Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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The Book of James
Martin Luther leader in the Reformation
It is a good book,
Called it the “Epistle of Straw”
Said, “good book, but could easily mislead to a “works-based” righteousness”
James echoes or parallels much of Jesus’ sermon on the mount.
(Matthew 5)
Rejoicing in trials
Asking God for Wisdom
Being “doers” not just “hearers”
Giving and receiving mercy
Being separate from “the world”
Much of the same ideas and principles are found in both places.
James is written
To the early church - specifically Jewish believers
Time- when they were scattered and persecuted throughout the known world.
THEME
Introduced Early - Faith/Works
The corresponding relationship between our belief and our response to that belief
Our thinking and our action
Simply: We do not work to be saved, but we work because we are saved.
James discusses certain principles and errors
Insight as what a life lived in faith looks like
It is not indifferent, it is not idle, it is active and responsive to the person/work of Jesus
As much as James talks about “good works”, He has framed these on “real faith”.
In others words as we read about “works” in James, we have to see them through the lens of “faith”
Who wrote James
Several men named “James” in the NT
Most agree, this was written by Jesus’ brother
This in itself is interesting/incredible
Siblings typical fight, argue, compete....here writing a letter about His brother who is God, confessing He is the Messiah
James begins His letter, stating that He is a servant of God and the Lord (King) Jesus Christ…(brother)
James 1:1-2
Count it all joy, when you meet trials of various kinds
Out of the gate....honesty
It is not “if”, but “when”
Don’t you love the honesty of the Bible?
The word “trial” resonates with everyone in here
The word “trial” resonates with everyone here
It is
We may have Past - Present - Coming trials
It is not “if”, but “when”
The Bible doesn’t pretend that once we are saved everything is all OK.
(Broken World)
There is still evil out there
There is still sickness and death
There is still heartache and tragedy
We are in “already, but not yet”
We all experience “various” trials
Battling with Cancer
Your Basement Floods
Your Car Breaks Down
Your Children Have Disabilities or Special Needs
Your Company Has Layoffs
Your Parents Show Signs of Dementia
Your Battling Cancer
Can you identify with that?
Small things, daily, weekly experiences that frustrate and aggravate.
Big things…things that really devastate and put the smaller things in their place....trajedy
Are you serious?
Count these things as a source of joy?
By itself, w/o a Christian Worldview this is.....asinine, foolish
But, when we look at James’ reasoning for our trials being worthy of joy…there are some things that begin to make sense.
James is not saying that our trials won’t cause us anger, frustration, pain and heartache
He is not ignoring or denying that
“Oh , you have cancer....great, that’s awesome”
“You lost your job....cheer up, be happy”
He isn’t asking us to ignore or deny that tragedy causes pain...
James is saying, that in these trials, there is more than the heartache, more than the suffering
That God is working in us, behind the scenes to strengthen our faith.
That Christian trials lead to a faith of greater maturity and endurance
Increased reliance and dependence on the wisdom and resources of God.
James’ answer is that Christian trials lead to Mature and Enduring Faith
Our trust in God’s sovereignty is strengthened, our pursuit of God’s goodness is purified
James is encouraging believers to trust that God is both Good and Sovereign, working behind the scenes for a greater purpose.
A Mature and Enduring Faith is one of total dependence on God
James 1:2
Trials are a means of maturing a faith that endures
Steadfast = Endurance
Think about endurance apart from scripture
A Marathon is 26.2 miles (here to Yadkinville)
Has anyone ever ran a Marathon?
You don’t just sign up and go right?
Out of shape
You train
It took me about a month and a half or so to start running 3.2 miles
Run a 5k x8…marathon
It takes months, maybe a year(s) of preparation
Days of “I can’t do this today”
Days of cramped calfs
Days of sore knees / aching feet
Preperation is
Not sure why anyone would want to run that long and that far.
Heard a story of a guy running, saw the water guys and they had something on a stick he thought it would be peanut butter (energy) but it turned out to be Vasoline to rub on you inner legs to prevent chaffing..
But eventually, things starts get a bit easier
Go a bit farther or faster
You continue to push forward, even while you struggle
Still times you struggle
You reach your goal and suddenly your past struggle becomes invaluable to your current success.
So our trials produce an enduring faith
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