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Every Good Gift and Every Perfect Gift – James 1:16-18

7/29/2014

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Weekly Sermon

James 1:16-18 reads, “Do not err, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

James 1:16-18 brings the third paragraph of the epistle to its conclusion.  As we have not-ed, the subject matter of this paragraph is arranged in order to move our focus and understanding from the outside toward the center.  Even so, verse 12 & verses 17-18 give counsel concerning our right motivation for endurance in godliness.  Then verse 13 & verses 16-17 give counsel concerning our right attitude toward the Lord our God.  Finally, verses 14-15 give counsel concerning our right understanding of temptation to sin. 

James 1:16 serves as a turning point in this paragraph with the loving, pastoral admonition, “Do not err, my beloved brethren.”  This admonition renews that of verse 13 and returns the focus of the paragraph to the counsel concerning our right attitude toward the Lord our God.  Yet with this admonition the focus of this counsel turns from the negative truth that the Lord our God never tempts anyone with sin and turns to the positive truth that the Lord our God provides every good and perfect gift.  On the one hand -- “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man” (verse 13).  On the other hand -- “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (verse 17).  On the one hand, we must never attribute to the Lord our God or accuse Him of any sinful temptation.  On the other hand, we must acknowledge and appropriate the truth that He is eternally good and that He is the Source of all good.

This truth concerning our Lord God’s eternal goodness is revealed in the declaration of verse 17 and illustrated in the declaration of verse 18.  Grammatically, verses 17-18 provide two separate declarations of truth, wherein verse 17 may be divided into three parts and verse 18 may be divided into two parts.  First in verse 17, there is a revelation of our Lord God’s care through the opening declaration -- “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.”  Second in verse 17, there is a revelation of our Lord God’s character through the second verb phrase -- “And cometh down from the Father of lights.”  Third in verse 17, there is a revelation of our Lord God’s constancy through the adjective clause -- “With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”  Then in verse 18, there is the illustration of our Lord God’s good provision through the main clause -- “Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth.”  Second in verse 18, there is the illustration of our Lord God’s good purpose through the adverb clause -- “That we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

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Let No Man Say – James 1:13

7/16/2014

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Weekly Sermon

James 1:13 reads, “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”

James 1:12-18 gives counsel concerning a right motivation for endurance in godliness, concerning a right attitude toward the Lord our God, and concerning a right understanding of temptation to sin.  The first sentence of the paragraph (verse 12) promises a sure blessing upon those who are faithful to endure the trials of life through an obedient love to the Lord.  Then the remainder of the paragraph presents a serious warning for those who fall away at sinful temptation through the enticement of their own selfish desires.  Through this promise of a sure blessing and this presentation of a serious warning, a contrast is provided between our relationship toward the Lord our God and our relationship toward the lusts of our flesh. 

Having begun in verse 12 with a fortifying promise, this paragraph continues in verse 13 with a forceful prohibition.  Grammatically, verse 13 is a compound sentence.  The first independent clause of this compound sentence forcefully presents a prohibition against error -- “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God.”  The second independent clause of this compound sentence, joined to the first by the conjunction “for,” forcefully presents a proclamation of the truth -- “For God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.”

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Do Not Err, My Beloved Brethren – James 1:12-18

7/1/2014

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Weekly Sermon

James 1:12-18 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.  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: but every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.  Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  Do not err, my beloved brethren.  Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.”

With James 1:12-18 we come to the third 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 third paragraph gives counsel concerning a right motivation for endurance in godliness, concerning a right attitude toward the Lord our God, and concerning a right understanding of temptation to sin. 

The first sentence of the paragraph (verse 12) immediately promises a sure blessing upon those who are faithful to endure the trials of life through an obedient love unto the Lord.  Then the remainder of the paragraph extensively presents a serious warning for those who fall away at sinful temptation through the enticement of their own selfish desires.  Primarily, this paragraph is intended to motivate us unto faithful endurance in godliness through love for our Lord.  Yet because we so often fall into sin under life’s trials, this paragraph adds a warning against blaming the Lord our God for the temptation unto which we yielded.  Thus the admonition is pronounced in the midst of the paragraph, “Do not err, my beloved brethren” (verse 16).

Overall, this paragraph presents five truths for our consideration.  These five truths are arraigned in order to move our understanding from the outside toward the center.  Thus the first and fifth of these truths speak concerning our motivation for endurance in godliness.  Then the second and fourth of these truths speak concerning our attitude toward the Lord our God.  Finally, the third and central truth speaks concerning our understanding of temptations to sin.

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Blessed Art Thou, O Lord – Psalm 119:12

1/6/2014

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Weekly Sermon

Psalm 119:12 reads, “Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes.”

Throughout Psalm 119 we encounter four primary themes.  First, we encounter the theme concerning God’s Word as the perfect guide for life.  Second, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his right relationship with God’s Word.  Third, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his desire to walk with the Lord through God’s truth.  Finally, we encounter the theme concerning God’s servant in his suffering for the Lord’s sake.  Thus the theme of Psalm 119 as a whole might be viewed as – The desire of the Lord’s suffering servant to seek the Lord through His Holy Word.

Yet why did the Lord’s suffering servant have such a driving desire to seek the Lord through His Word?  Why did he exclaim in verse 5, “O that my ways were directed to keep thy statutes!”  Why did he make searching request in the opening portion of verse 9, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?”  Why did he express the burden of his heart in the opening portion of verse 10, saying, “With my whole heart have I sought thee”?  The answer is to be found in the opening portion of verse 12, wherein this young servant of the Lord proclaimed, “Blessed art thou, O LORD.”  This young servant of the Lord was motivated to seek the Lord with all his heart through God’s Word because he was convinced with full assurance of faith that the Lord was abundantly worthy of his love, trust, submission, and service.  

In fact, throughout this psalm the psalmist gives notice to seven characteristics by which he was convinced that the Lord was so abundantly worthy, and by which he was moved to proclaim, “Blessed art thou, O LORD.”

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Sing Praise to the Name of the Lord Most High – Psalm 7:17

9/9/2013

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Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to three 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    

Psalm 7:17 reads, “I will praise the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high.”  The Lord our God, as the most high God, is indeed worthy of our worship, praise, and thanksgiving.  Yes, “it is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD,” and to sing praises unto His holy name. (Psalm 92:1)  He is the Most High, and He is worthy.  Therefore, we should commit ourselves daily to lift up our praise with our whole heart unto the name of the LORD most high.  Even so, through a study within the book of the Psalms, let us consider five aspects in which the Lord our God, as the most high God, is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving.

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The Most High God Ruleth – Daniel 4:32

8/26/2013

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Weekly Sermon

This sermon is a companion to a previous a sermon:  Blessed Be the Most High God - Genesis 14:19-20    

In Daniel 4 God’s Word records a letter that King Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, sent forth unto all the people of his kingdom.  In this letter King Nebuchadnezzar gave report concerning the manner in which the most high God chastened him for the pride of his heart.  Even so, in Daniel 4:1-3 Nebuchadnezzar introduced this report, saying, “Nebuchadnezzar the king, unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I thought it good to shew the signs and wonders that the high God hath wrought toward me.  How great are his signs!  And how mighty are his wonders!  His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion is from generation to generation.”

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Great Is the Lord, and Greatly to Be Praise – Psalm 145

7/25/2013

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Outlines in Psalms

Psalm 145:1-2 – “David’s Psalm of praise.  I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever.  Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.”

1.  The Lord is to be praised greatly for His greatness. (Psalm 145:3-6)
2.  The Lord is to be praised greatly for His goodness. (Psalm 145:7-9)
3.  The Lord is to be praised greatly for His gloriousness. (Psalm 145:10-13)
4.  The Lord is to be praised greatly for His graciousness. (Psalm 145:14-20)

Psalm 145:21 – “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.”

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Happy Is He Whose Hope Is in the Lord – Psalm 146

6/27/2013

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Outlines in Psalms

“Praise ye the LORD.”

  I.  The Commitment of the Lord’s Servant. (Psalm 146:1-2)
 II.  The Counsel of the Lord’s Servant. (Psalm 146:3-4)
III.  The Consequence of Trusting the Lord. (Psalm 146:5)
IV.  The Cause for Trusting the Lord. (Psalm 146:6-10)

“Praise ye the LORD.”

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Sing Praise unto Our God – Psalm 147

6/21/2013

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Outlines in Psalms

“Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.”

1.  Because the Lord is gracious. (Psalm 147:2-3)
2.  Because the Lord is great. (Psalm 147:4-5)
3.  Because the Lord is good. (Psalm 147:6)

“Sing unto the LORD with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God.”

4.  Because the Lord provides. (Psalm 147:8-9)
5.  Because the Lord shows favor. (Psalm 147:10-11)

“Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Zion.”

6.  Because the Lord blesses His people. (Psalm 147:13-14)
7.  Because the Lord reveals His Word. (Psalm 147:15-20)

“Praise ye the LORD.”

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In the Lord Put I My Trust – Psalm 11

4/11/2013

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Outlines in Psalms

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

Psalm 11:1a – “In the LORD put I my trust.”
(Note:  The two questions of this psalm are significant for the flow of thought in this psalm.)

  I.  The challenge against the Lord’s trusting servant. (Psalm 11:1b)
 II.  The conflict for the Lord’s trusting servant. (Psalm 11:2)
III.  The concern of the Lord’s trusting servant. (Psalm 11:3)
IV.  The confidence of the Lord’s trusting servant. (Psalm 11:4-7)

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Bless His Holy Name – Psalm 103

3/7/2013

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Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to two previous outlines:  And Forget Not All His Benefits - Psalm 103:1-5     
                                                                                    Bless the Lord, O My Soul - Psalm 103:1-2, 20-22    

Psalm 103:1 – “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”

  I.  Bless the Lord because He bestows spiritual benefits.
 II.  Bless the Lord because He executeth righteousness and justice.
III.  Bless the Lord because He is abundantly merciful and gracious.
IV.  Bless the Lord because He is everlastingly faithful.
 V.  Bless the Lord because He is the sovereign Ruler.

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Bless the Lord, O My Soul – Psalm 103:1-2, 20-22

2/28/2013

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Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to a previous outlines:  And Forget Not All His Benefits - Psalm 103:1-5    

Psalm 103:1-2 reads, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.  Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.”

Psalm 103:20-22 reads, “Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.  Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.  Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.”

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Approaching God – Exodus 3:5-6

2/13/2013

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Meditations in Exodus

This meditation is a companion to a previous meditation:  I Will Now Turn Aside - Exodus 3:1-4    

Exodus 3:1-4 reads, “Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb.  And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.  And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.  And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses.  And he said, Here am I.” 

A bush that caught fire in the desert under the oppressive heat of the sun was not an amazing sight.  Yet, certainly, a bush that burned, but was not consumed was a very amazing sight.  Thus Moses decided to turn aside from his common path as a shepherd in order to observe this amazing sight more closely.  Yet this amazing sight did not exist simply for the sake of Moses’ curiosity.  Rather, it existed in order that the Lord might get Moses’ attention.  Even so, when Moses turned aside to approach the amazing sight of the burning bush, the Lord God “called unto him out of the midst of the bush.”  Thus Moses’ perspective of this event was brought to a change.  He now understood that he was not simply approaching an amazing sight, but was actually approaching the Almighty God.  Indeed, the Lord God immediately stopped Moses from approaching any further in order that He might teach Moses how to approach aright.

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I Will Extol Thee, O LORD – Psalm 30

1/3/2013

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Outlines in Psalms

The Holy Spirit inspired introduction to Psalm 30 reads, “A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David.”  Then the opening portion of Psalm 30:1 begins, “I will extol thee, O LORD.”  For what then did David extol the Lord through this psalm?

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Fruitful, Fat, and Flourishing – Psalm 92:12-15

12/13/2012

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Outlines in Psalms

This outline is a companion to three previous outlines:  It Is A Good Thing - Psalm 92:1-15
                                                                                       To Sing Praises unto Thy Name, O Most High - Psalm 92
                                                                                       The Righteous Shall Flourish - Psalm 92:6-15

  I.  The Promise for the Righteous.

       Psalm 92:12 – “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”

  II.  The Planting of the Righteous.

      Psalm 92:13 – “Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.” 
      (In the context, this reveals the Biblical description that defines the character of the righteous.  The righteous
      are “those that be planted in the house of the LORD.”  As such, they flourish and grow “in the courts of our
      God” like the palm tree and like a cedar in Lebanon.)

      A.  In fellowship with the Lord.
      B.  In the ministry of the Lord.
      C.  In service to the Lord.

III.  The Product of the Righteous.

      Psalm 92:14 – “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing.”

      A.  Fruitful – bearing spiritual fruit to the glory of God.
      B.  Fat – being spiritually healthy to the glory of God.
      C.  Flourishing – displaying spiritual beauty to the glory of God.

IV.  The Power for the Righteous.

      Psalm 92:15 – “To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him.” 
      (The foundational Rock of unfailing strength in which the righteous are rooted and upon which the righteous
      grow is our perfectly upright Lord God Himself.)
Posted in Outlines in Psalms, Blessing of the Lord, Fellowship with the Lord, Walk in Righteousness, Spiritual Growth, Righteousness of Our Lord
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