James Chapter 1

1)      info

a.      James was the ½ brother of our Lord Jesus

                                                              i.      He was called “James the Just”

                                                            ii.      It is possible James did not believe in Jesus until after the resurrection

                                                          iii.      He was an important leader in the early church at Jerusalem

                                                          iv.      The book is more practical than theological in nature

                                                            v.      James was encouraging his readers and was correcting bad attitudes and behaviors

 

2)      Greetings

a.      VV1 James a BOND-SERVANT of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ to the TWELVE TRIBES who are DISPERSED abroad greetings

                                                              i.      VV1 James describes himself as a bond-servant one who was proud to belong body soul and spirit to God and Jesus Christ

                                                            ii.      He was writing to Jewish believers who were scattered among the nation due to the persecution that followed the stoning of Steven Acts 7:58

 

3)      The purpose of trials

a.      VV 2 Consider it all JOY my brothers when you encounter various trials

b.      Isaiah 51:6 we have an everlasting Joy

c.       1^st John 1:4 we have a complete Joy

d.      1^st Peter 1:8 we have Joy inexpressible

e.      John 16 22 we have a permanent Joy

f.        Philippians 4:4 we are to rejoice in the Lord

g.      John 16:20 our sorrow will be turned in to Joy

h.      Galatians 5:22 We have the fruit of the Spirit one of which is Joy

i.        Nehemiah 8:10 the Joy of the Lord is our strength

j.        Joy is the assurance of God’s supernatural provision here and now and His provision of eternal life

k.      VV3 Knowing that the TESTING of your faith produces endurance

                                                              i.      Trials = being put to the TEST

                                                            ii.      Difficulties that come from without such as circumstances

                                                          iii.      Inner moral tests that come from with in such as temptation

1.      James talks about temptation later

                                                          iv.      Before God moves you in to His purpose for your life he prepares you

l.        Trials

                                                              i.      Being laid off and looking for work

                                                            ii.      Having difficulties paying the bills

                                                          iii.      Being married for the first few years

                                                          iv.      Having your 2^nd and 3^rd child

                                                            v.      Going to school having a job and having a family

                                                          vi.      Sickness and recovering from sickness

                                                        vii.      Having a car that is falling apart

                                                      viii.      Working for an unreasonable boss

m.    VV4 “And let endurance have its perfect result”

                                                              i.      The result of endurance = growth into a mature man or woman of God

                                                            ii.      CHARACTER

 

4)      True wisdom

a.      VV5 But if any of you lacks wisdom let him ask of God who gives to ALL men GENEROUSLY and without reproach and it will be given to him

b.      True wisdom = you must place your faith in Jesus and be saved

c.       His desire is that ALL men will be saved

d.      He is a God of generosity

e.      VV 6 But let him ask in faith without any doubting for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea driven and tossed by the wind

                                                              i.      We must believe in Jesus or we will receive nothing

                                                            ii.      We must build faith by experiencing the power of God

f.        The wave of the sea first there is a crest and then the trough

g.      VV8 Double minded does not refer to an immature faith, it refers to an insincere faith

 

5)      God is Good

a.      VV13 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

                                                              i.      God is not the source of our temptation

 

6)      The process of sin:

a.      VV14-16 “But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own DESIRE.  Then when lust has conceived it gives birth to sin and when DISOBEDIENCE is accomplished it brings for DEATH.  Do not be DECEIVED my beloved brothers”(Notice the absence of any reference to the Devil)

b.      We are all sinners

c.       Desire = a want for more the origin of temptation is with in ourselves

d.      Deception = temptation

e.      Disobedience = Stop it before this!

f.        Death = the result of sin