Faith that Works | James 1:1-4

Introduction

Good evening, everyone. Tonight, we embark on a transformative journey through the Book of James, exploring how faith shapes our lives in practical ways. Before we dive into our study, let's ground ourselves in the context and authorship of this profound epistle.

Does anyone know what an epistle is?

Epistle simply means a letter.

In other words, the sermon series we are about to dive into is studying a letter that a man named James wrote to a group of people who needed encouragement.

Section 1: Introduction to the Author

This wasn’t just some ordinary guy named James...

James, was the brother of our Lord Jesus Christ, and he penned this letter. His blood relationship with Jesus blessed him with unique insights into the nature of faith and discipleship.

How many of y’all have an older sibling?

Whether you like it or not sometimes you are kind of like your older siblings, you see them on a level that most people don’t, you know them really well, you have a unique insight into who they are as a person.

James, had this connection with Jesus. He knew Jesus on a level that many didn’t. He had a unique perspective on who Jesus was as a person.

He knew Jesus on such a level that he was truly convinced Jesus was the son of God. So much so that in verse 1 of his book, he doesn’t refer to himself as Jesus brother, but rather a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Section 2: Background of the Book

James wrote to scattered believers facing trials and tribulations, echoing the struggles we encounter in our own lives. His letter serves not only as a source of encouragement but also as a practical guide for navigating challenges with unwavering faith.

Section 3: Exploring James 1:1-4

James 1:1–4 CSB

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings. 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. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.

In James 1:1-4, we encounter the truth that trials produce endurance and maturity.

Consider what God’s Word mentions in Isaiah 64:8

Isaiah 64:8 CSB

8 Yet Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we all are the work of your hands.

That God is the potter and we are the clay, he is constantly shaping us and working on us through the different trials we deal with. As he continues to work on us and shape us we begin to have more endurance and spiritual maturity when life hits.

Everyone of us in this room have been in the ringer before in one way or another. Some of us have family trials, some of us have lost our sense of value, some of us deep down don’t even know why we exist.

When I was 15, that was exactly the mindset I had, I was broken and trying to find peace in things of this world time and time again.

but God got a hold of me when I was 15 years old and I had true faith in him, I was a follower of Jesus who was radically changed, forever!

Some of us in the room tonight may not be able to say without a shadow of a doubt that you are a follower of Jesus who has been radically changed.

There is an infinite fullness in Jesus Christ.

J. C. Ryle

I want to encourage you guys tonight, if you can’t say without any doubt that you are a follower of Jesus, that you heart would be softened and that you would open yourself up to the joy and the hope that only a relationship with Jesus can give you.

The reality guys is this, I don’t know what you’ve been through, I don’t know where your at tonight, but I know what he went through on the cross for you. He died an unbearable on the cross so that we could have joy and hope and salvation in him!

Faith in Jesus changes everything!

What is faith?

Faith - A reliance upon and trust in God.

I want to turn with you guys to the scriptures briefly and work through what real faith looks like according to the bible.

Section 4: True Faith Produces Endurance and Maturity

James emphasizes that genuine faith is not passive but active, evidenced by perseverance in the face of adversity. As James 2:17 reminds us, "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Our actions, born out of genuine faith, testify to the transformative power of the gospel in our lives.

Sinners are not saved by faith plus works but by a faith that works.

Warren W. Wiersbe

Essentially what this is saying is that we are saved by faith alone through the grace of God on the cross.

Our good works are filthy rags to God, we will never be able to measure up with the stuff we do. Jesus paid it all, he didn’t make the down payment and leave it to us to pay off the rest.

but what this passage is saying is that if you really have faith in Jesus and you have been transformed by that faith into Christ likeness it is going to cause you to serve! You aren’t going to be able to set back in the pews and just consume, but it will cause you to live your life on mission! A mission to live and to serve with the same heart for humanity that Jesus had.

Section 5: Tying it to the Gospel

Hebrews 12:2 CSB

2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The gospel is the bedrock upon which our faith rests. Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), endured the ultimate trial—the cross—out of love for us. His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection offer us hope and redemption, empowering us to persevere in the face of life's challenges.

Section 6: Practical Application for Believers and Nonbelievers

Whether believer or nonbeliever, trials are inevitable, We are all going to face them. Yet, for those who trust in Jesus, trials become opportunities for growth and transformation.

Consider the story of Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33);

Matthew 14:22–33 CSB

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Jesus came toward them walking on the sea very early in the morning. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they cried out in fear. 27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter answered him, “command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Did anything stick out to y’all in this passage?

Where did Peter fix his eyes?

when he fixed his eyes on Jesus, he walked on water, but when he focused on the storm, he began to sink. Similarly, our response to trials hinges on where we fix our eyes

Where are your eyes fixed tonight?

—on the unchanging faithfulness of Jesus or the shifting circumstances around us.

Conclusion: Leaning on Jesus in Times of Trial

As we conclude, let's anchor our hearts in the truth of God's Word. Lets make it our mission to lean on Jesus, our rock and refuge, in times of trial, knowing that in him, we find peace. Let's commit ourselves to living out our faith in action, having a living and moving faith that radically transforms us to be like Christ. Let us never forget the transformative power of the gospel in our lives.

I don’t know what storm your going through tonight, but I know trials are real and I know they’re really tough.

Alter Call