Perry Ford

Q32. (James 5:19-20) In the light of James’ emphasis on active faith vs. dead faith (2:17), why is the role of finding and bringing back the wandering sheep so important? The Shepard searches relentlessly, and he calls again and again, and he doesn't give up until late into the night he finds that wandering sheep. And when he does, he is happy. He lifts that sheep over his shoulders and brings him back to the campfire and the sheepfold with joy and rejoicing, and invites the other shepherds to join him in a little celebration. If you are the wandering sheep yourself, then remember that Jesus is still seeking you out. He is gently calling your name. He so much wants to bring you home. He wants so much to save your soul from death. He has died to cover your multitude of sins.

Q31. (James 5:14-16) In the healing prayer, what is the role of oil? What is the role of the prayer of faith? What is the role of faith? What is the role of confession of sins? The anointing with oil was a symbol of the presence of God's powerful Holy Spirit. The "prayer of faith" is to "save" the sick person, or "make the sick person well" The confession of one's sins, the person is making himself accountable for his sin. He is piercing the darkness of this secret that has locked him in this sin for a long time. Once this is done, he can finally let go of this sin to God. The Christian friend can assure the person making a confession of Almighty God's forgiveness based on 1 John 1:9.

Q30. (James 5:14) What is the elders’ role in prayer for the sick? What must be their spiritual qualifications for this ministry of prayer? The elders' are to exercise their faith and ask God to heal the sick. Being a righteous person that prays effectively, who know how to communicate with God.

Q29. (James 5:13-14) According to verse 14, who is to initiate prayer for healing? Why might this be important? The one who is sick is the one who initiates the prayer for healing. Because by asking the sick person is showing faith, that the prayer of the righteous avails much.

Q28. (James 5:9) What does our grumbling and complaining say about us? About our faith? About our patience? Because our grumbling is a thinly veiled way of complaining about God. Complaining is unbelief.

Q27. (James 5:7-8) What can happen to us Christians if we lack the patience to eagerly expect Christ’s return? Why is patience so vital? We will miss Christ. Patience is vital because as Christians it should be our character

Q26. (James 5:5-6) What is the spiritual danger of our demand for comfort and luxury? Extra credit: How might our demand for low-priced goods and services cause us to (1) oppress our own employees or (2) cause workers in this country or abroad to be under paid or oppressed? How does all this relate to the need for patience? The danger of demanding comfort and luxury is that it puts things before God. We are looking at possession even at expense of heavenly treasures. 1) No likely 2) No I don't want workers in this country or other countries to be under paid or oppressed. Patience is being exercised by the time it takes to accumulate the money and we would also appreciate the purchased item even more.

Q25. (James 4:13-16) What danger is James warning us about in verses 13-16? How can we be humble in our planning without being indecisive and wishy-washy? James 4:13-5reproves them for their boastings and joy in them, as evil, James 4:16, observes, that it is not enough to know what is right and good, unless it is done; and that such knowledge is but an aggravation of the evil of sin committed.

Q24. (James 4:11-12) In what way does criticizing a neighbor cause you to be a judge of the law? Why do you think it is so tempting to criticize others? Because in criticizing your neighbor you have now become the judge and jury of their actions, which we are not to do. Because it is easy to see the flaws in someone else than in ourselves and it also keeps us from having to deal with or recognize that we have issues too.

Q23. (James 4:6-10) Verses 7-10 contain 10 different commands. Why are these actions so vital? In what way do they go against our nature? Which of these commands is most difficult for you? These actions are so vital because it is necessary for us to submit to them if we want to mature in Christ. Because submitting is not in our nature to do naturally. The most difficult to me is probably being judgmental

Q22. (James 4:4) Why does James refer to church members as “adulteresses”? What does the adultery consist of? Who is the aggrieved husband? What is wrong with friendship with the world? James is saying that the church is married to God but playing around with as though it is not married to the things of God. Adultery happens when we cozy up to the world system that doesn't love or follow Jesus Christ. The aggrieved husband is God, because we are the bride. James says. "Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

Q21. (James 4:1-3) Is God against pleasure? What wrong in living to increase one’s pleasure? God is not against pleasure, He's against pleasure when it violates his commandments and when it makes us become selfish and when that pleasure causes us to seek the desires of the flesh over the righteousness of God. Living to increase one's pleasure is self serving and will block your blessings.

Q20. (Q20. (James 3:17-18) With what tool do peacemakers sow peace? Why does this produce a ripening crop of righteousness? In whom does this crop grow?) With what tool do peacemakers sow peace? Why does this produce a ripening crop of righteousness? In whom does this crop grow? When someone thinks he has the correct opinion on some issue, he is tempted to argue with anyone who voices a different opinion. That is human nature, and human nature will have its way unless restrained by humility. But a good rule throughout life is, never argue. In any argument, you are either right or wrong. If you are wrong, you should not expose your ignorance. If you are right, the truth will survive whether or not you defend it. Even if you are trying to convince someone to believe God or to do His will, you accomplish nothing by arguing. As soon as you encounter unyielding resistance, you should back off, recognizing that the working of the Spirit will be more effective than your words. It grows in us

Q19. (James 3:13-16) In what ways are “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition” (3:14) direct opposites of “humility” (3:13)? How does denial of “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition” prevent healing? How does boasting about these prevent healing? Bitter envy and self ambition both deal with self and pride, but humility deals with the deceasing of ones self and knowing it's not you (in other words, you don't get the big head). If you cannot admit that you deal with bitter envy and selfish ambition it will and can cause you to become sick and prevent the healing of your sickness.

Q18. (James 3:7-8) Read Matthew 12:34 and 15:18. In light of these verses, why is the tongue untamable? What has to happen before it can be tamed? The tongue is an unruly member because out the abundance of the heart the mouth will speak, unless we control what goes in our we will never be able to control out tongue.

Q17. (James 3:1-2) Why does James discourage people from aspiring to be teachers of the Word? Why is greater strictness appropriate? Should you set higher standards for your pastor than you do for yourself? The reason James discourages people for aspiring ti be teachers is because you will be judged by a higher standard when you have assumed greater accountability and more condemnation if we teach incorrectly. As it relates to preaching the word of God, because pastor's could injury people with wrong and incorrect doctrines.

Q16. (James 2:20-26) How does James’ point about the necessity of works jive with Paul’s emphasis on salvation by grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-10)? The way it jives it that his works manifest the truth and liveliness of his faith and not necessarily about works to be done. There has to be a corresponding action to accompany you faith and that action is work, because faith without works is dead.

Q15. (James 2:18-19) What is the difference between the “belief” of a demon and the “belief” of a practicing Christian? The “belief” of a non-practicing Christian? The difference between the belief of a demon is that they belief the same thing as a Christian but they shutter because they know that in that knowledge they are doomed to spend eternity separated from God to the Lake of Fire. The belief of a practicing Christian is that the knowledge of God and His promises help us to look forward to spending eternity with Him, praise and worshipping God forever. The belief of a non-christian is that there is no God therefore I don't have to obey His commandments, nor they believe in a heaven or hell, just you die and that's it.

Q14. (James 2:15-16) To what degree are we responsible for the poor and needy in the church community? How about our responsibility for those outside the church, in the community at large? We should always look to help our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord. I believe as a church in the community we should see how we can be a blessing to those who are less fortunate and maybe in need of assistance.

Q13. (James 2:14-18) In what sense is faith dead if it is unaccompanied by action? In what sense might (if that were possible) it be alive? Faith without works or a corresponding actions is futile and will get you no where. To be alive is to live by the Word of God and to be His will for your life.

Q12. (James 2:13b) In what way is showing regard towards the wealthy (2:2-3) a denial of mercy? Extra credit: Read Hosea 6:6; Matthew 5:7; and 9:13. In what way does mercy “triumph over” (NIV, RSV, NASB) or “rejoice against” (KJV) judgment? What does this mean? If we only show mercy to those who are wealthy then we negate the desires of God that mercy should be shown to everyone, because God is no respecter of persons. Hosea 6:6 God wants us to be merciful rather thank burnt sacrifices. Matthew 5:7 When we are merciful we receive blessings from God, because He wants mercy from us. Matthew 9:13 God desires compassion and not sacrifices It means that we are to be merciful and compassionate to others

Q11. (James 2:9-11) Why does James refer to the Great Commandment as the “Royal Law”? How is it more “royal” than the Mosaic Law? How does showing favoritism toward a rich person break the “Royal Law” towards that rich person? How does it break the “Royal Law” in regard to a poor person? According to Strongs Concordance (G937) the word “royal” means in Greek, regal, belonging to the sovereign or preeminent - king's, nobleman, royal. In Hebrew it is the word nadiyb which according to BDB means: inclined, noble, princely in rank, noble in character. So, from this we should see that the “royal Torah (law)” is above all, ranked the highest, coming from the highest and it is preeminent above all else. After all it came from a King! The highest King! So I think James was distinguishing the different between God's Law and Moses Law. Showing favor to the rich over the poor would violate God's law that we are created equal and all have the same value to Him. Poor people are just as important to God as rich people.

Q9. (James 2:1-3) What kind of person or what kind of sinner do you tend to discriminate against? What kind of people are you (or your church) trying to make a good impression on? I can't say that I have tendency of discriminating against anyone one that is a sinner, because I was once a sinner and I know it's only the grace of God and His saving power that I could be still be in my sin. My church is trying to reach those who have never been to church or that have not professed Jesus as their Lord and savior.

Q8. (James 1:26-27) Why does James make taming the tongue and caring for the poor the prime tests of pure religion? Why not the quality of our quiet time or worship? Taming the tongue is important because of the damage the wrong words when spoke to someone can do, how hurtful words spoken with thought or thinking have destroyed people. Caring for the poor show be the goal of those who call themselves children of God. While quite time or worship are important and necessary, they pale in comparison to taming the tongue and caring for the poor.

Q7. (James 1:25) What is this “perfect law” that James mentions? How would you define it? How does it relate to the “royal law” (James 2:8)? In what sense does it bring liberty? The perfect law, the law that gives freedom. When we routinely do that and obey what they see there, they will be blessed in what they do. I would define it as doing what is directed by God's Word (Law) in order receive the freedom we need and desire. It brings freedom and freedom brings bout peace.