Overview of James
INTRODUCTION
Faith without works cannot be called faith. “Faith without works is dead” (2:26), and a dead faith is worse than no faith at all. Faith must work; it must produce; it must be visible. Verbal faith is not enough; mental faith is insufficient. Faith must be there, but it must be more. It must inspire action. Throughout his epistle to Jewish believers, James integrates true faith and everyday practical experience by stressing that true faith must manifest itself in works of faith.
Faith endures trials. Trials come and go, but a strong faith will face them headon and develop endurance. Faith understands temptations. It will not allow us to consent to our lust and slide into sin. Faith obeys the Word. It will not merely hear and not do. Faith produces doers. Faith harbors no prejudice. For James, faith and favoritism cannot coexist. Faith displays itself in works. Faith is more than mere words; it is more than knowledge; it is demonstrated by obedience; and it overtly responds to the promises of God. Faith controls the tongue. This small but immensely powerful part of the body must be held in check. Faith can do it. Faith acts wisely. It gives us the ability to choose wisdom that is heavenly and to shun wisdom that is earthly. Faith produces separation from the world and submission to God. It provides us with the ability to resist the Devil and humbly draw near to God. Finally, faith waits patiently for the coming of the Lord. Through trouble and trial it stifles complaining.
A. AUTHORSHIP
1. Personal name. The English name “James” in the New Testament translates the Greek Iakobos. This is from the Hebrew Iakob, translated “Jacob” in the Old Testament.
2. Family background. There are four different N.T. persons with the name James:
James the son of Zebedee (Matt. 4:21; Mark 1:19; Luke 5:10)
James the son of Alphaeus (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; 15:40; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13)
James the Father of Judas the Aposlte (Luke 6:16)
James the “Lord’s brother” (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3; Gal. 1:19).
There is strong support that the epistle’s author was the last named James. James was really a half brother of Jesus, both having the same mother, Mary, but not the same father. (Joseph was only the legal father of Jesus; Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit, Matt. 1:20).
James had sisters and at least three brothers besides Jesus:
Joses (Joseph), Simon, and Jude (Matt. 13:54-58).
We see that the parent could not make their children’s decisions concerning belief in Jesus as Savior and Lord (Messiah).
3. Conversion. James and the other brothers of Jesus did not believe in Him as Savior and Lord during the years of Jesus’ public ministry.
Read John 7:2-8.
1. Does this passage suggest what hindered the brothers from believing?
VERSE 3 – “Depart from here,” “Your disciples,” VERSE 4 “If You do these things”
- These are the words of men who do not know Christ; could you imagine saying to the Lord Jesus, ‘depart from me’!
- There will come a day when Jesus will say to unbelievers, ‘I never knew you; depart [go away] from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' (Matthew 7:23 NKJV)
- The Bible says that, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19)
- All Christians must depart from iniquity
1) to make stand off, cause to withdraw, to remove
2) to stand off, to stand aloof
2a) to go away, to depart from anyone
2b) to desert, withdraw from one
2c) to shun, flee from
2d) to cease to vex one
2e) to withdraw one's self from, to fall away
2f) to keep one's self from, absent one's self from
- NOTE: The Lord’s brother’s were not His disciples (a learner, pupil, disciple)
- I believe that the Lord’s brother’s did not believe all of the miracles that Christ did were done by him. Therefore, they did not believe in Him
- Psalm 69:8 is a prophecy of their unbelief
Our Lord’s family did not fully understand Him or His ministry (John 7:1-5). While He was not disrespectful toward His Physical family, He did emphasize the family of God
Matthew 12:46-50 And He stretched out His hand toward His disciples and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! “For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”
What is God’s Will? John 6:40
“And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life”
The real family of Jesus is all of those who truly believe in and follow Him.
The strongest relationship today is the relationship between Christ and a believer. If you are a child of God and you have unsaved family members, you are closer to Jesus Christ than you are to your own mother that brought you into this world. You are more closely related to other believers than you are to unsaved family members.
2. How do you account for this unbelief in light of such devout upbringing by Mary and Joseph?
What light does Proverbs 22:6 shed on this question?
From Acts 1:14 we learn that James had become a believer sometime before Pentecost day. (1 Cor. 15:7). Or after Jesus’ crucifixion.
B. BIOGRAPHY
THE BIOGRAPHY OF JAMES
1. During Jesus’ public ministry
John 2:12
Matthew 12:46-50
John 7:1-9
2. Early days as a believer, he was an eyewitness of the risen Lord
1 Corinthians 15:7
3. Early days as a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, he was among those who were waiting for the coming of the Spirit in the upper room.
Acts 1:14
Galatians 1:18-19 (cf. Acts 9:26)
4. Successor to Peter as Pastor of the Jerusalem church
Acts 12:17 – the first one told about Peter’s release from prison
Acts 15:13
Galatians 2:1, 9-10 (What is the significance of James being mentioned first in Paul’s list of three pillars, Galatians 2:9?)
5. He was the one who received the offerings brought by Paul from the Gentile churches to help the Jerusalem saints.
Acts 21:18-26 (last appearance of James in the New Testament)
6. He was well versed in the Old Testament
Acts 15:15ff.
7. He was familiar with Jesus’ teachings. The epistle has around twenty quotations from the Sermon on the Mount.
8. Character. Praying man 5:13-16, pure, powerful, practical, plain, persistent, humble, honest, single-minded, upright, and just.
C. DATE / LOCATION
James is classed among the general Epistles of the New Testament, those letters that are not addressed to specific churches (e.g., 1 Corinthians) or individuals (e.g., 1 Timothy). But this does not mean that James had no definite readers in mind as he wrote. The letter is addressed to “the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” (1:1). From its original application, the phrase twelve tribes came to designate the complete regathering of God’s people that would take place in the messianic age (cf. Isa. 49:6; Ezek. 47:13). James, then, uses this title to remind his readers that they belong to that new creation, the church, that God has brought into being on the basis of faith in his Son (cf. Matt. 16:18). These “twelve tribes” have been “scattered” or “dispersed” among the nations. What is meant by this? In one sense, all God’s people, as aliens and exiles, living apart from our true heavenly home, have been “scattered” in this world (cf. 1 Pet. 1:1). But the word scatter, and its noun form, “those scattered” or “dispersion,” was often used to designate Jews living outside Palestine. It may be that James uses the word with this more specific meaning. Suggestive here is the reference in Acts 11:19 to those early Jewish Christians in Jerusalem who were forced to flee the city because of persecution and engaged in evangelism among Jews “as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch.” Could this not furnish a plausible background for the circumstances of the letter of James? Forced to live away from their home church, these scattered parishioners required exhortation and advice on issues they were facing. What is more natural than that their spiritual guide send them a pastoral letter?
If this reconstruction of the circumstances of the letter is accepted, it would make James probably the earliest New Testament book to be written—sometime in the middle 40s of the first century. Also suggestive of an early date are the reference to the synagogue as the place of meeting (2:2) and the fact that the sharp debates over the place of the Law in Christianity, so prevalent from the latter 40s on, are not reflected in the letter. The way in which James deals with justification in 2:14–26 also fits nicely into this early time period: James’s teaching implies that he has heard of Paul’s slogan justification by faith but that he has no first-hand knowledge of what Paul really meant by it. Such a situation would exist only before the Jerusalem council of a.d. 48 or 49 (see Acts 15).
THEOLOGY / FEATURES
James, it is sometimes said, has no theology. If by this it is meant that James does not present a systematic exposition of the faith or that his main intention is not to teach theology, then the statement is true enough. But in another sense, it is misleading. James approaches the practical issues he deals with from a profound knowledge of who God is and what he has done in Christ—theology indeed! And James also makes an important contribution to our understanding of several theological issues. Among these is theology proper—the doctrine of God. James emphasizes God’s generous nature (1:5, 17), his total separation from evil (1:13), his jealousy (4:5), and his grace (4:6). Eschatology receives attention in 5:1–11, where James sounds the characteristic New Testament note of fulfillment without consummation: the “last days” have come and we must now live in that knowledge (5:3, 5), yet we also wait for that day when our Savior and Judge will appear in glory (5:7–11). Prominent in James also is the problem of poverty and wealth. Most of James’s readers are poor, and they need to be encouraged to find solace in their spiritual wealth (1:9) and to be reminded that God will judge their wicked rich oppressors (5:1–6).
Of greatest interest theologically is undoubtedly James’s teaching on justification in 2:14–26—teaching that many think to be in conflict with Paul. Does not Paul stress that “a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law” (Rom. 3:28)? How, then, can James assert that “a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone” (2:24)? A careful study of the way in which James and Paul use the crucial word justify will show that the conflict is only apparent. While Paul uses the word to designate the person’s initial acceptance before God, James uses it of the believer’s final vindication before God in the judgment. Thus Paul emphasizes, combating Jewish legalism, that a person can “get right” with God only through faith in Jesus Christ. James, criticizing Christians who were neglecting to live out their faith, reminds them that God does take works into account when we stand before him in the judgment.
We must remember that God looks down and sees your heart, and He knows whether you believe or not - - that is justification by faith. But your neighbor next door doesn’t see your heart; he can only judge by your works, the fruit of your faith. Faith is the cause of salvation, and works are the fruit of salvation.
(FIATH – Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5; WORKS – Titus 3:8; Ephesians 2:10)
It is, of course, this plea for working faith, for a belief that is so deep and vital that it has to spill over into all our lives, that characterizes the message of James. He encourages his readers, both in the first and the twentieth centuries, to live out their faith, to abandon any spiritual double-mindedness, to press on to full Christian maturity. John Wesley’s description in “A Plain Account of Christian Perfection” captures perfectly the goal which James encourages us to pursue: “In one view it is purity of intention, dedicating all the life to God. It is giving God all our heart; it is one desire and design ruling all our tempers. It is the devoting, not a part, but all our soul, body, and substance to God.”
SCRIPTURES
There is a strong emphasis on the Old Testament in the book of James.
In five chapters James refers or alludes to twenty-two books of the O.T. “By doing this James obviates the need for any formal statement of inspiration; he merely assumes it.” This reflects that James was steeped in the Old Testament and was writing to a Jewish audience equally familiar with the Old Testament. But since the epistle had a wide audience, it also suggests the importance of the Old Testament for the church.
There is an emphasis on the teaching of Jesus.
James refers to the “word of truth” that has power to save people (1:18).
He refers to the “Scripture” (2:8, 23; 4:5-6) as the final appeal; Scripture is the final authority
James rebukes the quarreling of his addressees and bases the rebuke on the authority of scripture (4:5-6).
There is an emphasis on the work of Scripture
The Scripture has power to save the soul (1:21)
To reveal mans sin (1:23-25)
The Scripture judges in the present and in the Last Day (2:12).
GOD
Obedience brings blessing; disobedience brings chastisement (Deut. 28).
Thus, James presents the sinner as an enemy of God: friendship with the world makes one an enemy of God (4:4-5). When the rich oppress the poor they can only except misery and judgment (5:1-8 cf. Amos 2:6-8).
MAN AND SIN
James connects the doctrinal and the applicational when he exhorts his hearers to control the tongue because man’s tongue is leveled against his fellow man who is “made in the likeness of God” (3:9). With this statement James affirms the creation account of Genesis (1:26-27).
Through the fall man is constituted a sinner, possessing the sin nature which James describes as lust (1:14). It is this lust that is the inner response to the outer solicitation that results in sin (1:15).
I am not a sinner because I sin, I sin, because I am a sinner. In other words my sinning only proves that I am a sinner.
Is a horse thief a horse thief because he steals horses, NO, it only proves he is a horse thief.
James refers to sin (Gk. hamartia, “to miss the mark”) six times: sin has its derivation in lust within a person (1:15)
Sin results in spiritual and eternal death (1:15)
Sin is showing partiality and failing to love (2:8-9)
Sin is a failure to do good (4:17)
Sin can be forgiven (5:15, 20)
James also refers to sin (Gk. parabates) as a transgression of God’s standard (2:9, 11).
SALVATION
Faith is the way man must approach God (1:6; 5:15)
Faith must be in Jesus (2:1)
Works will demonstrate the reality of faith (2:18)
The difference between James and Paul is not that of faith versus work, but a difference of relationship. James emphasizes the work of the believer in relation to faith and Paul the work of Christ in relation to faith.
HOW CAN WE GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS STUDY?
We must begin by examining our own hearts to see where we are in the Christian life.
1. We Must Be Born Again
Apart from spiritual birth there can be no spiritual maturity. James mentioned the new birth (1:18 cf. 1 Peter 1:23).
- How is a person born again?
The spirit of God takes the Word of God and generates (makes alive) new life within the heart of the sinner who believes on Jesus Christ.
The Spirit of God uses the Word of God to convict the sinner, and then to reveal the Savior.
We are saved by faith (Eph. 2:8-9) and faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Rom. 10:17).
2. We Must Honestly Examine Our Lives In Light of God’s Word.
James compares the Bible to a Mirror (1:22ff).
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine ourselves
1. AV - prove 10, try 4, approve 3, discern 2, allow 2, like 1, examine 1; 23
· to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
· to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy
accepted, particularly of coins and money.
accepted, pleasing, acceptable
++++
In the ancient world there was no banking system as we know it today, and no paper money. All money was made from metal, heated until liquid, poured into moulds and allowed to cool. When the coins were cooled, it was necessary to smooth off the uneven edges. The coins were comparatively soft and of course many people shaved them closely. In one century, more than eighty laws were passed in Athens, to stop the practice of shaving down the coins then in circulation. But some money changers were men of integrity, who would accept no counterfeit money. They were men of honour who put only genuine full weighted money into circulation. Such men were called "dokimos" or "approved". Donald Barnhouse
3. We Must Obey What God Teaches Us.
James 1:22. It is easy to attend a Bible Study, share the lesson, and discuss it; but it is much more difficult to go out into life, or at school and practice what you learned.
The blessing does not come in studying the Word, but in doing the Word.
Unless we are willing to obey, the Lord is not obligated to teach us (John 7:17).
“Hearing” of the word is absolutely essential; but if hearing does not lead to doing, if study does not result in obedience, if attendance at worship service does not lead to a righteous life—then the Word of God has been mistreated and we are deceiving ourselves about the reality of our relationship to God (v. 22).
Jesus pronounced a blessing on “those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28). People who hear the word without doing it are compared to a person who looks into a mirror at his face but immediately forgets what he has seen (vv. 23–24). In other words, no lasting impression is made; the Word has not really penetrated the heart and life of the person who has heard. But the person who carefully listens to God’s word, and continues to put it into practice, not forgetting it—this person receives God’s approval (v. 25).
4. To Be Prepared For Some Extra Trials and Testings.
God Gives Pop-Quiz’s
Whenever we are serious about spiritual growth, the enemy gets serious about opposing us!
Do you feel a need for patience? Then be prepared for trials, because tribulation works patience (Rom. 5:3).
The real maturity of Bible study comes in your everyday living not in the class room.
When Satan turns up the heat remember that our Father has His Almighty hand on the thermostat.
5. We Should Measure Our Spiritual Growth By the Word of God, Not By Other Christians.
EPH 4:13
D. TO WHOM IT WAS WRITTEN
“To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad.” It was written to Christians of the dispersion (dispora). The word dispersion simply means to the Jews scattered around the world.
E. PURPOSE
James had two purposes for writing.
— To correct a corrupted faith that was rapidly seeping into the church.
Many were professing faith in Christ, but living immoral and unrighteous lives. Their faith was profession only – a faith of license with little or no restraint upon behavior.
— To present the true faith of Christ:
a faith of the heart – a faith that produces outward fruit. James’ point is very simple: a person is known to be a Christian only by his behavior. What he does proves one of two things:
— it proves he or she is a Christian
or
— it proves he or she is not a Christian
F. SPECIAL FEATURES
— James is “A General or Catholic Epistle.”
That is, it is not written to a specific church or individual, but rather, it is written to all Christian believers. James is written particularly to all Jewish converts.
— James is “The epistle of the Royal Law.”
That is, it is the epistle stressing the necessity for loving one’s neighbor as oneself. The law of Moses is called the Law of liberty (James 2:8-12).
— James is the Epistle of “Sermon Notes.”
The characteristics of the Jewish and to Greek sermons of that day are found throughout James. The epistle seems to be a collection of sermon notes centered around the theme of trials and temptations.
— James is “The Epistle of Practical Living” or “The Epistle of the Second Stage.”
Its concern is the life of the believer after he has become a Christian and has been assured of his salvation. The thrust is Christian growth.
Questions:
1. Am I becoming more and more patient in the testings of life?
2. Do I play with temptations or resist it from the start?
3. Do I find joy in obeying the word of God, or do I merely study it and learn it?
4. Are there any prejudices that shackle me?
5. Am I able to control my tongue?
6. Am I a peace maker rather than a trouble maker? Do people come to me for spiritual wisdom?
7. Am I a friend of God or a friend of the world?
8. Do I make plans without considering the will of God?
9. Am I selfish when it comes to money? Am I unfaithful in the paying of my bills?
10. Do I naturally depend on prayer when I find myself in some kind of trouble?
11. Am I the kind of person others seek for prayer support?
12. What is my attitude toward the wandering brother? Do I criticize and gossip, or do I seek to restore him in love?
Don’t just grow old-grow up!
OUTLINE OF JAMES
GREETING:
THE SERVANT OF GOD ADDRESSES BELIEVERS WORLD WIDE, 1:1
I. TEMPTATIONS AND TRIALS:
THE BASIC FACTS, 1:2-27
A. The Essential Attitude to Trials and Temptation: Joy, 1:2-4
B. The Way to Conquer Trials and Temptation, 1:5-12
C. The Origin of Trials and Temptation, 1:13-18
D. The Preparations Necessary to Withstand Trials and Temptation, 1:19-27
II. TEMPATIONS AND TRIALS:
COMMON TO ALL CHRISTIAN BELIEVERS, 2:1-26
A. Temptation 1: Showing Partiality and Favoritism, 2:1-13
B. Temptation 2: Professing Faith Without Works, 2:14-26
III. TEMPTATIONS AND TRIALS:
COMMON TO ALL, BUT ESPECIALLY TEACHERS, 3:1-18
A. Temptation 1: Misusing the Tongue, 3:1-12
B. Temptation 2: Misunderstanding and Twisting True Wisdom, 3:13-18
IV. TEMPTATIONS AND TRIALS:
TRIUMPHANTLY OVERCOME, 4:1-10
A. The Causes of Temptation and Wrongdoing, 4:1-6
B. The Way to Overcome Temptation, 4:7-10
V. TEMPTATIONS AND TRIAL:
COMMON TO ALL, BUT ESPECIALLY THE GIFTED, 4:11-5:6
A. Temptation 1: The Judge—Judging Others, 4:11-12
B. Temptation 2: The Humanist—Boasting Self-Sufficiency, 4:13-17
C. Temptation 3: The Rich man—Hoarding Wealth, 5:1-6
VI. TEMPTATIONS AND TRIALS:
COMBATED STEP BY STEP, 5:7-20
A. Step 1: Be Patient—Endure—Keep Your Eyes Focused
Upon the Return of the Lord, 5:7-11
B. Step 2: Take Each Circumstance and Respond Properly, 5:12-20
I. TEMPTATIONS AND TRIALS:
THE BASIC FACTS, 1:2-27
A. The Essential Attitude to Trials and Temptations: Joy, 1:2-4
Verse 1
Introduction:
This passage of Scripture tells us some facts about one of the brothers of the Lord Jesus, some facts about a person who lived with Jesus day by day and had an opportunity to notice what kind of life He lived.
The passage is also a dynamic challenge to us. Notice two points:
— There is a servant of God (v.1)
— There are the believers world—wide (v.1)
Verse 1 – James—Slave—Jesus Christ, Deity:
#1 There Is A Servant of God
— Who is He?
He simply calls himself James.
— He was apparently so well known among the believers throughout the world that no title was needed other than his name.
— This points rather strongly toward his being James, the Lord’s brother.
— Two Facts About What James Says
— He simply call himself James, ‘a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
— James says that Jesus, the carpenter from Nazareth, was the Lord Jesus Christ.
A. A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
1. Although James could claim to be a brother of the Lord and a leader in the early Jerusalem church, he is content to call himself a “servant.” Indeed, like Moses (Deut. 34:5) and David (Ezek. 37:24) before him, James recognizes that there is no higher honor than being called to serve the living God.
2. If I had been the Lord’s brother, I am convinced that somewhere in this epistle I would have let you know it! James does not do that.
3. Our Lord Jesus was so human that when He was here on earth, even His own brothers did not believe that He was the Son of God.
a. They had been brought up with Him
b. They had played together with Him.
— Could you imagine playing, “do you love your neighbor” with the Lord Jesus?
— Or “freeze tag,” lazer tag,” “throwing snow balls together with Him.”
— Jesus Christ came and dwelt among us, He came down to our level John 1:14!
— They had seen Him grow up and noticed that He was different then all the rest but still did not believe that He was the Savior of the world.
c. Your family members are always the hardest people to reach, yet they are the one’s we should reach.
4. Despite his position, and world-wide reputation, what mattered to James the most was, THE INTIMACY OF HIS RELATIONSHIP TO GOD AND HIS LORD!
a. This must be are goal as well is to have that relationship with the living Lord of the universe.
b. All other relationships are secondary.
c. If you look to your friends, or brothers or sisters or anybody else to fulfill and meet your needs, MARK MY WORDS, YOU WILL BE LET DOWN BIG TIME! WHY?
d. Because human’s are not perfect but God is and He said “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
5. To make sure we have this relationship with our Lord, here is a list of what we should do
— We Must Establish Our Priorities LUKE 2:49; JOHN 8:29
We establish our priorities by:
1. DECIDING WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO US.
For the Christian, the primary concern should be his or her relationship with God. Philippians 3:10
2. REORDERING OUR TIME, ENERGIES, AND THOUGHTS AROUND WHAT IS MOST IMPORTANT TO US.
a. We need to examine our lives to see where we're wasting time that could be spent developing our relationship with God. Our thoughts and energies are so often concentrated on the material and physical concerns of life 1Timothy 6:6-13
b. We can see where our hearts really are when we carefully consider where we have been expending our time and energies.
c. We need to recognize our need of God's power and righteousness to help us organize our lives around spiritual things.
d. The result of properly adjusted priorities is that God will take care of all our physical needs Matthew 6:33.
— Unconditionally Surrender Your Life ROMANS 12:1-2
ILLUSTRATION OF GIVING YOUR LIFE OVER TO GOD DAY BY DAY
In a church service one Sunday, the offering plate came to a little girl at the end of a row. She took the plate, put it down on the floor, and stood in it. When the usher asked her what she was doing, she responded, “In Sunday school I learned that I was supposed to give myself to God.”
Romans 12:1-2 confirms that she had the right idea.
We unconditionally surrender when we:
1. PRESENT OUR BODIES AS A LIVING SACRIFICE
a. Rather than offer a slain sacrifice as in the Old Testament, you're to offer your body as a living sacrifice. Present your body as an instrument in God's hands, and He'll use you to accomplish His work in the hearts and lives of those around you 2 Tim. 2:20-21.
b. “REASONABLE” means “logical.”
To commit my life to God for Him to direct is logical, because God knows the end of a matter from the beginning. God's wisdom is so much greater than mine. He has never made a mistake and never will.
2. DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD
a. to conform one's self (i.e. one's mind and character) to another's pattern, (fashion one's self according to)
b. The spirit of this world is opposed to that of what Jesus want’s us to do, it is passing away 1 Cor. 7:31 WWJD
c. Satan is “the Prince of this world John 12:31 14:30 16:11.
3. BE TRANSFORMEDED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND
a. to transfigure as Jesus did in Matthew 17:2 (Mark 9:2); 2Co 3:18.
b. But not only an outward appearance but an inward change and this is done by the Spirit of God working in us
— Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
A Servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
James introduces himself as a servant or actually as a bondslave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Bondslave was a title that most of the apostles delighted to take
2. Renouncing any claim for personal rights, they turned their lives over totally to God and to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and did not consider their lives to be their own.
3. They did not care about their own personal ambitions, they lived solely to serve the Lord and to please Him.
4. A bondslave was just that; one who lived completely for his master. He had no rights of ownership, could not hold title to anything, and everything he had belonged to his master. He was there only to serve.
The Old Testament Background
Exodus 21:1-6
I. THE LAW CONCERNING SERVANTS
A. A Hebrew servant could only serve for six years, the seventh year he was to be set free V2.
B. When he was released, he was not to be sent out empty.
1. He was to be supplied liberally from the flocks, threshing floor, and the winepress.
2. This is so he will have a good start in his new life of freedom.
II. BECOMING A BONDSERVANT.
A. This is a servant by choice. “I will not go away” V.5
1. Legally you could be set free, you could not be forced to serve beyond the six year period.
2. The “I will” signifies that you have the freewill to make this choice.
B. Why might some desire to be a bond servant?
1. You have found your master to be loving and generous.
a. You realize that you are living in a much better style than you could possibly live on your own.
b. Many servants live in lovely bayside homes, drive Rolls Royce cars to the market. The servant often has the full run of the house while the owners are spending the summer in Europe.
c. To go free means to move back to the ghetto or to go back to the life of sin.
2. You enjoy your service, and you desire no other life.
3. You then announce, “I do not want to go away from you.”
4. THIS SHOULD BE OUR PRAYER EVERYDAY TO THE LORD!
C. The master then takes an awl and pierces your ear, pinning your ear lobe to the door post V6.
The slave's declaration had to be made publicly before the judges, in order to prevent the master from boring the servant's ear by force, and alleging that it was by the servant's desire.
D. You now become a servant for life.
E. Usually a gold ring would be placed in the ear to signify this lifelong commitment.
The servant carries for ever in his own body the mark of his pledge -- the hole bored in his ear.
WHO ARE YOU GOING TO SERVE? ITS YOUR CHOICE
A. Many people are slaves to their own lusts. Any fleshly desire yielded to can bring you under its power. It begins to have a satanic control over your life.
Pornography - Sexual promiscuity - Sexual perversion - The term sexual freedom is a misnomer - Alcohol abuse - Drug abuse - The scriptures speak of the bondage of corruption.
B. Jesus died to set us free from the power of sin that held us as slaves. This is the whole concept of redemption.
C. When I come to Jesus Christ, I begin to serve Him. I have come to believe that their is a commitment beyond that of Savior to Lord.
1. I knew Jesus Christ for many years as my Savior before I came to know Him as my Lord.
2. During those years, if you had asked me if I were saved, I would have answered with assurance “Yes”
a. I still had my own plans for my future.
b. I had decided what I wanted to be.
c. Jesus was a very important part of my life, but He was not the Lord of my life.
3. I remember the day He became the Lord of my life, the day I knelt before Him and surrendered my future to His plan, the day He brought me to the door and pinned my ear. I wanted to be a servant for life. To yield full control over to Him.
READ JOSHUA 24:14-15 AND CHALLENGE THE TEENS TO
“WHOM THEY ARE GOING TO SERVE”
GALATIANS 1:10-11
Do you seek to please other people or do you seek to please Jesus Christ?
A. I am convinced that there are many of you here today, who have never had your ear pierced. You have a relationship to Jesus Christ.
1. I do not question your salvation.
2. I do question your level of commitment.
3. You are still very much in control of your life. You are doing those things that you want to do with little concern for His will in the issues.
4. Your level of commitment goes little beyond Sunday morning.
CALL THE TEEN TO THE FRONT TO MAKE A COMMITMENT FOR CHRIST
(John 12:26; cp. Rom. 12:1; 1 Cor. 15:58; Eph. 6:6-7; Col. 3:23-24; Heb. 12:28; Ex. 23:25; Dt. 10:12; Ps. 2:11; Ps. 100:2)