FAITH IN THE FIRE
Study of the Book of James
April 19, 2020


God’s Will for every person is PERSONAL GROWTH and MATURITY.

The book of James defines what maturity means.

WHAT MATURITY IS NOT:

MATURITY IS NOT AGE

MATURITY IS NOT APPEARANCE

MATURITY IS NOT SUCCESS

MATURITY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH EDUCATION

GOD SAYS MATURITY IS DETERMINED BY ATTITUDE

5 MARKS OF MATURITY

A MATURE PERSON IS POSITIVE UNDER PRESSURE

"Consider it pure joy, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith develops perseverance and perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

"Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12

A MATURE PERSON IS SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE.

"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, `Love your neighbor as yourself' you are doing right." James 2:8

"At that judgment they will stand before the Lord and they'll say, `I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and in prison and you visited me.' We'll say, `When, Lord, when did we do that? When were you sick and we visited you? When were you in prison and when were you thirsty and we gave you drink?' Jesus said, `Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these, my brethren, you have done it unto Me.'" Matthew 25:34-40

A MATURE PERSON HAS MASTERED HIS MOUTH

"We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check." James 3:2

Definition of gossip: hearing something you like about somebody you don't

"Do not let any negative talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building up others according to their needs..." Ephesians 4:29

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless." James 1:26

A MATURE PERSON IS A PEACEMAKER NOT A TROUBLEMAKER

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you?" James 4:1

"When you ask you do not receive. But you ask with the wrong motives that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3

1st cause of conflict: selfishness

"Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it... There is only one lawgiver and judge, one who is able to save and destroy. But you, who are you to judge your neighbor?" James 4:11-12

The other source of conflict: judging others

A MATURE PERSON IS PATIENT AND PRAYERFUL

"Be patient then, brothers, until the Lord's coming... As you know, we consider blessed those who persevere." James 5:7a, 11b

"The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:16b

"Be patient then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.
See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, how patient he is for the fall and spring rain.
You too be patient. Stand firm because the Lord's coming is near. Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged." James 5:7 - 9

"Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it wouldn't rain and it didn't rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed and the heavens gave rain and the earth produced its crop."
James 5:16 - 18

How Do You Rate Your Maturity?

Are you positive under pressure?
Are you sensitive to other people?
Can you manage your mouth?
Are you a troublemaker or are you a peacemaker?
Are you patient and prayerful?