James - Chapter 1

This is a test…

James – Chapter 1

Review

1. What did we discuss in the Intro?  What do we know about James?
1. Likely the half-brother of Jesus
2. The book is frequently considered in conflict with Paul’s teaching and emphasis on faith (rather than works)
3. Written to Jewish Christians
4. Probably written around 49 A.D.
5. Life was rough for the audience.

Introduction

1. How did you all do this week reading James?
2. What’s your opinion of James (thus far)?  Easy, hard, straightforward, confusing, basic, advanced, etc?
3. What is your opinion of this chapter?  Easy or lots of questions, difficult and convoluted?
1. Pretty straight-forward

Lesson

1. vv. 1 [READ – James 1:1]
1. Two questions: What’s in this verse?  What’s NOT in this verse?
2. In

                                                               i.      Introduction

                                                             ii.      Identification of his audience

                                                            iii.      Greeting

3. Not in

                                                               i.      His status as the half-brother of Jesus

                                                             ii.      Elaborate opening salutation

                                                            iii.      Encouraging remarks (compared to style used by Paul)

2. vv. 2-12 [READ – James 1:2-12]
1. v 2-4 – How to react in the face of trials

                                                               i.      “…count it joy” – don’t fret or worry.  This doesn’t mean you can’t deal with it, you should, but it shouldn’t shake your faith in God.

1.       Does this mean we’ll understand every trial?

2.       Does this mean that every trial is from God?  What if we’re not in God’s will?  Is the goal of the trial the same?

                                                             ii.      “when” – not “if”.  We WILL find trials.  We will have tests of our faith.

                                                            iii.      These trials aren’t an end to themselves (v 3).  Their benefit is that they will strengthen our faith and produce patience in us. [plus, glorify God.  See Rom 8:28]

                                                            iv.      With time, patience will become a characteristic of your mature Christian life.  [See Rom 5:3-4]

2. V 5-12 – How to respond in the middle of trials

                                                               i.      “If any of you lack wisdom” – who might that apply to?  Yeah, probably all of us.

                                                             ii.      “ask of God” – Pray.  Pray for wisdom.  But what else do we gain from prayer?  Comfort from God.

                                                            iii.      “ask in faith, never wavering” – expect that God will give it to you.

                                                            iv.      You have to have faith in God COMPLETELY, not while keeping another option over on the side open “in case God doesn’t come through for you”.  That’s “double-minded”.

                                                             v.      Rich or poor is irrelevant (v 9-11).  Verse 12 is key.  Blessed is he that is tried, for he shall receive the crown…

3. vv. 13-21 [READ – James 1:13-21] Don’t blame God for all of it…
1. v 13 – God does not test us with evil.  It’s out of His character to do such a thing.
2. V 14 – so if it’s not God, then what?

                                                               i.      It’s our own sinful nature; our flesh.  Did you expect an answer of the Devil, Satan, etc?  What’s the difference?  Which is correct?  (Hint: what does the Bible say here?)

                                                             ii.      Who?  EVERY man.  Not some of us.  All of us.  We all have SOME area we can be tempted in.  Is it wiser to know what that area of temptation is or to not talk of it and pretend it’s not there?

3. V 15 – what does this verse say?

                                                               i.      Is temptation a sin?  No.

                                                             ii.      The joining (conception) of our inward desires and our outward opportunity begets sin (and sin, death).

                                                            iii.      Martin Luther is quoted as “You cannot keep birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from nesting in your hair.”

4. V 16 – stay the course.

                                                               i.      “Do not err” does not instruct those readers to not make mistakes or not to sin.  That’s impossible.  It’s an instruction to “stay the course”, do not stray or wander from what you know.

5. V 17-18 – So, what DOES come from God?

                                                               i.      Every good and perfect gift.

                                                             ii.      Us.

6. So, what should this do for us?

                                                               i.      V 19 – be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath (KJV)

                                                             ii.      V 20 – wrath of man does develop our righteousness.

7. Final instruction (in this area)

                                                               i.      Put aside what you know is wrong and filthy.

                                                             ii.      Receive the Word that is able to save your soul.

4. vv. 22-27 [READ – James 1:22-27] God’s approach…
1. v 22 – the demands of the Word

                                                               i.      “be” isn’t just “being”, but “become”, as in you become a new creature, with different characteristics.  The old characteristics are gone.

                                                             ii.      doers – action

                                                            iii.      hearers – implying lack of action

                                                            iv.      deceiving – something isn’t as it should be

                                                             v.      your own selves – You may fool yourself and others, but not God.

                                                            vi.      What does this verse instruct then?  That works are key?  No.  But works are a fruit of faith.  If there is no activity, one can only presume it’s dead.

2. V 23 -24 – the danger of the Word

                                                               i.      The Bible will tell you all about yourself; your failings, your insecurities, your sins.  If you see this, but don’t act on it, what good is it?

3. V 25 – the design of the Word

                                                               i.      If you look (read, study, etc) the Word will be blessed.

4. V 26-27 – Most else is empty “religion”

                                                               i.      It’s vanity

                                                             ii.      But true religion (one that can stand before God), has signs (works).

Summary

1. What’s your key verse?
1. v 12
2. How do you feel about James Chapter 1 now?
1. It’s a bit harder for me (personally) to follow than Paul’s letters.
2. But it’s a very encouraging chapter.
3. What will you do, starting now, to move forward on what God has told you?

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