The Epistle of James will be looked at for a few weeks.
A1 Chapter 1
B1 Introduction
C1 Self-description
D1 Servant of God
D2 Servant of Lord Jesus
Christ
C2 Writing to the 12 tribes of
Israel (the Christian, believing Jews, but it is applicable to all of
us)
B2 Testing/Temptation (these
are the trials of the Christian faith; but it may refer to the
solicitation to sin, which is a trial)
C1 Attitude in: Joy
D1 Joy = cheerfulness, calmly
happy
E1 An opportunity to see
firsthand God's help in trouble
E2 Romans 5:3 And
not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation works patience.
D3 This world/life is one of
trouble, for the world is cursed because of sin.
D4 Testing/Temptation comes in
many different forms
E1 Spiritual temptation: to
deny Christ, to make someone bitter and blame God, etc.
E2 Emotional: to depression,
to be lead astray by "voices" (in reality, demonic
influence), false guilt, recurring bad memories
E3 Physical: to seek pleasure,
appetites, food, sleep, sex, money
E4 The three most popular gods
in the world: Honors,
Riches, and Pleasures
D4 References:
E1 Matthew 5:11 HCSB You
are blessed when they insult and persecute you and falsely say every
kind of evil against you because of Me.
F1 Comment: This is a
temptation to leave the faith and deny Christ.
F2 Three persecutions
mentioned:
G1 Insult
G2 Persecute, which may be
verbal, financial, economic (as in our occupation), physical,
spiritual, emotional, etc. or all the above
G3 Lie in every form it might
be possible to lie
F3 These come against us
because we are Christians
E2 1 Peter 1:6-7 GNB92 Be
glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be
sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer.
Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold,
which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which
is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may
endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day
when Jesus Christ is revealed.
F1 Comment: The results and
rewards are when Jesus returns.
F2 This type of testing is not
good to experience but does reveal if our commitment is genuine.
Remember persecution is not just physical.
C2 James 1:2 Works Patience
D1 Happily awaiting
deliverance, thus a test of faith. This is a showing of faith and
hope. Faith = "God will deliver me." Hope = "I hope it
will be today."
D2 Don't get in a hurry.
D3 God has a purpose waiting
for God’s deliverance: James 1:4 WPNT but
let that endurance have a complete work, so that you may be perfect
and complete, falling short in nothing.
D4 God’s grace is always
sufficient to endure: 2 Corinthians 12:9 NRSV but
he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is
made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly
of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
C3 James 1:5 Wisdom: lack
wisdom; don't know what to do; unsure of everything? Pray for wisdom.
God will not belittle us for asking. There are no stupid questions.
If we need to ask God for wisdom 100 times a day, it will not make
God angry.
C4 James 1:6-8 Prayer
D1 In faith (God can do this)
D2 We cannot manipulate God
with a formula, self abasement, etc.
D3 Don’t doubt.
D4 There is no guarantee to
answered prayer. 1 John 5:14 NKJV Now
this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything
according to His will, He hears us.
D5 Asking for wisdom is
pleasing to God. He is the source of wisdom. Colossians 2:2-3 NKJV
that their hearts
may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all
riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of
the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, 3 in whom are
hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
C5 James 1:9-11 Be glad if
you're poor
D1 Riches can disappear
quickly.
D2 Don't put your trust in
riches.
D3 This is a temptation, for
we should put our trust in God, himself.
C6 James 1:12 A reward for
endurance: the crown of life.
D1 There are two different
crowns mentioned in New Testament Greek
E1 The first is στεφανος,
stephanos which is similar to a trophy. It is given for victory or
efficient service. In our case for the Christian life. This is word
used in James 1:12.
E2 The second is διάδημα
diadema and is a crown signifying the right and authority to rule.
Thus, a king or queen would wear a diadem. This is the word used in
Revelation 12:3, 13:1, and 19:12.
D2 The Crown of Life is
specific for endurance, steadfastness, faithfulness in persecution of
any sort. It is also in Revelation 2:10.
C7 James 1:13-15 God does not
tempt people.
D1 The principle of sin is in
us.
D2 That principle is
"Everything is for my comfort and pleasure." This is
happiness, not joy. Happiness is not a fruit of the Spirit, joy is.
D3 The cure
E1 Repent and trust in the
Lord Jesus who suffered for our sins and paid our penalty
E2 Humility: God help me
E3 2 Corinthians 12:9 NKJV
And He said to me,
"My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect
in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
C8 James 1:20 Our anger does
not do the will of God.
D1 Anger often comes from
bitterness from injustice
D2 We seek revenge. Vengeance
is up to God.
D3 Need to forgive
E1 Forgiveness does not mean
that God lets them off the hook
E2 It means to turn the
person, situation, to God to deal with it
F1 That person may repent
F2 You can have peace and rest
C9 James 1:21 Stop sinning.
(God help us).
D1 The word "lay apart"
means put or lay aside and leave it.
D2 Place yourself under God’s
authority, that is, God's way is the right way. I will do this with
the help of God.
D3 Engrafted
is to place into or plant, which might mean the Gospel, so it brings
salvation, but it could also mean a remembering of a Bible verse
applicable to the present situation, which if we obey, we will be
delivered.
D4 Another version James 1:21
GNB So get rid of every filthy habit and all wicked conduct. Submit
to God and accept the word that he plants in your hearts, which is
able to save you.
E1 God implants a verse from
the Bible in our mind. "Ah, that verse—O yes, I remember."
E2 We obey that Bible verse
(with discernment).
E3 We will have deliverance.
C10 James 1:22-25, If only a
hearer of the Bible, then it is nothing. It is the doer who is doing
the will of God. Words are cheap; actions speak louder than words.
C11 James 1:23-27 One test of
a true Christian
D1 Mouth control
D2 Visiting the needy, the
fatherless and the widow.
Copyright
© 2001-2018 by Len Gane. All Rights Reserved.
