Jesus Had a Half Brother Named James and He Had Some Things to Teach About Walking with Jesus!
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Intro:
Intro:
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings.
Point #1: This is Standard Letter Writing Form in the Ancient Near East in the First Century AD.
Point #1: This is Standard Letter Writing Form in the Ancient Near East in the First Century AD.
In the Bible there are books that are called epistles…
Epistle is a fancy word of letter!
Have you ever received a letter?
When people care about one another they send each other letters…
This particular letter was written Jesus’ half brother James…
Who remembers the nativity scenes at Christmas?
Who were the parents at the nativity? (Mary and Joseph)…Mary and Joseph were James’ parents!
James writes to the Jewish believers who were scattered from Israel.
he starts with giving greetings…
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials,
3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord,
8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways.
Point #2: Consider It Great Joy When We Go Through Hard Times for Jesus!
Point #2: Consider It Great Joy When We Go Through Hard Times for Jesus!
What are hard things that we sometimes have to go through and deal with?
What kind of attitude should we have when we go through hard times? It’s in verse 2!
Who helps us when we we are in need?
God helps us!
casting all your cares on him, because he cares about you.
Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need.
The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
Continuing in James 1:9
Continuing in James 1:9
9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation,
10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field.
11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.
Point #3: There is No Value in Socio-Economic Standing in the Eyes of Jesus!
Point #3: There is No Value in Socio-Economic Standing in the Eyes of Jesus!
Are you cool…Jesus doesn’t care...
Are you uncool…Jesus doesn’t care...
Are you rich…Jesus doesn’t care...
Are you poor…Jesus doesn’t care...
Jesus cares about what’s in your heart! Do you love him? Do you love others? Jesus doesn’t care about what you have or don’t have!
5. This life is temporary, we need to care about things that will last forever!
God
The Word of God (Master the Word of God)
The Souls of People lasts forever! We have to care about whether people know and love Jesus!
12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone.
14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire.
15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.
Point #4: Blessed Are We When We Endure Trials Because Our Reward is Eternal Life with Jesus!
Point #4: Blessed Are We When We Endure Trials Because Our Reward is Eternal Life with Jesus!
When we choose to follow Jesus He is our Lord and Savior…
Jesus saves us…
When we follow Jesus He becomes our Lord!
He makes our decisions…
We seek his direction for our lives through the Word of God and through prayer!
We live in obedience to Jesus!
16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters.
17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Point #5: Every Good and Perfect Gift is from God!
Point #5: Every Good and Perfect Gift is from God!
God provides all that we have!
God provides all that we need!
So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.