What is ¡°good¡± in James 4:17?

What is “good” in James 4:17?

Please remember the main point teaching in last Sunday sermon!

Souls may be captured, bruised or lie voluntarily in Satan!

Salvation message can only reach the captured and bruised!

Souls lie voluntarily in Satan is hopeless! Luke 4:18

Such as Judas he was called to be with Jesus!  But Jesus salvation message did not reach him!

Expect troubles if these kinds of people in church!

Today we will learn what is the “good” in James 4:17!

A. Scripture as recorded:

    Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17

1. 40 years ago an older lady heard I quote this verse! 

    She never wants to hear about gospel preaching!

2. In reality, we know each failed to do some good things each day!

3. Also in reality, do good thing is a basic human identity!

4. Even so faith, if it has not works, is dead, being alone. James 2:17

5. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. James 2:24

6. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:26

***Faith without do good things is dead!

B. From its context we learn these:

1. Now listen, you who say: Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there,

    carry on business and make money. James 4:13

***The idea is good in human mind!  But evil in God’s eyes!

   (1) From one man God made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth;

        and God determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. Ac.17:26

   (2) God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him,

        though he is not far from each one of us. Ac.17:27

   (3) For in him we live and move and have our being.

        As some of your own poets have said: We are his offspring. Ac.17:28

2. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow.

    What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:14

3. Instead, you ought to say: If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that. James 4:15

4. As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. James 4:16

***When God is a part of your life planning it is boasting and evil!

5. Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17

***Now are you able to figure out what James 4:17 mean?

C. What are the good things we must do? Matt.19:16

1. Now a man came up to Jesus and asked: Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?

***Good things that will get us eternal life!

2. Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice

    and come out-- those who have done good will rise to live,

    and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned. Jn.5:28-29

***Good things that get us rise to live! 

    List some good things people must do to get rise to live!

***Evils are listed in Ro.1:29-31 and Rev.21:8! Done these evils will rise to be condemned!

3. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh,

    God, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh. Ro.8:3

***As long as we are in the flesh, we can never do all good things we ought to do!

4. God prepared a new way to save us! Heb.10:19-20

    Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus,

    by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body. Heb.10:19-20

***Yes! His body is the body of Christ, the church of Christ.

    The Lord added the saved into the church of Christ!  Ac.2:47

D. Conclusion: What is the good in James 4:17?

Things each has to do to be a member of the church of Christ!  It is sin if not do!

Thank God for another good sermon to share!

May God grant you good health and peace!  Preach this August 23, 2020.

 

VIDEO SERMON BY BROTHER CHAN ON August 23, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt5m-CI8CK8