I. The Source of Quarrels and Fights in the Church 4:1-3
A. The Structure of James Argument
Your passions (desires for pleasure) are at war hedone -- appears 5 times in the NT – always in a negative context.
See also 2 Peter 2:12-13 and Titus 3:3
B. The Implications of James Argument
C. Wrong Motives and Wrong Prayers
The question is, “What were they asking for?”
II. Friends and Enemies of God 4:4
A. A Strongly Worded call to Repentance The term “adulteress” is important in this context. This is a reoccurring theme in the OT, especially in the Prophetic books. See Jeremiah 3:1, 6-10, 20, and the call to repentance 21-25.
B. Four ways they were being Unfaithful to God (from Douglas Moo) 1. They were discriminating against people – 2:1-13 2. They were speaking negatively about one another 3:1-12 3. They were exhibiting “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition” 3:13-18 4. They were pursuing their own destructive pleasure 4:1-3
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“ Great Sermon! ” Excellent exegeses of James 4:1-6. I would never have thought they were asking for wisdom in their prayers (verse 3), but now it seems obvious that they were. The explanation of the use of the word adulteresses opened my mind to better understand what James was getting at. Very profitable sermon. Friendship with the world is enmity with God, very powerful words indeed. As the Pharisees were looking at the outside of the cup, so I too think I look to much to the outside and see the need, through this series on James, to examine my heart and what is coming out from within.
Pastor Steve came to Christ at the age of 11. He graduated from Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in 1979 with a B.A. in theology as the Valedictorian of his class. He joined our church in 1978, came on staff, full-time in 1980, was ordained as an Elder in 1982, and became...
