The Epistle of James Practical Christian Living

© 2009 IBM Corporation James 4:1-12 Christ Baptist Church Fall 2014 1

The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12

Warning against Worldliness

Friendship with the world is enmity with God James 4:4 • How do you define worldliness?

• Give some examples of activities that some Christians might typically view as “worldly?” • How do we live “in” the world but not “of” the world?

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The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12

Warning against Worldliness

James 4:1, 11,12 - War with each other

1. What were some of the disagreements causing Christians to war with each other in James’ day?

2. What are some of the reasons Christians war against each other today?

Early Church

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Disagreements 1 Cor 6:1- 8 Gal 5:15 Eph 4:1-16 Phil 4:1-3

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Love each other Phil 1:9-10 John 13:34-35

3. Why are these wars particularly sad commentary on Christians today? (John 13:34-35) 3

The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12 • •

James 4: 11,12

Why is James so adamant about not slandering and judging others?

Warning against Worldliness

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Rom 1:29 2 Cor 12:20 Tim 3:3

4. What is the difference between the kind of judging encouraged in Matt 7:15-20 and the kind of judging discouraged in James 4:11-12 and Matt 7:1-5?

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The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12

Warning against Worldliness

James 4:1-3 - War with ourselves

5. Why does Dr. Wiersbe say that the essence of sin is selfishness?

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Personal Question: How can you relate to this?

6. How is it possible to spiritually rationalize our quarrels with other Christians? 7. How can a Christian pray wrongly?

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The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12

Warning against Worldliness

James 4:4-10 - War with God

8. Why do you think Wiresbe states that the first two wars are really caused by a third war – a war against God? – How do People declare war against God?

9. Why do you think it is often easy for the Christian to be drawn into friendship with the world?

Friendship with the world James 4:4 Loving the world John 2:15-17 Conforming to the world Rom 12:2 Condemnation with the world 1 Cor 3:11-15 6

The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12

Warning against Worldliness

• Thought question: Why does James address some of his readers as “adulterous people?” What does the phrase mean?

• What should be the Christian relationship with the world?

10. In James 4:6 what is the relationship between grace and pride?

Summarize the remedy James gives for being restored to God?

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The Epistle of James 4:1 - 12

Warning against Worldliness

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Going Deeper Psalm 63:1-11

– Look at all the actions and verbs used here to describe the psalmist’s relationship with God. What does this passage teach you about drawing near to God?

– In what ways is the passion and desire for God displayed in this psalm a mark of a true believer?

• Psalm 24:2-3 – What are the prerequisites to drawing near to God?

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