It is the time for the Weekend Sermon. Thank you for taking time to read the sermon this week. I thank the Lord for this opportunity.
Last week, we took a short break from our ongoing series on the book of James. Today, we resume our study in James by looking at two verses from chapter five. If you remember when we first started this series, I mentioned that one of the reasons I liked the book of James so much is due to the fact that there is a lot in James that is very similar to what Jesus said during His earthly ministry, The two verses that we will be studying today are identical to two of Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount.
James 5:9 states, "Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!" In Matthew 7:1 Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."
In the context in James, he is directed the teaching of Jesus about not judging others directly at those who are brothers and sisters in the faith. Those of us who know Jesus as Lord are not to be spending our times judging other Christians' motives and their relationship with the Lord. There are a lot of professing Christians going around saying that other Christians aren't really Christians because they behave some way or have a little bit different belief about some minor doctrinal matter. We are to encourage and help one another and not judge others. This is especially true about someone's relationship with the Lord.
The only one who is qualified to bring any judgment is the ultimate judge the Lord Jesus Christ. He has the ability to look at the thoughts and intents of a person's heart. We can only look at the outward appearances. Jesus is the one who will judge all one day. We will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ according to the Apostle Paul.
In another passage, Jesus told us not to worry about the speck that is in another person's eye when we have a beam in our own eye. We have to deal with our own stuff. We certainly don't want to be hypocritical and condemn others if we are doing the same things ourselves.
James 5:12 states, "Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear, not by heaven or by anything else. All you need is a simple "Yes" or "No". Otherwise you will be condemned." In Matthew 5:34, Jesus says, "Do not swear an oath at all." In Matthew 5:37 Jesus says, "All you need to say is simply, "Yes" or "No".
Why are we not to swear an oath. I believe it is because we are to be people of the truth. As believers, our word is to be our bond. If we state something is true, or if we make a promise, that is that. We are to do what we say we are going to do. We must always tell the truth because Jesus our Lord is truth itself.
Some will ask about swearing an oath in a court of law. I believe that we are not to swear any type of oath according to the teaching of Jesus reiterated by James. We can simply state that we will tell the truth.
Our verses in James coincide clearly with the teachings of Jesus. Jesus is the Way and the Truth and the Life. We must always look to Him as our example on how to live properly in this world. We look to Jesus and His teachings to how to live in such a way that we will please the Father who is in Heaven. Amen.
Prayer Requests
I am having a lot of trouble with my car right now, and it is hard to pay for the repairs that are needed. Please pray that the Lord will help me with this so that I can get back and forth to work like I need to.
Please continue to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic. Please get the vaccine as soon as you can. Pray for those who are sick that they might soon recover.
Pray for the continued safety of the Olympic Games.
Pray for an end to the fires currently causing problems in various parts of the world.
Continue to pray for peace. Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria and Libya really need our prayers.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those living in Bahrain and Bosnia. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, we will continue in the book of James, Lord willing. I will post the verses on Monday. I am not yet sure what I will post midweek. May God bless you all.
No comments:
Post a Comment