James 1: A Servant

James 1:1 ESV

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

James (Introduction)

Apart from your job, your hobbies, and your achievements, think about this question: What are you known for—you personally? The answer to this question will likely reveal whether you are motivated toward spiritual things. Do people think of you as someone who regularly attends church? Is it common to find you:

⇒ working in the local church?

⇒ witnessing to others?

⇒ helping others in various ways?

⇒ reaching out and ministering to those in need?

James (Introduction)

What would happen if we gave our hearts to reach the lost with the same degree of love that James did?

What are two statements that James makes about himself in his introduction?

James 1. The Servant of God, James (v. 1)

1. He simply calls himself James, “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

What does the word “servant” mean?

The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament (1401. δοῦλος doúlos)

1401. δοῦλος doúlos; gen. doúlou, masc. noun. A slave, one who is in a permanent relation of servitude to another, his will being altogether consumed in the will of the other (Matt. 8:9; 20:27; 24:45, 46). Generally one serving, bound to serve, in bondage (Rom. 6:16, 17).

James (1. The Servant of God, James (v. 1))

It means to be a slave totally possessed by the master. It means to be a bondservant bound by law to a master. A look at the slave-market of James’s day shows more clearly what James meant when he said he was a “slave of Jesus Christ.”

a. The slave was owned and totally possessed by his master. James was purchased and possessed by Christ, the Son of the living God. Christ had looked upon him and had seen his rebellious and needful condition. And when Christ looked, the most wonderful thing happened: Christ loved him and bought him; therefore, he was now the possession of Christ.

b. The slave existed for his master and he had no other reason for existence. He had no personal rights whatsoever. James’s rights were the rights of Christ only.

c. The slave served his master and he existed only for the purpose of service. James lived only to serve Christ—hour by hour and day by day.

d. The slave’s will belonged to his master. He was allowed no will and no ambition other than the will and ambition of the master. James was completely obedient to the will of the master. James belonged to Christ.

e. There is a fifth and most precious thing that James meant by “a slave of Jesus Christ.” He meant that he had the highest and most honored and kingly profession in all the world. Men of God, the greatest men of history, have always been called “the servants of God.” It is the highest title of honor. The believer’s slavery to Jesus Christ is no cringing, cowardly, shameful subjection. It is the position of honor—the honor that bestows upon a man the privileges and responsibilities of serving the King of kings and Lord of lords.

“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour” (Jn. 12:26; see Ro. 12:1; 1 Co. 15:58).

“Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing” (Ps. 100:2).

James (1. The Servant of God, James (v. 1))

ILLUSTRATION:

The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini, willed his marvelous violin to Genoa—the city of his birth—but only on condition that the instrument never be played. It was an unfortunate condition, for it is a peculiarity of wood that as long as it is used and handled, it shows little wear. As soon as it is discarded, it begins to decay.

The exquisite mellow-toned violin now has become worm-eaten in its beautiful case, valueless except as a relic. The moldering instrument is a reminder that a life withdrawn from service to others loses its meaning.

James (1. The Servant of God, James (v. 1))

“But whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister. And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant (Matt. 20:26, 27).”

James (1. The Servant of God, James (v. 1))

2. James says that Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, was the Lord Jesus Christ.

James 1. The Servant of God, James (v. 1)

The point is this: James is saying that the Lord Jesus Christ is God, the very Son of God who is equal to God the Father. He is saying that his brother, Jesus the carpenter from Nazareth, is of the very nature and character of God, of the very being and essence of God.

James 1. The Servant of God, James (v. 1)

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Ac. 2:36).

James 1. The Servant of God, James (v. 1)

QUESTIONS:

1. What does it mean to be a “servant” of Jesus Christ? Are you one?

2. In what ways has God called you to be a servant of Jesus Christ?

James 2. The Believers Scattered All over the World (v. 1)

The believers James was writing to were everywhere, in all parts of the known world. But note two significant points.

1. First, James is writing to a specific group of believers: the believers of the twelve tribes of Israel. How could this be when the twelve tribes had been scattered all over the world and had lost their identity?

James 2. The Believers Scattered All over the World (v. 1)

2. Second, James loved his people with an unusual love. They were deeply rooted in his heart, and he felt a strong calling to reach out and exhort them in the Lord. This is the very reason he was writing to them.

James 2. The Believers Scattered All over the World (v. 1)

What would happen if our own hearts beat with the same degree of love and evangelism—the compassion to reach the lost and suffering people of our communities, cities, and nations?

James 2. The Believers Scattered All over the World (v. 1)

Where is the person who will totally give his or her heart to world missions and evangelism?

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Ac. 1:8).

James 2. The Believers Scattered All over the World (v. 1)

[Some years after James was martyred] a brilliant man named Tertullian said that it was not arguments that converted him to Christianity, because he could counter any point. [Tertullian’s revealing testimony was:] “But they demonstrated something I didn’t have. The thing that converted me to Christianity was the way they loved each other.”

James 2. The Believers Scattered All over the World (v. 1)

QUESTIONS:

1. Even though James wrote to first century Jewish Christians, how does his message apply to believers of all times?

2. How can you follow James’s example of love and evangelism?

James 2. The Believers Scattered All over the World (v. 1)

1. The most important thing that I learned from this lesson was:

2. The thing that I need to work on the most is:

3. I can apply this lesson to my life by:

4. Closing Prayer of Commitment: