Wisdom that Sees Beyond - Part 1

For the next couple of weeks, we are going to park in this most powerful Epistle and we are going to learn about “Faith that Works.” If we want to become skillful in our faith, if we want to live in revival, we must grab ahold of tangible faith. Not a mental ascent, not a philosophy, an esoteric teaching but an applicational, relational faith that changes everything around us.

Faith that Works Part 1: Wisdom that Sees Beyond - James 1:1-8

James is going to show us how to walk out our faith and live devoted to the Lord daily

Many people claim to be religious, but their religion is worthless. Many claim to have faith but their faith is dead. Others claim to be wise but their wisdom is worldly, even demonic, not spiritual.

James teaches us about authentic religion, faith, and wisdom! A people who are alive in the Lord! People who demonstrate their faith through their behavior.

An Important question: Are you living according to what you profess to believe?

This is the question that James poses in many different ways, throughout his Epistle.

James 1:1 NKJV

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

Who is James?

He is the half-brother of Jesus and one of the main leaders in the Jerusalem church.

Matthew 13:55 NKJV

55 Is this not the carpenter’s son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?

1 Corinthians 15:6–7 NKJV

6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.

Jude 1 NKJV

1 Jude, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are called, sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:

Notice the wording that Jude uses. Very similar to James’ opening declaration.

Galatians 2:9 NKJV

9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.

Ecclesiastical History, Books 1–5 Chapter 23

He used to enter the Temple alone, and be found resting on his knees and praying for forgiveness for the people,10 so that his knees became as hard as those of a camel because of his constant bending forward on his knees in worshiping God and begging for forgiveness for the people. Because of his excessive righteousness he was called the Just and Oblias, which in Greek is “Bulwark of the people” and “Righteousness,” as the prophets disclose about him.

His real name in Greek and Hebrew?

Jacob

Through the translation from Greek to English, we lost the original name.

How did he die?

The Works of Josephus: New Updated Edition Chapter 9: Concerning Albinus under Whose Procuratorship James Was Slain; As Also What Edifices Were Built by Agrippa

Festus was now dead, and Albinus was but upon the road; so he assembled the sanhedrin of judges, and brought before them the brother of Jesus, who was called Christ, whose name was James, and some others, [or, some of his companions]; and when he had formed an accusation against them as breakers of the law, he delivered them to be stoned;

Ecclesiastical History, Books 1–5 Chapter 23

So they went up and cast down the Just, and they said to one another: “Let us stone James the Just,” and they began to stone him, p 128 since, though he had been cast down, he did not die, but he turned and with his knees on the ground said: “I beseech thee, Lord, God and Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”20

When was the Epistle written?

Scholars can reliably date the book of James to 44-49 AD. Making it one, if not the earliest, book written in the New Testament. If this is true (and a good case can be given for it), it really makes the NT come alive, when read through the perspective of James’ applicational theology.

Why is all this important?

James saw authentic faith walked out by his brother, our Messiah. If there was anyone with credentials to teach us about true faith in action, it is the brother of the Lord Jesus.

Who is he writing to?

Jewish believers who had fled to many different places due to waves of persecution.

Acts 8:1 NKJV

1 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.

Today’s Teaching

James 1:2–4 NKJV

2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

God uses trials for our benefit

2 Corinthians 4:17–18 NKJV

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

To see trials as joy requires an act of our will, an act of faith

James 1:5–8 NKJV

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The need for wisdom

Becoming mature (perfect, lacking nothing) requires us to have a perspective that is greater than the earthly, present-moment understanding of our trials.

Having God’s wisdom is essential to be joyful through trials

When you lack wisdom, you’ll react out of emotion.

Wisdom enables us to see our situation from God’s perspective

The big picture.

God will give it if we ask without doubt.

Doubt: Having divided allegiance between God and the world

It’s more about double-mindedness (you should know better).

1 Kings 18:21 NLT

21 Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.