Murder in the Church

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Intro:  We seem to love murder mysteries- books, movies, TV & Clue.  Who-done-its are great fun.

Big Idea: God provides the solution to our conflicts in faith & repentance.

Context: James wrote to a group of Jewish Christians that faced struggles from without and within.  In the beginning of chapter 4 he addresses conflict that plagued the church.  Let’s put on our Columbo coats and investigate this through a series of questions.

I. What was going on in the church?  (verses 1-2)  Bitter conflict.

-         Sadly, this was “among you”, the people of the church.  Conflict happens between believers.

-          Two different words emphasize the problem of conflict in their churches (repeated in vs. 2). 

-          povlemos- literally: armed conflict, war (Rev. 13).  Figuratively: strife, conflict, quarrels.

-          mavch- battles, unarmed combat, used for marital strife.

-          There was verbal conflict, but at times it may have included physical conflict.  Ill. 1st Baptist

-          He characterized it as murder.  Hating other people is murder (1 Jn. 3:15).  We want them dead.

-          Much to our disgrace, churches often suffer splits, lawsuits and worse.

-          Don’t write James off as overly dramatic.  He’s giving us God’s perspective on our conflict.

II. Where did these conflicts come from? (verses 1-3)  Unmet & sinful desires.

-          James mentions a few causes.  This morning we will focus on the first 2 he mentions..

-          James starts with hJdovnh-  pleasure, enjoyment, desire (usually bad)- hedonism.

 

-          Each of us has evil desires.  Put them to death, or you’ll satisfy them- at the expense of others.

-          Sinful choices, desires, attitudes and actions produce conflict with others.  Ill. adultery

-          Not all desires are bad.  James & Paul uses epiqumenw- desire, long for (inordinately).

-          We can want good things too much, or inordinately.  It is your top desire or priority.

-          Desires can become so important that they become idols. Good => Necessary.  Ill. stool

-          When these desires are blocked, we are enraged- demand that others satisfy us.  Ill. worship

-          Conflict is not accidental, but caused by clashing desires.  Pride makes our desires foremost.

Strong desire => Unmet or blocked => Anger => Conflict producing relational damage

Want to relax => Wife has chores for you => Anger => Insult, attack or escape

 

Nag, insult or pout <= Anger <= husband rests  <= She wants work done at home

 

III. How can we move beyond the conflict? (verses 6-10)  Seeking grace thru faith & repentance.

-          God’s answer is grace.  He offers grace sufficient to restore relationships & kill sinful desire.

-          Proud people do not seek grace.  They think they deserve all that they want.

-          Proud people believe they don’t contribute to conflict.  The other guy’s to blame.  Ill. Manning

-          Grace comes to humble people to obey the 10 commands at the end of this passage.

-          Humble yourself, confessing that you sinned, and need God’s forgiveness.

-          Humble yourself because only Christ’s death is sufficient to remove your guilt & shame. 

-          Humble yourself, asking for God’s help to fix the relationship.

-          Humble yourself, submitting to God, His will & recognizing the proper bounds of desire.

-          Humble yourself, resisting, or standing up to, the influence of Satan to inflame your desires.

Conclusion: If we take this passage seriously, we discover that we all have the motive, means and opportunity to commit murder in the church, home & workplace on a regular basis.  We are all guilty of letting some of our desires run wild.  One sign of this is conflict.  The more conflict you find yourself in, the more out of control they are.  But God has an answer for that problem- grace!  It is not just forgiveness, but also the power to begin putting those desires back within God’s design bringing Him glory as the One you desire most.
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