Intro:
1. Swindoll, “Haven’t you come across the writing of a particular individual you’d love to spend an evening with? One of those people in my life is James. He is practical. He is insightful. He is also gusty, honest, and sincere to the core. He’s a rare find today…Someday we will be able to sit down and talk with James. When we do, it will be great to tell how much we appreciated what he wrote.”
2. This is certainly one of the most challenging letters in the N.T., before were done you’ll feel like James has been reading you mail or looking through your keyhole!
3. The Introduction.
James 1:1 (NKJV)
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.
I. First, we have the Signature.
James – when we write a letter we put our name at the end of it, but in Paul’s day they put their name at the beginning of it.
A. His Identity.
English form of Jacob, and the name of three men of the NT. See Jacob. 1. James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John (Matt. 4:21; 10:2; Mark 1:19; 3:17; Luke 5:10). As one of the 12 disciples (Acts 1:13), he, with Peter and John, formed Jesus’ innermost circle of associates. These three were present when Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:37; Luke 8:51), witnessed the transfiguration (Matt. 17:1; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28), and were summoned by Christ for support during His agony in Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36-37; Mark 14:32-34).
Perhaps because of James’ and John’s fiery fanaticism, evidenced as they sought to call down fire from heaven on the Samaritan village refusing to receive Jesus and the disciples (Luke 9:52-54), Jesus called the brothers “Boanerges” or “sons of thunder” (Mark 3:17). James’ zeal was revealed in a more selfish manner as he and John (their mother, on their behalf, in Matt. 20:20-21) sought special positions of honor for the time of Christ’s glory (Mark 10:35-40). They were promised, however, only a share in His suffering. James was the first of the 12 to be martyred (Acts 12:2). His execution (about A.D. 44), by order of King Herod Agrippa I of Judea, was part of a larger persecution in which Peter was arrested (Acts 12:1-3).
2. James, the son of Alphaeus, one of the 12 disciples (Matt. 10:3; Mark 3:18; Luke 6:15; Acts 1:13). He is not distinguished by name in any occasion reported in the Gospels or Acts. He may be “James the younger,” whose mother, Mary, was among the women at Jesus’ crucifixion and tomb (Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40; 16:1; Luke 24:10). In John 19:25, this Mary is called the wife of Cleophas, perhaps to be identified with Alphaeus. See Cleophas; Mary.
3. James, the brother of Jesus. Bible students debate the precise meaning of “the Lord’s brother” (Gal. 1:19). Possibilities are the literal brother or stepbrother, a cousin, or intimate friend and associate. The literal meaning is to be preferred.
During the Lord’s ministry, the brothers of Jesus (Matt. 13:55; Mark 6:3; 1 Cor. 9:5) were not believers (John 7:3-5; cp. Matt. 12:46-50; Mark 3:31-35; Luke 8:19-21). Paul specifically mentioned a resurrection appearance by Jesus to James (1 Cor. 15:7). After the resurrection and ascension, the brothers are said to have been with the Twelve and the other believers in Jerusalem (Acts 1:14).
Paul, seeking out Peter in Jerusalem after his conversion, reported, “I didn’t see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother” (Gal. 1:19 HCSB). In time, James assumed the leadership of the Jerusalem church, originally held by Peter. Evidently, such was achieved not through a power struggle but by James’ constancy with the church while Peter and other apostles traveled. In a Jerusalem conference called regarding Paul’s Gentile mission, James presided as spokesman for the Jerusalem church (Acts 15). See Apostolic Council.
James perceived that his calling was to the “circumcised,” that is, the Jews (Gal. 2:9), and he is portrayed as loyal to Jewish tradition. He was, however, unwilling to make the law normative for all responding to God’s new action in Christ. The death of James reportedly was at the order of the high priest Ananus and was either by stoning (according to Flavius Josephus, first-century historian of the Jews) or by being cast down from the temple tower (after Hegesippus, early Christian writer, quoted by the third-century Christian historian Eusebius). These accounts of James’s death (about A.D. 66), are not confirmed in the NT.” Joseph E. Glaze [Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary]
The James who wrote this is the half brother of Jesus Christ; they both had the same mother, not the same Father. Jesus was virgin born. We have a greater privilege then James did in that we are Christ’s spiritual brothers and sisters (Mt. 12:46-50/Heb. 2:11). But then so was James…
We have been adopted into God’s family, reminds me of a big city newspaper which had a section called “Adoptions.” Here are a few ads from on such a paper:
“California doctor-dad, at-home mom wish to adopt newborn. Will provide love, security, and opportunity.”
“Desire baby to adopt. Outdoorsman dad, stay-at-home mom, one crazy dog, wish to provide love and financial security and a great home to your newborn.”
God makes the same offer to all who will accept it!
B. His Testimony.
1. He was Born a Sinner.
James like his mother Mary was born a sinner. He lived with Jesus for some 30 years in unbelief. (Mk. 3:20-21/Jn.7:3-5).
We are all born sinners and unbelieving (Rom. 3:10-18).
One might think that Jesus being raised in such a godly family, with a brother who was the Messiah, would be a good person. No, there is none born good not even James.
I read about a Christian, Lady Huntingdon, she invited one of her friends, the Duchess of Buckingham to go hear George Whitefield preach. She did and later wrote this letter to Lady Huntingdon:
“It is monstrous to be told that you have a heart as sinful as the common wretches that crawl on the earth. This is highly offensive and insulting; and I cannot wonder that your ladyship should relish any sentiments so much at variance with high rank and good breeding.”
Sounds like a Pharisee!
2. He came to Believe unto Salvation. (I Cor. 15:7/Ac.1:14/Rom.10:9).
This is James simple and yet universal testimony: Admit you are a sinner and Receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior.
Lucado, “There was something about the crucifixion [and the resurrection], that made every witness either step toward it or away from it…And today…the same is true. It is the Continental Divide. It’s Normandy. And you’re on one side or the other. A choice is demanded…the one thing we can’t do is walk away in neutral. No fence sitting is permitted. The cross, in its absurd splendor doesn’t allow that. That is one luxury that God in His mercy doesn’t permit. On which side are you?”
C. His Ministry.
1. He was an Apostle. Gal. 1:19
Not one of the Twelve but one in a general sense, like a “sent out” missionary.
2. He was also a Pastor.
He pastored the church at Jerusalem (Ac. 12:17; 15:13-; 21:17-25).
3. He was a Pillar – speaking of one with great influence among the believers (Gal.2:9).
Jerome, “After the Passion of the Lord, James was immediately ordained bishop of Jerusalem by the apostles…He ruled the Church of Jerusalem for 30 years, that is, until the 7th year of Nero.”
Today hidden treasures are rare, but in James day it was a common thing. Palestine was often invaded, captured, and inhabited. There were no banks and so people would bury treasures in the ground.
W. M. Thompson was a missionary in Syria and Palestine for some 30 years. He said often workmen would be digging up in a garden and find things like copper pots of gold.
The believer today is like Palestine of James day, we would be amazed at the hidden talents, gifts, and resources that are buried with the average believer. It is time to uncover our spiritual gifts and use them for the glory of God.
D. But his ministry also included Prayer.
Historian Eusebius records that “James use to enter alone into the temple and be found kneeling and praying for forgiving for the people, so that his knees grew hard like a camel’s because of his constant worship of God, kneeling and asking forgiveness for the people. So from his excessive righteousness he was called the Just.”
Spiritual gifts need to be united with prayer…
Spurgeon, “We cannot all argue but we can all pray; we cannot all be leaders, but we can all be pleaders; we cannot all be mighty in preaching, but we can be prevalent in prayer. I would sooner see you eloquent with God than with men.”
II. Next, we see he was a Servant.
A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ – a slave.
A. A good slave was in Conformity to his masters will.
A slave had no rights, no say so, no purpose outside of doing their masters will (I Cor.6:19).
B. A good slave had Humility.
No slave exalted himself but spoke highly of his master (Ja. 4:6-7).
C. A good slave had Loyalty.
We must make a choice; we can serve only one master. Mt. 6:24
In a day of celebrities, servants are hard to find! One spokesman for a major commercial airline described the difficulty of recruiting and training new employees: “Service is the only real thing we have to sell. But it is the part of the job that is hardest to teach. Nowadays no one wants to be thought of as a servant.”
Unfortunately the Lord has the same problem…
III. Thirdly, the Survival of the 12 Tribes of Israel.
A. Their Presence – the Bible never speaks of any lost tribes! (Mt. 19:28/Lu.1:5; 2:36/
Phil. 3:5/Rev.7).
B. Their Place – “scattered abroad” it has the ides of being scattered as seed. He is addressing Jewish Christians living outside of Palestine (Jn. 7:35).
God is never finished with the nation of Israel. There is always a remnant and the Nation as a whole will one day be restored (Rom. 11).
Strauss, “Certainly we cannot think for a moment that God has forsaken them or that He had lost track of them. No, never! He knew each one by name as well as the whereabouts of each, just as He possesses full knowledge of each child of His today.
At the Rapture of the Church He will gather the redeemed of the Church Age unto Himself even as He will gather the twelve tribes when Christ returns to earth.”
Since in Christ there is no Jew or Gentile, this book is for all Christians, and yet we must understand the Jewish culture to understand this book.
IV. Finally, the Salutation.
greetings – lit. “to rejoice.” It is interesting to note that he tells believers who are undergoing great persecution to rejoice.
James is talking about an attitude that keeps on rejoicing regardless of what throws at us!
Reminds me of the baseball pitcher, his team was behind but he was determined and cheerful. The coach came out and said, “Son, I think I better put someone else in.”
He said, “But why coach, I struck this guy out last time!” The coach moaned, “Yea, but this is the same inning!”
Con:
1. So we have the Signature, Servant, Survivors, and the Salutation.
2. This is certainly a very challenging book.
3. Ron Blue, “It is only ‘strawy’ to the degree it is sticky. There are enough needles in this haystack to prick the conscience of every dull, defeated, and degenerated Christian in the world.
Here is a “right stirring epistle” designed to exhort and encourage; to challenge and convict; to rebuke and revive; to describe practical holiness and drive believers toward the goal of a faith that works. James is severely ethical and refreshing practical.”
Johnny Palmer Jr
www.strugglingthruscriptures.ning.com
www.blogtalkradio.com/profile.aspx?userurl=pastor-palmer
