Welcome to the Weekend Sermon. I hope that everyone is having a good week. I thank the Lord for the opportunity to post this message.
Last week, we finished up chapter 3 in our study of the book of James. Today, we begin by exploring what the first few verses of chapter 4 have to teach us. James begins by telling us why there are quarrels, arguments, murders, sinfulness and all other manner of terrible behaviors found in this world. According to James, lust, enviousness, greed and covetous behavior are at the heart of what causes people in this world to do bad things to one another.
James tells us that one of the reasons that people commit murders is due in part to the fact that people have lust of others and for worldly possessions. In order to obtain the things that they want, some people are willing to resort to murder to obtain what they want.
When people cannot obtain what others have, they often quarrel and fight with one another. This is true of both individuals and nations. One side wants the land and the resources that the other side possesses, so they go to war to obtain what it is that they desire not caring who they hurt or kill in the process.
What the Lord is telling us in this passage basically is that greed and selfishness are at the heart of sinfulness. When people only care about their own satisfaction and don't think or care about anyone else, that is when sin and harm come into the world.
On a larger scale, look at what greed and selfishness have led us to in this world. We have the resources to make sure that people do not go hungry in this world. However, thousands die each day from hunger and treatable diseases because those in this world who have the resources to help others do not share what they have so that others might live or have a decent quality of life.
Right here in my country, we have a terrible problem with homelessness. Why in one of the richest nations in the world do we have so many people who do not have a place where they can get in out of the winter's cold? It is greed and selfishness that prevents the problem from reaching some type of resolution.
Look at how greed and selfishness has caused such problems when it comes to the coronavirus pandemic. Many people in my country have resisted and refused to wear masks or receive the coronavirus vaccine. This leads to the virus spreading and causing harm to others. However, so many do not seem to care as long as they can do what they want to do when they want to do it.
I believe that greed and selfishness are at the heart of sin problems in the lives of many Christians. Instead of following the way of Jesus which is the way of generosity, humility and being the servant of all, many Christians do not give and do not seem to care about the problems that others are facing as long as their particular desires are satisfied.
All people need to guard against and attempt to remove greed and selfishness from their lives. This will go along way to helping us to overcome the sin that can so easily beset us.
James tells us that the way that we can receive those things that we desire is by asking God. He says that the reason that we don't receive things from God is because we ask for things that we can use for just ourselves and not for helping others or for helping to spread the message of the love of Jesus around this world. We have the wrong desires. God is not going to give us a bunch of money so that we can buy some fancy stuff while there are children suffering around the world. We must ask from God with the desire to do good in the world and to try and make this world a better place.
This leads to a whole discussion of what we should pray about. It is not wrong to pray for one's needs as Jesus in the Lord's Prayer said, "Give us this day our daily bread." However, our prayers should not be just self-centered. We should seek to pray for the betterment of this world and the people and the creatures who are in it. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Please continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. India is going through a really hard time now, and prayer is needed. Pray that those who can get the vaccine will take the vaccine, and pray that the vaccine will be made available to all those who want to take it.
Right now, there are two conflicts in the world that I want us to focus our prayers on. Israel and the the Palestinian territories are in a conflict. We need to pray for peace. Ethiopia and Eritrea are also having difficulties. Let us pray for peace in these two nations.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us focus our prayers on those living in Turkey and Bhutan. Pray that many will come to know how much Jesus loves them.
Next week, we will continue in our series on James. I will post the verses on Monday, and I hope to post something midweek. May God bless you all.
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