SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU
Forget what manner of man you were? Presented by Steven Schiller
Jas 1:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
Addressed to "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (Jm 1:1), it is especially full of advice for...
Those Christians who find themselves living in a highly mobile society like our own
Those Christians whose need for "fellowship" is often a truly "felt need" (because other normal channels of association like family, friends, etc., may be lacking)
[Let's begin by observing things we must "not" do or have, if we desire to succeed in "Enriching Our Life Together"...]
THINGS TO AVOID
ALL FILTHINESS AND OVERFLOW OF WICKEDNESS - Jm 1:21
I take this to include any sort of immoral behavior or speech - cf. Ep 5:3,4-5
The wise man wrote of the devastating effects of immorality - cf. Pr 6:27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34-35
-- Nothing will destroy the precious fellowship we have in Christ like "sin in the camp"
PARTIALITY - Jm 2:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-9
This was discussed in our study entitled "An Accepting Fellowship"
Showing respect of persons, either through "partiality", or its more malignant cousin "bigotry", makes us sinners before God - Jm 2:9
-- Fellowship in Christ is designed to bring us together, not divide us
MISUSE OF THE TONGUE - Jm 3:1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11-12
The tongue possesses great power to destroy, if we are not careful - Jm 3:5,6-7
When we misuse the tongue to curse men, it reveals the shallowness of our praise of God - Jm 3:9,10,11-12
-- During the war, the old Navy saying was "Loose lips sinks ships"; it can have the same effect on the peace and fellowship in a congregation!
SELFISHNESS - Jm 4:1
James reveals that the root cause of much strife is nothing more than selfishness
As he wrote earlier, "For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing will be there." - Jm 3:16
-- If we desire peace and harmony in our fellowship, we must grow beyond the egocentricism of our youth and carnality!
SPEAKING EVIL OF ONE ANOTHER - Jm 4:11-12
Here we learn that speaking evil of another evil actually "speaks evil of the law and judges the law"; do we wish to be guilty of that?
We also set ourselves up as judges, when there is really only one Judge and Lawgiver
This does not preclude the necessity to "judge with righteous judgment" (Jn 7:24), nor that we cannot "judge those who are inside" the family of God (1Co 5:9,10,11,12-13)
-- But too often we can be guilty of "judging" others according to our own personal standards; speaking "evil" of others is usually an indication of that, and quickly destroys fellowship
[These five things can prevent a congregation from enjoying "Our Life Together" that Christ intends for His church. Let's be diligent never to allow them to infect the relationship we have as the family of God!
At the same time, let's take a "pro-active" approach to building fellowship; what does James counsel us to do...?]
THINGS TO DO
VIEW CHALLENGES AS OPPORTUNITIES - Jm 1:2,3-4
Possessing a positive perspective about difficulties is good for congregations as well as individuals
Any church that is growing will likely experience problems with maintaining peace and harmony
But just as marriages are made stronger when spouses are willing to work through their difficulties, so a congregation can be made stronger by its difficulties!
PRAY FOR WISDOM - Jm 1:5,6,7-8
To be able to maintain a thriving fellowship in a congregation requires wisdom
Just as we should seek wisdom from God as individuals, so also as a congregation!
MAINTAIN PROPER PERSPECTIVES ABOUT OUR SITUATIONS - Jm 1:9,10-11
Fellowship is often disrupted by envy or pride
But God gives us reasons to be thankful for whatever situation in which we find ourselves
If all the members are willing to see themselves as God sees them, there will be no room for pride or envy
BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO WRATH - Jm 1:19-20
Poor communication and short tempers will quickly destroy any relationship
But if all apply this "triad" of graces, problems can be gracefully handled and overcome
PRACTICE PURE AND UNDEFILED RELIGION - Jm 1:22,23,24,25,26-27
This involves each of us...
Being doers of the Word, and not just hearers
Letting our actions speak louder than our words
Attending to the needs of the less fortunate
Keeping ourselves untainted by the world
Wouldn't it be wonderful to have fellowship in a congregation where all are true "practitioners" of this kind of religion?
DEMONSTRATE WISDOM BY YOUR CONDUCT - Jm 3:13,17-18
Again, we are letting our actions speak louder than our words
Note especially verse 17, wouldn't it be wonderful to be in a congregation filled with people demonstrating a wisdom that is: "...first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy."?
PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER - Jm 5:13,14,15-16
When we are praying for others, it is hard to be angry at them
When we know others are praying for us, it is hard not to love them
When we are praying for each other, not only is our fellowship with God strengthened, but our fellowship with one another!
RESTORE THE ERRING - Jm 5:19-20
When people stray from the faith, we lose the benefit of their fellowship with us
Restoring them back to God not only saves them, but blesses us with their renewed fellowship!
CONCLUSION
This quick survey of The Epistle Of James illustrates many of the good things we can do to be "Enriching Our Life Together"
Indeed, the entire New Testament is filled with admonitions...
Not only to enhance our relationship with God
But also to enhance our fellowship with one another!
-- Let the Word of God be our guide to creating and maintaining "Our Life Together"!
How about "your" relationship with God and His children (i.e., the church)? Is it what it ought to be? Can we help you draw nearer to God and His family...? - cf. Ga 3:26-27; Jm 5:16
HEAR
BELIEVE
REPENT
CONFESS
BE BAPTIZED
LIVE FAITHFULLY
- Home
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- All scripture
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- Are you a Christian
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- All have sinned
- Awesome Father,Son,Holy spirit
- Are you the enemy of God
- Audio Bible (KJV)
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- All things work together for good
- Authority
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Born again
- Brand new creation
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Bible super human
- Blessed is the man
- Baptized into Christ
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Be not many masters.
- Bible verse of the day
- Bethel
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Bible is totally reliable
- Blessing or curse
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Bible`s scientific foreknowledge
- Bible inspiration
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Beyond the logos
- Bible read & listen
- Coming home
- CONTACT US
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Children giving glory to GOD
- CONTACT
- Choice 2
- Church built on Christ
- Cast the first stone
- Christianity 101
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Committed to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Creation
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Childrens video
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Choice I
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Church built by GOD
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Divorce and remarriage
- Dictionary
- Day of the Lord
- Deception of false teachers
- Fabricated truth
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Diotrephes
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Faith the substance of all things
- Filthy rags
- Faith
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False prophets
- False Teaching
- False Preachers
- First gospel sermon
- Forgiveness
- Falling away
- Fake preachers
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False brethren brought in
- False brethren
- Forget God?
- Gossip David Schmidt
- Grief
- Gospel broadcasting network
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- God`s will for you
- Give account for yourself
- GOD is righteous
- Give no offence
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- GOD built true church not man
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- Gospel Enacted
- Hypocrites
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How to get to heaven?
- Hypocrites1
- How is the church organized?
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heaven/Hell
- Hymns
- Heart
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Hope
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Identity of the church
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Influence of evil
- Influence
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Jesus (way)
- Inspired word of GOD
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus is Lord
- JESUS STICKERS
- Inspiration what is it?
- JESUS
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus & children
- Jesus the way
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- Kingdom come ?
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- Lying Christians is their any without
- LORDS church part 1
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Lost
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lord`s church
- Lying wonder
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lamentations 3
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- LINKS
- Light of the world
- Lord`s supper
- Looking for things to get better
- More about JESUS
- Lying preachers
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Lying 1
- Making the change
- Mat 19:6
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- Moral issues
- No change
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- NT reveals one church
- Offenses
- Overcome evil with good
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Overcoming the world
- Obey the gospel
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Preaching Jesus
- Preach the word
- Pleasing God
- Persecution and Oppression
- Power of the tongue
- Persecution
- Prayer
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Perverting the gospel
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Reject God
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- REPENT!
- References on request
- Root of all evil
- Riverside gallery
- Rule your own house?
- Repent
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Religious error
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Salvation
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sober
- Such were some of you
- SINS
- SIN
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Stairway to heaven
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Sheet music
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Service to GOD
- Searching for truth
- Sound teaching
- SERMONS
- STOP
- Sincere,True Ministry
- Slave of the creator
- Spirit of GOD
- Spirit to the churches
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth(book)
- Same sex marriage
- Speak evil of no man
- Slave of GOD
- Salvation of the LORD
- Standard of authority
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Turn from sin to GOD
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- Slander
- Truth about
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- The children
- The devil
- Truth for the world
- Time for truth
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Thanks to GOD
- Those who persecute you
- The Church
- The way we were
- Truth
- The Lord`s Supper
- The holy spirit
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- This is God`s church
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Vengeance
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unified church James Watkins
- What is the Gospel?
- WOE WOE WOE
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What must i do to be saved?
- What names on your sign
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- When you die
- Withdrawal fellowship
- What GOD has cleansed
- Wearing the crown
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Wonderful Grace
- Whose family are u ruling
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Worship
- Worshipping idols not God
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Walking with GOD
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Worship to God
- What is the church?
- Wonderfully made
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- Wicked
- You are not your own
- GOD created all things in 6 days
- Home
- Abortion AP
- Abortion laws repealed thank GOD
- Abortion is murder?
- Abortion (forced termination)
- All scripture
- Animations GBN
- Abounding hope
- Are you a Christian
- A place for God`s name(this is it)
- All have sinned
- Awesome Father,Son,Holy spirit
- Are you the enemy of God
- Audio Bible (KJV)
- All authority
- (ARE YOU A CHRISTIAN) STAYING SAVED DB
- Accuser of GOD`S people
- Avoid being mislead by the devil
- Accuser
- Afraid in fear of Baptizm
- Abomination
- All power is of God
- Acts conversion chart
- Apologetics press
- Amazing grace
- Adversary
- All things work together for good
- Authority
- AUDIO RIVERSIDE CHURCHOFCHRIST
- Baptizm (antitype)
- BAPTIZM POINT OF SALVATION
- Baptizm immersion not sprinkle, pouring
- Baptizm search for truth
- Baptizm NT
- Baptizm Greek Baptizo fully covered
- Rebaptizm
- Baptizm forgiveness of sin, washed in the blood of JESUS
- Born again
- Brand new creation
- Belief more than knowing there is a GOD
- Bible super human
- Blessed is the man
- Baptized into Christ
- Being mistreated for doing good.
- Be not many masters.
- Bible verse of the day
- Bethel
- Brain washed (believing lies)
- Bless your enemies curse not
- Bible is totally reliable
- Blessing or curse
- Blasphemy the name of Jesus
- Bible`s scientific foreknowledge
- Bible inspiration
- Bible charts Donnie Barnes
- Beyond the logos
- Bible read & listen
- Coming home
- CONTACT US
- Christ
- Christian and spiritual growth Donnie Barnes
- Children giving glory to GOD
- CONTACT
- Choice 2
- Church built on Christ
- Cast the first stone
- Christianity 101
- Christianity full time privilledge
- Committed to GOD
- Children learn what they live
- Creation
- Church of CHRIST Romans 16:16
- Childrens video
- Counsel of GOD superior than man
- Can GOD`S house be established today?
- Choice I
- Childrens : Digger Doug
- Condemn your brother with your tongue
- CHURCH IN NEEDS
- Church built by GOD
- Christs
- Church of Jesus Christ
- Does doctrine matter
- Drinking alcohol
- Did Jesus build more than 1 church?
- Divorce and remarriage
- Dictionary
- Day of the Lord
- Deception of false teachers
- Fabricated truth
- Evil heart of unbelief
- Diotrephes
- Duty of care
- Denominationlism
- Faith the substance of all things
- Filthy rags
- Faith
- False teacher, False preacher DS
- False prophets
- False Teaching
- False Preachers
- First gospel sermon
- Forgiveness
- Falling away
- Fake preachers
- False preaching can keep u from heaven
- False brethren brought in
- False brethren
- Forget God?
- Gossip David Schmidt
- Grief
- Gospel broadcasting network
- GOD`S PLAN IS NOT MAN`S DESIGN
- GOD
- God`s will for you
- Give account for yourself
- GOD is righteous
- Give no offence
- Gospel hid from the lost
- Gospel (good news)
- GOD built true church not man
- God`s preventative word James Watkins
- GOD`S calling, the good new`s
- Gospel Enacted
- Hypocrites
- How do you obey the gospel?
- How to get to heaven?
- Hypocrites1
- How is the church organized?
- Homosexuality
- How beautiful are the feet that preach
- Heaven/Hell
- Hymns
- Heart
- Have you obeyed the gospel?
- Interview with satan(father of lies)
- In Jesus Christ
- Hope
- Is there more than 1 church? no
- In Christ the fullness of the Godhead
- Identity of the church
- Is your heart right with GOD
- Influence of evil
- Influence
- In Christ (what is it being in Christ)
- In Christ
- Jesus (way)
- Inspired word of GOD
- Jesus is our faith to our beloved
- Jesus is Lord
- JESUS STICKERS
- Inspiration what is it?
- JESUS
- Jesus never changes / Changing world James Watkins
- Jesus & children
- Jesus the way
- Jesus has come in the flesh
- Kingdom come ?
- Jesus Jesus Jesus
- JESUS CHRIST IS LORD
- Kenya gallery1
- Jesus is Lord (Kurios)
- LOCATION OF ONE TRUE CHURCH
- Lying Christians is their any without
- LORDS church part 1
- Law of Liberty inCHRIST
- Love God, the creator of Love.
- Lost
- Leaders of this world should be ashamed
- Lord`s church
- Lying wonder
- Light at Riverside Church of CHRIST
- Love of GOD overcomes
- Lamentations 3
- Ladies videos
- Leading to Christ
- LINKS
- Light of the world
- Lord`s supper
- Looking for things to get better
- More about JESUS
- Lying preachers
- Lesson`s books of the bible gbn
- Man`s tradition or God`s word
- Lying 1
- Making the change
- Mat 19:6
- Meddling & Gossip is sin
- MURMURINGS, MURMURERS, MURMUR
- Man`s device (not GOD`S)
- Moral issues
- No change
- New Creation
- None righteous no not one
- NT reveals one church
- Offenses
- Overcome evil with good
- Only 1 church (church of CHRIST)
- Overcoming the world
- Obey the gospel
- Our GOD is a awesome GOD
- Preachers leading w/ no authority from GOD
- Preaching Jesus
- Preach the word
- Pleasing God
- Persecution and Oppression
- Power of the tongue
- Persecution
- Prayer
- Pride of men hinder the advancement of the gospel
- Perverting the gospel
- practicing SIN
- Pray without ceasing
- Reject God
- Right hand of falsehood lesson by Steven Schiller
- REPENT!
- References on request
- Root of all evil
- Riverside gallery
- Rule your own house?
- Repent
- RESPONDING TO THE CALL OF GOD
- Religious error
- ROCK SOLID FAITH JAMES WATKINS
- Salvation
- Repent Repent Repent
- Sober
- Such were some of you
- SINS
- SIN
- Sinners prayer 4min video
- Safe in the arms of GOD
- Scriptually organized w/o deacons?
- Stairway to heaven
- Submit and we will pray for you
- Sheet music
- Serving GOD or Self serving
- Service to GOD
- Searching for truth
- Sound teaching
- SERMONS
- STOP
- Sincere,True Ministry
- Slave of the creator
- Spirit of GOD
- Spirit to the churches
- SHEPHERD
- Searching for truth(book)
- Same sex marriage
- Speak evil of no man
- Slave of GOD
- Salvation of the LORD
- Standard of authority
- Speak evil of a Christian is sin against Christ
- Scriptual and unscriptually organized churches
- SPIRIT & TRUTH
- Speaking evil of Christian brother
- SUNDAY APRIL 17 2022
- Turn from sin to GOD
- The dog has returned to his vomit
- Slander
- Truth about
- Take the name of Jesus with you
- The children
- The devil
- Truth for the world
- Time for truth
- 2 Reasons to believe ap
- Thanks to GOD
- Those who persecute you
- The Church
- The way we were
- Truth
- The Lord`s Supper
- The holy spirit
- Unless the Lord build the house
- Unscriptual organization of the church
- This is God`s church
- U WILL BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR IDLE WORDS
- Vengeance
- U HAVE AN ENEMY!
- Unified church James Watkins
- What is the Gospel?
- WOE WOE WOE
- World Video Bible School (WVBS)
- What must i do to be saved?
- What names on your sign
- What must i do to be saves (transcript)
- James Watkins
- When you die
- Withdrawal fellowship
- What GOD has cleansed
- Wearing the crown
- Why so many churches (Transcript)
- Wonderful Grace
- Whose family are u ruling
- Where in the bible is your church mentioned
- Worship
- Worshipping idols not God
- Worship of idols instead of GOD
- Walking with GOD
- WORSHIP NOV 6 2022
- Worship to God
- What is the church?
- Wonderfully made
- You must be born again
- Your unbelief
- You give good gifts
- Wicked
- You are not your own
- GOD created all things in 6 days
/