When The Skeptic Became a Believer
James • Sermon • Submitted
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· 51 viewsA look at the beginning part of James' epistle, watching him move from sketpic when Jesus was walking on the plent to a pillar in the faith.
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FROM SKEPTICAL OF HIS BROTHER TO SLAVE OF HIS CHRIST (1:1)
FROM SKEPTICAL OF HIS BROTHER TO SLAVE OF HIS CHRIST (1:1)
Notice what James calls himself: a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,...
20 Then he went home, and the crowd gathered again, so that they could not even eat. 21 And when his family heard it, they went out to seize him, for they were saying, “He is out of his mind.”
Q: WHAT CHANGED FOR JAMES?
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.
1 Corinthians 13
SOMETHING AMAZING HAPPENS WHEN YOU ACTUALLY MEET THE RESURRECTED JESUS.
SO IF JESUS IS THE CHRIST, WHY AM I FACING THIS JUNK? (1:2-4)
SO IF JESUS IS THE CHRIST, WHY AM I FACING THIS JUNK? (1:2-4)
…WHEN YOU MEET TRIALS OF VARIOUS KINDS,...
“Peirasmos is trial or testing directed towards an end, and the end is that anyone who is tested should emerge stronger and purer from the experience.” — WILLIAM BARCLAY
…THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH...
It is the word for sterling coinage
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 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.
PERFECT = mature
COMPLETE = complete in all respects
“BUT WHAT IF I FEEL LIKE I’M LACKING AND NOT COMPLETE?”
“BUT WHAT IF I FEEL LIKE I’M LACKING AND NOT COMPLETE?”
JUST ASK (1:5-8)
JUST ASK (1:5-8)
So James picks SOMETHING that you may be lacking in: WISDOM.
JUST ASK GOD:
6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
LOOK AT HOW GOD BLESSED SOLOMON WHEN HE ASKED FOR WISDOM:
11 God answered Solomon, “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked for possessions, wealth, honor, or the life of those who hate you, and have not even asked for long life, but have asked for wisdom and knowledge for yourself that you may govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 wisdom and knowledge are granted to you. I will also give you riches, possessions, and honor, such as none of the kings had who were before you, and none after you shall have the like.”
2 Chronicles 1:11-12
LET HIM ASK GOD WHO GIVES GENEROUSLY TO ALL WITHOUT REPROACH. — 1:5
ASK GOD
GOD GIVES GENEROUSLY
GOD IS NOT OFFENDED THAT YOU ASK.
BUT DON’T DOUBT WHEN YOU ASK
If anyone could understand what it was like to doubt Jesus, it is James.
WHY WOULD WE DOUBT?
Not sure that God is GOOD.
Not sure that God is ABLE.
“If we are to use aright the experiences of life to develop a sterling character, we must ask for wisdom from God. And when we ask, we must remember the absolute generosity of God and see to it that we ask believing that we shall receive what God knows it is good and right for us to have.” — William Barclay
BIG IDEA: Your perspective about everything changes when you meet the resurrected Jesus.
BIG IDEA: Your perspective about everything changes when you meet the resurrected Jesus.