FAITH THAT WORKS (3)

(Message by Tanny Keng)

0. Introduction

a) James offers a larger number of similarities to the Sermon on the Mount than any other book in the New Testament. James relied heavily on Jesus' teachings.

1. Lesson: "When we humble ourselves and realize our need for God, he will come to us and lift us up."

a) Text reference: James 4:10; Matthew 5:3-4

i) ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10 NKJV)

ii) ³ “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. (Matthew 5:3-4 NKJV)

2. Lesson: "Don't slander or speak against others; it speaks against God's command to love one another."

a) Text reference: James 4:11; Matthew 7:1-2

i) ¹¹ Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. (James 4:11 NKJV)

ii) “Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Matthew 7:1-2 NKJV)

3. Lesson: "Treasures on earth will only rot and fade away - we must store up eternal treasures in heaven."

a) Text reference: James 5:2; Matthew 6:19

i) ² Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten. (James 5:2 NKJV)

ii) ¹⁹ “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19 NKJV)

4. Lesson: "Be patient in suffering, as God's prophets were patient."

a) Text reference: James 5:10; Matthew 5:12

i) ¹⁰ My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. (James 5:10 NKJV)

ii) ¹² Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:12 NKJV)

5. Lesson: "Be honest in your speech so you can say a simple "yes" or "no" and always be trusted."

a) Text reference: James 5:12; Matthew 5:33-37

i) ¹² But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment. (James 5:12 NKJV)

ii) ³³ “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ ³⁴ But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; ³⁵ nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. ³⁶ Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. ³⁷ But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Matthew 5:33-37 NKJV)

The End ...