Providence Church

Another directive of the Lord Jesus says, "judge righteous judgment." It's judgment empty of selfishness, fleshliness, or self-serving thoughts. It's wise, godly and necessary judgment. After Jesus says, "judge not" he proceeds to say, "beware of false prophets." That cannot be done apart from "righteous judgment." This message identifies seven judgments believers must make. It leads us back to "Christ and Him Crucified."

Another directive of the Lord Jesus says, "judge righteous judgment." It's judgment empty of selfishness, fleshliness, or self-serving thoughts. It's wise, godly and necessary judgment. After Jesus says, "judge not" he proceeds to say, "beware of false prophets." That cannot be done apart from "righteous judgment." This message identifies seven judgments believers must make. It leads us back to "Christ and Him Crucified."

Through chapters three and four James is issuing a series of warnings. Following a list of ten imperative statements he adds another. He says, "speak not evil." This is self-righteous judgment of others in the congregation. He may have gotten this from Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount, "judge not." Here, the context is critical. Previously He said, "seek righteousness...take no thought of self." This message addresses both texts.

The Year of Jubilee is traced to Moses' writing in Exodus and Leviticus. Isaiah refers to it in Isaiah 61:1-2. Jesus identified His liberating work by it in Luke 4:17-19. Every fiftieth year Israel was supposed to let the year be a year-long Sabbath. All debts were to be forgiven, all land was to be returned to the family estates, all slaves were to be freed. No record exists showing Israel kept Jubilee. This Sabbath of Sabbaths pointed to Christ the spiritual Jubilee.

The Year of Jubilee is traced to Moses' writing in Exodus and Leviticus. Isaiah refers to it in Isaiah 61:1-2. Jesus identified His liberating work by it in Luke 4:17-19. Every fiftieth year Israel was supposed to let the year be a year-long Sabbath. All debts were to be forgiven, all land was to be returned to the family estates, all slaves were to be freed. No record exists showing Israel kept Jubilee. This Sabbath of Sabbaths pointed to Christ the spiritual Jubilee.

James concludes his address to the pleasure-seekers and begins his address on the ideals of the believer's behavior by exalting God's grace. This text is one of the most succinct statements found in the Scriptures on the virtues that God desires for His people. James accomplishes this with ten imperative statements. James issues a call to all who insist on fulfilling their natural lustful desires to abandon their thinking by humbling themselves.

James concludes his address to the pleasure-seekers and begins his address on the ideals of the believer's behavior by exalting God's grace. This text is one of the most succinct statements found in the Scriptures on the virtues that God desires for His people. James accomplishes this with ten imperative statements. James issues a call to all who insist on fulfilling their natural lustful desires to abandon their thinking by humbling themselves.

Jesus is in Nazareth, His hometown. Mark's words are "Christ could there do no mighty work." The harmony passage in Matthew says, "Christ did not many mighty works." What does Mark mean? This message locates some of the passages that support God's ability of God to do as He pleases wherever He pleases. Both writers give us a clue by referring to "unbelief." Mark specifies "there." Christ could not because He willed not to.

Jesus is in Nazareth, His hometown. Mark's words are "Christ could there do no mighty work." The harmony passage in Matthew says, "Christ did not many mighty works." What does Mark mean? This message locates some of the passages that support God's ability of God to do as He pleases wherever He pleases. Both writers give us a clue by referring to "unbelief." Mark specifies "there." Christ could not because He willed not to.

This is a passage of warning. James directly calls them "adulterers and adulteresses." He warns against making friends with the world. Its philosophy, religion and morality are the enemies of God. He calls them to grace. He gives them two exhortations: "submit to God" and "resist the devil." The first seven verses present the triumvirate of evil: the flesh, the world and the devil. Believers are in a lifetime battle.