Source of Quarrels
James 4:1-5
Do we live in a world of conflict? What comes to mind when you think of violent conflict? (Terrorism, little league parents, road rage, workplace violence, wife and child abuse)
How has the world tried to solve or prevent conflict between different individuals and groups? (Marxism, Koran, prisons, nuclear deterrents)
Why do terrorists attack? (People are trying to get what they want)
A. Where do wars and quarrels originate? Is their source external or internal?
1. What does the world offer as the possible origin of our problems with violence, quarreling, and conflict today? (Victims of our environment, culture, or our genetics. Psychiatrists have many different ideas. (Psychopath)
2. Where does James say it comes from? V. 1 (within us)
a. What have we already learned about lust and temptation from James? Jas. 1:14
b. Can we blame God? Jas. 1:13
c. Who is responsible for our lust and the actions (sin) that results? (Everyone?)
3. What the reasons behind the first murder? Gen. 4:6-7
a. What did God ask?
b. What advice did He give Cain?
c. Where was the battle field for Cain?
(Cain could have had what Abel had. He did the wrong thing trying to get it.)
d. Would Cain have had this battle if Adam had not sinned?
4. Where does James say the battle takes place?
a. What did Paul say about the war? Rom.
5. What is the Christian’s hope when it comes to fighting these internal battles?
a. How does God help the Christian win? What is His solution?
b. How is God proactively helping us win?
· Information - the Bible (book on all we need to know to win the battle)
· God is at work in us - Phil. 1:6
·
Holy Spirit - (helping us change our
thinking) Eph.
· Good examples in the church
c. How is He reactively helping us when we lose?
· Discipline
· Forgiveness
· Brothers and sisters who care and won’t give up on us
6. Are quarrels in the church ever driven by selfish, lustful ambitions?
a. What are a few mentioned in the book of James?
·
Class wars (rich vs. poor)- 2:1-9
·
Employment wars (masters and slaves)- 5:1-6
·
Church fights -
b. Others church conflict in the New
Testament.
Conclusion - the source of wars, quarrels, and fighting is…
B. What should we do when we don’t get what want? V. 2
1. Who is “ye” or “you” in verse 2?
2. Do you think they the “brethren” were really killing? Matt. 5:21-22
3. Does it work. Do we get what we want?
4. What does lust want? Is lust ever satisfied?
5. What weapons are used to get what we want? (Coveting, fighting, quarreling, murder)
6. Are lust and coveting the same thing? (lust - general desire, covet - helps you zero in)
a. What tactics are used to satisfy their lusting and covetous hears?
b. How does the story of Naboth , Ahab and Jezebel illustrate this point? 1 Kings 21:4-7
7. What does James say is the better alternative to these tactics for getting what we want?
a. Is prayerlessness a big problem for Christians? Matt. 12:41
b. Doesn’t God already know the desires of my heart? Why pray?
c. What if God doesn’t give us what we want? What should we do then?
c. Does unanswered (or “no” answers) prayer help us examine our heart?
d. Why does God refuse to feed our lust? Rom. 8:6; 13; John 6:63
(1) What kind of motives are wrong motives?
(2) What would be a motive that is acceptable to God?
C. When do we declare war on God? V. 4-5
1. Is war with God a good idea? Why not? Luke 14:31
2. Why is friendship with the world war with God? I thought God so loved the world…
3. What is friendship with the world?
a.
That is, human society that is contrary to God
(1) Any conduct, belief, thought...
(2) ...which is anti-God,
anti-Christ
b.
To be a friend of such...
(1) Makes one an enemy of God!
(2) Makes one a spiritual adulterer or adulteress!
4. What does the world do for us? What payoff or benefit do we receive from the world?
5. What does the Spirit of God think about this?
a.
What does the Spirit want? Gal.
b. Should we be aware of His desires? (We are the bride of Christ)
c. What can we do so the Spirit has no cause to be jealous?
Conclusion - we are at war with Gods when we…
Conclusion
The source of all conflict is…
When people don’t get what they want they…
People don’t have because they do not…
When we ask we do not receive because…
Friendship with the world is war with God because…
The Spirit of God wars against the flesh. The flesh is fed by the world.