Overview of James 

• 1^st – The author of James…
  • 1^st – The book of Jacob…
    • The name JAMES is not found anywhere in the HEBREW Bible…
    • The name translated as JAMES – is actually the Hebrew name JACOB – heal catcher…
    • The first the name occurs is the birth of the twin sons of Isaac – Esau / JACOB – Genesis 25:26
    • Because Jacob gabbed the heal of his brother who came first – he was called JACOB!
    • The King James translators – changed all occurrences of Jacob in the NT – to JAMES…
    • It was King James who ordered the change – the translators did not argue!
  • 2^nd – Four James…
    • There are FOUR men in the New Testament called JAMES [Jacob]…
    • JAMES the son of Zebedee / brother of John – one of the 12 Apostles – Matthew 10:2
    • JAMES the son of Alpheus – James the younger – one of the 12 Apostles – Matthew 10:3
    • JAMES the father of Judas [not Iscariot] – who was one of the 12 Apostles – Luke 6:16
    • JAMES – the author of the book of JAMES…
  • 3^rd – James the Author…
    • 1. JAMES was the HALF brother of Jesus – Galatians 1:19
      • Mary had other children – Matthew 13:55 – including James and Jude…
      • The same Jude who wrote the book of Jude – Jude 1:1
    • 2. JAMES grew up as Jesus younger brother – but did NOT believe at first – John 7:5
    • 3. JAMES became a disciple of Jesus AFTER the resurrection – upper room – Acts 1:14
    • 4. JAMES was AN apostle in the church – but not one of the TWELVE…
    • 5. JAMES rose up to become the head of the church in Jerusalem – Galatians 2:9 / Acts 15
    • 6. JAMES was martyred…
      • Fourth century historian Eusebius called him JAMES the Just…
      • He was also called JAMES the camel knee – because he prayed so much!
      • He was martyred for his faith – he was thrown from the pinnacle of the Temple…
      • But did not die – prayed for his accusers – and was stoned and killed!
      • Eusebius believed the destruction of Jerusalem in 70A.D. was a result of JAMES death!
    • 7. JAMES was a servant…
      • James 1:1 – “James – a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…”
      • BONDSERVANT [δοῦλος] – we would say a SLAVE – but by CHOICE…
      • James chose to be a SLAVE because Jesus was his LORD [κύριος] …
      • Which shows his great humility – he does not introduce himself as the BROTHER…
      • But instead as the SLAVE by CHOICE to his LORD who is Jesus!

• 2^nd – Who was the book written to…
  • 1^st – The TWELVE tribes of Israel…
    • James 1:1 – “To the twelve tribes…”
    • JAMES makes multiples references to relate to his JEWISH audience…
    • James 2:21 – Abraham our father / James 5:11 – he talks about Job / James 5:17 – Elijah
    • FIFTEEN times in the book JAMES refers to his readers as BRETHREN…
    • Also the use of the word Synagogue [assembly] – James 2:2 
    • There is no doubt the book was written to the JEWS!
      
  • 2^nd – The Diaspora of Israel …
    • James 1:1 – “Which are scattered abroad: Greetings.”
      • SCATTERED ABROAD [διασπορά] – 3x NT – the DIASPORA…
      • in 722 B.C. – because of sin – the Northern Kingdom of Israel fell – II Kings 17:18
      • In 586 B.C. – the southern Kingdom was taken captive to Babylon – II Chronicles 36:21
      • After 70 years a remnant – just FIFTY thousand Jews returned – Ezra 2:64
      • The rest remained scattered [diaspora] throughout the nations!
    • GREETINGS…
      • GREETINGS [χαίρω] – literally we are ALWAYS [present] to REJOICE!
      • You JEWS who are SCATTERED all over the world – REJOICE!
      • Why REJOICE – because as JAMES was about to explain – there is reason for TRIALS!
      • I am sure the Jews had DOUBTS – why did God allowed them to be SCATTERED…
      • But God had a plan far greater than anyone of them could have imagined…
      • A plan to use these SCATTERED Jews / and to spread the GOSPEL message!
      • On the day of Pentecost – the Diaspora came to Jerusalem – Acts 2:9-11
      • And they all heard the Gospel message IN THEIR OWN language!
      • They went out from Pentecost and took the GOSPEL message to the world!
      • There are going to be things that happen in our lives that we do not understand…
      • But our responsibility is not to understand – it is to trust He has a plan!

• 3^rd – When was the book written…
  • There is no mention of the Counsel of Jerusalem [49 A.D.] in the book – Acts 15
  • So most scholars assume the book had to be written beforehand – between 44 – 49A.D.
  • This would make the book of JAMES one of the FIRST books to be written in the NT!
  • Likely written in Jerusalem where JAMES was AN apostle!

• 4^th – The theme of James…
  • 1^st – Practical Christian Life…
    • There are multiple issues that JAMES addresses pertaining to our CHRISTIAN walk…
    • Trials and temptations / pure religion / how faith and works…
    • Guarding the tongue and true wisdom / Being a friend of God and not the world…
    • The value of humility / Patience and prayer – just to name a few!
  • 2^nd – Commands…
    • There are 54 imperatives [commands] in the 108 verses of the book…
    • James is trying to give us detailed INSTRUCTIONS on how to live our lives!
    • James 1:4 – “That [we] may be perfect and complete – lacking nothing.”
    • Where Hebrews showed us Jesus is BETTER than everything and everyone…
    • And that we MUST walk by FAITH – in order to live for Jesus…
    • JAMES will pick up and challenge us HOW faith WORKS!
    • We might say – this is where the RUBBER meets the ROAD…
    • The PRACTICAL application of how our FAITH should be lived out on a DAILY basis!

Trials and Temptations…  [3 points]

• 1^st – What we do… vs. 2
  • My brethren – count it all joy when you fall into various trials…
    • The FIRST subject JAMES addresses is trials…
    • We all have either been though / are in / or are about to go through a trial…
    • The counsel JAMES gives – we are to COUNT our TRIALS all JOY!

• 1^st – Who – BRETHREN…
  • BRETHREN [ἀδελφός] – a phase JAMES repeats NINETEEN times…
  • He may be referring to the fact that he is writing to JEWS…
  • But it certainly has strong application to us because as believers – we are all BROTHERS!
• 2^nd – What – COUNT…
  • COUNT – [ἡγέομαι] – used 28 times in the NT
  • The word is NOT an accounting term – it carries the idea of THINKING through an idea…
  • Just as a leader THINKS through the consequences of their actions…
  • It is the same word used to describe how MOSES thought Jesus was BETTER than the world!
  • Hebrews 11:26 – “Counting [same word] the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in [the world]…”
  • When TRIALS come in life our first INSTINCT is usually not to THINK– we just REACT…
  • We PANIC and too often RUSH to a decision on WHAT we should do…
  • When the trials of life come rather than REACT – STOP and ask WHY…
  • God could certainly keep us from TRIALS – so if He does not – there is a REASON…
  • Take the time to pray to ask the Lord – what do you want me to learn!
  • There are times when I let Hallel get into TROUBLE – I see the impending danger…
  • But rather than STOP her I let her LEARN from the TRIALS that she FALLS into…
  • I do NOT want to her get hurt – but I DO want her to LEARN something!
• 3rd – When – we FALL…
  • FALL [περιπίπτω] – is an unusual word only used THREE times in the Bible…
  • When the good Samaritan FALLS among thieves – Luke 10:30
  • When the ship carrying Paul to Rome FELL into a place where the seas met – Acts 27:41
  • The word carries the idea of coming upon something UNPREDICTABLY…
  • If the Samarian would have KNOWN about the thieves / the boat about the rocks…
  • They would have gone a different way – but life happened!
  • I had a good missionary friend who got into a bad accident…
  • He was riding his bike and hit a pothole – he was in the hospital for weeks!
  • There was no one to blame – and no avoiding it – and the last thing on his mind was JOY…
  • But God used his time in the hospital to restore broken relationships in the church!
  • When TRIALS come – we do NOT rejoice – we look for someone to blame…
  • More often than not we end up blaming the people closest to us – our family / friends…
  • But the truth is we CANNOT see trials coming – we FALL into them – there is no one to blame!
  • Rather than BLAMING each other – we ought to be REJOICING with each other…
  • Because the TRIALS means that God is WORKING – and something amazing is coming!
• 4^th – Where – into various TRIALS…
  • Various TRIALS [πειρασμός] – meaning there are MORE than one KIND…
    • TRIALS [πειρασμός] can alternately be translated as TEMPTAION…
    • How can we tell the difference between a TRIAL or a TEMPTATION!
    • James 1:13 – “Let no one say when he is tempted [same word] – I am tempted by God – for God does [NOT] tempt anyone.”
  • A TEMPTATION – does NOT come from God…
    • TEMPTATION comes either for us giving into our sinful desires – more on that next week…
    • Or TEMPTATION can come from our enemy – SATAN!
    • SAMPSON saw a beautiful woman in the WORLD and wanted to marry her – Judges 14:1
    • Sampson was a man that God wanted use to redeem His people…
    • Therefore He was someone satan wanted to TEMP / destroy…
    • But it would be a fair question to ask – why was Sampson walking in the world!
    • Satan would love nothing more than to destroy our lives…
    • We are on the top of his hit list – we have a bullseye painted on us…
    • Yet often we get are TEMPTED because we are in places / looking at things we should not…
    • We put ourselves in positions where we are going to be TEMPTED by the world…
    • We as believers need to be careful where we go – and what we do…
    • We are foolish if we think that our surroundings do not affect us!
    • I Corinthians 15:33 – “…bad company corrupts good character.”
  • A TRIAL – is FROM God…
    • After Israel entered the Promised Land – a new generation rose that did not know God…
    • They found themselves in a Land littered with godless people…
    • GOD used these enemies to give Israel an OPTION – whom did they want to serve…
    • The pagans would be a TEST for Israel – see whether or not they would obey the Lord!
    • Judges 2:22 – “Through them I may test Israel – whether they will keep the ways of the Lord…”
    • We do not get to really know who someone is when life is easy…
    • The real test of character is how they act when life falls apart…
    • God uses TRIALS in life to turn up the HEAT – let us see what we are made of…
    • God already knows – but He wants US to see what is in OUR hearts!

• 2^nd – What we KNOW… vs. 3
  • 1^st – Our EXPERIENCE…
    • Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience…
    • KNOW [γινώσκω] – to learn through EXPERIENCE…
    • Why do we KNOW the sun will rise tomorrow morning…
    • We KNOW the sun will rise – because of our EXPERIENCE – it always has…
    • Even in the pitch black of night – we do not PANIC – KNOWING the dawn is coming!
    • In the same way we COUNT [indicative] it all JOY – a statement of FACT…
    • Not PANICKING when TRIALS come – because we have LEARNED they have a PURPOSE…
    • In the DARKEST hour – we KNOW – that the LIGHT is coming – Hebrews 13:5
    • Jesus has NOT abandoned us – just the opposite – TRIALS tell us He is working in us!
  • 2^nd – TESTING our faith…
    • TESTING – [δοκίμιον] – 2x in NT – means to TEST or PROVE…
    • I Peter 1:7 – “The genuineness of your faith… TESTING [same word] by fire – may be found to praise – honor – and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”
    • Silver is refined by putting it into the heat of an intense fire…
    • The fire draws out the impurities of the silver so they can be removed…
    • The smith knows the silver is pure when he can see his reflection!
    • Jesus put us in the fiery TRIAL to TEST our FAITH – draw out the impurities from our life [sin]…
    • He knows when we are done – because He sees His reflection in our lives!
    • We want God to use us – we want to draw closer to the Lord…
    • But often we will find before God a work THROUGH us – He first does one IN us…
    • Do not be surprised if we ask God to use us- only to find we are in a trial…
    • God uses it to PREPARE us – mold us – shape us – into Godly men and women!
    • I Peter 4:12 – “Beloved – do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you…”
  • 3^rd – Produces PATIENCE…
    • The EXACT same word used in Hebrews 12 for ENDURANCE…
      • Hebrews 12:1 – “Let us run with ENDURANCE the race that is set before us.”
      • TRIALS produce PATIENCE / ENDURANCE – so we can RUN our RACE!
    • PATIENCE [ὑπομονή] – compound word –and [μένω]!
      • We are told that apart from Jesus we can do nothing – John 15:4
      • We must abide – [μένω] – in Him in order for us to be able to have ANY fruit!
      • Abide is one of those funny Biblical words – we never use it…
      • It is better interpreted to ENDURE / or stubbornly refuse to let go!
      • [ὑπό] is the preposition UNDER – so the word means to be UNDER and ABIDE in Jesus!
    • FRUIT is produced not manufactured…
      • I used to have a bowl of fruit sitting in the kitchen in my house – it looked pretty…
      • But if you took a bite – you would be unpleasantly surprised – PLASTIC fruit…
      • We CANNOT make real fruit – we can only make things that look LIKE fruit!
      • In the same way we cannot produce FRUIT/ live a GODLY life on our own…
      • We can make ourselves look good – plastic CHRISTIANITY – but there is no life!
    • The byproduct of a being connected…
      • You never see the branch of an MANGO tree struggling to make an MANGO…
      • There is no effort – the fruit is a result of the branch being connected to the tree!
      • In the same way as long as we are connected to Jesus – we will have good FRUIT…
      • We do not have to work at it – it is the result of our relationship with Him…
      • Yet we try and model our LIVES after the world – then wonder why we have no FRUIT…
      • It is only when we are CONNECTED to Jesus – FRUIT happens!
    • TRIALS teach us to ABIDE…
      • If the Children of Israel had not been caught between Egypt and the Red Sea – Exodus 14:13
      • They never could have seen their God was able to part an ocean!
      • If we always had enough money – we would never see the Lord provide…
      • If we were always healthy – we could never see the Lord miraculously heal…
      • It is through our TRIALS – that we get to see God do a work in our LIVES!

And He makes us COMPLETE – so we lack NOTHING – overflowing with good FRUIT!

3^rd – What we CHOOSE… vs. 4

1^st – NOT a guarantee…

But let patience have its perfect work…

Up to this point it would seem all of this is a GUARANTEE…

We count [indicative] it all joy – statement of FACT…

Knowing [indicative] the trying of our faith produces patience – statement of FACT!

The COMMAND…

Alas we still have free will and a choice when it comes to TRIALS…

But LET [imperative] patience have its perfect work…

We are COMMANDED to ALWAYS [present] let TRIALS teach us to ABIDE…

But like with any command – we have a choice – obey or disobey!

2^nd – IF we obey…

You may be perfect and complete – lacking nothing…

We may [subjunctive] be PERFECT and COMPLETE – LACKING nothing…

JAMES uses THREE words that emphasize the SAME truth – TRIALS make us MATURE!

PERFECT [τέλειος] – to be COMPLETE spiritually…

COMPLETE [ὁλόκληρος] – to be COMPLETE practically…

LACKING nothing [λείπω] – to NOT come up short either SPIRITUALLY or PRACTICALLY!

The RICH Ruler…

Jesus was approached by a rich young ruler – Luke 18:18

He asked Jesus what GOOD thing he must do to inherit eternal life…

Jesus challenged him on the meaning of GOOD – pointing to the TEN commandments!

The RULER said he had kept them ALL [Jesus did not argue] – GOOD man…

But then Jesus told him he LACKED [same word] ONE thing – sell all you have and follow ME!

The RULER though he was coming to TEST Jesus – how to get to heaven…

But the truth this was a TRIAL – Jesus TESTING the RULER – what was in his heart!

The RULER had broken the FIRST commandment – no other gods before ME – Exodus 20:3

At which point he had a CHOICE – count it all JOY realizing He needed to ABIDE in Jesus…

Or walk away – and miss the ONE thing he LACKED – following the Lord!

When [not if] the TRIALS come – how do we RESPOND…

Are we like the RICH man – and walk away from Jesus – LACKING…

Or do we OBEY – and let our TRIALS teach us to ABIDE in our LORD [κύριος]!

So that He makes us PERFECT [spiritually] forgiven of all our sin…