Sermon Central
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James
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jul 13, 2009 (message contributor)
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1. The Writer & Readers Of James
Contributed on Jul 13, 2009
An introductory message to a study of the book of James.
JAMES 1:1 THE WRITER AND READERS OF JAMES [Hebrews 5:11-14] The book of James belongs to the wisdom literature of the Bible. This sort of literature was common to the writings of the Old Testament but James is the only book of this genre or type in the New Testament. Wisdom literature is ...read more
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2. Resources For Testing Times
Contributed on Aug 3, 2009
Facing times of testing with a mature outlook demands insight beyond oneself & what is available in the natural realm. In vv 5-8 three things are mentioned as necessary for meeting successfully the trials of life. These are wisdom, prayer, & faith.
James 1:5-8 RESOURCES FOR TESTING TIMES [Matthew 21:21-22] Facing times of testing with a mature outlook demands insight beyond oneself and what is available in the natural realm. In verses 5-8 three things are mentioned as necessary for meeting successfully the trials of life. These are ...read more
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3. The Tests Of Provety & Prosperity
Contributed on Aug 10, 2009
Tests are common to life. Having discussed the testings of faith & the resources needed to meet them, he now introduces two of the most common examples of testing: the test of poverty & the test of prosperity.
JAMES 1:9-11 THE TESTS OF POVERTY AND PROSPERITY [Luke 16: 20-31] Tests are common to life. James having discussed the testings of faith (2-4) and the resources needed to meet them (5-8) now introduces two of the most common examples of testing: the test of poverty (1:9) and the test of ...read more
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4. A Promise For Testing Times
Contributed on Aug 17, 2009
James closes this section on times of testing with a promise for the believers who are suffering under trial by reminding them that God rewards those who remain faithful.
JAMES 1:12 A PROMISE FOR TESTING TIMES [Hebrews 12:1-2] Chippie THE PARAKEET never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. The problems began when Chippie’s owner decided to clean Chippie’s cage with a ...read more
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5. The Source Of Every Good Thing
Contributed on Aug 31, 2009
God is the great giver & He is the giver of every good thing. He meets our legitimate needs & desires with good & perfect gifts. As a matter of fact, every good gift we have ever received came from Him.
JAMES 1:16-18 THE SOURCE OF EVERY GOOD THING People have needs and desires but instead of being mislead into thinking they can be met by the lure and trap of temptations we need to realize that there is another source that we can receive from, if we would but seek Him. God is the great giver ...read more
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6. Be An Effective Doer Of The Word
Contributed on Sep 13, 2009
The implanted Word is to be accepted & then put into action. It is in the doing of God’s Word that spiritual growth & the blessings of God come. Too many Christians mark their Bibles but their Bibles never mark them. God wants His people to put His Wor
JAMES 1:22-25 BE AN EFFECTIVE DOER OF THE WORD [Luke 12:41-48] If the implanted Word is received it will work itself out into actions. It is never sufficient to simply hear the Word we must take into heart and do it. Simply hearing a good sermon or Bible study will not make you grow and ...read more
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7. The Tests Of Real Religion
Contributed on Sep 28, 2009
Receptivity to the Word & responsiveness to its revelation must be coupled with a new way of living. One must continuously surrender in obedience to & constant practice of the Word. For inner spiritual devotion to Christ as Lord will be demonstrated by me
JAMES 1:26-27 THE TESTS OF REAL RELIGION We have been studying about being receptive to the Word and responsive to its teachings. Receptivity to the Word and responsiveness to its revelation must be coupled with a new way of living. One must continuously surrender to obedience and constant ...read more
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8. God's Call To The Poor
Contributed on Oct 12, 2009
Poor Christians are special people to God. He saves each of us on the basis of the work of Christ on the cross & not because of anything that we are or have. But the poor are more receptive to the gospel message therefore they seem favored by God.
JAMES 2:5-7 GOD’S CALL TO THE POOR [1 Corinthians 1:26-27] Preferential treatment of the rich is wrong. James makes his case that biased judgment is wrong through four rhetorical questions he will ask, expecting an affirmative answer. Those who have entered into a faith relationship with ...read more
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9. A Law Of Liberating Love
Contributed on Oct 19, 2009
Since we all are law breakers, we need to seek mercy. Those who have found mercy from God’s judgment should no longer judge other’s with partiality but with mercy.
JAMES 2:8-13 A LAW OF LIBERATING LOVE [Matthew 22:36-40] Getting a proper perspective can help change our attitude. A COWBOY out west was driving down a dirt road with his dog riding in back of the pickup truck and his faithful horse in the trailer behind. He failed to negotiate a curve ...read more
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10. Authentic Faith Works
Contributed on Oct 26, 2009
An authentic believer must not only demonstrate his love by ready acceptance of others in the church, but he must also demonstrate his faith by responsible assistance to others. Those who possess authentic faith put it to work.
JAMES 2:14-20 AUTHENTIC FAITH WORKS [Matthew 7:15-23] An authentic believer must not only demonstrate his love by ready acceptance of others in the church, but he must also demonstrate his faith by responsible assistance to others. Those who possess authentic faith put it to work. Even in ...read more
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11. Living Faith
Contributed on Nov 1, 2009
Real faith involves the whole man, & it must include the will. The mind understands the truth, the heart loves the truth, & the will must act on the truth for it to truly be faith.
JAMES 2:21-26 LIVING FAITH [Genesis 15 & 22] Biblical truths demand demonstration in daily life. Real faith, dynamic faith, results in a changed life. James used Abraham and Rahab as examples of dynamic saving faith, since both of them responded in faith to the message of God. Faith ...read more
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12. Taming The Tongue
Contributed on Nov 9, 2009
The Bible makes the control & proper use of the tongue a matter of great importance. The tongue is far too prone to excess, perversion & pollution. But the Christian who gains control over the tongue can control his life as well.
JAMES 3:1-6 TAMING THE TONGUE [Matthew 12:37, Proverbs 13:3] The children in a prominent family decided to create for their father’s birthday a book of the family’s history. They commissioned a professional biographer to do the work, carefully warning him of the family’s "black sheep" ...read more
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13. The Tameless Tongue
Contributed on Nov 15, 2009
Since each of you will spend ten years of your life talking - it is of utmost importance that we submit our tongues to Christ and give Him control over their use
JAMES 3:7-12 NATURAL MAN’S TAMELESS TONGUE [Psalm 140 / Mt. 12: 33-37] If you have been to a circus, you have likely seen some impressive animal acts. A trainer enters a large cage filled with lions and tigers, putting them though routines that include jumping through hoops of fire. Bears ...read more
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14. The Passion Of Self-Gratification
Contributed on Nov 30, 2009
God’s wisdom gives peace but the churches to which James wrote were experiencing chronic hostility & sharp confrontations. They fought, coveted, quarreled & condemned others to obtain their desires. They were dominated by self-will
JAMES 4: 1-5 THE PASSION OF SELF-GRATIFICATION [Romans 7:14-25] Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy wrote of a man who was dominated by the driving desire for self-gratification. To possess land was his highest pleasure. Someone promised him that he could own all of the land he could walk ...read more
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15. Proper Planning
Contributed on Dec 15, 2009
This section warns against self-centered planning. Worldly living is not displayed only by a disbelief in God, sometimes it’s apparent in the disregarding of God as we plan our life & our daily activities.
JAMES 4:11-17 PROPER PLANNING [Luke 12:16-21] It is too easy for Christians to make plans and set goals, expecting God to fall in line behind them. It is easy to plan our lives as if we controlled the future and had unlimited authority over the factors that affect our life. And so, in ...read more
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16. The Use Of Wealth
Contributed on Dec 28, 2009
The aim of this warning is to awaken all Christians who are tempted to adopt worldly goals & standards rather than God’s goals & standards. The secondary purpose is to assure suffering Christians of the Divine judgment coming upon their oppressors.
JAMES 5:1-6 THE USE OF WEALTH / A Source of Spiritual Numbness [Amos 5:11-27/ Mt. 6:19-21] The last section dealt with arrogant self-centeredness. Arrogant self-centeredness is demonstrated by planning a future without placing God’s will first and it can lead to more dangerous possibilities. ...read more
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17. How Patience Is Developed
Contributed on Jan 10, 2010
We are not to expect to have life easy & comfortable. Our great expectation is the blessed hope of Jesus' return. That event brings our eternal rewards. We must patiently endure hardships & heartaches until Jesus returns.
JAMES 5:7-12 HOW PATIENCE IS DEVELOPED [Matthew 5:10–12 / 1 Peter 4:12-13] From addressing abusive rich non-believers James turns again to restless suffering saints. Learn endurance was his counsel at the beginning of his letter (1:1-5). Be patient and endure is his continued counsel as ...read more
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18. The Power Of Praise & Prayer
Contributed on Jan 18, 2010
These verses are an appeal to come freely & boldly with prayer & praise before the Throne of Grace in all life's situations. Life is to be handled with prayer. It does not matter if you're suffering, cheerful, sick or reclaiming sinners; life is to be han
JAMES 5: 13-16 THE POWER OF PRAISE & PRAYER After James' stern rebukes he continues his words of compassion and counsel for his devoted striving brothers. He has already addressed prayer (1:5-8, 4:2,3). Here we find further instruction on the high and holy privilege of prayer. These ...read more