WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

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For Sunday August 30, 2020

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TWO KINDS OF WISDOM

(Wisdom that comes from GOD gives us patience during suffering)

(James 3:13-18 and 5:7-12)

    One of the problems that we as humans face in life, whether we be Christian or non-Christian, is the problem of our own “worldly wisdom”. Our “self-serving” worldly wisdom causes us to harbor bitterness and ambition in our hearts, because we’ve, long ago, lost contact with the “Nature of GOD” that we were all born with. As a result of that, we become moved by a “world wisdom” that aids us in achieving “worldly selfish ends”, that leave others in ruin, in our wake.

    “Wisdom from GOD”, on the other hand, directs us into a pure, peace-loving, and submissive way of life, that, we will not, and cannot find, through our dealings in world wisdom. It is only through “the Word of GOD” that we can achieve the qualities of love, peace, unselfishness, and joy, and be of use to the GOD that created us all, Christians and non-Christians.

    We need to become accustomed to living by the GODly wisdom that will ultimately bring us a harvest of righteousness through CHRIST JESUS, our LORD. We must learn to speak with thoughtful speech, and always let our words reflect the wisdom that comes from GOD HIMSELF, at all times (James 3:13-18).

    In the biblical Greek, the word used for “patience in longsuffering” is “makrothumia”. It describes “a spirit that never grows irritated, never despairs, and never regards anyone as being beyond salvation”. In James chapter 5, taking up at verse 7, James encourages the Christian Church to be “patient even in suffering” as we wait on the “LORD’s return”, or, “second coming of CHRIST JESUS”. We must be like the farmer who eagerly awaits the rains in the Fall and early Spring, so that he may realize a bumper crop that will feed himself and his family (v.7).

    The Greek term, “apokaradokia”, can also be applied in this passage as “it describes the attitude of a person who scans the horizon, with their heads stretched forward, as he or she eagerly anticipates the first signs of the coming of the glory of GOD”. Here James is saying that Christians should patiently wait, and take courage, because the LORD’s blessing are soon coming to those who have faith and believe in HIM (v.8).

    We do not have to lose heart and start grumbling among each other when things are not going right, or, like we think that things should go. Our “worldly wisdom”, the kind we must try to rid ourselves of, can dictate to us, a kind of negativity that causes us to become violent, critical, bitter, self-serving, and divisive.

    GOD will judge us when we bicker among ourselves, and perhaps, HE may even extend our suffering, for we know that GOD is standing at the door and sees our every action. In fact, our bickering and fighting, which is fueled by our “worldly wisdom”, produces, in itself, a painful suffering, that, can and will, destroy us if we persist in it.

    James says that “the patience of Job” is one of our great examples of “enduring patience” (“hypomonen” in the Greek – “steadfast perseverance”) (v.11b). From Job’s experiences we see how the LORD’s plan ultimately works for the greater good and shows how GOD’s tenderness and mercy manifests itself through, seemingly, insurmountable troubles.

    Access to “GODly wisdom”, like all of GOD’s “communicable attributes” (“GOD’s Nature”, which HE shares only with mankind), is readily available to everyone who seeks it. In fact, it is an invisible quality that is stored within our souls from birth. However, wisdom’s characteristics are clearly visible, and they can be manifested in our daily activities for everyone to see.

    GODly wisdom presents itself in the form of “pure motives” and “attitudes”. It is a “sweet reasonableness” that extends “grace”, and treats others, as we ourselves, want to be treated.

James ends this passage by reminding us about “oaths” or “making promises that we cannot or will not keep”. We should not sin by swearing oaths when we are clearly “not in control of the future” or what it will bring. Because our patient waiting requires us to lead such an honest life, “our integrity”, rather than an oath, should convince others that we are speaking the truth.     

   

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday August 23, 2020

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CONTROLLING THE TONGUE

(Our words should honor GOD)

(James 3)

   When JESUS becomes the LORD of our hearts, HE also automatically becomes the LORD of our thoughts, and, our tongues. Not many people should become teachers in the Christian Church, because those who teach will be judged by GOD with greater strictness (James 3:1). Those who know better are given a greater responsibility to live and behave better, and thereby, they are able to save others through their words and wise examples.

    After explaining the Christian characteristics of “patience” in chapter 1, and of “truth”, in chapter 2, James, the brother of JESUS, now moves on to the subject of “Christian maturity” here in chapter 3. Here he endeavors to explain the all-important characteristic of “a Christian being able to control his or her thoughts and tongues”.

    In this passage, James begins by discouraging the efforts, or ideas of too many people seeking to be teachers in the Christian Church. Here he reminds us that teachers are evaluated by GOD in a “much stricter manner” than everyone else in the Church. To teach GOD’s Word is the most serious of undertakings and must by no means be taken lightly.

    While it may be a “great privilege” to teach, such a calling comes with an even “greater responsibility and dedication”. Perhaps the greatest responsibility of all is “controlling the tongue” with which we teach. In fact, James says, that, if we are successful in doing so, we should also be able to control ourselves in every other area of our lives (v.2).

    The mature Christian must “be patient in troubled times”, “practice the truth”, and, “exercise power over his or her own tongue” constantly. Our words must always reflect GOD’s wisdom, and not, the wisdom of the world. Thus, James is saying here in this passage, that, “controlled talk”, and “cultivated thought” are always, both, necessary.

   As Christians, we must not be prone to gossip, sarcasm, or trying to hurt or destroy one another with the words that we speak. The tongue is a small, but powerful instrument, and with it, we have the power to direct (Vs.1-4), destroy (Vs.5-8), or delight one another (Vs.9-12). We can use the tongue, to both, praise GOD, and, to “curse”, or “cuss” those who are made in the image of GOD.

    In verses 3-5a, James uses the examples of “a horses bit”, which is used to control the horse’s direction, and “a rudder”, which is used to pilot, or steer a ship in any direction, even in a storm. As small as these two items are, they are amazingly effective in controlling the powerful horse, and the massive ship in the storm. The human tongue can be likened to that in its size-to-power ratio. It can be a great director of GOD’s wisdom, as it is taught to others, or, it can be a great destroyer, and do tremendous damage to mankind if its teachings are false.

    Also, in this passage, in verses 5b-6, James likens the tongue to “a tiny spark” that can set off “a great forest fire”. He tells us that the tongue can be “a flaming fire”, full of wickedness, that can ruin a person’s whole life. It can turn the course of a person’s life into “a blazing flame of destruction” that seems to have been set by hell itself.

    Even a person who possesses a faith that produces many works, will still have to meet many challenges along their Christian walk. Among the first of those challenges is to learn to deal with the very tongue that has always been with them. The tongue can be uncontrollable, and it exerts a tremendous amount of influence, good or bad, into the lives of all people.

    The term, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”, is a statement that is a classic example of “worldly wisdom”, and is in fact, “a lie”. Words can sometimes “cut to the bone”, even more deeply than sticks and stones, and can indeed, be very painful, and can hurt, even for a lifetime.

    The words of our tongue changes only when our “thought process” (“kardia”- “heart” in the Greek, which means “the way we think”) changes. Our own mind is the master of our tongue, and, as Christians, our thought process must be more reflective of GOD, and more fixed on the will of GOD. Thereby, our goal should be, that, “we share the mind of CHRIST” in all of our decision-making. Until “our hearts”, or, “thought processes” are changed by the Word of GOD, we will not ever be able to tame our tongues, nor, replace “worldly wisdom” with “the wisdom and knowledge of GOD”.

    Another problem that we as humans all face in life, whether we be Christian or non-Christian, is the problem of our own “sin nature”, which causes us to harbor bitterness and ambition in our hearts. As a result of that, we become moved by a world wisdom that aids us in achieving “worldly”, “selfish ends” that leave others in ruin in our wake.

    Wisdom from GOD, on the other hand, directs us into a pure, peace-loving, and submissive way of life under GOD, that, we will not, and cannot, find through our dealings in world wisdom. It is only through “the Word of GOD” that we can achieve these qualities and be of use to the GOD that created us all, Christians and non-Christians.

    We need to become accustomed to living by the GODly wisdom that will ultimately bring us a harvest of righteousness through CHRIST JESUS. We must learn to speak with thoughtful speech, and always let our words reflect the wisdom that comes from GOD HIMSELF.

    However, this does not mean that we will not ever “offend” others, while we are “defending” the Word of GOD (the Gospel) with our speech, in the world. And hopefully, we ourselves, as Christians, will not be offended either, when we are “rebuked” for going against the Word of the GOD we say we serve and represent, in this world.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander 

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

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WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

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For Sunday August 16, 2020

 

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FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD

(Faith in GOD is manifested through good deeds)           

(James 2:14-26)

 

   Faith that does not manifest itself through good deeds is equivalent to “no faith at all”, and indeed, is dead and worthless in the eyes of GOD (James 2:17). GOD gauges our “faith” directly by our “actions”, and what we say may mean very little to HIM. In fact, man has continued to prove, over time, that “he seldom does what he says he will do”. However, on the contrary, man always, 100% of the time, “does that which is in his heart”.

    And so, man’s “heart” (“kardia” in the Greek - “innermost thoughts”) remains the barometer by which GOD gauges the faith of HIS greatest creation. For HE never takes into account what good a man might proclaim with his lips, unless it coincides with what’s in his heart, and is manifested in his actions. In other words, for GOD to give credit to the good and righteous things that we might proclaim with our lips, what we say must agree with what’s in our “heart”, or, what is ultimately manifested in our actions (which is the result of our innermost thoughts)

     It is the duty of the Christian to build his or her foundation on “the Most High Faith”. We have the charge from CHRIST to demonstrate our love by readily and willingly accepting others, and, by our volition to serve and aid our fellowman whenever, and wherever, the need exists. True faith in GOD, always manifests itself through good deeds, and it serves as evidence of who we really are on the inside.

This section of James’ doctrinal letter to the Jewish Christians begins with two probing questions.

 

·         What’s the use of saying you have faith, if you don’t prove it by your actions? (v.14)

·         What good does it do to believe that there is only one GOD, if you don’t act accordingly, by obeying only HIS commandment to show love to one another, through our acts of good deeds towards one another? (Vs.19-20)

 

    Both of these questions help us to focus squarely on the relationship between “Faith and Works”. In his first question James asks, “What good is it?”, or “Of what advantage can it be if our faith in GOD doesn’t manifest itself in our good deeds? Here James wants us to envision a man who “says he is a Christian” simply because he thinks he has faith. However, this same man has not exhibited any good, or GODly works as a result of that said faith.

    This man, for instance, “hasn’t endured any trials or temptations”, “doesn’t have the right attitude towards wealth”, “doesn’t eagerly receive GOD’s Word into his heart”, and “doesn’t care for orphans or widows”. “He often shows favoritism toward certain people”, and “exhibits all of the “bad fruit” that James had previously mentioned in this letter.

    Intellectual acceptance of GOD is not, by itself, a “Saving Faith”, because, even demons know that GOD exists (v.19). A “Saving Faith” will always have “a discernible positive impact” on a person’s “attitude” and “behavior”. Faith that does not produce “good fruit” in our life, and, in the lives of others, is NOT “a Saving Faith”, and “cannot save anyone from the penalty” that GOD imposes on our sin.

    In verses 20-26, James uses the examples of Abraham (Genesis 22:16-18) and Rahab (Joshua 2:1-7) to help us distinguish between “Professed Faith” and “Saving Faith”. In Genesis 22, Abraham, who was declared “righteous” by GOD, had to “show his faith through his actions” by offering up his own son as a living sacrifice to GOD, simply because GOD asked him to, and without understanding why.

    In Joshua 2, Rahab, a Gentile woman, acted on her faith in GOD by risking her life, and the lives of her family to protect the men of GOD who had come to spy out her homeland. And so here, it becomes increasingly clear that, we are made right with GOD by our righteous deeds, and not just, by faith alone (James 2:21-25). And just as the body is dead without a spirit, so also, “faith is dead without good deeds” (v.26).

    “Saving Faith” is a faith that is manifested through “good works” before and under GOD, “even while under pressure and duress” from “our emotions”. Any so-called faith that is not accompanied by good works is not a faith that can save a person from eternal damnation. People like Abraham and Rahab show “a dynamic obedience to GOD under pressure and duress”, that can only be considered as “Saving Faith”.

 

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander    

 

 

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

 

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

 

            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

 

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website

 

WEEKLY SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

An international Sunday school lesson commentary

For Sunday August 9, 2020

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HEARING AND DOING THE WORD

(Wisdom requires that we act upon the Word of GOD)

(James 1:19-27)

    In James’ doctrinal letter to the Jewish diaspora, in chapter 1, verses 19-27, he borrows a thought from his brother, JESUS’ powerful “Sermon on the Mount”. In fact, here we see the same strong, positive, divine advice that JESUS HIMSELF imparted to us that day, as HE ended HIS most famous discourse, on the slopes of the Mount of Beatitudes, way back in the first century. It was a demand from our LORD and SAVIOR that we first “hear”, and then “do”, exactly what GOD created us to do (Matthew 7:24-29).

    We can begin to build our foundations on the “Most High Faith”, which is “Christianity”, by first, being quick to listen to the Word of GOD. Secondly, we must think before we speak, and then, last, but certainly not least, we must maintain “self-control”, to the point that we will become “slower and slower to anger” with each coming day.

    James says, and rightfully so, that our anger can never make things right in GOD’s sight (v.20). We, as GOD’s greatest creation (mankind), need to face ourselves spiritually, and then, strive to improve our spiritual appearance under GOD. We also need to get rid of the “filth” and “evil” (“ryparian”-which is “moral filth”) in our lives, and “humbly accept the message that GOD is seeking to implant in our hearts”. This will, in turn, “save our souls” from eternal destruction and damnation (v.21).

    The Scriptures describe “the wise” as being those who have the faith and courage to put GOD’s Word into action, starting with their own life. They first, “hear and see” what the Scriptures say, and they don’t try to change it, or water it down, as so to pretend that they don’t have to change very much in the life that they currently lead, before they can line up with GOD’s standards.

    Every person, before they can come to CHRIST, must be willing to make “radical changes” in the way that they live. They must, first, “recognize that they need GOD”. This admission will give a person the courage that they need, in order to “earnestly repent”, and then “humble themselves” so that we can receive the good things that GOD so desires to give us.

    As a final thought, I leave you with this bit of wisdom. There is only one word that sums up the process of “hearing and doing”, in both the English language, and, in the original biblical Greek. In the biblical Greek, that word is “hupakoe” (hoop-ak-o-ay), and it means, “to listen attentively”, and, “to heed or conform to command or authority”. And in the English language, that one word is “obedience”.

     It is JESUS’ claim that “obedience to HIM” is the only “true foundation”. “I AM the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE”, is what HE said to a “doubting Thomas” in John 14:6. In the final analysis, all we, as human beings, ever really seek “knowledge” for, is to pursue and obtain a better life for ourselves, and, for our families. For we never seek knowledge just for knowledge sake, but rather, for how that knowledge can be used to make our lives more worth living.

    It is JESUS’ contention that “life through HIM” is the only life worth living. No one can go to GOD the FATHER, except by JESUS. HE alone, is “the Way” to GOD. In HIM, we see exactly what GOD is like. And only HE, can usher us into GOD’s OWN glorious presence, without fear, without guilt, and, without shame.

    Primarily, the professed Christian must come to understand that the only way to a “better life” has always been, and, will forever be, through CHRIST JESUS our LORD, WHO is the LIVING WORD of GOD. If we keep looking steadily into GOD’s WORD, the truth of HIS WORD will ultimately set us free. And, if we “do” what GOD’s WORD says, and don’t forget what we saw and heard, GOD will bless us for doing so, for all eternity. Amen.

A Sunday school lesson by,

Larry D. Alexander

Larry Dell Alexander (1953–) - Encyclopedia of Arkansas

LARRY D. ALEXANDER'S BOOK BY BOOK BIBLE STUDY

larrydalexanderbiblestudies.blogspot.com

            Larry D. Alexander's Books and Publications Spotlight

Larry D. Alexander - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

                                 

                                           LARRY D. ALEXANDER- Official Website