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Call to worship: Acts 17:22-31
Text: James 4:13-5:6
Summary:
James turns his attention to those who might have presumed upon the grace of God. He gives a warning to the business people in the churches. They've come to view their life in a godless way. They assume control of their life, their lives, and their livelihood. James moves swiftly to bring God back into view and, with Him, the truth that grounds our lives and reorients them towards the humility that makes us rich in righteousness. James then warns the unrighteous rich in the assembly. By a series of denunciations, he charges them to weep and howl! Neglecting mercy, they can expect miseries. Luxuriating in their wealth, the Christian martyr (at their hands) will show them just how poor they really are. These have presumed upon the grace of the Lord of their lives and, if they don't repent, they will be repaid. He's standing at the door.
Sermon Outline:
- A sobering word for the presumptuous profiteer: you are a mist. (4:13-17)
- A searing word for the presumptuous rich: weep and howl. (5:1-6)
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Discussion Questions:
- Read James 4:13-5:6.
- From 4:13, who is James addressing? From the details of 4:13-17, what can we surmise about this person? How does James sober their godless way of viewing their day to day plans? Is James against making plans or profits? James says their words in 4:13 are a form of evil and arrogant boasting. In what ways does it also lead to sin?
- Perhaps the next character helps us to answer that last question. From 5:1, who is James now addressing? How might the presumptuous profiteer relate to the presumptuous rich? What does James charge these persons to do? Why?
- How does James seek to show such persons the poverty of their riches? What of the riches themselves (5:2-3)? What of their treatment of their laborers (5:4)? What of their securities over against the righteous person (5:5-6)? Who is the truly rich and profitable person (look ahead to 5:7)?
- How does the presumption of these characters relate to God's grace in 4:6? God's will in 4:15? Christ's return in 5:7? The fate of the double-minded in 1:5-12 and 4:8? How are these warnings expressions of love for the souls in need of them?