James: The Practical Book Series

The Practical Book

James 1:1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes” Jewish believers scattered abroad.

I. Why Study through a book of the Bible?

A. God wrote it that way

1. Chapters & verse numbers first started 1551

2. People for the 1st time were able to follow along with each other

3. Today many look at the Bible as if it is random verses.

B. We can understand Scripture better this way

1. We can see the CONTEXT of scripture

2. We can learn to understand the Bible for ourselves

II. How do you study a book?

A. The Bible calls itself a sword, hammer, & fire

Jeremiah 23:29 Does not my word burn like fire?" says the LORD. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes a rock to pieces?

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

1. It can be Dangerous

2. It must be handled with care

B. Ask the right Questions.

1. So what did it mean then (Context) Learn it

2. So what does it mean now (Explanation) Link it

3. So what am I going to do about it. (Application) Live it

III. Who wrote James? - 4 James’ listed in the Bible

A. James the younger (little is known)

B. James the son of Alphaeus (little is known)

C. James, the brother of John

1. One of Jesus main 3 (Peter, James & John)

2. Martyred by Herod in 44A.D.

Acts 12:1&2 About that time King Herod Agrippa began to persecute some believers in the church. 2 He had the apostle James (John’s brother) killed with a sword.

3. The Book was written between 46-48

D. Author was most likely James the half-brother of Jesus

1. Wasn’t a believer until the Resurrection

2. Prominent in early church

Acts 12:16&17 Peter motioned for them to quiet down and told them how the Lord had led him out of prison. “Tell James and the other brothers what happened,” he said. And then he went to another place.

VI. Who was James written to?

A. The “twelve Tribes” The Jewish people

B. If it’s for the Jews, What can I get out of it?

Eph 2:11-13 11 Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. 12 In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. 13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ.

Rom. 9:4-8 They are the people of Israel, chosen to be God’s adopted children. God revealed His glory to them. He made covenants with them and gave them His law. He gave them the privilege of worshiping Him and receiving His wonderful promises. 5 Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are their ancestors, and Christ himself was an Israelite as far as His human nature is concerned. And He is God, the one who rules over everything and is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 6 Well then, has God failed to fulfill His promise to Israel? No, for not all who are born into the nation of Israel are truly members of God’s people! 7 Being descendants of Abraham doesn’t make them truly Abraham’s children. For the Scriptures say, “Isaac is the son through whom your descendants will be counted,” though Abraham had other children, too. 8 This means that Abraham’s physical descendants are not necessarily children of God. Only the children of the promise are considered to be Abraham’s children.

- We are Spiritually Jews!

Application:

1. Reading the Bible is different then reading other books

(Learn it, Link it)

2. The Bible was not written for your INFORMATION but for your TRANSFORMATION (LIVE IT).