Dig Deeper - Sunday 23rd November
Sermon Reflection Questions - James - Genuine Faith: Wisdom in Planning, Patience in Suffering
James 4:13-5:20
Dig Deeper notes from Sunday 23rd November service:
Summary
As we look at this passage, James describes for us two ‘don’ts’ and two ‘do’s.
1. Don’t be Proud be humble
In Chapter 4 vv13-17 James says don’t be proud. He gives us the example of people who dream up get rich quick schemes. What’s more, they often boast about their arrogant schemes, and James describes this as evil (v16).
The point James is making here is about our attitude to material possessions and to making money. Not the things we need, or the essentials in life, but rather the additional or nice to have items. Does striving for these things mean that God doesn’t have first place in our lives? So, the first challenge to us is to reflect on our attitude to the things we have in our lives and the money we earn.
2. Don’t Profiteer be generous.
The second ‘don’t’ is in Chapter 5 vv 1-6. Don’t be a Profiteer. Don’t make money at the expense of others. James particularly focuses on those who don’t pay fair wages. That probably doesn’t apply to us, but should we be more discriminating in our buying of clothes. Should we take steps to avoid buying from sources that exploit their workers? Fairtrade products were introduced in the food sector for this very reason.
3. Do be Patient.
Chapter 5vv7-12 presents us with a challenge. 2000 years ago, James was saying ‘Be patient until the Lords coming and the Lords coming is near’. So, what’s happening? As far as God is concerned, it’s the next item on His agenda. It’s a promise He’s made and as he’s kept all His other promises, we have every reason to believe He will keep this one.
Peter’s 2nd letter helps us here. He says that ‘with the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day’. He also says that God’s waiting for more people to come to faith in Jesus.
4. Do be Prayerful
James highlights three areas of prayer. When we are in trouble, when we are happy, and when we are sick. Basically, the says that, whatever our circumstances, we should keep our dialogue with God going in prayer. But what about v14. Because James does not refer to Elijah raising a widow’s dead son, and that elders don’t necessarily have the gift of healing, it may well be that James is referring to the need for spiritual healing. That would fit too with the last two verses which are about helping our fellow Christians during wobbles in their faith.
Discussion & Application Questions
1. The world around us puts a high emphasis on material possessions and maximising our income. How can we avoid being sucked into such attitudes?
2. How important is it that the goods we buy are sourced through ethical supply chains which support workers being treated fairly?
3. James urges his readers to be patient and to persevere even in the face of suffering. How does his warning about grumbling against our fellow Christians fit into this?
4. How do you understand v12 where James writes all you need to say is yes or no? Is it just the use of bad language, or is he concerned about something else?
5. There are differing views about what James meant by making a sick person well. What’s your view on this? Does an emphasis on this detract from James’ wider call to prayer in this passage or the pastoral support we should offer to our fellow Christians?
Prayer
Father God, as we start a new week, help us to focus our eyes on Jesus and help us to walk closely with you. Thank you for James’ teaching and make us mindful of how you want us to live our lives, so that we do so according to your will and plan, caring and looking after one another in our fellowship. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen
