James 4:11-17

We learned last time about the importance of humility. If we are willing to put ourselves at the lowest place, God will lift us up. If we insist on being first, God will oppose or humble us. Today we will look at the sovereignty of God.

How does the sovereignty of God help us order our lives?

A. How does judging a brother show that we do not recognize God’s sovereignty?

1. What causes the subject of slander to come up now in James’ letter to the church?

2. He was just talking about being humble. What is the connection between humility and slander? What is slander? (Evil-speaking against a brother or sister)

3. Could slander have been a problem back then? Is it a problem today?

4. What makes slandering a brother judging the law?

a. What is the purpose of the law? Rom. 7:7-13, Rom. 3:19

b. Do people ever try themselves to do what the law is supposed to do?

c. When we see a law, Matt. 7:1 for instance, what are we to do with it?

(1) Is that law sufficient to condemn people who judge others?

(2) Does that law need our help to condemn people who judge?

(3) Are we sometimes the people who judge? Who’s job is that?

(4) What is it when we take Matt. 7:1, set it aside, and make ourselves the judge?

(5) Do we ever pick and choose which laws require our obedience?

(6) What do we need to do with this standard called the law of God? (be doers)

d. What about the “Royal Law”?

1. What relationships does this law address?

2. Does this law imply that we should judge our brother (neighbor)?

3. Why is it not a good idea to judge our neighbor?

(a) Can we ever really know the struggle someone else went through before they gave in to sin?

(b) There go I also…Romans 2:1-3

e. Are we disrespecting the law-giver when we judge his law?

1. How can you tell from verse 12 that God is sovereign in this area?

(a) Only one Lawgiver and Judge

(b) He who is able to save and destroy

2. What can we do to respect His sovereignty in this area?

(c) Can we follow Michael the Archangel’s example? Jude 1:8-9

(d) Is Paul’s example helpful? Acts 23:2-5

(e) We must slander no one - Titus 3:1-2 (What if it’s true?)

Conclusion: Slandering, evil-speaking about or judging a brother shows we don’t recognize…

B. How does leaving God out of our plans show that we don’t recognize his sovereignty?

1. How does the example of a merchant making plans apply to God’s sovereignty? V. 14

2. How can making plans like this be considered “boasting”? v. 16

3. Should we include God in all our plans? How do we do that?

a. Will always saying, “if the Lord wills” cover it?

b. What does this phrase from James suggest about the speaker’s attitude?

c. Are there things God is now providing that we take for granted? Like what?

3. Why is it a good idea to include God I all our plans?

a. What does, “If the Lord wills” imply about God’s plans?

b. What is the problem with always saying, “we will”?

c. What usually happens when the Lord wills something?

d. What sometimes happens when we will?

e. How does this relate to the sovereignty of God?

Conclusion: Making plans without factoring in God’s plans shows that we don’t recognize…

(Have confidence only when there is the concurrence of providence)

C. How is the recognition of God’s sovereignty over our future a humbling experience?

1. Some say death is the ultimate humbling experience. How is that? V. 14

2. Why does James use the length of our lives to make the point about the great uncertainty we all have here on the earth?

3. What are some of the ways we can react to the uncertainties of life?

(a) Worry - But if we do that we disobey Jesus

(b) Consult astrologers - Check the OT. That’s out.

(c) Try to get a whole bunch of money so that you are ready (death will still get you)

(d) Always be looking for ways we can fit ourselves into God’s plans

4. What are some areas of uncertainty and how has God taught us to react to them?

(a) Financial trouble (Matt. 6:21; 33)

(b) When we will die (Luke 12:16-21). When others will die (John 21:21-22)

(c) The time return of Jesus - watch and pray; be doing what you are supposed to do (Matt. 24:42ff)

Conclusion: During our short and uncertain time on earth we must…

(Don’t make solid plans when you only have vapor to work with)

D. Are people who know more held to a higher level of accountability?

1. What are some sins of commission?

2. What are some sins of ommission?

3. Are we all held to the same standard?

John 9:41; 19:11; Rom. 2:14; Heb. 10:26; 1 Tim. 1:13

Conclusion