Weekly Sermon

This message is a companion to three previous messages:  If Ye Fulfill the Royal Law (Part 1) - James 2:8
                                                                                               If Ye Fulfill the Royal Law (Part 2) - James 2:8     
                                                                                               If Ye Fulfill the Royal Law (Part 3) - James 2:8     

James 2:8 reads, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.” 

In James 2:8 we find the commendation of the Lord our God Himself in His Holy Word unto all who fulfill His royal law.  Herein the law of the Lord our God is described as His royal law because He is the divine Lord and King of our lives.  Indeed, this reveals that we believers in this time of the New Testament do have the responsibility to serve under our Lord’s authority and to submit ourselves in obedience under the authority of law for our lives.  Furthermore, we have the responsibility to fulfill our Lord’s royal law, that is – to obey it completely and consistently.  Finally, we are brought to understand that we must fulfill our Lord’s royal law over our lives in accord with the Old Testament Scripture from Leviticus 19:18, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  If we do this, then the Lord our God through His Holy Word by the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit commends us with the declaration, “Ye do well.”  If we do this, then in our Lord’s sight we are walking in the way of righteousness.
 
So then, what does it mean to love our neighbor as ourselves?  In Leviticus 19:17-18 this instruction was first given, wherein God’s word declares, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”  Then throughout the New Testament, this instruction of our God’s law was quoted by our Lord Jesus Christ on two occasion in Matthew 19:19 & 22:39(with Mark 12:31 being a parallel passage to Matthew 22:39), by the apostle Paul on two further occasions inRomans 13:9 & Galatians 5:14, and by James in James 2:8.  Even so, through a study of these and of some supporting passages, we may develop a greater understanding concerning what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Already in the first part of the study, we considered ten truths concerning this matter, as follows:

 1.  To love our neighbor as ourselves is the foundational principle of God’s law in relation to others.  
 2.  To love our neighbor as ourselves is a debt that we constantly owe unto those around us.  
 3.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we work no ill against those around us. 
 4.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we not use our Christian liberty for an occasion to our selfish flesh. 
 5.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we pursue a behavior of service unto those around us. 
 6.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we not verbally “bite and devour” those around us. 
 7.  To love our neighbor as ourselves requires that we walk under the directing influence of God the Holy Spirit.  
 8.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we be moved with compassion to help those around us who are in need.  
 9.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we not defraud or deal deceitfully with those around us.  
10.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we not be impatient or abusive against those with a physical disability.
 
Now, in this fourth part of the study, let us consider seven final truths.

Weekly Sermon

This message is a companion to two previous messages:  If Ye Fulfill the Royal Law (Part 1) - James 2:8
                                                                                             If Ye Fulfill the Royal Law (Part 2) - James 2:8     

James 2:8 reads, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.” 
 
In James 2:8 we find the commendation of the Lord our God Himself in His Holy Word unto all who fulfill His royal law.  Herein the law of the Lord our God is described as His royal law because He is the divine Lord and King of our lives.  Indeed, this reveals that we believers in this time of the New Testament do have the responsibility to serve under our Lord’s authority and to submit ourselves in obedience under the authority of law for our lives.  Furthermore, we have the responsibility to fulfill our Lord’s royal law, that is – to obey it completely and consistently.  Finally, we are brought to understand that we must fulfill our Lord’s royal law over our lives in accord with the Old Testament Scripture from Leviticus 19:18, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  If we do this, then the Lord our God through His Holy Word by the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit commends us with the declaration, “Ye do well.”  If we do this, then in our Lord’s sight we are walking in the way of righteousness.
 
So then, what does it mean to love our neighbor as ourselves?  In Leviticus 19:17-18 this instruction was first given, wherein God’s word declares, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”  Then throughout the New Testament, this instruction of our God’s law was quoted by our Lord Jesus Christ on two occasion in Matthew 19:19 & 22:39 (with Mark 12:31 being a parallel passage to Matthew 22:39), by the apostle Paul on two further occasions in Romans 13:9 & Galatians 5:14, and by James in James 2:8.  Even so, through a study of these and of some supporting passages, we may develop a greater understanding concerning what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Already in the first part of the study, we considered two truths concerning this matter, as follows:

1.  To love our neighbor as ourselves is the foundational principle of God’s law in relation to others.  
2.  To love our neighbor as ourselves is a debt that we constantly owe unto those around us.  
3.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we work no ill against those around us. 
4.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we not use our Christian liberty for an occasion to our selfish flesh. 
5.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we pursue a behavior of service unto those around us. 
6.  To love our neighbor as ourselves means that we not verbally “bite and devour” those around us. 

Now, in this third part of the study, let us consider four additional truths.

Weekly Sermon

This message is a companion to a previous message:  If Ye Fulfill the Royal Law (Part 1) - James 2:8
 
James 2:8 reads, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.” 
 
In James 2:8 we find the commendation of the Lord our God Himself in His Holy Word unto all who fulfill His royal law.  Herein the law of the Lord our God is described as His royal law because He is the divine Lord and King of our lives.  Indeed, this reveals that we believers in this time of the New Testament do have the responsibility to serve under our Lord’s authority and to submit ourselves in obedience under the authority of law for our lives.  Furthermore, we have the responsibility to fulfill our Lord’s royal law, that is – to obey it completely and consistently.  Finally, we are brought to understand that we must fulfill our Lord’s royal law over our lives in accord with the Old Testament Scripture from Leviticus 19:18, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  If we do this, then the Lord our God through His Holy Word by the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit commends us with the declaration, “Ye do well.”  If we do this, then in our Lord’s sight we are walking in the way of righteousness.
 
So then, what does it mean to love our neighbor as ourselves?  In Leviticus 19:17-18 this instruction was first given, wherein God’s word declares, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”  Then throughout the New Testament, this instruction of our God’s law was quoted by our Lord Jesus Christ on two occasion in Matthew 19:19 & 22:39 (with Mark 12:31 being a parallel passage to Matthew 22:39), by the apostle Paul on two further occasions in Romans 13:9 & Galatians 5:14, and by James in James 2:8.  Even so, through a study of these and of some supporting passages, we may develop a greater understanding concerning what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Already in the first part of the study, we considered two truths concerning this matter, as follows:

1.  To love our neighbor as ourselves is the foundational principle of God’s law in relation to others.  
2.  To love our neighbor as ourselves is a debt that we constantly owe unto those around us.  

Now, in this second part of the study, let us consider four additional truths.

Weekly Sermon
 
James 2:8 reads, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.” 
 
In James 2:8 we find the commendation of the Lord our God Himself in His Holy Word unto all who fulfill His royal law.  Herein the law of the Lord our God is described as His royal law because He is the divine Lord and King of our lives.  Indeed, this reveals that we believers in this time of the New Testament do have the responsibility to serve under our Lord’s authority and to submit ourselves in obedience under the authority of law for our lives.  Furthermore, we have the responsibility to fulfill our Lord’s royal law, that is – to obey it completely and consistently.  Finally, we are brought to understand that we must fulfill our Lord’s royal law over our lives in accord with the Old Testament Scripture from Leviticus 19:18, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”  If we do this, then the Lord our God through His Holy Word by the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit commends us with the declaration, “Ye do well.”  If we do this, then in our Lord’s sight we are walking in the way of righteousness.
 
So then, what does it mean to love our neighbor as ourselves?  In Leviticus 19:17-18 this instruction was first given, wherein God’s word declares, “Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.”  Then throughout the New Testament, this instruction of our God’s law was quoted by our Lord Jesus Christ on two occasion in Matthew 19:19 & 22:39 (with Mark 12:31 being a parallel passage to Matthew 22:39), by the apostle Paul on two further occasions in Romans 13:9 & Galatians 5:14, and by James in James 2:8.  Even so, through a study of these and of some supporting passages, we may develop a greater understanding concerning what it means to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Weekly Sermon
 
James 2:8-13 reads, “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: but if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.  For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill.  Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.  So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.  For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”
 
James 2:8-13 presents the conclusion to the lengthy paragraph that began with verse 1.  As we have noted, this paragraph directly confronts those who are showing sinful partiality against the poor and needy in favor of the rich and prestigious.  James 2:8-13 concludes the paragraph by providing Biblical admonition and instruction concerning the relationship between the law of God and the practice of showing partiality.  First, in verse 8 there is a commendation for loving behavior toward our neighbor – “If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well.”  Second, in verse 9 there is a condemnation for practicing partiality in our relationships – “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”  Third, in verses 10-11 there is the conviction of God’s law against practicing partiality – “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.  For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill.  Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.”  Fourth, in verse 12 there is the charge to obey God’s law of love – “So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.”  Fifth and finally, in verse 13 there is the consequence for not obeying God’s law of love – “For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.”

Weekly Sermon

James 2:1 reads, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.” 

James 2:1 opens the sixth paragraph of this epistle with a direct and distinct prohibition against showing “respect of persons.”  As such, this prohibition establishes the contextual setting for the rest of the paragraph.  Grammatically, this verse presents a Biblical imperative for our daily Christian walk.  Furthermore, this Biblical imperative can be divided grammatically into four parts.  First, there is the direct address of loving concern for our daily Christian walk – “My brethren.”  Second, there is the main clause of spiritual caution for our daily Christian walk – “Have not the faith.”  Third, there is the prepositional phrase concerning the established center for our daily Christian walk – “Of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory.”  Finally, there is the prepositional phrase concerning the forbidden characteristic in our daily Christian walk – “With respect of persons.”  In this first part of the message, we shall consider the first two of these truths.

Weekly Sermon

James 2:1-4 reads, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.  For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”

With James 2:1-13 we come to the sixth paragraph of this epistle.  This paragraph is the first of two lengthy paragraphs in James 2, encompassing the entire first half of the chapter.  In providing pastoral counsel for a spiritually mature walk in the believer’s life, this paragraph directly confronts those who are showing sinful partiality against the poor and needy in favor of the rich and prestigious.  This contextual setting for the paragraph is immediately introduced in verse 1, wherein the caution is given, “My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.”  Again in verse 4 the confrontation is presented, “Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?”  Yet again in the opening line of verse 6, the further confrontation is proclaimed, “But ye have despised the poor.”  Finally, in verse 9 the condemnation is delivered, “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.”  Thus with these four declarations, this paragraph is unified concerning the sinful practice of showing partiality against the poor and needy.

Weekly Sermon

James 1:27 reads, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” 

As we have previously noted, James 1:26-27 presents a clear contrast between a faulty religious life that is lacking in spiritual substance and a faithful religious life that is rooted in spiritual substance.  This contrast is seen in that verse 26 closes with the statement, “This man’s religious is vain;” whereas verse 27 opens with the statement, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this.”  Even so, verse 26 presents the case of a religious life that is vain, being spiritually profitless; whereas verse 27 presents the case of a religious life that is valuable, being spiritually pure.  Therefore, as we focus our attention upon verse 27, we observe more closely the case of a religious life that is valuable, being spiritually pure – “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this.”

Grammatically, this verse can be divided into three parts.  First, there is the declaration of God’s classification for pure religion – “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this.”  Second, there is the description of loving compassion in pure religion – “To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction.”  Third, there is the description of separated character in pure religion – “And to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

Weekly Sermon

James 1:26-27 reads, “If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.  Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

With James 1:26-27 we come to the fifth paragraph of this epistle.  Again we remember that the Holy Spirit inspired purpose for this epistle is to provide pastoral counsel for a spiritually mature walk in the believer’s life.  Even so, this fifth paragraph gives counsel concerning an unbridled tongue in relation to a pure religious life.  The contextual situation and setting for the paragraph is established through the opening line of the paragraph -- “If any man among you seem to be religious.”  Consisting of only two sentences in two verses, this short paragraph presents a clear contrast between a religious life that is lacking in spiritual substance and a religious life that is rooted in spiritual substance.

Weekly Sermon

James 1:12 reads, “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

As we have previously noted, the third paragraph of the epistle begins in verse 12 by pronouncing a sure blessing upon those who endure the trials of life aright.  Grammatically, this verse is a compound sentence.  The first independent clause of this compound sentence presents an expression of a blessed position -- “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation.”  Then the second independent clause of this compound sentence provides an explanation of this blessed position -- “For when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”  Furthermore, the second independent clause itself can be divided grammatically into three parts.  First, there is the conditional prospect of the adverb clause -- “When he is tried.”  Second, there is the certain provision of the main clause -- “He shall receive the crown of life.”  Finally, there is the confident promise of the adjective clause -- “Which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

1.  The First Great Commandment of the Christian Life

Mark 12:30 – “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”

2.  The Second Great Commandment of the Christian Life

Mark 12:31 – “And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”

3.  The First Spiritual Fruit of Holy Spirit Filling

Galatians 5:16 – “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

Galatians 5:22 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love . . . .”

4.  The Necessary Spiritual Value for Christian Service

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 – “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.  And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.  And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.”

5.  The Foundational Spiritual Principle for Godly Parenting

Deuteronomy 6:5-7 – “And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”

6.  The True Reason for Separation from Worldliness

Matthew 6:24 – “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other.  Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

1 John 2:15-17 – “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.  And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Posted in Godly Love

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Thought for Meditation

Whenever a husband treats his wife with selfish interest, selfish insensitivity,
selfish impatience, selfish communication, or selfish anger,
he is not loving his wife.
Rather, he is sinning against the Lord and against his wife.

Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to four previous sermons:
                Blessed Be the Most High God - Genesis 14:19-20    
                The Most High Ruleth - Daniel 4:32    
                The Most High Uttereth His Voice - 2 Samuel 22:14    
                Sing Praise to the Name of the Lord Most High - Psalm 7:17    

Psalm 91:1 reads, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”  The Lord our God is the most high God, the almighty and eternal Lord God of heaven and earth.  As the most high God, the Lord our God does indeed involve himself in the affairs of our lives and does indeed care for His own with faithful lovingkindness.  So then, how should we who are God’s own dear children respond unto Him as the most high God?  Through a study within the book of the Psalms, let us consider six ways in which we are to respond unto the Lord our God, as the most high God.

Proverbs for Life

1.  The Wisdom of God’s Word Is Better
2.  The Way of Biblical Humility Is Better
3.  The Walk of True Righteousness Is Better
4.  The Wealth of Godly Love Is Better

Outlines in Psalms

To Whom Is the Lord Nigh?

1.  To Those Who Trust Him

     Psalm 145:18 – “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.”

2.  To Those Who Fear Him

     Psalm 145:19a – “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him.”

3.  To Those Who Love Him

     Psalm 145:20a – “The LORD preserveth all them that love him.”

In What Manner Is the Lord Nigh?

1.  In His Fellowship

     Psalm 145:18a – “The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him.”

2.  In His Favor

     Psalm 145:19a – “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him.”

3.  In His Deliverance

     Psalm 145:19b – “He also will hear their cry, and will save them.”

4.  In His Preservation

     Psalm 145:20a – “The LORD preserveth all them that love him.”

Posted in Outlines in Psalms, Trust in God, Fear of the Lord, Godly Love, Fellowship with the Lord, Blessing of the Lord, Deliverance of Our Lord, Refuge of the Lord

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