Bartow Baptist Church 

Study Guide and Message's

James Bible Study

Introduction to the Epistle of James

James is a book which many Christians have struggled with over the years...

Martin Luther called it the "Epistle of ___________"...                          

This is a book of faith, of promise and a book of warning...

Who wrote the book of James?

Early church tradition points to the writer of this epistle being James, the _________-________________ of Jesus.

This James is first mentioned as coming with his mother and his other brothers to meet Jesus as He was preaching in the synagogue in Nazareth...Matthew 13:54-56

There is no evidence (Biblically speaking) that Mary remained a virgin after Jesus' birth.

There is strong Biblical evidence that she and Joseph had four more sons and several daughters.

We are told that His half-brothers did not believe in Him while He was on earth.

John 7:5

Date of Writing

It is commonly thought that this epistle was written around ___-___ A.D., making it one of the first epistles to be written.

It contains no mention of Gentile believers or the controversy that eventually arose in the church concerning Gentile Christians and the Law...                                 

The first of Paul’s missionary journeys had not yet taken place and the church was made up almost entirely of either Jews or Jewish proselytes -- Gentiles who had undergone circumcision and who had become Jewish.

Style of Writing

The style of James' writing is strikingly similar to that of his half-brother Jesus in His _____________ on the ________________...

It is entirely possible that James was written before any of the other Gospel accounts had been composed. The stories of Jesus had up to this time been circulated only by word of mouth.

Other notable characteristics of the book of James

1.  A Lack of _______________ Notes...This is not a personal letter.

It is an official exhortation to the early church that was spreading through the ancient world.

2.  Little Mention is made of __________...There is no mention of Christ' death or His resurrection...   

James gives us the teachings ____ Jesus rather than teachings ___________ Jesus.

3.  Absence of _________________ in the Church...James doesn't mention Gentiles at all. It is likely that this epistle was written before the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 and that Gentiles had not yet been accepted into the church.

4.  Christianity and Judaism...Christianity is not presented in contrast with Judaism. There is no “us versus them” mentality.

Instead Christianity is presented in a distinctly Jewish setting. The only distinction is that Jesus is __________________ as the Messiah, the Lord of glory...

Purpose of the Epistle of James

The message of the book of James is that faith must include a ___________ reality.

James does not teach works for salvation. He teaches works __________ salvation.

When one comes to Jesus Christ in faith, trusting Him as their Savior and Lord, a process begins. The Bible calls it _____________________.

The message of the book of James is that our life ought to show a certain degree of progress if we really belong to the Lord.

This brings us to the opening Salutation

James 1:1; "James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings"

The customs of letter writing in the ancient world were only slightly different.

First would come the name of the author..."James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ"

Then would come the name of the recipients of the letter..."to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad"

Finally would come a formal greeting..."greetings"

These three elements, the name of the _____________, the name of the ___________________ and the personal ___________________, were found in nearly all formal letters of that day.                             

___________________ 1:1-2; "Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus:  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 ______________ 1:1-2; "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure.

______________ 1:1-2; "Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:  May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you"

http://www.4shared.com/file/178086996/d8dfc2c3/James_1_1_and_Intro.html

James 1:2-8

Verse 2; "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials"

“________________” means to think, to count, or regard something based on weighing and comparing of facts.  It denotes deliberate and careful judgment stemming from external proof, not subjective judgment based on feelings...                                  

As followers of Christ we are to be _______________ trials; they are not to be a surprise...        1 Peter 4:12-13

The Bible gives abundant testimony that _______ of God’s saints encounter trials.                   Romans 8:17; Matthew 5:11-12; John 15:18-21

Verse 3 gives us the reason for the various trials in life...It's for the endurance of faith..."knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance"                                                                                             

What is endurance?  It's the quality of __________________; the act ________________; _____________________.                                                                  1 Corinthians 15:58; James 1:12; James 5:11

The writer of Hebrews seems to think that we need endurance...Hebrews 10:36

Endurance is a quality of ___________________...

Endurance cannot be _________________.  You can't get endurance through prayer.  Endurance comes only through ____________...                                                

Endurance only comes through daily practice. Matthew 24:13

And this endurance James says makes us perfect and complete...

Verse 4; "let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing"

The word “_____” implies submission to God in the trial...It means submitting to God even when we pray for relief in that trial...                                                                                                                  

And James says that the end result of that process; is that you will one day be “perfect and complete.”                                                                                   

One day we will be completely like Jesus Christ. We will be perfect.  We will be complete.  But we're not there yet. 

James says in verse 5; "if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him"

James does not say to ask God for _______________ from the trial of suffering that we are experiencing...He doesn't even tell us to ask God for the strength to endure. 

What is wisdom?  Godly Wisdom involves seeing things from God’s _____________________. 

It's only as we are able to see our trials from God’s perspective that we will be able to “consider it all joy.”

In verse 5 James gives us the first thing to do when we are seeking to see the bigger picture...

We must __________ for it: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him"

We must first come to the conclusion that God is the _____________ of all true wisdom. 

If we are to obtain such wisdom, it must come ________________ God. 

A proper concept of God is the foundation of all wisdom...Psalm 111:10; Job 28:28;       Proverbs 1:7

God wants us to see things through His perspective.  He wants us to share in His wisdom.  That is why He gave us the Bible. 

As we read the Scriptures, asking for His enlightenment, we will be given the wisdom of God...                                                                                                                 

In verse 6 James gives us another characteristic that when we ask for Godly wisdom we are to do it with _________ without ______________...

James says "he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind"

Jesus told His disciples in _________________ 21:21-22; "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."   

Faith is essential in approaching God...Hebrews 11:6  

To ask from God, you must believe that He exists, that He personally cares for you, and He is able to give you the wisdom that you need to endure your trial with His joy.

So if you doubt God’s existence or His ability to give you wisdom for your every need...James says you’re “like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”

The person who doubts God is _____ ________________ to obey God no matter what. His/her heart is not fully surrendered to do God’s will.

Verse 7 James says that this type of person should not expect anything from God...                

"For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord"

Instead of being double-minded in our ______ desires; we are to be single-minded in search of ________ Wisdom...

Instead of being tossed about and unstable in our ______ desires; we are to seek the firm foundation of ________ Wisdom...

The ___________-minded man receives nothing from God; while the __________-minded man receives all that he needs...

Many people want to play games with God.  They want to come to church on Sunday and to do their bit for religion and then go back and put God on the shelf for the rest of the week.  You cannot love God that way.  He will not allow such divided loyalty.  He will not reward that kind of relationship...Matthew 6:24

That's what it means to be double-minded...Trying to serve both _______ and the ______________ at the same time...

And James says that they will be "unstable in all their ways"

http://www.4shared.com/file/175380151/26350566/James_1_2-8.html

James 1:9-11

Verse 9 starts, by looking at the poor man..."But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position"

The people of God are called "____________" because the truest friendship is among the good and the Godly...

Therefore James doesn't say the Christian but "the ______________".

1 Corinthians 16:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:27; James 1:16

James refers to this brother in Christ being in "________________ circumstances"

We live in the midst of the "________________ and ________________ gospel" where we have some foolish preachers who don't know what to do with a phrase like "the brother in humble circumstances" because for them if a man is a Christian, a true brother, then he can never be in humble circumstances for long...

And when these so-called men/women of God preach this foolishness, it seems to bring pressure upon the poor Christian to give what money he/she has to that very preacher of the so-called health and wealth gospel.                                                 Then God will reward them for doing that by delivering them from their poverty and giving them what _____________ they name and claim...

These are the lies of the message of the false preachers of health and wealth... Matthew 8:20; Matthew 16:19-25; Matthew 5:3; Luke 6:20-24; 1 Corinthians 1:26-28; 2 Corinthians 8:9

James lets us know in the rest of verse 9 that we are not to be ashamed of our humble circumstances but we are "to __________ in this __________ position"

This is a glory or a pride in knowing Jesus Christ even in the midst our humble circumstances...Jeremiah 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

In other words you have entered into a _________ with Him. You were _________ with Christ. 

These are the things in which we are to boast in...

Because He is righteous, you have also been declared to be _______________.

Because He is the Son of God, you have been ______________ into His forever family and have become a child of God.

Because He is the heir to the kingdom, you have become a co-________ with Christ.

Because He has eternal life, you also have __________ life.

This a call for the Christian to serve the Lord no matter what their circumstance may be...And how can we do this? 

By recognizing that God has _______________ and _________________ our circumstances and called us to serve Him in the midst of those circumstances...                                        1 Samuel 2:9; Psalm 37:23; Psalm 139:16; Proverbs 16:9; Proverbs 20:24

In verses 10 and 11 James contrasts the poor Christian to that of a rich man Christian..."the rich man is to glory in his humiliation, because like flowering grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away"

Here James issues a warning to the rich Christian...He warns them not to focus upon their ___________ for their self-esteem or for their ______-_____________.   Instead they need to focus upon their ___________.

James is encouraging ______________ in the wealthy believer...                          

There is a constant need for every Christian to humble themselves, but more so for the rich Christian, because they have a tendency to glory and depend in their high esteem and wealth than in the security of Jesus Christ...                                

If Christ Himself gave up His glory and humbled Himself, why should the lowly Christian, whether poor or rich, think better of himself...Philippians 2:7-8

James is telling the rich Christian not to depend on your riches because in a moment's notice your riches could be gone..."and the beauty of its appearance is ________________"   

James is warning the rich Christian to focus on that which is _____________.

James is says that the best of this world’s wealth is only _________________...and he illustrates this temporary quality of riches by comparing it to withering grass. "The flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away"

Elizabeth Freeman:arrived in India in 1851. There she joined John, her husband of five weeks, who had already served 12 years there as a missionary. Seven years passed and there was an uprising of Sepoy soldiers and she was seized by them with other missionaries. On the morning of June 7, 1858, she and her fellow missionaries were marched to a nearby parade ground and shot dead. Seven brief years of marriage ended. The flower fell and the beauty was destroyed. She had written a letter a little earlier to a niece who was thinking of missionary work and she said in this letter, "I hope you will be a missionary wherever your lot is cast, and as long as God spares your life; for it makes little difference after all where we spend these fleeting years, if they are only spent for the glory of God. Be assured there is nothing else worth living for."                                                               

William Borden:was a wealthy Christian, the heir of the Borden milk fortune. When he was in his first year at Yale university he committed himself to reaching the Muslims of North China. Three years later he sailed for Egypt to study Arabic before going to China. He knew that money could not mean security so before he left he gave away his inheritance of nearly one million dollars to various missions. He was in Cairo for four months when he contracted spinal meningitis and was dead within weeks. He had scribbled on a piece of paper under his pillow the words, "No reserve! No retreat! No regrets!' 'The flower fell and the beauty was destroyed'"

James is letting the Christian know {whether rich or poor} that our sole comfort in all this is that our Lord Jesus is ________________ in all things...                                    Only in Christ do we have eternal things/life...

In other words James is saying that the true Christian cannot serve both God and wealth...

Jesus said in ____________ 16:13; "No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."

After all, what good is it if you gain the whole world {RICHES and ALL} and lose your soul? Mark 8:36-37; Luke 12:20-21

http://www.4shared.com/file/195192270/ae69bb29/James_1_9-11.html

James 1:12-18 

Why should the believer try to endure in the face of trials...                                                              

James gives us the answer in verse 12..."Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him"

James gives his answer in the form of a ____________________...Matthew 5:3-6.

The man who endures under trial is blessed -- literally, he is “______________”

Why is the one who perseveres to the end blessed?  a reward at the end of the struggle...

If we don't obtain the crown of life by our own works, then where/how do we get this crown? 

The promise of the crown of life, which is _________________, is given to those who have suffered through trials and __________ persevere to the end...                   Matthew 10:22; Matthew 24:13

These trials and this perseverance; are a gift from God based on His _________. 

Why do we have love for one another and for God?  1 John 4:7-13

God is not the source of _________ temptations...                                                                       

What's the difference between a trial versus a temptation?

Trials come from the __________ in...Temptations come from the _________ out.

Trials bring with them ________...Temptations bring with them ____________.

Trials lead to ______________...Temptations lead to a maturing of _______...

Our temptations come from within..."each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust"

And usually when someone is enticed to sin and acts on that sin; they begin to _______________ others for that sin. It's called the blame game and it generated in the Garden of Eden...Genesis 3:9-13

Adam blamed Eve...He was not directly tempted by satan, so he can’t say, “The devil made me do it.” Instead he does the next best thing. He blames his wife.

But that's not all...He says, "The woman whom ________ gave to be with me tree... 

He also blames God.  In a sense he is saying, “Lord, if You hadn’t messed up creation by giving me that woman, then I would still be back in the Garden.”

God _________________ be tempted nor does He tempt anyone.

What God does do is to provide the believer a way of escape from their ___________________.  1 Corinthians 10:13

There is nothing within Him that responds in a positive manner toward evil. 

Not so with us. With fallen man, temptation comes from ___________...Verse 14 "each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his _______ lust.

James says we are carried off by our own desires...It's as a power, towards evil, in all our faculties.  Galatians 5:17; Romans 8:5-8

The temptation itself is not sin; sin comes when we act on our _____________      Sin comes when the "lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death"    Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23

In verses 16-18 James brings our focus back to the goodness of God...                                                                                        

These Christians were being deceived about the goodness of God.

James says to the Christian; "stop focusing on the __________________ things of life and focus on the greatness of God"

BECAUSE..."Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights"

Satan pointed to the forbidden fruit and how good it was and how it was to be desired and then he implied that God was doing a bad thing by keeping it from her.                                                                Instead of focusing upon the one tree that was _________________, Eve should have been looking at all of the other trees that God had freely provided.

James gives us an assurance that these __________ GIFTS will ______________ come from God...BECAUSE "with HIM there is no variation, or shifting shadow"  Malachi 3:6;                       Hebrews 13:8-9

God gave the best when He sent His Son to the cross for our _________________ .

"In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures"

James does not say that God brought us forth by the exercise of ________ will.  The foundational cause of our salvation was not us.  It was the exercise of ______ will that caused us to be born again. 1 Peter 1:3-4;1 Peter 1:23

We were saved...According to God’s plan...By God’s power...and For God’s purpose. 

And God Saved us to be His __________________: "In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures"

The firstfruits meaning; all the _________________; within the realm of all His creatures (human race).

Here is the significance.  God has moved through Christ to save the world. 

He has started with _____.  We are the first part of God’s creation to be brought back from the bondage of sin. 

But there is coming a day when the rest of creation will follow suit.

Romans 14:10-11; Philippians 2:9-11

http://www.4shared.com/file/197929651/374c64b5/James_1_12-18.html

James 1:19-27

Christianity is not merely a system of ___________________ in which men have sat down and contemplated who God is or what God is like. 

___ _______ has ever come to Christ apart from hearing the Word of God... Romans 10:17; Galatians 3:2

As Christians we must learn how to translate our __________________ knowledge of the Truth into our ____________ ____________ in life.

James demands a faith that works...And in order for faith to produce works it must do it by receiving the Word of God...                                                                                                          

James says receiving the word means that one must first Know the Word: Verse 19

Here James is forming a conclusion based on what he has just said regarding our new birth by the Word of God...James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:3; Ephesians 1:13

This is what James is going to build on...Because we have been _______ ________ through the Word of Truth, we should now live our lives according to that word...

What James is teaching was taught in the Old Testament...Proverbs 14:29; Proverbs 16:32; Proverbs 17:28;

James calls for action in three areas of life...What we _______, what we ______, and in how we ________. 

The true Christian is to continue to be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.  This is to be an on-going process. 

In verse 20 James gives the negative results of the angry man..."the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God"

He is not speaking of the anger of mankind in general.  He uses the word that specifically denotes the male gender.

James is letting the man know that there is nothing masculine in anger. 

Anger is not to be our prevailing principle.  Our prevailing principle is to be humble...Psalm 25:9; Psalm 23:3

In verse 21 James says we are to receive the Word with an attitude of  _________________.

Humility is the response of ___________.  Humility recognizes that every gift comes from __________, from the Father of lights within whom there is no turning or change.  Humility recognizes that you are ___________________ and that everything you have is a gift of grace. 

It is only when the Word is approached with humility that the Word can be implanted...1 Peter 1:22-25

Here James speaks of the Word of Truth being IMPLANTED...                    

When one comes to Christ in faith, a process begins within them.  It is a process of salvation.  We are being ___________________ into something that we never were before.  We are becoming more and more like Christ...Philippians 1:6

God is not finished with us yet we are in the process of salvation called ___________________.

In verse 22 James says that the true Christian will be a Doer of the Word...

James says if we only hear the Word of God and don’t do what it says then we ______________ ourselves.

True disciples receive the Word of God by being believers who do what the Word requires...Matthew 13:3-8

Our faith must be demonstrated...James 3:13

A true Christian is a professing, __________________ and fruit bearing Christian.John 15:16

And the doers of the Word are to ___________ themselves...

Look at verses 23-24...James says the one who remains only a hearer, is one in whose heart the Word has been planted, but has not gone on to bear the fruit of obedience...                    

This person is compared to a man who looks at his reflection in a mirror and does nothing about it.

And James says that what this man has seen is forgotten at once as other _____________ claim his attention...                                                                               

William Barclay: “he is like a man who looks in a mirror and who sees the smuts which disfigure his face, the disorder of his hair, and who goes away and forgets what he looks like, and so omits to do anything about it”

Some professing Christians merely glance into the mirror of truth without letting God’s wisdom do its work on them...1 Corinthians 2:4-5, 13

When one is a doer of the word and examines himself by that word, the results are they are _____________...Verse 25;

The believer who learns about himself and what God requires by concentrating on the mirror of the Word will be blessed...                                                             

We as believers live in an already but not yet world.

God has saved us from the ___________ of sin, He is saving us from ___________ of sin, and He will save us from the ________________ of sin...

The Christian is blessed to be children of God, we are being blessed by the power of God, and we will be blessed in the presence of God.

We need to line up with the Scripture not Scripture with us.

John Bunyan: “Now the glass was one of a thousand. It would present a man, one way with his own features exactly; and turn it but another way, and it would show one the very face and similitude of the Prince of pilgrims Himself. Yea, I have talked with those that can tell, and have said they have seen the very crown of thorns upon His head by looking into this glass; they have therein also seen the holes in His hands, in His feet, and His side. The man who continues looking into the mirror of God’s Word sees in it things far more wonderful than his own face. He sees not only his filthy garments, not only the spots and stains on his life; he sees in it Christ, the Christ of the thorn-crowned brow, the Christ of the Cross, his Savior, whose blood cleanses him from all sin”.

When such a person sees and responds to Christ and then ________ out the Word, he is blessed in the doing...Matthew 7:21-23; Luke 11:28; Luke 8:21

Then James sets forth the example of the man who thinks himself to be religious.  He is very sincere.  He is not a hypocrite.  He is not pretending.  He really does think that he is religious.  But he is wrong.  He has deceived himself.

Look at verses 26-27; "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless.  This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world"

Most people think of religion in terms of what we ______.  We proclaim a message that we believe.  We hold to a doctrine with which we agree and confess to others.  Our religion is not just made-up of beliefs.  It is seen in action.  Our truth should match our tongue...

James tells us in verse 27 how to understand true religion in terms of our ___________. 

James says that our love of God is to be manifested in our treatment of others and in our pure life.

We need to grasp that Christians have been made pure through the work of Christ on the cross.  We have been declared to be righteous.  And then we have been told to go out and live in accordance with our calling.  We are called to be clean in a dirty world.  We are called to live in a manner that reflects our new purity...

http://www.4shared.com/file/204418138/492d5e0a/James_1_19-27.html

James 2:1-13 (part 1)

James deals with the "SIN OF __________________"

To favor some people and to disregard others based on outward _________________ is an awful sin that not only plagued the early church in James’ day, it is a sin of church people today...                                   

In James 2:1 James again addresses his readers as “_________________”                     

James first gives his brethren a command..."do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.

When James says, “do not,” the Greek construction has the tone to, “_________ doing it.”  In other words James commands them to stop doing something that is wrong and is a sin...

Then James illustrates what he means with a hypothetical scenario in verses 2-4;

James says, it is evil and they are not to glory in the Lord Jesus Christ with this type of attitude...We are not to do evil things in the name of the LORD...

This type of attitude only brings glory to prideful __________; not to God...Isaiah 42:8

When we exalt men on account of their _____________ or power or status, we rob glory from God and Jesus Christ, who has sovereignly given us everything that we are and have anyway...1 Corinthians 4:7

Rather than exalting the rich, we should exalt the supreme glory of ____________ ____________.

We don’t see the hearts of men, as God does, so to judge a man based on his outward appearance is to take the place of Jesus Christ in His glory as judge of all the earth...1 Samuel 16:7

Some rich men were and are very ________ and some poor men are very _________...

James’ point is that any judgments based on outward factors alone are wrong judgments, because they do not discern the heart.  Only God can judge the heart, and so we are wrong to usurp His place as the Judge...

James also says that partiality tries to take the place of God who _____________.

James says you need to pay attention “______________”

Salvation is not offered to anyone on the basis of anything that God ______ or ___________________ in that person. He does not choose the rich man based on his money or how much he gives nor does God choose the poor man because of his poverty or how less he gives.

What James is saying is that God’s choice is completely based on His __________ and purpose...Romans 9:10-16; Ephesians 2:4-5; James 1:18; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29

When James says that God chooses the poor “to be rich in faith,” he means, rich in the sphere of ___________ not wealth.

James is simply saying that God’s choice makes them “_______ of the kingdom”. 

When James says that God promised the kingdom “to those who love Him”, he is describing the ___________ of salvation, not the ___________ too it...                                  

Salvation is completely by God’s grace and is received by faith alone...                           Ephesians 2:8-9; 1 John 4:7-10, 19

By showing favoritism, we usurp the role that belongs to God alone, who makes sovereign choices by His Divine will...

In verses 6-7 James gives another reason why partiality is wrong; it's wrong because it aligns us with God's _________________...

James asks; Don't you know that it is the __________ who oppress you and personally drag you into court?  

Then James asks; Don't you know that when the rich drag you into court that they are blaspheming the __________ name by which you have been called?

http://www.4shared.com/file/212204424/51dea13a/James_2_1-13__pt_1_.html
 

James 2:1-13 (part 2)

It is not wealth that James is condemning, but a lack of compassion and understanding on the part of the wealthy towards the poor...                                                                 

Not only does partiality usurp God's sovereignty and align the guilty party with His enemies...It also violates God’s law of _________...

In verse 8 James says to show partiality is to violate the second great commandment of God’s law, to love your neighbor as yourself...                                Matthew 22:35-40

In verse 9 James says to show partiality to the rich while treating the poor with contempt, or to show partiality to a certain race, while treating those of another race as inferior, is to commit _____...                                                                              

James adds, you “are convicted by the law as transgressors.” In other words you are ________________!!!!!!!!

James anticipates their denial...verses 10 and 11; whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. For He who said, " DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY," also said, " DO NOT COMMIT MURDER." Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law.

James let's his readers know, as well as us today, that to break God’s law is sin even _____ ________ of it is to break the ______________ law of God...                              

Remember the rich young ruler when he came to Christ for salvation in Luke 18:18-27

James says before we judge others based on outward appearances we need to understand that God’s law will be the standard by which _______________ [even us] will be judged, we should live in light of that coming judgment, especially by showing mercy to the poor...                                                                              

That is really what James returns us to in verses 12 and 13; "So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment"

James makes two points here:

# 1.  _________________ will "be judged by the law of liberty"

This is not the _________  ___________ __________ judgment of  Revelation 20.          Jesus said in John 5:24; "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.

James is talking about the judgment seat of Christ where every believer will have to give an account for _________ ____________ that they have committed as a __________________...2 Corinthians 5:10

# 2.  Those who refuse to show mercy to others will face "God’s merciless judgment"...

"God’s ______________ ___________________" will be brought upon those in the church that have PROFESSED TO BE CHRISTIAN, but based on their lack of mercy they will face the great white throne judgment of Revelation 20.

The second part of verse 13 refers to the true believers that have shown mercy...    It's the "mercy that triumphs over judgment"

James in a sense says that when we show mercy to others it demonstrates that we have already received mercy from God...

What James is conveying is that we must always fall back on the ____________ God had on us in Christ, which will triumph over judgment in our salvation.

Therefore we are not to judge on the bases of appearance but on the bases of God's mercy...Romans 14:10-13

http://www.4shared.com/file/214943531/582d5543/James_2_1-13__pt_2_.html

James 2:14-26 (part 1)

James refers to it as "_______  _________".

Faith _______ produce a visible reaction in the life of the believer.

James starts with two questions in verse 14.  They are both rhetorical questions.  In each case, the answer is obvious.

Can Jesus be your Savior, and at the same time not be your LORD?                                             

The answer to the question is very obvious.  His faith is _______________.  It has produced no effect. 

There is ____ _____________ found in the Scripture; of saving faith that produces NO WORKS (fruit)...Matthew 7:15-23; John 8:24; John 8:30-32

Jesus makes it clear that to be a true disciple of Christ; one _________ obey His word...

A continually disobedient life is ___________ of __________ discipleship and ________ ___________...John 14:21 and 23; John 15:16

James is literally saying: If someone professes faith in Christ; BUT there is no evidence; then that person is not saved...

The second question..."Can that faith save him?"

What kind of faith is James referring to here?  Is it saving faith or is it professing faith?

The design of the question from the Greek is constructed in such a way, that James is speaking of ________________ faith, in which ___________ save anyone...               

The apostle Paul makes it clear that we are saved by faith __________, but he also makes it clear that saving faith is accompanied by __________...Ephesians 2:8-10

The only way that anyone is ever saved is because God has determined to bestow salvation as a free gift.  This salvation is accompanied by _________.  Yet, not all who profess faith are saved. The only faith that brings salvation is the faith that also produces a changed life...

To prove his point James gives us an example of NON-WORKING FAITH...in verses 15-17.

James is literally saying; “If you think you are saved, does your life evidence the love which Christ demands of EVERY BELIEVER?”                                 

James' illustration makes the point that true love is not simply expressing a first-rate reaction but demonstrates itself in ___________...1 John 3:17-19;                     1 John 4:19-21

He is saying that real faith must be ___________ or else it is not real faith. 

An inward spiritual reality without an outward manifestation is a counterfeit reality.                                

In essence James is saying, that if you send your brother or sister away without meeting their need, then you are in danger of not being a Christian...

Therefore we need to test to see if we are Christians or not...2 Corinthians 13:5; 1 John 4:1

http://www.4shared.com/file/221678521/fc760342/James_2_14-26__pt_1_.html

James 2:14-26 (part 2)

Verse 17 James gives a serious warning to his readers that a claimed faith which ignores the teachings of Christ has condemned itself as dead by its lack of concern and consequent lack of works..."so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself"

In verses 18-20 James gives us the most acceptable view in contrast to the Scriptural view

Verse 18 literallyreads:  “But someone will say, ‘You, you have faith, and I, I have works.’ ”; “Show me your faith apart from the works, and I will show you out of my works, the faith.”                                               

James' argument is simple, "faith and works are __________________"; "you cannot have faith without works, and works without faith is also useless".

James argues in verse 19 that saving faith is not simply ________________ in the existence of God, for the demons know of the existence of God as a fact; they do not doubt His existence.

There is nothing wrong with believing in facts about Christ and God...                  

To go a step further; I don't think you can be a Christian without believing these basic facts.  But merely believing that God exists and that He is One is not enough to save anyone...Even satan and his demons believe that God exists.  They believe that Jesus died and paid for sins and that He arose again from the dead.                                       

So what's the difference between their faith and the faith of a true Christian? 

Their faith has NO LIFE.  They believe certain facts, but there has never been a faith that leads to ________________ and ____________...                         

James says that this empty faith that the demons have is the same as that of _______________ Christians that have no works of righteousness found in them...

Therefore James asks in verse 20; "are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?"                                 

In our last six verses James gives us two examples of working faith...                     

These two people that James uses could not be more different.

You could not find two people who were more different.  And yet, they both exhibited a faith that worked.

Abraham was the father all the ________________.  He is our Spiritual father.

James tells us that Abraham was justified by works. 

Abraham’s obedience was a fulfillment of the Scriptures that “Abraham believed God and it was reckoned to him as righteousness”  This is a direct quotation from ______________ 15:6...

Then James moves from Abraham (the father of all the righteous) to Rahab a known ___________...Her story is found in Joshua 2...

She did not remain a prostitute...

Instead she went on to marry Salmon, a Jew from the tribe of Judah.  One of her descendants was Boaz, the grandfather of David.  If you look at the genealogy of Jesus, you will see the name of a former Canaanite prostitute included...

God's faith is given to ______________ He pleases...From Abraham our father to Rahab a known harlot...

James is teaching us something here.  He is telling us that God does not only use stained-glass saints.  He uses wretched and vile sinners.  He can use me.  And He can use you.

Then James closes in verse 26 with an illustration of a dead corpse. 

The element that makes it a corpse is the ____________ of a living spirit within it.  In the same way, faith that is not accompanied by corresponding works is dead.

How do you make it alive?  Do you go out and start doing a lot of works and hope that life will come?  No.  That would be like digging up a corpse in a graveyard and giving him a job at the grocery store in hopes that would bring him back to life...

The only way you will know that you have saving faith...is that it __________ be accompanied by ____________...

http://www.4shared.com/file/225289164/ba4b0ca4/James_2_14-26__part_2_.html

Controlling the Tongue

James 3:1-12

In verse 1 James gives warning for those who think they want to ___________ the Word of God...               

Teacher in the Greek, is the word "__________________" and refers to a person who works in an official teaching or preaching capacity...

Teaching in the church is not a position to be taken lightly because God is very serious about having His Word communicated rightly, therefore those who are ____________  to teach it are judged more harshly than someone who does not teach God's Word...                                                                                             

This judgment is not an earthly judgment that is being spoken of, it is a future judgment that will happen when we stand before God. Matthew 12:36-37

On judgment day, for the faithful that bring forth the truth of God's Word, they will hear the Lord say; "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world" (______________ 25:34)

But for the ones that were not faithful in bringing forth Gods Word; will hear Him say; "Depart from Me, accursed ones, into the eternal fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels" (_______________ 25:41)...Matthew 7:21-23

In verse 2 James expands his warnings beyond just teachers; but the ___________ _________________ of Christians are warned about their words also...James says; we all stumble in many ways...

Everyone has their own areas of weakness and stumbling. No Christian is ______________ to stumbling over their tongue...                          

If you can control what you ____, then you can also learn to control what you ___.

James is not saying that the Christian will reach a perfectness in which he/she never stumbles/sins. Rather he is speaking about a __________ of life.

Why is it so important to control the tongue?

James gives us a couple of examples:

First, we are shown how humans use _______ in order to control horses...

The Second illustration is of a ship _____________...                                                             

The point James is making is that in the same way that a bit controls a horse, and a small rudder controls a large ship so also the __________ controls the whole body.

The same way, our body is directed by an organ that weighs only a few ounces; the tongue ____________ the body; not only of great things that may be _________; BUT that same tongue can boast of great things that are _______...                           "Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!"

James says, in the same way a forest fire is started by a single spark so too is the man with an _____________ tongue...

When the tongue is set on fire by hell, there are two results:                                                                                                                      James says it __________ the Entire Body...Here James is dealing with those set on fire by hell...Matthew 15:11

James also says that this fire sets the ___________ of your Life...Our words have a dramatic effect on the course of our life...

James then informs us that we cannot fully tame our tongue...James says we are able to tame the wild animal but we have not been able to conquer the tongue...

One cannot tame the tongue because the tongue merely ____________ that which is on the inside. Only ______ can tame the tongue and He does that by working from the inside out...He tames the heart of the sinner; then the ______________ _______________ what God has done on the inside...                                                              

In verses 9-12 James gives some contrasts that lets us know that if our hearts have been tamed by God then our tongue will be ________________...James says with our tongue "we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; 10 from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way"

When we come to church and sing praises to the Lord and pray to Him, we are using our tongue to bless His name...BUT when we leave and get into our cars and are driving down the road and someone cuts us off, all of a sudden we find another use for our tongue...

The same tongue we have just blessed and worshiped God with is the same tongue that we ___________ the driver with..."from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren...and James says "these things ought not to be this way.

When we came to Christ in faith, believing in Him as our Lord and Savior, something extraordinary happened. We entered into a process known as ___________________ which means that we began to be set apart from the world and dedicated to the Lord for His special purpose. Which means that our bodies are not just our bodies, they are now God's bodies...Our hands are no longer just our hands. They are also His hands. Therefore our tongue is no longer just our tongue. It is now _______ tongue.

James is saying that it is inappropriate for a tongue that has been dedicated to the worship of the Lord to be used in the cursing of the Lord’s creation..."we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God"

If you are a Christian, then your tongue has been dedicated to the worship of the Lord. To use it for any purpose that does not honor Him is inconsistent. Here is the lesson. When both good and evil come out of the same mouth, one is a ______.

James is saying that if you are a true Christian; then your tongue will reflect ______________, ________________ and _________________...

Jesus warned us in Matthew 7:15-17 to "Beware of false prophets, who come to us in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. We will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit"

http://www.4shared.com/file/230370014/5e5ed493/James_3_1-12.html

Godly Wisdom verses Worldly Wisdom 

James 3:13-18

It’s easy to claim to have wisdom but it's another thing for us to live by wisdom...

James is literally saying here, “Show me your wisdom by your ________!” 

The word “_______________________” is often translated “meekness.”  

The Greek word used does not mean a _________ person who is vulnerable and always nice, but rather has the idea of strength under control.                                           Numbers 12:3; Matthew 11:29

James tells us in verse 17 that the source of this wisdom is “________ ________.”    James 1:17; Proverbs 2:6

Godly wisdom comes from above from God Himself...Worldly wisdom comes from our ________ understanding... Proverbs 3:5-7; Psalm 111:10

# 1.  James says Godly Wisdom is "first _______"...                                                     The Greek word means to be _______________, _________________, or _____________ by any impurity.  In our context, it has the sense of being free from any jealousy or selfish ambition.

# 2.   Godly wisdom is "________________"...

If you compromise purity for the sake of peace, you are not acting in Godly wisdom...Seek peace and pursue it with __________________! Ephesians 4:3

# 3.   Godly wisdom is "____________"

The word gentle that is used here indicates a willingness to yield to others and a corresponding unwillingness to exact strict judgment.  It's a willingness to be ______________ toward others...

# 4.  Godly wisdom is "_________________"

The word means, literally, “easily persuaded.”

It is “quick to hear slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God" (__________ 1:19-20), and knows when to yield for the sake of peace...

# 5.   Godly wisdom is "full of __________ and good ___________"

Being merciful means having compassion for a person who is suffering even though their suffering is their own fault...Romans 5:8

We are to extend the mercy that we have received to other undeserving sinners.

And by adding “good fruits,” James is harking back to what he said earlier, that our faith must show itself in works.

# 6.  Godly wisdom is "____________________"

It could mean “_________________", in the sense of not taking sides based on a personal friendship. But it could also mean “________________,” in the sense of unwavering loyalty to God.

Here James makes the point that you cannot be a friend of the world and of God at the same time.                    

# 7.  Godly wisdom is "without _________________"

The word was used originally of Greek actors who played a part on stage that was not like what they were in person.

If we all would seek to live by these seven qualities of Godly wisdom, personal conflicts would be greatly minimized and harmonious relationships would blossom and grow...

Now James gives us a list of 5 marks of Worldly Wisdom...

# 1.   Worldly wisdom is rooted in "bitter ________________ and ____________ ambition"

Both of these qualities deal with hidden motives of the heart..."if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart"

Worldly “____________” does not seek God’s glory. It's rooted in selfishness and pride...

# 2.   Worldly wisdom is "___________________" verse 14.

The Greek means, “Stop being arrogant.”

In 1 Corinthians 8:1 Paul warns us that, “Knowledge puffs up”.

# 3.  Worldly wisdom "_____ against the __________"

Godly wisdom is not given for the purpose of hoarding it over others...it's given for the purpose of ________________ God...                                                         

# 4.  Is given in a combination of three...Worldly wisdom is

"_____________, _______________, and _______________"

“Earthly” suggests a perspective that fails to consider God’s realm and will.

“Natural” is always used negatively in the New Testament, as opposed to “The Spiritual” 1 Corinthians 2:14; Jude 18-19

The third is “demonic,”, this points to the ultimate source of all that is opposed to God...John 8:39-44

# 5.  Is found in verse 16; "where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is ___________________ and every evil thing"...

Worldly wisdom results in "disorder and every evil thing"

The word “_____________” is the same Greek word that is here translated “________________.”

Then James sums up his point in verse 18; "a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace"

James' point is simple: You reap what you sow...

If you sow peace, you will reap peace...But if you sow selfishness and strife, you will reap conflict...

James wants us to apply Godly wisdom to our personal lives and relationships.

If James were here he may ask "are you at peace with those in your church?

http://www.4shared.com/file/234945769/4f4ba5fb/James_3_13-18.html

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Study Guide and Message's 

The Doctrine of Election

(PART 1-2)

Isaiah 46:9-10;  Daniel 4:34-35.

Do we as Baptists believe in the doctrine of election?

Through the years the Baptists have been called "______________ ___ ______ ______________"

IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION, NO ONE WOULD BE SAVED ! ! ! AND CHRIST'S DEATH WOULD BE OF NO EFFECT, THAT IS, IT WOULD NOT AFFECT ANYONE SAVINGLY!!!

This is a doctrine that has been around since the ___________ _____________...

It is clear from the Scripture of God's choice of Abraham...Nehemiah 9:7-8. 

The Bible is also clear of God's choice of Israel...Deuteronomy 7:6-9.

And also of Paul in Acts 9:15 and 16.

The point I want to make here is that if we have a problem with a choosing God then we have a problem with the God of the Bible...

Here are some quotes from our founding fathers...

Roger Williams (1603-1684)  established the first Baptist Church in America: "whatever be the soul infection breathed out from the lying lips of a plague sick Pharisee, yet not one elect or chosen of God shall perish.  God's sheep are safe in His eternal hand and counsel and He that knows His material knows also His mystical stars, their numbers and calls them everyone by name"

Obadiah Holmes (1607-1682) another leader and pastor of an American Baptist Church said: "those destined to be saved are, to be sure, those whom God chooses to save, His elect, 'for He knows who are His...,' and because man does not save himself, he cannot cause himself to be lost.  All that are in the covenant of grace 'shall never fall away or perish."

Benjamin Keach, a Baptist Pastor in London in 1668 said: "Election is an act of God's sovereignty or the good pleasure of His will for which He passed by the fallen angels and only sets His heart upon and chooses some of the lost sons of Adam...Election necessarily presupposeth some chosen and the rest passed by"..."election to everlasting life is an absolute act of God's sovereign grace without any respect had to our foreseen faith or holiness or obedience because election is the cause of our faith and holiness and not faith and holiness the cause of election."

Isaac Backus (1724-1806) another prominent Baptist preacher in our history stated in a sermon in 1756: "God the Father, of His mere good pleasure from all eternity, hath chosen a number of poor lost men in Christ Jesus to eternal salvation."

William Carey (1761-1834) known as the "Father of Modern Missions" said: "we are sure that only those who are ordained to eternal life will believe, and that God alone can add to the church such as shall be saved.  Nevertheless we cannot but observe with admiration that Paul, the great champion for the glorious doctrine of free and sovereign grace, was the most conspicuous for his personal zeal in the work of persuading men to be reconciled to God."                              

Luther Rice, was another missionary who founded the "General Missionary Convention of the Baptist Denomination" and later founded a Bible College said: "how absurd it is therefore to contend against the doctrine of election or the decrees of Divine Sovereignty.  Let us not, however, become bitter against those who view this matter in a different light nor treat in a supercilious [arrogant] manner.  Rather let us be gentle towards all men.  For who has made us to differ from what we once were?  Who has removed the scales from our eyes? Or who has disposed us to embrace the truth?"

W. B. Johnson, the first president of the Southern Baptist Convention, from 1845-1850, said: "The denomination that I have the honor to belong holds...the sovereignty of God in the provision and application of the plan of salvation."  In a sermon in 1822 he argues that "in the benefits of the atonement are imparted according to the righteous and sovereign will of God, and indeed Christ dies actually to redeem and introduce to glory...all who are His people."

R. B. C. Howell, the second president of the SBC from 1852-1858 said: "salvation through Jesus Christ, is according to the determinate counsel, and foreknowledge of God."

John A.  Broadus, former president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary said: "From the divine side, we see that the Scriptures teach an eternal election of men to eternal life simply out of God's good pleasure. "

B. H. Carroll, founder and first president of the Southwestern Baptist Seminary said: "Every one that God chose in Christ is drawn by the Spirit to Christ. Every one predestined is called by the Spirit in time, and justified in time, and will be glorified when the Lord comes."

James P. Boyce, founder and first president of Southern Baptist Seminary said: "God, of His own purpose, has from eternity determined to save a definite number of mankind as individuals, not for or because of any merit or works of theirs, nor of any value of them to Him; but of His own good pleasure."

W. T. Conner, professor of theology, Southwestern Baptist Seminary, Fort Worth, Texas said: "The doctrine of election means that God saves in pursuance of an eternal purpose. This includes all the gospel influence, work of the Spirit and so on, that leads a man to repent of his sins and accept Christ. So far as man's freedom is concerned, the doctrine of election does not mean that God decrees to save a man irrespective of his will. It rather means that God purposes to lead a man in such a way that he will freely accept the gospel and be saved."

Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Prince of Preachers, in a sermon delivered on Matthew 24:24 said: "I do not hesitate to say, that next to the doctrine of the crucifixion and the resurrection of our blessed Lord - no doctrine had such prominence in the early Christian church as the doctrine of the election of Grace."

In my doctrinal statement that I gave to the church and has since been adopted by the church states: "Election isGod's eternal choice of some persons unto everlasting life-not because of forseen merit in them, but of His mere mercy in Christ-in consequence of which choice they are called, justified, and glorified" (Romans 8:28-30; Ephesians 1:4-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 2:10; 1 Peter 1:1-2)

The London Confession 1644 (The First Baptist Confession of Faith) states that: "God hath before the foundation of the world, foreordained some men to eternal life, through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of His grace; [having foreordained and] leaving the rest in their sin to their just condemnation, to the praise of His justice" (Isaiah 45:7, 46:10; Ephesians 1: 4-5, 11; Romans 3:4, 11:33; Psalm 33:15, 115:3, 135:6, 144; 1 Samuel 10:9, 26; Proverbs 16:4, 33, 21:6; Exodus 21:13; Jeremiah 10:10; 14:22, Matthew 6:28, 30; Colossians 1:16, 17; Numbers23:19, 20; Jude 4, 6)

The Philadelphia Confession 1742 states that: "Those of mankind that are predestined to life, God, before the foundation of the world was laid, according to His eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret counsel and good pleasure of His will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of His mere free grace and love;  without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving Him thereunto.  As God hath appointed the elect unto glory, so He hath by the eternal and most free purpose of His will, foreordained all the means thereunto,  wherefore they who are elected, being fallen in Adam, are redeemed by Christ"

The New Hampshire Confession 1833 states that: "Election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies, and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end;  that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy, and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting, and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence"

The 2000 Baptist Faith and Message states that: "Election is the gracious purpose of God, according to which He regenerates, justifies, sanctifies, and glorifies sinners. It is consistent with the free agency of man, and comprehends all the means in connection with the end. It is the glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, and is infinitely wise, holy, and unchangeable. It excludes boasting and promotes humility.                                                                                                 

In the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message...when they saw fit to update it missed what the confession said about "Regeneration"

Which states that "regeneration, or the new birth, is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance and faith are inseparable experiences of grace"                          

Where do we get this doctrine of election?  Was it a doctrine that a man came up with?  These words are found in the Scripture; therefore they are worthy to be examined according to the Scriptures...

The words elect, election, appointed, ordained, choice, chosen, foreknow, foreknown, foreknowledge and predestination are all found in the Bible and demand our attention and study...

I personally believe that people are so afraid of this doctrine because it shows that man is totally ____________ and _________ in sin and they cannot do anything about it...

Let's get a general definition of the words elect/election...

Webster's Dictionary: carefully selected, chosen or set apart by Divine favor, chosen for salvation through Divine mercy; predestined for eternal life.

Vine's Expository Dictionary: "picked out, chosen"; "to gather, pick out"; "picked out or chosen from among the many"

Wayne Grudem: election is an act of God before creation in which God chooses some people to be saved, not on account of any foreseen merit in them, but only because of His Sovereign good pleasure.

To ____________________ means to foreordain by Divine will or decree; to determine before hand; to be established or prearranged unalterably; it is certain to occur; destined or inevitable;

___________________: to select or set by authority to fill a certain position.

To be _________________________ means to prearrange unalterably; predestine.

Foreknow/Foreknowledge: "to know beforehand"; it is used of Divine knowledge; "foreordained"; "the foreknowledge" of God.

"_______________________" is just one aspect of the omniscience of God and carries with it also His electing grace of individuals unto salvation.

It is more than just mere knowledge of the future, it brings with it the preordination of the future and carries the since of fore love; loved beforehand by God...It gives the pre-intimacy of God's foreordination of His people... (1 John 4:10 and 19)

Scripture for Election

Leviticus 20:26

Deuteronomy 4:37; 7:6-8

Nehemiah 9:7-8

Psalm 105:6-10

Isaiah 41:8-9

Jeremiah 1:4-5

Matthew 22:14; 24:22-24, 31

Mark 13:20-27

Luke 10:20; 18:7; 22:22

John 6:70; 13:18; 15:16-19

Acts 2:22-24; 3:18; 4:27-28; 9:15; 13:44-48

Romans 8:28-33; 9:1-33

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

Ephesians 1:3-11; 2:8-10

Colossians 3:5-12

1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; 2:12

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15

2 Timothy 1:8-9; 2:10

Titus 1:1-2

James 1:18

1 Peter 1:1-2, 20-21

2 Peter 1:3-10

Jude 1:3-4

Revelation 13:8-10; 17:8

http://www.4shared.com/file/138541275/5fa01be7/Doctrine_of_Election__part_1_.html

http://www.4shared.com/file/141201094/c2780823/Doctrine_of_Election__part_2_.html

The Doctrine of Election

(PART'S 3-4)

Who is it that does the choosing? (Psalm 3:8; Psalm 4:3; Psalm 65:4; Isaiah 45:17; Jonah 2:9; Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:4-5, 9 and 11; Ephesians 2:10; 2 Thessalonians 2:13)

Clearly we see from these Scriptures that it is _______ who does the  choosing…                                                                                             When Does God do the choosing? (Matthew 25:34; Ephesians 1:4; Ephesians 2:10;             Hebrews 4:3; Revelation 13:8; Romans 9:11-13)

Again the Scripture speaks for itself; God did the choosing _____________ the ___________________ of the _____________…

Why did He choose us? Why do some believe and others do not?                                                  (John 10:25-26; Romans 8:28-29; Ephesians 1:4-9; 11-14; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:13)

From these Scriptures we see that God chose us before the foundation of the world and did it for His __________________; _______________ and mainly for HIS ____________…

Election is not ____________________ itself, but unto salvation...(Romans 8:29-30;       Ephesians 1:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:13)

Election is not ______________________ of means...(Romans 10:17; Galatians 3:2;                     1 Peter 1:2)

Not “salvation regardless” but unto salvation through the redemption of Christ and applied by the Spirit through the gospel…                                                                                                         

Therefore it is not opposed to the gospel but the gospel is the means in accomplishing the purpose of Election…

God has commissioned His church in no uncertain means to go and proclaim the “gospel”… (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8)

Election does not shut the door to salvation…It opens for all those who come to Christ…        (John 6:37, 44, 63-65)

Election is not based on _______________ ____________ or ______________.                 (Romans 9:11-18; Ephesians 2:8-9; 2 Timothy 2:25)

Election is not ______________, but the work of God. God had a reason for His choosing…    (Romans 8:28; 1 Thessalonians 1:4-5; Hebrews 9:15)

Election does not destroy mans’ so-called "________ _______".                                        

The will of man is his desire, his wish or choice…Man is not free to choose something that is against his nature…(Jeremiah 13:23; Jeremiah 17:9; John 3:19; John 5:40)

Man freely chooses sin and by God’s grace the elect ___________ choose Christ...                (Psalm 65:4; Psalm 110:3; Acts 13:48; John 11)

We need to understand that mans’ inability to do righteousness no more frees him from responsibility than does satan’s inability to do righteousness…(Isaiah 45:9; Daniel 4:35; Romans 9:19-21;  Romans 11:33-36)

The doctrine of election does not make God unjust…

God’s blessing of grace bestowed on a great number of _________________ SINNERS with salvation is no injustice to the rest of __________________ SINNERS....                                         (1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)

Was it an injustice for God to love Jacob [choose Jacob]…and not to love Esau [choose Esau]…(Romans 9:14-18)

Finally election does not come to our knowledge by reason…it comes by ________________________…(Matthew 13:10-11; 1 Corinthians 2:14-16)

ALWAYS REMEMBER

"Our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases"  (Psalm 115:3)

"Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps"  (Psalm 135:6)

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