I. Thriving in God’s Word (James 1:19-25)

A. Repent/Remove the filth. (James 1:21a; 1 Peter 2:1-2; 1 John 1:9)
1. Am I willing to repent of my sin?

B. Receive the Word. (James 1:21b; Matthew 13:23)
1. Am I willing to receive God’s Word with an open heart?

C. Respond by doing. (James 1:22; John 13:17; Psalm 19:12; Hebrews 4:12-13)
1. Am I willing to be corrected by the Lord and then act in obedience?

D. Remember the truth. (James 1:23-25)
1. Am I willing to be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only?
Application Questions:
1. How can I thrive in God’s Word and be a doer of the Word?
2. How has the Holy Spirit convicted my heart?
3. What changes can I make in my life?
4. How can I share this truth with others?

Thriving in God’s Wisdom (James 1:5-8; 3:13-18)

I. Thriving in God’s Wisdom (Proverbs 4:7)

A. Seven characteristics of God’s wisdom (James 3:17)

1. God’s wisdom is first pure. (James 3:17; Matthew 5:8)
2. God’s wisdom is peaceable. (James 3:17; Proverbs 14:30; Matthew 5:9)
3. God’s wisdom is gentle. (James 3:17; Psalm 103:10; Matthew 5:5; 11:28-30)
4. God’s wisdom is willing to yield. (James 3:17)
5. God’s wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits. (James 3:17; Matthew 5:7)
6. God’s wisdom is impartial. (James 3:17)
7. God’s wisdom is without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)

B. Living according to God’s wisdom (James 3:18)

Application:
God’s wisdom pertains to how one lives their daily life. It is not merely the possession of knowledge but the proper application of it that counts. How will you wisely apply the knowledge you have gained from today’s sermon? In what areas are you seeking wisdom?

For Further Study:
Read more about wisdom in Proverbs 1:7; 3:7; 4:6-7; 13:1; 14:8; 15:12; 29:11.

Thriving in Trials (James 1:1-4)

I. The Directive
A. “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,” (James 1:2)

II. The Reason
A. “knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1:3)

III. The Promise
A. “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:4)

Application:
How can you thrive in trials and have joy in Christ?

For Further Study:
How should we respond to trials according to 1 Peter 1:6-9?
How does God help us in our trials according to 2 Peter 2:9?

The Persecuted Church:
Read about the persecution Christians are facing in Nigeria at opendoorsusa.org. Pray for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.

Being Salt and Light

Matthew 5:13-16
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

I. You are the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13)

II. You are the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16; John 8:12)

A. They may see your good works (Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:15)

B. They may glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 6:20)

Application Questions:
How salty are you to the world around you?
How bright is your light shining to others?
Are you functioning as God intended for you to be, or is it time for some changes in your life?

For Further Study:
What does 1 John 1:5-7 tell us about being the light of the world?

Blessed Are the Peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)

“Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

I. What is God’s Peace (Shalom)? (Numbers 6:24-25; Romans 15:33; Hebrews 13:20; Colossians 1:20)

II. The paradox of being a true peacemaker (Matthew 10:34; Jude 1:3)

III. Peacemakers make peace by sowing righteousness (Isaiah 48:22; Jeremiah 8:11; James 3:18)

IV. Peacemakers draw their peace from God through Jesus (John 16:33; Romans 10:15)

V. Peacemakers actively work to reconcile men and women to God and to one another (Matthew 5:23-24: Mark 9:50; Romans 12:18; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

VI. They shall be called sons of God (Matthew 5:9)

Actions:
How will you be a peacemaker this week? Who will you make peace with today?

Blessed Are Those Who Are Persecuted (Matthew 5:10-12)

Matthew 5:10, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

I. What does it mean to be persecuted? (Matthew 5:10-12; John 15:18-20)

II. A Christian’s response to persecution

A. We must commit to living a consistent Christian life. (Matthew 5:3-9)
B. We must defend what is right and oppose what is wrong. (Ephesians 4:15; Esther 4:14)
C. We must respond to opposition in a godly fashion. (Luke 6:28; Matthew 5:43-45)

1. Pray (Matthew 5:43-45)
2. Bless (Luke 6:28; Romans 12:14)
3. Endure (1 Peter 2:20)

IV. Receiving the blessing

Application Questions:
1. Have you/do you pray for and advocate for persecuted Christians around the globe?
2. Do you pray for/bless those who oppose you?
3. Has following Christ caused you to be persecuted for your faith? Why or why not?
4. How have you defended the cause of Christ and the purity of the gospel?

Resources:
Book: Tortured for Christ by Richard Wurmbrand
Video: Watch a 6 minute video with scenes from the move Tortured for Christ to inspire you to pray for the persecuted church here
PDF Booklet: World Watch List 2018 download here
Newsletter: The Voice of the Martyrs here
Action: Write an encouraging letter to or petition on behalf of specific persecuted Christians here

They Shall Be Comforted (Matthew 5:4; James 1:16-18)

The book of James reminds us that God is good all the time, even during our hardest trials.

James 1:16-18 shows us three things we must remember during difficult times that will bring us comfort:

I. Remember God’s Love (James 1:16; Romans 8:38-39; John 3:16-17)

II. Remember God’s Goodness (James 1:17; Psalm 34:8)

III. Remember God’s Grace (James 1:18; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Timothy 1:9)

Suggestions for Prayer: Pray for individuals who are mourning that God would comfort them.

For Further Study: Read the entire chapter of James 1.

Action: Send a sympathy card or provide comfort in some other way to someone who is mourning.

“Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.” (Matthew 5:8)

I. What does it mean to be pure in heart?

A. What is the heart? (Proverbs 4:23; Matthew 15:19; Ephesians 6:6; Jeremiah 17:9; Psalm 51:10; 1 Samuel 16:7)
B. What is Purity? (Psalm 24:3-6; James 4:4, 8; Matthew 22:37)

II. What does it mean to see God?

A. We are admitted into His Presence (Exodus 33:14-15)
B. We are aware of His Glory. (Job 42:5; Exodus 34)
C. We are helped and comforted by His Grace. (Psalm 27:7-9)

III. Cultivating purity of heart

A. God is the One who purifies the heart through faith. (Titus 2:14; Acts 15:9)
B. Our hearts are purified by the Word of God. (Psalm 119:9, 11; Psalm 12:6; John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26)
C. Our hearts are purified through fiery trials. (Job 23:10; James 1:2-3)

Suggestions for Prayer: Ask the Lord for continued grace to live a pure life so others will see Christ in you.

For Further Study: Read the following verses, noting the characteristics of a pure heart: Psalm 9:1; 26:2; 27:8; 28:7; 57:7.

Blessed Are the Merciful (Matthew 5:7)

I. The elements of mercy
A. Forbearance
B. Compassion

II. Mercy as an attribute of God’s character (Exodus 34:6; 1 Chronicles 21:13; Nehemiah 9:31; Psalm 145:8-9; Luke 1:78; Romans 9:16; Ephesians 2:4; Hebrews 4:16; Titus 3:5; James 5:11; Micah 7:18-19)

III. The power of compassion (Luke 10:30-34)

IV. They shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7)

V. Practical applications

Suggestions for Prayer: Praise Jesus for being willing to suffer death that you might receive mercy. Is there someone you might show mercy to in some tangible way this week?

For Further Study: Read about mercy in the following verses: Matthew 6:14; Titus 3:5-6; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 2:13; and 1 Peter 2:9-10.

Blessed Are Those Who Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness (Matthew 5:6)

I. What is righteousness?

A. A righteous lifestyle sets Christians apart and invites opposition from the world. (Matthew 5:10)

B. True righteousness starts in the heart and changes a person from the inside out. (Matthew 5:20)

C. Disciples seek a righteousness that doesn’t need to be seen by others, but only by God. (Matthew 6:1)

D. Seeking “His righteousness” means letting His Word set the standard for your life and striving to do that which is pleasing to him. (Matthew 6:33)

II. The power of hunger and thirst (Proverbs 16:26)

A. Hunger and thirst are intense desires. (Psalm 42:1-2; 63:1)

B. Take action to satisfy your hunger and quench your thirst. (John 4:14; 6:35, 51)

C. Those that are filled are continually hungering and thirsting. (Matthew 5:6)

III. The Promise of Fulfillment (Matthew 5:6)

A. You will be filled with righteousness.

B. You will be filled with Jesus.

Suggestions for Prayer: Ask God to increase your hunger and thirst for righteousness. Look to Him in all things, knowing that He alone can satisfy.

For Further Study: Read Philippians 3:1-14. What does it mean to place confidence in the flesh? How did Paul define true righteousness?