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

Sunday School Lesson for August 2, 2020 (Faith and Wisdom: James 1:1-11)

James 1:1

1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.

Greetings!

I Corinthians 15: 7

7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.

As we continue to pursue Wisdom, we turn to the Book of James. There are a few things that need to be established in order to place this book in its proper context.

1. As there are several ‘James’ mentioned in the New Testament, the writer of this tome is generally thought to be James, the half brother of Jesus.

John 7:5

 5 For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

2. He did not believe Jesus was Messiah during his earthy ministry. Only after the resurrection did James become s believer.

Galatians 1: 18-19

18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter,[g] and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 

3. James was regarded as an Apostle and as a preeminent leader of the Church at Jerusalem by the other Apostles.

These are important facts to know as a preface to the book of James. Let’s get started. In James1:1 we are introduced to James, who, interestingly, does not identify himself as ‘the brother of the Lord, but rather as a ‘slave’ of the Lord. In doing so, immediately sets the tone for the remainder of the book: humility. Humility must guide the life of believers from spiritual birth to spiritual maturity. James, in wisdom, demonstrates one of the greatest lessons of example: lead by example. Pay attention.

Verse one also informs us that James is writing to … a predominately Jewish audience. While there is a great deal of debate about who James is writing to, James makes it clear that he is writing to Jewish Christians (Messianic Jews) that have been forcibly dispersed from Israel because of their conversion to Christianity. This truth also contributes to the tone of the book. To this point, allow me to, add that while James was writing explicitly to Jewish believers, Christians of every ethnos benefit from James’ heartfelt entreaty to his fellow, former countrymen. God, through the Holy Spirit, used James to instruct the entirety of the Ecclesia (the Universal Church).

James 1: 2-4

2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

How many of us know that it is easier to grow in faith from a position of humility? When we are tested, we may not know the why, we may not completely comprehend the depth of the what, but, as believers, if we will trust that God knows and that he cares, that he loves us; if we will just hold to these simple, foundational truths; Hallelujah! Troubles will come. I certainly have had my share. But we serve God, who is able to use any tests that we endure to our eternal benefit. Amen!

James 1: 5-8

5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

And when you find yourself lacking, ask God. Isn’t that what humility looks like? Who else would you ask? The wisdom of God in Joseph confounded the pharoahs of Egypt. The wisdom of God in Daniel caused Babylonian and Persion kings to throw up their hands in surrender to God. Additionally, Solomon was found to be highly favoured by God for simply requesting … wisdom. Money, fame, possessions; none are as important to the believer as wisdom. Fear not. Ask. God is faithful.

James 1: 9-11

9 Believers who are[b] poor have something to boast about, for God has honored them. 10 And those who are rich should boast that God has humbled them. They will fade away like a little flower in the field. 11 The hot sun rises and the grass withers; the little flower droops and falls, and its beauty fades away. In the same way, the rich will fade away with all of their achievements.

This first lesson closes with a final thought: God is not a respecter of persons. He makes no difference between the haves and the have nots. God looks on the heart. We mistakenly attribute riches to blessing. That’s poor theology, and not necessarily good Christianity. God cares about people, not about stuff. To the poor He say’s, “ Don’t worry about stuff. Keep your eyes and yor devotion on me.” To the rich he says, “Remember where your stuff came from. In all things, honor me.”

I Peter 5:5

5. Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

That concludes the first of this multi-week over view on the book of James. Remember the prelude to this lesson. We delved just a little into the background of James. We will further explore his motivations in upcoming lessons.

Selah,

wb

Sunday School Lesson for July 26, 2020: Wisdom to Follow (John 14: 1-14)

 

Prelude: Nowhere to go…

John 13:37-38

37 “But why can’t I come now, Lord?” he asked. “I’m ready to die for you.”

38 Jesus answered, “Die for me? I tell you the truth, Peter—before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.

I’ve been in this space. No room to maneuver. Out of options. Rock bottom. Fearful. Uncertain. Alone. This is the realization unfolding before disciples. Jesus has informed the disciples that he is leaving. This will be their last... supper... together.

Interlude: “..my Redeemer lives”

John 14:1

1 “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me.”

Out of the fog. A light in the darkness. His voice soothes. His presence heals. Jesus wants his disciples to know that all is not lost. He also wants them to know that he is still an integral part of God’s plan for them, but how?

John 14:2-3

 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home.[a] If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?[b] 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Their reservations are confirmed. Jesus lets his disciples know their accommodations await them. And in time, he will return for them. They are not abandoned.

John 14:4-5

4 And you know the way to where I am going.”

5 “No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

I’ve had conversations like this, haven’t you? You are saying one thing and, apparently, the person you are conversing with is saying something entirely different. Up is left, Down is in. What? Listen to Thomas, “Lord… we have no idea…” We are still grasping for understanding. Lord, help us.

 

John 14:6-7

6 Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is.[c] From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Here’s where you have to listen with your heart. Allow me to paraphrase Jesus’ words in order to provide clarity. Jesus said, “ I AM. No one can come to the I AM except through the I AM.” Did you get it” 

John 8: 58

58 Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I am

 

John 10:30

30 “The Father and I are one.”

Jesus has provoked his enemies with these same words: I AM. Now he seeks to provoke his closest friends….in their deep despair… to faith, and in doing so, to hope… in love. I AM from the lips of Jesus… no sweeter words. 

John 14: 8

8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

“Immediate Need Gratification” or, in more modern terms  “Instant Gratification”

•  is the desire to experience pleasure or fulfillment without delay or deferment. Basically, it's when you want it; and you want it now. ... Waiting is hard, and there is an innate desire to have what we want when we want it, which is usually without any delay.

My mother finished college after having started a family. Subsequently, she would transfer knowledge from her classroom to our living room on a regular basis. We learned the term “Immediate Need Gratification”  from one of her Psychology classes. I am certain that she embraced the term as a teaching tool for five children for whom ‘enough was never enough’ and who wanted what they wanted when they wanted it. Who knew there was a name for such a thing? I have another question: who knew that something that we thought was a  product of our ‘fast food’ society would be an identifiable and entirely human dysfunction in biblical times? And yet, here’s an exasperated Philip asking Jesus to just ‘show us the Father…”, “Just show us the end of the movie”, ”just give us the CLIF NOTES version”, “Scottie, beam us up!”.

John 14:9-10

9 Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? 10 Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. 

Now Jesus presses the point, plainly restating that he is the I AM, the First and the Last, The Lord of Heaven’s Armies, Literally, the ‘Ancient of Days’. How are the disciples to process this great truth? How are we?

John 14:11

11 Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

In this moment, the disciples are face to face with the Creator of all that exists. So are we. What does that imply? If God...bothered...to come to you... personally…. with a very simple imperative, “Just believe!”, how would you respond? I mean….it’s...GOD? What do you do? Is there anything that God can require of you that cannot be accomplished by you? Let me put it another way… 

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:14a)

The short answer is ...no. Armed with that information and that assurance, what next?

John 14:12-14

12 “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. 14 Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

‘Just ask!’. After all. It’s not about what you asked. It’s about who you asked. Don’t overthink it. Just keep a pure heart … and ask!

Selah..

wb

Micah 6:8

...the Lord has told you what is good,

    and this is what he requires of you:

to do what is right, to love mercy,

    and to walk humbly with your God.