September 12, 2010- James Chapter 3

James returns back to the subject of the tongue in Chapter 3. He was very pointed with a couple of principles in Chapter 1:

• Be quick to listen/slow to speak
• Religion is worthless if the tongue can't be controlled

I explained in class how James died and how it relates to what he wrote.

• James was noted in his time for his piety. In fact James spent so much time and energy on the work of the Kingdom, he neither bathed, cut his hair or beard, and his knees were noted as being like those of a camel from spending so much time in prayer.
• Needless to say, James was a homely looking fellow, but reputed for both his piety and justness (he is often referred to as James the Just).
• The Sadducees of Jerusalem wanted to discredit James and the tremendous work he had done in the new church in Jerusalem. The plan was to have James stand on a wall and, under the threat of death, denounce the new church's teaching to a gathered group. It was believed that when the group heard James and saw his repulsive appearance, word would spread and squelch the rising threat of the Christian church.
• James refused to denounce the teachings of Christ and, in fact, began to sway the crowd to his belief. Quickly, the Sadducees changed plans, a pushed James off the wall with the intent of executing him for 'breaking the law.' The witnesses would surely retreat in terror and be fearful of James' teachings.
• The fall did not kill James, so the Sadducees gathered to stone him and finish the job. James Struggled to his knees and began to pray for God to forgive those showing him transgressions.
• The death of James is recorded, among other places, in the writings of Josephus.

James very much practice what he preached and did so even to his death.

We discussed a few other biblical passages that discuss the sins of the tongue:

• Exodus 20:7 - taking the Lord's name in vain
• Exodus 20:16- bearing false witness
• Psalms 10:7- cursing, deceit, threats
• Psalms 109:2- lying about someone
• Proverbs 10:18- slander
• Proverbs 11:13- gossip
• I Timothy 5:13- tattler/gossip
• II Peter 2:2, 3- false teaching

Proverbs 6:16 list the 6 things God hates and a seventh He finds detestable (3 directly involve the tongue):

1. haughty eyes
2. lying tongue
3. hands that shed innocent blood
4. heart that devises wicked schemes
5. feet that are quick to rush into evil
6. a false witness
7. man who stirs up dissension among brothers

The tongue can be pleasing to God through prayer, worship, praise and evangelizing.

Next week: Chapter 4

August 29, 2010- James Chapter 2

James starts the second chapter with the principle that faith in Christ and partiality are incompatible.

My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism. James 2:1 (NIV)

He uses v. 1 to state the principle then goes on to illustrate in v. 2-4 by giving an example of an usher seating two distinct men who have come to the synagogue to worship. Matthew 23:6 shoes us that their were 'important seats' designated in the synagogue.

The focus on the lesson falls on the usher, not the rich man or the poor man. Jesus often used the rich and the poor in lessons because most all people could relate to the distinction.

What were the ushers motives for showing favoritism? Bottom line is evil judgment.

• As Christians, there cannot be a division between profession and practice of our belief
• To profess the Christian equality of all men in the eyes of God and then practice deference to rank and wealth is a glaring example of evil judgment

James explains in vs. 5-11 that God looks at the heart, not the person's status. God doesn't find favor with either the rich or the poor but rather with the person who follows His Word with a sincere heart.

He finishes the chapter by challenging Christians to exercise mercy over judgment as the Father does with us. By challenging the church to do so, James is showing how to apply the principle to every day life.

August 15, 2010- Finish James Chapter 1

Remember as you read James, he is writing to the early Christian church.

James states that ultimately, the key to overcoming both trials and temptations is in how we as Believers respond to God's Word:

• v. 18- Prepare and receive the Word
• v. 22- Respond to the Word
• v. 23-25 Realize the Word is essential to spiritual growth

The Word - Accept>>Act>>Abide

James goes on in verses 26 and 27 telling us to reign in our tongues. Examples of where the tongue gets us into trouble and goes against God's Word:

• Gossip
• Foul Language
• Criticism of others
• Lying
• False Teaching

The tongue can be Satan's #1 tool to use against our testimony for Christ.

Next Week: Chapter 2

August 8, 2010- James 1:19-22

James is challenging the Christians in his writing to grow up and become spiritually mature. He tells them this can be accomplished through the Word.

• Salvation comes through the Word of God (v18), but Christians must become active listeners (readers).
• One must be prepared to hear (read) the Word.
• In verse 20, James emphasizes what he is saying is of utmost importance for the new Christians of the church.

How do we prepare to receive God's word?

• James says we must rid ourselves of wrong things in our life and be quick to listen, or take in, and slow to speak, or offer response.
• We must humble ourselves and not give into anger, which doesn't produce a righteous life.

Why is being spiritually mature important for Christians?

• Very few NFL quarterbacks start in their rookie season. Why? The lack of experience and the level of play dictate a learning period to adjust. Regardless of the talent or intelligence of the rookie quarterback, mistakes are inevitable. A mature veteran not only familiar with the level of play but equipped with the experience of learning through trial and error stands a better chance of success in leading his team to victory.
• Being a spiritually mature Christian better prepares us for any potential trial or challenge in our spiritual life too. As we evangelize the world for God, we must be prepared to face any number of situation. If we are to be victorious for the Kingdom, spiritual maturity is a crucial attribute.

Listening is not enough...obedience requires action!

• Listen(reading) the Word is only the beginning. James tells us in verse 22 to do what it says.
• God isn't looking for activist who do their thing without the guidance He provides, but He's also not looking for those who are well informed but do nothing. There is a balance between the two the mature Christian will seek and find.
• Pastor Derek spends a lot of time preparing for his sermon each week. He does all the research and cross-referencing for us...his congregation. If we sit and listen, actively taking in the lesson he provides but don't put the lesson to practice is our lives, we have sold him way short of his efforts.
• God has put a tremendous plan in place for His children to return to Him one day. That plan is contained fully in His Word. If we read and understand God's plan but fail to exercise and put the plan into action in our lives, we have also sold God far short of His desires for our life.
• As Christians, we should always strive to be pleasing to God.

Next week: Finish James Chapter 1

August 1, 2010- James 1:13-18

With a full class (praise the Lord!), we briefly looked back for a review of what had been covered.

^13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; ¹⁴but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. ¹⁵Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

¹⁶Don't be deceived, my dear brothers. ¹⁷Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. ¹⁸He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

• Do trials and temptations we encounter come from God? James says no.
• Can God be tempted? Again, James says it is not possible. God cannot be tempted by evil because evil is the very thing that opposes God and His will. Likewise, God cannot tempt us with evil because God is pure and holy.
• Temptation are a result of our own sin nature and pull us away from fellowship with God. Our temptation result from our own lust which can lead to sin. James restates the price for sin is death.
• Trials we encounter in life are the result of A. Our own sinful thoughts or actions, or B. The sinful thoughts or actions of someone else. But trials are beneficial to the Christian that perseveres because as they overcome those trials it builds character and maturity in their spiritual walk. As character continues to build and develop, the understanding of the true Hope that Jesus provides Christians is revealed and helps better prepare us for future trials and temptations.

Are lies sometimes easier to believe than the truth?

• There are a number of situation where a lie is much easier to believe than the truth.
• God never lies, and James again punctuates that God would never tempt us because (v18) "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth."
• God is only the giver of every good and perfect gift.

The term firstfruits in verse 18 refers to the first portion of the harvest given to God. It seems that James is referring to the fact the early Christians he is addressing are to be the beginning of all people in the future that would be born again (spiritual birth).

Outstanding class today that really was a blessing to me. Next week: Finish Chapter 1

July 25, 2010- James 1:12-15

As we discussed two weeks ago, James tells us to take joy in temptation because the testing of our faith helps to mature us as Christians.

• Again we see in verse 12 the theme of temptation but in more depth. If we endure the temptations, we shall receive the crown of life as promised by God. Note the crown is received after enduring and passing a test of temptation and to the Christian that loves the Lord. A parallel can be found in Revelations 2:10 where Satan is persecuting Christians and even killing them. God promises those who stand the test will receive the crown of life and also be unharmed in the second death.
• James states that through trials our faith will lead to developing perseverance. Paul continues in Romans 5:4 to say perseverance builds and strengthens our character which leads to hope.

FAITH--->PERSEVERANCE--->CHARACTER--->HOPE

• While a new Christian has hope found in salvation through Jesus Christ, the mature Christians better understands the magnitude of that hope, and the power is possesses to help us overcome any trials or tribulations we might face in this life. Hope is the confidence and assurance given the mature Christian to see past this life to the promised one spent in eternity with God. If that doesn't make you joyful and goose-pimply all over...we need to talk!
• James tells us that no temptations come from God because He is cannot be tempted nor tempt with evil. Temptation comes from our sin nature. It's our on lust that tempts us which leads to sin, and sin brings death (which refers to the eternal death found in Romans 6:23).

Next week- James 1:16-21 or so

July 11, 2010- James 1:1-12

• James addresses his letter to the twelve tribes scattered abroad. Most scholars agree James is talking to the church as a whole. In Acts 8:1 and 11:19, the church at Jerusalem was being persecuted and scattered. As a leading elder of the Jerusalem church, it's reasonable to assume that James would feel responsible for those scattered and continue to instruct and give encouragement to them. You can tell by the the tone and content of the letter that James is very aware of their circumstances.
• James says to consider it pure joy when you we are surrounded by temptation. Why exactly should Christians be joyful of temptations? He states the trying of your faith builds patience, and patience. James instructs us that test and trials are not punishment but rather a test. Passing the test is as much about attitude and knowing where to get assistance with the test (wisdom), a sign of Christian maturity. Jesus spoke of these things in the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 5:11-12.
• When James refers to the exalting of the brother in low degree, he is reflecting on the parable of Jesus found in Luke 18:9-14 on the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Also, Jesus spoke of the meek in the Sermon on the Mount as those that will inherit the earth.

Next week- James 1:12-15

July 4, 2010- The Book of James

We started the Book of James today after our rather length study of apologetics and Lee Strobel's book The Case for Christ. The post for this series will always be available here online for easy reference if you need them, and you can always call or email me too if you have a question.

Who wrote the Book of James and when?

• Most scholars agree James was written by the brother of Jesus. There are 4 distinct characters named James in the New Testament:

1. The Disciple James, son of Zebedee and brother of John. He was martyred in 44 AD under Herod Agrippa I (Acts 12:2)
2. The Disciple James, son of Alphaeus. Mentioned three times in the New Testament always in a list of the 12 Disciples
3. James , brother of Jesus. One of four brothers of Jesus (James, Joseph, Simon and Judas) and presumed the eldest . Died in 62 AD and is mentioned by Josephus in the Antiquities of the Jews.
4. James, the father of the Apostle Jude (Acts 1:13)

The Letter of James is often referred to as the book on faith. James is not writing about how to become a Christian, but rather how one should act as a Christian.

The underlying theme of James in his letter to the church is real faith produces genuine works. Not to state genuine works are a requirement of salvation (legalism), a doctrine which Paul warns against. Demons know and believe in the power of God, but real, life-giving faith should produce momentum to do on behalf of Jesus Christ.

Next Week- James 1:1-12