A Heart for People
Notes
Transcript
James had a heart for people.
It is very evident by how he begins this letter:
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
He knew that people would be tempted to:
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
It is easy for a person to err from the truth
Err- wander away
There are deceptions that the Devil can use as we walk with the Lord:
Prosperity
Lot - he and Abraham had so many flocks and herds that they had to separate to maintain peace between their servants
Lot chose the well watered plains of Sodom and Gomorrah
There is a temptation to begin trusting in what God has provided instead of the God Who provided
There is nothing wrong with God blessing and prospering His people, but, if one is not careful, those blessings can become a temptation to take the place of the time with the God
Israel fell into this cycle over and over again
Persecution
Israel - as the journeyed through the wilderness - no water, no meat - they would complain and begin making plans to go back to Egypt
There is temptation when circumstances don’t go the way you thought they would to begin to cast doubt and blame at God
COVID - this trial of our faith has given rise to concern that this may be some in our church
Gradual process
Walk with God like Enoch and Abraham
A few days away from the Lord, and the process begins. It may take some time for this to show, but it will
A famous violinist was asked how long he practiced every day. He replied that he spent ten to twelve hours a day with his instrument. “What would happen if you slacked off?” he was asked.
“After one day,” he said, “I would know it. After two days, the conductor would know it. After three days, the orchestra would know it. After that, everybody would know it.”
You may be able to hide this from everyone else, but the Lord is never deceived nor is your spirit.
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Convert - turn back
James loved people. He knew Jesus loved people and gave of Himself.
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray.
God goes after those that wander away
Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
This is a hard thing because the love of people and heart of God desires to go after that which has wandered away
However, to do so risks false perceptions like:
All you want to do is build a big church.
Why are you legalistic?
The burden and concern is to help
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
Jack Schaap - sin
Scott Rabideau - You can only keep doing what is right.
Blessed are those that have a heart for the wayward. Save a soul from destruction and keeps a multitude of sins from being committed.