July 17, 2025 • 23 mins
A study in the book of James.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Kwave's Pastor Spotlight featuring the Bible teaching of
our local Southern California pastors. This week we are pleased
to bring you the Bible teaching ministry of Pastor Brian Sumner.
Brian is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast
in Westminster. Skateboarding fans remember him as longtime pro skater
(00:21):
for Tony Hawk. Since coming to faith in Christ, Pastor Brian.
Brian has traveled the world using this platform to share
the good news of Jesus Christ. For the last 17
years in ministry, Pastor Brian has preached in local churches,
taught at conferences, and led mission trips and outreaches. He's
looking forward to welcoming you this next Sunday at Calvary
(00:44):
Chapel Pacific Coast in Westminster. And now with today's study,
here's Pastor Brian Sumner.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Well, welcome again to everyone continuing on from where we
left off yesterday and today James appears to switch gears
or does he? He begins in verse 9 of James 1.
Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the
rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the
field he will pass away, for no sooner has the
(01:16):
sun risen with the burning heat that it withers the grass.
It's flower fade.
and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also
will fade away in his pursuits. Blessed is the man
who endorsed temptation for when he has been approved. He
will receive the crown of life which the Lord has
promised to those who love him.
(01:36):
Let no one say when he is tempted. I am
tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does he himself tempt anyone. But each one is
tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed. Then when desire is conceived, it gives birth
to sin, and sin when it is full grown brings
forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
(01:58):
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above
and comes down from the Father of light, with whom
there is no variation or shadow of turning of his
own will, he brought us forth by the word of
God that we might be a kind of fierce fruits
of his creatures. So then, my beloved brethren, let every
(02:18):
man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,
for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness
of God.
And reading this, James has gone from the trials they
were facing persecution in and around Jerusalem to now giving
us real life illustrations to the many trials we may face,
and he starts with the perspective of rich and poor.
(02:41):
He says in verse 9, let the lowly brother glory
in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation. The
lowly should glory in being exalted and the rich in humiliation.
And who doesn't this apply to? Are you rich, poor,
middle class? Do you have or have not? Is he
speaking to them, even us, to consider wherever we may
(03:04):
be and understand it through God's lens that the lowly
who doesn't feel they have much should focus on what
they do have some.
I think all believers have eternal life that no matter
what state are you rejoicing in the glory of your salvation,
are we really walking in the reality that we have
eternal life and peace and that this life, which is
(03:26):
just a vapor, will pass and will we even look
back to it?
You know, we actually sit with most people and ask
what their issues are. Most will list what they don't have,
where they are lacking the hand that they've been dealt,
and this is dangerous as this is what we find
in Genesis, how God told Adam and Eve that they
could eat from all the trees in the garden except one,
(03:48):
and yet what did they do? They focused on what
they did not have on which was off limits what
was outside of the reach, just like so many today.
Have you noticed that when we consider our lives, all
the single people wanna be married. Oftentimes the married people
wanna be single. If we had this shape, we wanna
be that. If we have this hair color, we want
to know that if we are thick, we wanna be thin.
(04:10):
I call the name upbringing, we are always playing from
a deficit because nothing in this life is perfect. We
see the wealthiest wanting more, the prettiest wanting more surgery,
the best using more pills to cheat the system and
beat the.
Record, but the Bible says godly contentment is great gain
and what is godly contentment? Godly contentment isn't my being
(04:32):
content when everything is how I want it to be.
That's called comfort, even control. Godly contentment is being content
in any scenario full dependence on God. It's realizing that
we have access to everything God has for us, trusting
in what he provides because if I truly need it,
he has promised to give it.
You know why I don't do the lottery? Because if
(04:54):
I needed $5 million that's God's responsibility. James 4:2, we're
told in a few chapters later, yet you do not
have because you do not ask in verse 3, you
ask and do not receive because you ask amiss that
you may spend it on your pleasures. It's clear the
riches aren't about our own pleasures, and when we consider
(05:16):
what we have, we all have more than most who
have ever lived.
James goes on in verse 10, but the rich in
his humiliation, how amazing he doesn't say glory in your riches,
glory in your wealth, glory in your options. He's saying
don't put your faith in something as flimsy as wealth, money, power,
(05:36):
as don't we all have stories of people who have
achieved so much, the world famous, the CEOs, the business owners,
the celebs only to fear.
Empty. How many times have we heard of surfers who
have won the pipeline pro and then left the beach
feeling empty? Or a friend of mine who was one
of the most successful realtors have an influence in his
(05:56):
hand on the pulse. Get in conversation he goes to
bed with just as many struggles as the next because
now there's even more overhead, more employees, and if one
thing collapses, they all can fall up.
Part. James's point is that while the lowly can rejoice
when considering inheritance, the rich should rejoice when humbled. Or
(06:18):
when trials remind them that genuine happiness and contentment only
comes from God's grace and security, not earthly riches. The
big idea is that all believers should be equally dependent
on God, rather than their faith being
Unworldly things. And this is not a criticism of being wealthy,
but a reminder that it's all temporary. A lot of
(06:40):
wealthy people have wealth, but don't use their wealth for
the kingdom, as they have focused so much on money,
they can't even use it. They're so tight-fisted. That's why
Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 6:17, command those who
are rich in the present age not to be haughty,
nor to trust in
Certain riches, but in the living God who gives us
(07:02):
richly all things to enjoy. So it's not wrong to
have things. It's wrong for things to have us. He
goes on in verse 18. Speaking of the rich, let
them do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves
a good foundation for the time to come.
(07:23):
So do you want your riches now or in eternity?
Jesus told us, no one can serve two masters, for
either he will hate the one and love the other,
or else he'll be loyal to the one and despise
the other. You cannot save God and Mammon. Also as
chief financial planner, Jesus advises us, do not lay up
(07:43):
for yourselves treasures on earth, but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also.
So the reality is, are we leaving behind our treasures
or going to our treasures? James pushes this point in
verse 10, saying, because as a flower of the field,
he will pass away, meaning the rich man. Verse 11 says,
(08:05):
for no sooner has the sun risen with the burning
heat that it withers the grass, its flower falls, and
its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will
fade away in his pursuits.
This is a picture of the flowers in Israel and
the lush green pastures which flourish in February but are
scorched by May. The while the sun and burning heat
(08:28):
destroys ages, ends everything what they cannot affect is our
spiritual values, our spiritual wealth into eternity.
And James suddenly switches back to trials in verse 12, saying,
blessed is the man who endures temptation for when he
has been approved. What does that mean? When he has
been approved? Aren't we already approved? Haven't we already been forgiven?
(08:53):
Isn't this solely because of what Jesus did on the
cross by faith? So what does he mean being approved?
One of the things we have to realize is that
when we believed we entered into this walk with God,
not just salvation but is walking with us through life
and one of the evidence of that is his presence
with us as we trust in him we read blessed
(09:14):
is the.
Man who endorsed temptation, meaning that there will be trials,
there will be temptations, and for the believer and evidence
we believe is that we will keep on walking through them.
Keep on running the race, finishing well. Brian, what do
you mean?
When we think about the power of the sower, what
do we see? The word of God is sown seeds
(09:36):
are cast, but Mark 4:19 tells us, but the cares
of this whale, the deceitfulness of riches, the desires for
other things, entering in, choking out the word, and it
becomes unfruitful.
That means only 1 in 4 remain follow, believe, and finish.
Jesus is telling us of certain things that can take
(09:57):
people out the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches,
the desires for other things. So part of an evidence
of our faith is that it sustains us in Christ.
I can't tell you how many.
People have experienced something or fall into sin, and it
takes them out. They don't endure, they give in, and
James is saying, blessed is the man who endures temptation,
(10:20):
even in verse 12. For when he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord
has promised to those who love him. And the crown
of life here, what are you picturing?
He's not talking about that of a king, a crown
of gold, but a victor's wreath, like that of an
athlete who has ran the race and it will be
(10:41):
awarded at the judgment seat of Christ. And while it's true,
all believers will make it to heaven, we will all
be receiving different sized rewards, even different crowns.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
You're listening to Kwave's Pastor Spotlight featuring Pastor Brian Sumner
of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast in Westminster. For information about
Pastor Brian's church, visit CCPC.org. Let's get back to our
study for today. Here's Pastor Brian Sumner.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Here and in Revelation are the only places we read
of this crown of life, and it's in the letter
written to the church in Smyrna, the suffering church in
Revelation 2:10 that we read, do not fear any of
those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the
devil is about to throw some of you into prison
(11:33):
that you may be tested.
And you will have tribulation 10 days. Be faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life. And
while there are other crowns like the crown of righteousness,
or Peter even talks about the crown of glory, Revelation
4 even speaks of the elders casting their crowns before
(11:55):
the Lord in heaven. Let me.
Just tell you the thinking of that day when we
stand before the Lord face to face with him, why
would we cast our crowns? Is it because God wants them,
needs them, or are we going to be so undone
in his presence that we willingly cast them at his
feet in worship, not focused on crowns on some victor's wreath,
(12:16):
but on God Almighty Himself?
And then James really does switch gears, saying in verse 13,
Let no one say when he is tempted. I am
tempted by God.
And tempted simply means drawn away and enticed and while
we covered this last week, the trials bring out the
best in a shaping us into Christ's image. Be aware
(12:37):
that temptations do the opposite, bringing out the worst. Trials
bring out faith in God, but temptations bring out the
evil in man. And remember how James said, when we
fall into various trials. Well, here James says when he
is tempted, meaning we will be tempted every.
One of us, because no matter how much you may
feel like Mary Poppins or Mr. Rogers today, all of
(13:00):
us will be tempted. But Paul tells us in 1
Corinthians 10:13, no temptation has overtaken you except such as
is common to man, but God is faithful who will
not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation, God will also make the way
of escape that you may be able to bear it.
(13:23):
And see temptations of the things we desire the things
we want are drawn to that we think will satisfy,
but will they? And I'm willing to say that between
everyone listening to this, don't we know that between us all,
everyone has been tempted with all sorts of sins, but
notice we read but with the temptation, he meaning God
(13:44):
will also make the way of escape. So did Adam
have to eat from the tree? No.
Did David have to sleep with Bathsheba? No. Do we
have an out when presented with simple things? Yes, God
has made a way. Hey, we are told that the
flesh is weak, but also that the spirit is willing.
Verse 13 says God cannot be tempted by evil, nor
(14:08):
does he himself tempt anyone. So it's not God who
is baiting us into sin, it's always the enemy and
the weaknesses of the flesh, but instead we often squirm
about it, justify it, blaming others. Who did Adam blame
in the garden? God and the woman, he said the
woman you gave me, literally telling God it was the
woman and God's fault.
(14:29):
And he says, but each one is tempted when he
is drawn away by his own desires and enticed and
drawn away here this is used thinking in mind when
hunters draw out their wild game, draw out their prey
to be captured, slaughtered and killed out in the open.
This drawing away is our being baited into sin, deceived
(14:51):
into death, drawn away by his own desires, he says,
and desires is a neutral word.
It refers to any sort of desire, good or bad,
so is your love for in and out a good one?
I mean, it sounds right about now pretty good lunchtime, amen.
But at times this weird desires is used to describe
evil desires, and this is the picture of desire baiting us.
(15:15):
It looks good. It sounds good and we have to
ask ourselves, do I know my desires? Do I.
Know my wants and my weaknesses because our own desires
are the things that come from within, come from the
environments where we were raised, things we saw our parents
doing or enjoying, maybe even our siblings, our cousins, others
(15:37):
influencing us growing up in Liverpool, how many people were
influenced by the 60s and what was celebrated?
The Beatles, The Doors, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, and so
many bands. We know the famous saying we become what
we worshiped the films and the music with people getting
in and out of bed, petty romances, flings, partying, drinking,
(15:58):
getting high, drugs, self. I mean all those hippies in
the Jesus movement, they came from somewhere, right? Greg Laurie?
And I know we give Adam and Eve a hard
time for eating the fruit, but what was it that
made them eat? Why did they eat?
Well Genesis 3:6 says when the woman saw.
That's what you underline when the woman saw that the
(16:20):
fruit of the tree was good for food, when she
saw it was what pleasing to hear more than what
God had given her when she saw it was pleasant
to the eyes, meaning enjoyable to look at, she had
to have it. When she saw it was a tree
desirable to make one wise, meaning full of knowledge, nosis
outside of what God gives, she took of its fruit
(16:42):
and ate.
That's why she ate because she saw, and Adam soon followed,
so she saw was drawn away by her own desires,
was enticed. Not it was three things, and how many
things did the serpent tempt Jesus with in Matthew 43 things.
And guess what? Even for us still as believers, First
(17:03):
John 2:15 tells us, do not love the way.
or the things in the world, for all that is
in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life comes not
from the Father but from the world. There's the three
things Eve was drawn away by the 3 things Jesus
was tempted with, the lust of the eyes, the lust
(17:23):
of the flesh, the pride of life, all aiming to entice,
which is.
Best understood as bait that is put on a fishing hook,
that's how Satan aims to bait us as he knows
our lives, lifestyles and weaknesses. Was that person attractive, kind,
your type, provocative, willing, even flirting? Was it more money
(17:44):
than you had ever seen? Was it a circumstance or
situation that we couldn't pass up? Verse 15 says, when
desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin.
When it is full grown, it brings forth death. So
sin is not this random spontaneous act. Some sin is
road rage, arguing, responding, reactive sin, but habitual sin means
(18:08):
it's a habit.
That it's allowed that it's tolerated that it actually grows
I notice he says when desire has conceived it gives
birth to sin and sin when is full grown brings
forth death. Why is he painting a picture of pregnancy?
Because pregnancy takes time, begins with a seed grows, gains traction,
(18:31):
is bathed that sin.
And what is a birth? It brings forth death. The
result of sin is always death in some sense. It
may be physical, whether it affects family, people, yourself, or
it may be spiritual, where we hide it and feel
the pressure and anxiety, guilt and shame, even distancing from
(18:53):
God as Adam did hiding in the bushes naked.
Verse 16, James tells us, do not be deceived, meaning
don't blame God or others, as God is perfect and
does not tempt, we can say. And in verse 17,
every good gift and every perfect gift is from above
and comes down from the Father of lights with whom
(19:15):
there's no variation or shadow of turning. James is saying
that God is the Father of lights, celestial lights.
The sun, the moon, the stars, even possibly the creative
beings and the gods. He is who gives the light
and him there there's no shadow, no deception. The god
is not the one leading us towards sin, affirming any
(19:37):
of it, but we should expect only good and perfect
things from God as he does not change. He's the
same yesterday, today, forever.
Verse 18 of his own will, he brought us forth
by the word of truth that we might be a
kind of fierce fruits of his creatures that of his
own will, wow, of his own desire while there was
(19:59):
nothing in us that benefited him, yet he brought us forth.
I mean all we really did was rebelled, opposed, blasphemed even,
but God in his love chose to what rescue us.
How do we know this? Because John 3:16 says for
God so loved the whale that he gave his only
begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish
(20:21):
but have everlasting life. And so how do we respond
to a passage like this? Well first of all.
What are we trusting in riches, wealth, things, idols, not
content with God's provision. Second, how are we enduring under temptations?
Are we fleeing or being drawn away, enticed by our
own desires, giving birth to death? Third, are we blaming
(20:45):
God or anyone else, justifying our issues, being a victim,
not holding ourselves accountable? And 4th.
Is your faith in Jesus Christ? Have you believed, trusted,
ask God for forgiveness of your sins through his Son
Jesus Christ and his work on the cross? Have you
repented and believed? I hope you have. I hope you
(21:09):
do because there's grace and mercy for you today and
eternity is a long time. This is Brian Sumner. God
bless in Jesus name. Amen.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Thank you for being with us here on Kwave's Pastor Spotlight.
Our featured Bible teacher is Pastor Brian Sumner. Pastor Brian
will be back tomorrow at the same time with more
encouragement from God's word. So make plans to join us.
Pastor Brian is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.
The church is conveniently located at 6400 Westminster Boulevard in Westminster,
(21:45):
about one block east of the 405 in Westminster. Worship
service times every week are 10:00 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m.
Wednesday nights. Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast is a consistent Bible believing,
spirit-filled church focused on feeding the sheep.
And reaching the lost as Calvary Chapel, they are dedicated
(22:06):
to worship, prayer, the word, and life on mission. They
encourage one another to answer the Savior's call to go
into all the world and make disciples, preaching and teaching
the gospel. Come and check out their Friday night skate
nights for the whole family, featuring their on-site newly built
spine mini ramp and street obstacles. For more information on
(22:28):
visiting Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.
Visit their website at CCPC.org. That's CCPC.org. Join us right
here at the same time tomorrow for another time of
growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ here
on Pastor Spotlight. Again, we'll be featuring the Bible teaching
ministry of Pastor Brian Sumner of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast
(22:52):
in Westminster. We hope you'll join us. Pastor Spotlight is
a production of Kwave Radio.
Welcome to Kwave's Pastor Spotlight featuring the Bible teaching of
our local Southern California pastors. This week we are pleased
to bring you the Bible teaching ministry of Pastor Brian Sumner.
Brian is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast
in Westminster. Skateboarding fans remember him as longtime pro skater
(00:21):
for Tony Hawk. Since coming to faith in Christ, Pastor Brian.
Brian has traveled the world using this platform to share
the good news of Jesus Christ. For the last 17
years in ministry, Pastor Brian has preached in local churches,
taught at conferences, and led mission trips and outreaches. He's
looking forward to welcoming you this next Sunday at Calvary
(00:44):
Chapel Pacific Coast in Westminster. And now with today's study,
here's Pastor Brian Sumner.
Speaker 2 (00:53):
Well, welcome again to everyone continuing on from where we
left off yesterday and today James appears to switch gears
or does he? He begins in verse 9 of James 1.
Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, but the
rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the
field he will pass away, for no sooner has the
(01:16):
sun risen with the burning heat that it withers the grass.
It's flower fade.
and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also
will fade away in his pursuits. Blessed is the man
who endorsed temptation for when he has been approved. He
will receive the crown of life which the Lord has
promised to those who love him.
(01:36):
Let no one say when he is tempted. I am
tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted by evil,
nor does he himself tempt anyone. But each one is
tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires
and enticed. Then when desire is conceived, it gives birth
to sin, and sin when it is full grown brings
forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
(01:58):
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above
and comes down from the Father of light, with whom
there is no variation or shadow of turning of his
own will, he brought us forth by the word of
God that we might be a kind of fierce fruits
of his creatures. So then, my beloved brethren, let every
(02:18):
man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,
for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness
of God.
And reading this, James has gone from the trials they
were facing persecution in and around Jerusalem to now giving
us real life illustrations to the many trials we may face,
and he starts with the perspective of rich and poor.
(02:41):
He says in verse 9, let the lowly brother glory
in his exaltation, but the rich in his humiliation. The
lowly should glory in being exalted and the rich in humiliation.
And who doesn't this apply to? Are you rich, poor,
middle class? Do you have or have not? Is he
speaking to them, even us, to consider wherever we may
(03:04):
be and understand it through God's lens that the lowly
who doesn't feel they have much should focus on what
they do have some.
I think all believers have eternal life that no matter
what state are you rejoicing in the glory of your salvation,
are we really walking in the reality that we have
eternal life and peace and that this life, which is
(03:26):
just a vapor, will pass and will we even look
back to it?
You know, we actually sit with most people and ask
what their issues are. Most will list what they don't have,
where they are lacking the hand that they've been dealt,
and this is dangerous as this is what we find
in Genesis, how God told Adam and Eve that they
could eat from all the trees in the garden except one,
(03:48):
and yet what did they do? They focused on what
they did not have on which was off limits what
was outside of the reach, just like so many today.
Have you noticed that when we consider our lives, all
the single people wanna be married. Oftentimes the married people
wanna be single. If we had this shape, we wanna
be that. If we have this hair color, we want
to know that if we are thick, we wanna be thin.
(04:10):
I call the name upbringing, we are always playing from
a deficit because nothing in this life is perfect. We
see the wealthiest wanting more, the prettiest wanting more surgery,
the best using more pills to cheat the system and
beat the.
Record, but the Bible says godly contentment is great gain
and what is godly contentment? Godly contentment isn't my being
(04:32):
content when everything is how I want it to be.
That's called comfort, even control. Godly contentment is being content
in any scenario full dependence on God. It's realizing that
we have access to everything God has for us, trusting
in what he provides because if I truly need it,
he has promised to give it.
You know why I don't do the lottery? Because if
(04:54):
I needed $5 million that's God's responsibility. James 4:2, we're
told in a few chapters later, yet you do not
have because you do not ask in verse 3, you
ask and do not receive because you ask amiss that
you may spend it on your pleasures. It's clear the
riches aren't about our own pleasures, and when we consider
(05:16):
what we have, we all have more than most who
have ever lived.
James goes on in verse 10, but the rich in
his humiliation, how amazing he doesn't say glory in your riches,
glory in your wealth, glory in your options. He's saying
don't put your faith in something as flimsy as wealth, money, power,
(05:36):
as don't we all have stories of people who have
achieved so much, the world famous, the CEOs, the business owners,
the celebs only to fear.
Empty. How many times have we heard of surfers who
have won the pipeline pro and then left the beach
feeling empty? Or a friend of mine who was one
of the most successful realtors have an influence in his
(05:56):
hand on the pulse. Get in conversation he goes to
bed with just as many struggles as the next because
now there's even more overhead, more employees, and if one
thing collapses, they all can fall up.
Part. James's point is that while the lowly can rejoice
when considering inheritance, the rich should rejoice when humbled. Or
(06:18):
when trials remind them that genuine happiness and contentment only
comes from God's grace and security, not earthly riches. The
big idea is that all believers should be equally dependent
on God, rather than their faith being
Unworldly things. And this is not a criticism of being wealthy,
but a reminder that it's all temporary. A lot of
(06:40):
wealthy people have wealth, but don't use their wealth for
the kingdom, as they have focused so much on money,
they can't even use it. They're so tight-fisted. That's why
Paul tells us in 1 Timothy 6:17, command those who
are rich in the present age not to be haughty,
nor to trust in
Certain riches, but in the living God who gives us
(07:02):
richly all things to enjoy. So it's not wrong to
have things. It's wrong for things to have us. He
goes on in verse 18. Speaking of the rich, let
them do good, that they be rich in good works,
ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves
a good foundation for the time to come.
(07:23):
So do you want your riches now or in eternity?
Jesus told us, no one can serve two masters, for
either he will hate the one and love the other,
or else he'll be loyal to the one and despise
the other. You cannot save God and Mammon. Also as
chief financial planner, Jesus advises us, do not lay up
(07:43):
for yourselves treasures on earth, but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, for where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also.
So the reality is, are we leaving behind our treasures
or going to our treasures? James pushes this point in
verse 10, saying, because as a flower of the field,
he will pass away, meaning the rich man. Verse 11 says,
(08:05):
for no sooner has the sun risen with the burning
heat that it withers the grass, its flower falls, and
its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will
fade away in his pursuits.
This is a picture of the flowers in Israel and
the lush green pastures which flourish in February but are
scorched by May. The while the sun and burning heat
(08:28):
destroys ages, ends everything what they cannot affect is our
spiritual values, our spiritual wealth into eternity.
And James suddenly switches back to trials in verse 12, saying,
blessed is the man who endures temptation for when he
has been approved. What does that mean? When he has
been approved? Aren't we already approved? Haven't we already been forgiven?
(08:53):
Isn't this solely because of what Jesus did on the
cross by faith? So what does he mean being approved?
One of the things we have to realize is that
when we believed we entered into this walk with God,
not just salvation but is walking with us through life
and one of the evidence of that is his presence
with us as we trust in him we read blessed
(09:14):
is the.
Man who endorsed temptation, meaning that there will be trials,
there will be temptations, and for the believer and evidence
we believe is that we will keep on walking through them.
Keep on running the race, finishing well. Brian, what do
you mean?
When we think about the power of the sower, what
do we see? The word of God is sown seeds
(09:36):
are cast, but Mark 4:19 tells us, but the cares
of this whale, the deceitfulness of riches, the desires for
other things, entering in, choking out the word, and it
becomes unfruitful.
That means only 1 in 4 remain follow, believe, and finish.
Jesus is telling us of certain things that can take
(09:57):
people out the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches,
the desires for other things. So part of an evidence
of our faith is that it sustains us in Christ.
I can't tell you how many.
People have experienced something or fall into sin, and it
takes them out. They don't endure, they give in, and
James is saying, blessed is the man who endures temptation,
(10:20):
even in verse 12. For when he has been approved,
he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord
has promised to those who love him. And the crown
of life here, what are you picturing?
He's not talking about that of a king, a crown
of gold, but a victor's wreath, like that of an
athlete who has ran the race and it will be
(10:41):
awarded at the judgment seat of Christ. And while it's true,
all believers will make it to heaven, we will all
be receiving different sized rewards, even different crowns.
Speaker 1 (10:53):
You're listening to Kwave's Pastor Spotlight featuring Pastor Brian Sumner
of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast in Westminster. For information about
Pastor Brian's church, visit CCPC.org. Let's get back to our
study for today. Here's Pastor Brian Sumner.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Here and in Revelation are the only places we read
of this crown of life, and it's in the letter
written to the church in Smyrna, the suffering church in
Revelation 2:10 that we read, do not fear any of
those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the
devil is about to throw some of you into prison
(11:33):
that you may be tested.
And you will have tribulation 10 days. Be faithful until death,
and I will give you the crown of life. And
while there are other crowns like the crown of righteousness,
or Peter even talks about the crown of glory, Revelation
4 even speaks of the elders casting their crowns before
(11:55):
the Lord in heaven. Let me.
Just tell you the thinking of that day when we
stand before the Lord face to face with him, why
would we cast our crowns? Is it because God wants them,
needs them, or are we going to be so undone
in his presence that we willingly cast them at his
feet in worship, not focused on crowns on some victor's wreath,
(12:16):
but on God Almighty Himself?
And then James really does switch gears, saying in verse 13,
Let no one say when he is tempted. I am
tempted by God.
And tempted simply means drawn away and enticed and while
we covered this last week, the trials bring out the
best in a shaping us into Christ's image. Be aware
(12:37):
that temptations do the opposite, bringing out the worst. Trials
bring out faith in God, but temptations bring out the
evil in man. And remember how James said, when we
fall into various trials. Well, here James says when he
is tempted, meaning we will be tempted every.
One of us, because no matter how much you may
feel like Mary Poppins or Mr. Rogers today, all of
(13:00):
us will be tempted. But Paul tells us in 1
Corinthians 10:13, no temptation has overtaken you except such as
is common to man, but God is faithful who will
not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able,
but with the temptation, God will also make the way
of escape that you may be able to bear it.
(13:23):
And see temptations of the things we desire the things
we want are drawn to that we think will satisfy,
but will they? And I'm willing to say that between
everyone listening to this, don't we know that between us all,
everyone has been tempted with all sorts of sins, but
notice we read but with the temptation, he meaning God
(13:44):
will also make the way of escape. So did Adam
have to eat from the tree? No.
Did David have to sleep with Bathsheba? No. Do we
have an out when presented with simple things? Yes, God
has made a way. Hey, we are told that the
flesh is weak, but also that the spirit is willing.
Verse 13 says God cannot be tempted by evil, nor
(14:08):
does he himself tempt anyone. So it's not God who
is baiting us into sin, it's always the enemy and
the weaknesses of the flesh, but instead we often squirm
about it, justify it, blaming others. Who did Adam blame
in the garden? God and the woman, he said the
woman you gave me, literally telling God it was the
woman and God's fault.
(14:29):
And he says, but each one is tempted when he
is drawn away by his own desires and enticed and
drawn away here this is used thinking in mind when
hunters draw out their wild game, draw out their prey
to be captured, slaughtered and killed out in the open.
This drawing away is our being baited into sin, deceived
(14:51):
into death, drawn away by his own desires, he says,
and desires is a neutral word.
It refers to any sort of desire, good or bad,
so is your love for in and out a good one?
I mean, it sounds right about now pretty good lunchtime, amen.
But at times this weird desires is used to describe
evil desires, and this is the picture of desire baiting us.
(15:15):
It looks good. It sounds good and we have to
ask ourselves, do I know my desires? Do I.
Know my wants and my weaknesses because our own desires
are the things that come from within, come from the
environments where we were raised, things we saw our parents
doing or enjoying, maybe even our siblings, our cousins, others
(15:37):
influencing us growing up in Liverpool, how many people were
influenced by the 60s and what was celebrated?
The Beatles, The Doors, Bob Marley, Pink Floyd, and so
many bands. We know the famous saying we become what
we worshiped the films and the music with people getting
in and out of bed, petty romances, flings, partying, drinking,
(15:58):
getting high, drugs, self. I mean all those hippies in
the Jesus movement, they came from somewhere, right? Greg Laurie?
And I know we give Adam and Eve a hard
time for eating the fruit, but what was it that
made them eat? Why did they eat?
Well Genesis 3:6 says when the woman saw.
That's what you underline when the woman saw that the
(16:20):
fruit of the tree was good for food, when she
saw it was what pleasing to hear more than what
God had given her when she saw it was pleasant
to the eyes, meaning enjoyable to look at, she had
to have it. When she saw it was a tree
desirable to make one wise, meaning full of knowledge, nosis
outside of what God gives, she took of its fruit
(16:42):
and ate.
That's why she ate because she saw, and Adam soon followed,
so she saw was drawn away by her own desires,
was enticed. Not it was three things, and how many
things did the serpent tempt Jesus with in Matthew 43 things.
And guess what? Even for us still as believers, First
(17:03):
John 2:15 tells us, do not love the way.
or the things in the world, for all that is
in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust
of the eyes, and the pride of life comes not
from the Father but from the world. There's the three
things Eve was drawn away by the 3 things Jesus
was tempted with, the lust of the eyes, the lust
(17:23):
of the flesh, the pride of life, all aiming to entice,
which is.
Best understood as bait that is put on a fishing hook,
that's how Satan aims to bait us as he knows
our lives, lifestyles and weaknesses. Was that person attractive, kind,
your type, provocative, willing, even flirting? Was it more money
(17:44):
than you had ever seen? Was it a circumstance or
situation that we couldn't pass up? Verse 15 says, when
desire is conceived, it gives birth to sin.
When it is full grown, it brings forth death. So
sin is not this random spontaneous act. Some sin is
road rage, arguing, responding, reactive sin, but habitual sin means
(18:08):
it's a habit.
That it's allowed that it's tolerated that it actually grows
I notice he says when desire has conceived it gives
birth to sin and sin when is full grown brings
forth death. Why is he painting a picture of pregnancy?
Because pregnancy takes time, begins with a seed grows, gains traction,
(18:31):
is bathed that sin.
And what is a birth? It brings forth death. The
result of sin is always death in some sense. It
may be physical, whether it affects family, people, yourself, or
it may be spiritual, where we hide it and feel
the pressure and anxiety, guilt and shame, even distancing from
(18:53):
God as Adam did hiding in the bushes naked.
Verse 16, James tells us, do not be deceived, meaning
don't blame God or others, as God is perfect and
does not tempt, we can say. And in verse 17,
every good gift and every perfect gift is from above
and comes down from the Father of lights with whom
(19:15):
there's no variation or shadow of turning. James is saying
that God is the Father of lights, celestial lights.
The sun, the moon, the stars, even possibly the creative
beings and the gods. He is who gives the light
and him there there's no shadow, no deception. The god
is not the one leading us towards sin, affirming any
(19:37):
of it, but we should expect only good and perfect
things from God as he does not change. He's the
same yesterday, today, forever.
Verse 18 of his own will, he brought us forth
by the word of truth that we might be a
kind of fierce fruits of his creatures that of his
own will, wow, of his own desire while there was
(19:59):
nothing in us that benefited him, yet he brought us forth.
I mean all we really did was rebelled, opposed, blasphemed even,
but God in his love chose to what rescue us.
How do we know this? Because John 3:16 says for
God so loved the whale that he gave his only
begotten son that whoever believes in him should not perish
(20:21):
but have everlasting life. And so how do we respond
to a passage like this? Well first of all.
What are we trusting in riches, wealth, things, idols, not
content with God's provision. Second, how are we enduring under temptations?
Are we fleeing or being drawn away, enticed by our
own desires, giving birth to death? Third, are we blaming
(20:45):
God or anyone else, justifying our issues, being a victim,
not holding ourselves accountable? And 4th.
Is your faith in Jesus Christ? Have you believed, trusted,
ask God for forgiveness of your sins through his Son
Jesus Christ and his work on the cross? Have you
repented and believed? I hope you have. I hope you
(21:09):
do because there's grace and mercy for you today and
eternity is a long time. This is Brian Sumner. God
bless in Jesus name. Amen.
Speaker 1 (21:20):
Thank you for being with us here on Kwave's Pastor Spotlight.
Our featured Bible teacher is Pastor Brian Sumner. Pastor Brian
will be back tomorrow at the same time with more
encouragement from God's word. So make plans to join us.
Pastor Brian is the senior pastor of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.
The church is conveniently located at 6400 Westminster Boulevard in Westminster,
(21:45):
about one block east of the 405 in Westminster. Worship
service times every week are 10:00 a.m. Sundays and 7 p.m.
Wednesday nights. Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast is a consistent Bible believing,
spirit-filled church focused on feeding the sheep.
And reaching the lost as Calvary Chapel, they are dedicated
(22:06):
to worship, prayer, the word, and life on mission. They
encourage one another to answer the Savior's call to go
into all the world and make disciples, preaching and teaching
the gospel. Come and check out their Friday night skate
nights for the whole family, featuring their on-site newly built
spine mini ramp and street obstacles. For more information on
(22:28):
visiting Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast.
Visit their website at CCPC.org. That's CCPC.org. Join us right
here at the same time tomorrow for another time of
growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ here
on Pastor Spotlight. Again, we'll be featuring the Bible teaching
ministry of Pastor Brian Sumner of Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast
(22:52):
in Westminster. We hope you'll join us. Pastor Spotlight is
a production of Kwave Radio.
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