1. Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2014 Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2014 powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com

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4. The Book of James Contents 1 James, the Lord’s Brother 2 The Perfection of Our Faith 3 Enduring Temptation 4 Being and Doing 5 Love and the Law 6 Faith That Works 7 Taming the Tongue 8 The Humanity of Heavenly Wisdom 9 One Lawgiver and Judge 10 Weep and Howl! 11 Getting Ready for the Harvest 12 Prayer, Healing and Restoration 13 The Everlasting Gospel

5. The Book of James Our Goal O ur journey this quarter spans the entire Christian era, as it includes some of the earliest preaching, as well as special insights for these last days. Let us not miss these insights.

6. The Book of James Lesson 8, Nov 22 The Book of James Lesson 8, Nov 22 The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom

7. Key Text James 4:10 NASB 1995 “ H umble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.”

8. The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom Initial Words I t would be nice to think that selfish rivalry is confined to secular organizations and that the church operates quite differently. Unfortunately, Scripture indicates that all too often worldly “wisdom” also operates among believers.

9. The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom Quick Look 1. Faith Produces Wisdom (James 3:13-17) 2. Faith Produces Humility—1 (James 4:1-4) 3. Faith Produces Humility—2 (James 4:7-10)

10. The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom 1. Faith Produces Wisdom James 3:13-17 NKJV “ W ho is wise among and understanding you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in meekness of wisdom.... [T]he wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and...hypocrisy.”

11. 1. Faith Produces Wisdom The Meekness of Wisdom T he wisdom here and throughout the epistle is not primarily the intellectual variety so esteemed by the ancient Greeks and many today. Wisdom is seen in one’s conduct and lifestyle, as indicated by the Greek word for it, anastrophe, translated “conduct.” Our actions and conduct testify as to how wise we are.

12. 1. Faith Produces Wisdom The Meekness of Wisdom The only place in the Old Testament where the phrase translated “wise and understanding” is found is in Moses’ admonition to Israel to observe all the laws that God had commanded:

13. 1. Faith Produces Wisdom The Meekness of Wisdom “Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people’ ” (Deut. 4:6, ESV; emphasis added).

14. 1. Faith Produces Wisdom Two Kinds of Wisdom The wisdom that we have naturally is “earthly,” even “demonic” or “devilish,” and devoid of the Spirit. This wisdom is destructive to its core. If jealousy and selfish ambition are cultivated and expressed, the natural result will be disorder and dissension.

15. 1. Faith Produces Wisdom Two Kinds of Wisdom Heavenly wisdom is “full of mercy,” as well as “good fruits.” In other words, the truly wise will not only be meek and humble like Jesus but also peaceable, gentle, merciful, and forgiving, willing to overlook the faults of others, not critical or judgmental of them.

16. The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom 2. Faith Produces Humility—1 James 4:1-4 NKJV “ W here do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure...?... Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity against God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

17. 2. Faith Produces Humility—1 Cause of Conflict and Quarrels T he Christian life involves a protracted battle which, if not governed by the “wisdom from above” (James 3:17), spills out to the church itself and causes spiritual trauma among believers.

18. 2. Faith Produces Humility—1 Cause of Conflict and Quarrels The repeated references to the problem of envy, coveting, and cravings or passions (compare James 3:14, 16) reflect a perspective in which the inner motivations, not just outward actions, are in view. Therefore, the reference to murder is probably meant, in this broader sense, to include anger.

19. 2. Faith Produces Humility—1 Friendship With the World Alluding to the biblical concept of Israel as God’s bride, James likens believers’ going along with worldly customs and being influenced by worldly attitudes to spiritual adultery. In reality, they are choosing a different master and lord.

20. 2. Faith Produces Humility—1 Friendship With the World The human spirit (or “heart”) is permeated with desires that, while not originally or in themselves evil, have been twisted by sin into wicked pathways. Grace is the only real solution to our plight. The proud, however, have placed themselves in a position where they can’t easily receive that grace.

21. 2. Faith Produces Humility—1 Friendship With the World Only a person humble, meek, and aware of his or her utter need and dependency is open to grace, to the unmerited favor bestowed upon those who are, in every way, unworthy.

22. The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom 3. Faith Produces Humility—2 James 4:7-10 NKJV “ T herefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.... Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”

23. 3. Faith Produces Humility—2 Submission to God I f we try to resist the devil in our own strength, what chance of success do we have? We need to submit to God’s will in order to resist the devil. In fact, by taking that very step, we are resisting the devil. We need to submit ourselves to God daily and resisting the devil whenever his temptations assert themselves.

24. 3. Faith Produces Humility—2 Submission to God The call to submit to God is calling sinners to repentance. How should one repent? (1) draw near to God; (2) cleanse your hands and purify your hearts (actions as well as thoughts); (3) lament, mourn, and weep for your shortcomings, realizing again that your need is your only claim to God’s grace.

25. Final Words The Desire of Ages 330 “ I n order to gratify ambition and worldly desires, they wound the con- science, and bring upon themselves an additional burden of remorse. The continual worry is wearing out the life forces. Our Lord...bids them seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...that all things needful to them for this life shall be added.”