31 May 2009

Text: James 1:16-27

FATHER OF LIGHTS

(I) MANY TITLES EMPLOYING THE WORD “FATHER”

1. Father of the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 1:3)

2. Father of mercies (2 Corinthians 1:3)

3. Father of Glory (Ephesians 1:17)

4. Father of lights (James 1:17)

(II) SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE TITLES

1. Each title reveals an attribute of God

2. Each title highlights an aspect of God

3. Each title is employed with great reverence to particular circumstances

(III) FATHER OF LIGHTS

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” James 1:17

1. God is described as a Great Divine Giver

2. Description of all His gifts

a) They are good gifts

b) They are perfect gifts

3. An appreciation of God

a) As the Father of lights

i) There is absolutely no darkness in God

ii) There is only pure light

iii) The use of the plural “lights” serves to highlight the idea of “light”

b) No variation

c) No shadow of turning

(IV) REASONS FOR THIS EMPHASIS

1. To challenge misunderstanding of God

2. To challenge misrepresentation of God

3. To challenge misconceptions of God

(V) DANGER OF ASSOCIATING EVIL TEMPTATIONS WITH GOD

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” James 1:13

1. Blaming God

a) Openly

b) Subtly

2. Associating God with evil

a) This is impossible

b) This is to be rejected outright

(VI) CHILDREN OF THE FATHER OF LIGHTS

“Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” James 1:18

1. Brought forth by the Word of truth

2. Brought forth to be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures

3. Brought forth to reflect God as the Father of Lights (where truth dominates)