Sermon Tone Analysis

Introduction: We are continuing our sermon series on Authentic Character.

Today we look at how we need to have a Spirit of Unity epitomized in the person of James.

There are a few James’ in the Bible.

This one happens to be the half-brother of Jesus.

James didn’t believe in his brother as Lord and savior until after the resurrection.

Coming back from the dead has a way of doing that to a person.

But the fact that James was related to Jesus, probably gave him a little bit of influence among the early church and even the Apostles.

How would he use that influence?

Before we dive into God’s word, let’s pray.

Pray

We live in a divided world.

There are so many things to divide us into little factions.

We’re divided by sports teams, train tracks, political parties, even issues within political parties.

In the midst of so much division we need something that will unite us.

We need people that are willing to look beyond differences to champion what we have in common.

And what do we have most in common?

Jesus.

He is our joy and inheritance.

Transition to the Text: Turn with me in your Bibles to Acts 15:13-21.

Acts 15 comes on the heals of major changes of the early church.

Gentiles were being added to the church by the thousands and there were questions that needed answering about what it meant to be a Christian.

What was required for a person to be saved?

So they gathered the first leadership council of the early church to make a decision.

But who would have the authority to make such a decision.

By the time of Acts 15 a major transition has taken place.

The apostles no longer held the primary positions of power in the Jerusalem church otherwise we would have seen the apostles simply make a decision.

However, by this time, leadership had shifted to include new group of church leaders in Jersualem and churches around the Roman world.

This group is called the “elders.”

While there may be some carry over in function from the jewish synagogue, the NT concept of elders is truly distinct in that they are servants of God and caretakers of the church people.

You can see the qualifications for elders in 1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1.

These qualifications, as we have seen, are largely character driven with only 1 action qualification: must be able to teach.

Throughout the early church, as they started new churches, one of things that they made sure of before moving on was to make sure there were qualified elders to lead and care for the church.

And in Jerusalem they did the same thing.

So much so that even the authority of the apostles seems to fall in line with the authority of the elders.

One thing you should know about the word for elder, when it comes to church leadership, it is never singular.

God’s design for the church is that no one person is ever in charge.

This is why at the time of the “Jerusalem council of Acts 15” James is the last to speak, because he seems to be the leader of the Jerusalem elders.

Jesus’ younger brother, who didn’t believe in Him while he was on the earth, became a Christian after the resurrection and ascended to the pinnacle of leadership in the early church.

He even is the author of the first book of the NT to later be canonizes as on part with the OT.

What do you do with that type of influence?

Introduce:

Authentic Principle: Use your influence to bring unity.

Read:

Authentic Principle: Use your influence to bring unity.

1. Point people to God’s Word (Acts 15:13-18)

Explanation: James is the last person to speak at the Jerusalem council.

As I’ve stated, he appears to be the leader of the elders who are hearing arguments related to gentile inclusion in the church.

Acts 15:6 says that the apostles and elders meet to consider the matter.

Vs. 7 says there was a lot of debate.

Now we aren’t told what that looked like, but if you’ve ever been a part of a contentious baptist business meeting, you probably have an idea.

After the debate is over, Peter speaks on behalf of the apostles.

Peter tells them about his own experience with God saving the gentiles through his own ministry.

He tells how they received the Holy Spirit, and made no distinction between jews and gentiles regardless of whether or not they follow the law.

Peter says that because of this, to add anything to salvation other than God’s grace is just wrong.

Then Barnabas and Paul are able to speak on behalf of the church at Antioch where the controversy over Gentile inclusion in the church started.

They tell of the wonders that God did through that church.

All pointing to the evidence that God accepts the gentiles as they are.

Finally, James speaks.

Now again, James carried a lot of influence.

Whatever he says in this moment is likely going to carry the day.

Will his words bring division or unity?

First James acknowledges what Peter has said because Peter represents the apostles who had been with Jesus.

But notice what James does next, he points the people directly to Scripture.

Because at the end of the day, Peter is not the final word.

Paul or Barnabas is not the final word.

The Pope is not the final word.

You’re opinion is not the final word and neither is mine.

James isn’t even the final word here.

But he points to it.

Scripture is always the final word.

James quotes the the prophet Amos in Amos 9:11-12.

And what does the prophet Amos say?

That yes, after the messiah comes (the restoration of the tent of David” there will be a remnant of people who may seek the Lord and “all gentiles who are called by” the name of the Lord.

Why is this significant, because if you had to become Jewish you would no longer be a gentile.

In spite of all the debate, the word of God gives the answer.

Gentiles don’t need to become jewish to be saved.

[Mic drop]

Illustration: There are so many things in our lives that we ask, what should I do?

Or what’s the right answer?

Or what should I believe?

When the truth is, the Bible has already spoken on these things.

The Bible gives us instruction for how we are to relate to God, how we are to treat people, how we are to worship, how the church is to be led, how to have a successful marriage, how to raise your kids, how to be a good boss, how to be a good employee.

And the Bible has spoken on whether or not gentiles are welcome in the family of God.

We believe that the Bible is inerrant and perfectly true in all that it affirms.

We don’t compromise on that.

And because of that, that means that the Bible must be the final word on all that we do.

I know what you’re thinking, how do we know how to interpret it correctly?

Who’s interpretation do we follow?

The truth is for the most part the Bible is incredibly easy to understand.

You just have to read it, accept it’s simple explanation, and apply it.

It’s only when you’re trying to explain it away that you may feel that it’s hard to understand.

That happens when it doesn’t say what you might want it to say.

Application: As followers of Jesus we have a lot of influence in how we lead our lives.

Follow the Bible and people will look to you for answers.

As Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15

And when people, point them to the Bible as the source of your hope.

You might ask, isn’t Jesus the source of our hope?

You bet, but you can’t know Jesus apart from His Word.

Because that is where Jesus has chosen to reveal himself.

From Genesis through Revelation, as Jesus says of the Scriptures: