Gifts

Who likes to get a gifts?

What was your favorite gift?

Who gave you your favorite gift?

Did you thank the person(s) who gave you that gift?

How did you thank that person(s)?

The Book of James

Written by James the younger brother of Jesus. (Gal 1:19)

One of the earliest NT books written. (40-50AD)

James was one of the pastors in the Jerusalem church. (Acts 12:17, 15:13, 21:18, Gal. 2:9)

5 Chapters

Some call it “the Proverbs of the New Testament”

James 1:2-18

You will have various trials in life. v2

2. You are to be joyful in your trials. v2

3. Trials produce steadfastness. v3-4

Steadfastness - means you don’t surrender, quit, or give up during difficult times.

Synonyms - patience, endurance, perseverance.

4. You are blessed when you remain steadfast. v12

Blessed - means God gives some physical or spiritual gift to a person, group, or nation.

Here the spiritual gift could mean my satisfaction comes from God and not my circumstances.

Everyone that remains steadfast will receive a greatest gift. “The crown of life” or “the crown which is life”

A crown back often referred to laurel wreath. A Laurel wreath originated with the Greek god Apollos. He was the god of sport. The Greeks created the Olympics 776BC and those who competed and one would be give a laurel wreath or crown to signify their victory.

5. You will face trials and temptations. v13-15

Trials & Tests are allowed by God to produced steadfastness. v2-3

Temptations come from within our sinful nature and produce death. v14-15

6. Do not be deceived God is a gift giver and He is good. v16-17

God gives good gifts.

God gives perfect gifts.

God sees from an eternal perspective and knows what gifts we need to bring us to spiritual maturity. Or as verse 4 says “that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

That means God’s gifts come in pleasurable experiences and in painful experiences.

Loving parents do the same. Chores

Loving teachers do the same. Homework

A Loving God calls himself “the Father of lights” does the same (1 John 1:5).

God is Good

Psalm 119:68 68 You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.

God’s goodness never changes, shifts, or fails. v17b

Give thanks for God’s gifts and goodness.

Psalm 119:71 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

Psalm 119:75 75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

Psalm 106:1 1 Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!

God’s greatest gift.

The gift of Jesus dying for our sins. Was the cross a trial for Jesus? Yes.

How did Jesus view the cross? With Joy

Hebrews 12:1–2 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Trials are God’s good and perfect gifts for our benefit. So count it all joy (v2).