April 28, 2019 - Pastor Josh Weisbrod

Key Idea: Will I follow Christ? // Key Passage: James 1

SUMMARY: We live in a culture that makes it easy to follow and unfollow. Is it giving us more power or is it robbing us of power?

God designed and created us, and provided us with instructions (the Bible) for how to follow Him. He gave us instructions, not to control us, but to make it easier to walk out a life of faith.
- IKEA example – Someone designed and created this piece of furniture, and provided the instructions for assembly. They put the instructions in the box, not to control you, but to make it easier to assemble.
Background Information about James
- Book of James written after the stoning of Stephen, the 1st martyr
- First letter of the New Testament, written to Christians who were scattered and persecuted
- These Christians had no Bible, no Temple for worship, no jobs, money, or resources, no family
- The question these Christians had to ask was, “Will I follow or unfollow Christ?”
- James 1:1 – James is a servant of God. James did not follow Jesus while he was alive, but after Jesus’ resurrection (Mark 3:20; John 7:5; 1 Corinthians 15:7) when James receives and experiences transformation.
- James became a pastoral father, the leader of the Jerusalem church
James 1:2-4
- It’s not that trials are joyful, it’s about having a new perspective founded on the power of the cross
- Perfect means wholeness, or unfractured integrity
- God’s plan for us is wholeness, redemption, restoration.
James 1:5-8
- We can collect knowledge (information) and lack wisdom (perspective).
- If we say we follow Christ, we always have a choice. If I say I follow Christ, but every time there is a storm, I’m all over the place, like a wave tossed up and down, I need to receive the wisdom, hope, and power that come from God.
James 1:9-12
- Our actions reveal our hearts. What we do matters. Our actions show what inhabits our hearts and shows what we actually believe.
- Note: This is NOT about salvation. You cannot work or earn heaven. You cannot do anything to make God love you more or less.
James 1:13-15
- God isn’t tempting us to see if we can handle it so we can get into heaven.
- When trials come, we are more tired and weak and need to be around others in the church who can help lift us up by praying and standing with us.
- He came to bring us life and free us.
James 1:16-19
- God isn’t tempting us to see if we can handle it so we can get into heaven.
James 1:20-27
- We hear and agree, but we don’t believe, accept, or allow Him to transform us.
- We must respond. Matthew 22:36-40 – Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.
- God sent the Holy Spirit to empower us.

Reflection: Throughout the week in your own time with the Lord, you can use these reflection questions as a way to deepen your relationship with God. Reflect on these questions in the presence of God, allowing the Holy Spirit to shine a light into your heart.

In what areas of my life is it easy for me to feel tossed and turned by the “waves” of what is happening in the moment? In those moments, who or what do I turn to?
Do I ever find myself collecting knowledge (information), rather than seeking God’s wisdom (perspective)? In what areas of my life do I lack wisdom? Do I ask God for his perfect wisdom, or do I seek out more information? Do I really believe that God will generously give me wisdom when I ask?
It’s easy to think our actions are independent from our heart. Actually, our actions reveal our hearts and what we really believe deep down. How easy is it for you to love God? What about your neighbor? What about yourself? God pours His love into our hearts so that we can love God, others, and ourselves with His perfect love. Ask God to fill you with more of His love.
What keeps me from following Him fully? What parts of my heart are difficult to surrender? The Christian faith is a journey of discovery and surrender, over and over. The deeper we go with Christ, the more we discover about Him and ourselves, and the more He asks us to surrender those things that keep us from fully experiencing all that He has for us—freedom, love, joy, peace, etc. Will I come to Him with my doubts, struggles, fears, anxieties, addictions, etc., believing that He loves me exactly as I am right now, and that He has the power to change me? Will I choose again today to follow Him?

FAQs:

What if I struggle with following Christ?
- Everyone struggles with fully following Christ. God is always present and always listening. He knows you better than you know yourself. Take your struggle to Him and ask Him for help. Talk to someone at church who is wearing a “How Can I Help You?” badge on Sunday, or share in your small group.
I want to read the Bible but I’m not sure where to start. I don’t have a Bible
- If you are not familiar with the Bible and you aren’t sure where to start, you can always start reading about the life of Jesus in the book of John in the New Testament. If you don’t have a Bible, let someone who is wearing a “Team Member” badge on Sunday morning that you don’t have a Bible and would like one.