22-09-04 BOOK STUDY OF JAMES LESSON 1

James 1:1-12 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 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. 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. 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. 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 off; and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities. Blessed is the one who endures trials because when he has stood the test, he will receive crown of life that God has prepared for those who love HIM.” HOOK: You’re walking down the street when your senses pickup elements of something you’ve only heard in Church. There is a preacher on the corner. There is a sign asking you to “repent for the end is near,” and the sign is at the head of an ally. What have you decided? 1) to listen to the preacher, 2) to walk on buy, lest a friend should catch you listening, 3) to check the end of the ally to see what the sign meant, 4) to stand and pray for the preacher. BOOK: You might name this homily “FAITH as Seen: or FAITH on Display” – James 1:1-12 It is Sept.4, 2022 . In Our Hard Times we need to pay close attention to what James is trying to say here! The Point: God uses trials to mature our FAITH.

I. Element 1-The Greeting - v. 1 - Just who is this person who calls himself a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ? After some study, I believe him to be the Lord’s half brother. He did not receive Christ as Savior until after the Resurrection. He could have bragged about being related to Christ, but note the self imposed humility! Notice further:

II. Element 2-Joy in Trials v.2-4 - What to do about TRIALS:

A. We Can Ascribe JOY to Trials – v. 2-3 -

2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,

3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.

B. We Can Allow ENDURANCE to work it out – v. 4 -

4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

III. Element 3 - v. 5-7- Answered Prayer

C. We Can Pray for Wisdom – v.5 -

5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God — who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly — and it will be given to him.

D. We Can Pray BELIEVING – v. 6-7 -

6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

E. An unbelieving is vain and useless - v. 7

7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.

IV. Element 4 - Divine Provision – v. 9 - 11

A. We Can Endure Poverty, for When poor, We Are in GOOD COMPANY v. 9 -

9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation,

B. When rich, We Are in DANGER of idolatry – v. 10 -

10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.

C. We Can Live Above our Circum-stances – v. 11-

11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.

V. Element 5 - Rewards for the Righteous – v. 12- We Can Live According to God’s Promise -v. 12 -

12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

LOOK: How can we describe “wealthy” other than saying that a wealthy person has money? How can we describe “poor” other than saying that a poor person has little money?”

TOOK: In what way can we introduce someone we know to the Savior who was poor beyond measure and Who is now rich beyond treasure?

in the following weeks, we will look at how we can reveal our FAITH:

9/11/22 - In Our Relationships -2:1-13

9/18/22 - In Our Actions – 3:14-26

9/25/22 - In Our Conversation (way of life) – 3:1-5a, 9-10, 13-18

10/2/22 -In Our Encounters with the Enemy – 4:1-10

10/9/22 - In Our Priorities – 5:1-20