Providence Church

The Lord Jesus provides a second parable. The first parable concerns the Sower of the Seed. The Sower is Christ; the seed is the gospel. The second parable concerns the Light of the World. In Matthew 5, Jesus says to His disciples "ye are the light of the world." In John 8, Jesus says "I Am the Light of the world." In the present parable Jesus is declaring His "doctrine" from verse two is the light. It cannot be put out or put under a bed. Its purpose is to shine forth.

The Lord Jesus provides a second parable. The first parable concerns the Sower of the Seed. The Sower is Christ; the seed is the gospel. The second parable concerns the Light of the World. In Matthew 5, Jesus says to His disciples "ye are the light of the world." In John 8, Jesus says "I Am the Light of the world." In the present parable Jesus is declaring His "doctrine" from verse two is the light. It cannot be put out or put under a bed. Its purpose is to shine forth.

James continues to exhort against partiality based on wealth. Here he says, let God's election be your guide. James uses three questions to make his point. They are rhetorical questions, meaning the answer is obvious. He looks to "our Lord Jesus Christ, the glory" from verse one, referring to Him by the phrase "that worthy name." James says, let us behave as His chosen ones because of "that worthy name."

James continues to exhort against partiality based on wealth. Here he says, let God's election be your guide. James uses three questions to make his point. They are rhetorical questions, meaning the answer is obvious. He looks to "our Lord Jesus Christ, the glory" from verse one, referring to Him by the phrase "that worthy name." James says, let us behave as His chosen ones because of "that worthy name."

Christ Jesus moves to teaching by parables. The first parable in each Gospel Account is the Parable of the Sower. Figuratively, Christ is the Sower. The seed is the Word of God but more than that it's the gospel. The ground is the world. The good ground is a figure of the chosen, redeemed, awakened and called ones. The difference is not the Sower or the Seed or the Ground, but the preparation of the Ground. God prepares the heart and mind of His elect to receive Christ.

A key word governs this text and the remainder of the second chapter. It's a little three letter verb, εχω, echo. It is an often-used New Testament word that here means to do or to practice. James says do not pretend to practice "the faith of our Lord" and remain partial. Parable: Two men come into the congregation. A partial usher shows favoritism to the well-dressed man. James scolds, NO! God's love does not consider external matters. We are not "judges."

Christ Jesus moves to teaching by parables. The first parable in each Gospel Account is the Parable of the Sower. Figuratively, Christ is the Sower. The seed is the Word of God but more than that it's the gospel. The ground is the world. The good ground is a figure of the chosen, redeemed, awakened and called ones. The difference is not the Sower or the Seed or the Ground, but the preparation of the Ground. God prepares the heart and mind of His elect to receive Christ.

A key word governs this text and the remainder of the second chapter. It's a little three letter verb, εχω, echo. It is an often-used New Testament word that here means to do or to practice. James says do not pretend to practice "the faith of our Lord" and remain partial. Parable: Two men come into the congregation. A partial usher shows favoritism to the well-dressed man. James scolds, NO! God's love does not consider external matters. We are not "judges."

After Jesus calls His twelve Disciples, He faces charges of delusion by some who have called themselves "friends." Then, He faces charges of being demoniac by the Scribes. He answers saying "blasphemy against the Holy Spirit has no forgiveness." The message asks the question, What is Blasphemy? The word is simply defined as speech that injures. We look at the Work of the Spirit to find our answer.

Pastor James speaks of "the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ." Boldly, he ties this section and all his correspondence to this reference. Theologically, this is called a soteriological statement. It's not that Jesus has faith as men have faith. Rather, Christ possesses and is the subject of "the faith." It is the single, settled body of truth. This message shows the many references to "the faith" and explains why it is given that definition.