Every week as I prepare to preach, I have a simple objective in mind: Read (and re-read) the scripture passage for the week while praying that God would allow me to understand how it applies to our present time and culture. (Then I add a dumb video clip, a few embarrassing stories, and an awful 80’s rap song and my job is done.) :-)
I need your help this week. We have just one more week of the antidote series left before Easter. I CAN NOT WAIT to tell you about the brand new series we will be starting on Easter Sunday and continuing for the rest of the month of April! My problem is that there is just TOO MUCH stuff to cover in the fifth chapter of James. For the last few weeks I’ve been trying to find a way to cram it into one cohesive (and hopefully coherent) sermon unsuccessfully. I feel strongly that the latter part of James 5 is what we need to talk about on Sunday…along with spending some time in prayer and celebrating communion. That’s where you come in.
Please read the first six verses of James Chapter 5. Keep in mind that James clearly stated that his letter was not written to “greedy bankers”, “those people”, or “the one percent”. It was written to BELIEVERS in Jesus. Also keep in mind the “rules” for the Antidote: Take only medicine prescribed to you. Do not give your medicine to others. Take ALL of your medicine. If you are not familiar with the Antidote “rules” this post will explain further-
http://actionchurch.com/2012/03/07/use-only-as-directed/
Without further commentary, here it is:
James 5:1-6
5 Look here, you rich people: Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags. 3 Your gold and silver have become worthless. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment. 4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The wages you held back cry out against you. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
Thanks so much for that James. Yeah, I know. It was much more fun to read when it was about those “other” people.