Points of Meditation & Reflection
Sermon Title &Text “An Audience of One” James 4:6-10
Faith in Action! In this series we want to move from simply the mention of having faith to tangibly putting it into action by
exercising faith in life’s challenges.
1. We all have points of worldly focus (last week) but God gives us greater grace God opposes the proud but gives greater grace to the humble. God exalts us through our humility.
2. God yearns jealously over the spirit He has made to dwell in us. Therefore, God gives us greater/more grace than our sinful desires [cf Rom 5:20].
3. Grace is God’s inexhaustible depth of forgiveness and blessing.
4. God opposes those that are proud. But God gives grace those that are humble. Humility is not a destination but a position. Humility is a continually bowed heart before the Lord. The world opposes humility in demand of pride. God opposes pride in demand of Humility.
5. A Humble Person puts their Faith in Action and Moves From Pride:
a. Submit Yourselves v7
b. Close the Gap v8
c. Confront Sin v9
6. Our responsibility is to Humble ourselves. God’s promise to exalt those that humble themselves – cf Mt 23:12
Notes:
Lord, we pray these notes and this message are a source of strength, guidance, and spiritual deepening for us all. Amen.
Edward
Everyday Jesus: James 4:6-10
To get along with people and shun worldliness we have to live for an Audience of One, in humility.
• Monday: Read James 4:1-10. Our fights are the outgrowth of our passions warring inside of us. However, God yearns jealously over the spirit in us. Therefore, God gives us greater/more grace than our sinful desire and worldly influences. God’s Grace is defined as, His inexhaustible depth of forgiveness and blessing. Begin your week by thanking God in prayer, for His Grace.
• Tuesday: Read James 4:1-10. God opposes the proud but God gives grace to the humble. Ask God to show you where points of unhealthy pride are at work in your life and therefore hindering God’s presence in that area of your life.
• Wednesday: In James 4:5-10, the first step in moving from Pride to Humility is to Submit Yourself to God as you resist the devil. In your prayer time today, ask God where you are not submitting your whole self to God and therefore allowing the Devil and foothold in your life.
• Thursday: Read James 4:5-10, the second step in moving from Pride to Humility is to Close the Gap (Draw Near) between you and God. James specifies that, that includes both our actions and our hearts being cleansed and purified from double-mindedness. Meditate on v8 and seek the Lord for areas where actions or your heart for God can be labeled as double-minded.
• Friday: Read James 4:5-10, in v9, to develop a deeply humble relationship with God we must reject and then completely turn from sin. Are their places in your life where you have become comfortable with sin?
• Saturday: Read James 4:5-10, when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He exalts us. That is completely different from how we think about getting ahead in life. Write out and/or tell God via prayer how this verse deepens your understanding of the relationship He desires to have with you.