Rev. David Holwick ZE James series #10
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
September 23, 2007
James 4:1-3
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I. The problem that hasn't been solved.
A. Is anyone immune to it?
Tacoma, Washington. 1987.
Daniel Lynam's brother had called the police because he knew
something was wrong.
When the police arrived, Lynam warned them to stay back because
he didn't want to hurt them.
About 10 minutes later the police heard a noise.
They went into the comfortable home and discovered that Daniel
had taken his life.
They also found his wife.
- and his 2-year-old daughter.
- and his 5-week-old son.
All were dead of gunshot wounds.
There was no sign of a struggle.
A few hours later they found Daniel Lynam's parents.
They were in their 60's, and had been shot while sitting.
The same scene unfolded at his in-law's house.
In all, eight people were dead.
What do his neighbors remember about Daniel Lynam?
According to the newspaper account:
"Neighbors said the Lynams exchanged waves and smiles but
generally kept to themselves.
An owner of their condominium described Daniel and Linda Lynam
as born-again Christians."
#2699
B. Violence is an issue around the world.
1) Consider murder rates:
Pakistan - 5 murders for every ten million people.
Japan - 53 murders for every ten million, 10 times higher.
U.S.A. - 570 murders, 100 times higher.
Columbia - 5,860 murders, or 1,000 times higher.
[1998 figures, Wikipedia]
2) Notorious crimes, like the execution slaying in Newark,
seem to fill the newspapers every week.
3) Abuse and fights are so common we don't even count them.
a) One third of police calls are for domestic violence.
b) Rarely in paper, to save embarrassment.
1> Exception - a Catholic priest in Morris County
who was sentenced for wife abuse last year.
2> The fact that a priest could have a wife got more
attention than the abuse.
c) The real issue should be that too many Christians
cannot control their rage.
1> Some estimate that 10% of all Christian families
are abusive on regular basis.
II. Violence among *us*?
A. James is talking to Christians.
1) He uses strong language: "wars" and fightings. 4:1
a) These words were used for national wars.
2) As bad as church was, were they napalming each other?
a) Some do believe an actual murder had taken place.
B. Probably exaggeration for effect.
1) Otherwise it would be anti-climactic since "covet"
follows "murder." 4:2
2) Jesus also ties anger and murder together. Matt 5:21-22
III. Where does violence come from?
A. An inside problem.
1) We blame outsiders - "She drove me to it."
2) The problem is really inside us.
a) Karen Mains - abusive Christian said, "If I can control
myself, my wife cannot make me hit her."
b) Control and power are key in most abusive relationships.
1> We must have last word and final decision.
2> We want our own selfish needs satisfied.
B. Self-seeking pleasure and lust.
1) Pleasure is good - God made it.
2) Like all good things, outside God's will and time, it destroys.
a) Here, the pleasures are purely selfish.
b) Their motivation was all wrong.
3) Unrestrained pleasure results in frustration. Always.
a) Even Christians can get caught up in this.
b) Selfish pleasure-> frustration-> violence. (King David)
IV. A self-seeking attitude will warp your spirituality.
A. People stop praying. 4:2
1) In our hearts, we don't want to be hypocrites.
2) Stop praying long enough, and you won't ever want to.
B. People pray wrong.
1) God refuses to answer selfish prayers.
2) Overcoat of religion not enough.
a) Most molesters are regular church attenders, devout,
conservative in beliefs, and even moralistic.
b) "Spare rod" and "wives, submit!" mentality.
C. James calls it "spiritual adultery." 4:4
1) When we hate and lust like the world, we become like
the world, and turn from God.
2) God hates abuse. Malachi 2:16
3) It's never an adequate excuse. Confess and change!
V. God loves you and can heal your rage.
A. Today's passage presents three basic truths:
1) Conflict is worse than you think, because all people have
a tendency to excuse their part in it, rather than
acknowledge their sin.
2) Conflict is simpler than you think, because the source of
the conflict is inside you.
3) Conflict can be resolved easier than you think, because
God provides a two-step process:
a) You must humble yourself before God because your issue
is above all with him.
Do this by confessing your sins to God.
b) The second step is to humble yourself with the one you
are fighting with.
You should confess your sin to them as well.
#33590
B. Our church should be a reconciling family.
1) We should esteem people not for their power, but their love.
2) Aggressive attitudes and behavior need to be checked.
C. God understands, because Jesus was beaten and abused.
1) Perhaps we cannot forget, but God can take the pain away.
2) By his stripes, we are healed.
D. Abusers are loved by God as well.
1) God is in the changing business.
2) Even if other person is partly at fault, deal with yourself.
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SOURCES FOR ILLUSTRATIONS USED IN THIS SERMON:
#2699 "Christians Are Not Immune To Violence," from an Ohio newspaper
article in 1987.
#33590 "Resolving Relational Conflict," by Garrett E. Wishall, Baptist
Press, http://www.baptistpress.org, November 7, 2006.
These and 30,000 others are part of the Kerux database that can be
downloaded, absolutely free, at http://www.holwick.com/database.html
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