UNDONE by God's Holiness

Isa 6:1-8
Our view of God (what we truly believe) affects every area of our lives.
v1 "I saw the Lord" the ruler, the one in charge. If I saw God, everything would change. "Seated on the throne" God was sitting, completely in control. No worries, God is on the throne. "The train of his robe filled the temple" the length of the train is a symbol of the majesty, power and importance of the person. God does what he wants, he's the boss. Isa 46:10.
v2 Seraphim - burning ones. Ministering to God himself, covering faces and feet is a sign of the holiness of God and the place. Ex 3:3-5 Holy ground.
v3 "Holy, holy, holy" repetition is a marker of importance. Isa 40:25 there is no one like God. You can't measure God on man's chart at all. "The whole earth is full of his glory." God's glory is all around us. Rev 4:8-11. "Holy, holy, holy" will be the cry of heaven.
v4 "the doorposts and thresholds shook" Heaven's worship is going to be loud sometimes. "The temple is filled with smoke" as if God said you can't handle any more.
v5 "WOE" calamity has fallen.

UNDONE by my complacency

Isa 6:1-8
Complacency: a feeling of contentment and self satisfaction, especially when coupled with unawareness of danger.
Revival: renewed interest after a period of indifference or decline. Opposite of complacency.
*Move from complacency to revival.
v1 In the year that King Uzziah died... 2 Chron 26:1-5, 16-21.
1. We are not exempt from complacency. I am not exempt from complacency. We naturally drift away from God.
2. It is very possible to look religious and still be complacent. Isa 1:10-15. The form of their worship was correct, the heart of worship was not. Mt 15:7-9.
3. Our culture is bent toward spiritual complacency. 2 Chron 26:16 Uzziah's pride led to his downfall. Complacency is a deadly for of spiritual growth.
4. At some point, God will shake us from our complacency. God loves me enough to not let me stay in this place of complacency. 2 Chron 26:23. The message on Uzziah's tombstone: He had leprosy. Wow. That is haunting. That is NOT what I want my life to be like!

What do I do? Be saved. Admit my complacency. Cry out to God for help.

Jas 5:7-12

Jas 5:7-12 Patience
- Be patient. v7-8. Be long-fused. Mt 5:10-11, following Jesus is hard. 2 Tim 3:12.
- Be patient, God is accomplishing something in you. v7, the farmer plants the seed, trusts God, and waits for rain. We are in control of absolutely nothing, God is in control. We must do what we need to do, and then trust God.  It's a process. Don't give up, God will reap a harvest in your life. Gal 6:9.
- Be patient with each other. Don't grumble against one another, v9, 12. No drama, just say yes or no. Ps 15:4.
- Be patient even when our circumstances are unfair or unjust. v10, remember the prophets and their suffering.
- Be patient because He loves you more than you can possibly understand. v11, remember Job's perseverance and what the Lord finally brought about. Job 1:21, 13:15. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, and He loves us unconditionally.
- Be patient. Jesus is coming back! v8. 2 Tim 4:8; Rom 8:18; 2 Cor 4:17; Rev 21:4.

Jas 5:1-6

Jas 5:1-6
Materialism - putting material possessions and our comfort ahead of spiritual growth.
God blesses His people. Prov 10:22. How are we using His blessings?
v1-3 We are "you rich people." We shouldn't chase after or celebrate our wealth and possessions, because they will be gone. Mt 6:19-20
v4 Don't treat people wrong in order to gain success.
v5 Don't live in luxury and self-indulgence.
v6 Living for material possessions can cost us eternity.

How do we fight materialism?
1. Give to God. Giving is for us, to remind us that everything we have is from God. Mal 3:8-10
2. Care deeply for others.
3. Learn to be content. 1 Tim 6:6-10, 17

Jas 4:13-17

Jas 4:13-17
-Life is uncertain. v13-14. Prov 21:5, 15:22 It's good to plan, but God needs to be the center of your planning.
-Life is brief. v4:14. We are not as significant as we think we are in the big picture of life. Life passes really fast. Why would we make plans and not consult God about it?
-Live with a God conciousness. v15. Realize that everything in our lives is "Lord willing." I need to live my life with a constant desire to please God. Don't compartmentalize Jesus. Our relationship with Jesus affects everything.
-Do what you are supposed to do. v16-17. Boasting and planning without God is sin. Not following His direction is evil.

How do we do this?
1. Be saved.
2. Know Him.
3. Do His will. Jn 4:34; 1 Jn 2:17; Ps 32:8a
4. Live with a God conciousness. 1 Cor 10:31. Do everything for the glory of God.
5. Remember His Grace. We can celebrate His forgiveness when we do sin.

Jas 4:7-12

Jas 4:7-12
Prov 18:3 God hates pride. Phil 2:6-8 Jesus made himself nothing in complete humility. Humility is the heart of Christ-likeness. Humility is necessary to living a life that brings glory to God and ultimate joy. Jn 15:8, Mt 5:16.
1. Humility starts with a realistic evaluation of our condition as human beings. Jer 4:14 our hearts are deceitfully wicked. Eph 2:8-10. Nothing in us cries out to God on our own. v7 - submit to God first, and then resist the devil.
2. Humility requires intentionality. v8-10. Daily humble ourselves and rid ourselves of sin.
3. Humility leads to spiritual growth. Prov 11:2. God cannot fill us if we are full of ourselves.
4. Humility practiced, changes everything! v11-12. Phil 2:3-5. Brings joy, peace and fulfilment.
God, where am I stealing your glory?

Jas 4:1-6

Jas 4:1-6
-The war within. v1-3. Rom 7:14-25
-Friends and Enemies. v4. We should be different than those in the world.
-Divine Jealousy. v5. God is jealous for us, he wants us to be His and be in Him. Put God first.
-More Grace. v6. James didn't believe in Jesus at first. Mk 3:20-21.

1. Recognize when we are the problem.
2. Fight the war within. Crucify our flesh.
3. Make a Kingdom decision everyday.
4. Pursue humility before God and others.
5. Become addicted to God's grace. ♡