Background Material
James Biographical Info:
• The author was James, Jesus’ half-brother; James and Christ had different Fathers (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3).
• James, also called James the Just, (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3).
• James was not a believer (John 7:3-5) until after the resurrection (Acts 1:14; 1 Corinthians 15:7; Galatians 1:19).
• James was the pastor of the church in Jerusalem and was Jewish and this book reflects his Jewish up bring; he is mentioned first as a pillar of the church (Galatians 2:9).
• According to the historian Josephus, James was martyred in approximately A.D. 62, prior to the first council of Jerusalem in A.D. 50.
Date:
• This book was written to Hebrew Christians outside of Palestine. It was written around A.D. 46-49. Approximately fifteen years after the resurrection of Christ.
• Even before Paul went on his first missionary Journey.
• It possible that this was the first letter written in the New Testament.
• James 1:1 says "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings." These who James was writing to were Jewish Christians who were under a lot of persecution which started right after the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7:54-60; 8:1-3, which describes the scattering of the Christian.
• They had no Bible to speak of except the Old Testament. The only thing they had to hang on too was their faith in Christ. Then after ten years of suffering persecution you receive this letter that says.
The Stoning of Stephen
The death of Stephen and the scattering of the believer happen around 35 to 37 A.D. Have been scattered for about ten or twelve years.
(Acts 7:54-60)
54 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. 55 But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” 57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, 58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60 Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. 8 1On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.
Living the Word of God
(James 1:19-27)
Key Center v. 22
22 Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
Accept the Word of God (1:19-21)
19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Exegesis: James is definitely moving into a new direction, the phrase, “My dear brothers,” is a clear indication of change of thought; thus, new paragraph starts. The point of the paragraph is pretty plain as James makes a direct correlation to listening as the antithesis to angry. Being quick to listen is also followed by obedience to God’s Word. Making vs. 21 the paragraph point. Verse 19 James focuses on listen rather than speaking. The book of Proverbs speaks about this as well. Proverbs 17:28, “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” James speaks of “accepting the word planted in you;” since this is the first book in written in the New Testament, there little doubt that he is referring to the Old Testaments and the oral words and teaching of Christ Himself. Verse 20, anger in its most purest form is fear, anger is more concerned about controlling the behavior of others, thoughts and feeling, not attempting to understand what others are saying. Controlling other does is not conductive to the righteousness that God wants for our lives. James redirects our thinking from our desires to what God’s desires are. It’s not our will but His will that should be our primary goal. If we are more concerned with God’s will and His desires then we are bring about “God’s desires.” The Breathe of God gave life He Breathed into man. God’s Word Breathes life into us.
1. Palms 19:7-9: 7 The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. 8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.
2. 1 Peter 1:22-25: 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was preached to you.
3. Matt. 4:4, 4Jesus answered, "It is written: ’Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’"
The only way of rid ourselves of sin and “moral filth” is to subject our will to that of the truth of the Word of God. As a result of accomplishing God’s will and not man’s anger with what we say and do we essentially “rid ourselves all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent.” It’s interesting to note that James associates riding us of sin and accepting to the Word of God and salvation. The word of God is what breathes life into us. The Word of God is all sufficient guild for faith and practice! We patterned our lives after the Word of God. James makes a bold statement that by “humbly accept the word planted in you. .” it will save us. If accepting and living according the Word of God we are conforming and realigning our lifestyle to that of the Word of God.
Illustration: An angry man is more concerned about the next then he wants to say instead of actively listening to those who are trying to communicate with, once this take place real caring loving active listening fails. Breath of God gave man life, so the Word of God which is inspired (God breathed) can breathe life into man which can save us. Dependence on what come out of the God will save us. Let take a look at John 15:1-4,
15 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."
The Greek word for clean in this context is Kaqarovs, Katharos, which means to clean without blemish, spotless, to clear from guilt, to make free from corrupt desire or having been liberated from sinful impulses. To made moral purity to the point that one has been entirely cleansed, need not radical renewal, but only to be cleansed from every sin into which he may fall. It involves the dedication to God that renews the inner being. To be made blameless, innocent in the inmost nature that has been rejuvenated. Having received a pure heart and a good conscience before God. In the context this word means that the disciples are cleansed through their physical and fleshly association with the Savior and alliance to Him. It appears that this cleansing took place through the cultivation of the Word (see, 17:14) into their lives. Thus, demonstrating clear and explicate indication that they had received a regenerational experience; and the context does not allow for any other interpretation. Here is another place that reinforces our, the church of the Nazarene, believe in entire sanctification.
Application: Are we so busy with our lives that we don’t have time to listen to God or is Word? Do you still remember the Gospel you accepted on the first day you believed? Is the Bible the centrality of your Christian walk?
Transition: Why is it critical that we accept the Word of God? How do we overcome and rid ourselves of the evil that is so prevalent” around us. READ KEY CENTER!
Obey the Word of God (1:22-25)
22 Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does.
Exegesis: We are to obey what the Word of God teaches. We can deceive ourselves in thinking that we can ignore or neglect God’s Word. We can listen to all day long but the power of God’s is released when our lifestyle in line with the Word says. We learned that James was referring to the teaching of Christ and the Old Testament. Verse 25 reinforces the Old Testament as he makes reference to the one who “looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom.” The one who obeys and honors God’s Law will be blessed (Deuteronomy 30:11-20). 1 Kings 2:2-3, “2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, act like a man, 3 and observe what the LORD your God requires: Walk in obedience to him, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and regulations, as written in the Law of Moses. Do this so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go. . .”
Illustration: GPS: God’s Perfect Solution! Using GPS requires and necessities out obedience to follow the directions. We just can turn any which way. If we want to get where we are going we have to do go where it tells us to go and turn where it tells us to turn.
1. Deuteronomy 30:11-20: “11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach. 12 It is not up in heaven, so that you have to ask, “Who will ascend into heaven to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, so that you have to ask, “Who will cross the sea to get it and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?” 14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. 15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the LORD your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him.”
2. Psalm 119:105: 105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Obedience to God’s words makes us victorious and we are blessed with eternal life. The being is clear “. . . “but the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it-- he will be blessed in what he does.
Application: Often times when we install new software, we get a message that requires us to read the licensing agreement. Lot of them are usually quite lengthy, so in order to install the new software, we click the little box that we agree with it without ever reading the agreement. Are we just hearing what the Word says and not going anywhere. Are we stuck without directions. If we want’s God’s stamp of approval we must be obedient to what the Word says.? Are you using God’s Perfect Solution in life? Using GPS requires and necessities out obedience to follow the directions. We just can turn any which way or you will be LOSS!
Transition: How single minded are you in your pursuit holiness and obedience. I wonder how often we as believer treat the Bible the same way we do software licensing agreement? Or how many treat the Old Testament that way? Once you have the direction as to where you need to go, are you going there? “Obedience brings victory and victory is life.” Obedience to God’s Words makes us victorious; when we are victorious, we have God’s blessings. Why should we be using God’s Perfect Solution in life. . . READ KEY CENTER!
Live the Word of God (1:26-27)
26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.
Exegesis: We as believers need to learn to speak without offending and listen without defending! True religion is that we learn to taste our words before we spit them out. It’s very clear that in Proverbs 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” True religion is taking care of orphans and widows in distressed. James culminates his thinking here with what is true religion is and what it is not. A lot of people are so misunderstood about what the word religion really means. The word religion comes from the Latin translates “relationship with God.” The term is also used of human attempts to please God or gods. Is our belief in God and our effort to live by that belief. Belief in and reverence for God or some supernatural power that is recognized as the creator and ruler of the universe; an organized system of doctrine with an approved pattern of behavior and a proper form of worship. According to James 2:17 faith separate from deeds is as lifeless as a corpse. According to this context, true religion is when our faith moves to action and take care of those around us.
Illustration: My basic testimony as it relates to the text.
Application: If religion is a system or belief and way of worship, if religion mean relationship with God, than how do you worship? Let’s look at Christ view of a life of religion is Matthew 12:46-50. . .
46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” 48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.
Transition: Read Key Center
Conclusion
The Word of God is all sufficient guide for faith and practice! We patterned our lives after the Word of God and have true religion. Bible is the final authority! It was upon this principle that Martin Luther took his stand in 1521 A.D. at the council of the Diet of Worms when he was asked to recant his writings and his positions. Luther replied with his famous statement,
"Your imperial majesty and lordships demand a simple answer! Here it is plan and unvarnished, unless I am convicted by the testimony of Scripture or (since I put no trust in the unsupported authority of Pope or of councils since it is plain that they have often erred and often contradicted themselves) by manifested reasoning, I stand convicted by the Scripture to which I have appealed, and my conscience is taken captive by the Word of God, I cannot and will not recant anything, for an act against our conscience is neither safe for us, nor open to us on this I take my stand, I can do no other, God help me."
