The Book Of James - Part Four
Gtcotr/021605
Introduction: Short recap from previous weeks on who James is and from what perspective he wrote. James is a book of basic instructions for the Christian life.
I. Instructions From Chapter One
A. Remain joyful and patient in the trials of life
* If you don’t know how … ask God for wisdom
* Ask in faith
B. Believe that God is good
* Don’t let the world convince you otherwise.
II. Instructions From Chapter Two (NIV)
A. Show no favoritism to the rich or well dressed.
1 ¶ My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.
* Remember, James is giving instructions to the Christian
9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as law-breakers.
B. Do not insult the poor (KJV: Do not despise the poor)
6 But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?
7 Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?
* When we get to heaven the roles may be greatly reversed.
5 Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
C. Keep the royal law
8 ¶ If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right.
* The law of a King - King Jesus!
13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!
D. Show your faith through works
14 ¶ What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
* “I wish you well, be warmed and filled” --- what good is it?
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
* The demons believe & tremble but Abraham offered up Isaac
24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
* Rahab was considered to be right with God by what she did
26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
III. Instructions From Chapter Three
A. Leaders will be judged more strictly
1 ¶ Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
B. The tongue cannot be tamed
8 but no man can tame the tongue.
Luke 6:45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.
12 My brothers, can a fig-tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
Matthew 12
33 "Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
35 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
36 But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned."
C. Be a peacemaker
James 3:18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
