James 5:1-12 “Justice and Hope for the Future”
Intro: Longings in every human heart: purpose, love, truth, friendship, significance, peace
-Christian Claim: only the one true God—the God of Christianity—can ultimately satisfy these longings.
-Today: Only the God of Christianity can satisfy our longing for justice and hope for a future.
1. Justice. 2. Hope
I. Only the God of Christianity can Truly Satisfy our Longing for Justice (1-6)
College campus in Scotland boycotted Nestle; more recent—outcry about wages paid to those in factories iphones made
-Secular impulse for justice for the poor and oppressed workers: It is wrong to abuse power.
-Only the God of Christianity can satisfy our longing for JUSTICE
-Audience: Ungodly Rich (1a)
-This part of James’ letter is addressed not to believers, but is a warning to the ungodly rich (Note: lack of “brothers”)
-Likely, this is address to RICH landowners who were oppressing their poor workers.
–CLARIFICATION–Biblical View: Godly and Ungodly Rich; Godly and Ungodly Poor
-Being rich does not mean you are blessed, nor poor mean you are cursed
-God calls for faithfulness whether rich or poor.
-An Uncomfortable Warning (1b-6)
This passage is an uncomfortable warning to the rich (imagine rich friends over for BBQ with James stating this)
-Similar to the OT prophets: WAKE UP call.
-Pain and Sorrow are coming (1b) Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you.
-Things may appear nice now, but the miseries of judgment are coming upon the ungodly rich
-Bible speaks of a real place called hell: sins are punished and it is a place of conscious, unending pain.
-Jesus spoke about it more than anyone in Scripture.
-Riches will not last (2-3a)
Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. 3 Your gold and silver have corroded
-James is alluding to Matt 6:19-21
-Godly Attitude whether rich or poor (James 1:9-11)
-Judgment is Coming and Evil use of wealth will be evidence against the ungodly rich (3b)
-God keeps track of every injustice, and the wicked will pay for their sins in hell.
-Money is not the problem, the problem is acquiring it unjustly (4)
-God hears and sees every greedy, unjust move.
-More Indictments of the Ungodly RICH (5-6)
-“You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence.”…“You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.”
-“You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you.”
APPLICATION:
1. Consider how only the God of Christianity satisfies your longing for justice.
-If secularism is true (no God), then there is no ultimate justice for the poor or oppressed.
-The God of Christianity alone can satisfy your thirst for justice.
2. Hear the warning of Scripture: God will judge the ungodly rich.
-You will be accountable for unjust actions in workplace and every place.
CALVIN’S 2 POINTS FOR THE BELIEVER (+Tom’s 1 point)
1. Hearing James’ warning helps us not to envy the rich
-In Christ, we have a treasure far greater than all richesàMatt 6:19-21
-We store up treasures in heaven by doing good works and inviting others into the Kingdom
2. Hearing the reality of justice strengthens us as we endure injustice
-We may get cheated by our boss, unfairly overlooked.
-God will bring about perfect justice one day.
3. (Mine) This passage reminds of the need and goodness of gospel ministry to the RICH
-Our wealthy/affluent neighbors need Jesus.
-It is good to plant a church in Naperville and proclaim the gospel here.
- Only the God of Christianity can Give us a Real HOPE for the Future (7-12)
Sci-fi visions of the future: life on other worlds, and carrying on.
-There is a longing to keep on living after we die, and live in a way that is free from the corruptions of this world
-Only Christianity can give us a real HOPE for the future—a future after death.
-Call to be PATIENT in Suffering
-Repeated instruction to “be patient” (7, 8)
-We will suffer as follow Jesus: persecution; sickness; death; betrayal; unmet desires
-The Christian life one of patiently waiting on God, even through suffering (Rom 8:18-30)
-Patiently WAITING FOR A FUTURE EVENT (7,8)
-Christians are divided on different views of end times, but united on this: return of Jesus.
-Return of Christ: “coming of the Lord” (7,8)
-Matt 24:27
-Jesus will return to rescue His people, Judge the wicked, bring in new Earth
-Examples to Help us Patiently Wait (7-11)
-Farmer (7-8)
-My cousin’s husband
-OT Prophets (10-11a)
-Jeremiah, Hosea
-Job (11b)
APPLICATION: As you endure suffering, consider these examples, and by God’s grace, wait patiently.
-Some Instructions While We Wait. (9, 12)
1. Don’t grumble against each other (9)
-Real Christian community will include UNCOMFORTABLE moments with people who annoy you
-God calls us to give thanks and not to grumble against our brothers and sisters.
–QUESTION: Have you been grumbling in the Christian community God has given you?
2. Don’t give false oaths (12)
–Matt 5:33-37
-The call is to integrity in our speech, not making false promises.
-Theologians: Bible does not prohibit any kind of oath, but evil uses of oaths to evade truth
-Consider: GOD, Paul
APPLICATION:
Unbeliever:
1. Jesus is the only one who can save from your guilty verdict and give you eternal life.
-NOT as a COACH, but as a Champion (3-2-1 gospel)
–GOSPEL: 2 Cor 8:9
-Died and rose again, but will come back one day
-If you believe in Jesus, you will have forgiveness of sins, and experience His deliverance when he returns
2. Only the God of Christianity can satisfy your longing to live forever
-Jesus promises eternal life, and one day he’ll return and fulfill that promise.
Believer:
1. Let the reality of Jesus’ return, fuel your PATIENCE while we wait: Col 3:1-4
-Set our hopes on God, and not this world
-Strength to persevere
-Reorienting of our schedules and resources: discipleship and evangelism.
2. Fill our minds and hearts with the REAL hope that Jesus offers: One day He will return!
-Phil 3:20-21
END: Only the God of Christianity can satisfy our longing for justice and hope for a future.
