Pilgrims: James - Obedient

James, the brother of Jesus - not originally one of the 12 disciples, but becomes a prominent leader in the early church. 

Historians say that James was pretty much in the lead role of the church after Peter is gone.

Paul, on his thoughts of James:

Galatians 2:9 (ESV)

9 and when James and Cephas and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given to me, they gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

He goes so far as to imply apostleship of James:

Galatians 1:18–19 (ESV)

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

He's only mentioned 8 times in the New Testament, and by far the most meaningful is Acts 15 where he is a voice for the Gentile believers.

Outside of that, we have the book of James.

Here's what I love about the book of James - it is PRACTICAL

• It's the proverbs of the NT

• There's such a focus of applicable truth!

• Obedience is living out applicable truth.

James 1:22–25 (ESV)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

James 2:21–26 (ESV)

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

Obedience is the fruit of faith

Understanding obedience: 3 ways we create obedient lifestyles

• These are concepts, not steps (for the practical steps, read James!)

Obedience means following God in HOLINESS

1 Peter 1:15–16 (ESV)

15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

That's simple enough, right? Just be holy!

Just so we're on the same page, what does that mean?

• There are competing ideas, most accepted is:

  • being separate, consecrated

In the context of this verse: it is taking on the character and nature of God

• You BE because I AM

This is Bible. It's not even a suggestion - it's a directive - BE HOLY

We can't quite achieve perfect holiness, but that shouldn't keep us from working toward it!

People use their inability to master holiness as their excuse to avoid the pursuit of holiness.

• That would be like:

  • I could never be a PGA Tour golfer so why even bother going to the golf course

  • I'm not a world-renown chef so why even cook

  • I'm not fast enough or strong enough to win the crossfit games, so I'm not even working out!

You aren't going to master holiness here on earth, but the pursuit of holiness is the prep for eternity!

Obedience means following God in HUMILITY

Philippians 2:5–11 (ESV)

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

• This is why serving is such a part of our culture here!

If I'm not living in humility, I'll never live in obedience

• Jesus was never too:

  • Busy

  • Good

  • Important

• He didn't have this religious "untouchable" heir about him.

  • He was approachable

  • He was interested

  • He was willing to get involved

Humility is the character of someone who understands where their "holiness" came from.

• When you think that YOU are holy - you'll be too good to SERVE anyone else.

Obedience means following God in LOVE

John 13:34 (ESV)

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Whenever holiness and humility meet - this right here is the product - LOVE

As it relates to obedience:

• Obedience is a choice

• Love is a choice

Motivation for obedience:

The motivation and the empowering for the task are for the current assignment not the next assignment!

Obedience is learning to take the next step

Psalm 37:23 (NKJV)

23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his way.

• You don't have to know the whole plan - obedience is taking the next step!

• If God isn't giving you anything new lately, did you obey the last assignment he gave you?

Is there an area in your life that you've neglected obedience?

Are you pursuing holiness?

Are you carrying yourself in humility?

Are you living your life in love?