“When God’s pleasure means everything”

1. The Characteristics of the Spiritual Man “When God’s pleasure means everything” (A Study of James 4)

2. At the end of life, man’s body will be taken to the cemetery.

3. The word “cemetery” is a very interesting word. • It is a compound-word that gives us a wonderful sermon. • “Ceme” is a Latin prefix, the same as “semi”, and means “half.” • “Tery” is the same as “terri” and means earth.”

4. The Soul If cemetery is the “earth-half,” then what is the other half?

5. The Spiritual Man Seeks God and Spiritual Things(A Study of James 4) • Submits to God--v. 7 • Resists the devil--v. 7 • Draws near to God--v. 8 • Cleanses his hands--v. 8 • Purifies his heart--v. 8 • Turns laughter into mourning--v. 9 • Humbles himself before God--v. 10

6. When we seek God, He allows us to find Him and blesses us.

7. Characteristic # 1The spiritual man has a helpful spirit toward others • He does not want to be a judge of others, but an example of obedience for others. • The spiritual man is not quick to condemn; but eager to show love in providing help to the wayward and the lost.

8. Characteristic # 2The spiritual man realizes his daily dependence upon God • The spiritual man recognizes that everything depends upon the will of God! • He says, “If the Lord wills, we shall do this or that” (4:15)

9. Characteristic # 3The spiritual man recognizes the need to live by the knowledge he possesses. • “Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” (4:17) • True spirituality requires nothing less of us than to do what we know is right.

10. As spiritual people, we ensure the peaceable existence of God’s people together. And, when we seek God, we open up the storehouse of God’s grace and receive of His abundance. Let us seek to be spiritual people!