Thursday Night Worship - November 7, 2019 - James 1:12-18 "Temptation"

Last Thursday's sermon continued our quick journey through the Letter believed to be written by James the brother of Christ.  I continued to present the wisdom of James the Just, a letter that while short has long been a great inspiration and message to so very many.

This sermon focused upon the ever-present temptations of life and I relayed a story about the boys in my youth group as an illustration.  The point was that far, far, far too often our inability to resist sin drags others into suffering along with us.  Whether these sins be substance abuse, infidelity, or one of the many other temptations that face us daily our failings affect others tremendously.

Please take a listen to the words that James has given us to help us organize our lives... and remember to...

Be a blessing to someone today!

In Christ,
Roy

James 1:12-18 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Trial and Temptation
12 Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and will receive the crown of life that the Lord[a] has promised to those who love him. 13 No one, when tempted, should say, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil and he himself tempts no one. 14 But one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; 15 then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved.[b]

17 Every generous act of giving, with every perfect gift, is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.[c] 18 In fulfillment of his own purpose he gave us birth by the word of truth, so that we would become a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

Footnotes:
a) James 1:12 Gk he; other ancient authorities read God
b) James 1:16 Gk my beloved brothers
c) James 1:17 Other ancient authorities read variation due to a shadow of turning

Photo by Christian Begeman