FATHER REALLY DOES KNOW BEST

JAMES 1:12-25

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE FATHER’S WAY [v. 12-17]

1. He is Considerate [v. 12-16, Jeremiah 29:11]

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

2. He is Compassionate [v. 17a, Lamentations 3:22-23]

It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

3. He is Consistent [v. 17b, Malachi 3:6]

For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

II. THE FATHER’S WILL [v. 18-20]

1. God Wants Everyone to Accept His Salvation in His Son [v. 18, 2 Peter 3:9, Acts 17:30]

The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

2. God Wants Everyone to Accept His Standard in the Scripture [v. 19, Psalm 138:2]

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

3. God Wants Everyone to Accept His Solution [v. 20]

III. THE FATHER’S WORD [v. 21-25]

1. The Word of Truth [v. 18, John 17:11]

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

2. The Word of Salvation [v. 21, Acts 13:26,  Ephesians 1:13]

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

3. The Word of Service [v. 22-25]