He wants you!

James 4:5-10

I.                     The Holy Spirit is jealous for the full devotion of our hearts

a.      He saved us and made us and we have forsaken Him and lightly esteemed Him. We don’t think about Him though He formed us. We have sought out other gods or things to love. 4:5, Deuteronomy 32:15-21

b.      If you do not the Spirit you are not His Romans 8:9

c.      God is in love with us and jealous of that love!

II.                   God gives us grace (the desire and power to do God’s will) to love Him and not the world system 4:6

a.      Pride shuts us off from God

                                                              i.      It will not recognize our own need

                                                            ii.      It cherishes our own independence

                                                          iii.      It does not recognize its own sin

b.      Humility gives us access to God

                                                              i.      Grace is given to the humble James 4:6

                                                            ii.      It is the power of God that sets up and puts down Psalm 75:6-7

III.                  To take advantage of His grace we need to

a.      Submit ourselves to God

                                                              i.      Yield Romans 6:13, 16, 19

                                                            ii.      Submit means to

1.      Obey or Arrange under

2.      Yield to the control and advice of another

b.      Resist the Devil and He will flee James 4:7-8

                                                              i.      Resist is to range in battle against or oppose

                                                            ii.      Put on your armor Ephesians 6:11

                                                          iii.      Resist in faith I Peter 5:8-9

                                                           iv.      There will be a way of escape I Corinthians 10:13

                                                             v.      Satan is ultimately a coward

c.      Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you

                                                              i.      His blessing depends on your seeking Him II Chronicles 15:2, Hebrews 11:6

                                                            ii.      This means that we turn our thoughts to Him

                                                          iii.      This means that we become acquainted with him

d.      Cleanse your hands ye sinners

                                                              i.      Purify yourself or separate yourself from your wickedness

                                                            ii.      Be free from guilt

                                                          iii.      I John 1:7-9

                                                           iv.      Notice the promises II Corinthians 7:1, 6:14-18

                                                             v.      Our usefulness depends on our desire to cleanse ourselves II Timothy 2:21

e.      Purify your hearts ye double minded

                                                              i.      Separation as Nazarites

                                                            ii.      Purification comes from obedience to the truth I Peter 1:22

                                                          iii.      Really saved people want to purify themselves I John 3:3

                                                           iv.      James 1:8

f.        Be afflicted

                                                              i.      Toil heavily

                                                            ii.      Endure labors and hardship

                                                          iii.      .We will reap Galatians 6:9