Part 1: Power Point Show MP3 audio
Part 2: Power Point Show MP3 audio
Scripture Reading: James 4:1-10
The Seeds of Sin
-Part 1-
Intro.
1. Every person struggles with sin and its temptations, 1 Jno. 1:8, 10; Rom. 3:9, 12, 23.
2. It is the Christian’s objective not to let sin dominate (rule) his life, Rom. 6:1-2, 12-14; 1 Jno. 2:1.
3. Mankind and sin: Jas. 1:12-16 --
a. The source and challenge, 1:13-14.
b. The battle, 1:12, 14.
c. The cost, 1:15.
d. The warning, 1:16.
e. The victory, 1:12.
4. The seeds, effects and remedy of sin, Jas. 4:1-10.
I. THE SEEDS OF SIN, Jas. 4:1-6 (Matt. 15:18-20).
A. Selfish Lust, Jas. 4:1-3 (1:14-15).
1. Pleasures: “the desire to get what one does not have and greatly desires” (Robertson, Word Pictures, VI:49).
a. Idea of pleasing oneself, cf. Lk. 8:14; Tit. 3:3.
1) Lusts of men in opposition to will of God, 1 Pet. 4:1-2.
2) Flesh/eyes/pride: The objects of men’s lusts, 1 Jno. 2:16.
b. Often try to satisfy lusts through violent means (cf. domestic abuse, hostilities, terrorism, murder, wars, etc.), Jas. 4:2.
2. Selfishness, 4:3; Wrong motives (Phil. 2:3-4). Rather than deny ourselves, self is indulged, Lk. 9:23.
B. Worldliness, Jas. 4:4 (Mk. 4:19; 1 Jno. 2:15-17).
1. Active faith: Friend of God (enemy of world), Jas. 2:22-23.
2. Faithlessness: Friend of the world (enemy of God), Jas. 4:4.
3. Cannot have two Masters, Matt. 6:24; Eph. 5:7-11.We choose our Master!
C. Envy, Jas. 4:5.
1. “Feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others…envy desires to deprive another of what he has.” (Vine, II:37)
2. “Is it to envying that the Spirit … longs?” (Pulpit Comm.)
3. Envy is the engine and companion of strife, Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 3:3.
D. Pride, Jas. 4:6 (resist the devil, 1 Pet. 5:8-9).
1. Over-estimation of self, Gal. 6:3.
2. Associated with love of self, 2 Tim. 3:2.
3. Cf. connection with temptation and self (Jas. 1:14).
-Part 2-
II. THE EFFECTS OF SIN, Jas. 4:1-4.
A. Conflict (Wars, fightings), Jas. 4:1.
1. With man (4:1-2); cf. Gal. 5:13-15, 25-26. War, murder, covetous act can be traced back to the pursuit of selfish pleasures.
2. Within self (4:1, 3); cf. 1 Pet. 2:11; Rom. 7:22-24.
a. James addresses nominal Christians (name only) who have not put sin to death in their lives (Col. 3:5). This person lives for his own “pleasures” (sensuality) rather than the will of God.
b. Sin wars against the soul, 1 Pet. 2:11.
c. We give sin the victory when we yield to its powers, Rom. 7:22-24. Christ is the answer the conflict sin produces.
3. With God (4:4); cf. Col. 1:21; Rom. 8:7.
a. Sin adulterates our marriage to Christ, Rom. 7:4.
b. To be in conflict with God is to fight a losing battle (Acts 5:39; Prov. 21:30-31).
c. God, the source of every blessing (Jas. 1:17), is alienated by our sins (cf. Jas. 4:6).
d. We cannot hope for His blessings and approval as we sin.
B. Our Responsibility is to Stop Sinning, Col. 3:5-10 (Rom. 6:2).
III. HOW TO AVOID SIN (Remedy), Jas. 4:7-10.
A. Flee Temptation before it Conceives, 1 Cor. 10:13 (2 Tim. 2:22).
B. Be Humble before God (and men).
1. Submit to God, 4:7 (resist devil).
-Refuse selfish lust: Exercise lust control (Rom. 13:13-14) through self-denial, Gal. 2:20.
2. Draw near to God, 4:8.
-Worldliness: Turn away from it and to the world above, Col. 3:1-4.
3. Cleanse hands and purify hearts, 4:8.
-Envy: Regard others better than yourself, Phil. 2:3-4.
4. Godly sorrow, 4:9 (Matt. 5:4).
-Pride: Think soberly, Rom. 12:3.
C. Trust God to Exalt You, Jas. 4:10 (1 Jno. 5:4).
-Not yourself, your possessions, your achievements, etc.
Conclusion
1. In our struggle with sin we must not plant the seeds that will grow and bear the fruit of sin; Avoid temptations.
2. When we sin: Confess it and return to God (1 Jno. 1:9; 2:1-2).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: May 2, 2013