own will today is the day of salvation — may you give them life.

And — Jesus — this new life is only possible because you gave your life on the cross for our sins. The good and perfect gift of salvation is ours because you gave the good and perfect gift of your life on our behalf because of your eternal love for us. Thank you for loving us — and for proving your love for us on the cross. We pray all of this in your name. Amen.

BENEDICTION (Prayer teams available / If you’ve responded, please stop by the Resource Center)

Whoever you are — Christian or not — may you respond to God’s generous, unchanging, and saving love towards you. Amen.

God loves you. I love you. You are sent.

GOOD MINISTRY IDEAS THAT NEED TO BE REVISITED

So that’s the bad news; the areas where we can improve. But let’s end on some good news. 

Throughout our EPC history we’ve had some really great ideas! Unfortunately, many of our best ideas never saw the light of day. For example, in 1988, recommendation #22 was: that the General Assembly hold [a] biannual conferences for all pastors with less than five years experience in pastoral ministry for which all expenses apart from travel shall be borne by the denomination, and the costs of which shall be underwritten by a benevolence asking of the Assembly be approved in spirit and intent and referred to the permanent Ministerial Vocation Committee for implementation.

What a great idea! Recent studies by Barna Group, and others, have shown the stress that pastors experience, resulting in a high number of pastors who consider quitting ministry every year. The first five years of ministry are years of much change for a new pastor (and his family). What a benefit it would be if the EPC found a way to implement this biannual conference for pastors with less than five years experience in ministry. 

Though different, the 15th General Assembly “approved a dinner sponsored by the Ministerial Vocation Committee during the 15th General Assembly for ministers ordained five years or less, along with their spouses.” Let’s get back to supporting the newest pastors in ministry so they have long tenures in the EPC!

The 15th General Assembly also adopted Overture 95.F: to appoint a committee to study the feasibility of implementing an EPC Internship Training Program be referred to the permanent Ministerial Vocation Committee for study. Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any indication that this idea was ever acted upon. An EPC internship training program would have the potential to help build up a pipeline of the next generation of pastors for our denomination. Another great idea that, I think, we can make happen if we unite together. Let’s implement the vision of our denominational forefathers.

Finally, the 20th and 21st General Assembly minutes mention two outstanding ideas. First, is a biannual pastor’s conference focused on teaching and preaching. Instead of outsourcing our ongoing teaching and preaching education, let’s use the talent within our denomination to make us all better teachers and preachers.

Second, a pastor’s mentoring program. One relationship that has helped me to endure in ministry has been with a man named Karl House. Karl’s not in the EPC. I met him in Florida back in 2011 a few months before I joined the EPC. He was pastoring a Vineyard Church in the Tampa area at the time. We hit it off immediately and, once I took a call in the EPC, I asked Karl if we could set up a monthly phone call. We did. And 15 years later we still have our monthly phone call. We pastors often don’t have a pastor. It comes with the job. But we can have mentors. And I believe the EPC can find a way to connect pastors with one another so that others benefit from a relationship like what I’ve had with Karl. 

CONCLUSION

I learned a lot about the EPC by reading our General Assembly minutes. I’d encourage you to take time to do the same. There’s much we can learn from those who’ve gone before us. How to debate and discuss difficult issues. What have been, and continue to be, our strengths and weaknesses as a denomination. Even how to have fun even during the business portions of our Assembly meetings. I’m looking at you presbytery Stated Clerks from 1999 and your response to the Presbytery Review Committee’s report by singing…

Jesus loves us Stated Clerks; we work hard and get no perks. 

When our lives are full of stress, Jesus loves to bless our mess. 

Jesus loves us one and all; in the presbytery tall. 

We bring hope as you can see, we’re the glue of the EPC. 

Refrain: 

Yes Jesus loves us (3 times) 

We’re glad that someone does. 

Take that Presbytery Review Committee!

But, in all seriousness, may God continue to bless the EPC. And may the EPC remain faithful to our God.