September 20 2009    Reading:  James 4

 Text: James 4.7 Submit yourselves, then, to God

J. M. Barrie, who was later to write Peter Pan

wrote several books about a town called Thrums, based on his hometown of Kirriemuir in Angus. He often describes Church life in the 1850’s, taking a wry look at the Auld Licht kirk, as it was called. He tells us how an elderly lady, Mistress Tibby McQuhatty nearly split the congregation.

Mr. Dishart, the new, young minister, had been in post for only a year or two when he introduced an innovation. Before the organ came in the old custom was for the precentor, the man who led the unaccompanied singing of the psalms,

to read out one line at a time - he read it out, and then the congregation sang it.

The unheard of innovation was this: Mr. Dishart the minister told the precentor to read out the whole verse of the psalm, then sing it. Which he started to do one Sunday morning. Whereupon Tibbie McQuhatty got up from her pew, went outside and stood there until the psalm was finished. This went on for a few Sundays, every time the psalms were sung, until one Sunday somebody blocked the front door. There was, we are told, an ungodly disturbance and great was the hubbub...........

disturbance and great hubbub...........

that’s what was happening in the congregations to which the apostle James was writing, in his letter the letter of James

disturbance, great hubbub.

What causes fights and quarrels among you ?

he writes to a congregation, somewhere to the north in Syria.

What causes fights and quarrels among you........ ?

We might well be startled or shocked by reading these words

because much of the time we expect the Word of God to put before us

comfort, heavenly life, peace within ourselves, harmony with others

just as weary travellers in the heat of the desert might see

a green oasis, see green palm trees and shrubs in front of them

and know they have found a place of rest, and refreshment, of cool springs of fresh water,

we expect the Word of God to put before us

comfort, heavenly life, peace within ourselves, harmony with others

Instead in the letter of James we have these words,

concerning disturbance, great hubbub.

What causes fights and quarrels among you ?

he asks.

Well, one answer we might give today would be that the believers James is writing to were in a very stressful real world situation

in very difficult circumstances indeed. We read about it in the book of Acts: 8 and 11

in about 35 or 40 AD, the church in Jerusalem began to suffer cruel persecution. All the believers, except the apostles were scattered throughout the provinces of Judaea and Samaria................scattered they went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch.......

Christian men and women were in situations, which were testing them to the limits, to the very limits. They were facing tests and challenges of all kinds.

Here the church was uprooted, and in exile. There were Christian people who had lost everything in the persecutions - shops, homes, farms, small businesses.

and were far from the day to day life of regular worship, meetings for prayer and and so on.

And on occasion things became too much, arguments started, recriminations flew back and forward. This is why James is so direct, so tough.........in what he writes.

Just as you would shout loudly over the top of a great hubbub to bring order and quietness, so James writes very directly, bluntly to these congregations.

What causes fights and quarrels among you ?

But he says nothing about stress.............

instead, says James, these quarrels come from desires that battle within you.........

this is your human nature taking over............

James, in deep wisdom can see that the situation they are in threatens to overwhelm them

and he writes this letter to get them back on track........

Some letters in the New Testament, the letter to the Hebrews for example, are addressed to believers suffering in great times of trial and trouble. And are written to strengthen and encourage believers in the midst of those pressures............

Yes, he writes to encourage the believers

When you face these trials and troubles, he says at the beginning of his letter - when you face these trials and troubles face them with joy, as a test of faith

look after one another (1.27) in these difficult times,

And show self-control in the words you say, in considerate responsible speech....(3.1-12)

but James’ letter is different.............

he goes on to say..........

in this situation

set your compass by what God wants.........

the light of God.........shines in the darkness like a lighthouse strong, immovable built on rock

James 4.7 Submit yourselves, then, to God

James’ message to his readers is that through all the stress, the hostility, the frustrations they must take their bearings from the living God. In every single chapter he speaks of this.

In chapter 1 verse 5 he says - if you’re confused, don’t know what to do in the situation you’re in God is there - he will guide you

v.12 the situation you are in maybe very difficult, but God has wonderful things in store for you

chapter 2.5: if you have lost everything, remember, it’s when we are poor that God gives us the richest gifts of faith

chapter 3.17 in the midst of your difficulties, know this, in every test you face, that God will give you wisdom

set your compass by what God wants.........

the light of God.........shines in the darkness like a lighthouse built on rock

strong, immovable

James 4.7 Submit yourselves, then, to God

No - if the challenges seem too great for you, the frustrations almost unbearable, turn to God........... In the midst of all your troubles, Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you....... and you will find........ His grace is always stronger.................

So we are near to grasping the heart of James’ meaning here - and its this - that when we find ourselves under pressure, in a difficult situation,

that situation is altered, changed, turned around, by the deeper reality of Jesus Christ.

set your compass by what God wants......... is what James means........

the light of God.........shines in the darkness like a lighthouse built on rock

strong, immovable

James 4.7 Submit yourselves, then, to God

The wonderful old prophecy about Jesus in Isaiah 53, tells us that the Lord Jesus Himself has walked every step of this way before us in life. The prophet says He was treated harshly, but endured it humbly he never said a word like a lamb about to be slaughtered, he never said a word,

That’s the message of James.............whether our days contain frustration or challenge, success or failure, all is in God’s care..................

what a message for us.......... to cherish, keep fresh in our minds Let God in on your situation........... bring the whole thing to him in prayer If you are in the midst of troubles, Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you....... and you will find........ when the strong winds blow, the strong test comes...... chapter 4 verse 6

rooted in Jesus Christ

whatever the challenge before us, God’s victory is greater

whatever faces us, God’s grace is greater...........

whatever may be, God’s love is greater

so let us set our compass by what God wants.........

by the light of God......... which shines in the darkness

like a lighthouse built on rock

strong, immovable

James 4.7 Submit yourselves, then, to God

AMEN