Fort Lauderdale Baptist Church

1 Kings 18:17-40

 

Elijah   not Elishah

Prophet – man used by God to bring a message to His people. Examples of prophets – Isaiah through Malachi

Interesting character

1^st mention 1 kings 17:1

1. Prophet – man used by God to bring a message to His people. Examples of prophets – Isaiah through Malachi
2. Man of prayer - prayed for drought which lasted 3 years and 6 months James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months
3. Told by God to hide by the brook Cherith, the brook the drank from until it was dry
4. Fed by ravens that were commanded by God – they brought him bread and flesh in the morning and night
5. Used by God to bring a widow’s young boy to life
6. Given meat by an angel – the meat gave him strength for 40 days and 40 nights – 1 Kings 19:8
7. Described as hairy - 2 Kings 1:8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
8. He appeared with Moses during Jesus’ transfiguration – Matthew 17, Mark 9, Luke 9
9. Like Enoch (Gen 5:23, Heb 11:5, Elijah did not die – He went to heaven on a whirlwind  2 Kings 2:11 And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

 

Time period:  Israel’s divided kingdom.  The kingdom was divided into 2; Israel and Judah

Reason: Solomon turned away from God. His wives turned his heart away from God

1 Kings 11:1-13

1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

 2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

 4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.

 

Who is king at this time?  The king in Israel at this time was Ahab. Asa was the king in Judah. Asa was a good king

1 Kings 16:30-33

30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.

31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.

33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

 

He was king for 22 yrs in Israel

He is described as a wicked king

He married Jezebel, a wicked woman  

He worshipped Baal

Kings are not supposed to be wicked. They are supposed to be godly because the whole nation looks up to them.

Proverbs 16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

 

Solomon and King Ahab turned away their hearts from God.  They forgot God’s commandments

Remember God does not like to be second to anyone or anything.

Exodus 20:1-6

And God spake all these words, saying,

I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:

Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

 

TEXT

1 Kings 18:17-40

17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel?

Wicked Ahab is so wicked that he doesn’t see himself as wicked. He’s claiming that Elijah is the one who is causing trouble in Israel

18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim.                        Baalim = plural of Baal

 

19 Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table.

 

20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.                                                                 Mt. Carmel is by the coast, Just to the west of Mt. Carmel is the Mediterranean Sea

 

21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

 

22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men.

 

23 Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:

                Here we see a challenge between God and Baal             bullocks are cows

24 And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.

                The people agree

25 And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under.

 

26 And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made.

 

27 And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.                          Peradventure - maybe

                Elijah knew that their god or gods were powerless.  He knew that there was only one true God

Psalm 115:4-7

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands.

They have mouths, but they speak not: eyes have they, but they see not:

They have ears, but they hear not: noses have they, but they smell not:

They have hands, but they handle not: feet have they, but they walk not: neither speak they through their throat.

 

28 And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them.

                Many times with false religions people cut themselves in order to please their god. Example: Philippines, crucifixion.  Our God, on the other hand, is a loving God who does not take pleasure in our suffering.  God loves us and wants us to walk by faith

29 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded.

 

30 And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down.

 

31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name:

 

32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed.

 

33 And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood.

 

34 And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.

                12 barrels of water total

35 And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water.

                Then Elijah prays to God

36 And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.

 

37 Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

 

38 Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.

                Fire from heaven; if it was from below people would have thought Elijah cheated by hiding some fire below.

39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

                Here the people realized that the God of heaven is the one true God. It is sad that they had to see in order to believe. Christians today do not need a sign from heaven in order to believe God. God has given us everything we need. We have the Bible.

40 And Elijah said unto them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there.

 

            Why were the prophets of Baal killed? God had strict guidelines concerning false prophets

Deuteronomy 13:1-5

1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

2 And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;

3 Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

4 Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.

5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.

 

Application

1. Throughout the passage, we see the effects of Solomon’s turning away from God. His actions affected the whole nation of Israel. Our actions as well do affect others’ lives?

2. Be a godly example for the children, Be praying for each other that we will live godly lives

3. What is keeping us from serving God?  What idols?  Money? TV? Music?

4. God does not like being number 2 in our hearts

 

Matthew 22:37

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

 

James 1:9-18

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

 

Are you having trials? Are you discouraged? 

Verses 2-4 tell us trials will be present in our lives

Verses 4-8 tell us we can ask God to give us wisdom; and how to ask

Verse 9-11 give us Christians reasons to rejoice in any situation

 

9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

 

Are you sad because you are “of low degree”              poor, unnoticed, not talented, weak, unlovely

Don’t be sad if you’re poor, unnoticed, untalented, weak

1. God cares for the lowly
   1. He hears their prayer.  David - Psalm 34:6 “This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.”
   2. He blesses those who help the poor Proverbs 14:21, 31 “He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.

                        He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the

 poor.”

James 2:5 “Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?”

 

2.  God gives grace to the humble

            a. God lifts up, exalts and gives grace to anyone who humbles himself before God

             James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

1 Peter 5:5, 6 “Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:”

Lowliness is not a curse, it is a blessing

 

1. God uses weak things to confound the mighty

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

God uses the weak things of this world

Examples:  Joseph – a prisoner            a donkey in Numbers 22 – it spoke to its rider   a jawbone of a donkey – used by Samson to kill 1000 Philistines a rod – by Moses and Aaron                Peter – a fisherman       Jesus – poor

 

 

 

10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it

 

The rich

1.      Their problems

From our view it seems they have it made in life. They live comfortably

a. He is less likely to be saved

                        Mark 10:23-25

                        And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have

riches enter into the kingdom of God!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

 

                        The rich man feels secure in his riches. His riches make it for him to see his need of God. Less likely to humble himself before God

b.      A hunger for money drives men to sin and sorrow

1 Timothy 6:9, 10

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

                       

                        Professional athletes – Tyson, Holyfield

                       

c.       People cannot take anything with them when they die

Jesus told us to lay up treasures in heaven

Matthew 6:19-20

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Earthly riches can be stolen, will decay, wear out, be lost.  Heavenly treasures will be preserved. 

 

Luke 12:16-21 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully:

17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.

20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?

21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.

1 Timothy 6:7 “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

 

2.      A blessing for the rich

God tells the rich Christian to rejoice in that he is “made low.” The blessing of the poor can also be for the rich man. His wealth does not disqualify him from getting to heaven. It would be terrible if it did.  But praise God, the LORD can make him “poor in spirit”

 

3.      Every man needs a Master

A rich man who comes to a humble self-image before God can have all the blessings of being used of God.  He can use the money to help others.

Devin – friend; loves to buy things for others

Promise

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

 

The Christian going through a trial is “blessed.” There will come a day when he will receive a crown.

Revelation 2:10 “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

 

What happens when we are tempted – v 13-14

13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

 

“The devil made me do it!”

 

1. God tempts no man – v 13

God allows his people to be tried by the devil. Job 1 (7-12) & 2 (2-7)

1 Peter 1:6, 7

Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

Experience makes us stronger

We are not tempted beyond our capability.

1 Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  

 

1. Temptation works from within us (inside a man) v 14

Sometimes the devil has a part in our temptation. The “tempter”  Matthew 4:3

Lust – desire

Enticed – lured

What to do when tempted

1.      Quote Scripture – that’s what Jesus did. Matt 4:3

Psalm 119:11 “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

Romans 13:14 “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”

Galatians 5:16 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”

James 4:7, 8 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

            Ephesians 6:10-20

 

 

What happens when we yield to temptation?

15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

            Lust brings sin    sin brings death

            Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

What God has given us

16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

 

Make no mistake – God has not tempted you. Do not blame God. Instead ask Him to deliver you from temptation

God does not give evil gifts; He gives good gifts – Matt 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

 

Best gift – gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ

 

Matthew 22:36, 37

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”

 

James 1:5-8

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”

 

Review

 

Who was James?

1. Verse 1 – a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
2. A leader of the Jerusalem church
3. Physical half-brother of Jesus

 

I. God’s promise in v 5

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

 

            If any of you lack wisdom….” – have any of you ever felt that way?  Lacking wisdom?  Have any of you ever had a problem and not know what to do?  Here in verse 5 we see God’s promise. His promise of wisdom is connected with the passage about TRIALS (#1).

A.     What is wisdom?

The word “wisdom” is found 226 times in the Bible.

2Wisdom is SEEING things the way GOD sees them, and KNOWING how to act as God would have you.    

            A “wise” person is one who has gained an ability to view life in its right perspective.

            This kind of wisdom is found in the book of Proverbs written by Solomon – the son of David

            Here in James 1, God is referring to a more specific wisdom.  The wisdom to know what to do in a particular situation.

B.     How is wisdom described in James?

James 3:17

“But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.”

C.     How do you receive the promise?

Just ask for it

“let him ask.. is what the verse says.  Christian do you need wisdom in your trial, an answer? Just ask God.

Didn’t Jesus say in John 16:24, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

This promise from Jesus about prayer applies also to the believer’s request for wisdom

#3        Examples of Bible character who asked for wisdom and received it

1.      David - David is also known as a man after God’s heart

1 Samuel 13:14

“But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”

Acts 13:22

“And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.”

 

David was not living in Israel at the time for fear of getting killed by King Saul. He was living in the land of the Philistines; David was about to join the Philistines in battle against King Saul and his army. But the princes of the Philistines made Achish the king to send David and his men back to Ziklag.

 

1 Samuel 30:6-8 (p 225)

 “And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.

And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech’s son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David.

And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.”

2.      Solomon

Writer of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon

King David, his father has just died, but before he dies, he makes sure that Solomon his son is anointed king.  Adonijah (Absalom’s brother), also one of David’s sons,

1 Kings 3:5-13 (p 250)

 

D.    Who qualifies to receive the promise of wisdom?

God “giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not”

Liberally means bountifully or freely (#5)

Upbraideth means scold (#6)

Anyone who asks the right way which is described in verses 6-8 can receive the wisdom he needs.

A young Christian, old Christian? It doesn’t matter. God will not get angry with you for asking Him for wisdom.

 

II. How to ask (v6-8)

 

 “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

1. “Ask in faith (#7)” – what does it mean

a. We should believe that God will answer

Mark 11:24

“Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”

b.      Be sure to take care of sin

Psalm  66:18

“If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:”

1. “Nothing wavering…” – God tells us not to waver

To waver – doubt (#8)    Instead of wavering, we should be steadfast, firm, or settled (#9).

When you receive that wisdom be sure to follow through. Do not reject the wisdom given.

Remember

Proverbs 3:5, 6

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Trust God even when you don’t understand. God knows what’s best for us.

1. Warning against wavering

If you waver, you will not receive from God – look at verse 7

“For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”

Don’t think that you’re going to receive anything

Be sure to follow God

Jesus also talked about the attitude of serving 2 masters

Matthew 6:24

“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”

What are the results of an unstable person? The one who wavers

1.      He is “driven with the wind”.  If the wind goes this way, he goes this way, if the

Have you ever met a person like that?

Application for us:   Read and know our Bible. Believe it.    Why? There are false religions out there teaching false doctrines. If we know the truth, and we do, they cannot convince us to believe their teachings.

                        2. His prayers go unanswered

 

What are we supposed to do when we waver?

 

#10 Choose God – the antidote or cure

Joshua 24:15

“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

James 1:1-4

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

 

Who was James?

1. He was a leader of the Jerusalem church.
   1. Acts 15:13-21 – you see him exercising his authority in the church about an important topic

                                                               i.      People from Judea were telling people that they needed to be circumcised to be saved.

                                                             ii.      But we know that we are not saved by our works

1.      Ephesians 2:8, 9

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

1.  
   1. This James was not James the son of Zebedee whose death is recorded in Acts 12:2
   2. James’ leadership is also recorded in

                                                               i.      Acts 12:17

“But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.”

                                                             ii.      Acts 21:18

“And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.”

                                                            iii.      Galatians 1:19

“But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.”

                                                           iv.      Galatians 2:9, 12

“And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.

“For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.”

                                                             v.      Galatians 2:9

“And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision.”

 

1. He was the physical half-brother of Jesus.  Mary, his mother had children after Jesus was born. His siblings are half-siblings because they only shared Mary as their mother. Their father was Joseph.
   1. Galatians 1:19

“But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.”

1.  
   1. Matthew 13:55, 56

“Is not this the carpenter’s son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

And his sisters, are they not all with us? Whence then hath this man all these things?”

1.  
   1. Matthew 12:46

“While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him.”

1.  
   1. Mark 6:3

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.”

 

 

Jesus did not have earthly father. His father is the heavenly Father. He had an earthly mother in Mary. 

 

What is the book of James?

 

1. It is a letter addressed to the Jews “scattered abroad.”

a. It was a letter intended for the Christian Jews.

1. It is a series of commands for Christian living.  God is not mainly teaching men how to be saved in this book. He is teaching them how to live after they are saved.
2. It is a call to repentance and revival among God’s people.

Exhortations found in this book

1.  
   1. James 4:8-10,13-16
   2. James 5:1-6, 19-20

 

How to react to trials?       Verse 2

 

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; “

 

Diverse means many

 

1. Trials are not a matter of if but when.
2. Trials are temporary 

Romans 8:18

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

2 Corinthians 4:17

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;”

1. Watch your attitude
   1. It will encourage other believers when you go through trials with a good attitude.
   2. Unsaved people will marvel at how well you handle difficulties in life.  When they ask how you handle the problems, you can tell them about God.  
2. Look at the example of Job
   1. Job 1

He lost his family, servants, and his animals

1.  
   1. He handled it well

Job 1:22

“In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”

1.  
   1. God blessed him after the trials

Job 42:10

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.”

 

What trials are all about?   Verse 3

 

“Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

 

1. They try your faith
   1. Trials are a way for us to trust God
   2. Our faith in God strengthens

                                                               i.      When we go through trials, we tend to seek God more

 

1. Trials make us more like Jesus
   1. 1 Peter 1:6, 7

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: