Open your bibles to 1 Corinthians 15.
We are going to spend our time today introducing you to James half-brother of Jesus.
As we begin our new series from the Book of James entitled Faith That Works.
In his commentary R. Kent Hughes says “one thing is clear about the book of James—the dominant theme is;
“Faith that really works practically in one's life. Faith that is true, is a faith that works.” R. Kent Hughes
In the weeks to come, we will examine the relationship between our faith and our works
We will see how the two intersect in our lives and how that will have an impact on the lives of those around us.
James covers many practical issues such as trials, poverty, riches, materialism, favoritism, social justice, the way we speak, worldliness, boasting, the plans we make, praying, illness and so much more.
The book of James will help mature us that we can become more like Christ.
Will you stand with me as we read God’s word.
1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Corinthians 15:1-10 ESV)
PRAY
I am one of four brothers. Jimmy is the oldest, them Bobby, then me, and then there is the baby Joey. We grew up in the same house, eat together, played together, and got in trouble together. Growing up together you would think you would get to know each other pretty well. For James, he would spend 30 years getting to know his older half-brother Jesus. They too grew up together, ate together, played together went to the Synagogue together. You think that they would know each other pretty well. But when it came to know the most important thing about Jesus, James along with most of the family didn’t believe. The Gospels give us a glimpse into the family tension. The first time John mentions Jesus's brothers they are mocking him. Jesus had just performed miracles; he fed the 5000 with a little boys sack lunch and He walked on water. Jesus was drawing a lot of attention to himself and this didn’t sit well with his brothers. The Jewish holiday called The feast of the tabernacles was getting ready to take place and this is Jesus’ brothers' advice:
“Leave here and go to Judea, that your disciples also may see the works you are doing. For no one works in secret if he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, show yourself to the world.” (John 7:3-4 ESV)
They basically told Jesus why don’t you leave—go on the road and show your miracles to the world—just as long as you not here… and in the next verse John adds;
For not even his brothers believed in him. (John 7:5 ESV)
On another occasion, Jesus' family became alarmed when opposition from the Pharisees and came too close to home. Mark records in his gospel this:
Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again so that they could not even eat. And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.” (Mark 3:20-21 ESV)
Sorry about all the trouble, He’s a little cuckoo, we’ll take him from here. Come on Jesus, it's time for your medication… Not only would Jesus have to deal with people who wanted to kill him, but Jesus would also have to contend with his family that didn’t believe in him and was tired of having to deal with all the commotion.
On another occasion, Jesus was in the middle of speaking to the people when His mom and brothers wanted to talk to him. This was his reply:
“Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” (Matthew 12:46-50 ESV)
If that was my mom and my brothers they would have grabbed me up by the neck and say “I’ll show you who your mama is!” But Jesus was serious and he drew a clear line in the sand with his family saying in essence, ‘Only those who have responded to my call to turn from their sins, trust in my message of forgiveness, and follow me will have a place in the family of God.’
Matthew tells us that Jesus would not do much ministry in his hometown because of his family’s unbelief. He said;
“A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.” And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:53-58 ESV)
When the Gospels name those who were with Jesus at the cross, the only immediate family member was his mother. Mary and Joseph knew and believed in Jesus but not his half-brother James. Here is the reason why. The faith and belief that Mary had was a gift from God. The Apostle Paul tells us in Ephesians that everyone is born dead in their trespasses and sins and James was no exception. He too—like all of humanity was born spiritually dead and unable to believe. The Apostle Paul tells us that it is the work and will of God to make us alive with Christ giving us the ability to believe and do good works. Inspired by God the Apostle writes:
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace, you have been saved… And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4-5, 8b-10 ESV)
This brings us great hope today because salvation, belief, and new life belongs to the Lord. James grew up around Jesus, they believe he existed and he no doubt had seen and heard the truth about who his big brother was. But it wasn’t until God saved James that he believed. We don't know exactly when James came to faith but as we read in 1 Corinthians Jesus graciously appeared to James after the resurrection. This might have been the moment James came to faith.
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God, I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. (1 Corinthians 15:1-10 ESV)
HOPE FOR OUR FAMILY
Perhaps you have a family that grew up in your home where Jesus was present and his truths were proclaimed. They don’t deny Jesus existed but at the same time, there is no real evidence that they believe in Him as Lord and Savior. Our hope and faith are in God, who is rich in mercy. Our hope and faith are in God who loved us. Our hope and faith are in God who takes those who are dead in their trespasses and pours out His grace on us making us alive together with Christ. This is our hope.
We should not be surprised by unbelief. The good news is Jesus’ life, death and resurrection paid price for everyone's unbelief and he has sent the Holy Spirit to convict the world of their sin. Then God uses his church to share the good news that Jesus is offering grace, forgiveness, reconciliation, redemption, and full restoration to everyone who believes in Jesus.
After Jesus appeared to James his life reflected it in a mighty way. James became a pillar in the Jerusalem church and lead on the Jerusalem Council. As the early church began to spread across the land the leaders of those churches would come back to testify to what God was doing and to settle disputes. James was in a position on the Jerusalem Council that gave him the authority to make decisions and settle these disputes. James was a leader of leaders in the early church. James sits as an authority figure in the church and this is how he introduces himself in chapter 1 of his letter to the church.
James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ… (James 1:1 ESV)
James could have easily laid out his resume here. Introducing himself as James, born from the sacred womb of Mary and the proud brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. James had so much going for him and yet with all humility he introduces himself as “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ”. No doubt a lifetime of sin and unbelief must have flooded his heart when God had opened his eyes to who Jesus was. And then what a relief it must've been to know that Jesus died for his sins and rose from the grave. James’ life was lived in response to God's amazing grace and forgiveness. In his study book Discipleship Essentials, Greg Ogden wrote this;
“Good works or human effort to please God can never be the basis for our salvation but are clearly the evidence of it.” Greg Ogden
This is the whole point of the book of James. Your faith will be evidenced by your works. R. Kent Hughes wrote in his commentary on the book of James.
“One thing is clear about the book of James—the dominant theme is; “Faith that is real works practically in one's life. Faith that is true, is a faith that works.” R. Kent Hughes
James’s goal is to call us to live our lives consistent with faith in Jesus Christ as Lord. And when we fail to do what God desires we run to him for more grace. As James says,
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (James 4:10 ESV)
PRAY
RESPOND IN WORSHIP
