HOFC Sermon Archive: Book of James Part 16: When You Are Oppressed

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SERMON TIMELINE

1. Introduction to the Book of James

2. Trials and Temptation

3. Gaining Wisdom

4. Poverty & Wealth

5. Dealing with Temptation

6. Slow to Anger

7. The Implanted Word

8. Pure & Undefiled Religion

9. Sin of Partiality

10. Three Kinds of Faith

11. A Warning about Teaching

12. Heavenly & Earthly Wisdom

13. How to End Wars

14. Our Plans & God's Will

15. When God Gets Angry at the Rich

16. When You Are Oppressed

INTRODUCTION

Today is Sunday. September 1^st, 2024

Today, we are speaking of oppression. Most do not really know what oppression is or have a skewed view of it. Some see oppression as not being able to do what they want or say what they want. Some see it as slavery or bondage. Some think they are being oppressed simply because someone else exists.

Oppression in James speaks of the trials, temptations, tribulations, and testing in regard to things, circumstances, and even other people. Sometimes we are oppressed, sometimes we perceive we are oppressed, and sometimes we are the ones who oppress others.

We need to remember the theme of this letter from James, which is to endure through these trials so that we may be made “complete” or spiritually mature.

Far too many professing Christians today try to escape every trial or testing as soon as possible instead of enduring and trusting in the Lord, and the result is a weak, immature Christian who cannot withstand the slightest inconvenience without acting out in a childish response.

I know a man who claims the faith, holds a position and thinks more highly of himself than he ought. He has shared with me how, on many occasions, he has demanded special treatment, respect, and honor (though these were artificially manufactured and feigned because of his immature demands), believing he deserves to be treated special.

Calling some friends, then sowing discord among others, spreading gossip and rumors about them. The whole time, believing he is righteous in his acts.

In turn, in his vain imagination, this man wants to be revered as a man of God, yet he behaves like a spoiled child. He, then, has become the oppressor of other believers.

As we hear the word today, examine our situations, our walk, our lives, and even ourselves to ensure that we are enduring oppression, withstanding trial, staying strong and faithful during tests, and not acting as an oppressor to our brothers and sisters, so that when the trials and tests are through, we will be found standing in spiritual maturity, and closer to the Lord, being stronger in our faith.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE

James 5:7-12

"Therefore be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains. 8 You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not groan, brothers, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing right at the door. 10 As an example, brothers, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we count those blessed who persevere. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

12 But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your yes be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.”

I. BEING PATIENT ACTIVELY WAITING

a. The word for patient here is different than in James 1

i. In James 1:3 patience is huomon (G5281)

1. Meaning bear up under trials, endure

2. Which means to be patient in reference to things or circumstances

ii. In James 5:7-8, 10 the word used for patience is makrothumia (G3114)

1. Meaning to suffer long

2. Meaning to be patient in reference to people

3. Vincent’s Word Studies in the New Testament defines it as;

a. Being patient holding out under trial; a long-protracted restraint of the soul from yielding to passion, especially the passion of anger

b. The thought links itself naturally with that in the preceding verse: "the righteous does not resist"

iii. Meaning…the righteous will be patient with people, trusting the Lord in all matters

b. Three examples from scripture

i. THE FARMER in James 5:7b “…Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the soil, being patient about it, until it receives the early and late rains.”

1. He doesn’t see the precious fruit, all he had worked and toiled for, but trusts it is coming and his labor will not be in vain. He knows the rain is coming.

2. In the same way, sharing the gospel, you do not see the precious fruit, but you remain patient, knowing the Holy Spirit is at work.

ii. THE PROPHETS in James 5:10 “As an example, brothers, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.”

iii. JOB in James 5:11 “Behold, we count those blessed who persevere. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.”

c. What these examples show us

i. Place your trust in the Lord, be steadfast, but actively wait

ii. The prophets continued serving the Lord, though persecuted

iii. Job continued serving the Lord, even when he lost everything

iv. Regardless of the trials we face, we continue to serve the Lord

v. And the Lord will show us mercy and compassion

Patience and long-suffering are not easily acquired. We must establish our hearts.

II. ESTABLISH (STRENGTHEN) YOUR HEART

a. The word establish

i. Means to “fix, make fast or set”

1. Translated strengthen in some passages

2. It involves strengthening our hearts in a certain way

3. Here, it means strengthening our hearts so we can be patient under trials and oppression and not resist.

ii. Resisting oppression and wrongs done to you is human nature

1. But if we do not endure trials, we will not grow spiritually mature

2. If we resist, fight, or run from every trial, test, or tribulation, then we will never grow in trusting the Lord.

iii. What if Abraham resisted the trial of sacrificing Isaac?

iv. What if Job resisted the test of patience of waiting on the Lord?

v. What if Paul did not endure the 40 lashes minus one he received FIVE TIMES?

1. Or being beaten with a rod three times?

2. Or being stoned and left for dead?

3. Three times shipwrecked?

vi. The list goes on.

vii. When we endure our oppression's, trials, and testings, we come out the victor, growing closer to the Lord, and spiritually mature, and becoming a brighter light in the dark world, drawing others to Christ Jesus.

b. Spiritually and faithfully weak are those who do not endure

i. Those who fight the trials and testing

ii. Those who seek revenge for offense

iii. Those who demand justice or take matters into their own hands hide behind self-willed “righteous anger,” which in reality is nothing more than egotistical pride wanting revenge.

iv. Anymore, there is not much room left for God’s judgment when so many take things into their own hands instead of trusting in the Lord.

c. The key to strengthening our hearts is

i. 2 Peter 1:12-15 “Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been strengthened in the truth which is present with you. 13 I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14 knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has indicated to me. 15 And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.”

1. This is why I preach a bible you can read for yourself

2. This is why I remind you of the things you already, or should, already know

3. And like Paul, I will be diligent, knowing that after I am gone, you (and others worldwide) will be able to remember these things.

ii. Constant and careful study of God’s word strengthens our hearts and makes our faith grow

iii. With our hearts rooted and established in God’s word, we are more likely to act as we should when we face trials, tests, and oppression.

James also warns us of things we may be tempted to do under the stress of oppression. We must avoid these.

III. DO NOT GROAN/GRUMBLE

a. Especially against one another

i. When others oppress us, we may be tempted to vent our frustrations to those closest to us

1. Example—A man has a bad day at work, comes home, and takes it out on the wife and kids

2. And I have seen—A man who has a bad day at home or in a relationship goes to work and gets in fights with coworkers

ii. James gives us good reason not to grumble.

1. “Do not groan, brothers, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. Behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.” James 5:9

b. Warning against grumbling

i. “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased. For they were struck down in the wilderness. 6 Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.

7 Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to play.” 8 Nor let us act in sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 Nor let us put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10 Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have arrived.” 1 Corinthians 10:5-11

ii. The same Lord that will judge your oppressors will judge you if you put Him to the test.

iii. We do not get a license to treat others however we choose just because they mistreat us. It does not work that way.

1. Pride demands revenge

2. Arrogance requires retribution

3. Narcissists feel a debt is owed to them from another sin against them

a. Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.”

4. Those who belong to the Lord endure and are long-suffering, forgiving others and leaving judgment to the Lord.

5. There are far too many out there today calling themselves Christian while all the while thinking more highly of themselves than they ought.

IV. DO NOT SWEAR OATHS

a. Making promises and using God’s name

i. “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your yes be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.” James 5:12

ii. Jesus also condemns oaths

1. Matthew 5:33-37 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of the evil one.”

2. Matthew 23:16-22

iii. A Christian is of their word. No oaths needed. Yes means yes, and no means no.

CONCLUSION

What should we do during trials, testing, tribulation, oppression?

PRAY

James 5:13-14 “Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.”

God hears our prayers.

Leave vengeance to the Lord, and remain patient. Do not seek revenge.

Luke 18:7a “…will God not bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night…”

Though it may not come when we want.

Romans 12:18-19 “so far as it depends on you, being at peace with all men, 19 never taking your own revenge, beloved—instead leave room for the wrath of God. For it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

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