Sermon Tone Analysis
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Introduction
‘Your brother knows you’
How many of you are an only child?
Then you won’t understand the first part of this illustration.
ILLUST - Your family knows you best.
You could act all cool with a girl - all macho - show her your best side, until she meets your family.
- Brad and his self-made audio tapes. . .
If you really want to get to know someone get to know their family.
We’re about to start on a new series.
One that will take us through the rest of summer, and as we do, I want you to keep in mind the idea that if you want to get to know someone, get to know their family.
Turn to James 1:1
**Who wrote the book of James?
Four keys to understanding the Book of James:
Five keys to understanding the Book of James:
James
Must be Jesus’ brother:
Why it must be Jesus’ brother:
Several different James in Bible.
The name James is mentioned over 40 times.
Refers to up to 8 different men.
James is NT rendering of Jacob - popular name
Jesus had a brother named James:
Matt 13:
The James here is Jesus’ brother.
Why didn’t he state that he was Jesus’ brother?
(ultimate name drop - Ima writing this letter to you, and you best listed because me and the Son of God - we tight!)
He didn’t need to.
Everyone knew him.
We’ll see later that he was a main leader of the church in Jerusalem - he was THAT James.
ILLUST - Secret Service brings a letter on White House letterhead signed “Donald” - you won’t question which Donald
2. He was following Jesus’ example of humility.
How does he describe himself?
Servant.
Jesus came to serve not to be served and that was James as well.
3 different viewpoints on how James was related to Jesus:
Step brothers
3 ways James was related
Joseph had a wife prior to Mary and they had children including James.
This is all just speculative.
Cousins - James and Jesus were close but not really related as brothers
This is usually used to help promote the idea that Mary was a perpetual virgin.
They were half-brothers.
This is the first marriage for both Mary and Joseph.
What it means that it is Jesus’ brother:
We have very little written about Jesus growing up.
If you want to know about Jesus get to know his family.
Mk
A servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
Interestingly, what does James call himself?
A servant of God and of Jesus!
This is significant because at first, James didn’t believe his brother was God.
That’s kind of natural if you have a brother - you have a hard time believing them when they post a status on Facebook that says, “I am God.” Makes for an awkward family reunion.
Mark 3:31-
They took offense at him.
James, the servant of God, did not believe Jesus was the Son of God.
But then,
If anyone would know if it was really Jesus who really died and really rose again - it would be his family!!
James then gives himself to following his brother Jesus as Lord Jesus Christ.
What else except the truth of the resurrection could account for James’ transformation?
James then, along with Peter, becomes a major leader in the church in Jerusalem.
In fact, when Peter leaves the city (likely due to persecution of Herod), James is left to lead the Christian movement.
James has such authority that Paul recognizes him has his leader and calls him a “pillar” of the church.
James helps lead the Jerusalem Council as they discussed what parts of their new faith in Jesus were born out of true teaching and devotion to Jesus, and what was vestiges of empty religion.
What we see is that James has convening power and and authoritative voice.
Of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ
Leader of the church yet humble
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion
This is probably one of the earliest writings in the New Testament
Written in the early 40’s.
This was written shortly after the time of - stoning of Stephen and persecution of the church.
This was written to the ‘dispersion’.
12 tribes: This is reminiscent of the Jews sho lived outside of Palestine due to persecution or exile.
James had in mind here not only the Jewish Christians, bu
Based on our biblical theology, we believe that believers today, are grafted into the Twelve Tribesl.
Greetings
(structure of James)
This is a letter.
5 chapters.
Wisdom and Prophecy.
Proverbs of the NT - especially mirrors first 9 chapters of Proverbs
Little different, though.
Unlike Proverbs, James isn’t going to give us pithy little sayings about the wisdom of ants.
James will punch you in your ‘faith.’
2 main influences - Proverbs and Jesus’ teaching (especially Sermon on the Mount)
The whole book will be a practical treatise on how to carry out Jesus’ summary of the Torah - To love God with everything that you are and to love your neighbor as yourself.
The interaction of faith and works.
James tells you who he is then points to God.
That’s where it all begins.
^^God is not about forcing you to obey him; he is about flourishing you because he loves you.
All of his commands - in the OT and in James are there not because he wants to make you do something for him - he doesn’t NEED you.
It’s not about restricting your fun - it’s about keeping you from chasing a life that he knows will not fulfill you.
Four lessons as we begin our study of James:
The gospel can change your faith.
James went from thinking his brother was a lunatic to believing he is Lord in one moment.
What made the change?
The resurrection.
In the gospel our sin is exposed and our Savior is revealed.
Read through the Book of James and tell me if it isn’t what one commentator called it, “a punch in the gut.”
James is a punch in the faith.
As I read through it I realize that I’m still not crushing this whole ‘Christ-follower’ thing.
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