James Chapter 1
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James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad: Greetings.
bond-servant - of Jesus (their relationship to Jesus)
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons:
Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:
Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:
The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John,
Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness,
of God & the Lord Jesus Christ - Jewish nature of this letter, I’m still connected to the God of the Jews. I didn’t leave God Acts 8 Saul is persecuting Christians because they left God
Lord - master
Gk. dulous - not forced slavery in chains but a voluntary slave who places themselves in bondage in total control of another.
application: have you placed yourself in subjection to the God of Heaven and the master he appointed? Matt. 28:18 “And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
joy - gladness (when bad things happen???) what are we supposed to be glad about, the trials - NO
knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
know - faith is being strengthened and we will be stronger than when we went in.
consider - to lead - lead our mind to Joy when we encounter various trials. Why have to lead our mind? It’s not natural.
Job - clearly you have sinned or your life would not have been a mess.
change the way you think lead your mind.
knowing - experiential knowledge - we've been tested before and we recognize in those moments we have to choose to come near to God or blame god and separate God.
endurance - not a sprint - steadfastness - military not giving ground I am going to die on this hill. I’m not going backwards. no physical trial is going to make me go backwards
how did work out fro rich man and Lazarus - it worked out great for him in Abraham bosom - do you think he had to lead his mind in those trials to stay faithful and trust God not turn to a life of thievery and sin and blaming God.
spiritual is more important than the physical
it really a spiritual trial.
And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
perfect - not sinless or without flaw - means complete and mature - designed end
philips head screw driver - found a brand new flawless screw driver but its too small - go back to drawer old worn down but it fits the screw perfectly. not flawless but is perfect for the job.
we can become stronger more complete. We are going through trials that challenge us physically in the world.
various - many flavors - a variety of different kind of trails
encounter Lk. 10:30 fell among robbers Acts 27:41 ship striking the reef. outside encountered unexpectedly - we need to be prepared for the unexpected trials
testing - determine the genuineness of something - purification process of precious metals. dross - gold refining process. Whether our faith is genuine or not is test during the difficult moments. in trial is when you really find out if a faith is real.
complete - whole - no parts missing - meet all expectations - we are tested so that we will build endurance so that we will become mature with no weaknesses. fully armored. wholeness in every area. one particular trial will help us be ready for other trials.
don’t focus on the physical but the spiritual.
Lead our mind in trials
Works endurance
perfection is the result
what happens if there is no testing of our faith? How do we know if our faith is genuine? (baby walking example)
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
note what coming ahead James 1:12
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
this entire context is how we endure trials. wisdom about your trials.
wisdom - is what comes form God and helps us to act accordingly. how is God going to help me thru this. How does God see it?
don’t understand the trail? then ask God
without reproach - not going to rebuke you
ask - request from inferior to superior - we ask the one who has wisdom because we don’t have. what do we usually ask God for during trials (get me out) wisdom about it how are you shaping how are you leading how are you making stronger how am I becoming more like Jesus.
will be given to him - promise but it doesn’t say when - faith is walking by trust not sight - we might know be mature enough to understand.
trials of wealth poverty persecution prejuidice jealousy ambition where temptation comes from.
But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.
trust that he has wisdom and will give it to us
doubting - judge between two things - inability to see the truth verses error. I don’t know if God can or will help through this.
every opinion drives us back and forth and we don’t have an anchor. anchor in trust and faith in God and he will get you through it. trust is not always seeing the path clearly but we trust he will guide and get us through.
For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord,
he gives it to all who will have his perspective. if we insist on seeing things our ways he cant give us his perspective.
being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
double minded - two minds - doesn’t know who to listen God or the world - so he is unstable in all his ways - or paths
We choose unstable paths and we are surprised we cant see the path and we can’t see the growth because we are unstable paths.
Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word.
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.
the need for wisdom in trial examples vs. 9-11
brother - in Christ, spiritual brother
humble - poor (Lazarus and Rich man)
glory in high position - how in the world not from the worldly position. If Lazarus is a Christian he is the most valuable creature on earth. God sees him as a Christian and he will get comfort. see the trial through spiritual wisdom that is a test of faith and God will help him thru it.
rich man - glory in his humiliation - wealth is it’s own trial - we become so dependent on our own abilities and ability to make wealth. comfort can make us lazy spiritually. do we trust God or our wealth.
humiliation - not see himself as in a high position
he will pass away
Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!
you will bank on the money then you will die and God going to ask you what you did with it. Did you help others. Luke parable build bigger barns now your soul has been demanded of you
And He told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man was very productive.
“And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’
“Then he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.
‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.” ’
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’
“So is the man who stores up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
have we helped others or have we hoped in our wealth
trials in both poverty and wealth
For the sun rises with a scorching wind and withers the grass; and its flower falls off and the beauty of its appearance is destroyed; so too the rich man in the midst of his pursuits will fade away.
everything is coming up roses - rich man will die chasing after something - pursuit - run after something no a casual stroll. are you running after faith endurance a closer walk with God the spiritual or are you chasing after the world and not God if you are are you passing the test of faith.
Pursue faith and wisdom
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
blessed - God approved
perseveres - endures (bookends v. 3-12) 3 words appear trail v. 2 been approved - tested proven genuine.
once he passes the test he will recieve the crown of life. that s why it is so important endure
crown - (stephanas and diadem - kings crown, stphanas - victors crown olive branches in athletic competition) we have demonstrated the genuineness of our faith we die pursuing faith and rewards us with this crown.
love him - out of love for God that we endure the trials of life and pass these tests. trust in difficulty walking hand in hand with them.
agapaeo - self sacrificing love - we sacrifice the material ourselves out of our love for God to trust him to lead us through and when we demonstrate that love he rewards us.
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,
so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and though you do not see Him now, but believe in Him, you greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
obtaining as the outcome of your faith the salvation of your souls.
praise you - come in to my house I have room for you thank you for your faith and trust.
we are spiritual people now
complete faith people - designed end - crown
Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone.
trial is the same word as tempted here in 1:13. Words have a range in meeting. Ex. brother physical & spiritual Trial that which comes from the outside and
temptation that which comes from the inside.
v. 2 encounter - fall upon various trials (fall upon us from the outside)
v.13 own lust is temptations - come from us
temptation is not from God so it’s God’s fault. NOPE!
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
tempted by God where does this come from - yetzer hara - evil inclination - if I’m tempted because God made me and I’m tempted so he tempted me. If we don’t sur-come to it then God will not be happy.
And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.”
Adam is really blaming God.
some are saying this - excuses being made for bad behavior. James is going to deal with it.
1) God cannot be tempted by evil. He is God light holy just, righteous, etc. 1 John 1:5 “This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” only good in God there is no darkness or evil
2) He doesn’t tempt anyone - because he is not evil, it would evil if he tempted us.
1 Cor. 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.” - he works through the temptation to deliver you - limit the temptations - how many more could I have had? I was not strong enough. You sure? I wish in the judgment God would show us all that he limited us to to help us. Every temptation can be overcome.
God is not the source of the temptation
God is the solution for temptation
Ex. Joseph and Potiphar’s wife - leave the environment - leave what
endurance can help in temptations as well.
each one - all of us have them and they are unique to us (universal in scope but unique in design) we decide what to lust over.
we lack the wisdom to see it God sees it and we give in to temptation.
carried away = taken in tow - to be dragged off by our desires
enticed = lured or hooked by 2 Pet. 2:14-18 “having eyes full of adultery that never cease from sin, enticing unstable souls, having a heart trained in greed, accursed children; forsaking the right way, they have gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; but he received a rebuke for his own transgression, for a mute donkey, speaking with a voice of a man, restrained the madness of the prophet. These are springs without water and mists driven by a storm, for whom the black darkness has been reserved. For speaking out arrogant words of vanity they entice by fleshly desires, by sensuality, those who barely escape from the ones who live in error,”
we see the shiny thing but don’t see the hook - the danger. we just react out of our lustful desire next thing you know you are carried away.
sober minded - 1 Pet. 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
we saw the bait but didn’t look for the hook. what should we look out for.
Job 1:10 three areas hedge - made hedge around him and is character - our heart the way we think our world view - have we revealed some pride or ego some weakness in our character that he can set the bait. You use certain baits for certain fish. satan customizes the bait in what he sees in our lives as character flaws. secondly his house - attacks at his family and house - how can I use his relationships against him. Are they a tool satan can use against us or will they help us resist the bait. Possessions - remove all of it then they will curse God. what grows in our lives to become more important than God. Kingdom see mustard seed needs to be the most important when other seed grows more important than the gospel see then we will be enticed and dragged away. James 4:1 “What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?”
Flip Wilson - Geraldine - the devil made me do it - not the devil responsible but you are responsible - quit trying to pin it on someone else - quit passing the blame. siblings they did it.
Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
see then meet then sleeps with her conceives a child
lust conceives in our heart. temptation is not the sin it is when we allow it to fester and work in our heart and grow that is when it gives birth to sin. Heb. 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.”
guard our heart - nothing evil sown in our heart - can’t let the tares grow in our hearts
death - spiritual and could mean physical - separates us from God.
1 Jn. 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;” 1 Jn 1:7
but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
practice sin - when it goes unchecked - we try not to stop it.
guard our lust - unhealthy desire for anything. strong longing or desire. do we lack wisdom in sees the things the way God wants us to see it do we still lust after those things?
deny ourselves is were the sin is concieved or killed - we sin because we want to.
And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
it then becomes everyone else problem. it our problem not God’s not Satan’s not another person it is my lust.
For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror;
4) fourth reason why God does not tempt
Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.
good things come from God
father of lights - Gen. 1:14-16
Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years;
and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so.
God made the two great lights, the greater light to govern the day, and the lesser light to govern the night; He made the stars also.
they rule and they change thru the night and day - shadows shift - God is not like them he is the same always. not working both sides - not helping one day then tempted you another.
who determines what is good.
from above coming down - James 3:13-18
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
good things come form above - id it doesn’t then it is not a good thing. v. 15 earthly, natural demonic
In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.
word of truth is a good thing that comes from God - used to bring us forth - note brings forth v. 15 sin brings forth death - God is working to bring you forth by the word of truth so that - why
first fruits - Jewish audience - first fruits offered to God first of cattle first of crops the best Jericho first fruit was to be given to him - as Christians we are brought forth by the word of truth we become the pinnacle of God creation - we become a spiritual fruit