Benchley, January 17, 2010

• In this chapter, James shows that pure religion is personal.  If I am saved, it is because I overcame temptation, it is because I overcame lust, etc.
• James 1:1-12
  • Temptation overcome works spiritual growth and blessing.  (James 1:2-4)
  • When tempted, do not try to make it alone; turn to God for help.  (James 1:5-8)
  • Blessed is the one, who in trust of the Lord, overcomes temptation.  (James 1:12)
• James 1:13-15
  • God cannot be tempted with evil, nor does He tempt any man with evil.  (James 1:13)
  • People do tempt, i.e., test God.  (Luke 20:23; Acts 5:9; Acts 15:10)
  • God does tempt, i.e., test people.  (Genesis 22:1)
  • But it is the devil, through lust, that tempts people with evil.  (James 1:14-15)
• James 1:17-18
  • Every good and every perfect gift is from God.  (James 1:17)
  • The greatest gift is to be begotten by God and be His.  (James 1:18)
• James 1:19-27
  • Self-control (James 1:19)
  • Purity (James 1:21)
  • Reception of truth (James 1:21)
  • Meekness (James 1:21)
  • Obedience (James 1:22-24)
  • Steadfastness (James 1:25)
  • Control tongue (James 1:26)
  • Compassion and care for the needy (James 1:27)

By David Watson

Benchley, January 10, 2010

• Genesis 30:22-24 – Joseph’s faith
• Stay faithful during hard times.
  • Genesis 37:3-4,23-28,36 – Joseph sold into slavery.
  • Genesis 41:1 – Joseph in prison.
  • James 1:2-3 – Hard times can produce patience.
• Resist temptation
  • Genesis 39:7-12 – Joseph resists Potiphar’s wife.
  • I Corinthians 6:18; I timothy 6:11; II Timothy 2:22 – Flee temptation.
• Give glory to God
  • Genesis 41:14-16,25,28,32; Genesis 45:9
• Forgive
  • Genesis 45:1-5; 50:15-21
  • Matthew 18:32 – Jesus’ parable of forgiveness
• Prepare for the future
  • Genesis 41:46
  • II Peter 3:10

By John Evans

Benchley, June 7, 2009

• Psalms 119:37
• I Thessalonians 5:22?- Abstain from all forms of evil.
• Romans 13:14?- Make no provision at all for evil.
• Ephesians 5:11?- Have no fellowship with evil.
• Psalms 101:2-3?- “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes.”
• Philippians 4:8?- Think on good things.
• Proverbs 4:23?- Keep your heart with diligence.
• Excuses
  • I hear vulgarity all the time and it doesn’t effect me.
    • Colossians 3:1-2
  • Mature minds can handle mature subjects.
    • Is there any age at which a Christian should seek out evil?
    • I Peter 2:11; Matthew 5:27-30
  • Some of those movies are really good!
    • Of course they are good!? That’s how the devil entices us.
• What can we do?
  • Be honest about the ratings!
  • Just turn it off.
  • Beware of plop and LOP TV watching.
  • Don’t let your kids watch TV after you go to sleep.
  • Throw out bad movies.

By Randy Dean

Benchley, February 15, 2009

• I Timothy 1:13
• Genesis 2:9,16-17,19-20?- Adam and Eve had the most perfect life possible on earth.
  • Life could not have been simpler for Adam and Eve.
• Genesis 3:1-6?- Sin enters the picture.
  • It was simple things that got Adam and Eve in trouble.? Notice that Eve said they weren’t even supposed to touch the fruit, since that was a prelude to eating it.
• Fearing God causes us to do His commandments.? II Chronicles 19:9
  • When Adam and Eve sinned, they were not fearing God.
• Genesis 4:6-7?- God talks to Cain before he kills Abel.? It’s easy to do good when things are good, but hard when things are bad.
• Genesis 19:26?- Lot’s wife disobeyed a simple command and was killed.
  • Uzzah made the same kind of mistake when he touched the ark (II Samuel 6:6-7).
  • Acts 5?- Ananias and Sapphira sinned in what should have been a simple transaction.
• Philippians 4:19?- God will supply our needs.
• Matthew 6:25-34?- We must learn to be content with what God gives us.
• Romans 5:12-21

By Jesse Jenkins

Benchley, November 16, 2008

• Christiants imitate Christ.? I Peter 2:20-21; 4:3-4; John 17:14-15; I Corinthians 11:1
• Christians imitate Christ in actions.
  • In prayer
    • At the beginning of His day.? Mark 7:35
    • At meal time.? Matthew 15:36
    • At close of day.? Matthew 14:23
    • At time of decision.? Luke 6:12-13
    • At time of trial.? Mark 14:32-36
    • At death.? Luke 23:34,46
  • When tempted
    • He overcame by “it is written”.? Matthew 4:1-11
    • He overcame by prayer.? Matthew 26:39
  • In treatment of others.
    • Matthew 7:12 – as you would be treated
    • Matthew 5:44-45; Romans 12:20-21?- love and do good
    • Galatians 6:1; James 1:19-20?- help bear burdens
    • I Thessalonians 5:14?- support, comfort, be patient
    • II Timothy 2:4; Colossians 3:23?- on job, do work well
    • Matthew 5:16; Philippians 2:14-15?- be an example
  • In speech
    • Bridle the tongue.? James 1:26
    • Let speech be with grace.? Colossians 4:6
    • Our words will face us in judgment.? Matthew 12:37
      • No foul language or curse words
      • So speak as to rightly influence others
  • In thought, word, and deed.? II Corinthians 10:4-5; Colossians 3:17
• In summary:
  • Bring every thought into subjection to Christ.? II Corinthians 10:5