It rejects favoritism. It demonstrates itself through our actions. Living faith changes the way that we speak, how we relate to others. And living faith surrenders to God's control because he is the one who corrects our passions and restores our relationships. Now, as we come to the final passage of this letter, we find James inviting us to set our sights on Christ and to live with an eternal perspective, to shift our focus. What does it look like to live with eternal perspective? It means choosing not only to focus on the here and now, but instead being willing to surrender control to God. Our natural tendency is to live for the moment, to grasp tightly at things like control, at wealth, comfort, and certainty. James reminds us that this world is actually temporary, and a life of living faith is one that is willing to surrender everything to God. He invites us to trust God, not just with our eternity, but also with our everyday decisions. with our resources, with our struggles, and our joys. This morning, as we conclude our study of James, we're gonna examine four key areas where God calls us to live with an eternal perspective. First, giving God our plans. Second, giving God our possessions. Third, giving God our problems. And fourth, giving God our prayers. At the heart of James' message for this morning is this challenge. Are we only living for today, or are we living for eternity? The answer to that question is going to have a profound impact on how we walk in Christ. So as we begin, James first challenges us to consider our approach to the future. Do we live as if we are in control, or do we actively acknowledge God's sovereignty over our plans? So this leads us to the first area of surrender, give God our plans. We live in a world that celebrates planning and strategy and ambition. From career goals to financial investments, we are encouraged to map out our future with precision. And honestly, this is something that I really enjoy. I really enjoy strategy and planning. I love crafting a plan and then working the system. And while planning is wise, And it's not inherently wrong. Here in James 4, verses 13 to 17, we are warned about the danger of self-sufficiency. We assume that we have control over our lives, and we run the risk of failing to acknowledge God. James confronts those who say, today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit. So the issue is not the act of planning. Planning can be a really good thing. But the problem arises when the plan involves an attitude of independence from God. These theoretical individuals that James talks about assume that they are the ones who have control over their time, that they have control over their location, over their schedule, and over the outcomes of their decisions. And they fail to recognize that the future ultimately is in God's hands. This echoes what we saw in James chapter three, where true wisdom is marked by humility, not arrogance. So James reminds us of a really important truth. You do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. So for all of us, life is far more fragile and fleeting than we often like to admit. Like a morning mist, it can quickly disappear. Our lives are far too brief, and we must hold our plans loosely. Because when we don't, we run the risk of putting ourselves in the place of God. So instead of making assumptions, James calls believers to say, if the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that. So this statement, it's not about magic words. It's not saying if we say the right words and everything will go right. It's about the posture of our heart. Proverbs 16.9 tells us, the heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Even Jesus, when he was in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed, not my will, but yours be done. We need to approach our plans with humility and with submission. James concludes this section saying, so whoever knows the right thing to do, but fails to do it, For him, it is sin. Now there's an interesting sense here that James is apparently telling those that he is writing to, he is telling them that there are those within them who know the right thing to do. Those who make themselves God over their plans, but they actually know that they are in the wrong. Sin is not only committing wrong actions, that's definitely a part of what it is, but it can also be neglecting to do what we know is right. And sometimes that means acknowledging that we are not the authors of our fate. Faith that surrenders to God is faith that acts in obedience. So planning is wise, but planning without God is dangerous. As believers, we are called to hold our plans loosely, with open hands, trusting that God's will is greater than our own. True faith is actually a faith that surrenders. Are we willing to give God control of our plans and to trust Him with our future? James continues in chapter five, verses one to six, and he shifts his focus to another area where we are often tempted to grasp tightly our possessions. Now, we've already talked about this already in our study of James, but James' audience is made up of Christians who are living in exile. They're living as refugees. They have been displaced because of very real physical dangers, and many of these believers have been forced to work for wealthy landlords who take advantage of their situation and their great need. And while we would hope that these wealthy landlords were not fellow followers of Christ, that doesn't seem to universally be the case because of James' warning here. He warns against allowing things like wealth, material security, and financial success to become idols, to become our gods, because when we do that, we forget that everything that we have, comes from God. It belongs to God. The passage gives a very stern warning about the dangers of hoarding wealth, of exploiting others, and living for self-indulgence rather than for God's purposes. So James begins, come now you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. So James paints this picture of wealth that has rotted. He paints a picture of garments that are moth-eaten and falling apart, gold and silver that have corroded. It's an illustration of the fleeting nature of earthly riches. No matter how much we accumulate, it won't last. And this echoes what we saw in James chapter one, where the rich man is likened to a flower that withers under the sun. Jesus himself teaches the same principle in Matthew chapter six, 19 and 20, where he urges us not to lay up treasures on earth, but to store up treasure in heaven. The issue is not wealth itself, but a heart that trusts in our wealth over and against God. James goes on to condemn those who gain wealth through the exploitation of others. He says, He warns us that those who take advantage of others for personal gain may seem successful in life, but ultimately all of us are going to have to stand before God. before His justice, and this contradicts God's commands to care for the poor and to uphold justice like we see in Deuteronomy 24. Proverbs 22, 16 reminds us that those who oppress the poor to increase their own wealth will ultimately come to poverty. How we handle our money reveals the true condition of our hearts. James also rebukes those who live in luxury and self-indulgence and ignore the needs of others. He says, you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. This imagery, it suggests those who pursue comfort and excess while neglecting God's kingdom and failing to acknowledge his judgment. Think back on what we saw in James chapter two. True faith is demonstrated by caring for those in need. True wealth is not found in accumulation, but in generosity and in kingdom-minded stewardship. Practicing radical generosity is a tangible way to demonstrate a faith that holds wealth loosely. James challenges us to examine how we view what we own. Are we stewards or are we the owners of what God has entrusted to us? Are we using our resources to bless others and to advance God's kingdom or are we simply increasing our own comfort and our control? James encourages us to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that money and the things that we have are fleeting. And so rather than trusting in wealth, we are called to hold our resources with an open hand and use them for God's glory. A living faith sees wealth as a tool, not a treasure. Are we willing to surrender our possessions to God, trusting him to provide for our needs? Third, James invites us to give God your problems. In James 5, 7 to 12, we are called to give God our trials, our tribulations, and demonstrate faith that endures, particularly in the midst of our suffering. James reminds us that these challenges, like our possessions, like our plans, are ultimately temporary, and that patience and trust in God's justice are essential in navigating them. He first uses the example of a farmer. Now, in their culture, that was probably much more prevalent. Everyone was involved in some kind of farming. But he gives them the example of the farmer who patiently waits for the harvest. There's work that a farmer does for sure, but the farmer can't make it rain. The farmer can't cause the plants to grow, and so they are reliant upon God in order to survive. And in the same way, we are to wait for the return of the Lord. There are things that we can do, but we wait for God's return expectantly, patiently. This echoes the encouragement from James 1, 2-4, where we are instructed to consider trials as a cause for joy because they lead to endurance and spiritual maturity in our faith. James cautions us against the dangers of complaining. in the midst of trial, as our grumbling not only weakens our witness, but it can invite judgment. Our words, as we have seen throughout the book of James, are meant to reflect the character of Christ. They should be used to build up, not to tear down. Instead of grumbling, we are to endure patiently, following the example of the prophets. The prophets were the men and women of the Old Testament whose suffering was often a sign of their faithfulness. Being a prophet in the Old Testament was a hard job, and yet their faithfulness was what allowed the people to connect to the heart and the character of God through his word. James also brings to mind Job's example. Job is a hard book in the Old Testament. And yet, James here reminds us that enduring in the midst of trial leads to a deeper experience of God's compassion, and his mercy, and his love, and his justice, and his goodness. And finally, James calls for integrity in our speech. We've seen this several times throughout this book, urging that our words be clear and trustworthy. We say yes when we mean yes, and we say no when we mean no. Don't swear on your mother's grave or on the lives of your children. Don't make a promise on God's name because when we do that, we run the risk of making God a liar if we break our promise. That's not who he is. And so instead, our words should reflect the truth and the character of Christ within us. We maintain consistency in what we say and in how we act. In light of these truths, it can be really helpful to ask ourselves, do I trust God when I am in trial and tribulation? Or do I grow impatient and complain? We can cultivate patience by remembering that Jesus is coming back. This is not the end of the story. His return is certain, and with it is coming his justice and his mercy. As we endure, let us be mindful of the example of the farmer, the prophets, and Job. And may our words be a reflection of the integrity and endurance that God calls us to. And fourth, God invites us to give him our prayers. In James 5, 13 to 20, we are urged to give God all of our prayers. A living faith depends on Him, not just in the hard times and not just in the good times, in every circumstance. Prayer should be our first response when we are facing suffering, when we are experiencing joy, when we are in need of healing, when we are in need of restoration. In verse 13, James encourages us to turn to God in prayer when we encounter hardship. Like we saw in James 1.5, God delights in giving good things to his kids. God delights in giving good things to his kids. And when we lack wisdom, we can go to him and ask and he will give it to us. We should ask God in faith when we are in the midst of hardship and trust that he is able to, that he is wanting to provide. Likewise, in times of joy, we are called to prayer. Sometimes celebratory prayer, can be harder because everything is going right. It's so easy sometimes when things are off the rails. to say, I need help, I can't do this on my own. When things are going good, that can be a hard time to go to God in prayer, but that's what we're invited to do, to acknowledge that all of our moments are from God as the source of all blessings. Gratitude and praises are key components to our relationship with God. We recognize that every good gift comes from Him. James also acknowledges the importance of prayer for healing. There have been some big needs here in our congregation lately in regard to healing. When we face sickness or injury or spiritual struggle, James encourages us and invites us to seek the prayers of the community. I actually love that faith is not something that we are meant to do alone. It's not something that we are meant to do in isolation. We're meant to live in community. I need you and your prayers. I know that's very simple, but it's very true. I need you and your prayers, and I delight in praying over you. Our prayer for healing is a demonstration of our utter dependence on God's goodness, his sovereignty, his ability to heal, both physically and spiritually. The power of confession is another crucial aspect of prayer in this passage. James encourages us to confess our sins to each other and to pray for one another. And this also leads to healing, both spiritually and physically. Acknowledging our faults, our failures, and coming alongside each other to hold each other accountable is so essential to growing in faith. Want to grow in humility and spiritual maturity? I am gonna challenge you to try to confess to a trusted friend or mentor. It is so stretching, but it is also so freeing to bring that which is hidden in darkness into the light. Confession allows us to be restored and to heal. Why does James end this section and his whole book with such a strong emphasis on prayer, because prayer changes things. It connects our need with the source for all good things. It connects our need with the source of all good things. James illustrates the power of prayer through the example of Elijah, demonstrating that the prayers of a righteous person, someone who has surrendered their life to God, is powerful, it is effective, and God honors the prayers of those who align themselves with His will. When we pray, God actually empowers us to bring about change in the world. God is connecting us with His power to bring about change in the world. And finally, James calls us to pursue those who wander in their faith, offering restoration through prayer and love. This pursuit itself is an act of love and intercession. It demonstrates that true faith is not passive, but it actively seeks to bring others back to God. Think about the Great Commission, right? Matthew 28, 19 and 20. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always to the end of the age. We go. We make disciples, we meet real people in their circumstances and we take them by the hand and together we walk them to God. Prayer is not meant to be just a ritual. It's not meant to be a reaction to crisis. It can be those things. It's an expression of our complete reliance on God. We acknowledge He is the source of life. He is the source of new life and of everything that we will ever have. He is sovereign. He is mind-bogglingly powerful. And yet He is also intimately close. He is love. He invites us to approach the throne of grace with confidence. May we cultivate a life of prayer that reflects our trust in God and our desire to see his will done in our lives and in the lives of those around us. So as we wrap up our study for the Book of James, let's take a moment to reflect on the key points that we've just explored. So first, we are invited to give God our plans, trusting him to direct our steps and to lead us in his will. We've been challenged to give God our possessions, to hold our treasure with open hands, and to use it for his purposes rather than for our own comfort and gain. We have learned to give God our problems, being patient and enduring trials with faith, knowing that suffering is temporary and God's justice will prevail. And finally, we are encouraged to give God our prayers. Seek him first in every circumstance, whether that's joy or sorrow or need. and we depend on his power to sustain and to restore. James began by calling us to a faith in the midst of trial, and he ends by calling us to a faith that has lived out in action, in prayer, and in surrender. A living faith is one that actively engages the world around us, but it is also a faith that looks beyond our present moment. It is a faith that lives for eternity, not just today. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, we come before you today with hearts that desire to be shaped by your will. We recognize that our lives are not our own. They're yours. And so we surrender to you our plans, our possessions, our problems, and our prayers. Help us to trust you fully in all things, to endure trial with patience, to seek you first in every circumstance, and to live lives that reflect your love and grace. Shape our hearts for eternity, that we may live with a purpose that goes beyond today, seeking your glory in all things, and it's in Jesus' name we pray.