James Overview (1:1)

James Introduction

Who is James? He is the half-brother of Jesus.

It’s interesting that James identifies himself the way he does in his opening. Rather than appealing to his earthly relationship to Jesus as his way of being accredited, he refers to himself as a servant of God and of Jesus Christ.

James 1:1 ESV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

Who is James writing to? “To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion”.

This likely refers to all Jewish Christians who were outside of Israel.

James was a leader in the Jerusalem church, which is the capital of Israel. The letter, then, is likely a general letter to believers outside of Israel.

Main idea for James: Faith works.

James Graphic from Schreiner

Chapter 1 is the foundation that the rest of the book builds off of: Faith is tested.

From there, the following chapters and sections are components of how your faith will be tested: how you treat others (2:1-13), how you live and act (2:14-26), how you speak (3:1-12), where you seek wisdom and understanding from (3:13-18), who or what you follow (4:1-12), how you use your financial resources (4:13-5:6), how you live when you aren’t sure what to do or where to go (5:7-12), and how you choose to speak to God (5:13-20).

It’s simple…faith works. But what does that mean?

Faith…

Faith is the knowledge of, trust in, and commitment to Jesus Christ that is required for salvation.

Faith is dependence and reliance on God in every area of life.

Faith is nothing but believing what God promises or says. - Martin Luther

Scripture:

Hebrews 11:1–3 ESV

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.

John 6:29–30 ESV

Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform?

Psalm 20:7 ESV

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

(OBJECT LESSON/EXAMPLE?) Blindfolded participant in large group on stage, has to feel items on a table. One of them is a dangerous/messy/alive option. Blindfolded participant trusts me, audience may/may not.

Faith is both God’s gift and man’s act. The Lord is the author of our faith, but we ourselves believe.

Strong Faith, Volume 23, Sermon #1367 - Romans 4:20

Charles Spurgeon

3749 It is never our merit God looks at but our faith. If there is only one strand of faith amongst all the corruption within us, God will take hold of that one strand.

Oswald Chambers

…Works.

Good works refer to human actions undertaken in obedience to God.

Good works do not bring about saving faith. It is by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone that we are saved. When our faith is in Jesus Christ, good works are a result of saving faith.

In other words, right belief leads to right action. Faith and works are not against each other; they work together for the glory of God.

In James, we will see several examples of what some good works are. It is not an exhaustive list, but it is a great start on what they are.

Scripture:

Matthew 3:8 ESV

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

Romans 6:17–18 ESV

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

2226We believe that men are saved by faith alone, but not by a faith which is alone. They are saved by faith without works, but not by a faith which is without works.—21.25, 26

Charles Spurgeon

Summary: Faith works.

The greatest work that has happened in our lives is that God has revealed Himself to us through the created world and the written Scriptures.

God has helped you see your sin, your opposition against Him, and your desperate need for salvation.

God has given us Christ to save and redeem us for His good and for our glory.

Faith in God is the greatest work from God.

This faith is not one that is like a trophy; displayed on a wall in memory of a glorious moment in time, but is the inauguration or beginning of a life-time of following the Lord.

Maybe as you have been listening, you’ve learned that what you believed was not fully developed. Faith is dependence and reliance on God in every aspect of life...

You realize that your faith in God was a moment of time and isn’t active like the Bible depicts faith to be;

You’ve known these things, but you just haven’t been practicing them. God has been kind tonight by helping you see that you haven’t been living in a way that represents what you believe. The Scriptures say:

Romans 2:4 ESV

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

For the first time, you are learning about what faith is, and your faith has been in everything but God. Yourself, others, titles and achievements, future goals, wealth, power, etc. God is calling you to respond by placing your faith in Jesus Christ. He is helping you see now that whatever you used to believe was worth it, but it’s actually not. You can turn from your sin, which is called repentance, and put your faith in Jesus Christ.