The Book of James – Part 1:
Faith and Wisdom
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
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SERMON INTRODUCTION
The
New Testament portion of the Holy Bible is split into six different
sections. The first being the Gospels,
then Acts,
then the Pauline Epistles to the churches, followed by Paul’s
letters to individuals, the Kingdom Epistles and finally Revelation.
The
series we are beginning will look at the Book of James, which comes from the Kingdom Epistles.
James
is a very important book, helping those who follow Christ, learn how to walk
in faith.
Not
a walk in faith as simply trusting Jesus, but walking out their faith as in
being a doer of the Word they claim
to live by.
As
we spend the next few weeks going through the book of James, I want you to
listen to his words, remember that they were inspired by the Holy Spirit.
These
are instructions we should take, believe and live.
So
let us explore the Book of James, and listen to what the author wants us to
learn and understand about Jesus Christ, our God and the lives we are called to
live in this present evil age.
TODAY’S SERMON
Part 1 - Faith and Wisdom
SCRIPTURE READING
James 1:1
James, a servant of
God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes scattered among
the nations:
Greetings.
I.
THE BOOK OF JAMES
a.
Book Details
i.
The author of the book identifies himself as James.
1.
Most scholars agree it was James, the half-brother of
Jesus
2.
James was a leader of the Jerusalem Council (Acts
15:13)
ii.
Some try to attribute this book to other men, such as
the Apostle James, but this is impossible, since the Apostle James died in 44 AD
and the Book of James was written between 50-60 AD
1.
The other two men named James could not be the author
either, since neither had the stature or influence that this writer possessed.
b.
Author Information
i.
James was one of several brothers of Christ, more than
likely the oldest of the half-brothers since he is mentioned first in the list
in Matthew
13:55.
ii.
We see at first James did not believe Jesus and even
challenged and misunderstood his mission
1.
John 7:1-5 “Jesus went around in
Galilee. He did not want[a] to go
about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to
kill him. 2 But when the
Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, 3 Jesus’
brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your
disciples there may see the works you do. 4 No one who wants to become
a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself
to the world.” 5 For even his
own brothers did not believe in him.”
iii.
To which Jesus Answered him, “My
time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world
cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are
evil. 8 You go to the
festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not
yet fully come.”
iv.
Later, James he became very prominent in the church.
c.
Special Details of
James, Brother of Jesus
i.
James was one of the select individuals Christ appeared
to after His resurrection (I Corinthians 15:7)
ii.
Paul called James a “pillar” (referring to Eldership) in the church (Galatians
2:9)
iii.
When Peter was rescued from prison, he told his friends
to tell James (Acts 12:17)
iv.
James was martyred around 62 AD
d.
Authority you can
Trust
i.
The Book of James reflects a simple church order,
officers of the church are called “Elders” (James 5:14)
and “Teachers” (James 3:1)
ii.
The Greek term “Synagogue” or “meeting” is used to
designate the meeting or meeting place of the church (James 2:2)
iii.
The Book of James is more than likely the oldest of the
New Testament writings, with the exception of Galatians, written between 48-53 AD
II.
CONTENTS
a.
Introduction
i.
The original recipients of this letter from James are
identified in 1:1 only, as the twelve tribes scattered among the nations.
1.
It is evident in the writings that James, the leader of
the Jerusalem Council, addresses Jewish Christians in a Hebrew tone throughout
his letter.
2.
He even refers to God as “Kyrios Sabaoth” or Lord
Almighty in James 5:4, which is a Hebrew Title for
God.
Trials and
Temptations
2
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many
kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces
perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be
mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks
wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault,
and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe
and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and
tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive
anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and
unstable in all they do.
b.
Victory
i.
Throughout this letter, James has many rebukes for the
listeners. However, he also continually
calls them brothers, correcting them in brotherly love.
ii.
The word “trials” here can also be translated
“temptations”, we see that followers struggle with difficulties from the
outside world.
1.
Trials, such as people and situations rising up against
us, and temptations to choose what your flesh may desire over what God has
called you to.
iii.
James tells us to have JOY when we have trials
and temptations.
1.
The scriptures here show us that, we should have JOY
when facing trials or temptations of ANY kind, because this testing of our
spirit will PRODUCE in us perseverance.
a.
The fruit of
perseverance
can only come through experiencing trials
and temptations.
b.
How can you persevere if there is nothing to persevere
against?
2.
James also tells us that “perseverance MUST finish its work” in verse 4.
a.
We can cut perseverance short by giving in to
temptations and trials.
b.
When we do this, we have lost the battle, but not the
war...there will be more opportunities, we are promised that.
3.
Perseverance creates in us spiritual maturity, and
spiritual completeness. We will lack NOTHING.
a.
If you are spiritually immature, it is because you are
NOT persevering during your trials and temptations in your life.
i.
In other words, you are giving in to your trials and
temptations, and therefore do not develop or mature spiritually.
ii.
This is what the Word of God says...whether you believe
it or not, I believe God’s Holy Word.
b.
For those who may struggle with this concept, James
explains what takes place for those who do persevere and in turn, mature in
spiritual completeness, and for those who give in to their trials and
temptations, and remain stagnant in their spiritual growth.
c.
Faith & Wisdom
i.
James tells us, beginning in verse 5, If any of you lack wisdom...
1.
Refers to the proper application of the Word of God.
a.
James is saying, simply do what I just said in times of
trials and temptations...persevere.
b.
Many “read” God’s Word, but without the Holy Spirit
active in their lives, there will be no understanding.
c.
They may as well be reading bedtime stories because God
cannot work with someone who is not allowing the Holy Spirit to live and rule
in their heart.
ii.
If you lack wisdom,
ask God who gives generously without finding fault and it will be given to you.
1.
Without finding fault refers to the fact that when we
approach God with this request for wisdom, He will not scold us for our past
conduct, it is overlooked because we are coming to Him, which shows we
acknowledge our way was wrong, and we see that.
2.
BUT, when we ask, we
must ask in faith, believing without doubt.
Faith IS the criteria for all things pertaining to God.
a.
Hebrews 11:6 “...
without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he
exists and that he rewards those who
earnestly seek him.”
b.
Are you “earnestly
seeking” God in your life?
i.
Remember, it is not the world you have to convince of
this, but God Himself.
3.
Why must we ask
without doubting?
a.
Because, the one who doubts is like a wave tossed in
the sea, blown whichever way the wind blows.
b.
God’s Holy Word tells us, this person SHOULD NOT EXPECT
to receive ANYTHING from the Lord.
i.
One who continuously veers from one course to another
only reveals his own instability and lack of a sense of being under divine
control.
c.
This person is UNSTABLE in ALL they do.
i.
Are you trying
to be a “good Christian”, but find it is not working?
ii.
Are you trying
to “do well” but keep failing?
iii.
Do you find that the ventures you take on fail?
iv.
How is work?
v.
How is your family?
vi.
How is your personal life?
vii.
How is your walk with the Lord?
4.
Instability is a sign of “Double-Mindedness”, which
comes from your doubt in God and His Word.
a.
The answer to this is simply to “DO” what James tells
us to do.
III.
WHAT JAMES WANTS US
TO KNOW
a.
In the first few verses of James, he gives
us instruction of the utmost importance.
If you are experiencing trials or temptation in your life, BE JOYFUL.
b.
We know that these trials and temptations will produce
perseverance when we face them in a godly manner, resisting the temptations,
and standing on God’s Holy Instruction.
c.
In turn, this perseverance in doing what is
right, will create in us, spiritual maturity and completion. We will be lacking in nothing.
James
reveals through the Holy Spirit that we must remain faithful to God, no matter
what trial or temptation comes.
When
we face these, we must do so with joy, not losing heart, for if we stand
faithful, we will receive Spiritual maturity and completeness.
Those
lacking stability and maturity, need to seek God for wisdom, and stand firm on
His Holy Word against this world and its trials and temptations.
Unforgiveness,
anger, fear, hate, lust, adultery, fornication, whatever sin or unrighteous
behavior, or temptation arises against you, remember this is a spiritual matter
to cause you to live in unrighteousness, to live in sin, and thus cut you off
from relationship with the Lord!
Next
week we will look at what the Book of James says about Poverty and Riches.
Want to learn more about
Salvation and Getting Saved?
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