Our One Great Glory
February 19th, 2017
Text: James 1:9-11 (ESV)
Four Trials of the Poor and the Rich
- In poverty, we’re tempted to______God.
- In poverty, we’re tempted to ______in our
______piety.
- In wealth, we’re tempted to ______God.
- In wealth, we’re tempted to think we’re
______on our ______.
Our One Great Glory: ______
Table Talk!
- For children: Do you think you can take your toys and other things with you to heaven? Why does that matter?
- For students: What things in the world can take our attention and affection off of God? Why are these things less valuable than Christ?
- For adults: Do you desire holiness and God’s glory more than you desire material things? How can you check yourself on this?
Our One Great Glory
February 19th, 2017
Text: James 1:9-11 (ESV)
Four Trials of the Poor and the Rich
- In poverty, we’re tempted to ______God.
- In poverty, we’re tempted to ______in our
______piety.
- In wealth, we’re tempted to ______God.
- In wealth, we’re tempted to think we’re
______on our ______.
Our One Great Glory: ______
Table Talk!
- For children: Do you think you can take your toys and other things with you to heaven? Why does that matter?
- For students: What things in the world can take our attention and affection off of God? Why are these things less valuable than Christ?
- For adults: Do you desire holiness and God’s glory more than you desire material things? How can you check yourself on this?
Notable Quotes
“The magnetism of riches is powerful and insistent, and we constantly need the wisdom of God to see through the façade. We do not have to be wealthy to desire money, and the desire is as threatening as the actuality; we do not have to possess much in order to be snared by the delights of possession.” -J. Alec Motyer
“To his financial adversities, the poor brother says, ‘But how rich I am!’ To his earthly glories, the rich brother says, ‘But what a wretch I am!’ Each keeps his life in the perspective of eternity.” -J. Alec Motyer
Relevant Practices
- Preaching the Gospel to Ourselves: this is simply reminding ourselves on a daily basis that we were enemies of God, deserving nothing but God’s wrath, and yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He took God’s wrath upon himself on the Cross, then rose again three days later defeating death and giving us life! THIS is where our worth and significance is found!
Related Texts
Isaiah 40:6-8 | James 4:4 | Romans 5:1-11
Language Considerations
Boast: καυχάομαι(kauchaomai) “glory, take pride in”
Exaltation: ὕψος(hupsos) “high position, eminence”
Humiliation: ταπείνωσις (tapeinósis) “low position, humility”
Notable Quotes
“The magnetism of riches is powerful and insistent, and we constantly need the wisdom of God to see through the façade. We do not have to be wealthy to desire money, and the desire is as threatening as the actuality; we do not have to possess much in order to be snared by the delights of possession.” -J. Alec Motyer
“To his financial adversities, the poor brother says, ‘But how rich I am!’ To his earthly glories, the rich brother says, ‘But what a wretch I am!’ Each keeps his life in the perspective of eternity.” -J. Alec Motyer
Relevant Practices
- Preaching the Gospel to Ourselves: this is simply reminding ourselves on a daily basis that we were enemies of God, deserving nothing but God’s wrath, and yet while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He took God’s wrath upon himself on the Cross, then rose again three days later defeating death and giving us life! THIS is where our worth and significance is found!
Related Texts
Isaiah 40:6-8 | James 4:4 | Romans 5:1-11
Language Considerations
Boast: καυχάομαι(kauchaomai) “glory, take pride in”
Exaltation: ὕψος(hupsos) “high position, eminence”
Humiliation: ταπείνωσις (tapeinósis) “low position, humility”