Opener:
Good Morning Church! We are so excited to be here with you, worshipping the Lord! Today, we are beginning a new sermon series that will continue for the next five weeks. This series is rooted in a book that is in the New Testament. In fact, it is known by many theologians as the Proverbs of the New Testament. Many of you have already guessed that we are talking about the book of James.
James was Jesus half brother. He was a half brother because James shared the same mom as Jesus, but had a different dad. While growing up with Jesus, James no doubt saw different miracles that Jesus performed.
James was in a very unique position in growing up with Jesus. Only a handful of people in the entire universe can stake claim to this title. While this unique position brought many blessings, it also had it’s challenges. I can imagine that Mary and Joseph had a high expectation for their kids seeing Jesus was perfect. I can only imagine Mary or Joseph saying to James” If only you were more like your brother.” The pressure that James experienced no doubt was challenging.
You would think that growing up with Jesus that James was an automatic follower; however, historians like Josephus give us a different picture. It wasn’t until James witnessed the resurrected Jesus that he converted to being a Christ follower.
Typically, when we think of the first book written in the New Testament many point to Matthew, because that is the first book. In actuality, James was the first book that was written in the New Testament which was around 44-49 AD.
It is noted that the book of James was not written to a specific church as some of Paul’s letters were. Rather, James was written with a wider audience in mind. James was written to all believers that were scattered all around. James was writing this letter to encourage those believers that were suffering persecution because of their faith. This letter corrects some wrong teachings along with encouraging the believer to proactively live out a life of faith.
As mentioned earlier, James is very often compared to the Old Testament book of Proverbs, thus this book is called the Proverbs of the New Testament. As we study over the next number of weeks, I pray that something would be sparked within you to join me as I read and study the book of James.
James is a book that is rich in its teachings and has many different themes. We do see one predominate theme in the book of James which encourages us to have a real faith in God.
“James the just,” as he was affectionately referred to, is a good pastor with an important message for the early church. Importantly, his message continues to be relevant as the years go by, the persecution of the church carries on, and the experience of personal adversity is felt by every last living being.
Please open your Bible with me to James 1 we are starting in verse two.
James 1:2-12 NKJV - 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits. 12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
I. Count it all joy
A. The beginning
a. You heard the English saying: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
b. Meaning that when you find yourself in a difficult situation, the strong will work harder to face that challenge.
c. All throughout the bible, people were faced with difficult situation, yet they were able to persevere because of their faith in God.
d. So instead of being victims of their circumstances, they became the victors!
B. Trials are coming
a. The book of James tackles the issue of trials and tribulations in a clear way.
b. Our passage today really begins with an intentionally shocking statement; “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds.”
c. It’s hard to hear this and imagine there can be joy in the midst of trials.
d. I can think of numerous things I find joy in and none of them include pain, suffering, destruction, or adversity. And yet James calls the early church to have joy in the midst of persecution.
C. Not if but when
a. As we read this portion of scripture, James all but assures us that, not if we have trials or tribulation, but when.
i. In other words, expect trials, expect tribulation.
ii. Jesus warned us in John 16:33(NKJV)33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
b. Adversity is a foregone conclusion.
c. The bible further says in 2 Timothy 3:12 says, “2 Timothy 3:12 NLT 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. Not, “might be” persecuted, but, “will be” persecuted.
d. Trials can come in various forms, shapes and sizes.
i. A trial can come in the form of a sickness, an incurable disease, a death of someone close, a loss of a job, an unexpected bill.
e. Just know that we do have an enemy, and we are in a battle. Therefore, we can know that Satan will oppose the very things that you are doing for God. Expect it!
i. It is when these trials come; they are a reminders to us that we are on the right track.
ii. I have experienced many different trials as a Christian and God has brought me through each and every one of them. The bible tells us that “He will never leave us nor forsake us!”
iii. God is with you friend, through all your trials.
D. Experience victory
a. Even though we face these trials, there is a godly response. The response for every born again, bible believing Christian is to simply: Count it all joy!
b. The world says: Woe is me? Why me? Poor me? Feel sorry for me!
c. The first step in turning our trials into victory is to have a joyful attitude!
d. You can know that this testing of your faith will produce something positive in your life.
i. It will make you stronger
ii. It will purify your life
iii. It will bring a maturity in your walk with God.
e. The bible tells us in Romans 5:3-5 NLT3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
f. Adversity calls us to go higher place in God, to be greater, and to trust the Lord in a deeper way.
g. Suffering has the ability to expand our faith.
h. Pain drives us into the arms of the Father and our trust deeper which in turn increases our hope in the Lord.
E. Making a Request
a. James then shifts a bit here starting in verse five which says: 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
b. Notice that God will not scold you; He will not strike you with a huge bolder for requesting more wisdom in your life.
c. Notice that He responds in a beautiful way.
i. Let me say that there is a huge difference between having knowledge and wisdom.
ii. Knowledge is simply having the book smarts about a topic or subject. Knowledge involves being able to regurgitate information.
iii. Whereas, wisdom is having the understanding and ability to properly use the knowledge that we have and apply it into our everyday lives!
d. It is one thing to quote the Bible; it is another thing to live by the Word of God and live a godly life.
II. Quick to listen
A. Dangerous anger
a. James further teaches us about anger. Let me say this, anger can be one of the most destructive things in a Christians life for that matter anyone’s life.
b. In fact, I would venture to say that our jail system is filled with a lot of angry people.
c. The bible says in James verse 19-20 which says (NKJV) 19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
d. Anger seems to be a common response when a person is frustrated or feels threatened. It can stem from a deep seeded issue of loneliness or fear.
e. For some there are many different triggers that can cause anger to come to the forefront.
B. Unhealthy anger
a. The bible has a ton to share about unhealthy out of control anger.
i. Psalm 37:8(NKJV)8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
ii. Proverbs 19:19 (NKJV) 19 A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.
iii. Colossians 3:8 (NKJV) 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.
b. Unhealthy anger can cause a lot of problems in one’s life. Some of those problems include:
i. Depression
ii. High blood pressure
iii. Heart attack
iv. Stroke
v. Broken relationships
c. So how do I handle this anger?
C. First step
a. The first piece of advice that James gives to us regarding an unhealthy anger is to be quick to listen.
b. Take the time to hear out the person that may want to share something important to you, something that can help you.
c. Do yourself a favor, and put aside any preconceived notions. Laying aside your own adgenda and just listen.
d. Once you have listened, then take our next step
D. Slow to speak
a. In the heat of the moment, be very slow to speak. It is very easy to say something that you will regret at a later time.
b. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before responding.
c. Express yourself clearly and in a calm way. Do not attack the person.
d. Do not pour gasoline on the fire of this conflict.
E. Slow to wrath
a. Give yourself some time. If you feel yourself getting stressed take a few quiet moments.
b. Work to identify some possible resolutions to the conflict.
c. Work on a compromise that would work for both parties.
d. This will allow you to have empathy for the other person and see things from another perspective.
F. Healthy Anger
a. There is a healthy kind of anger. This is called having a righteous anger.
b. The bible talks about this in Ephesians 4:26(NKJV) 26 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
c. Jesus showed us this side of anger when He entered the temple and began to turn the money exchanger’s tables upside down and those that were selling sacrifices in the temple that was to be designed for prayer.
d. A righteous anger is one that pursues holiness.
e. One that is upset over sin, over injustice and is one that works to push people into a loving healthy relationship with Jesus.
III. Pure religion before God
A. Final thoughts
a. Before we conclude our study on chapter one of James, we are looking at verse 26-27 (NKJV) 26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
B. Religion
a. So, What kind of religion to you have? Is your religion like a:
i. Fire Insurance Policy –This is a religion that is used only wen there is an emergency. You know it is there, but only use it when a crisis occurs.
ii. Wheelbarrow religion– This is the religion that has to be pushed and pulled around like a wheelbarrow full of rocks or dirt.
iii. Taxi cab religion – This is the religion that takes you where you want to go, when you want to go. You follow your own rules and carve out your own path.
C. Need a change in heart
a. Hopefully none of those religions that I mentioned here are valid in your life.
b. The only kind of religion that our Creator is looking for in us.
c. One that is pure and undefiled.
d. To be pure in our religion, we need to have a clean heart towards the Lord.
D. Pure heart
a. So what does it mean to have a pure heart? We know that we cannot have a pure heart on our own.
b. The only way we can be pure in heart is by the power of the blood of Jesus.
c. The bible says in 1 John 1:7 (NKJV)7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
d. When we have a pure heart. Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:8(NKJV) 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.
E. Visit those in need
a. As believers, we are called to visit those that are in need.
b. Those that have lost loved ones and are not able to take care of their day to day needs.
c. Reaching out to those that are orphaned.
d. Truly this is where our religion meets a reality check is that if our religion is driving us to reach those that are less fortunate that us.
Conclusion:
As we close here this morning, there is a treasure chest full of tips in James chapter one. Truly, adversity calls us to go higher, to trust the Lord deeper and to grow to be better. So count it all joy during the various trials in your life because they will produce something beautiful and valuable. Also, do not allow anger to get the best of you. God have given each of us the tools that we need in order to control our emotions and we need to use those tools.
Our faith, our religion should be pure, it should not be not polluted by the world. As we close, James teaches us to put our faith into action, by serving those that society has cast off, the widows, the orphans, those that are oppressed.
Next week we will continue our series in James and will be tackling chapter two and talking about how faith without works is dead.
