The Gospel Makes Us Family: Intro To James Series

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: