READ: JAMES 1:1-11 (Conclusion of our studies in Jame's Epistle)
Nice
to have the opportunity to recap a bit on our recent studies over the
last few months in the Epistle/James as we draw them to a close
We would hope to cement down some of the lessons which we have learned
and hopefully get them buried deep in our hearts that we might not sin
against God
This is the most profitable thing we can gain, in a practical sense, from studying/any Bible book or epistle
We might learn much about God and be drawn to worship Him and that must
be the highest response of all - for that is our chief end
But to take God's word thus learned and meditated upon and to be used
to fortify our souls against the relentless onslaughts of the Evil One
is a noble thing indeed and entirely within our reach
Paul wrote to the Corinthians and said:
There hath no temptation taken you
but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer
you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation
also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1
Corinthians 10:13)
How does God ordinarily provide such an escape route?
Often by having us resist the Devil face to face and by wielding the
power of the sword of the Spirit (word/God) have him flee from us
But we must be familiar with the sword in order to use it effectively
Best used when hidden deep in our heart and brought out in time/battle
So let us try and gather up any loose string s that might be left dangling and bring these studies to a successful conclusion:
4 main thoughts:
1) JAMES: THE SAINT HE WAS:
When Calvin dismissed the controversy over the authenticity/Epistle, he
had to confess: But as to the author, there is somewhat more reason for
doubting. Not that a man called James wrote it…but which one?
No less than 3 prominent individuals who bore this name
All rule out James, the brother/John and son/Zebedee who was executed early (Acts 12:2) in the history/church
Little support among the commentators for James, the son/Alphaeus even though he was an Apostle
Most believe it was written by the one who is called (Galatians 1:19)
James the Lord's brother and of whom we must learn a bit more
A/ The name he bore i.e. James
James is the Greek rendering of the OT Jacob
Interesting to think of some of the comparisons/contrasts between these
two prominent Biblical characters who share the same name
Chiefly this (Comparison) Both were men of faith
"Faith" is mentioned 12 times in this epistle - only 1 less than "works"
By contrast: Jacob was once a wily old character and very shrewd
James is very strong/this epistle on high ethical standards in business
Another contrast might be their emphasis in prayer:
Jacob wrestled with God in prayer (Genesis 32) yet James wrote: 5:16
(Must be stated though: James mentions Job/Elijah but not his namesake)
He did not exploit this link which leads us to 2nd sub point:
B/ The connections he hid
James had a stronger connection than sharing the same name with Jacob
This in itself while suggestive, yet ultimately means nothing
Judas Iscariot carried the same name as the mighty OT Judah
But here is something that is greatly significant (because NT relates it)
James was the blood brother of our Lord Jesus Christ
In Galatians 1:19 he is distinctly called: The Lord's brother
Cannot be spiritualised because it becomes meaningless if applied to all
Fits with Matthew 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his
mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and
Judas?
Mention/passing: Destroys the nonsense of Mary's perpetual virginity
Point is here: James does not mention it
Why not?
[i] Ultimately because the Spirit/God did not move him to do so
[ii] Humility - He wanted to be judged on what he said, not who he was
[iii] The earthly tie was inferior to the spiritual tie: Matthew 12:46-50
Do not contemptuously dismiss this link but we do not elevate it either
James himself did not and neither do we
[iv] Interesting that Paul does so (Galatians 1:19)
Some foolishly pit Paul and James against each other as if enemies
Not so - Paul acknowledges the link as if to dismiss this error
But Paul had another reason to relate it:
C/ The forgiveness he [James] experienced:
We have some biographical detail of James the Lord's earthly brother
In John 7:5 we read that Christ's brethren did not believe on Him
Even with all their knowledge, they did not receive Him as their Messiah
Words in John 7:4 are full of scepticism and allege pride on Christ's part
James' unbelief brought him into the condemnation of John 3:18/36
But James became a Christian! Got saved! Converted to his elder brother
When? Possibly after the Resurrection: 1 Corinthians 15:7
Again, ultimately the "when" doesn't matter - but the "how"
James himself writes about the new birth experience: 1:18
This whole epistle deals with serious aspects of the Christian life
Something which James had experienced
D/ The Lord he served:
Describes himself not as Paul had described him: Lord's brother
Not as Paul described him elsewhere: Pillar/church (Galatians 2:9)
Waived the supposed privileges which such a thing could bring
Probably could for see the dangers in how such a relationship with
Jesus Christ could develop: Consider Rome's elevation of Mary
Therefore he wanted to be simply known:
Servant (Slave) of God and the Lord Jesus Christ
He says: The humblest title will do me!
If we but see ourselves as the Lord's servants, then we have all the
honour we need
He may have humbled himself - but he certainly elevated his older
brother, speaking of him in the same breath as God and calling Him
"Lord"
There was no more doubting/dissenting voice here
2) JAMES: THE LETTER HE PENNED:
We have already studied this book in some detail
Let us take a quick skim through it again and see what James covered:
A/ Salutation (1:1) [Already commented on this in this sermon]
B/ The testing of the Christian character (1:2-18)
[Noted how James launched into what was obvious a very pressing problem
There were certain advantages in temptation - but only in overcoming
He explains the reason why we are often tempted - we let ourselves get
lured into sin - the blessing lies in overcoming where a crown awaits]
C/ Hearing and doing (1:19-27)
[As already indicated/introduction: We need to apply the word/God to
get the benefit of it - anything less smacks of a superficial religion
Such application should not be restricted to solely spiritual things,
but encompass the intensely practical - like looking after widows]
D/ The hypocrisy of class distinctions (2:1-13)
[We are not to court and fete only the rich in the congregation
A poor man has as much right to be treated equally with the rich
God does not make judgements along those lines and neither should we]
E/ The evidence of true faith (2:12-26)
[Possibly the most controversial part of the book and oft misapplied
James isn't telling us here to be justified before God, but before men
We are justified before God by faith alone (Romans 3:28-5:1)
We are justified before men by our works, which they can see
Various homely arguments/illustrations are employed
James is very solid on this/uncompromising in his stand:
Faith without works is a dead, no hoper faith
It will be rejected by God and man as a useless faith
Let us not call such a faith a saving faith - anything but]
F/ The unruly tongue and hellish wisdom (3:1-18)
[James traces the source of many problems here to the tongue and to the
hellish wisdom that often goads it into action
While he teaches that no man can tame the tongue, yet this is no excuse
for its abuse and he holds us responsible for its abuse
Some positive exhortations appear here re: the use of the tongue
It is our chief instrument in praising God and can contribute much good]
G/ The grace of humility (4:1-17)
[Applies it so many ways, but it is required of us all
The proud are resisted- the humble uplifted
A man who boasts of tomorrow has no humility
We ought to submit ourselves to the will/God in humble submission]
H/ The curse of ill gotten wealth (5:1-6)
[What stinging rebukes flow at this point/epistle
He almost dons the mantle of the OT prophet here]
I/ The need of patience and prayer (5:7-20)
[Nearly back to where we started off i.e. in persecution
No quick fixes or easy way out - in for the long hard haul
But we are there by faith like many before us and so we will conquer]
This is the letter which James wrote
3) JAMES: THE OFFICE HE HELD:
One reason why James shows great pastoral concern and is very practical
is that he held a high position in the church/Christ at Jerusalem
A/ When Peter was released from the prison (Acts 12:17) he instructs
the praying church to send word to James and to the brethren
Why was James specifically mentioned? Ans: He held a particular position
B/ In Acts 15, we have a Presbytery meeting in Jerusalem
Why? All the elders came together to sort out a doctrinal problem that arose in the assembly at Antioch (14:26-15:1)
Certainly no autonomous church government here
No talking shop either or advice centre (16:4)
Although Peter spoke first (v7ff) it is James who takes over (v13) and
sums up - He agrees with Peter, because Peter agrees with Scripture
James appears to be the Moderator of the Presbytery
C/ Seen again in Acts 21 when Paul goes to Jerusalem, James is
mentioned along with the elders - suggesting again the position of
Moderator (v19)
D/ Mentioned again by Paul in Galatians 1:19 all adding to our thoughts
Evidently these words carry great authority from a church heavy weight
4) JAMES: THE DEATH HE DIED:
Josephus: he was martyred by the Jewish High Priest soon after
the death/Festus (AD62) thus he lived and died for his principles
stated here
THE END