Book of James Key Theme: Spiritual Maturity Key Verse: James 1:4 The Marks of a Mature Christian: Patient in Testing & Temptations Chpt 1 Practices the Truth Chpt 2 Controls his Tongue Chpt 3 Peacemakers not Troublemakers Chpt 4 Prayerful in Times of Trouble Chpt 5 I. Overview of James a. Author: Who was James? b. Recipients: To Whom did James Write? c. Purpose of the Letter: -Each letter in the NT is written with its own intent and purpose Jewish Christians in James s Epistle were having their own problems -going through difficult -facing temptations of sin -church members were for offices in the church -worldliness -uncontrolled -disobedience to God s word -some were away from the Church and the Word -Main problem: there was a failure on the part of many to live what they professed to believe. All the problems had a common cause: -James uses the word perfect several times in his letter. Meaning
d. Questions to Consider in our own lives. Am I becoming more and more in the testings of life? Do I play with temptation or it from the start? Do I find Joy in the Word of God, or do I merely study and learn it? Are there any that shackle me? Am I able to control my? Am I a peacemaker or a troublemaker? Do people come to me for spiritual wisdom? Am I a friend of God or a friend of the world? Do I make plans without considering the of God? Am I selfish when it comes to money? Do I naturally depend on when I find myself in some kind of trouble? Am I the kind of person others seek for prayer support? What is my attitude toward the wandering brother? Do I and, or do I seek to restore him in love? DON T JUST GROW OLD - GROW UP!
Mark of Maturity #1: PATIENT IN TESTING AND TEMPTATIONS Chapter 1:1-12 Trials on the Outside The Purpose of Trials 1. To Test the of Our Faith 2. To Us, to remind us not to let our trust in the Lord turn into presumption and spiritual self-satisfaction 3. To wean us from our on worldly things 4. To call us to eternal and heavenly 5. To reveal what we really 6. To teach us to value God s 7. To develop in us enduring strength for greater 8. To enable us to better help in their trials 1. A Attitude (v2) consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, 2. An Mind (v3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Knowing Testing Endurance 3. A Will (v4) and let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. Perfect Complete
4. A Heart (v5-8) But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting Let him ask : In Faith without doubting : Double-minded man : God s heavenly wisdom James 3:17 first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 5. A Spirit (v9-11) But the brother of humble circumstances is to glory in his high position Glory in his High Position : The Reward for (v12) Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Blessed : I John 4:8 I John 4:16 I John 5:3
Temptations on the Inside Part I Chapter 1:13-18 -I Cor 10:13 no temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. 4 Strong Proofs that God is not Responsible for our Temptations 1. The Nature of (v13b) for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. -God and evil exist in two distinct that never meet. -God allows trials in which temptation can occur, not to solicit us to sin, but to move us to greater (James 1:2-4) 2. The Nature of (v14) but each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. - Carried Away - Enticed Salvation is progressive: We were saved from the of Sin We are being saved from the of Sin We will be saved from the of Sin Temptation is common to man but not the particular lusts that each believer has.
3. The Nature of (v15-16) then when lust is conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Progression: Something we see or hear suddenly grabs our attention and draws out a strong desire, or lust to have it or do it. We desire something and then our mind begins to rationalize a justification for getting or doing it. Lust is conceived This is when plans are made to fulfill the emotional desire that we have rationalized and justified with our minds. When we allow the process to continue, the design inevitable produces disobedience to god s law It gives birth to sin Disobedience gives birth to death. -In light of this, James urges: Do not be deceived, Brethren. -Stop blaming other -Stop blaming -Stop blaming -Above all Stop Blaming -Take the blame yourself 4. The Nature of (v17) every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. -God only gives - & He gives is good. -He gives.
The Solution for Temptations Within (v18) in the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of Truth, so that we would be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures. Consider God s Divine Nature Within -It is *By the new birth, a believer is re-created, given a completely new nature that has no part in sin or evil. -It is *We did not earn it or deserve it -It is through *Divine birth requires two parents Word/Spirit -It is the *We share God s nature Temptations on the Inside Part II James 1:19-27 The Danger of (v19-27) Danger: those who are deceiving themselves about their. -Matt 7:22-23 Danger: those believers who are deceiving themselves concerning their. -John 17:17 James describes (3) responsibilities toward God s Word to have an honest walk with God and with men. A. the Word (v19-21) James calls the Word of God the engrafted Word the implanted Word. i. Swift to
ii. Slow to iii. Slow to There must be a willingness to receive the Word with and. B. the Word (V22-25) -Problems: -Responsible: C. the Word (V26-27) i. Our (v26) the tongue reveals the heart ii. Our (v27a) After we have seen ourselves in the mirror, we must see others and their needs. iii. Our from the world (v27b) When James says the world he is talking about society without God. 1. Look at the progression of worldliness a. with the world (James4:4) b. for the World (I John 2:15-17) c. to the World (Rom 12:1-2) d. with the World (I Cor 11:32) There must be a willingness to apply the Word without.
Mark of Maturity #2 PRACTICES THE TRUTH Practice the Truth Part I Faith and Works (James 2:1-13) Faith is a key doctrine in the Christian life. -The Sinner is saved by through (Eph 2:8-9) -The Believer must by faith (II Cor 5:7) -Without Faith it is to please God (Heb 11:6) -Whatever we do apart from faith is (Rom 14:23) Chapter 2: James addresses the mature believers love and works. Part I - Faith: and Part II Faith: Favoritism or Partiality: Principle : The way we behave toward people indicates what we really believe about. (4) Basic Doctrines to consider in Light of How We Should Treat Others. I. The Person and Ministry of (v1-4). -Jesus did not persons. -Jesus was. II. The of God(v5-7). - difference - difference
III. The of God(v8-11). -Leviticus 19:18 IV. The of God(v12-13). -Our will be judged -Our will be judged -Our will be judged (6) Indictments Against Favoritism or Partiality. 1. It is with faith in Christ (v1) 2. It makes us (v4) 3. It is wrong because God makes distinctions (v5) 4. It the poor man (v6) 5. It makes no when you consider who were oppression Christians (v6-7) 6. It violates the law of (v8-13) Practice the Truth Part II Faith and Works (James 2:14-26) James outlines (3) kinds of faith, only (1) is true saving faith. 1. Faith (14-17) a. Matt 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
b. People with dead faith substitute for c. Gal 6:10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. d. The Questions in verse 14 i. Should read Can that save him? 2. Faith (18-19) a. What? Demons have Faith! (v19) i. What do they believe? 1. the existence of 2. the of Christ 3. the existence of a place of 4. Jesus Christ as the 5. The submit to the of His Word. 3. Faith (20-26) a. Saving Faith is i. Based on the 1. (James 1:18) 2. (James 1:21) 3. Rom 10:17 So faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. 4. Dynamic Faith touches the a. Whole Man i. The mind the truth ii. The heart the truth iii. The will the truth. The Mature Christian practices the truth! Doctrine is in daily life
Mark of Maturity #3: CONTROL OF THE TONGUE James expands what he declared in (1:26) Control Over the Tongue James 3:1-12 1. The Power to & (v1-4) Image: and. -The Bit and the Rudder have the power to Direct. -They have the power to and the lives of others. 2. The Power to & (v5-8) Two images used to describe the Power to Destroy. A. B. 3. The Power to & (v9-12) -The images of fountain and Tree are used to describe the tongue. Fountain Tree -Prov 18:4 The words of a man s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook. -Prov 10:11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life. What are the benefit of trees? The Mark of a Mature Christian is.
Control Over the Tongue James 3:13-18 I. Differences of Wisdom and Wisdom II. Contrasting (v15,17a) What is the Origin of Man s Wisdom? -James 3:15 Man s Wisdom comes from while God s wisdom comes from. James 3:17a James describes a wisdom that is from above -Every good and perfect gift is from above -The Christian looks up to heaven for all that he needs -His is in heaven -His is in heaven -His is in heaven -He was born from Above -His is in heaven -We are to set our affections and attention on things above, not on earthly things (Col 3:1-4) III. Comparison & Contrast of their (13-14, 17) Evidences of wisdom - (14a): selfish ambition and zeal - (14b): used by the Greeks to describe a politician out canvassing for votes. - (14c): - (14d): lie against the truth.
Evidences of wisdom - (13): - (17a): - (17b): - (v17c): - (17d): - (17e): - (17f): - (17g): - (17h): IV. The Inevitable (16,18) -Worldly Wisdom produces (v16) -Godly Wisdom produces (v18) True Wisdom False Wisdom Motivation Purity & bitter jealousy Characteristics Earthly, Natural, Demonic Results Continual cycle of Righteousness & every evil thing
Mark of Maturity #4: PEACEMAKERS NOT TROUBLEMAKERS Peacemakers- not a Troublemakers James 4:1-12 James explains that there are (3) Wars (Conflicts, Quarrels) going on in the world. Then He tells us how these wars could be stopped. A. Conflicts with (v1a, 11-12) What causes fights, conflicts, and quarrels among you (church)? -Early Churches had their problems *Corinthians *Galatians *Philppians- *Colossians Here in James Epistle He mentions several different kinds of disagreements among the saints 1. (2:1-9) Rich and Poor 2. (5:1-6) 3. (1:19-20; 3:13-18) 4. (4:11-12) B. Battles with (v1b-3) -Many times we veil our religious quarrels under the disguise of. *to mask our or *to accomplish our agenda satisfy our C. Hostility with (v4-10) a. How does a believer declare war against God? i. By being friendly with God s 1. The (v4)
2. The (v1,5) 3. The (6-7) James gives us (3) instructions to follow to enjoy peace no war 1. to God (7) a. get in proper rank 2. to God (8) 3. ourselves before God (9-10) A Mature Believer is one who is a Peacemaker not a Troublemaker Peacemakers- not a Troublemakers James 4:13-17 James Addresses (3) RESPONSES to the Will of God 1. RESPONSE: the will of God (v13-14, 16) a. James presents (4) considerations that reveal the foolishness of ignoring the will of God i. Considering: The of Life (13) ii. Considering: The of Life (14a) -Prov 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. iii. Considering: The of Life (14b) iv. Considering: The of man (16)
2. RESPONSE: the will of God (17) II Peter 2:21 For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. (False teachers in the church leading others to reject truth) Reasons people deliberately disobey God - - of the true nature of God s will So What happens to Christians who deliberately disobey the known will of God? -They are by their loving Father until they submit (Heb 12:5-11) -There is danger of losing (I Cor 9:24-27) 3. RESPONSE: the will of God_ (15) a. The believer s relationship to the will of God is a i. First, We should His will (Acts 22:14) ii. Secondly, God wants us to His will (Col 1:9) iii. Thirdly, We must also God s will (Rom 12:2) iv. Lastly, We must God s will from the (Eph 6:6) What are the Benefits of doing the will of God? -We enjoy a with Jesus Christ (Mark 3:35) -We have the privilege of (John 7:17) -We have the privilege of (I John 5:14-15) -There is an at the return of Jesus Christ (Matt 25:34)
Mark of Maturity #5: PRAYERFUL IN TIMES OF TROUBLE Prayerful in Times of Trouble James 5:1-6 WHAT MATURITY IS NOT: Maturity is not. Maturity is not. Maturity has nothing to do with. Maturity has nothing to do with. God says maturity is. Let s examine (3) Lessons learned from the Wicked Rich I. First, Don t it Greedily It Wisely 5:1-3 The Apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:14 Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. The following Scriptures tell us something of the fleeting nature of earthly wealth. Proverbs 23:5 "they Haggai 1:6 "earns wages to put it into a bag with " It is that makes you hoard things. In Luke 12:15 (NIV), Jesus said, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." II. Don t It Deceitfully it Honestly_(5:4) The Old Testament says in Deut. 24:14,15, You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy.you shall give him his hire on the day he earns it, before the sun goes down (for he is poor, and sets his heart upon it; lest he cry against you to the Lord, and it be sin in you.
III. Don t It Selfishly It Generously (5:5-6) Proverbs 11:24-25 (NCV): Some people give much but get back even more. Others don t give what they should and end up poor. Whoever gives to others will get richer; those who help others will themselves be helped. God s concern is not with actual wealth, but with our toward wealth. God s counsel is not against people who are wealthy, but against the of the wealthy. Prayerful in Times of Trouble James 5:7-12 James appeals to his suffering brothers and sister BE PATIENT James uses (2) different words for Patience: V7-8,10 V11 - Question: How can we experience this kind of Patient Endurance as we wait on the Lord to return? I. The of Patience (v7) II. Biblical of Patience (v7-11) A. The Example of the (v7-8) James Pictured Believers as looking for a Spiritual Harvest The MARK OF MATURITY =.
B. The Example of the (v10) What encouragement can we receive from their example? -. -. C. The Example of (v11) -We cannot persevere unless there is a trial in our life. There can be no victories without There can be no peaks w/o the III. of Patience (v12) Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Above All. Repeated theme = 1:26; 2:12; 3:2-11; 4:11 Do not swear =. Your yes is to be yes and your no, no. not fall under judgment. The MARK OF MATURITY =!
Prayerful in Times of Trouble James 5:13-18 Lowest uses of the tongue: (5:9) (5:12) Highest uses of the tongue: (5:10) (5:13) In this section, James encourages us to pray: I. Prayer for those who (13) Afflicted = (II Tim 2:9) What should we do when we find ourselves in such trying circumstances? -We must not or the saints who are having as easier time of it (James 5:9) NOR -Should we blame II. Prayer for those who are (14-16) What are the special characteristics of this case that James is describing? a. The Person is sick because of (15b-16) b. The Person his sins (v16) c. The Person is healed by the prayer of (v15)
Practical Lessons 1. to God can lead to sickness 2. Sin affects the. 3. There is healing when is dealt with III. Prayer for the (v19-20) -OT equivalent = Offender - (Heb 12) - (I John 5:16-17, I Cor 11:30) Church - (Eccl 9:18 one sinner destroys much good.) The Origin The Outcome The sinner here is a not an UNBELIEVER. James is not referring here to evangelism but to Revival is in view not What are we to do when we see a fellow believer wandering from the truth? - -
CHALLENGE: DON T JUST GROW OLD GROW UP! James gives us - The Marks of a Mature Christians 1. Patient in Testing Chpt 1 2. Practices the Truth Chpt 2 3. Power over his Tongue Chpt 3 4. Peacemakers not a Troublemakers Chpt 4 5. Prayerful in Times of Trouble Chpt 5 HOW ARE WE DOING?