James 1 Series

Opener:

Good Morning Church! We are so excited to be here with you, worshipping the Lord! Today, we are beginning a new sermon series that will continue for the next five weeks. This series is rooted in a book that is in the New Testament. In fact, it is known by many theologians as the Proverbs of the New Testament. Many of you have already guessed that we are talking about the book of James.

James was Jesus half brother. He was a half brother because James shared the same mom as Jesus, but had a different dad. While growing up with Jesus, James no doubt saw different miracles that Jesus performed.

James was in a very unique position in growing up with Jesus. Only a handful of people in the entire universe can stake claim to this title. While this unique position brought many blessings, it also had it’s challenges. I can imagine that Mary and Joseph had a high expectation for their kids seeing Jesus was perfect. I can only imagine Mary or Joseph saying to James” If only you were more like your brother.” The pressure that James experienced no doubt was challenging.

You would think that growing up with Jesus that James was an automatic follower; however, historians like Josephus give us a different picture. It wasn’t until James witnessed the resurrected Jesus that he converted to being a Christ follower.

Typically, when we think of the first book written in the New Testament many point to Matthew, because that is the first book. In actuality, James was the first book that was written in the New Testament which was around 44-49 AD.

It is noted that the book of James was not written to a specific church as some of Paul’s letters were. Rather, James was written with a wider audience in mind. James was written to all believers that were scattered all around. James was writing this letter to encourage those believers that were suffering persecution because of their faith. This letter corrects some wrong teachings along with encouraging the believer to proactively live out a life of faith.

As mentioned earlier, James is very often compared to the Old Testament book of Proverbs, thus this book is called the Proverbs of the New Testament. As we study over the next number of weeks, I pray that something would be sparked within you to join me as I read and study the book of James.

James is a book that is rich in its teachings and has many different themes. We do see one predominate theme in the book of James which encourages us to have a real faith in God.

“James the just,” as he was affectionately referred to, is a good pastor with an important message for the early church. Importantly, his message continues to be relevant as the years go by, the persecution of the church carries on, and the experience of personal adversity is felt by every last living being.

Please open your Bible with me to James 1 we are starting in verse two.

James 1:2-12 NKJV - 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. 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

I. Count it all joy

A. The beginning

a. You heard the English saying: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

b. Meaning that when you find yourself in a difficult situation, the strong will work harder to face that challenge.

c. All throughout the bible, people were faced with difficult situation, yet they were able to persevere because of their faith in God.

d. So instead of being victims of their circumstances, they became the victors!