The Epistle of James

1. The Epistle ofJames Lesson 1 Introduction and “The Testing of Your Faith” James 1:1-11

2. Introduction • Written by whom? • “James” – “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ” (1:1)

3. Introduction • Which James? • James, the son of Zebedee and the brother of John • An apostle - early death by Herod (Acts 12) • James, the son of Alphaeus • An apostle of Jesus Christ (Matt. 10:3) • James, the father or brother of the apostle Judas (Not Judas Iscariot) • Who was also known as Thaddaeus(Lk. 6:16)(Acts 1:13) • James, the brother of Christ (Mk. 6:3; Gal. 1:19) • The most popular choice because of his prominence in the Jerusalem church (Acts 15: 13-21 and Gal. 2:9)

4. Introduction • About James, the brother of Jesus • Son of Joseph and Mary (Matt. 13:55,56) • Lord’s half-brother (Gal. 1:19) • Not an original apostle (Matt. 10:2-4) • Rejected Christ’s claim (Jn. 7:3-10) • Became a believer (Acts 1:13,14) • Saw the risen Lord (1 Cor. 15:7) • Moderator of Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:13-23) • Paul conferred with him (Gal. 2:9,12) • Brother of Judas (Jude) (Matt. 13:55)

5. Introduction • Written to whom? • “To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad” (1:1b)(NKJV)(Scattering started in Acts 8:1) • “To the Dispersion” (ASV, ESV) • To Christians – “Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” (1:18) • To “Brethren” – This word appears 15 times (brother appears 4 times) • To Christians today!

6. Introduction • Written from where? • James, the Lord’s brother, was a pillar in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 15:13-21)

7. Introduction • Written when? • The exact date cannot be determined, but probably early since he is still referring to the twelve tribes and their being dispersed

8. Introduction • The literary style of James is diverse • The writer uses vivid illustrations; • Old Testament quotations and Old Testament characters as examples; • Questions; • The inclusion of references to different groups of people; • Paradoxes (seeming contradictions); • Sharp contrasts; • Numerous reminders of brotherhood; • Figures of speech--metaphors (comparisons), • Similes (“like” or “as”) and personification; • Harsh rebuke of sin and sinners; and • A clear call for many of those addressed in the letter to repent

9. Introduction • The theme of the epistle – • The “a tried faith produces completeness”

10. Question • What surprising direction does James give about dealing with trials? (vs. 2) Why is this good advice for us? (vs. 3) “2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.”

11. Question • What perfect(ing) work can patience perform in our lives? (vs. 4) “4But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”

12. Two Types of Trials/Temptations Confronted • Those we “fall into” – • These trials adversities and hardships which are sent from God as a part of everyday living • Examples: infirmities, calamities, poverty • They are various, manifold, different kinds, etc. • God allows these trials as a means of testing the genuineness of our faith • Those we actively participate in – • We are drawn away from within our own “lust” • These temptations test our character • We will discuss these in the next lesson (1:12-14)

13. The Testing of Your Faith • How to endure trials – • Be patient • Let patience grow and remove all impure impulses • Then, the Christian will be complete and lack nothing. • “Patience” is a quality of being able calmly to wait or endure

14. The Christian Life Is Filled With Problems • It is not “if” they will come but “when” – • Trials are unexpected and uninvited • They are inevitable • The question is – what are we going to do about them

15. What Is Our “Attitude” Toward Our Trials? • These trials (tests) could cause us – • To adopt a spirit of defiance • To lose heart and give up • To grumble and complain about our troubles • To indulge in self-pity and seek sympathy • Our response should be – • God has some good purpose in it for me • I want His purposes to be worked out in my life • Remember Jesus, Paul, Job and others as examples • “Count it all joy when you fall into various trials”

16. What Does Peter Say About Our Trials? 1 Peter 1:6-9 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

17. Question • In what particular matter is it vital to possess wisdom? (vs. 5, 2) “5If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” “2My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,…”

18. If You Lack Wisdom – • “Wisdom” is the ability to see things as God sees them • How can we see things the way God sees them? • Let him ask of God – • Patience is impossible for one lacking wisdom • Without patience one cannot endure his trials and temptations • Asking must be done “in faith” • God Is A Giver! He gives liberally and without reproach

19. Are God’s Gifts Conditional? 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

20. The Wavering, Double-minded, Unstable Christian • James is writing to “brethren” (Christians) • The wavering man staggers around in doubt • One cannot tell which direction he will go • The double-minded man is torn between two spirits and is very changeable • Little or no convictions • The unstable man is restless and unable to be restrained • Weak and not steadfast in the Word

21. “The Christian’s Problem-Solving Process” Problem--- Faith in Word--- Pray for Wisdom--- Seek Wisdom--- Act/React--- Solution

22. Question • In what should the “lowly” brother glory? (vs. 9) The “rich” brother? (vs. 10) Why? (vs.10,11) “9Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation,” “10abut the rich in his humiliation,” “10bbecause as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.”

23. The First and Greatest Obstacle To Seeing Our Problems Is… • Being blinded by those measures which worldly people use to judge the quality of life, principally money and power • Both rich and poor must understand that status does not determine stature in God’s eyes • Physical status is only temporary and unimportant to God and should be to us as well • Remember Abraham – • He had money and power, but he served God and looked for a more important home than this land

24. James 1:1-11 (NKJ) 1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.