Sermons

Joshua and Israel have just been tricked into a peace treaty with the Gibeonites. This was a major blunder. They are trying their best to devote themselves to Yahweh by obeying the commandments, taking the Promised Land, and eradicating the inhabitants of the land. With the Gibeonite peace treaty, they have failed in every way possible. All the "border walls" that were put in place to keep them separate from the Canaanites had been crossed. Suddenly, the Gibeonites cry out to Israel to save them from attack - how will Joshua respond? Will the "border walls" be crossed in order to save the Gibeonites?

In the book of James we have a classic example of discipleship in 5 chapters. James is walking through life with these people, using real life struggles to point them back to Jesus. He is saying: "Watch me as I do it, and now go do it on your own." He is being his brother/sisters keeper leading them back to Jesus every step of the way. He is on the phone with us over the centuries saying, “Whoa! You are driving against traffic, turn around!” And as he gets us turned around, he urges us to scan the freeway and find someone else to help. James caps off this 5 chapter letter to these people reminding us that you are in fact your brother/sisters keeper. He has spent 5 chapters on that very idea. What does that mean?

James continues to drive his listeners to the understanding of how to live a life of faith that is rooted in God’s grace and His promises to us as community. And, he does this by telling us what patience is and giving examples. James is urging us to think long into the future; to patience in a life of faith & integrity. What does that look like?

James' message to us is that we war with each other, with ourselves, and with God. The only answer to this is submission, drawing near, and humility before God; to bring deeds & faith together reflecting a heart for God. Submission is a military term. If a private starts to think he can make the calls of a general the war is hamstrung, but if he knows his place the general can map out a path of victory. We are too often the private saying we know better than the general; and we become a part of the problem, rather than the solution. Lot moved into Sodom and brought trouble to his family. David committed adultery and brought trouble to his family and kingdom. Jonah disobeyed God and almost sent a shipload of sailors to a watery grave. In each case, there was a wrong attitude toward the will of God. We need to understand the will of our general in the battle of life. And when we do so we become the peacemaker. Yet too often we regard the will of God as something dangerous or distasteful. However, the whole council of Scripture proclaims the opposite, that to be outside of the will of God is the dangerous and uncomfortable place to be. You have heard people say, “I would love to give my life to the Lord, but I’m afraid he will ask me to do something dangerous”. Yet, Scripture teaches that the best place for you to be is in God’s will. James outlines three attitudes we take towards God’s will: we can ignore, disobey, or just obey. What are we choosing to do?