James Bible Study

James 1 (NIV)

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

James is the the half brother of Jesus. How do we know this. Well there are a couple of reasons.

Matthew 13:55 NIV

“Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?

James the brother of Jesus (simply refereed to as James) becomes the head of the church, and the one to whom Peter explains how the Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles.

Acts 15:13–19

(NIV)

When they finished, James spoke up. “Brothers,” he said, “listen to me.

Simon has described to us how God first intervened to choose a people for his name from the Gentiles.

The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:

“ ‘After this I will return and rebuild David’s fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,

that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things’—

things known from long ago.

“It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.

Lets look at just a couple more scriptures.

Acts 12:1–2 NIV

It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword.

This is significant because James is named as John’s brother. This is the disciple John. Also then we know this is not James Jesus brother because he is mentioned later in Acts after this James the brother of John is put to death. He is also mentioned in Galatians a couple of times.

Galatians 1:18–20 NIV

Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.

The last thing about the introduction that I think is important is the way Jesus is described.

Lord- Jesus is being exhausted as God

Jesus- Which means savior

Christ- The anointed one.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Why would any rational person think it is joyful to face a trial, any trial.

The word used for trail is Periamos, which also means temptation. So again, why would we consider it a joy to be tempted?

because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

the reason that James says that testing, or even temptation should bring us joy is because instead of it being a chance for us to fail, it should be a chance for us to succeed.

typically when a teacher gives you a test its not to see what you don't know, it is to find out what you do know.

Here is the other thing we will learn about the book of James, and one of the reasons that a lot of people do not like the book. James expects us to be people of strong faith! He expects us to trust God.

If you are weak you cannot endure. Talk about the Navy Seals training.

If we cannot endure how can people count on us?

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.

What doe you think this means?

the wisdom that comes from God has three main characteristics as James sees it.

its divine. James says to ask God for it, which means you cannot get it on your own. I think this is meant to remind us of King Solomon.

Its practical - Again thinking about King Solomon. He wasn't just given knowledge, if we go back and read 1 Kings 3 you will see that he was given the wisdom to govern God’s people, to lead them. To help them! That makes a lot of sense when you read Proverbs.

Its also Christlike- 1 Corinthians 1:24

1 Corinthians 1:24 NIV

but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

How do we know if we have been given this kind of Godly Wisdom?

We find joy in trials and temptation.

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.

That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.

Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

What do you think this is saying?

the term double minded literally means a divided mind.

So what would our mind be divided between?

Between our faith and expectation for God to do it, and us. our doubts, fears, our need to control things.

What does the image of the winds, waves and sea bring up in you?

Jesus calming the storm.

Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.

But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.

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.

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.

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;

but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,

because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror

and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.