There are a few key things I want to jump into regarding Sunday’s sermon from James 3:13-18. I’ll get right to it.
My personal experience:
Early in ministry, I prided myself on my courage and strength. I regularly applauded myself for defending the truth and for speaking with courage. Others applauded me for my ‘power’ and ‘anointing.’ I was told that I would be the next Billy Graham. However, something always seemed off. People I respected encouraged me, but challenged me regularly on my tone and motives. They told me I was sometimes too harsh and critical of others. I had little patience for those who disagreed, and I felt like people who didn’t change, ‘didn’t get it.’ Yes, there were times of fruitfulness, but there were also some chaotic and confusing things (done by me and to me).
That was when Jill confronted me with the story I gave on Sunday. That began an ‘open heart surgery’ on my selfish ambition and unholy zeal. I was struck by James 3:13-18 and Philippians 2:2-4. I was wrecked by the gentleness and patience of Christ towards sinners (and me). What struck me was that the only people Jesus got angry with… were supposed religious leaders hurting God’s people. He never was impatient or upset at sinners. He was sacrificial and served sinners like me to His death. His ambition was to serve God and His people faithfully.
Sunday’s sermon acknowledged God’s grace in my life and (I believe) in our church. For the last 15+ years, the Lord has torn down these sins in my heart and helped me regularly catch them before they hurt others. And the Lord has given us a unique, peace-filled, joyful church. This is God’s grace and something I do not take for granted. I regularly admit to the Lord and our pastoral team that, knowing my past, I could mess this up. I’m grateful the Lord has helped us.
Our cultural moment:
This is why Sunday’s sermon is so essential for us right now. It is not the Christian Church’s job to bring conflict to the world. Conflict with the gospel already exists. We must faithfully demonstrate and declare the gospel of peace (with God and others) to the world we live in, gently and respectfully. Chaos and conflict are everywhere. The places that should not exist are in the church and in our declaration of the gospel. It should be the gospel that offends, not our engagement with others, impatience, frustration, or yelling.
In the last year, I have had very challenging interactions with non-Christians. In each situation, the Lord helped me see where my engagement with them was a bit too aggressive or harsh, and when I went back to acknowledge them, we were able to reconcile, and that opened the door for me to share the gospel with them. I am convinced the peaceful, pure, open to reason that James talks about in James 3:13-18 is THE way to serve our world with the gospel.
Our world is filled with so much conflict. Why would Christians be the ones to bring more? Why would we not be different? Why would we not display the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-25) and the wonder of heavenly wisdom (James 3:17-18)?
If at all possible with you…
I realize that conflict happens and that it came to the apostles in the early Church when they shared Jesus as the only way to salvation. You will notice throughout the book of Acts, in particular, that the disciples faithfully, respectfully, and gently brought the gospel to the places they went. The townspeople who were antagonists brought the conflict, not the Christians. Christians, by and large, did what they could to be at peace with all people.
Paul mentions this in Romans 12:18 when he wrote, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” In this world, we will have trouble and conflict. Paul’s point: make sure it’s not because of you. Make sure you’re not the common denominator. This means to do everything you can (without compromising the gospel or your conscience) to live peaceably with others. Examples: What can you do to soften your angry neighbor? How can you bridge relationships with people you think don’t like you? Does your face or demeanor give off the impression that you don’t like people? What about your tone when you’re speaking? How can you do all you can to live peaceably with all?
Paul’s point also means that there will be people with whom we won’t live peaceably. But let’s ensure it’s not because we didn’t do all we could.
Peaceful soil:
One last thing: when we have a peaceful relationship with others…it’s the best soil to sow gospel seeds. I have enjoyed sharing the gospel with close non-Christian friends. They know I love them, I care for their families, and they hear me (even if they have yet to trust Christ). I find James’s closing in vs. 18 compelling: “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”
When we make peace, we reap a harvest of righteousness. There is something to be said about sharing the gospel from peace, in peace, and what that produces.
In 1 Timothy 2:1-4, Paul wrote: “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” It’s interesting how he urges us to pray for all people, especially for civil authorities, so that we might live peaceful and quiet lives…and that this is good because God desires all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Paul’s admonition can be summed up this way: Pray for civil authorities to allow Christians to live peacefully and quietly, and freely demonstrate and declare the gospel, because God wants people saved. Do you see how God urges us to pray? Pray for freedom of speech and freedom of religion, as well as the ability to live peacefully and quietly, because this is a way that God brings people to the knowledge of the truth. That is compelling and worthy of our prayers!
Cheap Seats:
- Ok…a Little League home run to end a Major League game. The best line from the announcer, Jon Miller, “He quite literally hit the ball 60 feet and the Rangers did the rest.” Here’s the video: https://www.mlb.com/news/the-giants-walk-off-for-5th-time-this-season
- I can’t think of a more awful baseball weekend for my family: The Aggies were swept by the T-sips, the Beavers were swept by the Ducks, and the Rangers lost in humiliating fashion. It’s a good thing my identity is not found in my fandom.
- I want to put a plug in here for the CLF podcast: CLF Conversations. On our podcast, we’re trying to highlight things and people at CLF. It has been a blast to work on with Perry. We’ve done 18 episodes so far, ranging from baptism to replacement theology to child-training. The 19th episode, coming out this Friday, is about my sabbatical.
- Here’s the Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/7mfjCJibCO6g2Bsv3oe0eg?si=52dfa9691bd640f6
- Here’s the Apple Podcast link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/clf-conversations/id1789024424
Have a great week!
Christ is King!
In Christ,
Dave York
