Slave

I. Introduction to James

A. James was the half- brother of Jesus Christ.

a. Can you imagine growing up with Him.

B. Did not believe Jesus was the Messiah.

a. 5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him

C. Jesus appeared to James after His Resurrection

5 For not even His brothers were believing in Him

a. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to aJames, then to all the apostles;

Ist Corinthians 15:6-7

After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; 7 then He appeared to aJames, then to all the apostles;

D. He then became Leader in the church at Jerusalem.

a.

E. In all of these things, in all of his accomplishment, the most important thing about James is that he was “a slave of God and the Lord Jesus Christ”

II. Slave (duolos)

A. The word duolos is used over 120 in the original Greek text, but it is only translated as slave a few times.

B. There are six different Greek words that mean servant, but duolos is not one of them.

a. There is one big difference between a servant and a slave. A slave is owned and must do the will of his master, a servant is a hired hand and can do as he pleases.

When we give our lives to Christ, it doesn’t belong to us anymore.

C. Reasons it was not translated as slave

in the middle ages when early translations of the Bible were being done, the term slave represents a prisoner.

there are also negative connotations from the term slavery in the modern era.

D. Slavery in the Roman empire was a normal way of life. (When we hear the word slave don’t think western culture, but greco Roman culture)

a. 1/5 of the population was slaves. (it was a social class)

b. Many were born into and die in slavery.

b. slaves where doctors, builders, skilled and unskilled laborers.

c. walking down the street one could not tell by looking who was a slave and who was not…

1. I don’t want to sugar coat the life of a slave, it wasn’t easy.

2. the life of a slave would have dependent on the master.

E. I want us to talk about being a slave, i think it’s important, because this morning all of us are slaves to something… the question is not, ‘are you a slave’, but rather who or what are you a slave to?

a. flesh, money, pride, self, hobbies, all of these make terrible masters...

F. We make terrible masters!

III. Three benefits of Being a Slave of Christ.

A. there is total submission to one master.

One and only goal is to please the master.

B. Slaves only had to worry about serving, did not have to worry about food, clothing, shelter.

a. 25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? : 25

25 “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?

C. the greatest benefit and the best news is, when we are a slave to God… our master is perfect, and loving, and gracious.

a. you and I make terrible masters of our own lives....

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.