Sunday School Lesson for Sunday, August 30, 2020: Two Kinds of Wisdom: James 3:13-18, 5:7-12

 

James 3:13

13 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. 

I love the way this week’s lesson begins. If we continue with the theme that James is addressing those who would be teachers. James isn’t looking at their pedigree. He’s not checking their resumes or their scholarship. James is checking character. How are you treating others? How do others regard you? Are you humble? Are you kind? James is a fruit inspector…

Matthew 7: 16-17a

16 You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way, they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17a A good tree produces good fruit…

Biyn - Heb. - To have discernment, insight, and understanding. To have discretion. Example:

1Kings 3:9-10

9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

Last week we discussed the word: ‘teacher’. We discovered that, based on the Hebrew train of thought, the qualifications of a teacher had much more to do with character than with scholarship. Wisdom, according to this same Hebraic train of thought, comes exclusively from ...God. Let that sink in… 

Additionally, if you were regarded as a teacher, you found yourself in esteemed company. None other than Joseph, David, Solomon, and Ezra were labeled with this same Hebrew word: Biyn or … ‘teacher’. More than anything else, character mattered.

James 3:14-16 (The Message)

14-16 Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.

Those who would elevate themselves based on their credentials might not be qualified. Those who see their social status as their qualification for godliness might not meet the standard. Those whose money and material wealth may make them appear to be ‘Blessed’ actually might not be. While none of those things disqualify you for salvation or for the call of God, they don’t mark you as ‘qualified’ for leadership. In fact, what might seem wise might actually reek of ungodliness.

James 3:17-18

17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace-loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. 18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

What impression do you leave with people? Why do they think so of you? Are you a peacemaker?, a fence mender?  Can you swallow your tongue? What about your pride? Beloved, these are the things that will qualify you as a shepherd in God’s house.

Galatians 5:22-25

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

……………………………………………………………………………….

James 5:7-12

7 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. 8 You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.

9 Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!

10 For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.

12 But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

 

How many of you are eagerly awaiting the Lord’s return? This is not a rhetorical question. In your day to day life, it can be difficult to ‘look ahead’. We are programmed for the long haul, a long life. We’re normally not thinking of the imminent return of our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

The New Testament can be parsed into four parts: 1. The Gospels and the Book of Acts, 2. The Pauline Epistles, 3. The General Epistles. While the writer of Hebrews is unknown, he is generally thought to be Paul or someone heavily influenced by Paul. The remaining books are written by four authors: James and Jude; the half brothers of Jesus and Peter and John. Because the writers are Jewish and their primary audience is Jewish, you discover a real focus on the apocalyptic, the ‘end of days’. 

This focus on the apocalyptic was not meant to frighten believers, but to encourage them. In the case of James, he encouraged his readers to persevere in the face of great distress. They were hundreds of miles from home, isolated in a strange land from any familiarity. The most encouraging words for a believer were, “The Messiah will soon return.”  No after what obstacle lies before you or what terror lies behind, No matter what you are going through, Jesus will bring you through. No matter the tragedy or the test, Jesus with you is more than all of Creation against you. Times can be hard. I can personally attest to that. But in hard times, we can rest assured that God sees our distress and responds. We are never forgotten. God loves us and will comfort us in our greatest time of need. Be encouraged.

Selah

wb

Isaiah 40:29-31

29 

He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who has no might, He increases power.

30 

Even youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly,

31 

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him]

Will gain new strength and renew their power;

They will lift up their wings [and rise up close to God] like eagles [rising toward the sun];

They will run and not become weary,

They will walk and not grow tired.

Sunday School Lesson for Sunday, August 23, 2020: Taming the Tongue: James 3:1-12

 

James 3:1

1 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.

Why the greater judgment for teachers? Here’s some insight:

Biyn - Heb. - To have discernment, insight, and understanding. To have discretion.

Example:

1Kings 3:9-10

9 Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.

 

Why did I park here? Because James is speaking to Hebrews. To get a feel for what a teacher looks like according to the Hebrew mindset requires the Hebrew definition of ‘Teacher’. The Old Testament characteristics of a teacher mirror the personal characteristics of some of the greatest figures in Biblical history. Joseph, David, Solomon, Daniel; all giants in Scripture. What James knows is that the office of teacher in the Church is to be held in the highest regard. So you want to be a teacher, eh? Be careful what you wish for. That office comes with great responsibility towards God. 

James 3:2

2 Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.

Psalms 39: 1

1

I said to myself, “I will watch what I do

    and not sin in what I say.

I will hold my tongue

    when the ungodly are around me.”

This is the goal, isn’t it? Absolutely. We Christians, especially those of us who have been at this for a while. Once you have adopted the Christian lifestyle, you don’t normally maintain sinful habits. As the song says, “ Things I used to do, I don’t do no more.” But there is a problem. I was born Wayne, and though I was born into the body of Christ some thirty years ago, I was born Wayne some sixty years ago. Sometimes the old ‘Wayne shows up. Not so much in what I do, but in what I say. 

Psalms 39: 2-3 (see v.1 above)

2 

But as I stood there in silence—

    not even speaking of good things—

    the turmoil within me grew worse.

3 

The more I thought about it,

    the hotter I got,

    igniting a fire of words:

It seems that James had Psalms 39 in mind when he was penning the letter to the Jewish diaspora. He wanted them to understand the weightiness of the office the aspired to; teachers. He wanted them to examine themselves, understand their own inadequacies, and approach the desire for office with and in the reverent fear of God. Instead, what he observed were his fellow countrymen was partiality, greed, selfishness and a real desire to be thought of as more than what they were.

James 3:6

6 And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself

Beloved, let me offer a little food for thought. The words ‘Heaven’ and ‘Hell’ always imply ‘Eternity’, as the eternal consequence of our lives. So, when you see the word Hell associated with your tongue, be reminded that the words you speak can have eternal consequences. Allow me to add to that thought that a practical temporal imagining of eternity is ‘from generation to generation’. In essence, your words can affect future generations. 

Proverbs 18:21

21 

The tongue can bring death or life;

    those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

And finally….

James 3:8-10

 8 but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison. 9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! 

Beloved, we can do better, every one of us. We can allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. We can submit our members to the Holy Spirit. And while we may not be perfect we can always strive for perfection. In this time of political and social unrest, let us be the holy people of God who bring refreshing to a withering creation. We can do that by keeping our conversation… holy.

Selah

wb

Deuteronomy 30:19

19 “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!”

Colossians 4:6

6 Let your conversation be gracious and attractive[a] so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Sunday School Lesson for Sunday, August 16, 2020: Living Faith: James 2:14-26

 

Mark 11:12-14

12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

Why? Why curse the fig tree? What are we missing? A lot, as it turns out. Unless you are a fig producer or you’ve been around fig trees you wouldn’t know. Fig trees produce a ‘pre’ crop of sorts. The short answer: The Master expected to find … fruit.

Taqsh (Aramic): or Breba - a fig of the first crop ripening on the old wood. 

Fig trees produce a substandard fig called ‘taqsh’ around the time of Passover every year. My grandmother had a fig tree. When those first figs showed up, we didn’t bother them. They weren’t that good. It was as if they could not fully ripen that time of year. In Jesus’ day, the ‘taqsh’ could be picked from any fig tree by the poor or impoverished without fear of retribution from the farmers, as it was not the ‘sweet’ fig that would be produced later in the summer. 

The Bible tells us that Jesus was hungry. When he saw leaves from afar on the fig tree, Jesus reasonably expected to find taqsh. When there was none to be found, Jesus simply declared the fig tree barren. In that, it withered almost immediately speaks to the power of Jesus’ spoken words, but his statement was more descriptive than commanding. What has this to do with today’s lesson?

James 2:14-16

14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can [n]that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, [o]be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? 17 Even so faith, if it has no works, is [p]dead, being by itself.

As it turns out, James, in the tradition of any good husbandman, is also looking for fruit. He understands that, like the fig tree in late spring, maybe he can’t expect fully ripened fruit or works from his readers, he fully expects to find something! The believers James is writing to have been dispersed into Asia and are undergoing the stress that comes with such trauma. It seems that the enemy (the devil) has used this trauma to create division among them. Rather than finding unity in the face of adversity, they have turned on one another. This ought not to be.

2 Timothy 4:2

2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Beloved, if we find ourselves waiting for a time to be our best selves, we will see opportunity after opportunity for the furthering of the Gospel slipping from our fingers. Tests and trials don’t determine our availability to kingdom work. Our willingness to obey God’s Word and our sensitivity to leading the Holy Spirit will determine our path and our influence on that path.

James 2: 25

 25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 

2Thessalonians 1:11

11 Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power,

What did Rahab do to earn her place in posterity? Beloved, she simply showed kindness to strangers that showed up on her doorstep. Her actions preached then, and they still preach today. What about you? Do your actions live up to your confession?

Selah

wb

Isaiah 58:10-11

If you extend your soul to the hungry

And satisfy the afflicted soul,

Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,

And your [f]darkness shall be as the noonday.

(((Addendum: Note to self for future reference: A new beginning)

John 3:3-6

3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born [a]again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

4 Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.))

Sunday School Lesson for August 9, 2020 (Hearing and Doing: James 1:19-27)

James 1:19-21

19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger[a] does not produce the righteousness[b] God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.

Christianity 201: Applied Christianity. James’ message to his readers sounds a little like an applied sciences class, does it not? Just do this or, don’t do that. Practical advice for any believer. Common sense. There is any number of ways you can look at it but, the bottom line turns out to be the bottom line. James is brusk and direct. That’s OK. As I mentioned in last week’s lesson, his readers are Jewish. If you have ever heard Jewish comedians, you’ll find that they are very direct and sometimes dismissive. It is part of their shtick (a Yiddish term meaning - a gimmick that is often done to draw attention to oneself). There are other familiar terms that provide insight into the Jewish culture and mindset; ‘meh’, ‘chutzpa’, ‘kvetch’, ‘oy vey’ all come to mind. Look them up. They all allude to a directness, a no-nonsense approach to life that is commonplace within the Jewish community. 

In that vein, James’ command to be slow to speak and quick to listen would have been a loving reproof to a community that would be naturally inclined to ‘give you a piece of their mind. But can that apply to other peoples of different ethnos? Absolutely! After all, who among us has not wanted to give someone a little piece of our mind from time to time? I certainly have. I can hear my mother saying, “ You have two ears and one mouth, use them proportionately.” 

James also directs his readers to a holy exchange: our evil intent for God’s Word which imbues righteousness. In essence, apply the purpose of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross to our daily lives as well as our eternal hope. What? Beloved, according to Jewish thought, we were saved when we accepted Christ, we are currently being saved (sanctification) and, at the end of time, we will be saved. As Christians, we have embraced this ‘three tense Gospel’ with an emphasis on the ‘was saved’ (by confession in Christ) and ‘will be saved’ (at the final judgment) branches. As for the ‘being saved’ tense, most Christians believe that this has to do with growing and maturing in Christ over time. Longing for personal holiness and applying God’s Word to our lives as an integral part of the process of sanctification. 

James 1:22-26

22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless. 

Muscle memory. Things are best remembered when they incorporate the mind and the body as part of the memorization process. When you are ‘doing’ something repetitively, you get better at it over time. Often times, you become so good, through practice and repetition of a particular discipline, that you may, over time, come to be considered a master or an expert of that discipline by your peers. The same is true with the Word of God. When you apply and practice God’s Word, his precepts and principles to your life on a daily basis, you grow up. You mature. In the process, we bring value to God’s kingdom. Wisdom is learned, gained over time through study, meditation, prayer, and then, practice. James concludes this thought with an example: tame your tongue.

James 1:27

27 Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.

James’ epistle is often regarded as a New Testament rendering of proverbs or ‘wise sayings and advice’. Verse 27 stands apart from most proverbs, in that it is a key precept of scripture and a real reflection of the heart of the Father. In the Torah, God repeatedly instructs Israel to care for the indigent among them, whether they are relatives or strangers. Additionally, the prophets of Israel repeatedly admonished Israel and Judah over their treatment of the poor. Beloved, Jesus instructs that the greatest commandment is for us to 1. Love God, and 2. Love our neighbor. When he was challenged by a religious expert on whom to regard as his neighbor, Jesus gave him (and us) the parable of the ‘Good Samaritan’. Beloved, James reminds us that true religion requires the verb; Love. Love that is active. Love that inspires action. 

I Corinthian 13:8 - “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

I Corinthians 14:1a - “Let love be your highest goal!”

Until next time…

Selah

wb