To Be Jesus’ Earthly Brother

Fultondale First Baptist Church

September 5 2007

Wednesday night devotion

James 1:1

1James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:

Greetings.

James was a Popular name in Jesus’ time.

The Greek work for James can also be translated as Jacob.

Þ              How we know who wrote this book

Ø James the son of Zebedee he was John’s brother

Jesus nicknamed him and John the sons of thunder.

Herod killed this James in 44 A.D we find this in Acts 12:1-2

1Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword

Ø James the son of Alphaeus – He was another disciple There is very little known about this James he was not mentioned but one time other than his call Matthew referred to him as the son of Alphaeus.

Ø The other James was referred to as the father of Judas.  He was not the father of Judas Iscariot.  There is little doubt that he could have been the author of this book.

James the brother of our Lord

Remember he was Jesus’ half brother

Jesus was conceived by a divine nature.

James was raised along side of Jesus

James and His other brothers initially doubted the Lordship of Jesus

Proof of this: John 7:1-5

1After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2Now the Jews’ Feast of Tabernacles was at hand. 3His brothers therefore said to Him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that Your disciples also may see the works that You are doing. 4“For no one does anything in secret while he himself seeks to be known openly. If You do these things, show Yourself to the world.” 5For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

Jesus proved himself to James after the resurrection and James believed.

1 Corinthians 15:7

7After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.

Þ  The book of James is a how to do it manual.

We all have some sort of how to do it book:

·        How to Auto repair

·        How to fix your Computer

·        How to plumbing and electrical

·        Do it yourself sewing

·        How to cook

·        How to lawn care

The book of James is a how to for Christians

·         How to Profit from Trials (1:2-4)

·         How to Obtain Wisdom (1:5-8)

·         How to Be Rich and Poor (1:9-11)

·         How to Overcome Temptation (1:12-15)

·         How to Receive Good Gifts (1:16-18)

·         How to Communicate (1:19-21)

·         How to Become a Doer (1:22-25)

·         How to Be Authentically Religious (1:26-27)

This is just in the first chapter

Þ              A bondservant

Greek word doulos

The picture of John 15    Jesus is the Vine we are the branches

Colossians 2:6-7

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.

As a bondservant or slave we can no longer live for ourselves

2 Corinthians 5:14-17

4 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that  if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

James recognized that without Christ we are nothing but with Him we can do all things.  Philippians 4:13

James became to be a great leader in the Christian church

In Acts 15 James became a man of prayer and great wisdom: He made the closing remarks at the Jerusalem counsel;

(discussion of circumcision among the gentiles)

Tradition tells us that his Knees were as the knees of a camels for such prayer.

Ø Life application:

Our physical brothers and sisters may mock and look down upon our religion. 

Jesus continued to reveal himself to James

We should do the same thing by sticking to our faith anytime we are around them.

At one point Jesus’ family said that he had gone crazy and tried to take him home but he eventually revealed himself to them and they never thought he was crazy again.

James’ Book speaks of being a mature Christian

James recognized his immaturity and in his first verse he saw himself a servant of his half brother who became his full brother in the Lord.

I would say that he grew up and became a mature Christian adult.

History out of the Biblical realm tells us that James was martyred by a crowd in Jerusalem pushed down and beaten to death while uttering the same words his brother uttered Father Forgive them for they know not what they do.

Jesus said this in John 15:13

13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends

James Laid his life down for the cause of his brother and Lord

Þ              Twelve tribes scattered

The Diaspora the Jews scattered throughout the world due to the captivity  discussed in the last couple of chapters of 2 kings.

Pointed to the Jews but aimed at all of humanity

Þ              Greetings

Can also be translated as REJOICE

Note how it follows into verse 2 - - - Joy in trials