Download 2017-03-26 Life lessons from James #7 - George

Bikers Church Sermon Notes
26 March 2017
Life lessons from James #7
Relativism: The religion of the culture.
We have made an extraordinary transition from moral (concerned with goodness or
badness of character – right or wrong) absolutes to moral relativism. Moral problems
become medical ones and yesterday’s sinners become today’s patience. Ellen Goodman
By Pastor George Lehman
The squeezing of the times. Times won’t become easier!!!
Relativism means the theory that knowledge is relative to the mind and the condition of
knowing. The view that Godly truths depend on the individual that holds them.
James’ letter to the scattered believers of the first century is as up to date with the issues
of modern man as any bestselling author.
James 1:13-17 (NIV) – 13) When [not if] tempted, no one should say, “God is
tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
14) but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away
and enticed. 15) Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin,
when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16) Don’t be deceived, my dear
brothers. 17) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the
Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
James addressed the subject of relativism which is sweeping the Western world in this
Third Millennium.
Revelation 12:12 (NIV) – Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in
them! But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to
you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”
2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NIV) – 3) For the time will come when men will not put up
with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around
them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4)
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.
The prophets of this religion preach that morality (right or wrong) exists in relation to the
present culture.
They have no room for anything archaic [outyds] as longstanding moral absolutes (like
God’s word).
In other words, nothing is necessarily wrong if the culture is doing it.
Why follow teachings that suppress and limit their behaviour.
Bikers Church Sermon Notes
26 March 2017
It’s only wrong when I think it’s wrong.
“Wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it. Right is right even if no one is
doing it.”
Morality is a forgotten concept in our modern culture.
Morality is: Biblical systems of values and principles of conduct.
What’s even more sad is so few ever think about, much less speak of temptations
anymore.
Many Christians don’t want to hear this today.
Let us consider these few verses:
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV) – 19) The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual
immorality, impurity and *debaucher; 20) idolatry and witchcraft; hatred,
discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21) and
envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those
who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
*debaucher = excessive indulgence in sex, alcohol or drugs
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (NIV) – 9) Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit
the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor
idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10) nor
thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit
the kingdom of God. 11) And that is what some of you were. But you were
washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Ephesians 4:19 (NIV) – Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves
over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual
lust for more.
Ephesians 5:3-4 (NIV) – 3) but among you there must not be even a hint of
sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are
improper for God’s holy people. 4) Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or
coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
We just have to read the front pages of our newspapers almost daily. There’s basically no
restraint on words, actions or relationship.
Bikers Church Sermon Notes
26 March 2017
Clearly James’ word about temptation in verses 13-17 have never been more
appropriate or more applicable than in today’s amoral(having no moral principles)
climate.
James’ caution speaks to our own culture.
Note verse 16 - Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.
Having addressed external trials earlier in his letter to the church, he now turns our
attention to internal temptations.
Interesting, the Greek word translated in its noun [selfstandige naamwoord] form as
‘trials’ in James 1:2.
Noun – word used as a place or thing.
Its translated in its ‘verb’ as ‘tempted’ in James 1:13.
The context of these words provides for us a key to understanding the difference.
Previously James was discussing the ‘testing’ of our faith. He said, “Count it all joy
when you fall into various ‘trials’” v2.
Now he switched gears to highlight our inclination or tendency to sin. “Let no one say
when he is tempted, I’m tempted by God” v13.
In other words, the ‘trials’ come from without but the temptations come from within!
Paul said:
1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NIV) – 12) So, if you think you are standing firm, be
careful that you don’t fall! 13) No temptation has seized you except what is
common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond
what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out
so that you can stand up under it.
James was saying at it’s beginning the root the cause of temptation has an internal
source.
James then revealed its course. How it effects us, when we give in to temptation
Like all weeds, temptation has a root (a selfish desire), a shoot (a sinful decision) and a
fruit (a sure defeat).
Finally, James gave a caution about dealing with temptation that comes our way.
Bikers Church Sermon Notes
26 March 2017
James 1:16 (NIV) – Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.
We need to stay true to the word of God not any false religion of relativism.
God’s word is the absolute moral guideline for life.
Isaiah 40:8 (NIV) – The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our
God stands forever.
We need God’s boundaries in our life. After all, when is a train most free? When it’s
running on tracks or when it’s off the tracks?
Be very careful and very aware of any temptations – they want to derail your life.
*****