Lesson 32 August 25
2:2-4 Principle
Illustrated
2:2 The Setting: Situation Described
For if a man comes into your assembly
The Situation
The believers had met for worship.
The "usher" is presented
with a dilemma.
At the door appears a very wealthy
man - w/gold ring (Mr gold-finger)
It was common to wear rings in the
ancient world as either a signet ring or just for adornment. Might even been
more than one. [Mr T.; Sammy Davis Jr.]
One's social status was often
indicated by the quality of the ring.
Also it says he was dressed in very
fine clothes
with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes
About the same time at the door
appears one who is a total contrast to the rich man. The poor man in his dirty clothes
- ptwco,j = abject poverty - used of beggars who was not wearing designer
clothes; they weren't even clean what ever they were
- r`uparo,j = were filthy/dirty.
2:3 The response to the two visitors by the Congregation
Apparently there was only one seat
available and the "usher" made a decision based on the externals of
the two.
2:4 The Motive
Examined and condemned
have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and
become judges with evil motives?
with evil motives
ponhro,j dialogismo,j - both in the gen. describing the
quality/character of the judges;
OBSERVATIONS:
1. If you are
impressed as you observe - the external characteristics - and give preference
because of it - one's wealth; position, heritage; fame THEN STOP!!
2. Why? You can not
evaluate one's spiritual state by surface external impressions.
2:5-11 have the
principle explained along with its evil consequences
(It demo's an
inconsistency in conduct and a breach of the royal law of love.)
Listen, my beloved brethren:
James begins now with by asking a question, the 1st of 4 that
he will ask in the next two verses. All of these questions that James asks
demand an affirmative answer.
1st Question: Did
not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the
kingdom which he promised to those who love Him?
This is not saying that only the
poor are believers or can be believers or that only the poor are rich in faith
therefore if you have money you must get rid of it.
What these passages are
acknowledging are the general conditions of the day in the early church.
Interesting Parable of calling &
being chosen illuminates the Principle here.
Mt 22:1-14
Ends with For many are called but few are chosen.
- God knew who -
including you, who would believe and
when - but He didn't cause it but
provided everything necessary - hearing of the gospel often referred to as
common grace for those who are positive at God consciousness, plus the pre-salvation ministry of G/H-S to
make the issues clear.
Holy Spirit's Gospel
Ministry
The Convicting
ministry of God the Holy Spirit
1. DEFINITION: The convicting ministry of the
Holy Spirit is the pre-salvation ministry of the Third person of the Trinity
illuminating the message of the gospel to the unbeliever.
2. The need for the convicting ministry of the
Holy Spirit is documented in 1 Cor 2:11-14.
3. The first reference to the convicting
ministry of the Holy Spirit is in Gen 6:3.
4. The mechanic of the convicting ministry of
G/HS is often referred to as Common Grace.
a. Common Grace is
the work of the HS in revealing the gospel to the unbeliever.
b. Common Grace
includes enablement to perceive, to understand the work of Christ related to
salvation but also the means of attainment of salvation, by faith not works.
c. Apart from the Common
Grace factor, the spiritually dead UB cannot understand the things of the
spirit.
d. 1 Cor