James – Apostle of Passion
Luke 9:51-56
In serving the Lord you can either look at what you are doing as a ministry or a job. When ministry becomes a job you lose the passion that God wants you to possess.
My first ministry assignment as full-time pastor was in Kansas City, Kansas. I was active in the Great Kansas City Association of Evangelical Pastors and served as one of the officers. When Billy Graham held a Crusade in Kansas City I served as a coordinator of counselors. I also served as one of the leaders in showing a Billy Graham film in public theatres.
Only one problem…during all this activity I developed intense stomach pains. I went to a Christian doctor and explained that I might be coming down with ulcers. He checked me out and asked me if I was under a lot of pressure. I told him what I was involved in and he said he would give me something to help.
The tranquilizers did work. I called them my “I don’t care pills.” I began to see the ministry as just another job. At times my thinking would be fuzzy and my preaching from time to time didn’t make sense.
I said to myself, “As a pastor I’m supposed to care. I need to get to the bottom of why I have to take ‘I don’t care pills.” After prayer and meditation I came to the conclusion that I was full of self-pity. I was involved in all the community leadership responsibilities and yet people didn’t appreciate me like they should.
Only when I confessed my sin of self-pride and self-pity to God and others did my passion return.
In the Apostle James we see a person that possessed authentic passion.
In the early church there were three Christian leaders with the name of James.
James, son of Zebedee, an older brother of the Apostle John.
James, Son of Alphaeus, an apostle, but little is know
about him.
James, half brother of Jesus, a leader in the church of Jerusalem and the author of the book of James.
James, son of Zebedee grew up in a prominent family in Galilee. His father Zebedee was a person of wealth. Only wealthy families could afford servants in their home. James, John and family knew the High Priest. Only the people with money had access to this most powerful man In the Jewish community. (John 18:15-16) Because John knew the High Priest he was allowed in the courtyard after the arrest of Jesus while the Apostle Peter had to wait outside the door.
The James family worked hard for their wealth. Father and Sons Fishing Company sailed the sea on a regular basis catching fish to sell in the fish market.
James and John grew up in a family where both parents had strong personalities. With great boldness the mother of James and John marched up to Jesus (possibly here step Nephew since some Bible scholars believed Salome was a sister to Mary, mother of Jesus). Salome requested her two sons sit at the right and left hand of Jesus when he set up his earthly kingdom.
Luke 9:51-56 we see why Jesus called James and John the “sons of thunder.” Jesus knew it was time to fulfill His mission. He “set face” or determined with a set purpose to go to Jerusalem. The shortest way from Galilee to Jerusalem was through Samaria. He sent messengers to go ahead and get permission to travel through Samaria.
The Samaritans were a mixed race of Jews and Assyrians. They established their worship center on Mt. Gerizim. In Jesus’ time the Jews hated the Samaritans and equated them on the same level as dogs. The Samaritans did not associate with the Jews. The story of the Good Samaritan is unusual and not the normal attitude of Samaritans toward Jews.
On this occasion the Samaritans refused to allow Jesus safe passage because they knew Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem. Mt. Gerizim not Jerusalem was the center of worship.
When James and John heard the news they became angry and asked Jesus to call fire down from heaven and zap the Samaritans. Show them no mercy. Annihilate the pagans.
Jesus responded, “Luke 9:56, “The Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” So they went through another village. Jesus gave the Samaritans compassion.
From the life of James, son of Zebedee we can learn several lessons.
I. People need to be careful how they use their influence.
As an older brother James had a great influence of his younger brother John. When names in the early church the authors listed the person of greater influence first. Throughout the Gospels the names of Peter, James and John are given in that order. Peter had the greatest influence, James the next and then the Apostle John.
It’s interesting that John, the most soft spoken, and timid is named as the one Jesus loved. John may not have been the most flamboyant of the three, but he evidently was the most loyal, teachable, and obedient. Jesus loved him for his quiet surrender and loyalty.
If I were to ask you who has had a positive or negative influence on your life? I’m sure you could name several in each category.
For me my mother was a great positive influence on my life. As was my Sunday School Teacher, Dave Garlic and several High School and College Christian friends.
Evidently James influenced his brother John to seek positions of power. Mark 10:35-37, “then James and John, the Son of Zebedee, came to him (Jesus). “Teacher” they said, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked. They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your life in your glory.”
Ambition for selfish reasons is not healthy. Power does corrupt. Seeking positions of power can cause a person to compromise and lose his/her spiritual vitality.
#A Christian gentleman by the name of Jim accepted an invitation to become CEO of a large media firm that specialized in distributing in-house movies to hotel rooms. 75% of the company’s income came from adult movies.
After accepting the position he had inner conflicts with his conscience. He knew he had seriously violated the will of God. As the months went by he became more and more miserable.
One morning Jim had breakfast with his pastor and opened his Bible to Matthew 18:7, “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin! Such things must come, but woe to the man through whom they come!” Jim knew that his business was having an unwholesome and negative influence of the lives of men and women. He knew that he had only one choice if he wanted to have a clear conscience. He had to resign. That morning after prayer he made the commitment to resign.
His Christian influence was worth more than seven figure yearly salary, private jet, managing millions of dollars and a large staff of people. He loved the power but his life was not having a positive influence of godliness on others.
Everyone has some influence on someone else, for good or evil. The impact of your influence is up to you. The choice is yours.
Every day when we wake up as part of our Bible Reading and Devotions we can sing out loud or in our heart: “I want my life to tell for Jesus. Everywhere I go may His goodness show, I want my life to tell for Jesus.”
A second lesson we learn from the Apostle James is to seek a Godly Passion.
II. Our life goal, become a person of Godly passion.
There is a difference between earthly zeal and Godly passion. Zeal often has its focus of selfish gain. The theme song for people of self-motivated zeal is “Get all excited and make money.” “Think and grow rich should be written on cards and pasted around your home and on mirrors.
Zeal apart from knowledge can be damning. “For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.” (Romans 10:2) Zeal without wisdom is dangerous. Zeal mixed with insensitivity is often cruel. Whenever zeal disintegrates into uncontrolled passion, it can be deadly.
Zeal out of control is demonstrated by Jehu in the Old Testament. Jehu was known for his reputation of driving his chariot at breakneck speeds. “…driving like a madman.” (2 Kings 9:20) He said, “Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord.” 2 Kings 10:16 Then he annihilated the house of Ahab and swept away Baal-worship. But his zeal turned out to be tainted with selfish, worldly ambition and the most bloodthirsty kinds of cruelty. Scripture says: “Jehu took no heed to walk in the law for the Lord god of Israel with all his heart; for he did not depart form the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel to sin.” (2 Kings 10:31)
When someone equates spirituality with emotion, excitement, and noise, I’m reminded that God often speaks through a still small whisper. When God spoke to Elijah, God was not in the mighty wind, or earth quake, but in a still small whisper.
There’s nothing wrong with excitement and enthusiasm. Enthusiasm means “God is in.” The joy of the Lord should bring excitement. But most important is that we walk the talk and life a life of holiness that back up our shouts of joy.
#Rev. E.V. Hill told of an African American woman down South who was attending a white church. The white people were quiet and conservative. The pastor said, “Jesus is the Son of God.” She stood up and shouted, “Yes He is!” An usher came over to her and said, “I’m sorry, but we don’t do that here.”
She said, “But I got religion.” But he said, “You didn’t get it here!” She said, “I’ll keep quiet.”
Then the pastor said, He died for our sins.” This lady said, “Yes He did!” And the preacher said, “Early Sunday morning…” She got up and shouted, “But He got up!!!”
Two big ushers came over and grabbed her and started to drag her out. All the while she shouted “Praise the Lord!” The ushers asked: “Why are you saying that?” She said, “Well Jesus rode in on one, and I’m ridin’ out on two!”
Passion comes from the heart. Passion focuses upon God and giving glory to God.
The Apostle James moved from worldly zeal to Godly passion. James received his passion from being with Jesus.
• James was with Jesus when Jesus healed the mother-in-law of Peter in Capernaum.
• James was with Jesus when Jesus raised the daughter of Jarius from the dead.
• James was with Jesus on the Mt. Of Transfiguration
• James was with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane
James had an all-consuming zeal, a passion for his Master that must have vibrated in his voice and glowed in his face. He could do nothing by halves, and served the Lord with enthusiasm.
Like the Apostle James the last of the Apostles, the Apostle Paul transformed zeal for his desire to destroy the church into Passion for the Lord and building up the church of Jesus Christ.
Biblical passion is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy, 2 Timothy 1:6a, “I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you.” RSV
Passion is a gift of God. Without passion you quickly lose your first love and become like Christians in the church in Ephesus. At one time the Church in Ephesus was a great soul winning church. The Ephesian church was involved in starting many new churches. Forty years later with John received the revelation from the Lord, the church in Ephesus was active with many programs but no longer winning people to Jesus. Without passion reaching people with the good news of the Gospel is no longer a top priority.
Without passion you have the right words and formalities but have no power to make an impact for Jesus Christ. Without passion serving the Lord becomes more of a profession and performance than a ministry of passion and power in the Holy Spirit.
Without passion you know what to do but compromise and make excuses for not giving a bold witness for Jesus Christ.
Without passion local churches become luke-ward and drift into just playing church. Without passion you become overwhelmed with maintaining your programs with no time to be a missionary leader.
How can you know if you lack passion?
1. You become confused with no purpose in life.
2. Ministry is no longer fun.
3. Church ministry no longer seems relevant.
4. More time is spent putting out fires than starting new ones because rumors abound and you become polarized over insignificant issues.
5. You no longer spend time each day in Bible study and devotional prayer time.
The Apostle James was an Apostle of Passion. He was faithful to the end. Eusebius a Jewish Historian reported that a person who led James to his final judgment seat in Jerusalem heard the testimony of James. The guard was so moved by the testimony of James that he confessed his own sins and became a Christian. He begged James to forgive him and they were both led away and beheaded together.
James was the first Apostle to become a martyr for his faith. His life cut short but he was faithful to the end.
From time to time as Christians as a church we need special events to keep us on the growing edge in reaching out in love. AD2003 South Bay is just such an event.
Video Clip – 10 minutes (Introducing Alpha)
