Introduction:
A. Today as we conclude our sermon series on the letter of James, I want us to do a unique review of the book.
1. First, we will look at an 8 minute video summary created by a nonprofit called BibleProject, and then I will share a list of the lessons from James that I hope we will remember.
B. BibleProject is a truly wonderful resource.
1. BibleProject is a nonprofit ed-tech organization and animation studio that produces 100% free Bible videos and podcasts, blogs and classes, and other educational Bible resources to help make the biblical story accessible to everyone, everywhere.
2. Timothy Mackie and Jonathan Collins (long-time friends and one-time roommates at Multnomah University) were tossing around ideas on how to help people read through Scripture while avoiding the common pitfalls and misunderstandings.
3. They wondered how complex themes of the Bible could be presented in a way that was real and unapologetic but approachable.
4. So they combined Tim’s deep biblical understanding and Jon’s passion for visual storytelling, and they created their first two videos in 2014 and put them online for free.
5. Now they have over 150 videos and 200 podcasts, which can all be viewed on their website, The Bible App, YouTube, Vimeo, and more.
6. They have over 100 million views across all of their media channels in over 200 countries, and we have over two million subscribers worldwide.
7. Viewership is evenly distributed between ages 18 to 45, so they are inspiring the next generation to explore the Bible through the mediums in which they have been raised, visual storytelling and technology.
C. So, without further ado, here is the BibleProject’s summary of the letter of James.
D. I hope you found the video helpful.
1. They do an amazing job both visually and practically to summarize the books of the Bible.
2. I would encourage you to look at some of their other book summaries.
E. Now let’s talk about some of the lessons from James that we want to remember.
1. How good is your memory? Mine is often not so good.
2. Which reminds me of the story of the preacher who really wanted to spice up his sermons with humor and surprise introductions.
a. While attending a conference he heard a dynamic speaker who effectively opened up his presentation with statement: “The best years of my life were spent in the arms of a woman who wasn’t my wife!”
1. The crowd was shocked, but the speaker followed up by saying, “And that woman was my mother!”
2. The crowd burst into laughter and he delivered the rest of his talk, which went over quite well.
3. So when the preacher returned to his congregation, he opened his first sermon with the same statement: “The best years of my life were spent in the arms of another woman who was not my wife!”
a. The congregation inhaled half the air in the room.
b. Then preacher stood in the stunned silence because he couldn’t recall the punch line and finally blurted out: “...and for the life of me, I can’t remember who she was!”
F. Let’s spend a few minutes this morning trying to burn into our memory some important lessons from James.
I. Important Lessons from James
A. First of all, Let’s Remember that Trials can Lead to Blessings.
1. There’s a old saying that says, “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations.”
2. I think that’s what James had in mind when he wrote: Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)
3. Then James concluded the section, saying: Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
4. As hard and painful as our trials may be, if we will stay close to the Lord and depend on Him, our trials can lead to blessings as we are matured and completed through them, and then can use them to serve others, and then eventually receive our reward in heaven some day.
B. Second, Let’s Remember to be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, and Slow to Anger.
1. We often do the opposite: we are quick to anger, quick to speak, and slow to listen.
2. Getting that backwards leads to lots of trouble and conflict in our lives.
3. James reminds us that human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness, and that’s why our human anger must be restrained as we listen carefully and then speak appropriately.
C. Third, Let’s Remember to be Doers of the Word and not Hearers Only.
1. Just hearing and knowing the Word of God doesn’t help unless we obey it by putting it into practice.
2. James offered the helpful illustration of looking at our faces in the mirror and then doing nothing in response to what we see.
3. It doesn’t benefit us to look in the mirror and see our hair is out of place or there is egg on our face, if we walk away having done nothing to fix the problem.
4. The same is true when we hear or read the word, but then don’t stop doing the wrong things or start doing the right things we see commanded in the Word.
5. In the second half of chapter 2, James says that faith without deeds is dead.
6. Real faith leads to action and puts God’s word into practice.
D. Fourth, Let’s Remember to Love all People and not Show Favoritism.
1. James reminds us that the royal law found in Scripture is to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
2. James illustrates the point by imagining how a person’s reaction might be different to a rich person or poor person who visits the church.
3. James says that if we roll out the red carpet for the rich, but mistreat the poor, we have discriminated and become judges with evil hearts. (2:4)
4. James reminds us that God has chosen those who are the poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom (2:5).
5. In chapter 1 of James’ letter, he reminds us to look after widows and orphans.
6. Real love is expressed when we see someone in need and do something to help them (2:15-16).
E. Fifth, Let’s Remember to Keep Our Tongues in Check.
1. My mother used to say, “If you don’t have anything good to say, then don’t say anything at all.”
2. James introduced the idea of the proper use of the tongue at the end of chapter 1 with these shocking words: If anyone thinks he is religious without controlling his tongue, his religion is useless and he deceives himself. (1:26)
a. How’s that for calling it like it is!
3. James dedicated most of chapter 3 to the need to keep our tongues in check.
a. There he compares the tongue to the rudder that controls a ship and a small spark that sets the forest on fire.
b. He declares that the tongue is a fire that can set the whole course of a person’s life on fire.
c. James concludes by challenging us to be the kind of spring that only has fresh water coming out of it – only praise and not curing.
4. So let’s remember to keep our tongues in check.
F. Sixth, Let’s Remember to Submit Ourselves to God in Humility.
1. James reminds us that God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble (4:6).
2. When we submit ourselves to God and come near to God, He promises that He will come near to us (4:7-8).
3. And when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up (4:10).
G. Seventh, Let’s Remember that Our Lives are a Mist.
1. We should never boast about tomorrow and what we will accomplish, because none of us has control over the future.
2. Our lives are only a mist that appears for a short time and then vanishes.
3. So James encourages us to couch everything we say and everything we plan to do with the attitude “If it is the Lord’s will.”
4. God is in control of our lives and our futures, and our trust and dependance must be on Him.
H. Eighth, Let’s Remember the Danger of Wealth.
1. Jesus and Paul both taught a lot about the danger of wealth and how it can lead us away from God.
2. James reminds us that friendship with the world is hatred toward God (4:4).
3. James reminds us that if we put our hope in wealth and have exploited others to get it, we will be in trouble – our wealth will have rotted, moths will have eaten our clothes, and our gold and silver will have corroded.
4. And those we have cheated or exploited to gain our wealth will cry out against us, and this will only lead to our judgment and punishment.
5. A proper view of God and eternity will help to keep our attitudes toward money in check.
I. Ninth, Let’s Remember to Patiently Endure.
1. James says: Therefore, brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord’s coming. (5:7)
2. James reminds us to be patient like farmers, like Job, and like the prophets.
3. God’s rewards come to those who patiently endure, because we know for sure that when the Lord comes, then He will make all things right.
J. Tenth, and Finally, Let’s Remember that Prayer is Powerful.
1. Whatever the occasion or need that we face, prayer is always appropriate and helpful.
2. James reminds us that “The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.” (5:16)
3. Then James reminds us of the example of Elijah, who was a human being just like us, but he prayed that it wouldn’t rain and it didn’t rain for 3 ½ years, but then he prayed for rain and it rained.
4. Prayer is powerful because God is powerful, and God hears and answers our prayers according to His Will.
Conclusion:
A. I hope you have been blessed by our study of the letter of James.
1. It is a powerful and practical little letter.
2. It has been very good for me to be reminded of these truths and principles, and I hope it has been for you also.
B. I hope that we will be able to remember them.
1. First, Let’s Remember that Trials can Lead to Blessings.
2. Second, Let’s Remember to be Quick to Listen, Slow to Speak, and Slow to Anger.
3. Third, Let’s Remember to be Doers of the Word and not Hearers Only.
4. Fourth, Let’s Remember to Love all People and not Show Favoritism.
5. Fifth, Let’s Remember to Keep Our Tongues in Check.
6. Sixth, Let’s Remember to Submit Ourselves to God in Humility.
7. Seventh, Let’s Remember that Our Lives are a Mist.
8. Eighth, Let’s Remember the Danger of Wealth.
9. Ninth, Let’s Remember to Patiently Endure.
10. Tenth, and Finally, Let’s Remember that Prayer is Powerful.
C. You might protest saying, “That’s a lot to remember! I don’t think I can remember all of that!”
1. Perhaps this illustration will be helpful.
2. When the great evangelist D. L. Moody was reading the One Hundred and Third Psalm during one of his sermons, and came to the verse, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,” he stopped abruptly and said: “You can’t remember ‘em all, of course, but don’t forget ‘em all. Remember some of ‘em.”
3. So, if you can’t remember all the lessons from James, then don’t forget ‘em all. Please remember some of ‘em!
