Jam4:11-16 Faith That Is Humble

# Faith That Is Humble
## James 4:11-16

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# Do I want to take **control** of my life?

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## [James:](# "ref") Keep the **Faith**

| | | |
|---|---|---|
| [1:](# "ref") | Stands the *Test* | Change of Heart |
| [2:](# "ref") | Loves *Impartially* | *Acts* |
| [3:](# "ref") | Tames the *Tongue* | Shows *Wisdom* |
| [4:](# "ref") | *Mourns* Sin | Is **Humble** |
| [5:](# "ref") | Looks to Christ's *Return* | *Prays* |

******
[11](# "ref")
Brothers and sisters, 
do not **slander** one another.

Anyone who **speaks against** a brother or sister 
or **judges** them 
speaks against the **law** and judges it.

When you **judge** the law, you are not **keeping** it, 
but sitting in judgment on it.

[James 4:11-16 (NIV) (p.1/4)](# "ref")

******
[12](# "ref")
There is only one **Lawgiver** and **Judge**, 
the one who is able to **save** and **destroy**.

But you -- **who are you** to judge your neighbor?

[James 4:11-16 (NIV) (p.2/4)](# "ref")

******
[13](# "ref")
Now listen, you who say, “**Today** or tomorrow 
we will **go** to this or that city, 
spend a **year** there, 
carry on **business** and make **money**.”

[14](# "ref")
Why, you do not even know 
what will happen **tomorrow**.

What is your **life**? You are a **mist** that appears 
for a little while and then **vanishes**.

[James 4:11-16 (NIV) (p.3/4)](# "ref")

******
[15](# "ref")
Instead, you ought to say, 
“If it is the **Lord’s will**, 
we will **live** and **do** this or that.”

[16](# "ref")
As it is, you **boast** in your arrogant **schemes**. 
All such boasting is **evil**.

[James 4:11-16 (NIV) (p.4/4)](# "ref")

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## Faith That Is Humble
1. Control Over **Others** [(v11-12)](# "ref")
2. Control Over the **Future** [(v13,16)](# "ref")
3. Control Over my own **Life** [(v14-15)](# "ref")

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Do not **slander** one another.

Anyone who **speaks against** a brother or sister 
or **judges** them 
speaks against the **law** and judges it.

[James 4:11 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ *"slander"*, *"speak against*" (καταλαλεῖτε): speak evil of
+ *"judge"* (κρίνει): assess, sum up all known, and
  + pass **verdict** on person as a whole
+ bad **person** vs. person who has done bad **things**
+ but they **already** are judged:
  + by God's **law**
  + and God's **grace**
+ **re-judging** ⇒ **disputing** God's assessment
  + ⇒ judging God's **law**

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When you **judge** the law, you are not **keeping** it, 
but sitting in judgment on it.

[James 4:11 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ not a **doer** but a **judge**
+ forget we **also** are under God's law
+ work on **own** obedience first

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There is only one **Lawgiver** and **Judge**, 
the one who is able to **save** and **destroy**.

But you -- **who are you** to judge your neighbor?

[James 4:12 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ "*lawgiver*": auth to **set** law
+ "*judge*": auth to **decide** final assessment of a person
+ *"neighbor"*: not just brother in Christ

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Who are you to pass **judgment** 
on the **servant** of another?

It is before his own **master**  
that he stands or falls.

And he will be **upheld**, 
for the Lord is **able** to make him stand.

[Romans 14:4 (ESV)](# "ref")

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# How have I **judged** others?

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## Faith That Is Humble
1. Control Over Others [(v11-12)](# "ref")
2. **Control Over the Future** [(v13,16)](# "ref")
3. Control Over my own Life [(v14-15)](# "ref")

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“**Today** or tomorrow 
we will **go** to this or that city, 
spend a **year** there, carry on **business** 
and make **money**.”

[James 4:13 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ not general **aspirations** or even **plans**
+ but specific **predictions**: control future
+ believe edu ⇒ job ⇒ **respect**
+ mom: "**may I** ask for a sandwich, please?"
  + vs. "**you will** go to kitchen, make sandwich, bring to me"
+ **petitioning** God vs **demanding** of Him

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Do not be **anxious** about anything, 
but in **every** situation, 
by **prayer** and **petition**, with **thanksgiving**, 
present your **requests** to God.

[Philippians 4:6 (NIV)](# "ref")

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As it is, you **boast** in your **arrogant** schemes. 
All such boasting is **evil**.

[James 4:16 (NIV)](# "ref")

>>>
+ *"arrogant schemes"* (ἀλαζονείαις): charlatan, snake-oil,
  wandering salesman with empty boasts

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# Are my **plans** for the future
# **predictions**, or **petitions**?

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## Faith That Is Humble
1. Control Over Others [(v11-12)](# "ref")
2. Control Over the Future [(v13,16)](# "ref")
3. **Control Over my own Life** [(v14-15)](# "ref")

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What is your **life**? 
You are a **mist** that appears 
for a little while and then **vanishes**.

[James 4:14 (NIV)](# "ref")

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[27](# "ref")
All creatures **look to you** 
to give them their **food** at the proper time.

[28](# "ref")
When you **give** it to them, 
they **gather** it up;

when you **open your hand**, 
they are **satisfied with good** things.

[Psalm 104:27-30 (NIV) (p.1/2)](# "ref")

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[29](# "ref")
When you **hide your face**, 
they are **terrified**; 
when you take away their **breath**, 
they die and return to the **dust**.

[30](# "ref")
When you send your **Spirit**, 
they are **created**, 
and you **renew** the face of the ground.

[Psalm 104:27-30 (NIV) (p.2/2)](# "ref")

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Instead, you ought to say, 
“If it is the **Lord’s will**, 
we will **live** and **do** this or that.”

[James 4:15 (NIV)](# "ref")

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# Do I acknowledge God's **grace** in each **breath** of life?

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**Humble** yourselves before the Lord, 
and he will **lift** you up.

[James 4:10 (NIV)](# "ref")

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