The Epistle of James Pg.1
Opening Prayer, Father God, we come tonight to study the Epistle of Jesus' brother James. Lead us in this study Lord and teach us to persevere in our effort to be disciples worthy of the name Christian. Give us the wisdom and the courage to face the trials and temptations that this world has for us day by day. Help us to grow in Christian stature and strength as we study Your word. Impart to us the life lessons You would have us learn from this study. In Jesus name we pray Amen.
Introduction to The Epistle Of James James the half-brother of Jesus wrote his epistle in approximately 48-49 A.D. It was likely the first New Testament book to be written. The key personalities of this book are James and Persecuted Christians. James teaches believers to test their faith and “prove yourselves doers of the word James encourages believers to put their faith into action, and to be servants of Jesus Christ.
James 1:1-9 Facing Trials, Exercising Faith
Jas 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 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. 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.
Discussion
Here James begins his letter by stating his status as relates to his calling, a servant of God And Jesus Christ. But James is using the title to establish to his readers his humble position. This is something that all Christians should wear with great pride, for we are all His servants. And should serve humbly with dedication, determination, and perseverance.
Then James continues with his encouragement of the 12 tribes scattered among the nations. The audience is generally considered to be Jewish Christians, who were dispersed outside of Palestine due to persecution, and undoubtedly will be read by many of the called among them. But to be clear, the epistle is not exclusive. It has reached it's intended audience, of which we are a part.
The encouragement mentioned is an urging for those called, to endure the many trials they will face, and to persevere in such a manner as an artist must, in order to present a finished work. As a confident Christian, with a mature faith that can withstand all trials and testing, not lacking in anything needed for completing the work set before them. (1Peter 1:6 &7). Then he goes on to say that if anyone of them lack wisdom for the task, they should ask it of God by prayer and supplication, and He will give them wisdom without finding fault. (Philippiansp 4:6 &7)
Then he speaks of one who if they ask for this wisdom should believe and not doubt that God will do it for them. Then James describes the doubter as he no doubt has experienced. Finally he has an encouraging word for the true believer.
Questions
1. What is your understanding of who will receive this epistle?
2. Read vs.2, How does one interpret the meaning of pure joy in the face of trials and testing?
3. Vss, 3 & 4, Faith, testing, perseverance, and maturity, mean what in the context of this letter?
4. Read vss. 5 & 6 and comment on how we are to interpret those verses.
5. Read vs 6,7&8 and comment on how doubt affects one's decision making
6. Vs. 9 speaks to the high position of a believer in humble circumstances, what does that mean?
James 1:10-15; A Beattitude Pg.2
10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation--since they will pass away like a wild flower.
11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
Jas 1:12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. 13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Discussion
Trials serve to remind the rich and the high that though they are comfortable in this life, it is still only this life, which fades as the grass grows brown and the flowers fade. On the scale of eternity, riches count for naught. In Heaven even the streets are paved with Gold let the rich man be wary that his riches not replace his soul. (Timothy 6: 9-11)
In this scripture, James states a beatitude: "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is proved, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him." Overcoming faith will be rewarded. The Lord will give to him the promised crown of life. There are two temptations, mentioned, the trial of our faith which comes upon the believer from decisions we have made or which God allows in our life for the purpose of strengthening our faith, and the trial of an evil intent, a temptation of the flesh, one to glorify self. A trial of inward evil, which is not of God, but of the devil. Blessed is he who overcomes such temptations.
Christianity teaches men to be joyful under trials, and troubles. Such exercises that God may allow, and trials in the way of duty will brighten our graces now, and our crown at last. Let us take care, in times of trial, that patience, and not passion, is set to work in us. Whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it. When the work of patience is complete, it will furnish all that is necessary for our Christian race and warfare. (1Peter 4:12-16) The tried Christian shall be a crowned one.
God does not seek to be the master of man's free will, nor make his choices in life. Think for a moment. Have there been failed (bad) choices in life that have come your way? God awaits the choices of man, he does not make them for us. If Gods eye is on the sparrow, we know He watches over all, especially the true believer, so as to keep his soul from becoming lost. God knows mans choices are made and influenced by the ways of the world. He is not the author of the dross, though He allows the fiery trial it brings to expose it. Afflictions, that may befall man, or as man may bring upon himself are part of the order of things which God created. According to the will of God, certain trials and events in their time, will for the committed Christian, draw out our graces, and strengthen our core belief in His providential care for our lives. The matter of our inborn bent to sinning, is Satans contribution to our life, just as it was for Adam and Eve. (Mark 7:20-23). These sins stem from the desires of our own hearts, and as such are not from God, but are authored by Satan. The crown of life is promised to all who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. (2Corinthians 4:15-17). Every soul that truly loves God, shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed in that world above, where love is made perfect.
Questions
1. In what type of circumstance do you believe the providence of God is welcomed?
2. What is there about the providence of God that causes man to question God?
3. What does the God given freedom to fail tell us about the need for God in our lives?
4. I am a righteous person by the worlds standard, and I do good works, Why is that not enough?
Pg.3
Scripture Reading
1Peter 1:6 In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Philippiansp 4:6 &7, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Timothy 6: 9-11 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
1Peter 4:12-16 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
Mark 7:20-23 He went on: "What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come--sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person."
2Corinthians 4:15-17 All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. 16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
Closing Prayer, Father God, Be with us now as we leave this place, help us to take with us the lessons of humility and grace, and impress upon us the importance of a life dedicated to our doing the work of a disciple. Remove the dregs of our sins from us and leave us as clean vessels equipped to do the work of one worthy of the name Disciple of Christ. We pray now for those who are suffering this day lord____________ Give those we have named, and those who are still on our hearts the strength and perseverance to endure. We pray that your healing power will deliver them from their suffering. And we give you the glory. In Jesus name we pray…….Amen.
Meditation on The Epistle of James, Faith And Works Pg.4
The Epistle of James is the first Epistle of the New Testament. It is the earliest written document of the whole canon. It was probably written as early as the year 47, twenty years before the Epistle to the Hebrews and long before any of the Epistles of Paul.
Tradition tells us that James never left his place of labor in Jerusalem. His Epistle was not written to Jews as Jews. The twelve tribes that are scattered abroad are not the twelve tribes of the old Israel; they are the spiritual men and women who, from James' point of view, constitute the real Israel. It had become a time of trial and difficulty among them. James had observed the early Christian Jews and recognized the fact that even the gospel of Christ had not made them all they ought to be, and he tried to remedy these difficulties by conveying his beliefs to them in this epistle.
The Epistle is not a doctrinal Epistle. It is a practical Epistle. A letter of practical instruction written to correct practical evils, and encourage the goodness of believers. It is a treatise on the providence of God in his dealings with mankind. The light of the human mind is faith in God, and he who has known and admitted Him into his heart will acknowledge the mystery of the truth of it with an enlightened heart, a belief in the nature of God as being good, no matter the circumstance of one's life, God is love. It is yet a blessing to faithfully serve God, for the final page of life has mans destiny written on it by God. But when God and heavenly instruction are removed, all things are full of errors. And the deeds of man are all to naught, they serve nothing if not God. The real faith of the gospel is a faith that will make men faithful. The faith that saves is a faith that works by love and purifies the heart. Man is saved by a living faith, he is served by a faith that will do something for him, he is saved by a faith that will bring him into a relationship with Christ, the perfector of our faith. James is indignant with those who declare that they have the faith of Christ, and who yet are immoral or inconsistent in their practical lives. This is the whole substance of the Epistle. It is a series of admonitions and precepts, directed to the practical living of a dedicated Christian, while identifying the evils of a patronising belief. One that satisfies mans selfish appetite.
The true gospel of Christ, simply put, is a gospel of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. A salvation by faith alone. For if one would save their soul, it is only by trusting what Jesus Christ has done, that one can be saved. If, outside of God's sacrifice of His only Son, a man is to purpose a work,that will save one's soul, no matter how good that work may be, would that not be a denial, a statement that what God has done through Jesus Christ, is of no effect. If a man can do a thing that will save his own soul, what then has God done through Jesus Christ? There is no duty, no work, no effort which one must perform which will do what the finished work of Jesus Christ has done for our souls. A perfected belief and faith in what Jesus Christ has done for you, will necessarily bring you into such relation to Christ that you will want to be like Christ and will obey Christ. Your faith will show itself in a holy life, a life of good works because of Christ, not in spite of Him. So if one is of a faith in Christ that would drive them to want to do good works then that soul is living a holy life, showing the faith and belief of a true believer. But if there is no holy life, no good works, no demonstration of a lasting faith, then there is no true faith, in that person.
We should lack one of the most important teachings of the New Testament if the Epistle of James were not included in God's word to us.We are indeed saved by faith alone; but faith is never alone; it always brings good works in the making of it. It works by love, and purifies the heart. The only true faith is one which relys only on the finished work of Jesus Christ for salvation. But if that faith is true faith, the natural order of good works for the cause of Christ will follow. That is how God meant it to be, that is how Jesus Christ lived it. 1John 2:25 And this is what he promised us--eternal life…… AMEN.
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