James - Chapter 2

This is only (still) a test…

James – Chapter 2

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.
2. What was Chapter 1 about?
1. Trials are a test of our faith (ie v 12)

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. Really straight-forward.  At first, hard to understand the relationship between the first half and second.

Lesson

1. vv. 1-13 [READ – James 2:1-13]
1. V 1 – James probably knew of favoritism occurring, don’t you think?  Else, why would he comment on it?

                                                               i.      It’s interesting how he comments on this topic in NASB.  Discuss meaning.

2. V 2-4 – The story.  Does this happen today?

                                                               i.      I know I’ve seen people/situations that caused me to watch one person more closely than others.  Is “safety” a valid reason for treating individuals differently from one another?

                                                             ii.      What if you go to “them”?  Do you do these things out of an act of service; that you’re “lowering yourself” to be charitable?  Or is it out of love and service; as Christ would do?

                                                            iii.      V 4 – “become judges” - how do you feel about this phrase?

1.       I know I’ve done it, although not in a way you’d think.  I got caught looking at the Anheuser-Busch logo on a shirt worn by a man in our services.  He asked “Can I go to church here?”  While I don’t know that I “condemned” the man, I did consider it such an oddity, that I stared.

3. V 5-7 – Rich vs. Poor

                                                               i.      V 5 – “God chosen those who are poor…”

1.       Does this mean if you’re rich, you’re not chosen?

2.       This is not a verse of exclusion.  James is not saying ONLY poor have been chosen, but that they HAVE been chosen right long anyone else that God sees fit to choose.  This is a verse of INCLUSION.

                                                             ii.      V 6 – “but you’ve insulted the poor” and “the rich are exploiting you”.  Sounds like they’re stuck right in the middle, doesn’t it?  They’re doing what many do, “We’re insecure that there are those with more money than us, so we’ll take it out on those with less money than we.”

                                                            iii.      V 7 – “slander” in NIV vs. “blaspheme” in NASB.  In a way, “slander” sounds like these rich folks are doing what they can to make things hard for Christians.  On the other hand, we think of “blaspheme” more of an act against God. (In reality, it can be applied to anyone that is spoken irreverently to or cursed at.)  Could mistreatment of the poor, who God repeatedly states His love and protection over, be a blasphemy against Him?

4. V 8-13 – How to act, and the repercussions of not.

                                                               i.      V 8 – the fulfillment of the Word (the Law) is to love your neighbors as yourself. 

                                                             ii.      V 9 – but favoritism is a sin

1.       But it’s only a little sin.  It’s certainly not MURDER or ADULTRY.  Right?  Um…just keep reading.

                                                            iii.      V 10-11 – If you break one law, you’re guilty of all.

1.       How do you feel about his?

2.       Does this mean you’ve broken all the laws?  No.  It means they’re equal.  Breaking one is no different than breaking another. 

                                                            iv.      V 12-13 – Judgment comes

1.       So act like someone that is going to be judged.  ‘cause you are!

2.       If you show no mercy, you’ll get no mercy.  Be merciful and you’ll be judged accordingly.

2. vv. 14-26 [READ – James 2:14-26]
1. v 14 – James asks two questions here that are important going forward

                                                               i.      What use is it…?

1.       Talk is cheap.  See v 15 & 16.

                                                             ii.      Can that/such faith save him?

1.       What does this question mean?  What faith is James talking about?  Describe this faith vs your own?  Compare it against what our/your faith SHOULD be.

2.       What does this say about your own faith?  Should you question your salvation based on the works you produce?  If works are the outcrop of faith that James says they are, then YES!

                                                            iii.      Why are these questions important?

1.       Because they set the tone/answer for why people think James is all/only about “works”.

                                                            iv.       

2. James sets out to answer his own questions…
3. V 15-16 – In answer to “What use is it…” he asks what value there is to tell a naked person to “be warm” without actually giving them clothes and hungry person to “go and be hungry no more” if you don’t give him food.
4. V 17-20 – in short, faith without works is dead (v 17 & 20).  That is, there is no sign of life; no activity.

                                                               i.      What is James’ point in v 18?  That you cannot separate faith from works nor vice versa.  Faith devoid of works is just as pointless as works without faith (and relationship) in Jesus Christ.

                                                             ii.      If you say “I believe”, but that’s it, that makes you no different than the demons of Hell.  They believe too.  At least they have a reaction – they shudder. (v 19)

5. V 21-24 – the first illustration: Abraham

                                                               i.      An act of faith resulting in a work.  Abraham didn’t understand that he was being asked of God to sacrifice his son.  But that didn’t stop him.  He was going to.  He laid his son out on the alter.  He raised his knife above his son’s body.  Probably through tears, confusion, and pain, he had faith in God that God knew what He was asking Abraham to do.

6. V 25 – the second illustration: NOT Abraham (to say the least)

                                                               i.      See Joshua 2.

                                                             ii.      Rahab was not an Israelite.  However, she helped the Israelite spies enter and leave Jericho safely and undetected.  What if she had only said “God speed”, “Good luck”, “I hope things go well”?  Would that have helped them?  No.  She had to do something to help, even though it could have cost her life.

7. V 26 – back to his points in v 17 and 20.  Faith without works is dead.

Summary

1. What’s your key verse?
1. v 14, 8?
2. How do you feel about James Chapter 2 now?
1. I think it’s appropriate we’re discussing this on Easter Sunday.  What if Jesus only had the activity we show?  The example of His faith (and believe me, He had faith, lest you think He wasn’t a believer) was His single greatest work – His death on the cross and subsequent resurrection.  Christ was a Man of action.
2. I think this chapter, while a call-to-action in general, reminds me that talk is cheap.  Don’t say “I’ll pray for you”, if there’s no intention, etc.
3. What will you do, starting now, to move forward on what God has told you?

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