Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to a previous sermon:  Rich in the Realm of Faith (Part 1) - James 2:5 

James 2:5 reads, “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

James 2:5 indicate that those from the poor class in relation to this world who place their trust in Christ as Savior are chosen by God to be rich in relation to His kingdom.  Regardless of their poor status in the realm of this world, they possess an abundantly rich status in the realm of faith.  Indeed, every one of us who are the children of God through faith in Christ is spiritually rich in the realm of faith.  These spiritual riches may be considered from two perspectives.  First, we may consider our spiritual riches in the realm of faith in relation to our eternal salvation.  Second, we may consider our spiritual riches in the realm of faith in relation to our daily walk.  Already in first part of the message, we considered the first of these truths.  Now, in this second part of the message, let us consider the second of these truths.

Weekly Sermon

James 1:6-8 reads, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

As we have previous noted, the opening matter about which the epistle of James provides pastoral counsel concerns the trials, troubles, and tribulations of our lives.   Concerning this matter James delivers a series of four instructions under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit.  The first is found in verses 2-3 and speaks concerning our regard and attitude toward the trials of life, saying, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”  The second is found in verse 4 and speaks concerning our response of submission in the trials of life, saying, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”  The third is found in verse 5 and speaks concerning our prayerfulness unto the Lord concerning the trials of life, saying, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

The fourth of these instructions is found in the opening portion of verse 6.  It provides an additional requirement in relation to the previous instruction.  Therein we are instructed to “ask of God” whenever we lack the true, spiritual wisdom of God for the direction, decisions, and difficulties of our lives.  The instruction of verse 6 then adds, “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”  Thus it speaks concerning our trust in the Lord through the trials of life.  This truth is then expanded in the remainder of verse 6 through verse 8, wherein a significant warning is given to those who waver with doubt toward the Lord.

Grammatically, verses 6-8 present four individual sentences and may be divided into four individual thoughts concerning the matter.  First, there is the complementary prerequisite of the first sentence -- “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.”  Second, there is the comparative picture of the second sentence -- “For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”  Third, there is the explanatory prohibition of the third sentence -- “For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”  Fourth, there is the defining principle of the fourth sentence -- “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

Weekly Sermon

James 1:5 reads, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

As we have previous noted, the opening matter about which the epistle of James provides pastoral counsel concerns the trials, troubles, and tribulations of our lives.   Concerning this matter James delivers a series of four instructions under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit.  The first is found in verses 2-3 and speaks concerning our regard and attitude toward the trials of life, saying, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”  The second is found in verse 4 and speaks concerning our response of submission in the trials of life, saying, “But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

The third of these instructions is found in verse 5.  It flows out of the closing thought of the previous instruction.  Therein we are informed that the “perfect work” of patient endurance in our lives will develop our spiritual character and maturity so that we might become spiritually “perfect and entire, wanting [or, lacking] nothing.”  The instruction of verse 5 takes up the idea of “lacking” from verse 4 (which the word “wanting” means in this context) and challenges us with one particular area of lack in our lives.  “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.”  Thus it speaks concerning our prayerfulness unto the Lord concerning the trials of life. 

Grammatically, the instruction of James 1:5 can be divided into four parts.  First, there is the individual problem of the conditional clause -- “If any of you lack wisdom.”  Second, there is the encouraging precept of the main clause -- “Let him ask of God.”  Third, there is the assured provision of the subordinate clause -- “That giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not.”  Fourth, there is the divine promise of the coordinate clause -- “And it shall be given him.”

Weekly Sermon

James 1:1-8 reads, “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.  If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

As a whole the epistle of James is written with a focus upon the daily character and conduct of the believer.  It is filled with imperative instructions, exhortations, and even correctives.  James, the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19), was the leader among the pastoral leadership of the church at Jerusalem. (Acts 12:17; 15:13-21; 21:18; Galatians 1:19; 2:9)  Therefore, as a pastor James originally wrote this epistle under the inspiration of God the Holy Spirit to the Jewish believers who were scattered throughout the empire of Rome.  His Holy Spirit inspired purpose was to provide pastoral counsel for a spiritually mature walk in the lives of these believers.

The opening paragraph of this epistle (verses 2-8) moves immediately to the subject of life’s many, various trials, troubles, and tribulations.  This contextual situation and setting for the paragraph is established through the closing portion of verse 2 – “When ye fall into divers temp-tations.”  Now, in this context the phrase “divers temptations” refers to the many trials of our lives; for these “divers temptations” are described in verse 3 as “the trying of your faith.” 

Brethren, we all will face many, various trials, troubles, and tribulations in our lives.  Concerning this matter, God’s Word does not use the word “if,” but the word “when.”  It is not if we might fall into diverse temptations, but when we will fall into diverse temptations.  So then, how are we to deal aright with these many, various trials, troubles, and tribulations of our lives?  James 1:2-8 gives a series of four instructions concerning the matter.  Along with each of these instructions, a motivational reason is also provided in order to encourage our obedience therein.

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:25-29 reads, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.  I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes.  Make me to understand the way of thy precepts: so shall I talk of thy wondrous works.  My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.  Remove from me the way of lying: and grant me thy law graciously.”

In Psalm 119:25-29 the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, presented a series of requests unto the Lord.  Then in Psalm 119:30-32 he presented a series of commitments unto the Lord.  However, it is important that we understand the circumstances and context out of which the psalmist expressed these requests and commitments.  Even so, the psalmist cried out in the opening line of Psalm 119:25, “My soul cleaveth unto the dust.”  Again in the opening line of Psalm 119:28, he cried out, “My soul melteth for heaviness.”  The psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, was suffering under a great trial of affliction.  Yea, he was suffering so much that his soul, his inner man, was pressed down unto the lowest point, to the very level of the dust.  Yea, he was suffering so much that his soul, his inner man, was melting away with grief and sorrow, possessing no strength to go forward.  In like manner, we ourselves may also suffer under such a great trial of affliction.  That great trial of affliction may come through opposition and oppression, through trouble and tribulation, or through discouragement and depression.  At such times we may also find our inner man pressed down to such a low and weak condition, to such a condition of hopelessness and helplessness.  At such times, what can we do?  At such times, we should follow the psalmist’s example by looking up unto our Lord in prayer.  So then, for what did the psalmist, this young servant of the Lord, pray in his time of hopelessness and helplessness; and for what should we pray in our times of such hopelessness and helplessness?

Weekly Sermon

In Psalm 119:22-23 the psalmist, this faithful servant of the Lord, stated, “Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”

As a whole, the theme of Psalm 119 is – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His holy Word.  In Psalm 119:22-23 the psalmist speaks for the first time concerning the affliction and reproach under which he was suffering.  Indeed, he was suffering reproach and contempt.  He was being slandered.  Many were speaking against him.  Yet the psalmist, as a faithful servant of the Lord, also presented his response unto that affliction and reproach.  In the closing portion of Psalm 119:23, he declared, “But thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.”  Even so, with a study throughout Psalm 119, we may learn how a faithful servant of the Lord responds in the face of affliction and reproach.

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:18-20 reads, “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.  I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.  My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.”

Through these three verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, this faithful servant of the Lord, expressed the burden of his heart for the Lord’s guidance in his life.  Even so, in these three verses we find nine characteristics concerning the burden of the Lord’s servant for the Lord’s guidance.  Thus if we would also walk as faithful servants of our Lord, we must also maintain a burden for our Lord’s guidance in our lives.  Yea, we must also maintain these same characteristics in our burden for our Lord’s guidance.

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:17-24 reads, “Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.  Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.  I am a stranger in the earth: hide not thy commandments from me.  My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto thy judgments at all times.  Thou hast rebuked the proud that are cursed, which do err from thy commandments.  Remove from me reproach and contempt; for I have kept thy testimonies.  Princes also did sit and speak against me: but thy servant did meditate in thy statutes.  Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors.”

The theme of Psalm 119 as a whole is – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His holy Word.  In verse 17 this servant of the Lord sought the Lord in prayer, saying, “Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live, and keep thy word.”  Herein the psalmist, this servant of the Lord, expressed his desire to walk aright with the Lord his God – to live a godly life of obedience unto God’s Word.  Yet herein the psalmist, this servant of the Lord, also expressed his understanding of his need for the Lord to help him so that he might walk aright – to deal bountifully with him so that he might live a godly life.  Even so, we also should maintain a desire to walk aright with our Lord; and we should make request daily that our Lord might help us to walk aright.  In Psalm 119:17 we find four ingredients to this request by the Lord’s servant.

Weekly Sermon

In Psalm 139:23-24 the man of God David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

In these two verses, the man of God David expressed a three-fold request unto the Lord.  First, he prayed that the Lord might search and try the character of his inner man.  Second, he prayed that the Lord might reveal any wicked characteristics that might be in his inner man.  Third, he prayed that the Lord might lead him in the way of “righteousness and true holiness.”  Even so, with these requests David was coming before the Lord in order that they together might look back concerning what he had been and where he was at the present and might look forward concerning what he ought to be and how to progress forward.  Furthermore, in these requests is implied David’s genuine burden, desire, and purpose to respond aright concerning each of the areas for which he prayed.  So then, in like manner we also ought to examine ourselves concerning what and where we are and to consecrate ourselves unto what and how we ought to grow.

Now, David’s three-fold request unto the Lord in Psalm 139:23-24 serves as the conclusion for this Psalm.  As such, these requests are founded upon the truths that were presented earlier in the Psalm.  In Psalm 139:1-6 David recognized the truth that the Lord our God does completely know us, saying, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.  Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.  Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.”  Even so, he founded his request for the Lord to search and try the character of his inner man upon this truth. 

In Psalm 139:7-12 David recognized the truth that the Lord our God is continually present with us, saying, “Whither shall I go from thy spirit?  Or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.  If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.  If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me.  Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.”  Even so, he founded his request for the Lord to reveal any wicked characteristics that might be in him upon this truth.

In Psalm 139:13-18 David recognized the truth that the Lord our God has wonderfully created us and does abundantly care for us, saying, “For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.  I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.  My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.  Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.  How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God!  How great is the sum of them!  If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.”  Even so, he founded his request for the Lord to lead him in the way of righteousness upon this truth.

So then, what burden, desire, and purpose of heart do we need in order to pursue growth and transformation in our spiritual character?

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:9-16 reads, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?  By taking heed thereto according to thy word.  With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.  Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.  With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

Through the grammatical constructions of Psalm 119:9-16, we may note five elements of truth in these eight verses.  The first element that we note in this passage is the concern of God’s man.  In the opening portion of verse 9, the psalmist, this young man of God, expressed his spiritual concern and burden through the grammatical form of a searching question – “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” 

The second element that we note in this passage is the responsibility of God’s man.   In the closing portion of verse 9, this responsibility was delivered through the grammatical form of an instructional answer – “By taking heed thereto according to thy [God’s] word.” 

The third element that we note in this passage is the praise of God’s man.  At the center of these eight verses, in the opening portion of verse 12, the psalmist, this young man of God, revealed the spiritual assurance and faith of his heart through the grammatical form of an exclamatory praise – “Blessed art thou, O LORD.” 

The fourth element that we note in this passage is the request of God’s man.  In these eight verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, lifts up two requests unto the Lord through the grammatical form of a heart-felt prayer.  In the closing portion of verse 10, this young man of God lifted up his first request unto the Lord – “O let me not wander from thy commandments.”  Then in the closing portion of verse 12, this young man of God lifted up his second request unto the Lord – “Teach me thy statutes.” 

The fifth and final element that we note in this passage is the commitment of God’s man.  Actually, this matter of commitment encompasses the majority of these eight verses, including the opening portion of verse 10, all of verse 11, and all of verses 13-16.  In these verses, the psalmist, this young man of God, presented his fervent and faithful commitment through the grammatical form of a personal declaration.  In verses 10-11 he declared, “With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.  Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”  Then in verses 13-16 he declared, “With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth.  I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches.  I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways.  I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.”

In this message let us focus our attention upon the fourth element of the passage – the request of God’s man; and let us consider the two-fold request that this young man of God lifted up unto the Lord.  Yea, let us consider these two requests with the recognition that we ourselves also ought to lift them up from our hearts unto the Lord each and every day.

Thought for Meditation

What happened to humble prayer?
When did prayer stop being, "Not my will, Lord, but Thine be done,"
and rather become, "My will will be Thy will, Lord, and thus my will will be done"?
When did prayer stop being, "I trust Thee, O Lord, to do what Thou hast determined is best,"
and rather become, "I trust Thee, O Lord, to do what I have determined is best"?

Outlines in Psalms

“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David.”

 I.  The Cry and Case of the Lord’s faithful Servant (Psalm 140:1-5)
II.  The Dependence and Desire of the Lord’s Faithful Servant (Psalm 140:6-13)

Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:2 reads, “Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart.”

In Psalm 119:2 the psalmist spoke of those who seek the Lord “with the whole heart.”  Now, to pursue something “with the whole heart” is to do so wholeheartedly, to do so with all one’s focus, with all one’s commitment, with all one’s priority, with all one’s energy, with all one’s enthusiasm.  In fact, throughout this psalm the psalmist speaks six times concerning the pursuit of something “with the whole heart,” and five of those times he is delivering a testimony concerning his own heart and life.  So then, from these six references, we find three pursuits wherein we ought to follow the psalmist’s example to pursue them “with the whole heart.”

Outlines in Psalms

“A Psalm of David.”

  I.  The Plea of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 141:1-2)
 II.  The Passion of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 141:3-4)
III.  The Perspective of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 141:5-6)
IV.  The Perseverance of the Lord’s Servant (Psalm 141:7-8)
V.  The Petition of the Lord’s servant (Psalm 141:9-10)

Outlines in Psalms

Psalm 143 contains twelve verses and is divided directly in half by the “Selah” at the end of verse 6.  Each half of this psalm begins with a request by the Lord’s servant David for the Lord to hear him.  Psalm 143:1 begins with the request, “Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications.”  In like manner, Psalm 143:7 begins with the request, “Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth.” 

The six verses of the first half of this psalm may be divided into three parts, each part containing two verses.  Within each of these two-verse parts of this first half of the psalm, we find three points presented.  Even so, the outline for this first half of the psalm may be found at the following link:  O Lord, Give Ear to My Supplications - Psalm 143:1-6. 

However, the six verses of the second half of this psalm are presented in a different form.  Herein we find a series of requests, and with each request we find a reason why that request might be answered.