James Intro Series

Who are these Tribes? Well this is a reference to Israel to the Jews!

For the early Church primarily consisted of Jews.

These Jews had been scattered abroad because of their Faith in Christ.

This word-scattered means that they were scattered like seed.

God permitted this test of the Jerusalem Church for a purpose.

Had there been no scattering, the Christians would have stayed in Jerusalem and growth in the Church would have been hindered.

Instead in one generation the gospel spread rapidly throughout the then known world—all the way to the heart of Rome itself.

James is concerned with the behavior of believers. His conviction is that saving faith transforms the life and is evident in conduct.

One of the most difficult areas for us to deal with as believers is the matter of testing and trials, and it is at this very point that James begins his letter. What should be the believer's response to trials and pressures.

The dictionary defines stress as "pressure. Intense strain... to bind tight... to subject to external forces".

Stress can cause such problems, as heart trouble, hypertension, cancer, headaches, relationship problems.

The moment we hear the word "stress", many of us clench our fists and tighten up as if stress were our enemy.

The Truth is that Trials and Stress can be one of life's greatest assets when we learn to handle them properly.

When we learn its purpose and begin to control it rather than letting it control us.

There are many people who are very confident of their faith. They feel that their faith is indeed genuine.

For trials will reveal whether your faith is living faith or dead faith, whether it's genuine faith or imitation faith, whether it is saving faith or non-saving faith.

Verse 2-My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials

My Brethren-He identifies himself with these scattered Christians and with their suffering.

He is speaking of a relationship, which they have entered through a relationship with Christ.

The word "brother" in the Greek text is….One born from the same womb.

1 John 3:14-We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.

Christians should have a love and concern for their brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are fallen people, we are sinful people, and we live in the midst of a fallen and sinful world.

And as a result of that we experience constant trouble.

It just seems like it never goes very far away, if it goes away at all.

Job 5:7-Yet man is born to trouble, As the sparks fly upward.

Job 14:1-“Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.

Psalm 22:11-Be not far from Me, For trouble is near; For there is none to help.