Sep 2, 2012
James 1:1-8
From:
· James, the brother of Jesus, wrote this letter (epistle). (James 1:1)
o Leader of the church in Jerusalem
o Martyred in A.D. 62
o Wrote this letter in A.D. mid 40’s.
To:
· This letter was written to the Jewish Christians scattered beyond Jerusalem. (James 1:1)
o Old Testament Dispersion: Captivity and Exile
o New Testament Dispersion: Persecution (after the stoning of Stephen, Acts 7-8; A.D. 35-37)
Re:
· It’s a revealing letter.
o God uses real life issues to reveal real faith.
· It’s a practical letter.
o Practical wisdom on how to navigate wisely through real life.
· It is a challenging letter.
o There are over 50 calls to obedience to live out real faith in real life.
Practical Truths About Real Life . . .
1. Real life demands a real choice. (James 1:1)
“a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ . . .”
· Bondservant: one who gives himself up wholly to another’s will; not forced, but willingly.
Truth Statement: Who or what I serve will influence how I live out my life.
2. Real life involves real struggles. (James 1:2-4)
· Trials are a part of real life.
“ . . . when you meet (encounter; face) trials of various kinds . . .” (v.2)
· Trials will test the __________________ or ________________ of my _________________. (v.3)
“ . . . for you know that the testing of your faith produces steafastness.”
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:6-7)
· Trials are ________________________ in maturing me ________________________ so that I become more like Christ. (v.2, 4)
“And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)
“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)
“Count (Consider) it all joy . . .” (v. 2)
Truth Statement: As a bondservant of Christ He is our ________________ ______ and the gospel is our _______________________________.
3. Real life ____________ real ______________________. (v.5-8)
· _____________________ and God will give generously.
· _____________ God and you will be ________________, receiving __________________ from God.
o Doubting is when I ________ God and then __________________ to try and _________________ the issue; or when I give up on God because His _____________ isn’t my timing.
Truth Statement: When I encounter the trials of real life, God’s ______________ is what I _____________________________.
Verses to hold on to:
· John 16:33
· 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
· 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Making it Practical . . .
· What are some of the trials you are currently going through?
· What are some of the ways you could respond?
· What are the ramifications that would result with each of the responses you listed? Both short term and long term. (You may not see the ramifications now, but you will in the long term)
· Based on God’s word and the leading of His Spirit, what is the obedient thing to do that reveals God’s wisdom?