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Alternate Title: Why are we in James its almost Christmas?
Introduction to James / Time of Transition
We took our time in Romans, quickly covered Ruth… slowing down again
James is similar to Ruth - Short book (Ruth 4 and James 5) (15-20 minute read)
Different than Ruth in form and complexity
Ruth - Historical narrative - story (descriptive text)
James - A letter
Has been compared to Psalms/Proverbs
Words of wisdom and instruction (prescriptive text)
Where Ruth was a map, James is a brochure
Ruth - Gave direction to where the story was going… redemption is coming
James - Gives advice on what to do when you get there
Not a Christmas sermon but rather...
Bring our attention to this shift in speed, slow, methodical, mediating
Mainly to introduce some ides, concerns we might run into
A Reminder that this “Christmas Child” was significant, he wasn’t ordinary
So not really a Christmas sermon, but, yeah a Christmas sermon in James.
Source Material
I want to share this because it might be useful to you
13 sermons…lining up with most of the headings in your Bible
13 sermons… coinciding with the study by Lifeway (Matt Chandler)
You can buy this guide and use it for personal, family, or small group study… ball in your court.
My job as a pastor is not to impress you, but to equip you.
My desire is not that you think I am a great speaker, Matt Chandler greatly surpasses me, but I do pray that you will have a desire to know God deeper and be equipped in your pursuit of him.
I hope to post things on Facebook, to blog, to create opportunities for thinking through Scripture
I hope you will use this to be and make disciples, for fellowship, for growth… for the glory of God.
That’s it for today,just camping out here.
As we celebrate the birth of the Messiah this month and dive into James, think about this: At first, the guy who wrote this letter did not believe that Jesus was the Savior of the world!
James was written around 50 AD by the brother of Jesus.
Historical Background of the letter
Early Church history attributes the letter to James, the half-brother of Jesus.
Some argue against “that James” writing this letter
He never identifies himself as “that James”, the brother of Jesus
There were other men named James mentioned in NT
But, most agree that it was “that James”
He became a pillar in the Church (Gal 2)
He was on the council of the Church (Acts 15)
His speech in Acts 15 uses similar language as this letter
Even though it isn’t expressly stated, most likely it was “that James”
Background on James
At first he didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah
Mark 3 - After choosing the apostles, James says Jesus is “out of his mind”
John 7 - John mentions, “his brothers did not believe him”
So How Do You Get Your Brother to Believe You are God?
—> You die and rise from the dead!
Acts 1 - We find James waiting with the disciples for the Holy Spirit
We already mentioned, James becomes a leader in the Jerusalem Church
James is martyred for Jesus
He doesn’t recant, so they throw him from the top of the temple.
He doesn’t die, so they stone him and beat him with a club until he dies.
How many kids will are going to get thrown off a building and beaten to death because they confess their brother is God?
I can’t even get mine to share the backseat of the car!
So James is not only written by Jesus’s brother, but by someone who has had their life radically changed by Jesus the Messiah, someone who now confesses him as Savior and Lord.
James is writing to the church, those who are already believers.
James’ Focus
Not trying to convince or convert - this is important as we study this letter… it’s to those already saved.
Martin Luther (Early Church Reformer)
This James does nothing more than drive to the law and to its works.
Besides, he throws things together so chaotically that it seems to me he must have been some good, pious man, who took a few sayings from the disciples of the apostles and tossed them off on paper.
Luther called James “the epistle of straw”
If we aren’t careful we might over-emphasize “action”
James never says, “good works lead to salvation,” b/c he is writing to those already saved
Two things James uses to remind us of that…
Continually uses “brother,” to mark off new sections/ideas/instruction
Uses “conditional clauses”, IF/THEN statements
If it is raining, then the grass is wet.
If you are a Christian, then do not murder
James is not a letter on salvation, but a discussion on the believer’s progressive sanctification leading to a life of joy.
That’s a mouthful, let’s simplify that some… two texts illustrate his purpose.
John 10:10
Jesus is speaking about being the Good Shepherd
The thief comes into the flock - to steal, kill, and destroy.
Jesus (the Shepherd) is in the field to bring life
Jesus is overseeing the sheep - watching, caring, tending, leading (green pastures, clear waters)
Psalm 139:23-24
A Psalm to worship a God who is immanent and transcendent
Transcendent - Creator, All Knowing, All Powerful, Sovereign
Immanent - Close, Involved, Relationship (knows the hairs on your head)
Search me —> Know me —> Lead me (correct/guide) to what is lasting
Being lead, being directed by God is sanctification, we are changing, but it’s a progression
James is not a “fix this” and move on, it is reminder of ongoing struggles.
Sanctification is like pulling weeds, they creep back, it’s ongoing
As a believer is drawn to obedience by God, they are lead into the fullest life possible.
God leads through the “thou shalt nots”
We tend to think those keep us from or limit our joy
Bible will argue that they lead us away from emptiness and into joy
There are ideas, goals, desires that I have that I think are best, that would be pleasing to me
God - “you’ve lived 37 year, I have been around forever”
Some of your ideas about what is good, are garbage.
Some of your goals, are shallow
Some of your desires, will not satisfy you
Think of your diet after Thanksgiving/Christmas…probably put on a few pounds
Maybe use an app or get a diet coach/nutritionist
Listen you need to eat better foods - complex carbs, vegetables, proteins
No wonder your always hungry, always snacking, craving something else
Donuts, Little Debbie, and Mountain Dew are full of sugar… empty calories
James is like a spiritual nutritionist
Your money, pride, jealousy will not satisfy you… unhealthy
This is what you need to be full, this is what you should strive for
A continual dependence on God
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