Chronos: James #1 Series

We start a year-long journey chronological study of the New Testament today. Hence the reason we are calling this message series Chronos. It's a word that means “time.” We will be journeying through time back to the start of the early church. We will be doing this by walking through the books of James, Thessalonians, Galatians and Corinthians. We will take a few detours along the way for the major Christian holidays. However, we will be opening up our bibles each week to unpack the scriptures as they were present in the early church.

For the first few years after Jesus’ ascension to heaven, the “way” as it was called, was considered a breakaway sect. It was a time in which the word that we have today was passed from one person to another through story from those who knew Jesus. The movement grew by the power of the Holy Spirit for almost 20 years without a comprehensive account of what had taken place. There were no gospels written by Mark, Matthew, Luke or John. It was a messy spirituality powered by the Holy Spirit, personal testimony and strong relationships. It was spirituality marked by an indifference to government and pursuit of a fully committed life to God and his creation.

We start with the book of James because it is the earliest writing determined by present day scholarly dating.

It is the first book or letter written to this new ‘church’ or gathering.

It was written by Jesus’ half brother, James.

It was written to those Jews who had come to believe Jesus was the Messiah and those Gentiles who had become aware of and believed in Jesus.

It was written to straighten out some of the bad actors and their practices that were stunting the movement’s growth.

It is a very straight forward set of writings and is very applicable for us today,

Each week this year we will be walking through small sections of the scriptures. I’d encourage you to read ahead. Read all six books a few times this year and get ready to mark up your bible. This is going to be a great year!

Let’s begin with what I’ve entitled the blessing of stress by opening to James 1:1.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.

Like any letter today, there is indication of who is sending the letter. In printing they call it, “letterhead.” This first verse tells us it's from James.

I find it so interesting that one of Jesus' brothers who originally didn’t believe Jesus was the messiah (Mark 3:31-35, John 7:1-5), is now writing to others about the messiah.

In fact the apostle Paul calls James, a pillar of the church structure (Gal 2:9).

It was James who moderated the first church conference in Acts 15.

It was James who Peter sent a message to when he was delivered from prison.

It was James who Paul gave the love offering to for the people of Jerusalem.

This letter is written to the Jewish people who have been scattered throughout the known world. We also know this included those who were now being adopted into the faith who were not originally born Jewish. It was a difficult time. It was a time of transition. There were the old Jews who still held to tradition and The Law. They were still in the temple but preaching a historic truth and change in direction from exclusive to inclusive.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

We did a whole message on Joy during advent. I did want to clarify one point about the joy James is referring to. James is reminding us that when we are questioned for our faith or made light of because of the God we follow, don’t get down or wonder if they're right, we take the comments as affirmation that you're on the right road. Keep going because there is something good coming in this life and at the end of the road.

James calls this being mature. The apostle Paul writes in Ephesians 4:13 that a mature Christian is one continually growing in Christ, constantly thinking and acting more like Christ. A mature Christian centers their whole life in Christ and pursues the relationship more every day. Does that describe you today, some of the time or not all that often? If not at all, then this next passage is for you

Let’s continue…

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.