James 4

B1 James 4:1-10 An illustration of worldly attitude in believers

C1 Marks of worldliness

D1 Arguments and fights

E1 Due to evil attitudes

E2 Due to lust

D2 The lust leads to murder. J. Warner Wallace has written that murder is from only 3 causes—financial greed, sexual lust, and/or desire for power (control). (One source of many).

D3 Covetousness: wanting what is pleasurable to us.

D4 Impure motives in prayer

E1 Our motive can be to glorify God

F1 This is good

F2 1 Corinthians 10:31 WPNT Therefore, whether you eat or you drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

F3 It benefits others as a witness and testimony for the Gospel. Matthew 5:16 NRSV In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

F4 Moses is one example among many of putting God first: Hebrews 11:24-25 NRSV By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter, 25 choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.

E2 Our motive can be to glorify us

F1 Is following demonic desires. James 3:14-16 WPNT But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast and lie against the truth— such ‘wisdom’ is not coming down from Above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. Because where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is unruliness and every foul practice.

F2 Yields no good fruit: Luke 8:14 MKJV And those which fell among thorns are the ones who, when they have heard, go forth and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of life, and do not bear to maturity.

F3 Life is not a joke; it is to be serious: Ecclesiastes 7:4 MKJV The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning; but the heart of fools is in the house of laughter. People need to laugh and enjoy each other, but if a person’s life is only for selfish pleasure, that person is a fool.

F4 There is no satisfaction with things: Ecclesiastes 5:10 HCSB The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income. This too is futile.

F5 There is only satisfaction in God: Philippians 4:19-20 NRSV And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

D5 Friend of the world

E1 This would be a friend of the world’s thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

E2 It is of the devil. John 8:44 "You are of [your] father, the devil, and you want to do the lusts of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has not stood in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he tells [it] from himself, because he is a liar and the father of it.

E3 We were delivered from this, when we believed and put our trust into Messiah Jesus. Romans 5:10 NKJV For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. Are we going to become an ENEMY of God again?

E4 The grief of Christians when one turns from God’s ways: Philippians 3:17-19 NKJV Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

C2 The cure is to have thoughts, desires, words, and deeds that align with the desires of the Holy Spirit: Galatians 5:16-17 NRSV Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want.

D1 Living by the Spirit is not listening to some disembodied voice, a burning in your bosom, or a tingling in your leg.

D2 Do not follow your heart, because Jeremiah 17:9 WEB The heart is deceitful above all things and it is exceedingly corrupt. Who can know it?

D3 A true believer will want to live life God’s way.

D4 Humility before God

E1 Why does God hate pride? Pride proclaims itself. Pride believes it is good, when it is evil. It is the opposite of God’s character and His ways.

E2 Proverbs 16:5 NASB Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD; Assuredly, he will not be unpunished.

E3 1 John 2:16 NLT - For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.

E4 God exalts. Our pride condemns and is debased. James 4:10 NLT - Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

D5 Resisting the devil

E1 The word resist in Greek is different in verse 6 from verse 7.

E2 In James 4:6, God is arranged in battle against the proud. He resists. All know that God always wins.

E3 In James 4:7, is also stand against but it is not to fight. It is God’s grace that helps us. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NKJV And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

D6 Drawing near to God

E1 This is an active drawing, not passive. Many wish for the so called deeper life of contemplation, but contemplation is passive. God wants us to be active, or we will be devoured and deceived.

F1 1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

F2 Matthew 24:42-44 GW Therefore, be alert, because you don't know on what day your Lord will return. 43 You realize that if a homeowner had known at what time of the night a thief was coming, he would have stayed awake. He would not have let the thief break into his house. 44 Therefore, you, too, must be ready because the Son of Man will return when you least expect him.

B2 Judging James 4:11-12

C1 Unrighteous judgment is to judge by appearance, and then to slander them.

C2 Righteous judgment is to judge by the book—the Bible

D1 False doctrine

D2 Sin

B3 In God's will James 4:13-17 An example of pride

C1 We must be aware that God controls the future. We must have the attitude in prayer, “God your will be done.”

C2 Shows submission and acceptance of God's will

C3 A warning and definition of sin: James 4:17 NLT - Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

B4 Applications

C1 God disapproves of pride. God approves of humbleness.

C2 We can serve God and His ways, or we serve the devil and his ways.

C3 God gives the grace to resist the devil. We have the armor of God to help us.

C4 Be careful what we say and think.

C5 Accept God’s will.

James 3

A3 Chapter 3

B1 Teachers

C1 This is teachers who teach the Christian faith.

C2 They must know the Gospel, Christian doctrine, and the Christian life.

C3 If a teacher teaches falsehood, God will judge.

C4 We should be careful to know the truth.

C5 We must interpret the Bible, read the Bible, and study the Bible in its plain, normal sense.

B2 Speech James 3:1-12

C1 What we say can be very dangerous. Our tongue cannot be tamed.

C2 The perfect man is one who is a mature Christian.

D1 Perfect has the sense of complete.

D2 In this case, complete in holiness in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

D3 Verses

E1 Matthew 5:48 CSB - Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

E2 1 John 4:18 CSB - There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love.

C3 The Lord Jesus is the only one who is sinless and perfect..

C4 Some things:

D1 Lying VS truth

D2 Verbal abuse VS encouragement

D3 Foolishness VS wisdom

D4 Babbling VS quiet

B3 The life that the Lord Jesus wants of us is a life of wisdom towards others. James 3:13

C1 Words and self opinions may be OK.

C2 The truth is seen in actions, not just words.

C3 The Lord Jesus lived as He preached. Hebrews 13:8 CSB - Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

B4 Four things that we are NOT to have James 3:14

C1 Bitter envy The word has to do with zeal, a hot, angry jealousy, emotional passion for something. Our zeal must be for God and His ways, not for us and our ways. Notice that this and selfish ambition are a heart issue: Matthew 15:19 GNB For from your heart come the evil ideas which lead you to kill, commit adultery, and do other immoral things; to rob, lie, and slander others.

C2 Selfish ambition The Greek word implies a politician running for office making statements to get elected. These appear to be promises and truth but are not.

C3 Bragging which has the idea of having something, say an ability or talent, and shamelessly bragging about it. This bragging and lying is to oppose, negate, and hinder truth. It is implying that what I believe is truth rather than truth (reality).

C4 Lie against the truth An example of this is Paul: Acts 26:8-9 CSB - "Why do any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead? "In fact, I myself was convinced that it was necessary to do many things in opposition to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.

B5 Different kinds of wisdom James 3:15-18

C1 Worldly wisdom James 3:15-16

D1 This is the type of wisdom, philosophy, debate, argument, science, etc. against truth, especially the Christian faith. Some have left the faith from this “scholars.” 1 Timothy 6:20-21 NASB - O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge"-- which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.

D2 Labeled as earthly, sensual, devilish.

D3 Leads to

E1 Disorder

E2 Every type of evil

D4 This wisdom is foolish: 1 Corinthians 3:18-20 NKJV - Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness"; and again, "The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.

C2 Godly wisdom James 3:17-18

D1 Facts, that is, based on God’s standards, truth, reality, and what is most reasonable. All these are in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

E1 God gives this wisdom: Proverbs 2:6 CSB - For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

E2 We need to ask from God: James 1:5 CSB - Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.

D2 We can read and study wisdom—The Bible

C3 Table of 2 sources of wisdom

Wisdom Not From Above	Wisdom From Above
Earthly	Spiritual
Impure	Pure
Bitter jealousy	Peaceful
Selfish ambition	Gentle
Bragging	Compassionate
Lying against the truth	Reasonable
Sensual	Merciful
Selfish ambition	Produces good results (in the things we do)
Demonic	No prejudice
Confusion	No hypocrisy
Evil deeds and actions	Righteous

B6 Application

C1 We need to be careful what we teach.

C2 The Bible is the only source of 100% truth.

C3 We need to pray for God’s help so we can watch what we say.

C4 We need God’s wisdom, so we ask and study the Bible and apologetics as Cold Case Christianity.

Sermon Outline James 2

B1 James 2:1-9 Unbiased: rich VS poor

C1 The Glory. James 2:1 is literally: James 2:1 WEL My brothers, do not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Glory, with partiality.

D1 The Glory refers to the Shekinah Glory of God.

D2 Verses:

E1 Romans 9:4 WPNT ...the Israelites. To them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the temple service, and the promises.

E2 2 Corinthians 4:6 WPNT because the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness is He who shined in our hearts to give the light that comes from the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

E3 Hebrews 1:3 WPNT who being the projection of His glory and the very image of His essence, and sustaining all things by the expression of His[S]  own power, when He had by Himself provided purification for our sins He sat down on the highest Majesty’s right.

D3 Commentaries:

E1 Robertson’s Word Pictures: The Lord of Glory (tēs doxēs). Simply “the Glory.” No word for “Lord” (kuriou) in the Greek text. Tēs doxēs clearly in apposition with tou kuriou Iēsou Christou. James thus terms “our Lord Jesus Christ” the Shekinah Glory of God.

E2 Cambridge Greek:  In the LXX. δόξα is used of the Shekinah or glorious manifestation of Jehovah in the tabernacle, e.g. καὶ δόξης Κυρίου ἐπλήσθη ἡ σκηνή, Exo 40:35—a signification closely connected with the use of the word by St John. (Exodus 40:35 Brenton  And Moses was not able to enter into the tabernacle of testimony, because the cloud overshadowed it, and the tabernacle was filled with the glory of the Lord).

D4 For all the ultimate riches of Messiah, He choose to be poor for our sakes. 2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

D5 We are to treat all people the same, especially believers. 1 Timothy 5:21 WEB I command you in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the chosen angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.

C2 James 2:8 NRSV  You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

D1 If I am partial, bias, etc., then I break God’s law.

D2 Leviticus 19:33-34 GW  "Never mistreat a foreigner living in your land.  34 Foreigners living among you will be like your own people. Love them as you love yourself, because you were foreigners living in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.

D3 Ezekiel 47:22-23 GNB  it is to be your permanent possession. The foreigners who are living among you and who have had children born here are also to receive their share of the land when you divide it. They are to be treated like full Israelite citizens and are to draw lots for shares of the land along with the tribes of Israel.  23 All foreign residents will receive their share with the people of the tribe among whom they are living. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken.

C2 Comment: Injustice (one gets different treatment, then another) is a sin (a transgression).

D1 The Lord Jesus experienced it: Matthew 26:59-61 WEB Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus, that they might put him to death;  and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward,  and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

D2 The people of Israel did it in Jeremiah’s life: Jeremiah 6:13 WEB For from their least even to their greatest, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even to the priest, everyone deals falsely.

D3 Cheat people (especially foreigners, etc.): Proverbs 11:1 GNB  The LORD hates people who use dishonest scales. He is happy with honest weights.

D4 Liars (especially to foreigners, etc.): Proverbs 12:22 GNB  The LORD hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.

D5 God hates it and will condemn those who do: Deuteronomy 16:18-20 GNB  "Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the LORD your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially.  19 They are not to be unjust or show partiality in their judgments; and they are not to accept bribes, for gifts blind the eyes even of wise and honest men, and cause them to give wrong decisions.  20 Always be fair and just, so that you will occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you and so that you will continue to live there.

D6 We must not do this.

B2 James 2:10-13 Keeping the Law (the Law of Moses)

C1 Breaking of one point of the law makes one guilty. A person could keep the Ten Commandments perfectly except lied just one time in their life, but this makes them guilty.

C2 The 10 Commandments are a summary of God’s Law. Each of the 10 are a set with many subsets. The 9th commandment—You must not bear false witness—includes every type of lie. It includes deception, deceiving weights, half truths, white lies, lying before a judge, hypocrisy, etc.

C3 People can break God’s law in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

C4 If we only break God’s law 5 times a day, it will be 1,825 violations a year. Over 10 years, it amounts to 18,250. There will be 91,250 violations of God’s law over 50 years. Breaking laws must be punished.

C5 Law that sets us free is the Gospel.

C6 The importance of mercy. Mercy is showing kindness when no kindness is deserved. Do you know anyone who is not kind? Today there are too many. If someone’s life is not in kindness, they will receive no mercy from God.

B3 James  2:14-17 What we say is not good enough. What we do shows the truth of what we say. It's the fruit stupid.

C1 Comment: Faith alone does not save = a belief in the truth, but it has no change in life or actions.

C2 There is a difference between what one says, writes, preaches, publishes, etc.. and what they do, support, think.

C3 There is a difference between what one does publically and does privately.

C4 Works do not save or forgive sins. There is no balance of doing more good than evil.

C5 Works show one’s beliefs.

C6 Then James gives 2 examples.

C7 This is not the social gospel, that is, social justice.

D1 God demands and acts by justice, not social justice.

D2 People love the man Jesus who healed all, feed all, and helped all.

D3 People hate the God Jesus who shined the light and exposed their evil.

B4 James 2:18-25 Faith, that is, believing something in and of itself will not save.

C1 The devils (demons) believe, but what they do shows their evil heart.

C2 A person's life will show more of what they are, then what they say they believe.

C3 Two examples: Abraham and Rehab

B5 Applications

C1 Be the same in public as you are in private.

C2 Without the Gospel of Messiah Jesus all will go to hell.

C3 Works do not save, they show the change, the trust, the repentance.

C4 Imitate those who lived a godly life before us as Abraham and Rehab.

Sermon Outlines James Chapter 1

I resigned from teaching Sunday School for awhile, so in the meantime, I plan to publish a few sermon outlines I have done over the years.

A1 Chapter 1

B1 Introduction

C1 Self-description

D1 Servant of God

D2 Servant of Lord Jesus Christ

C2 Writing to the 12 tribes of Israel (the Christian, believing Jews, but it is applicable to all of us)

B2 Testing/Temptation (these are the trials of the Christian faith; but it may refer to the solicitation to sin, which is a trial)

C1 Attitude in: Joy

D1 Joy = cheerfulness, calmly happy

E1 An opportunity to see firsthand God's help in trouble

E2 Romans 5:3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation works patience.

D3 This world/life is one of trouble, for the world is cursed because of sin.

D4 Testing/Temptation comes in many different forms

E1 Spiritual temptation: to deny Christ, to make someone bitter and blame God, etc.

E2 Emotional: to depression, to be lead astray by "voices" (in reality, demonic influence), false guilt, recurring bad memories

E3 Physical: to seek pleasure, appetites, food, sleep, sex, money

E4 The three most popular gods in the world: Honors, Riches, and Pleasures

D4 References:

E1 Matthew 5:11 HCSB You are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of Me.

F1 Comment: This is a temptation to leave the faith and deny Christ.

F2 Three persecutions mentioned:

G1 Insult

G2 Persecute, which may be verbal, financial, economic (as in our occupation), physical, spiritual, emotional, etc. or all the above

G3 Lie in every form it might be possible to lie

F3 These come against us because we are Christians

E2 1 Peter 1:6-7 GNB92 Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed.

F1 Comment: The results and rewards are when Jesus returns.

F2 This type of testing is not good to experience but does reveal if our commitment is genuine. Remember persecution is not just physical.

C2 James 1:2 Works Patience

D1 Happily awaiting deliverance, thus a test of faith. This is a showing of faith and hope. Faith = "God will deliver me." Hope = "I hope it will be today."

D2 Don't get in a hurry.

D3 God has a purpose waiting for God’s deliverance: James 1:4 WPNT but let that endurance have a complete work, so that you may be perfect and complete, falling short in nothing.

D4 God’s grace is always sufficient to endure: 2 Corinthians 12:9 NRSV but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

C3 James 1:5 Wisdom: lack wisdom; don't know what to do; unsure of everything? Pray for wisdom. God will not belittle us for asking. There are no stupid questions. If we need to ask God for wisdom 100 times a day, it will not make God angry.

C4 James 1:6-8 Prayer

D1 In faith (God can do this)

D2 We cannot manipulate God with a formula, self abasement, etc.

D3 Don’t doubt.

D4 There is no guarantee to answered prayer. 1 John 5:14 NKJV Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

D5 Asking for wisdom is pleasing to God. He is the source of wisdom. Colossians 2:2-3 NKJV that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

C5 James 1:9-11 Be glad if you're poor

D1 Riches can disappear quickly.

D2 Don't put your trust in riches.

D3 This is a temptation, for we should put our trust in God, himself.

C6 James 1:12 A reward for endurance: the crown of life.

D1 There are two different crowns mentioned in New Testament Greek

E1 The first is στεφανος, stephanos which is similar to a trophy. It is given for victory or efficient service. In our case for the Christian life. This is word used in James 1:12.

E2 The second is διάδημα diadema and is a crown signifying the right and authority to rule. Thus, a king or queen would wear a diadem. This is the word used in Revelation 12:3, 13:1, and 19:12.

D2 The Crown of Life is specific for endurance, steadfastness, faithfulness in persecution of any sort. It is also in Revelation 2:10.

C7 James 1:13-15 God does not tempt people.

D1 The principle of sin is in us.

D2 That principle is "Everything is for my comfort and pleasure." This is happiness, not joy. Happiness is not a fruit of the Spirit, joy is.

D3 The cure

E1 Repent and trust in the Lord Jesus who suffered for our sins and paid our penalty

E2 Humility: God help me

E3 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

C8 James 1:20 Our anger does not do the will of God.

D1 Anger often comes from bitterness from injustice

D2 We seek revenge. Vengeance is up to God.

D3 Need to forgive

E1 Forgiveness does not mean that God lets them off the hook

E2 It means to turn the person, situation, to God to deal with it

F1 That person may repent

F2 You can have peace and rest

C9 James 1:21 Stop sinning. (God help us).

D1 The word "lay apart" means put or lay aside and leave it.

D2 Place yourself under God’s authority, that is, God's way is the right way. I will do this with the help of God.

D3 Engrafted is to place into or plant, which might mean the Gospel, so it brings salvation, but it could also mean a remembering of a Bible verse applicable to the present situation, which if we obey, we will be delivered.

D4 Another version James 1:21 GNB So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is able to save you.

E1 God implants a verse from the Bible in our mind. "Ah, that verse—O yes, I remember."

E2 We obey that Bible verse (with discernment).

E3 We will have deliverance.

C10 James 1:22-25, If only a hearer of the Bible, then it is nothing. It is the doer who is doing the will of God. Words are cheap; actions speak louder than words.

C11 James 1:23-27 One test of a true Christian

D1 Mouth control

D2 Visiting the needy, the fatherless and the widow.

Copyright © 2001-2018 by Len Gane. All Rights Reserved.

A Christian and Truth

Truth you can count on

Theme: Absolute truth

Scripture: Psalm 119:89, Psalm 119:142, Psalm 119:160, John 17:17, John 8:31-32

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: Absolute truth exists because God exists.

Think: I can live confidently, basing my life on the absolute truth of God’s Word.

Do: Read and study Scripture daily to learn what is true.

B1 Truth

C1 Simplistically, there are 4 theories of truth

D1 Correspondence = reality

E1 Facts = a thing that exists or happened

E2 Belief = acceptance of facts

D2 Coherence = agrees with a set of beliefs or concepts

D3 Pragmatic = truth is what works

D4 Narcissistic = what I believe is truth

C2 The correspondence theory in its simple form, that is, reality. Pain is reality. Some cheats us out of money is reality. Someone lies to us; it is reality. Though there are philosophical arguments against it, we live in reality. Words have meaning. Statements are typically taken in their plain, normal sense. Any book on philosophy will have a section on truth and will discuss other theories.

C3 The Bible is meant to be understood in its plain, normal sense in context.

D1 God is omnisapient, that is, perfectly and completely wise.

D2 God is omniscient, that is, perfectly and completely knowing everything.

D3 It can be reasonably believed that God knows how to communicate perfectly.

C4 Some verses on truth

D1 Psalms 119:89 NKJV Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. In another translation: Psalms 119:89 GNB Your word, O LORD, will last forever; it is eternal in heaven.

E1 Whatever God says, thinks, or has written never changes.

E2 If God says adultery is wrong, it is always wrong.

E3 If God says murder is wrong, it is always wrong.

E4 If God says lying is wrong, it is always wrong.

E5 If God establishes a doctrine, then it does not change.

E6 Why is important to know God never changes?

E7 Why is it important to know God’s word never changes?

E8 How are we to explain the differences between the Old Testament and the New?

F1 God does not change:

G1 Malachi 3:6 WEB “For I, Yahweh, don’t change; therefore you, sons of Jacob, are not consumed.

G2 Isaiah 46:9-10 WEB Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me; declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure.

F2 A change in New Testament compared to Old

G1 Hebrews 7:12-14 NKJV For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.

G2 God explained why.

H1 Foretold. Note this priesthood was before the Law. Psalms 110:4 NKJV The LORD has sworn And will not relent, "You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek."

H2 Explained: Hebrews 7:15-21 GNB92 The matter becomes even plainer; a different priest has appeared, who is like Melchizedek. He was made a priest, not by human rules and regulations, but through the power of a life which has no end. For the scripture says, “You will be a priest forever, in the priestly order of Melchizedek.” The old rule, then, is set aside, because it was weak and useless. For the Law of Moses could not make anything perfect. And now a better hope has been provided through which we come near to God. In addition, there is also God's vow. There was no such vow when the others were made priests. But Jesus became a priest by means of a vow when God said to him, “The Lord has made a solemn promise and will not take it back: ‘You will be a priest forever.

B2 Psalms 119:142 NKJV Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law is truth.

C1 The law spoken of here in the Laws given at Mt. Sinai.

C2 It is conditional law.

D1 If you, Israel, do this, then I will bless you these ways. See Deuteronomy 28:1-14.

D2 If you, Israel, do not, then I will curse you these ways. See Deuteronomy 28:15-68.

C3 Why is God’s law truth?

D1 God is truth.

E1 God cannot lie. It is impossible for Him to lie. It is not His character. Titus 1:2 WPNT in hope of eternal life —which life God, who cannot lie, promised before the ages of time. See also Hebrews 6:18.

E2 Humans are liars; God does not. Romans 3:4 GW That would be unthinkable! God is honest, and everyone else is a liar, as Scripture says, "So you hand down justice when you speak, and you win your case in court." See Numbers 23:19.

D2 Because God is true, His words are true. John 17:17 WPNT Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth.

D3 Righteousness and truth are related in that any lie or even mistake would indicate unrighteousness. Psalms 145:17 GNB92 The LORD is righteous in all he does, merciful in all his acts.

C4 Truth is very important to God, He demands truth from us.

D1 Zechariah 8:16 GNB92 These are the things you should do: Speak the truth to one another. In the courts give real justice—the kind that brings peace.

D2 Ephesians 4:25 GNB92 No more lying, then! Each of you must tell the truth to the other believer, because we are all members together in the body of Christ.

D3 God hates liars, and remember a person can lie in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds: Proverbs 12:22 GNB92 The LORD hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.

B3 Psalms 119:160 NKJV The entirety of Your word [is] truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments [endures] forever.

C1 Everything God does in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds are true.

C2 They never change. Never changing is part of true.

C3 Remember prophecy is true, promises are true, judgment is true, blessing is true, God’s warning is true, God’s comfort is true, God’s love is true.

C4 How does knowing this verse help us in our Christian walk?

B4 John 17:17 WPNT Sanctify them by Your truth; Your word is truth.

C1 Sanctification is a separation from what is not approved by God to something approved by God. Righteousness is approved by God. Truth is approved by God. Obedience to God’s rules is approved by God. Holiness is sanctification.

D1 God sanctifies.

E1 God the Father: Jude 1:1 NKJV Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ.

E2 God the Son: Hebrews 10:10 WEL By that will we have been sanctified from the guilt of sin through the one time sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ.

E3 God the Holy Spirit: 2 Thessalonians 2:13 NKJV But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.

C2 We cannot do and be sanctified on our own self or actions.

C3 Sanctification has three parts.

D1 Complete and instant sanctification. When we are born again, we are a new creation. This is a result of justification. 1 Corinthians 1:2 NRSV To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours.

D2 A lifelong process for the Christian in this life. This is the subject of Romans 6. For example: Romans 6:19 NRSV I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater iniquity, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness for sanctification.

D3 Final, which is glorification. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 NRSV May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C4 How does truth sanctify?

D1 This is God’s truth, so it is complete in every way.

D2 Truth crowds out the lies and other sins in our life. That is why we must read and study the Bible, the only source of 100% truth. That is why the pastor must preach Bible truth. The more truth we know and practice, the more sanctified we become, thus, we become more and more Christ-like and less like the world. The lifestyle that God wants is more and more consistent, and the lifestyle of the world fades.

B5 John 8:31-32 WPNT So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed Him: “If you abide in my word, you really are my disciples; and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will make you free.”

C1 This is somewhat related to John 17:17.

C2 How to we abide in His word?

D1 We have to know it, believe it, and live it.

D2 We have to be taught it and teach it.

C3 How does truth set us free?

D1 We are set free from lies.

D2 We are set free from heresy.

D3 We are set free from wrong life choices.

D4 We are set free from our sinful self.

D5 We are set free to serve God better.

C4 What is my and your motivation?

B6 Next week:

C1 Truth given by God

C2 Theme: Divine truth

C3 Scriptures: Romans 1:20, Hebrews 1:1-2, Jeremiah 29:12-14, 2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21, Hebrews 4:12, and John 10:27