Sermon 7 in a series on the Book of James (this one is on James 1:16-18) presented January 10, 2010, at Palm Desert Church of Christ by Dale Wells

2. James 1:16-18 NIV Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. (17) Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (18) He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

3. James addresses problems & needs of the Christian life Writes in “how to” principles Some verses transition between themes James 1:16 NIV Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. Could belong with past section on temptation Could belong with section on God’s goodness Either way, subject of deception is appropriate

4. 1. Everything that is bad comes from the Devil James 1:16 NIV Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers.

5. Satan constantly tries to deceive us Eve was correct: Genesis 3:13 NIV Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Peter was right when he warned: 1 Peter 5:8 NIV Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

6. In contrast, God never deceives He always deals with truth Jesus came declaring: John 14:6 NIV “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 8:32 NIV “… you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

7. Jesus’ assessment of Satan John 8:44 NIV You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

8. James urges us not to be deceived First, aboutthe source of evil – Satan Second, aboutthe source of good –God He is the source of good He is the one who brings good out of bad Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NASB And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

9. 2. Everything that is good comes from God James 1:17 NIV Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

10. James contrasts what Satan gives and what God gives He uses such descriptive words as good, gift, perfect, above, lights, and firstfruits These are “life” words contra “death” words he used in the preceding passage

11. God loves us and desires what is best for us It is God’s nature to give He is good Hedelights in giving good gifts Bible contains Accounts of God blessing those obeying Him Innumerable promises of God’s blessing Every good gift comes from God And every perfect gift comes from Him

12. “Perfect” is teleios, the same word James used earlier James 1:4 NIV Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. God is perfect & all He does is perfect His gifts are not only good, they are perfect They come from above because that is James’ concept of where God is

13. These gifts come down from “the Father of lights” “Father of lights” is found only here in NT Reference to God of light is frequent Beginning with the creation account and carrying through the Book of Revelation Revelation 22:5 NIV There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

14. Jesus made that connection with himself John 8:12 NIV When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

15. God described as one “who does not change like shifting shadows” Anchored in many promises of God Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Promised anew for us Hebrews 13:5 NIV Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

16. God is a dependable friend Proverbs 18:24 NIV A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Jesusis like that Hebrews 13:8 NIV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

17. He is the Rock on which we should build our lives Matthew 7:24-25 NIV “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (25) The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

18. God is the One to be trusted; what He promises, He will do 1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. He is not like the shifting shadows You can count on Him

19. 3. God offers us the very best of gifts James 1:18 NIV He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

20. God initiated our salvation by His own will He is the aggressive lover He is the initiator He loved us when we treated Him with contempt Romans 5:8 NIV But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

21. “Gave us birth” is apokueo Literally to beget, to produce, to breed Refers to our new birth It was His will to bring us to spiritual birth As Jesus said John 1:13 NIV children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

22. Paul talks about this new birth Titus 3:3-7 NIV At one time we … were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. … (4) But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, (5) he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, (6) whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, (7) so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

23. The result of this new birth is that we are “firstfruits of all he created” Firstfruits was a requirement of Law Vital part of God’s covenant with them First & best of everything belonged to God James’ readers understood the concept of firstfruits Christians are firstfruits of God’s creation

24. God is a generous giver He’s lavished us with many gifts: New birth through Jesus Christ Firstfruits of God’s kingdom He’s given us life that will never pass away Earth & the universe are temporary But we will never pass away Death has no more control over us We have eternal life!