Andrew Lubbock
Series: The End of Hypocrisy
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 24th October 2015
Passage: James 5:7-12
00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 The certainty of God's future judgment by Jesus of all people means that Christians,
00:00:05 --> 00:00:16 people who trust in Jesus, can live a life now of assurance and patience waiting for that day
00:00:16 --> 00:00:18 when that final judgment will be revealed.
00:00:18 --> 00:00:23 And we can see that, I think, in verses 7 to 9, in particular the passage that we've just read.
00:00:23 --> 00:00:27 So I'm picking those verses as the key to what I'm going to say this morning.
00:00:27 --> 00:00:30 Please glance back down at the passage that you have open in front of you,
00:00:31 --> 00:00:33 and I'm going to reread verses 7 to 9.
00:00:35 --> 00:00:38 Be patient then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.
00:00:39 --> 00:00:42 See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop,
00:00:43 --> 00:00:45 and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.
00:00:46 --> 00:00:48 You too, be patient and stand firm.
00:00:48 --> 00:00:49 And here's the reason.
00:00:51 --> 00:00:55 Because the Lord's coming is near.
00:00:55 --> 00:01:00 Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.
00:01:02 --> 00:01:06 The judge is standing at the door.
00:01:07 --> 00:01:08 Let's pray.
00:01:08 --> 00:01:17 Father God, help us by your Holy Spirit now to see that the risen Jesus will return to judge rightly.
00:01:18 --> 00:01:24 And please help us to live obeying and waiting for his return.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:25 In Jesus' name.
00:01:26 --> 00:01:27 Amen.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:35 You see, wherever we live and wherever we're growing up, wherever we're working,
00:01:35 --> 00:01:38 where there is no actual justice in the present,
00:01:39 --> 00:01:41 or any sign of just judgment in the future,
00:01:42 --> 00:01:44 injustice and corruption abound.
00:01:45 --> 00:01:49 So I'll say that again, because it's a key concept that I'm going to be working through.
00:01:49 --> 00:01:53 Where there is no actual justice in the present,
00:01:53 --> 00:01:55 or any sign of judgment in the future,
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 injustice and corruption abound.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:06 And Italy suffers from this practical lack of just judgment, present and future.
00:02:06 --> 00:02:11 I once asked a preschool parent,
00:02:12 --> 00:02:14 so the parent of another preschool child in Jemima's class,
00:02:15 --> 00:02:16 what does it mean to be Italian?
00:02:17 --> 00:02:19 And he said this.
00:02:19 --> 00:02:21 This is a guy who is a university graduate
00:02:21 --> 00:02:25 and someone who worked for the financial police in Italy.
00:02:26 --> 00:02:28 And he said, this is what it means to be Italian.
00:02:28 --> 00:02:34 That the father of a preschool child will tell his daughter,
00:02:35 --> 00:02:38 you make sure that you take advantage of your friend,
00:02:39 --> 00:02:42 because when her time comes, she will take advantage of you.
00:02:44 --> 00:02:48 And with open mouth, I said to him, are you serious?
00:02:49 --> 00:02:52 And he said, cold, blank, hard.
00:02:53 --> 00:02:55 Yep, that's what it means to be Italian.
00:02:56 --> 00:02:58 You see, because in a corrupt society like Italy,
00:02:59 --> 00:03:02 where there really is no guaranteed recourse to just judgment,
00:03:03 --> 00:03:05 people must look out for number one.
00:03:06 --> 00:03:09 And it's that personal level of corruption
00:03:09 --> 00:03:11 that begins at kindergarten level
00:03:11 --> 00:03:13 that grows into systemic corruption
00:03:13 --> 00:03:14 that makes some of us laugh sometimes
00:03:14 --> 00:03:16 when we think about a country like Italy
00:03:16 --> 00:03:21 or tinpot democracies somewhere or dictatorships.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:23 Of course, there's no justice there,
00:03:24 --> 00:03:25 so there's corruption everywhere.
00:03:26 --> 00:03:27 But it's that simple.
00:03:27 --> 00:03:31 Where there is no sign of just judgment in the future,
00:03:31 --> 00:03:33 injustice and corruption abound.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:35 Where there's no apparent right judgment,
00:03:36 --> 00:03:37 it breeds corruption.
00:03:37 --> 00:03:40 So the plumber will come to your house in December,
00:03:41 --> 00:03:42 as happened with us,
00:03:42 --> 00:03:44 and he's just making a minor repair,
00:03:44 --> 00:03:46 and we ask him for a receipt.
00:03:46 --> 00:03:50 And the receipt is receipt number four.
00:03:52 --> 00:03:54 But he's come to your house on December the 30th.
00:03:55 --> 00:03:57 So throughout the year,
00:03:58 --> 00:03:59 he's been working in the black,
00:03:59 --> 00:04:02 and he explained it to us.
00:04:03 --> 00:04:03 You know what?
00:04:04 --> 00:04:06 For the first year of my working life,
00:04:06 --> 00:04:07 I tried to do everything by the book.
00:04:08 --> 00:04:10 I tried to observe the law.
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 But it worked against me.
00:04:13 --> 00:04:16 And I ended up in the red.
00:04:17 --> 00:04:18 And so I gave up trying.
00:04:18 --> 00:04:21 Because, again, in a country like Italy,
00:04:22 --> 00:04:25 where there is a basic level of personal corruption,
00:04:26 --> 00:04:28 because there is no just judgment
00:04:28 --> 00:04:30 that anyone can perceive is coming,
00:04:31 --> 00:04:34 everyone is trying to make the most of living for themselves.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:37 But laws have to be increased
00:04:37 --> 00:04:40 in order to get that money back that's not being paid.
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 And more laws, and more laws, and more laws.
00:04:43 --> 00:04:44 But that just makes people try and work
00:04:44 --> 00:04:47 against the system, against the system, against the system.
00:04:48 --> 00:04:50 Where there's no apparent right judgment,
00:04:50 --> 00:04:51 corruption breeds corruption.
00:04:52 --> 00:04:53 I think you saw that last week, didn't you,
00:04:53 --> 00:04:54 in verses 1 to 6.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:58 And it's amazing what he said there.
00:04:58 --> 00:04:59 I'm not going to repeat it.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:01 But you rich people,
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 you oppressors of the poor.
00:05:05 --> 00:05:07 Now, why would you do that
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 if there was justice?
00:05:09 --> 00:05:10 How could you do that
00:05:10 --> 00:05:14 if the law really worked in everybody's favor?
00:05:14 --> 00:05:15 You couldn't.
00:05:16 --> 00:05:19 But in a context, in a society,
00:05:19 --> 00:05:21 where you can't guarantee that just judgment,
00:05:22 --> 00:05:23 corruption abounds.
00:05:24 --> 00:05:25 And that's what we live, isn't it?
00:05:26 --> 00:05:28 The rich people oppressed and took advantage of others
00:05:28 --> 00:05:30 as if no one will care for these little people.
00:05:31 --> 00:05:33 And they live as if no one is watching,
00:05:33 --> 00:05:36 as if no one will decide about them.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:39 Of course, we've got to live this way.
00:05:40 --> 00:05:41 This is how life works.
00:05:42 --> 00:05:43 There is no such thing as justice.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:48 So I think we see there that suffering occurs
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 when the knowledge of good and evil
00:05:50 --> 00:05:55 collides with the inability to do what is good.
00:05:55 --> 00:05:58 So suffering occurs
00:05:58 --> 00:06:01 when we know what's right and what's wrong,
00:06:01 --> 00:06:05 but we fail to be able to do it.
00:06:06 --> 00:06:07 And we don't do it as well
00:06:07 --> 00:06:09 because we don't think anyone really cares.
00:06:09 --> 00:06:11 So we make others suffer
00:06:11 --> 00:06:13 and maybe we rebel against suffering
00:06:13 --> 00:06:15 because we think that's the only way
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 anything is ever going to change.
00:06:16 --> 00:06:19 We have to take matters into our own hands.
00:06:19 --> 00:06:21 But it's so clear here, isn't it?
00:06:21 --> 00:06:23 As James speaks, he says,
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 that is not the case.
00:06:26 --> 00:06:28 That is not the case in God's world.
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 That is not the case in God's eternity
00:06:31 --> 00:06:33 over which he has control.
00:06:34 --> 00:06:36 And he says that Jesus' return changes
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 and must change our perspective.
00:06:39 --> 00:06:40 Have a look.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:43 And I'm just going to run through the verses
00:06:43 --> 00:06:45 where we see this talk about judgment,
00:06:46 --> 00:06:48 Jesus coming, the judge.
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 Have a look at verse 7.
00:06:50 --> 00:06:50 I've read that already,
00:06:51 --> 00:06:52 but I'll read it again.
00:06:52 --> 00:06:53 Be patient then, brothers,
00:06:53 --> 00:06:54 until the Lord's coming.
00:06:55 --> 00:06:56 Verse 8.
00:06:58 --> 00:06:59 You too be patient and stand firm
00:06:59 --> 00:07:01 because the Lord's coming is near.
00:07:02 --> 00:07:02 Verse 9.
00:07:03 --> 00:07:05 The judge is standing at the door.
00:07:06 --> 00:07:07 And verse 12.
00:07:09 --> 00:07:11 Above all, my brothers, do not swear,
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 not by heaven or by earth or by anything else.
00:07:13 --> 00:07:15 Let your yes be yes and your no, no,
00:07:15 --> 00:07:18 or you will be condemned.
00:07:19 --> 00:07:20 James is just so convinced
00:07:20 --> 00:07:23 that this will happen.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:26 He is so convinced that there is a fixed point,
00:07:26 --> 00:07:30 a moment in time when good will be shown to be good
00:07:30 --> 00:07:32 and evil will be shown to be evil.
00:07:33 --> 00:07:35 And Jesus is the one who will establish that.
00:07:37 --> 00:07:39 Jesus himself talked a lot about
00:07:39 --> 00:07:41 being ready for the judge
00:07:41 --> 00:07:43 in the parables that he taught.
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 But he himself, in his obedience,
00:07:45 --> 00:07:46 right to the very end,
00:07:46 --> 00:07:51 showed us that the Father is good to be trusted.
00:07:52 --> 00:07:54 Please turn to 1 Peter chapter 2
00:07:54 --> 00:07:58 so that we can actually hear Peter's summary of this.
00:07:58 --> 00:08:00 And it's such a beautiful summary
00:08:00 --> 00:08:03 of, I think, what James is actually talking about.
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 1 Peter chapter 2.
00:08:04 --> 00:08:06 And I'm going to read from verse 13.
00:08:08 --> 00:08:10 1 Peter chapter 2.
00:08:10 --> 00:08:12 And I'm reading from verse 13.
00:08:12 --> 00:08:15 And we're talking about how Jesus
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 is the one who actually breaks this cycle of corruption.
00:08:18 --> 00:08:21 And Jesus showed us that there is a coming judgment
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 and a righteous judge.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 Peter says,
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 Slaves,
00:08:25 --> 00:08:26 Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake
00:08:26 --> 00:08:28 to every authority instituted among men,
00:08:29 --> 00:08:32 whether to the king as the supreme authority
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 or to governors who are sent by him
00:08:33 --> 00:08:35 to punish those who do wrong
00:08:35 --> 00:08:36 and to commend those who do right.
00:08:36 --> 00:08:38 For it is God's will that by doing good
00:08:38 --> 00:08:41 you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
00:08:41 --> 00:08:42 Live as free people,
00:08:43 --> 00:08:45 but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil.
00:08:45 --> 00:08:47 Live as servants of God.
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 Show proper respect to everyone.
00:08:49 --> 00:08:50 Love the brotherhood of believers.
00:08:50 --> 00:08:51 Fear God.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:51 Honor the king.
00:08:51 --> 00:08:53 Slaves,
00:08:53 --> 00:08:55 Submit yourselves to your masters with all respect,
00:08:56 --> 00:08:58 not only to those who are good and considerate,
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 but also to those who are harsh.
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 For it is commendable
00:09:01 --> 00:09:04 if a person bears up under the pain of unjust suffering
00:09:04 --> 00:09:06 because he is conscious of God.
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 But how is it to your credit
00:09:07 --> 00:09:10 if you receive a beating for doing good and endure it?
00:09:10 --> 00:09:13 But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it,
00:09:13 --> 00:09:15 this is commendable before God.
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 To this you were called
00:09:16 --> 00:09:18 because Christ suffered for you,
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 leaving you an example
00:09:19 --> 00:09:21 that you should follow in his steps.
00:09:22 --> 00:09:24 He committed no sin
00:09:24 --> 00:09:26 and no deceit was found in his mouth.
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 When they hurled their insults at him,
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 he did not retaliate.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 When he suffered,
00:09:31 --> 00:09:33 he made no threats.
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 Instead,
00:09:35 --> 00:09:37 he entrusted himself to him who judges justly.
00:09:38 --> 00:09:41 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree
00:09:41 --> 00:09:43 so that we might die to sins
00:09:43 --> 00:09:43 and live for righteousness.
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 By his wounds,
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 you have been healed.
00:09:47 --> 00:09:50 What Peter is saying here is that
00:09:50 --> 00:09:53 Jesus at the cross
00:09:53 --> 00:09:56 is tempted by the voice of Satan
00:09:56 --> 00:09:58 through those at his feet
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 who are yelling at him,
00:09:59 --> 00:10:00 if you really are the Christ,
00:10:00 --> 00:10:01 if you really are the Son of God,
00:10:02 --> 00:10:02 come down.
00:10:03 --> 00:10:04 Show us your power.
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 And he does,
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 but by doing the opposite,
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 he shows,
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 as he stays hanging on the cross
00:10:11 --> 00:10:13 in obedience to his Father's will,
00:10:13 --> 00:10:17 that he does have a knowledge of good and evil,
00:10:17 --> 00:10:19 but he leaves the management of that
00:10:19 --> 00:10:21 in the Father's hands.
00:10:22 --> 00:10:24 So instead of looking out for number one
00:10:24 --> 00:10:26 at that point in time,
00:10:27 --> 00:10:31 he keeps his eyes on the Father
00:10:31 --> 00:10:33 and breaks that cycle of corruption
00:10:33 --> 00:10:35 that Adam and Eve started.
00:10:35 --> 00:10:39 They were plonked in front of the tree
00:10:39 --> 00:10:40 of the knowledge of good and evil
00:10:40 --> 00:10:42 and they took the management onto themselves.
00:10:43 --> 00:10:45 Jesus leaves the management
00:10:45 --> 00:10:47 of the knowledge of good and evil
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 in his Father's hands.
00:10:50 --> 00:10:52 And so he breaks that cycle of corruption
00:10:52 --> 00:10:53 once and for all.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:53 It's so beautiful.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:55 I've come to appreciate this so much more
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 after living 11 years
00:10:56 --> 00:10:58 in the Italian society.
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 Jesus is a legend.
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 He is so pure.
00:11:02 --> 00:11:03 He is so right.
00:11:03 --> 00:11:05 He sees what is right and wrong
00:11:05 --> 00:11:08 and he leaves the judgment about that,
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 the management of it,
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 in his Father's hands.
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 And for that reason,
00:11:14 --> 00:11:18 he swaps his goodness for our sin
00:11:18 --> 00:11:21 and the hostages are bought out of captivity
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 by his blood.
00:11:23 --> 00:11:23 Wow.
00:11:24 --> 00:11:24 Gee, that's good.
00:11:26 --> 00:11:28 That cycle has been broken
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 and Paul says,
00:11:29 --> 00:11:31 as he speaks to the Athenians,
00:11:31 --> 00:11:34 that's the fixed future point,
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 the risen Jesus,
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 because he is the one
00:11:36 --> 00:11:38 who is right to judge.
00:11:38 --> 00:11:39 Have a look in Acts chapter 17.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:42 This is the last scripture flip will do,
00:11:43 --> 00:11:43 but I'd really like you
00:11:43 --> 00:11:45 to have a look at it for yourselves,
00:11:45 --> 00:11:45 please.
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 Acts chapter 17,
00:11:46 --> 00:11:48 and I'm going to read verse 30 and 31.
00:11:49 --> 00:11:51 Acts chapter 17,
00:11:51 --> 00:11:53 verse 30 and 31.
00:11:53 --> 00:11:57 And Paul's speaking in a pluralistic society,
00:11:58 --> 00:12:02 in a society that is deeply religious and spiritual.
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 And he says this,
00:12:05 --> 00:12:09 In the past,
00:12:09 --> 00:12:11 God overlooked such ignorance,
00:12:12 --> 00:12:15 but now he commands all people everywhere
00:12:15 --> 00:12:15 to repent,
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 to turn back.
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 For he has set a day
00:12:19 --> 00:12:21 when he will judge the world with justice
00:12:21 --> 00:12:22 by the man he has appointed.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:25 He has given proof of this to all men
00:12:25 --> 00:12:28 by raising him from the dead.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:32 So with the resurrection of Jesus,
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 things have changed forever.
00:12:33 --> 00:12:38 It means that there is an eternity.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:39 It means that there is truth.
00:12:39 --> 00:12:41 It means that there is a God
00:12:41 --> 00:12:43 who judges between right and wrong
00:12:43 --> 00:12:45 because what he actually did
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 with regard to Jesus is say,
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 yep, you are right.
00:12:48 --> 00:12:49 And death can't hold you down
00:12:49 --> 00:12:52 because death comes for rebellion
00:12:52 --> 00:12:53 and it's judgment.
00:12:54 --> 00:12:57 But you don't fit in that category.
00:12:58 --> 00:13:00 And you have conquered and you have won.
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 And for that reason,
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 you are the one.
00:13:03 --> 00:13:05 Who can judge.
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 That's a great encouragement, isn't it?
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 And I'm laboring this point
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 because we need to understand this
00:13:10 --> 00:13:12 before we get to what James
00:13:12 --> 00:13:14 is encouraging people to be like.
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 We've got to understand
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 and really take on board
00:13:18 --> 00:13:20 the reality to which James
00:13:20 --> 00:13:23 is basing all his argument on.
00:13:23 --> 00:13:25 That Jesus really is alive.
00:13:25 --> 00:13:28 that not just a regular risen guy,
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 if such a thing could be possible,
00:13:31 --> 00:13:36 but the right eternal one
00:13:36 --> 00:13:38 who showed that he could leave
00:13:38 --> 00:13:39 the management of good and evil
00:13:39 --> 00:13:40 in the Father's hands
00:13:40 --> 00:13:43 and therefore he has the right perspective
00:13:43 --> 00:13:45 to be able to judge us
00:13:45 --> 00:13:50 who fail to leave the management
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 of good and evil in the Father's hands
00:13:51 --> 00:13:53 but need to trust Jesus
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 as he did that for us.
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 Because James says,
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 the future judgment
00:13:58 --> 00:14:00 is as certain as the seasonal crop.
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 Did you notice that in verse 7?
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 Please glance down it again.
00:14:08 --> 00:14:08 Verse 7.
00:14:08 --> 00:14:22 This is the same thing
00:14:22 --> 00:14:24 that Peter was talking about in Athens.
00:14:25 --> 00:14:27 It's a dead certain.
00:14:29 --> 00:14:30 You can stake your life on it.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:31 It's coming.
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 He's going to come back.
00:14:33 --> 00:14:34 That's good and bad.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:37 But be patient.
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 Be ready for that.
00:14:42 --> 00:14:43 So the challenge at this point,
00:14:43 --> 00:14:45 and this is something
00:14:45 --> 00:14:47 that we really need to sit on
00:14:47 --> 00:14:48 for just a moment.
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 Are we convinced of the resurrection
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 of the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead?
00:14:54 --> 00:14:56 I think that's the key to Christianity,
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 quite frankly,
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 because if Jesus wasn't risen,
00:14:59 --> 00:15:00 then whatever happened before that
00:15:00 --> 00:15:01 just needs to be discarded
00:15:01 --> 00:15:05 as a tragic joke.
00:15:06 --> 00:15:08 But if Jesus really is risen,
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 it changes everything.
00:15:11 --> 00:15:13 Sometimes I think in our Christian lives,
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 and maybe even when we meet together,
00:15:14 --> 00:15:16 we can do something like this.
00:15:16 --> 00:15:18 Cross, cross, cross, cross, cross, cross, cross.
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 Jesus died.
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 He's paid the price.
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 Oh, and he rose.
00:15:22 --> 00:15:24 But I think what the proposal
00:15:24 --> 00:15:25 of Christianity is,
00:15:25 --> 00:15:27 is Jesus is alive.
00:15:27 --> 00:15:29 He really is risen.
00:15:29 --> 00:15:32 It breaks the cycle.
00:15:33 --> 00:15:35 And it validates what happened on the cross.
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 That's the proposal of Christianity.
00:15:41 --> 00:15:42 No other religion,
00:15:42 --> 00:15:45 no other spiritual theory sets that up.
00:15:46 --> 00:15:48 But this is the fixed point
00:15:48 --> 00:15:51 for our eternity.
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 Are you convinced of that?
00:15:53 --> 00:15:55 And I'm not just throwing that out
00:15:55 --> 00:15:57 as some kind of preaching device,
00:15:57 --> 00:15:59 some kind of rhetorical kind of moment.
00:15:59 --> 00:16:01 But it could be the case
00:16:01 --> 00:16:03 that we haven't really worked
00:16:03 --> 00:16:05 that deeply into our conviction.
00:16:08 --> 00:16:10 Peter and James,
00:16:10 --> 00:16:12 they weren't convinced of Jesus
00:16:12 --> 00:16:13 and they abandoned him
00:16:13 --> 00:16:15 in his hour of need.
00:16:15 --> 00:16:16 Something happened
00:16:16 --> 00:16:18 to change their lives
00:16:18 --> 00:16:19 and convince them
00:16:19 --> 00:16:20 that they needed to preach
00:16:20 --> 00:16:21 this message
00:16:21 --> 00:16:23 to their last breath.
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 He rose,
00:16:25 --> 00:16:26 and that's why.
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 Talk about that.
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 Pray about that
00:16:30 --> 00:16:31 with someone that you trust.
00:16:32 --> 00:16:34 Because if you're answering
00:16:34 --> 00:16:34 my question right now,
00:16:35 --> 00:16:35 you know,
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 well, I haven't really thought
00:16:36 --> 00:16:36 enough about it.
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 I'm not super convinced.
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 Let's work that through.
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 That's why I'm standing
00:16:42 --> 00:16:43 before you this morning,
00:16:43 --> 00:16:44 but that's why we went to Italy.
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 Because we really are convinced
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 that Jesus is alive
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 and he does have
00:16:47 --> 00:16:48 eternal life in his hands
00:16:48 --> 00:16:50 and he gives it to those
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 who trust in him.
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 So it doesn't matter
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 what we have or don't have
00:16:53 --> 00:16:54 in this life
00:16:54 --> 00:16:55 because we have everything
00:16:55 --> 00:16:55 in eternity.
00:16:56 --> 00:16:58 Now, Jesus' just judgment
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 and other consequences
00:16:59 --> 00:17:01 is there is a just judgment
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 that's coming
00:17:02 --> 00:17:04 and he will judge us
00:17:04 --> 00:17:06 and all people.
00:17:08 --> 00:17:08 Sometimes it's nice
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 to think that,
00:17:09 --> 00:17:10 yeah, those people out there,
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 those bad people,
00:17:11 --> 00:17:11 they're going to cop it
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 and that's good
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 and I'm glad about that
00:17:13 --> 00:17:15 and I'm right, okay?
00:17:16 --> 00:17:18 I'm a pretty good person.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:20 But I'm afraid, actually,
00:17:20 --> 00:17:21 when I read these verses
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 because James is saying,
00:17:22 --> 00:17:24 you too will be judged.
00:17:25 --> 00:17:27 Your behavior actually matters.
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 The way that you respond
00:17:28 --> 00:17:29 to the risen Jesus
00:17:29 --> 00:17:31 and you live in wait for him,
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 that matters
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 and that's going to be called
00:17:33 --> 00:17:34 to account one day.
00:17:35 --> 00:17:35 Whew!
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 The Italians would do
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 something like this.
00:17:41 --> 00:17:42 That's a big deal.
00:17:42 --> 00:17:43 It's going to bite.
00:17:45 --> 00:17:45 It's going to bite.
00:17:45 --> 00:17:48 So we want to be hearing now
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 that this word applies to us
00:17:49 --> 00:17:51 and I'm going to go a lot faster now
00:17:51 --> 00:17:54 in this second part of my talk
00:17:54 --> 00:17:57 because our conviction
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 comes out in how we live.
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 If you're convinced
00:18:00 --> 00:18:02 that really the best is yet to come
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 and that you can put
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 all you have on Jesus
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 because he's good for it,
00:18:06 --> 00:18:07 that just changes everything.
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 It really does.
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 And so the Christian
00:18:10 --> 00:18:12 convinced of Jesus' resurrection
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 and certain of his return
00:18:13 --> 00:18:15 to decide about all people
00:18:15 --> 00:18:15 lives differently
00:18:15 --> 00:18:17 when faced with corruption.
00:18:17 --> 00:18:19 That Christian woman
00:18:19 --> 00:18:19 lives differently
00:18:19 --> 00:18:21 when faced with injustice.
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 That Christian family
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 lives differently
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 when faced with suffering.
00:18:25 --> 00:18:28 And James notes these things
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 and we can see this
00:18:29 --> 00:18:30 in the contrast
00:18:30 --> 00:18:31 implicit in the passage.
00:18:32 --> 00:18:34 And I'm just going to go really
00:18:34 --> 00:18:36 probably too quickly here now
00:18:36 --> 00:18:38 but I trust it will be clear.
00:18:39 --> 00:18:40 Christians live patiently
00:18:40 --> 00:18:42 as the farmer is patient
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 and sure of the crop.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:44 That's verse 7.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:47 We don't take matters
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 into our own hands.
00:18:50 --> 00:18:52 We don't take matters
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 into our own hands.
00:18:54 --> 00:18:54 I'm not saying
00:18:54 --> 00:18:55 that we have to accept everything
00:18:55 --> 00:18:57 and so I'm really not talking
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 about a complete
00:18:58 --> 00:19:00 Christian ethic here
00:19:00 --> 00:19:02 but what James is saying
00:19:02 --> 00:19:03 is that we don't take matters
00:19:03 --> 00:19:04 into our own hands.
00:19:04 --> 00:19:05 We actually live
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 with great patience
00:19:06 --> 00:19:08 because our perspective
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 is very, very long.
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 It's eternal.
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 It's not temporary.
00:19:13 --> 00:19:16 We don't take matters
00:19:16 --> 00:19:17 into our own hands.
00:19:18 --> 00:19:19 Second,
00:19:19 --> 00:19:20 those who trust
00:19:20 --> 00:19:20 in the risen Jesus
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 live waiting
00:19:21 --> 00:19:22 for his return,
00:19:23 --> 00:19:23 for his future return.
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 That's verse 8.
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 You too be patient
00:19:26 --> 00:19:27 and stand firm
00:19:27 --> 00:19:28 because the Lord's coming
00:19:28 --> 00:19:28 is near.
00:19:29 --> 00:19:31 We don't abandon Jesus
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 deciding ourselves
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 what is right and wrong.
00:19:33 --> 00:19:37 I've already kind of
00:19:37 --> 00:19:37 underlined that
00:19:37 --> 00:19:39 considering Jesus'
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 death
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 and what is occurring
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 there
00:19:41 --> 00:19:43 because he doesn't
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 take the management
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 of good and evil
00:19:44 --> 00:19:45 into his own hands.
00:19:46 --> 00:19:46 In fact,
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 he leaves that decision
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 to the Father
00:19:48 --> 00:19:51 and there we have
00:19:51 --> 00:19:52 our life.
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 So I think
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 the discipline
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 of the Christian life
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 is actually
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 to work out
00:19:57 --> 00:19:58 more and more
00:19:58 --> 00:19:59 starting with the word
00:19:59 --> 00:20:00 and sticking with the word
00:20:00 --> 00:20:01 what God's will
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 actually is
00:20:02 --> 00:20:03 and I think
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 it's probably
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 knowing Jesus better,
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 being really well versed
00:20:07 --> 00:20:09 in him in the Gospels
00:20:09 --> 00:20:13 and being someone
00:20:13 --> 00:20:13 who examines
00:20:13 --> 00:20:15 how he lives
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 and how he waits
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 for the future judgment
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 which his Father
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 will be responsible for
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 including him
00:20:20 --> 00:20:21 as the judge.
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 Third thing,
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 followers of the risen
00:20:24 --> 00:20:25 King Jesus
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 hold their tongues
00:20:26 --> 00:20:28 about each other.
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 That's verse 9.
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 Don't grumble
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 against each other
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 brothers
00:20:32 --> 00:20:33 or you will be judged.
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 The judge is standing
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 at the door.
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 We don't complain
00:20:38 --> 00:20:38 against each other
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 because we know
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 that Jesus will also
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 judge us.
00:20:42 --> 00:20:42 Gee, that's hard,
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 isn't it?
00:20:45 --> 00:20:46 It might sound
00:20:46 --> 00:20:46 that these things
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 are rolling off my tongue
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 pretty easy right now
00:20:48 --> 00:20:49 and I said
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 that I'm going
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 a little bit faster.
00:20:50 --> 00:20:52 That is really tough stuff.
00:20:54 --> 00:20:55 We've been in a church,
00:20:55 --> 00:20:56 in a brethren church
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 which really has been
00:20:57 --> 00:20:58 working against itself.
00:20:58 --> 00:21:00 The factions
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 amongst the elders
00:21:01 --> 00:21:01 and therefore
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 amongst the congregation
00:21:02 --> 00:21:05 have played out
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 year after year,
00:21:06 --> 00:21:07 month after month,
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 week after week,
00:21:08 --> 00:21:08 day after day.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 And at times
00:21:10 --> 00:21:13 our waking lives,
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 Sarah and I,
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 have been consumed
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 just by the anxiety
00:21:16 --> 00:21:17 and the tension
00:21:17 --> 00:21:17 that that's created.
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 It's been awful.
00:21:20 --> 00:21:22 And the natural tendency
00:21:22 --> 00:21:22 therefore is when
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 you're actually meeting
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 together with other
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 Christian brothers and sisters,
00:21:25 --> 00:21:25 maybe just in private,
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 you have them around
00:21:26 --> 00:21:26 for dinner or whatever
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 it might be,
00:21:27 --> 00:21:29 you just let fly,
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 let loose.
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 Yeah, you know,
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 it's safe here, isn't it?
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 We can say it, yeah,
00:21:33 --> 00:21:33 we can, you know.
00:21:34 --> 00:21:34 I just want to tell you
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 this in confidence
00:21:35 --> 00:21:36 how I feel about
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 such and such.
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 James says,
00:21:39 --> 00:21:39 don't do it.
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 Wow.
00:21:42 --> 00:21:44 I need to repent
00:21:44 --> 00:21:46 because my tendency
00:21:46 --> 00:21:48 is actually to really
00:21:48 --> 00:21:49 to let fly.
00:21:50 --> 00:21:50 Be quite critical.
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 That can be good sometimes,
00:21:52 --> 00:21:54 having a critical approach,
00:21:54 --> 00:21:55 a brain that kind of
00:21:55 --> 00:21:55 analyzes well,
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 but it can be deadly
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 at other times
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 because it actually
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 leads to ungodliness.
00:21:59 --> 00:22:01 And it doesn't trust
00:22:01 --> 00:22:01 that God's actually
00:22:01 --> 00:22:02 in control
00:22:02 --> 00:22:04 of any given situation.
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 So I take it,
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 and this is something
00:22:07 --> 00:22:07 that I try to do
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 more and more,
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 I try to pray about
00:22:10 --> 00:22:10 those things
00:22:10 --> 00:22:11 before I speak about them.
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 And really seek
00:22:13 --> 00:22:13 the Lord's will
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 and his conviction
00:22:14 --> 00:22:16 regarding these matters,
00:22:16 --> 00:22:17 whatever they might be.
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 Because it's difficult,
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 isn't it,
00:22:20 --> 00:22:20 to turn up to church
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 on a Sunday
00:22:21 --> 00:22:21 after you've spent
00:22:21 --> 00:22:23 the previous six days
00:22:23 --> 00:22:24 just whinging
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 about other people
00:22:25 --> 00:22:27 and playing happy families
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 on a Sunday
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 or not even.
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 Because the Lord
00:22:33 --> 00:22:33 knows our hearts
00:22:33 --> 00:22:34 and it's dishonest.
00:22:35 --> 00:22:36 And he says
00:22:36 --> 00:22:37 we'll be judged for that.
00:22:38 --> 00:22:39 And so we need to repent
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 and practice
00:22:40 --> 00:22:41 what James is actually
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 calling people to do here.
00:22:44 --> 00:22:45 Christians are certain
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 of Jesus' risen goodness
00:22:46 --> 00:22:47 even in the face
00:22:47 --> 00:22:47 of suffering.
00:22:47 --> 00:22:48 Verse 10.
00:22:49 --> 00:22:49 Brothers,
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 as an example of patience
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 in the face of suffering,
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 take the prophets
00:22:52 --> 00:22:53 who spoke in the name
00:22:53 --> 00:22:53 of the Lord.
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 As you know,
00:22:55 --> 00:22:55 we consider blessed
00:22:55 --> 00:22:57 those who have persevered.
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 You have heard
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 of Job's perseverance
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 and have seen
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 what the Lord
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 finally brought about.
00:23:01 --> 00:23:03 The Lord is full
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 of compassion and mercy.
00:23:06 --> 00:23:07 Job is the example there.
00:23:07 --> 00:23:09 And we know,
00:23:09 --> 00:23:09 don't we,
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 from our understanding
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 of his own travails
00:23:11 --> 00:23:14 that he was pressured
00:23:14 --> 00:23:16 to call God's goodness
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 into question.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 And in fact,
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 his mates,
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 at one point,
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 they say,
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 curse God and die.
00:23:24 --> 00:23:30 That was the final point
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 almost that he got to.
00:23:31 --> 00:23:32 Just do that, mate,
00:23:32 --> 00:23:33 and finish it.
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 Get it over and done with.
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 God's not good.
00:23:37 --> 00:23:37 Forget about it.
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 Take your own life.
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 Job refuses.
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 He doesn't do it.
00:23:41 --> 00:23:44 And here,
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 it's really interesting
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 because James underlines
00:23:46 --> 00:23:48 the Lord is
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 full of compassion
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 and mercy.
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 Because that is
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 our big question
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 in the midst of suffering,
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 physical suffering,
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 spiritual suffering,
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 suffering as a church.
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 Is God good?
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 Is he merciful?
00:24:01 --> 00:24:02 Is he compassionate?
00:24:05 --> 00:24:06 And multiply it,
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 multiply the angst
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 that we might have experienced
00:24:08 --> 00:24:10 in Chatswood
00:24:10 --> 00:24:11 by a million times
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 in the experience
00:24:12 --> 00:24:13 of our brothers and sisters
00:24:13 --> 00:24:14 in Christ
00:24:14 --> 00:24:15 in other places
00:24:15 --> 00:24:16 where even just
00:24:16 --> 00:24:17 to name Jesus
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 is to sign
00:24:18 --> 00:24:20 your own death sentence.
00:24:22 --> 00:24:23 Is God really good?
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 I have the image
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 of those guys
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 who were beheaded
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 on the beach
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 by ISIS
00:24:28 --> 00:24:30 and the last thing
00:24:30 --> 00:24:31 that they were uttering
00:24:31 --> 00:24:34 is that Jesus
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 is Lord and Christ
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 towards that effect.
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 I think that's
00:24:39 --> 00:24:40 what James
00:24:40 --> 00:24:41 is exhorting us to.
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 A life that understands
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 that God has revealed
00:24:44 --> 00:24:44 his full mercy
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 and his compassion
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 in the Lord Jesus Christ
00:24:46 --> 00:24:47 not only as he hangs
00:24:47 --> 00:24:49 dying in our place
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 in full obedience
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 but in his risen glory
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 and power.
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 God is good,
00:24:53 --> 00:24:53 he is merciful,
00:24:54 --> 00:24:54 he is compassionate,
00:24:55 --> 00:24:55 he will save
00:24:55 --> 00:24:57 those who trust in him.
00:24:58 --> 00:24:58 Wow,
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 that is really good.
00:25:00 --> 00:25:01 So it's worth waiting for,
00:25:02 --> 00:25:02 isn't it?
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 Because God has showed this
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 to Job,
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 he showed it to Jesus
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 and so we continue
00:25:06 --> 00:25:06 knowing,
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 living and waiting
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 for that truth.
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 We live in it
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 but we're waiting
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 for the consummation
00:25:11 --> 00:25:11 of that.
00:25:12 --> 00:25:14 It changes my perspective
00:25:14 --> 00:25:15 as I think about that.
00:25:16 --> 00:25:17 And the last thing,
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 followers of the risen Lord Jesus
00:25:18 --> 00:25:20 verbalise trust in him,
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 not in idols.
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 Verse 12,
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 above all,
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 do not swear,
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 not by heaven or by earth
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 or by anything else,
00:25:27 --> 00:25:28 let your yes be yes
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 and your no, no
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 or you will be condemned.
00:25:32 --> 00:25:32 I grew up reading
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 Asterix and Obelix.
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 I love those cartoons,
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 those books.
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 Learned a lot from them.
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 Been very helpful actually,
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 going to Europe
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 after growing up
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 on Asterix and Obelix
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 but they,
00:25:45 --> 00:25:46 I'm not sure if it's them
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 or if it's the Romans
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 at times they're swearing
00:25:48 --> 00:25:49 by Tartatus.
00:25:50 --> 00:25:50 You know,
00:25:50 --> 00:25:52 they have all the different gods
00:25:52 --> 00:25:52 and they name.
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 In Italian,
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 an expression would be
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 perforza,
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 by strength.
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 And it seems like
00:26:00 --> 00:26:01 a banal kind of a thing
00:26:01 --> 00:26:03 when we're letting
00:26:03 --> 00:26:04 these kind of phrases
00:26:04 --> 00:26:04 roll off our tongue.
00:26:05 --> 00:26:07 But they do actually have
00:26:07 --> 00:26:10 historical time,
00:26:11 --> 00:26:12 historical meaning,
00:26:12 --> 00:26:13 historical consequence
00:26:13 --> 00:26:14 but also eternal consequence
00:26:14 --> 00:26:15 because in those little moments
00:26:15 --> 00:26:18 of expressing those things,
00:26:19 --> 00:26:20 we are expressing
00:26:20 --> 00:26:21 where our trust is based.
00:26:23 --> 00:26:24 where our trust is based.
00:26:26 --> 00:26:28 But Christians can speak simply
00:26:28 --> 00:26:30 relying on Jesus' strength.
00:26:30 --> 00:26:31 That's why James just says
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 just let your yes be yes
00:26:32 --> 00:26:33 and your no be no
00:26:33 --> 00:26:36 because the strength of,
00:26:37 --> 00:26:38 the eternal strength
00:26:38 --> 00:26:39 comes from Jesus.
00:26:40 --> 00:26:40 It's in him.
00:26:40 --> 00:26:42 It's not in something
00:26:42 --> 00:26:45 that proposes to take his place.
00:26:45 --> 00:26:47 So in all of this,
00:26:48 --> 00:26:50 I think it's quite easy
00:26:50 --> 00:26:52 actually to have a Christian witness.
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 So I just want to give a tiny,
00:26:54 --> 00:26:56 tiny example of,
00:26:56 --> 00:26:56 I think,
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 how easy it is
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 to put these things into practice
00:26:58 --> 00:27:00 and not only live the difference
00:27:00 --> 00:27:00 but show the difference.
00:27:01 --> 00:27:03 I remember in my working life,
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 especially when I worked
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 as the studio manager
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 in a graphic design studio,
00:27:06 --> 00:27:08 it was just so easy
00:27:08 --> 00:27:10 to stand out
00:27:10 --> 00:27:12 if I just watched what I said.
00:27:14 --> 00:27:16 If I really sought to honour Jesus
00:27:16 --> 00:27:16 with my lips
00:27:16 --> 00:27:19 and didn't join in perhaps
00:27:19 --> 00:27:21 the way other people would speak,
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 I'd be present
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 but not saying the same things
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 that they said.
00:27:25 --> 00:27:27 I'd be seeking to live
00:27:27 --> 00:27:30 knowing that Jesus would be my judge,
00:27:31 --> 00:27:31 not them,
00:27:31 --> 00:27:33 even though they judged me often.
00:27:33 --> 00:27:36 But my point of reference
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 was eternal in him
00:27:37 --> 00:27:39 and not based on what they would think
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 or what they would say.
00:27:41 --> 00:27:43 So I think the Christian life
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 is actually living
00:27:44 --> 00:27:45 to respond to Jesus
00:27:45 --> 00:27:46 and not react to other people,
00:27:47 --> 00:27:47 if I can put it that way.
00:27:48 --> 00:27:48 And I think that's what James
00:27:48 --> 00:27:49 is saying here.
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 We must have our eyes fixed on Jesus
00:27:51 --> 00:27:53 so that we're responding to him
00:27:53 --> 00:27:55 and not reacting to others.
00:27:56 --> 00:27:58 And I'll tell you about
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 the significance of that
00:27:59 --> 00:27:59 in just a moment.
00:28:00 --> 00:28:02 But I think as the church does that,
00:28:03 --> 00:28:05 as the church does seek
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 to be ready for the future judgement,
00:28:06 --> 00:28:07 it will be poorer
00:28:07 --> 00:28:10 and more marginalised
00:28:10 --> 00:28:11 than it actually is.
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 Because if you keep asking
00:28:14 --> 00:28:15 the plumber for a receipt,
00:28:16 --> 00:28:18 he doesn't come back to you anymore.
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 That's a word of testimony.
00:28:25 --> 00:28:26 He don't come back
00:28:26 --> 00:28:29 because he doesn't want to be
00:28:29 --> 00:28:31 convicted of his own sin
00:28:31 --> 00:28:33 and he knows he can't live
00:28:33 --> 00:28:34 that way,
00:28:35 --> 00:28:36 giving a receipt every time.
00:28:36 --> 00:28:37 He doesn't come back.
00:28:39 --> 00:28:41 That's just a very small example.
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 But I think if the church
00:28:42 --> 00:28:43 does live the way
00:28:43 --> 00:28:44 that James is calling it to,
00:28:45 --> 00:28:47 it will live more abundantly
00:28:47 --> 00:28:47 than it does.
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 It will live more abundantly
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 than it does.
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 I'm not sure if you remember
00:28:53 --> 00:28:55 how the first Christian community
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 at the end of Acts 2
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 is described.
00:28:57 --> 00:28:59 They have everything in common.
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 They lack nothing.
00:29:01 --> 00:29:02 Why?
00:29:02 --> 00:29:03 Because they're convinced
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 that God has eternity
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 in his hands
00:29:05 --> 00:29:06 in the Lord Jesus Christ
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 so they are free
00:29:07 --> 00:29:08 to live in the present,
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 loving others.
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 And they do it.
00:29:15 --> 00:29:15 I don't think we're meant
00:29:15 --> 00:29:16 to dwell on
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 how they live there
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 but I think we're meant
00:29:18 --> 00:29:18 to go back
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 to what they were understanding
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 that freed them
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 to live the way
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 they lived.
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 So I think the church
00:29:24 --> 00:29:24 as it actually takes
00:29:24 --> 00:29:26 James seriously,
00:29:26 --> 00:29:26 God's word seriously,
00:29:27 --> 00:29:27 lives more abundantly
00:29:27 --> 00:29:28 than it does
00:29:28 --> 00:29:29 and it becomes
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 the oasis of love,
00:29:30 --> 00:29:32 hope and trustworthiness
00:29:32 --> 00:29:32 that every person
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 longs for.
00:29:35 --> 00:29:37 So when people see
00:29:37 --> 00:29:38 the church of Jesus Christ
00:29:38 --> 00:29:40 actually on about him
00:29:40 --> 00:29:42 and ready for future judgment,
00:29:43 --> 00:29:45 people want to come in
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 and be part of that.
00:29:47 --> 00:29:49 And here is another word
00:29:49 --> 00:29:49 of testimony.
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 I'll embarrass Jemima,
00:29:51 --> 00:29:53 our first daughter,
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 second child.
00:29:54 --> 00:29:56 She came into
00:29:56 --> 00:29:58 junior high,
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 middle school
00:29:58 --> 00:30:00 out of a different
00:30:00 --> 00:30:01 primary school
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 so she found herself
00:30:02 --> 00:30:04 new in her class
00:30:04 --> 00:30:05 and there were a number
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 of girls who were
00:30:06 --> 00:30:06 really keen for her
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 to be friends
00:30:07 --> 00:30:09 straight away.
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 And it became apparent
00:30:11 --> 00:30:12 pretty quickly
00:30:12 --> 00:30:13 that they just wanted
00:30:13 --> 00:30:14 to use her,
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 really her presence
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 and her new friendship
00:30:16 --> 00:30:20 and not only
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 would that be harmful
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 and hurtful to Jemima
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 but the way they behaved
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 amongst each other
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 wasn't good for them either.
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 So if I can put it this way,
00:30:27 --> 00:30:28 it was just their corruption,
00:30:29 --> 00:30:30 their personal corruption,
00:30:30 --> 00:30:31 looking out for themselves,
00:30:31 --> 00:30:32 for each other
00:30:32 --> 00:30:33 and trying to use each other
00:30:33 --> 00:30:35 that swept her up
00:30:35 --> 00:30:37 and hurt them.
00:30:38 --> 00:30:39 But as that became clear
00:30:39 --> 00:30:39 to Jemima
00:30:39 --> 00:30:40 and we wrestled with it
00:30:40 --> 00:30:41 as a family,
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 she decided
00:30:43 --> 00:30:44 that she wouldn't be like them.
00:30:44 --> 00:30:49 And as a result of that,
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 and I praise God
00:30:50 --> 00:30:51 for the way she acted in this,
00:30:52 --> 00:30:53 as a result of that,
00:30:53 --> 00:30:54 I think there were moments
00:30:54 --> 00:30:54 of loneliness.
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 But what happened was
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 she acted in a way
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 that was faithful,
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 that was not going to be moved
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 or swayed by what other people
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 thought or did
00:31:03 --> 00:31:05 and she actually became
00:31:05 --> 00:31:06 a point of reference
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 for other girls
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 to leave that friendship group
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 and become her friend.
00:31:12 --> 00:31:13 So the righteousness,
00:31:13 --> 00:31:13 I think,
00:31:13 --> 00:31:14 in her behaviour
00:31:14 --> 00:31:16 and finding her identity
00:31:16 --> 00:31:17 not in what the others
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 thought of them
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 but, I pray,
00:31:19 --> 00:31:21 fixing her eyes on Jesus,
00:31:22 --> 00:31:23 it meant that
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 her actions were used
00:31:24 --> 00:31:26 to free those girls
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 from the trap
00:31:27 --> 00:31:28 that they found themselves in.
00:31:29 --> 00:31:30 And so they started
00:31:30 --> 00:31:31 just to create
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 a new friendship group
00:31:32 --> 00:31:34 that was based on
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 trustworthiness,
00:31:35 --> 00:31:37 reliability and love
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 because it started
00:31:38 --> 00:31:40 with Jemima's actions.
00:31:40 --> 00:31:42 I think there's an image there
00:31:42 --> 00:31:43 of what the Christian church
00:31:43 --> 00:31:45 has actually been called to be
00:31:45 --> 00:31:47 and we need to work hard
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 on practising it
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 amongst ourselves
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 here,
00:31:49 --> 00:31:50 first and foremost.
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 So we've seen
00:31:52 --> 00:31:52 that the basis
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 of our behaviour
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 in the present
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 is the certainty
00:31:55 --> 00:31:57 of God's right judgement
00:31:57 --> 00:31:58 in the future
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 with the risen Jesus.
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 He is alive.
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 He is very good
00:32:02 --> 00:32:04 and he will judge.
00:32:04 --> 00:32:06 So let's re-read
00:32:06 --> 00:32:07 the passage
00:32:07 --> 00:32:08 just to conclude
00:32:08 --> 00:32:09 listening for James'
00:32:09 --> 00:32:10 certainty that Jesus lives.
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 Be patient then,
00:32:14 --> 00:32:14 brethren,
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 until the Lord's coming.
00:32:15 --> 00:32:16 See how the farmer
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 waits for the land
00:32:17 --> 00:32:18 to yield its valuable crop
00:32:18 --> 00:32:19 and how patient he is
00:32:19 --> 00:32:20 for the autumn
00:32:20 --> 00:32:20 and spring rains.
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 You too,
00:32:22 --> 00:32:23 be patient and stand firm
00:32:23 --> 00:32:25 because the Lord's coming
00:32:25 --> 00:32:25 is near.
00:32:26 --> 00:32:26 Don't grumble
00:32:26 --> 00:32:27 against each other
00:32:27 --> 00:32:29 or you will be judged.
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 The judge is standing
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 at the door.
00:32:32 --> 00:32:33 Brothers and sisters,
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 as an example of patience
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 in the face of suffering,
00:32:35 --> 00:32:36 take the prophets
00:32:36 --> 00:32:37 who spoke in the name
00:32:37 --> 00:32:37 of the Lord.
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 As you know,
00:32:39 --> 00:32:40 we consider blessed
00:32:40 --> 00:32:41 those who have persevered.
00:32:41 --> 00:32:42 You have heard
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 of Job's perseverance
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 and have seen
00:32:43 --> 00:32:44 what the Lord
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 finally brought about.
00:32:45 --> 00:32:46 The Lord is full
00:32:46 --> 00:32:48 of compassion and mercy.
00:32:49 --> 00:32:49 Above all,
00:32:49 --> 00:32:50 my brothers and sisters,
00:32:50 --> 00:32:51 do not swear,
00:32:52 --> 00:32:52 not by heaven
00:32:52 --> 00:32:53 or by earth
00:32:53 --> 00:32:54 or by anything else.
00:32:54 --> 00:32:56 Let your yes be yes
00:32:56 --> 00:32:57 and your no, no
00:32:57 --> 00:33:00 or you will be condemned.
00:33:01 --> 00:33:02 He stands at the door.
00:33:02 --> 00:33:03 He listens.
00:33:04 --> 00:33:05 Jesus is present.
00:33:05 --> 00:33:06 Jesus will return.
00:33:06 --> 00:33:08 James was sure.
00:33:08 --> 00:33:10 And Italians need
00:33:10 --> 00:33:11 the love
00:33:11 --> 00:33:12 and the certainty
00:33:12 --> 00:33:12 of that judgment
00:33:12 --> 00:33:13 to free them
00:33:13 --> 00:33:15 from this vicious cycle,
00:33:15 --> 00:33:16 downward cycle
00:33:16 --> 00:33:18 of corruption
00:33:18 --> 00:33:19 that kills
00:33:19 --> 00:33:20 in the present
00:33:20 --> 00:33:22 and in eternity.
00:33:22 --> 00:33:23 Let's pray.
00:33:26 --> 00:33:26 Father,
00:33:26 --> 00:33:27 please help us
00:33:27 --> 00:33:27 to examine
00:33:27 --> 00:33:28 our own convictions
00:33:28 --> 00:33:29 this morning
00:33:29 --> 00:33:30 of Jesus' resurrection.
00:33:30 --> 00:33:30 resurrection.
00:33:31 --> 00:33:32 James was sure.
00:33:33 --> 00:33:33 He had seen
00:33:33 --> 00:33:34 the risen Jesus
00:33:34 --> 00:33:36 and that changed
00:33:36 --> 00:33:37 his life,
00:33:37 --> 00:33:38 not only for the present
00:33:38 --> 00:33:39 but for the eternal future.
00:33:40 --> 00:33:41 Please help us
00:33:41 --> 00:33:42 to be like him.
00:33:43 --> 00:33:44 Please help us
00:33:44 --> 00:33:44 to be convinced
00:33:44 --> 00:33:45 not only of that eternity
00:33:45 --> 00:33:47 but the rightness
00:33:47 --> 00:33:47 of the judgment
00:33:47 --> 00:33:48 that will come.
00:33:49 --> 00:33:50 And so we ask
00:33:50 --> 00:33:50 that you'd help us
00:33:50 --> 00:33:51 to get ready today.
00:33:52 --> 00:33:52 And we pray
00:33:52 --> 00:33:53 not just for ourselves
00:33:53 --> 00:33:54 but for those
00:33:54 --> 00:33:54 who will see
00:33:54 --> 00:33:55 the church in action
00:33:55 --> 00:33:56 as it bows the knee
00:33:56 --> 00:33:57 to Jesus
00:33:57 --> 00:33:59 washes its own tongue,
00:34:01 --> 00:34:01 loves others,
00:34:02 --> 00:34:03 really does wait
00:34:03 --> 00:34:04 with great expectancy
00:34:04 --> 00:34:05 and certainty
00:34:05 --> 00:34:06 of Jesus' return
00:34:06 --> 00:34:08 so that we might
00:34:08 --> 00:34:08 actually proclaim
00:34:08 --> 00:34:09 your freedom,
00:34:09 --> 00:34:10 Father, in Christ
00:34:10 --> 00:34:11 and that other people
00:34:11 --> 00:34:12 might come into it too.
00:34:12 --> 00:34:13 In Jesus' name.
00:34:14 --> 00:34:14 Amen.
00:34:14 --> 00:34:14 Amen.