Sunday Sermon

The Real Enemy? Dave Shaner August 24, 2003

Introduction: Most would rather switch than fight, but we would rather switch the blame when we do fight than get called on the carpet. James is dealing with angry people.

Text: James 4:1-6

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."

James 3:18

Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

Many defend their quarreling by saying they are standing for truth. But God's wisdom does not start selfish quarrels.

I. The war ____________ always originates with the war ____________.

A. James 1:13

When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

B. Proverbs 13:10

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.

C. I John 3:15

Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.

II. Factors of War:

A. _______________.

You want something but don't get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.  - James 4:2

B. _______________. - James 4:2

1. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  - James 1:17

2. The purpose of prayer is not to make us more self-centered.

C. _______________.

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.  - James 4:4

III. Putting out the war:

A. Remember that God is ______________.

Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?  - James 4:5

B. Remember that God is ______________.

But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."   - James 4:6

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