2025 0216 James 1

Who was James?

James 1:1 NIV

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

describes himself as a servant of God

traditionally recognized as the natural brother of Jesus

Galatians 1:19 NIV

I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.

head of the church in Jerusalem

James made this concluding statement

Acts 15:19 NIV

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

James had position above Peter and John

Galatians 2:9 NIV

James, Cephas and John, those esteemed as pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.

James was most likely martyred in 61 AD by stoning

James is generally accepted as the author of this letter

The Letter

written to the twelve tribes

broad term covering both Jew and Gentile believers

meant for all not for one particular group or nation or city

very practical content - seem like sermon highlights nature of God

Contents

nature of God

putting the Word into practice

worldliness in the church

life from a Christian perspective - true religion

James 1:2–5 NIV

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.

some recent themes

pure joy

face trials

perseverance

not lacking

ask God

James 1:2 NIV

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

all things from Jesus is true, noble, right and pure

applies to grace, mercy, love, peace and joy

correct mindset when facing trials

trials take many forms

external trials and internal temptations

we must apply the same attitude in every situation

James 1:3 NIV

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

testing of our faith has two possible outcomes

we fail to go through the trial, or

we get through it

perseverance is the spiritual process of going through stuff

James 1:4 NIV

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

it is necessary to finish the race, to complete the task

there are benefits all round when we persevere to the end

James writes that we may be mature and complete

mature spiritually - increased faith, better knowledge of Jesus

complete as we build resilience and sustainability

the fullness of heaven opens up to us

Next Sermon

James 1:5 NIV

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.

the necessity of receiving wisdom